On Saturday night, Chris Billam-Smith rolls the dice once again against Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez in a unification showdown in the cruiserweight division. Ramirez’s trainer Malik Scott had labelled this fight a total “mismatch”, however Billam-Smith’s trainer Shane McGuigan has since fired back at these claims.

Billam-Smith will enter the ring as the bookie’s underdog (31/14) on Saturday night, something he has done many times before.

The Bournemouth man won his WBO title in his beloved Vitality Stadium, defeating former stablemate Lawrence Okolie in a scrappy, at times hard to watch contest back in May last year.

He has since defeated Mateusz Masternak and Richard Riakporhe – the latter significantly resulting in him avenging the only professional defeat of his career to date.

His opponent, after sharing the ring with the likes of Dmitry Bivol, will enter the ring as the favourite.

Having moved up weight following the defeat to Bivol, Ramirez has won two fights in the cruiserweight division, picking up his WBA belt against Arsen Goulamirian in his latest outing.

‘Zurdo’ has made it clear his aspiration is to win this fight, defeat Jai Opetaia to become undisputed champion, and then take a shot at eternal glory against Oleksandr Usyk.

Coming into this fight, Ramirez’s trainer has backed his fighter’s claims and has added that he does not think this Billam-Smith is at the same level, even labelling the Brit as a “one trick pony”.Chris Billam-Smith targeting Jai Opetaia fight

However, speaking to Boxing News, Shane McGuigan, Chris Billam-Smith’s trainer, has shut these calls down.

”I don’t know how he’s still got a job after the business he’s done with Deontay Wilder.”

”He’s just a guy who talks a lot of s**t.”

”He hasn’t trained anybody to win any fight of merit.”

”I’m not being arrogant, I’ve been in this sport for 14 years.”

”If someone is going to call me out like Malik Scott, just go back and look at the track record.”

McGuigan has said that there should be little substance in what Scott has to say, therefore dismissing any talks of this fight being too challenging for his fighter.

After Billam-Smith’s fight on Saturday, Shane McGuigan will be looking forward to watching his dad appear on the new series of ‘I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here.

Friday night plays host to the eyebrow-raising showdown between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson who top a strong card in Texas that can be watched live on Netfllx. However, whether by influence or coincidence, Mike Tyson is not the only heavyweight of the 1990’s to be returning in the coming months – with a trifecta of pre-millennial powerhouses set to join him.Ike Ibeabuchi

When the great heavyweights of the 1990’s are mentioned, the likes of Tyson, Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis understandably stick out. However, amongst those superstars there was a plethora of under-appreciated talent beneath, none more so than Ike Ibeabuchi. Now, at 51-years-old, ‘The President’ is set to make a shocking comeback to professional boxing.

Regarded as one of the strongest punchers amongst the star-studded crop of heavyweights at the time, Ike Ibeabuchi was honing in on a shot at the heavyweight world title after winning his first 16 professional contests and scoring numerous eye-catching knockout wins along the way.

Then, in 1997, the Nigerian jumped up in competition and stepped through the ropes for his toughest task to date, going toe-to-toe with fellow title hopeful David Tua in what turned out to be a heavyweight classic.

Ibeabuchi and Tua broke the record for punches thrown in a heavyweight bout covered by CompuStat, throwing 1,730 total punches between them, 975 being thrown by Ibeabuchi (avg. 81 per round) – that being an individual record for a heavyweight.David Tua vs Ike Ibeabuchi. June 7, 1997. pic.twitter.com/2BUBhk7lj4

— b0xingfan (@b0xingfan) August 4, 2023

As a result, it was Ibeabuchi who claimed the unanimous-decision win and proved himself as a worthy contender for the WBC heavyweight world title, held by Lennox Lewis at the time.

Instead, Ibeabuchi attempted to gain further experience at the world level and scored a trifecta of increasingly difficult knockout wins against Tim Ray, Everton Davis and Chris Byrd to better prepare himself for a title shot – although it would never come.

In July 1999, Ibeabuchi was arrested and eventually sentenced to prison for battery with intent to commit a crime and attempted sexual assault, leaving him imprisoned until his release in November 2015.

Five months later, Ibeabuchi was arrested once again after violating the conditions of his probation, ending hopes of a comeback to boxing as he was forced to serve an additional four years behind bars until release in September 2020.

Four years on and it seems as though Ibeabuchi (20-0) will finally get the boxing comeback that he has been craving, officially scheduled to take on 47-year-old Ayman Farouk Abbas (4-10-1) in Port Harcourt, Nigeria on December 7th in a six-round affair.

Farouk’s most notable result is a split-draw against America’s Christopher Lovejoy (20-1) in Egypt last year, despite being knocked down and appearing to lose all six rounds.In what can only be called a ‘Fight of the Year’ contender, Christopher Lovejoy knocks down Farouk in a thriller where he is robbed on the scorecards with a ‘draw’ 🙄 @TimBoxeo@LovejoyBoxingpic.twitter.com/du3tTv0mFV

— No Nonsense Boxing (@NNBoxing) March 19, 2023

Ibeabuchi will be hoping that he gets a fairer shake than Lovejoy received when he and Farouk meet next month. Although, if Ibeabuchi is half the fighter that he was the last time he fought professionally, the judges will not be required.

Fabled heavyweight knockout artist Shannon Briggs has been prevalent in the influencer boxing scene since hanging up the gloves but now seems set to go one step further and make a comeback to the ring. Now, the 52-year-old has revealed a date for when he expects to make his ring return.

After winning a national championship as an amateur, Briggs turned professional in 1992 and went on to defeat his first 25 opponents, winning by knockout on 20 occasions, before he was halted by Darroll Wilson in 1996.

However, four consecutive stoppage wins earnt ‘The Cannon’ a shot at beloved heavyweight veteran George Foreman, who he defeated by majority-decision in what turned out to be Foreman’s final contest.

That victory thrust Briggs into a world title shot against WBC title-holder Lennox Lewis but the American came up short and was stopped in the fifth-round and would not return to the title picture for many years to come.

