Terence Crawford is making preparations for the highly anticipated Spence vs Crawford bout, and there's a possibility that he might have a special guest accompanying him during his ring walk. Crawford and fellow boxing world champion Shakur Stevenson were seen discussing which artist could perform for Crawford's ring walk in a video posted on Instagram. During the conversation, Crawford mentioned that it would be incredible to have Eminem walk him out to the ring for Spence vs Crawford, as the renowned rapper has never done it for any boxer before. Stevenson agreed, expressing his admiration for Eminem's talent. Surprisingly, Eminem himself responded to the video, expressing excitement about the idea and stating that Crawford is one of his favorite boxers. This interaction has sparked excitement among fans, as the possibility of Eminem walking Crawford to the ring adds another level of spectacle to an already highly anticipated Spence vs Crawford event. Fans will have to wait and see if this dream collaboration becomes a reality during the fight on Saturday night.

Stevenson asked Crawford: “Who’ve you got walking you out though?” Crawford replied: “S***, I don’t know man. “You know what I was thinking would be crazy s***? I think it would be dope to have Eminem walk me out or something like that. “He’s never walked nobody out, huh?” Stevenson said: “I ain’t gonna lie, Eminem’s a GOAT. I ain’t never seen him walking nobody out in a boxing ring.” Crawford admitted: “Yeah, I ain’t neither, that’d be dope.” “Stevenson added: “That’d be fire, that’d be different levels, next level. Two GOATs.” Remarkably, the pipe dream has taken a step closer to reality. On Thursday night, Eminem left a comment on the video which said: “This is too crazy!!! You are one of my favourite boxers right now!” Crawford replied: “Pull up Em! Lets do some legendary s***.”

Fans will have to tune in on Saturday night to find out if it comes to fruition.

At the Final Press conference of Spence vs Crawford, Errol Spence Jr made it clear that he considers Terence Crawford's past opponents to be below his level of competition. He believes that Crawford's lack of experience against top-tier fighters will cause problems for him in the upcoming Spence vs Crawford fight. Spence aims to test Crawford by applying relentless pressure from the start, forcing him to react and adapt quickly. In previous fights, Crawford had the luxury of taking his time to figure out weaker opponents and rally back for victories. However, Spence doubts that this approach will work against him. He plans to keep up a high punch output and pressure throughout the entire fight, leaving Crawford no room to take it easy early on. Spence said:

“He’s never fought anyone at my level. It’s definitely getting to him. He’s ready to jump on the fans and fight.”

The face-off between the two fighters showed a focused and mentally prepared Crawford, but Spence still believes he can unsettle him during the bout. He expects a tactical match in the early rounds, but his relentless approach may force Crawford to fight more aggressively than he is used to. Spence points out that Crawford's recent opponents has been relatively weak compared to the level of competition he will face in the Spence vs Crawford fight. He also mentions Crawford's age and physical changes as potential factors that might affect his performance. Shawn Porter, who has fought both Spence and Crawford, shares his own insights into Crawford's strategic brilliance in the ring. Porter admits that he couldn't decipher Crawford's tactics during their fight, and his retirement indicates that facing rising stars like Jaron 'Boots' Ennis would have been a challenging prospect for him. Porter said:

“I saw him today on the podium when they did their face-off, and when he turned to look at the crowd, he was swaying back & forth. He’s mentally checked in for the fight. “His energy is at fight level already. Both of them mean hurt, but Terence shows how much he means. Errol is very poised in the ring and has that poker face. He’ll show small signs of frustration, but they’ll come & go by the snap of a finger. “I do think we’re going to get a very strategic fight up to four or five rounds. That’s if somebody doesn’t land something clean that upsets the other. Both guys will still remain poised. “If anybody is going to get upset & heated, I think it’s going to be Terence. He’s going to be the one that is going to try and push those buttons. But for five or six rounds, this could be that chess match.”

However, Spence remains confident that Crawford will struggle to handle the pressure and high-level competition in the upcoming Spence vs Crawford showdown. He sees the fight as a significant test for Crawford, who will need to showcase his best skills and adapt quickly to Spence's aggressive approach. Porter's perspective further emphasizes the challenges posed by Crawford in the ring and highlights his strategic brilliance as a fighter.

As the highly anticipated undisputed Spence vs Crawford welterweight clash approaches, experts are making their final predictions for this closely matched bout. Scheduled to take place on July 29 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, the fight aims to settle the debate among many fans regarding the best fighter in the world. Undefeated light-heavyweight champion, Bivol, shared his thoughts on the Spence vs Crawford fight via Twitter and believes that 'Bud' Crawford will emerge victorious. Bivol cites Crawford's speed, movement, and reflexes as key factors that make him the favorite. While Spence is the larger fighter with excellent ring IQ, Bivol considers Crawford to be the most complete fighter at the moment.

“I would say Crawford is the favourite because of his speed, movement, and reflexes. Spence is the bigger guy in the ring and also has great ring IQ but in my opinion Crawford is the most complete fighter of all right now.”

The build-up to the Spence vs Crawford fight has focused on the size difference, as Spence has been a welterweight throughout his career, while Crawford has found success in two lower weight divisions before moving up. Both champions have a preference for knockouts rather than going the distance, boasting a combined total of 52 knockout wins in 67 bouts. Additionally, they have faced common opponents in Kell Brook and Shawn Porter, providing fans with opportunities to draw comparisons. Crawford enters the ring as a slight favorite, but many experts and pundits are backing Spence as well. This bout promises to be one of the most intriguing contests in recent memory. The winner of Spence vs Crawford will be crowned the four-belt champion and recognized as the best welterweight of their generation. Moreover, a two-way rematch clause in the contract hints at the possibility of a rematch in the near future.

Born with a natural talent for both boxing and reading his opponents, Crawford's resilience and toughness were shaped by the constant arguments he witnessed between his parents and the abuse he endured from his mother, Debra, who was a heavy drinker.

“I got hit with a belt, a toy, a stick, extension cord, a switch off a tree, whatever,” he once said. “At the same time, my pain tolerance went up. It came to the point where it built toughness. Yeah, it hurt, but I wasn’t scared. I knew what was coming. Wasn’t nothing I wasn’t prepared for. “I always have the ability to believe in myself when nobody else does. [Later, aged 12] I just look at her like, ‘Pshh, that don’t hurt’. I grabbed the belt, tell her, ‘You ain’t hitting me no more’.”

Crawford developed into a knockout machine, becoming one of boxing's top fighters. He was drawn to boxing from a young age and endured a tough upbringing, which contributed to his high pain tolerance and unwavering self-belief. Growing up in Omaha, he found solace at the CW gym, where he trained alongside members of various gangs. His trainer, Brian McIntyre, a former member of the Insane Vice Lords, played a crucial role in shaping his boxing career. The tough environment at home was matched by the presence of strong women, including his mother, sisters, grandmother, and aunt, who faced their own challenges. Despite facing difficulties in his personal life, Crawford's talent as a fighter caught the attention of Timothy Bradley, who recognized his potential and trained with him. In 2014, Crawford got his chance to become a world champion, defeating Ricky Burns with ease. Throughout his career, he faced numerous dangerous situations, including being shot at, but emerged unscathed. Crawford's path to greatness continued as he moved up to welterweight and became the WBO champion by defeating Jeff Horn. His ultimate goal was to become the undisputed welterweight champion, setting up a highly anticipated clash with Errol Spence Jr. On the upcoming Saturday night, Crawford and Spence will finally face each other for the undisputed welterweight world titles at Spence vs Crawford bout, making it one of the most significant fights in boxing history.      

The three judges for the highly anticipated Spence vs Crawford bout have been officially confirmed ahead of Saturday night's clash in Las Vegas. The matchup aims to unify all four welterweight world championship belts, determining the undisputed king of the 147lbs division. Given the anticipation of a closely contested fight, many believe that the judges' decision could be crucial. However, not all fans are pleased with the selection of judges. The Nevada commission has approved Tim Cheatham, David Sutherland, and Steve Weisfeld as judges for the Spence vs Crawford fight. This decision has sparked mixed reactions among boxing enthusiasts.

“Sutherland scored George Kambosos Jr vs Maxi Hughes a draw (114-114). Sutherland had Devin Haney winning 115-113 over Vasyl Lomachenko.”

Keith Idec, a reporter from BoxingScene, revealed that Sutherland previously scored the George Kambosos Jr vs. Maxi Hughes bout a draw (114-114) and had Devin Haney winning 115-113 over Vasyl Lomachenko. Both of these fights had controversial outcomes and have involved Sutherland on the judging panels. Although some fans defend the fairness of his past scorecards, others express concern about his appointment for the Spence vs Crawford bout. One fan criticized the decision, calling it a "bad choice" to have Sutherland as a judge. Another suggested that judges who were part of the disputed decisions in recent bouts should be removed from their roles. Some even expressed skepticism, suggesting that the judges might already have their scorecards filled out. On the other hand, some fans supported the selected judges and stated their trust in them. They argue that Sutherland's past scorecards were fair and reasonable.

One wrote: “Bad choice to assign Sutherland as one of the judges.” And a second put: “All judges who worked on the Maxi heist should be sacked immediately.” A third said: “Bulls*** decision on deck with those three scoring. Probably already got their cards filled out.” While a fourth added: “So two judges with recent wrong scorecards, this should end well.” In contrast though, one fan said: “Great judges! I trust them.” And another replied about Sutherland’s past disputed scores: “[They] were completely fair scorecards.” A third fan wrote: “115-113 Haney was far from unreasonable.”

The stage is set for an exciting and highly anticipated Spence vs Crawford fight on Saturday night, where the three judges will play a significant role in determining the winner in case the bout goes the distance.

Jermell Charlo, who trains alongside Errol Spence Jr in Dallas, believes that Spence will knock out Terence Crawford within the first six rounds during the upcoming Spence vs Crawford fight at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Even though Crawford is considered the favorite to win by oddsmakers, Charlo thinks Spence's skills are underestimated. Spence plans to apply a lot of pressure on Crawford, pushing him to engage in a close-quarters brawl. If Crawford's mobility fails him, it's uncertain if he can handle that kind of fight for long. Charlo has praised Spence, calling him an overachiever and the best in the 147-pound division. Spence himself hopes to inspire future generations of fighters to want to engage in legendary battles like Spence vs Crawford. Charlo said:

“He trains too hard to lose. He’s an overachiever. He’s the best in the game right now at 147.”