Eight-and-a-half years later, after a streak of 11 straight victories, Briggs was finally able to get his hands on a world title when he pulled off a dramatic final-round knockout against WBO champion Siarhei Liakhovich whilst behind on the scorecards.With ONE SECOND LEFT in the 12th round and behind on all three cards, former lineal king @TheCannonBriggs knocks out (WBO titlist) Siarhei Liakhovich!!!

[November 4, 2006] pic.twitter.com/fTlN3bXfne

— Lineal Boxing Champion (@LinealBoxChamp) May 27, 2024

Briggs would lose his belt without making a defence and was outpointed by Vitali Klitschko to a final challenge for world honours in 2010, before registering 10 straight wins and hanging up the gloves in 2016.

Yet, despite hanging up the gloves, Briggs is often seen at fight nights across the pond and famously trained YouTuber Logan Paul for his fight against KSI in 2019.

Now, Briggs has confirmed that he is actively pursuing a comeback to boxing, whether that be as a professional or with Misfits, he told Fred Talks Fighting.‼️ Shannon Briggs is hoping to fight by March 🔜🥊

[Via – @fredpdbeck on YT] pic.twitter.com/VjsY1pjAzd

— IFN (@IfnBoxing) November 9, 2024

“I miss it actually, I am looking to get back into shape. I have been in the gym and I’m looking to hopefully be ready to fight again by March.

“I am going to fight again.

“[I would fight on Misfits] if the money is right, yeah, but I am getting back in shape and I’m back in the gym, I am hitting hard, I am strong.”

“I am just as fast as I was.”

The former WBO heavyweight champion is yet to receive an official fight date but has called out the winner of Paul-Tyson – which would line up with a return in Spring 2025.Oliver McCall

The Paul-Tyson event is one that is being criticized by the masses and the return of the aforementioned fighters is likely to be treat similarly given their age. Yet, despite being the oldest of the quartet, McCall’s return is probably the one that causes the least concern.

What separates Oliver McCall from the pack is that his latest outing was as recent as 2019, meaning the granite chinned 59-year-old will end a five-year spell of inactivity, just a fraction of the quarter of a century since Ibeabuchi last stepped through the ropes.

Trained by legendary champion Joe Frazier, McCall had a tough start to life in the heavyweight division and lost his second official contest to Joey Christjohn, before eventually losing an additional four fights prior to his shot at the heavyweight crown.

Consequently, McCall entered the ring to take on undefeated WBC champion Lennox Lewis as a major underdog, but ‘The Atomic Bull’ pulled off a monumental upset to halt the British-Canadian within just two rounds and become a shock champion back in 1994.30 years ago, Oliver McCall defeated Lennox Lewis by TKO in round 2 of 12 to win the WBC heavyweight title. Big upset. pic.twitter.com/r4tV4jXvqv

— 𝑲𝒏𝒐𝒄𝒌𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝑱𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒔 (@KOJournals) September 24, 2024

McCall would defend the belts against an ageing Larry Holmes the following year but his reign came to an end at Wembley Stadium when he was outpointed by Frank Bruno in a famous moment in British boxing history.

The Chicago-born big man would later lose the 1997 rematch to Lewis in confusing fashion in a second world title challenge and never returned to the heavyweight throne, but remained in the division for years to come, banking wins against lowly contenders.

In 2014, McCall became one of, if not the only fighter, to avenge a defeat of his sons, a testament of his insane longevity, although in 2019 McCall decided that enough was enough and called time on his 34-year career.

Yet, McCall has since decided that he is not done yet and will return to action to fight Stacy Frazier (16-22), who has also not fought since 2019, in a four-round bout on a card in Nashville.View this post on Instagram

A post

Former opponent of IBF super-middleweight champion William Scull, Sean Hemphill (16-2) will also appear on the ‘Country Box’ card, on Tuesday November 19th, with tickets available for purchase here.

Heavyweight boxing legend Mike Tyson is set to return to professional boxing and take on Jake Paul tomorrow night as the headline attraction of a controversial event that may well out-perform the undisputed heavyweight title contest between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk. However, November was not the original plan for Paul-Tyson and ‘Iron Mike’ has now revealed further details regarding the injury that caused the postponement.

Tyson was expected to collide with ‘The Problem Child’ back on July 20th, ending a run of almost two years without a professional bout and hoping to pull off the upset against a rival who is over 30 years younger.

Yet, the two-time heavyweight champion was made to wait for his chance to silence Paul after he was forced to withdraw from their July clash due to an injury, described as stomach ulcers at the time of the announcement.

Paul would go on to proceed with the date and replace Tyson with Mike Perry – who was halted in six rounds and the YouTuber-turned-boxer’s meeting with ‘The Baddest Man on the Planet’ was re-announced for November 15th.

Speaking with New York Magazine, Mike Tyson provided the graphic detail as to why he could not overcome his health concerns and fight back in July, raising further questions as to whether he will have fully recovered by Friday night.

“I was in the bathroom throwing up blood,”

“I asked the doctor, ‘Am I going to die?’ He said, ‘We have options.’ Options? I couldn’t believe it.Oliver McCall set to become latest former heavyweight champion to make a comeback

“I had, like, eight blood transfusions. The doctor said I lost half my blood. I almost died.

“I lost 25 pounds in 11 days. Couldn’t eat. Only liquids. Every time I went to the bathroom, it smelled like tar. Didn’t even smell like shit anymore. It was disgusting.

“It threw me off [when I continued training]. All my coordination, stamina, everything was hectic getting back. I was peaked already. I could have fought him that day. Now I got to start from scratch.

“I just don’t give up. I’m an asshole sometimes. I’m a dick. If I haven’t outlived my enemies, I’ve turned them into my friends.”

Despite not having the accolades of his older dance-partner, Jake Paul will step through the ropes as the bookmaker’s favourite and hopes to call-out an even more frightening opponent should he get through Tyson unscathed.

Former WBC heavyweight title challenger Dillian Whyte finds himself estranged in the heavyweight division but the Brit is hopeful of returning to the big stage in the near future. Now, after competing in just three rounds since 2022, it appears as though Whyte may have a fight date.

Whyte famously defeated Anthony Joshua as an amateur and their rivalry continued into the professional ranks, but the Jamaican-born, Brixton-based heavyweight was less successful when the pair came to blows at the O2 Arena – suffering a brutal knockout defeat.

That loss put an end to Whyte’s 16 fight undefeated streak since turning over but ‘The Body Snatcher’ was able to get back to winning ways and emerge as a serious title threat in the years that followed, defeating the likes of Joseph Parker, Derek Chisora and Oscar Rivas until a shock loss to Alexander Povetkin.On this day 4 years ago Alexander Povetkin sparked Dillian Whyte out COLD😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/nPJ1cbY3Ga

— On The Record Boxing (@OnTheRecordBox) August 22, 2024

The Londoner then avenged the Povetkin loss at the Europa Point Sports Complex in Gibraltar in a career-best display before jumping into an eventually unsuccessful title challenge against Tyson Fury at Wembley Stadium, bouncing back later in the year with a majority-decision win against Jermaine Franklin in late 2022.

However, in 2023, Whyte’s career was completely derailed by news of a positive drugs test during the build-up to his rematch with ‘AJ’.Chris Billam-Smith targeting Jai Opetaia fight

It was later concluded that this result was caused by a contaminated supplement but still Whyte’s name remains a tainted one, with his only fight since being a non-televised one against Christian Hammer in Castlebar, Ireland, which was brought to a close after three rounds.

According to The Stomping Ground’sCharlie Parsons, Whyte will once again fight on an unconventional card, returning to Gibraltar in four weeks’ time.Hearing Dillian Whyte will return to the ring on Sunday December the 15th in Gibraltar. 🇬🇮

— Charlie Parsons (@CharIieParsons) November 13, 2024

“Hearing Dillian Whyte will return to the ring on Sunday December the 15th in Gibraltar.”

The size and promoter for the card remains to be seen, as do details regarding whether the event will be broadcast, although any bill in Gibraltar would be just the third in the country’s history.

This Saturday plays host to the latest instalment of ‘Riyadh Season’, where Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez collides with Chris Billam-Smith in a battle for the unified cruiserweight world titles. Just days before the pair meet, one fight on their undercard has received a significant update.

As is the case in the main-event, each contest on the ‘Latino Night’ bill features a fighter of Latino heritage, with the likes of Oscar Collazo, William Zepeda and Oscar Duarte all scheduled to appear on the card.

However, in one of the closest affairs of the event, two Latino’s will go head-to-head as Jose Carlos Ramirez and Arnold Barboza Jr. meet in a clash that will likely provide the victor with a world title shot during 2025 – or so it was thought.

The fight between Ramirez and Barboza Jr. was scheduled to be a 12-round contest in an eliminator for the WBO super-lightweight title, with Barboza currently holding the WBO Inter-Continental strap and positioned as the mandatory challenger for Teofimo Lopez’s world title – who he has been demanding to fight during 2024.

Yet, it has now been confirmed that Barboza has refused to pay the WBO sanctioning fees due to frustrations at the WBO, who have not yet enforced his mandatory shot at Lopez.The Jose Ramirez-Arnold Barboza fight has been downgraded from a 12-round title eliminator to a 10-rounder. Barboza told @DAZNBoxing that he had no interest in paying @WorldBoxingOrg sanctioning fees, citing the WBO’s refusal to mandate his title shot.

— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) November 13, 2024New fight date touted for David Benavidez vs. David Morrell

During Golden Boy Promotions’ live stream for the media workout this week, Barboza explained his decision.

“I haven’t had issues [with the WBO] personally, but in the past four or five fights I have paid sanctioning fees and I haven’t got a title shot. I fought Alex Saucedo, I fought who I had to fight, and I haven’t got a title shot.”

“I hope that I can get a title shot from any organization, but it got to the point where, I mean that is actually money coming out of my pocket for my kids.”

Meanwhile, WBO president Gustavo Olivieri has since told Boxing Scene that the fight was ‘never ordered or sanctioned’ as an eliminator in the first place.

As a result, Ramirez and Barboza Jr. will instead meet in a 10-round bout on Saturday night as one of the highlight attractions on the intriguing Ramirez-Billam-Smith card.

In a recent interview with Boxing King Media, boxer Vergil Ortiz Jr. discussed the possibility of a matchup with Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis. During the conversation, Ortiz Jr. also

Jaron Ennis, who recently kept his undefeated record with a win over Chukhadzhia, had to face a more prepared opponent than in their first meeting. Ennis had defeated Chukhadzhia in a previous fight, but this time the Ukrainian put up stronger resistance, landing more punches on Ennis and making the bout more competitive.

Despite the challenges, Ennis managed to drop Chukhadzhia in the fifth round, allowing him to add another win to his record.

However, Ennis’ performance raised some doubts. The boxer threw more punches than usual but appeared less focused compared to his previous fights, leading to a range of reactions from fans and experts alike.In the interview with Boxing King Media, Vergil Ortiz Jr. was critical of Ennis’ performance against Chukhadzhia.

Ortiz Jr. stated that in both of Ennis’ showings against Chukhadzhia, he did not look as good as in other fights.

Although he pointed out that a knockout is not always necessary to make a fight interesting, he felt that Ennis took more punches than he should have and that his attitude during the fight seemed unfocused.

Regarding the possibility of a fight between him and Ennis, Ortiz Jr. confirmed that negotiations are underway. He also made it clear that he plans to fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in that month, regardless of who his opponent is.

“So as far as I know, that I’m reading on the internet, is that there’s negotiations being made at this moment,” said Ortiz.Eddie Hearn reacts to Oscar De La Hoya’s proposal to fight him for free

“It could be in February, that’s when I’m going to fight. If it’s him or not, I’m fighting in February. Yeah, I think I’m gonna fight (in Riyadh) in February,” Ortiz stated.

Previously, Bozy Ennis, Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis’ father and trainer, claimed that Vergil Ortiz Jr.’s team had rejected an offer for both fighters to meet in the ring.

This statement sparked controversy, but it was quickly denied by Vergil Ortiz Jr. and his promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, through social media.

Despite these public exchanges, the possibility of a showdown between the two still looms, and many are eagerly awaiting the outcome of the negotiations and an official fight confirmation.