Spence is open to scoring a first-round knockout in Spence vs Crawford, though he acknowledges that keeping the audience interested in the Showtime pay-per-view may require a knockout in the second, third, or fourth rounds instead. He wants to create Spence vs Crawford a legacy-defining fight similar to those of the boxing greats he watched in his younger days, such as Sugar Ray Leonard, Tommy Hearn, and Evander Holyfield.

“I want a kid that is watching me fight on Youtube in 15 to 30 years from now saying, ‘I want to have a fight like Errol Spence & Terence Crawford. I want to be in one of those fights,' “I’m definitely okay with a first round knockout because as they say, ‘You don’t get paid for overtime,’ and you’re losing brain cells as the rounds go. “If it can go in the first, second, or third rounds, I wouldn’t mind it. But not in the first round because we got to keep them buying the Showtime pay-per-view. So in the second, third, or fourth round, it can definitely happen. “That’s the same thing with me when I was 14 or 15 years old and I was watching Ray Leonard and Tommy Hearn, watching all these old school fights. I remember watching Evander Holyfield’s fights, thinking, ‘I want to have a fight like that in a legacy-defining fight.’ “How the press conference was and just the stuff before the actual fight. It was great, and to have a kid 20 or 30 years from now,” said Spence.

Shawn Porter believes that the Spence vs Crawford fight could play out in two ways: either both fighters will silently agree to go all-out, or one of them will challenge the other, leading to an intense showdown.

“One of two things are going to happen. It’s going to be a silent agreement of, ‘Here we are, let’s go,’ or one of them is going to say, ‘Meet me right here,’ and the other one ain’t going to back down,” said Shawn Porter to Premier Boxing Champions on how the Spence vs. Crawford fight will play out.

 

Boxing enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating Deontay Wilder's potential reclaim of the WBC heavyweight championship, amid the unfolding Fury vs Ngannou saga. The rematch clause in the Fury vs Ngannou contract has stirred considerable controversy, prompting calls for the World Boxing Council to intervene and add clarity to this somewhat muddled situation. The fate of Tyson Fury’s heavyweight belt seems uncertain, should he unexpectedly lose the Fury vs Ngannou bout. The prospect of "The Gypsy King" surrendering his championship to Ngannou is causing a frenzy in the boxing community, sparking widespread debate. The first Fury vs Ngannou showdown in October divided fans' opinions. As the current WBC titleholder, Fury's obligation to defend his championship is viewed as a privileged responsibility. Many argue that his apparent failure to offer a top fifteen contender a well-deserved shot is unjust, especially if he proceeds with the Fury vs Ngannou rematch. Fury's legendary stature, reach, and technical prowess have, ironically, placed him under scrutiny. His victories over former long-term champion Deontay Wilder projected him to be among the greatest WBC heavyweight champions. However, many critics have questioned the quality of his adversaries before and after Wilder. In the Fury vs Ngannou context, Ngannou, the ex-UFC heavyweight champion, seems like an underdog despite his explosive punching power. His odds in the Fury vs Ngannou match remain dubious against the technically superior Fury. The build-up to the Fury vs Ngannou match is promising high octane action. The stark contrast in styles and unpredictability of the fight's outcome have boxing and MMA fans split. Should Ngannou land a powerful punch and Fury hits the canvas, the WBC will find itself in an interesting predicament. Meanwhile, the Wilder-Ruiz Jr. WBC eliminator becomes all the more significant due to the Fury-Ngannou situation. The winner is likely to become the full champion if Fury decides to proceed with a second bout against Ngannou in 2024. If negotiations fall through, Wilder could potentially reclaim the WBC title by default. Wilder's determination to reclaim the title remains undeterred, regardless of the outcome of the Fury vs Ngannou saga.

Hughes suffered a setback as he lost his IBO World lightweight title in a controversial majority decision in Kambosos vs Hughes bout. Despite outboxing his opponent, Kambosos, a former holder of three world titles, two judges favored the Australian fighter, leading to Hughes' defeat. Hughes, on the other hand, is upbeat and prepared to fight against the decision alongside his team. Even if the outcome is unknown, he feels it is the proper thing to do. The British fighter had a tremendous performance, skillfully countering Kambosos throughout the 12-round bout. Hughes said:

"The result is what it is but my team will be appealing that. I don’t know if anything will come of it, but it feels like the right thing to do.”

While the judges' decision was controversial, Hughes admits that he demonstrated his abilities and shown that he belonged at the world-class level. Despite the setback, he is optimistic about the future and ready to recover.

"We should have had our hand raised, but we will be back. I’m looking forward to what’s coming next.”

Kambosos, on the other hand, will now challenge for the IBF world championship following his victory. He hasn't ruled out a rematch with Hughes, but he'll focus on being a two-time world champion first. Just after the Kambosos vs Hughes ended, Hughes said in the interview:

“It was a bit of a kick in the b*llocks if I'm honest, Hughes said of the decision, which brought to an end his seven-fight winning streak. Now I feel a bit stupid stood here in a cowbow hat. I'm absolutely devastated. “I should have had my hand raised. I don't want to take George's moment. I'm gutted. We won the fight by many rounds, but that's no discredit to Maxi. He had a couple of good rounds, but a couple of good rounds doesn't win you a fight. "The majority of the rounds I won. He done his movement and he wasn't too much engaging [sic], but that's the way he fights. He's going to bounce back, he's a tough challenger. If the opportunity is there, we will give him another rematch. "Everybody here now knows who Maxi Hughes is. I want to earn the dollars to provide for my family, show everyone who Maxi Hughes is and how good I can be. We'll see what's next."  

There's been a mix of opinions about the upcoming Fury vs Ngannou bout between WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. Heavyweight contender Michael Hunter recently expressed his thoughts, calling Fury a "Clown." In an interview with Seconds Out, Hunter mentioned that many heavyweights these days seem more interested in fame and making excuses rather than actually stepping into the ring. He praised Ngannou and his team for taking on the challenge and criticized the current state of boxing with Fury holding the WBC & Ring Magazine belts.

“They want the fame. They want excuses and most of them make them, know what I’m saying. It’s a bad thing for boxing as a whole. I take my hat off to Francis Ngannou, to him and his team, for making that fight happen. There was an opening and an opportunity cause we basically got a clown holding the belts and it’s a bad situation.”

Hunter also showed respect for unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, who he believes is willing to fight anyone and strives to be the best in multiple weight classes.

“He’s done it all. He wants to be cruiserweight champ, heavyweight champ, he went into the Olympics, and he wants all the belts, and that’s how it should be. I feel he would fight an even faster place if it was allowed.”

Going on a passionate rant, Hunter labeled some of the top heavyweights as "soft" and too emotional, with their egos getting in the way. He believes Fury avoided a tough fight with Usyk and sees it as a selfish move on Fury's part to go for the Fury vs Ngannou bout.

“Their hearts get broken, they’re emotional, their egos are too involved. They can’t stick with reality, they get the big head and they really think they can do something. I feel like Tyson Fury, he dodged a bullet on Usyk, he’s a real hard competitor, he would give Tyson Fury a problem, that’s not a secret, there’s no way he should not be fighting. It’s not good for the whole situation. I feel like it’s a selfish move on Fury’s behalf.”

Despite differing opinions from other heavyweights, the Fury vs Ngannou fight is set to take place in Riyadh on October 6. Ngannou has stated that he won't solely rely on his power but is prepared to face Fury's famous skills and footwork.

In an anticipated Joshua vs Whyte rematch, both fighters with three losses on their records, are set to meet in a pivotal fight for their careers. The heavyweight division's landscape is being influenced by substantial financial backing from Saudi Arabia, making this match even more crucial. The outcome of this Joshua vs Whyte fight extends beyond just the British title; it's a chance for the winner to reclaim their position at the top of the division. Their past encounters and shared history add to the intrigue, leaving fans wondering if their previous animosity will resurface or if experience will lead to a more cautious approach. Tony Bellew, a former cruiserweight world champion, expressed uncertainty about the loser's future after Joshua vs Whyte match, emphasizing the high stakes involved. Both fighters know exactly what's on the line, ensuring we'll witness their best efforts on fight night.

“August 12 could be the last part of this heavyweight story because I’ve got absolutely no idea where the loser goes.” “The fact these two go back years inside the ring means that we’ll get the best possible versions on the night, and both will know exactly what’s at stake. Some questions were asked of both men after their respective battles with Franklin, but everything will be answered here because this is two fighters who won’t give an inch on the night because of their long history and because of what lies in front of them.”

Bellew gives Joshua the edge, citing Whyte's aggressive style as a potential weakness. Joshua previously stopped Whyte in their professional bout, and Bellew believes Joshua is better when opponents come to him. He anticipates that Whyte's approach could play into Joshua's strengths and lead to his downfall.

“As it stands, Joshua must start the favourite. He holds a stoppage win over Whyte in the professional game and he knows he can hurt him when the time comes. The Whyte we didn’t see against Fury is what I expect to see next month but does that version play into Joshua’s hands? I’ve always said that Joshua is better when opponents come to him. That’s how I see Whyte approaching the fight and I believe it could be his downfall.”

The fight is scheduled for August 12 in London, and fans eagerly await the outcome to see which fighter will rise to the top once again.

Amir Khan, who retired from professional boxing in May last year after a bout with his domestic rival Kell Brook, has announced his return to the ring. Despite his retirement, Khan has not ruled out exhibition matches. Recently, it was revealed that he failed a post-fight doping test after the fight with Brook, resulting in a two-year ban from all sports, which will end on April 5, 2024. Khan has maintained his innocence, and an independent panel accepted his argument that he did not intentionally take the banned substance. At a Disrupt Promotions show in Dubai, Khan made a surprising announcement about his comeback, teasing that he will be facing one of boxing's biggest names in a super fight. The details of the fight are still being kept under wraps, but Khan mentioned that agreements have been signed by both parties, and the opponent, who could be a champion, will be flying into Dubai for a conference to announce the fight soon.

“I think there’s gonna be a massive announcement in the next week or so. I might be coming back in the ring again. I might be fighting again. It’s not gonna be a small fight, it’ll be like a super fight as well. The deal was that big I couldn’t turn it down. So that’s why I’ll get myself back in the gym again, train again. It’ll be a massive fight. We’ve kept it very quiet at the moment. I can’t announce anything just yet, but it’s one of the biggest names in boxing who I’ll be in the ring with. This fight was talked about so many times before. Dubai, in my opinion, they’ve made it happen. We are 99% there. Agreements have been signed from both parties, and I think this week hopefully, the opponent – I don’t know if I should call him opponent or should I call him champion as well – they will be flying into Dubai and hopefully we’ll be doing a conference to announce it.”