In a recent interview with Sky Sports, BOXXER CEO Ben Shalom expressed his enthusiasm for Chris Billam-Smith’s future in the cruiserweight division. The British WBO cruiserweight champion will face Mexican Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramírez next Saturday, November 16, in Saudi Arabia, in a highly anticipated title unification bout.

Billam-Smith, who already holds the WBO belt, has the opportunity to add Ramírez’s WBA cruiserweight title to his collection if he manages to defeat him this weekend.

Shalom made it clear that a victory would not only solidify Billam-Smith as one of the best but also open the door to even more ambitious matchups.In his comments to Sky Sports News, Ben Shalom mentioned that if Chris Billam-Smith defeats Ramírez, his next target will be Australian Jai Opetaia, the current IBF cruiserweight champion.

Ben Shalom believes this fight is key to proving who is the best in the division.

“He will want to add the WBC and IBF titles to his collection, and prove he is the best in the division,” Shalom said.

“A fight with Jai Opetaia is one the fans have been calling for to determine who is No 1. If Chris wins on Saturday, that is a fight we will be looking to make,” Shalom added.

Chris Billam-Smith has proven to be a formidable contender in the cruiserweight division with impressive victories.

Last summer, he defeated Richard Riakporhe in his own backyard, Selhurst Park, winning the rematch by decision. He also overcame former champion Lawrence Okolie in May 2023, claiming the WBO belt.

Ben Shalom has full confidence in his fighter’s abilities and does not hesitate to back Billam-Smith for another significant win. “This is the biggest fight of Chris’ career,” Shalom stated. “If he wins this, he can be fighting to become undisputed next year.”Shannon Briggs reveals date for boxing comeback

Shalom highlighted the challenging journey Chris Billam-Smith has had throughout his career, noting that many people have underestimated him on several occasions.

“Many people have written Chris off throughout his career. He is ready to prove the doubters wrong again,” Shalom said.

With British, European, and world titles under his belt, Billam-Smith has overcome every challenge put in front of him. According to Shalom, this matchup with “Zurdo” Ramírez could be the pinnacle of his incredible journey.

“The journey has been incredible, and this can be the biggest night of them all,” Shalom concluded.A clash between Billam-Smith & Opetaia?! 🔥

🗣️ @benjshalom says he’ll look to make that fight if Billam-Smith gets past Zurdo. #ZurdoBillamSmith x #LatinoNight | Saturday | #RiyadhSeasonpic.twitter.com/lLd4xYMXM1

— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) November 13, 2024

Former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has publicly voiced his concerns for Mike Tyson’s safety in his upcoming fight against Jake Paul. Joshua stated that he will be praying for the legendary “Iron” Mike, who is returning to the ring to face the controversial YouTuber-turned-professional boxer, Jake Paul.

The event, which has sparked significant media interest, is scheduled to take place next Friday, November 15, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

The fight was initially set for July but had to be postponed due to Tyson’s health issues.

The former champion suffered an ulcer flare-up during a flight, forcing the original fight date to be canceled.

It is important to note that Tyson, now 58, has not competed in a professional bout since his loss to Irishman Kevin McBride in 2005.

However, in 2020, he participated in an exhibition match against Roy Jones Jr., another boxing icon.

On the other hand, Jake Paul made his professional debut on January 30, 2020, against fellow YouTuber AnEsonGib.

Despite Tyson’s age, he has shown that he still possesses his skills, generating great excitement for his fight against the 27-year-old Paul.Shannon Briggs reveals date for boxing comeback

Anthony Joshua, known for his candid opinions, did not hide his concern for Tyson in a recent interview. The two-time heavyweight champion backed Jake Paul to win, arguing that youth would play a decisive role.

“Tyson is older now. I pray he comes out healthy. I think Jake Paul (wins) because of youth, that’s the only thing,” Joshua stated.Anthony Joshua, aware of Tyson’s legacy, emphasized that he hopes the legendary boxer finishes the fight without suffering any injuries.

His words reflect his respect for Tyson but also a realistic view of the challenge he faces against a much younger opponent.

With only hours left until the press conference and the fight, Tyson surprised the public by showcasing his pre-fight training. During the display, “Iron” Mike gave glimpses of his iconic power and speed, which thrilled his fans.

Meanwhile, Jake Paul did not hold back, delivering a provocative statement. The YouTuber claimed that he would knock Tyson out this Friday. Additionally, Paul made a rather controversial remark about a current world champion.Anthony Joshua’s worried about Mike Tyson fighting Jake Paul#MikeTyson#JakePaul#Boxingpic.twitter.com/SaZzi8ILhk

— Best MMA Moments (@XcellentMMA) November 12, 2024

It has recently been announced that the fight between Gervonta Davis and Lamont Roach now has a new date. Initially, the bout was scheduled for December 14 in Houston, Texas. However, it was later reported that the fight would be postponed.

Additionally, the match will no longer be part of the same card as the fight between David Benavidez and David Morrell, which is still set for February 1, 2025.Instead, it has been confirmed that the fight between Gervonta Davis and Lamont Roach for the WBA lightweight title will take place on March 1, 2025.

It’s worth noting that Davis has expressed interest in keeping his Prime Video PPV event at the Toyota Center in Houston. However, the local NBA team, the Rockets, will play against Sacramento on March 1, which could complicate the logistics.

For this reason, the possibility of moving the event to the Baltimore/DC area has been discussed, where Gervonta Davis enjoys a strong fan base.

In addition to his bout against Lamont Roach, there have been rumors about a potential rematch between Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia.

Davis defeated Garcia in their first encounter, but both fighters have shown interest in facing each other again to determine who is the best.

The rematch could generate significant anticipation, considering the popularity of both boxers and the previous outcome in favor of Davis. However, no date has been confirmed for this potential rematch.

On another note, Keyshawn Davis has issued a challenge to Gervonta Davis following his recent victory over Gustavo Lemos. Keyshawn has called out the WBA super lightweight champion, seeking an opportunity to face him in the ring.

However, Gervonta Davis’ trainer has questioned Keyshawn Davis’ intentions. According to him, the young boxer is looking to avoid a fight against Andy Cruz, his likely next opponent.New fight date touted for David Benavidez vs. David Morrell

It is speculated that before facing Gervonta Davis, Keyshawn Davis may first end up facing his rival, Andy Cruz.🚨 TANK-ROACH TARGETED FOR MARCH 1

The WBA lightweight title fight between Gervonta Davis and Lamont Roach is now being targeted for March 1.

It won’t land on the same card as David Benavidez vs. David Morrell which is expected to take place on February 1. (@Idecboxing) pic.twitter.com/AclwOnlMID

— EverythingBoxing (@EverythingBoxi2) November 13, 2024

Been told the targeted date for Gervonta Davis-Lamont Roach is now March 1. Davis still wants their Prime Video PPV event to take place at Toyota Center in Houston, but the Rockets are home vs. Sacramento on 3/1. Also makes much more sense to put it in the Baltimore/D.C. area.

— Keith Idec (@Idecboxing) November 13, 2024

P.S. Gervonta Davis-Lamont Roach was NEVER going to be packaged with David Benavidez-David Morrell, now likely February 1 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. https://t.co/XhgjN6XBSU

— Keith Idec (@Idecboxing) November 13, 2024

Jake Paul continues to stir controversy as he gears up for his highly anticipated fight with boxing legend Mike Tyson. Scheduled for Friday, November 15, at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the event has captured the attention of millions of boxing fans and Paul's massive online following.

During a pre-fight interview, Paul, known for his bold and provocative approach, made waves by declaring his confidence in defeating Tyson. Addressing his mother, who was present at the event, Paul emotionally promised to leave a lasting mark on history.

"Mom, I promise you I was built for this, destined for this. God’s got me, the Universe’s got me," Paul said, locking eyes with his mother in the crowd. "And I, Jake Joseph Paul, will knock out Mike Tyson on Friday, November 15th. It is written in the history books."

His proclamation quickly sparked debates across social media, with supporters praising his confidence and critics questioning his underestimation of Tyson’s vast experience and dangerous capabilities.

But it didn’t stop there. When asked about his future plans in boxing, Paul was quick to target one of the sport’s biggest names—Canelo Álvarez. In a bold and controversial response, Paul made a disrespectful remark aimed at the Mexican superstar:
“If he’s not a f*cking put@,” Paul shot back.

This comment, seen by some as a calculated move to get under his rivals' skin, drew immediate backlash from fans and analysts alike. Many felt it was an unprovoked insult to Canelo, a champion with a well-established legacy in boxing. So far, Canelo and his team have remained silent on the remark.

Ahead of his clash with Tyson, Paul also showcased a glimpse of his training, promising fans that he’s ready for the challenge. The possibility of a fight with Canelo after his bout with Tyson has been mentioned as the next step in Paul’s rapidly evolving boxing career. But first, he’ll have to overcome the formidable challenge Tyson poses.

The legendary Mike Tyson is gearing up to face Jake Paul, the controversial YouTuber turned boxer, in a fight that has generated a great deal of anticipation. The event, set to take place at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, has captured the attention of millions of fans worldwide.

Tyson, now 58 years old, has shown great enthusiasm for the fight, making it clear that despite his age, he still has much to offer in the ring.

During a recent interview, Mike Tyson

“That I’m tougher than I believed I was,” Tyson expressed.

“When I agreed to this fight and started training, I thought, ‘WTF was I thinking?’ But I finished the process, and now, with the fight close, the hard part is over. Now, it’s time to party,” Tyson stated.

The host highlighted the impressive number of viewers expected for the fight: approximately 282 million subscribers for the global broadcast. In this regard, Tyson admitted he never imagined being in this position again.

“Never in a million years did I think I’d still be fighting,” said Tyson.

Additionally, Tyson emphasized the importance of having his family present at the event, noting that his children will be at the ring this Friday. For him, family is a source of motivation and unconditional support.

“Family is everything. But my kids… To my children, I’m nobody, and then, that night, they’re gonna find out their father is very special,” Tyson declared.The most emotional moment of the interview came when the interviewer asked Mike Tyson to send a message to his children. Smiling, Tyson said:

“I love you very much. I can’t help but change my attitude quickly, you know,” joked Tyson, eliciting laughter from the audience.Devin Haney in negotiations to face Teofimo Lopez

“They talk a lot of mess to me that nobody else would, so the night of the fight, they’re gonna realize they’ve gotta watch it next time they talk crap to me,”* Tyson joked.

“I love you very much. I can’t wait till you come [Laughter],”* Tyson told his children.

Before the interview, Tyson gave a brief demonstration of his training in front of the audience. Despite his age, the former champion looked in excellent physical shape, surprising everyone with the power and speed of his punches. The event hosts were stunned and remarked:

“No normal 58-year-old moves like that. He looks incredible,” they noted, referring to Tyson’s agility and strength.‼️ Mike Tyson smashing the pads in his scary public workout ahead of the Jake Paul fight on Friday night: “No normal 58-year-old moves like that. He looks incredible.”

[🎥 @MostVPromotions] pic.twitter.com/apkMjwxBqv

— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) November 13, 2024

Jake Paul’s high-profile boxing match against legendary fighter Mike Tyson, set to take place this Friday, November 15, could still be canceled despite the event being just days away. Reports indicate that Tyson’s participation in the fight is contingent on passing two crucial health tests, which are causing both fighters and fans to hold their breath.

The bout, scheduled to take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, will be streamed live on Netflix, with millions around the world eagerly waiting for the action. This highly anticipated showdown between Paul and Tyson was originally slated for July but had to be rescheduled after Tyson faced a life-threatening health scare. Now, despite the delay, the fight could still be scrapped if Tyson doesn’t clear the health hurdles in time.

In a recent Netflix documentary, Tyson opened up about the terrifying ordeal that led to the fight’s initial postponement. Tyson revealed that while flying from Miami, he experienced a severe ulcer flare-up, throwing up blood and even defecating tar. “I thought I was going to die,” Tyson said, detailing how his health took a dramatic turn for the worse. After arriving in Texas, doctors discovered a large, bleeding ulcer, and Tyson’s friends feared the worst.