While Floyd Mayweather Jr. is currently one of the main figures in the exhibition circuit, Khan and Mayweather never fought during their careers despite coming close to it. They share a notable opponent in Saul 'Canelo' Álvarez. Other boxing stars like Manny Pacquiao have also participated in entertainment contests, engaging in one with Thai boxer Buakaw Banchamek in early 2024. As Khan's plans progress, more information will likely be revealed in the upcoming weeks. Fans are eager to see who the big-name opponent will be for his much-anticipated return to the ring.

Naoya Inoue has responded to the controversy ahead of Fulton vs Inoue title challenge with a statement of his own. The boxing community engaged in a heated debate after Wahid Rahim, the head trainer of WBC/WBO junior featherweight titlist Stephen Fulton, accused Inoue of using a hand-wrapping technique that allegedly creates a simulated cast around his fists. Rahim raised these claims during a pre-fight press conference before the highly anticipated match. During the last press conference before the Fulton vs Inoue fight, Inoue chose not to delve into the matter but later took to his social media platforms to share his perspective in both Japanese and English. He offered some advice to the opposing camp, urging them not to dwell on the issue and simply focus on the fight ahead.

“Don't suck it up. Just Fight.”

The bout between Fulton and Inoue is set to headline a major event, streaming live on Lemino in Japan and on ESPN+ in the U.S. The majority of experts have predicted Inoue, the unbeaten former three-division champion, to come out victorious and potentially become a four-division champion. Interestingly, Fulton did not address the hand-wrapping allegations himself, and it was Rahim who spoke up on his behalf. The trainer claimed that Fulton had asked him not to raise the issue, but Rahim felt it necessary to ensure his fighter's safety. The controversy involved the threat of not allowing Fulton, who is fighting in Japan for the first time, to enter the ring if the hand-wrapping matter wasn't resolved. However, it is worth noting that the technique used by Inoue—wrapping his hands with tape on the skin, followed by gauze, and repeating the process—is within the rules of the Japanese Boxing Commission. This method is also allowed in several commissions in the U.S., although some refer to it as 'stacking.'

“Japan has its own local rules. Even in the United States, there are local rules depending on the state, and the [wrapping] method is different. Our fight will be held in Japan on 25th, so of course I will follow the Japanese rules.”

In response to the debate, Inoue emphasized that different regions have their own specific rules when it comes to hand-wrapping, and he intends to follow the Japanese rules for his fight on the 25th. Inoue is no stranger to championship glory, having previously held titles at junior flyweight, junior bantamweight, and bantamweight. His remarkable knockout victory over Paul Butler in December of the previous year made him the first boxer to fully unify the bantamweight division in the multi-belt era and the first Asian fighter to achieve such a feat at any weight class. A win in the upcoming Fulton vs Inoue match would grant him the distinction of being Japan's first boxer to claim unified title status in two or more weight divisions.

Dillian Whyte, the well-established heavyweight contender hailing from London, continues to feel undervalued by the boxing world, especially when it comes to high-profile matches such as Joshua vs Whyte. In a recent conversation, Whyte expressed his dissatisfaction regarding his perceived lesser importance within the boxing industry. He particularly underscored how the importance given to him was not up to par when compared to fights like Joshua vs Whyte. Despite this, he maintains a strong belief that he belongs to the echelon of elite fighters in his weight class. Whyte has previously aired several grievances. One of the most prominent of these is his longstanding resentment over the missed chance to compete against Deontay Wilder during Wilder's reign as the WBC champion, believing it had as much potential as the iconic Joshua vs Whyte showdown. Moreover, Whyte displayed discontent with the publicity efforts surrounding his bout against Tyson Fury, the WBC titleholder, last year at Wembley Stadium, London. He felt that it did not garner as much attention or hype as a Joshua vs Whyte match would have. As a form of protest, he declined to appear at the fight's press conference and largely abstained from promoting the event on his social platforms. However, as the rematch of Joshua vs Whyte approaches, the resilient boxer finds himself once again in the spotlight. He is gearing up for this significant challenge, squaring off against Anthony Joshua on Aug. 12 at London's O2 Arena. Joshua previously bested Whyte with a seventh-round knockout during their inaugural match in 2015, thus creating the legacy of Joshua vs Whyte. Whyte, however, remains optimistic and resilient, acknowledging life's ups and downs. He humorously compared his ability to make the best of tough situations to being a "lemonade master" when life gives him lemons. Even though Whyte anticipates public skepticism and excuses if he defeats Joshua in their rematch, he maintains a positive outlook. He believes that even if he wins the Joshua vs Whyte rematch, he may still not receive the recognition he believes he deserves from some observers. Regardless, he is focused on proving his worth in the ring.

“I’m used to ups and downs in my life,” Whyte told BBC 5 Live Boxing. “Obviously, it’s a shame being one of the top fighters in the world, I’m still struggling like I was [earlier in my career]. It’s the same. “It’s been tough. I haven’t been treated the way I should’ve been treated and getting the right respect. It’s life, man. When life gives you lemons you make lemonade. I must be a lemonade master by now. “I’m a happy soul, anyway. Even if I beat AJ, I’m still not going to get the respect I deserve. If I beat him, they’re gonna say, ‘Oh, he was diminished. He was losing his mind. He was this, he was that.’ There’s going to be some nonsense being said.”