With just days left until the fight, the two critical tests Tyson needs to pass include medical clearance and an assessment of his physical condition. If Tyson fails either of these tests, the fight will be called off, leaving Jake Paul to wait for a new opponent. Tyson’s health remains a major concern, and while both fighters have expressed their desire to step into the ring, Paul admitted that he was “numb” upon hearing the news of Tyson’s health complications and the potential for another delay.

As of now, Paul and Tyson are scheduled to enter the ring at 4 a.m. GMT on Friday, November 15, but the situation remains uncertain. The outcome of these two vital tests will determine whether the fight can go ahead or if it will be rescheduled once again, leaving fans and industry insiders anxiously awaiting the final decision.

Friday’s clash between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson has sparked enormous controversy in recent months, but ‘Iron Mike’ is not the only heavyweight from the 1990’s to be on the verge of a comeback – in fact he is just one of many, with Oliver McCall becoming the latest champion of old to return to the professional scene.

Aside from Tyson, it has been recently confirmed that heavyweight duo Shannon Briggs and Ike Ibeabuchi are set to return to boxing, at ages of 52 and 51-years-old respectively.

However, what separates Oliver McCall from the pack is that his latest outing was as recent as 2019, meaning the granite chinned 59-year-old will end a five-year spell of inactivity, just a fraction of the quarter of a century since Ibeabuchi last stepped through the ropes.

Trained by legendary champion Joe Frazier, McCall had a tough start to life in the heavyweight division and lost his second official contest to Joey Christjohn, before eventually losing an additional four fights prior to his shot at the heavyweight crown.

Consequently, McCall entered the ring to take on undefeated WBC champion Lennox Lewis as a major underdog, but ‘The Atomic Bull’ pulled off a monumental upset to halt the British-Canadian within just two rounds and become a shock champion back in 1994.30 years ago, Oliver McCall defeated Lennox Lewis by TKO in round 2 of 12 to win the WBC heavyweight title. Big upset. pic.twitter.com/r4tV4jXvqv

— 𝑲𝒏𝒐𝒄𝒌𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝑱𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒔 (@KOJournals) September 24, 2024

McCall would defend the belts against an ageing Larry Holmes the following year but his reign came to an end at Wembley Stadium when he was outpointed by Frank Bruno in a famous moment in British boxing history.Shakur Stevenson criticizes Vasiliy Lomachenko

The Chicago-born big man would later lose the 1997 rematch to Lewis in confusing fashion in a second world title challenge and never returned to the heavyweight throne, but remained in the division for years to come, banking wins against lowly contenders.

In 2014, McCall became one of, if not the only fighter, to avenge a defeat of his sons, a testament of his insane longevity, although in 2019 McCall decided that enough was enough and called time on his 34-year career.

Yet, McCall has since decided that he is not done yet and will return to action to fight Stacy Frazier (16-22), who has also not fought since 2019, in a four-round bout on a card in Nashville.View this post on Instagram

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Former opponent of IBF super-middleweight champion William Scull, Sean Hemphill (16-2) will also appear on the ‘Country Box’ card, on Tuesday November 19th, with tickets available for purchase here.

Fan-favourite former super-bantamweight champion Guillermo Rigondeaux is yet to walk away from the world of boxing and returned to action last night. Despite being 44-years-old, the slick Cuban technician scored an impressive first-round knockout.

A two-time Olympic and world champion, Rigondeaux turned professional back in 2009 and did so with a heap of expectation on his shoulders, expected to emulate his success as an amateur in the professional scene.

In just his ninth professional bout, ‘El Chacal’ claimed the WBA super-bantamweight title with a knockout win against Rico Ramos and would defend that title on two occasions before jumping into a unification clash with legendary Filipino Nonito Donaire.

In a career-best display, Rigondeaux became the unified WBA, WBO & The Ring champion with a unanimous-decision victory in New York and five further wins would follow for ‘Rigo’ until he jumped up in weight.

Rigondeaux moved up two weight divisions to take on pound-for-pound number one Vasyl Lomachenko in 2017 for the WBO super-featherweight title but found himself outclassed for the first time in his career and was halted in six rounds as he suffered a first career defeat.

Since then, he has dropped down three weight-classes to try his hand in the bantamweight division but fell short in a title challenge against John Riel Casimero and then lost a unanimous-decision to Vincent Astrolabio.Eddie Hearn believes Jesse Rodriguez vs. Naoya Inoue will happen sooner than expected

However, last year Rigondeaux bounced back with consecutive wins as a super-bantamweight before a 17-month spell of inactivity ensued.

Last night, the 122lb veteran returned to action and faced Dannis Aguero Arias (20-2), who was a late notice replacement of Ionut Baluta, and it took just one-round for Rigondeaux to dismantle the Dominican.The 44-year-old former world champion Guillermo Rigondeaux (23-3) 🇨🇺 makes a successful comeback with a first-round KO over Dannis Aguero Arias (20-3) 🇩🇴 and is the new WBC International Super Bantamweight titleholder in Miami, Florida 🇺🇸. pic.twitter.com/hiCllpIOu8

— Permante (@PermantexG) November 13, 2024

That victory saw Rigondeaux claim the WBC international super-bantamweight title and he is likely to return to into the top 15 rankings as a result.

The ageing Santiago de Cuba phenomenon also laid down the gauntlet to pound-for-pound number one and current undisputed super-bantamweight champion, Naoya Inoue, in an ambitious call-out during his post-fight interview, as Inoue searches for an well-known opponent ahead of his return to fighting in the United States.

In terms of fan-friendly fights, 2025 may have already reached its ceiling before it has begun, with David Benavidez’s recently announced light-heavyweight showdown against David Morrell sure to deliver a fascinating scrap. Now, as both men prepare for the toughest test of their respective careers, a new fight has been rumoured.

Both Benavidez and Morrell had been campaigning in the super-middleweight division and were each deemed as major threats to Canelo Alvarez’s then undisputed crown.

However, the Mexican champion appeared extremely unwilling to fight either man, despite Benavidez being the WBC mandatory challenger and the much-demanded Canelo-Benavidez clash is yet to manufacture – and likely never will.