In the boxing results of the junior middleweight bout Bohachuk vs Allotey, Bohachuk  has secured a knockout victory, advancing his pursuit of a world title opportunity. This past Saturday at Chumash Casino Resort, the Bohachuk vs Allotey match concluded abruptly. Bohachuk, originally from Ukraine and currently based in Los Angeles, successfully ended the bout against ex-world title contender Patrick Allotey in the first round. Bohachuk's formidable knockout power done the job for him. With his win in the Bohachuk vs Allotey fight, he expanded his record to 23 wins, 23 by knockouts, with just a single loss. Bohachuk demonstrated a calculated approach in the Bohachuk vs Allotey bout. From the outset, he kept Allotey on the back foot with relentless jabs. His offense culminated in a forceful right cross, causing Allotey to fall onto the canvas face-first within the final minute of the round. Despite Allotey managing to rise after the nine count, referee Jack Reiss called a halt to the Bohachuk vs Allotey bout at 2:33, to Allotey's surprise. Following a few moments of reflection, a visibly disheartened Allotey finally removed his gloves under the supervision of a California State Athletic Commission official. Bohachuk, who ranks second in the WBC, is slated to return to the ring on November 10 at Madison Square Garden, New York City, according to promoter Tom Loeffler.

"Serhii is prepared for a world title opportunity"

Tom hinted towards a potential showdown of Bohachuk with Jermell Charlo or a match for the vacant WBC world title. Meanwhile, the outcome of the Bohachuk vs Allotey match has given Patrick Allotey his fifth loss. The Ghanaian boxer's record now stands at 42 wins, 32 by KOs. In the undercard match, Omar Trinidad emerged victorious against Roberto Meza, enhancing his record to 13-0-1, 10 KOs. The boxing results further confirmed that Umar Dzambekov overcame Kwame Ritter, taking his record to 6-0, 4 KOs in the process. In the bantamweight category, Narek Abgaryan achieved a sixth-round knockout victory over Manuel Manzo, updating his record to 16-1, 7 KOs. Daniel Barrera triumphed over Eduardo Alvarez in the opening round of their flyweight bout, while Jorge Maravillo emerged victorious against Terry Fernandez in an off-air contest.    

Ringside observer Shakur Stevenson was among several spectators who voiced disappointment with the outcome of the Kambosos vs Hughes match, going so far as to label George Kambosos Jr’s majority decision triumph a miscarriage of justice. In Stevenson's words, he firmly believed that it was a case of gross misjudgment. He felt that Maxi outboxed his opponent and was the superior contender. He emphasized that there needs to be stricter scrutiny of judges' evaluations. He suggested that the judges should be as focused as the fighters themselves and should require more rigorous training for their role.

“I thought it was a robbery. I thought Maxi boxed well and I thought he was the better fighter. I think that the judges should be held to a higher criteria. I think they should be as focused as the boxers, and I think they need (to do) a lot more to become a judge. “I feel like they’re not watching the fights and they’re not really paying attention to the fights, and I think it’s messing up boxing.”

Stevenson expressed his concern after Kambosos vs Hughes match that the judges were possibly not as attentive to the matches as they should be, which could potentially harm the sport's integrity. On the subject of possibly taking on Kambosos (21-2, 10 KO) in the future, Stevenson (20-0, 10 KO) downplayed the idea, implying that Kambosos might not be the caliber of adversary he's seeking. Stevenson voiced his ambition to square off against the crème de la crème of the boxing world, expressing doubt that Kambosos currently belongs in that echelon. He named fighters such as Lomachenko, Devin Haney, and Gervonta Davis as his desired opponents while talking to media after Kambosos vs Hughes bout. If Stevenson were to face Kambosos in the ring, he confidently predicted that he would outclass him. However, he maintained his belief that Kambosos doesn't compete at the same level as him. He finished by saying that if circumstances left him with no other option and Kambosos became his next hurdle, he wouldn't hesitate to defeat him too.

“I wanna fight the best of the best, so as of right now, Kambosos is not on my level. I want to fight the Lomachenkos, the Devin Haneys, Gervonta Davis,” he said. “Those are the fights I’m looking for. If you see me fighting Kambosos, you know I’m gonna stop him. That’s how I feel about it. I don’t feel like he’s on that level. “But if I don’t got no choice, and he’s the next step, I’ll beat him up, too.”

In an electrifying Kambosos vs Hughes showdown on Saturday night, British southpaw Maxi Hughes faced a heartbreaking defeat in a majority decision against the former unified lightweight champion from Australia, George Kambosos Jr. This 12-round main event was aired on ESPN from the FireLake Arena in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Despite Hughes's strong efforts, in the Kambosos vs Hughes match, judges Josef Mason (117-111) and Gerald Ritter (115-113) awarded Kambosos victory in seven and nine rounds respectively. However, Judge David Sutherland deemed the match a draw with a score of 114-114. In the statistical count from CompuBox during the Kambosos vs Hughes bout, Hughes was credited with landing eight more punches overall than Kambosos (98-of-338 to 90-of-471), but Kambosos took the lead in power punches (65-of-204 to 53-of-158). Hughes, on the other hand, led in jabs (45-of-180 to 25-of-267). Post the Kambosos vs Hughes fight, Kambosos asserted his victory, stating his dominance over most rounds. This win ended Hughes's seven-fight winning streak and handed the IBO lightweight title to Kambosos. Kambosos now stands at number two in the IBF’s 135-pound ratings, which could see him fight Argentina’s Gustavo Lemos for the unclaimed championship, should Devin Haney decide to move up to the 140-pound category.