After frustrations at being unable to land a fight with Canelo, both Benavidez and Morrell made the decision to move up to the light-heavyweight division and pursue the world titles at 175lbs.

Benavidez debuted at the weight against former WBC and lineal light-heavyweight champion Oleksandr ‘The Nail’ Gvozdyk and was taken the distance for just the second time since 2018, picking up the WBC interim strap after getting the nod on the scorecards.

Meanwhile, Morrell unexpectedly went the full twelve rounds with former IBF title challenger Radivoje Kalajdzic, also winning a unanimous-decision as he claimed the WBA (Regular) title.

Although Beterbiev currently holds the undisputed title, it is expected that at least one belt will be vacated before a rematch with Dmitry Bivol, opening the door for the victor of Benavidez-Morrell to capitalize and potentially be upgraded to full world champion if the Russian decides to drop either the WBC or WBA title.Deontay Wilder reveals broken arm injury

Therefore, Benavidez-Morrell is not just a salivating tear-up, it is one with world title opportunities on the line.

Despite initial reports that the pair would meet on January 25th, ESPN’s Salvador Rodriguez has now revealed that ‘The Mexican Monster’ and Morrell will go toe-to-toe on February 1st in Las Vegas.El 1 de febrero en la T-Mobile Arena de Las Vegas estaría el duelo de David Benavidez y David Morrell. Podrían presentar el evento la siguiente semana en California.

— Salvador Rodriguez (@ChavaESPN) November 13, 2024

“On February 1 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas there would be the duel between David Benavidez and David Morrell. They could present the event next week in California.”

Yet, the winner of Benavidez-Morrell could still find themselves waiting a while to pick up a belt, with the IBF world title the one most likely to be vacated by Beterbiev and a recent Matchroom Boxing signing is well poised to take advantage.

Matthew Macklin, former European middleweight champion, recently speculated on Sky Sports that Anthony Joshua might retire following his devastating loss to Daniel Dubois. Macklin noted that Joshua’s decision not to pursue an immediate rematch with Dubois is unsurprising and could signal the end of his career in the ring.

On September 21, 2024, Dubois stunned the boxing world by knocking out Joshua in the fifth round, successfully defending his IBF world title at Wembley Stadium. Joshua entered the fight with high confidence, following two consecutive victories under his new trainer, but the outcome was a resounding defeat that has cast doubt on his future.

The rematch between Joshua and Dubois, initially scheduled for February 2025, was canceled by Joshua, who cited it as being too soon after the loss. Speaking with Sky Sports, Macklin shared his thoughts: “Once the dust settled, I didn’t expect the rematch to happen. Personally, I think that could be it for Joshua.”

Macklin believes that at 34 years old, Joshua is at a critical juncture in his career, where such a heavy loss could significantly affect his confidence and future in boxing. “A loss like that takes a lot to come back from. At 34, you don’t improve, you just start going downhill,” said Macklin.

While Joshua takes time to consider his next move, Macklin suggested that the two-time world champion may choose to retire after a decade of success in the heavyweight division. “When the dust settles, Joshua will have time to reflect. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if he decides not to box again. What a career he’s had,” Macklin added.

Meanwhile, Dubois is preparing for his next title defense against New Zealand’s Joseph Parker in February 2025. Macklin sees this as a highly competitive match, with Parker in peak form following impressive wins over Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang.

Although speculation continues about a potential fight between Joshua and Tyson Fury—especially if Fury defeats Oleksandr Usyk—Macklin remains unsure whether Joshua will have the desire to continue fighting. “A fight with Fury could still happen, but I don’t know if Joshua has the appetite for it anymore,” Macklin said.

Joshua’s future remains uncertain, with no official date for his return to the ring. However, his promoter, Eddie Hearn, has stated that Joshua will be ready to fight again in May or June 2025.

In a recent interview on “The Ariel Helwani Show”, Eddie Hearn, a well-known boxing promoter, discussed a potential matchup between Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis and Terence Crawford. Hearn expressed optimism about a future fight between the two boxers, stating that it could happen soon.

Hearn suggested that it’s likely Ennis will face Vergil Ortiz Jr. in his next bout. According to the promoter, this fight could be decisive for Ennis’s future in the division.

“Yes, because I think it’s very likely that Boots will fight Vergil Ortiz next,” Hearn declared.

The potential clash between these two contenders has been a topic of speculation for several months.

In contrast, Bozy Ennis, trainer and father of Jaron Ennis, recently stated that Vergil Ortiz’s team had turned down an offer to fight his son. This claim sparked controversy in the boxing community.

However, both Vergil Ortiz Jr. and his promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, denied these accusations on social media, rejecting any claims of avoiding a fight with Ennis.During the interview, Eddie Hearn reaffirmed that a fight between Ennis and Ortiz Jr. is imminent and considers Ennis the favorite to win.

“If he beats Ortiz, which I believe he does, then His Excellency will push to make Boots against Crawford,” Hearn noted.

Eddie Hearn suggested that if Ennis emerges victorious, he would have an opportunity to face Terence Crawford. The involvement of His Excellency Turki Alalshikh could accelerate negotiations to make this fight happen in the near future.Jake Paul reveals weight ahead of Mike Tyson fight

It’s worth mentioning that Jaron Ennis was elevated to IBF world champion in 2023. This decision came after Terence Crawford vacated the title to move up to the super welterweight division.

Since then, there has been speculation about a potential showdown between Ennis and Crawford, two of the top fighters in the division.

A possible fight between Jaron Ennis and Terence Crawford could become one of the biggest matchups of the upcoming year.👀 “IT’S VERY LIKELY THAT BOOTS WILL FIGHT VERGIL ORTIZ NEXT”

Eddie Hearn asked if he thinks we’ll ever see Terence Crawford vs Jaron Ennis: “Yes, because I think it’s very likely that Boots will fight Vergil Ortiz next. If he beats Ortiz, which I believe he does, then his… pic.twitter.com/YdyaIiGmXb

In a recent interview on Manouk Akopyan’s YouTube channel, legendary former heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson shared his thoughts on how he would have fared against today’s heavyweight champions. Known for his aggressive style and knockout power, Tyson confidently expressed that he would have held his own against the likes of Oleksandr Usyk, Tyson Fury, and Anthony Joshua.