“We won the fight by many rounds,” Kambosos said. “That’s no discredit to Maxi Hughes. He had a couple good rounds, but a couple good rounds don’t win you the fight. We won a majority of the rounds.”

This Kambosos vs Hughes match marked Kambosos's first win since his upset victory over Teofimo Lopez in November 2021. Although Kambosos had been defeated by the undisputed lightweight champion, Devin Haney, in 2022, he returned to the ring as the favorite against Hughes. In spite of Hughes being the underdog in seven of his past eight matches, he had a six-win streak before the Kambosos vs Hughes bout. After the match, Hughes expressed his disappointment, yet maintained respect for Kambosos's victory. Regardless of the outcome, Hughes demonstrated his worthiness to compete in the top league during the challenging fight.

“It was a bit of a kick in the bollocks, to be honest. Now I feel pretty stupid standing here in a cowboy hat,” he said with a smile. “But yeah, I’m absolutely devastated. Nobody knew who I was. I wasn’t supposed to be in George’s league. I came and showed, I should have had my hand raised. But I don’t want to take George’s moment. “My footwork, making him miss, making him pay, landed the cleaner shots. You know, I don’t want to sound like a sore loser, but when I watch it back, assess it — everybody here now knows who Maxi Hughes. Thank you, Oklahoma. “I thought I was doing enough, listening to instruction. I was just doing what I felt. I don’t know what the judges were seeing, but I did what I was asked. “I want to earn the dollars to provide for my family. Show everybody who Maxi Hughes is and show everybody how good I can be. And earn the money. That’s what I want to do, but we’ll see what’s next.”

Stephen Fulton's coach voiced his apprehensions regarding Naoya Inoue's hand-wrapping method during the concluding press briefing for the upcoming Fulton Vs Inoue fight on July 25th, taking place at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo. Fulton's coach disclosed that he advised Fulton that it wouldn't matter if Inoue were to have "bricks in his gloves" because Fulton would still come out victorious. The trainer, however, highlighted his worry over safety and refuses to ignore this issue. He raised the point that Inoue, the ex-champion of three divisions, known as 'Monster' Inoue (24-0, 21 KOs), typically has his hands wrapped with a substantial amount of tape, which gives the appearance of a "cast." He further stated that his boxer won't participate in the Fulton Vs Inoue fight if the hand wrapping isn't done safely. Inoue, recognized for his ability to knock out opponents with a single punch, could face reputation damage if his victories are found to be aided by excessive hand tape. According to reports, the Fulton Vs Inoue faceoff is scheduled to be the most high-profile boxing event on July 25th. Verifying allegations about Inoue's past use of excess hand tape will be challenging. Nonetheless, Fulton's coach intends to scrutinize the hand-wrapping process on fight day to ensure it meets his safety standards. This raises questions about whether Inoue's prowess will diminish if he reduces the amount of hand tape, and the financial implications for Fulton if he opts out of the fight. Surprisingly, Inoue appeared to take the accusations calmly, unlike many boxers who might react more strongly. Fulton (21-0, 8 KOs) seemed caught off guard by his coach's prepared remarks but didn't voice any objections, suggesting that he was aware of them beforehand. The trainer mentioned the challenges of competing with Inoue on his home turf in Japan. An exciting question emerges: will Inoue's team compromise on the amount of hand tape used? If so, it could potentially alter Inoue's power dynamics in the ring. Lacking Fulton's skillset, Inoue's strengths lie in the velocity, power, and precision of his punches, as he typically seeks a one-punch knockout like Canelo Alvarez. Fulton's coach said at the press conference:

“I talked to Fulton about my concerns, and he asked me not to discuss my concerns. Fulton said, ‘I don’t care if he has bricks in his gloves. I will still win. “As I admire his courage, I have to do my job and look out for his safety. In previous fights, Inoue and his team have wrapped his hands with an excessive amount of tape on his skin and then put gauze and more tape, which creates a cast. “This is not an assumption. I have proof. We could also wrap our hands in the same fashion, but where is the level of safety for the fighter? If this issue isn’t resolved, I will not allow my fighter into the ring. “We are already behind enemy lines. We have made no requests, nothing at all. We have not even asked for a rematch clause. This is the only request that we had made. I would like for the hand wraps to be wrapped in a safe manner, not with tape on the hands or on the skin.”

Dovbyshchenko stops Harris and gave Matty Harris an unexpected defeat in his professional boxing career. Harris had been widely recognized as the next sensation in UK heavyweight boxing, but Dovbyshchenko proved to be an insurmountable obstacle in the preliminary fight of the Lee McGregor-Erik Robles event in Edinburgh. Despite Dovbyshchenko's uneven record, he stopped Harris in his tracks, ending the young Brit's unbeaten run. Harris, a powerful force in the boxing ring, having knocked out his last four opponents in the first round each time, seemed unstoppable until the moment Dovbyshchenko stops Harris. This remarkable track record not only drew a lot of attention to him, but it also won him the chance to spar with unified world champion Oleksandr Usyk, prepping the champion for a possible fight with Tyson Fury. This level of recognition and trust from industry elites signaled Harris's remarkable potential. However, Dovbyshchenko, despite having more losses than wins in his professional career, showcased an admirable degree of determination and resilience. His record of never having been knocked out, even in his recent fight against the formidable Moses Itauma, was a testament to his tenacity. And when Dovbyshchenko stops Harris, it was another testament to this tenacity. During the fight, Harris managed to floor Dovbyshchenko in the second round. The Ukrainian fighter, however, did not yield. His steely resilience ensured he stayed in the game, a testament to the moment where Dovbyshchenko stops Harris, pushing him to reconsider his tactics and deviate from his typical knockout strategy. At a tender age of 23, Harris found himself in unfamiliar territory. He began to falter noticeably in the fourth round, his energy visibly flagging. The fifth round brought further trouble for Harris as he took a series of heavy blows with dwindling resistance. Even though he wasn't in excruciating pain, his energy levels seemed to be running dangerously low. The referee had to intervene in the last minutes of the bout. Harris had been taking the brunt of Dovbyshchenko's heavy blows for three minutes when the referee called a halt to the fight, marking the point where Dovbyshchenko stops Harris for the final time. The fight altered Harris's record to 5-1, marking a surprising defeat that left many stunned. This loss could be seen as a stumble early in his career. However, it may also serve as an useful lesson, emphasizing that power alone cannot guarantee rapid triumphs. Boxing is a test of endurance and adaptation as much as it is of sheer strength, as Harris learned the hard way when Dovbyshchenko stops Harris.    

Former heavyweight contender David Price has shared his prediction for the upcoming Usyk Vs Dubois title fight. The highly-anticipated bout is set to take place in Wroclaw, Poland, on August 26, and it represents a significant challenge for Dubois in his career. Price, who faced formidable opponents like Alexander Povetkin and Derek Chisora during his own boxing career, believes that Usyk's skills and mobility will be too much for Dubois to handle. Despite Dubois' impressive comeback after being stopped by Joe Joyce in 2020, Price doesn't see him being able to land clean and often on the skilled Ukrainian southpaw.

“I can’t see it no. I can’t see it. I think Usyk will find it too easy to land on Daniel Dubois. Again he’s another where his attack is the best form of defence but I don’t think he’ll have what it takes to land clean and often on Usyk.”

According to Price, Usyk's superior movement and activity in the ring will likely lead to him landing more frequently on Dubois in the Usyk Vs Dubois bout, possibly leading to a late stoppage. While acknowledging that it's a massive opportunity for Dubois, Price believes Usyk is on another level and continues to improve as a fighter. Price wishes Dubois luck and encourages him to give his all in the Usyk Vs Dubois bout, regardless of the outcome. He emphasizes that as long as Dubois goes into the ring and performs to the best of his abilities, he will come out a winner.

“Usyk’s too busy, too mobile, and I think he’ll land too often on Dubois and I think he’ll probably stop him late. It’s a massive opportunity for the lad and he’s done great to come back from where was with Joe Joyce fight, but Usyk’s the next level and we haven’t seen anything that he’s starting to fade or get old or water, he’s betting better all the time. Win, lose or draw, so long as [Dubois] goes into that fight and comes out knowing he’s given everything and performed he’ll come out a winner no matter what. Good luck to him.”

The Usyk Vs Dubois fight will be available for viewers in the UK on TNT Sports Box Office (formerly BT Sport) and on ESPN+ in the US. Boxing fans around the world are eagerly anticipating this clash of two talented heavyweights.

During the press conference for the Happy Punch event, Hotdog controversy occurred involving 36-year-old American right-wing YouTube personality, Alex Stein, and Muslim YouTuber MoDeen. Stein was set to fight MoDeen on the prelims, but things took a heated turn when Stein threw hotdogs at his opponent, knowing that pork is considered haram in the Islamic faith and forbidden. The Hotdog controversy sparked outrage as MoDeen reacted furiously and had to be restrained by security. Chaos ensued, and the press conference descended into disarray. Stein taunted MoDeen verbally, making insensitive remarks about pork and hotdogs. After the incident, clips of the confrontation went viral on social media. Stein attempted to defend himself by claiming that the hotdogs he threw were actually turkey, not pork, as he had implied during the altercation. Turkey is not considered haram in Islam. However, Misfits Boxing, the event organizers, swiftly made the decision to remove Stein from the fight card due to the controversy. Stein expressed disappointment on Twitter, stating that his fight was canceled over the misunderstanding regarding the type of hotdogs.

“My fight got cancelled over turkey dogs!!!”

MoDeen also expressed sadness over the situation, as he had hoped for the opportunity to face Stein in the ring and teach him a lesson. He later learned that the hotdogs were indeed turkey and not pork, but it was too late to salvage the fight.

“I feel heartbroken because my fight is getting cancelled because of someone else’s actions, and I’m not getting the chance to smash this guy’s face in. We found out it was not pork, it was some chicken or whatever, so that’s calm. As long as it wasn’t, then that’s not that deep. They told me the fight’s cancelled. I wanna smash his brain, but they’re telling me it’s cancelled. That’s not fair.”

Despite the Hotdog Controversy, the Happy Punch event proceeded as scheduled in Nashville, but with one less fight on the prelims portion of the undercard. The altercation between Stein and MoDeen served as a reminder of the importance of respecting religious beliefs and cultural sensitivities in sports and public events.