Tyson emphasized that he would never admit to being outmatched, stating, “I’m just confident that I would have done well. I’m not going to say, ‘This guy was going to kick my ass.’ No, I’m not going to say that.” Despite recognizing the talent of today’s fighters, Tyson believes his own abilities would have been enough to compete at the highest level.

Reflecting on the differences between his generation and the current one, Tyson mentioned legendary figures like Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield. He expressed doubt that any modern heavyweight could surpass these icons at their peak. “Do you think Anthony Joshua would beat Lennox Lewis? My era had good fighters,” Tyson remarked, asserting that the competition during his era was unmatched.

This bold statement continues the ongoing debate about which heavyweight generation is truly the best, with Tyson firmly backing the fighters of the 90s.

Tyson's Return to the Ring:

On November 19, 2024, Tyson will step back into the ring at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, for a highly anticipated bout against Jake Paul. The fight has sparked mixed reactions, with critics questioning the age gap between the two competitors. Despite the skepticism, the fight promises to be a massive spectacle, drawing attention from boxing fans and casual viewers alike.

Some see the matchup as a commercial move, but Tyson’s return is still a highly anticipated event. Fans are eager to see if "Iron" Mike can still deliver flashes of the legendary skill that once made him the most feared man in boxing.

For Tyson, this fight is more than just a spectacle—it’s a chance to remind the world why he is considered one of the greatest of all time. Meanwhile, Jake Paul hopes to further legitimize his boxing career by facing the iconic former champion.

In a recent interview with Sky Sports, BOXXER’s CEO Ben Shalom expressed that Katie Taylor “has no intention” of returning to the 135-pound division. Shalom stated that the Irish champion would not be interested in defending her lightweight titles.

At the same time, he indicated that this could open an opportunity for Caroline Dubois, who is currently positioned as the mandatory challenger for the WBC lightweight title. Dubois earned this spot after a decisive victory over Maira Moneo.

Taylor has not shown interest in defending her titles, creating uncertainty in the division. Taylor hasn’t fought in the lightweight category since October 2022. Although she is the current WBC and IBF champion, she has been focused on other divisions.

Currently, Taylor is scheduled to face Amanda Serrano this Friday for the undisputed super lightweight titles at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The fight will serve as the co-main event on the card headlined by the bout between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson.

Now, there is a possibility that Katie Taylor will vacate her belts after her fight against Serrano. According to promoter Ben Shalom, Taylor’s decision not to return to the lightweight division will allow Caroline Dubois to fight for the title.

“Katie Taylor’s holding two of the belts in her weight division, and we believe there’s absolutely no intention or possibility that she’ll ever go back to that weight,” Shalom declared to Sky Sports News.

“It’s frustrating for the division and probably isn’t the right thing for the division, but that’s maybe a matter of politics holding that up,” Shalom noted.Ben Shalom assures that, after the November 16 fight between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano, the decision to vacate the lightweight titles will be made official.

This would allow Dubois to compete for the WBC belt and possibly become a world champion. The promoter stated that he has received “assurances” that the belts will be vacated after Taylor’s fight.

“I expect after November 16, when Katie Taylor fights Serrano, it becomes clear that she will not be returning to the 135 division and that both those belts become vacant,” said Shalom.Ryan Garcia claims he would knock Jaron Ennis out

“We’ll see Caroline become world champion, fight for the WBC title, and we’ve had assurances that that will be the case,” Shalom confirmed.

If the lightweight belts are vacated, Dubois could focus on a fight with Terri Harper. Harper, who recently won the WBO lightweight title by defeating Rhiannon Dixon, would be a potential opponent for Dubois in 2025.

The promoter also mentioned that they have made an offer to Matchroom to finalize the matchup with Harper. Ben Shalom expressed his excitement for Dubois’ return to the ring and confirmed that the official date will be announced soon.

“We’re about to announce a fight for Caroline. She will box, I believe, for a world title next,” Shalom stated.

“We hope that in February or March next year, she can be boxing Terri Harper, and we have put an offer in to Matchroom for that,” Shalom revealed.

“We should be able to announce that date in the next week or so,” Shalom concluded.

Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has responded to recent statements made by Oscar De La Hoya, who proposed facing him in the ring. De La Hoya’s offer caught the public’s attention and sparked excitement among fans, as he claimed he was willing to fight without receiving any financial compensation.

In a previous interview, Hearn had commented that he wouldn’t rule out a fight with De La Hoya if he received an attractive offer. According to the British promoter, he would consider stepping into the ring if His Excellency Turki Alalshikh presented a multimillion-dollar, two-figure proposal.Eddie Hearn made it clear that a significant financial offer would be the necessary incentive to accept the bout.

However, Hearn’s statements prompted a quick response from Oscar De La Hoya. In a recent interview with Boxing King News, the former boxer stated he was ready to fight Hearn without charging a single penny.

De La Hoya explained that his motivation wasn’t financial; instead, he would do it as a gift for His Excellency Turki Alalshikh. He also mentioned that he would only need two months to physically prepare for the matchup.

Following De La Hoya’s comments, Eddie Hearn was quick to react. Through his official Instagram account, Hearn posted a story responding humorously to his rival’s offer.

“You need TWO months to train for me? Wow, I’m honoured 😎. @oscardelahoya vs @eddiehearn,” Hearn wrote.

For now, De La Hoya’s offer to fight for free and Hearn’s willingness to consider proposals have fueled the rumors.Zhilei Zhang eyes Jake Paul fight

Both promoters are prominent figures, and seeing them face off physically in the ring would be highly unusual.

Given the influence and possible involvement of His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, a fight between Hearn and De La Hoya could become a unique spectacle.

Undoubtedly, if this bout materializes, it could become one of the most talked-about events in the boxing world in recent years.Eddie Hearn responds to Oscar De La Hoya offering to fight him for free… pic.twitter.com/ye7Kl30Cw5

— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) November 11, 2024