Teofimo Lopez has been making a lot of headlines at the moment.

He is currently engaged in a war of words online with Terence Crawford.

The two boxers have been trading words across social media as their beef continues to escalate.

But it’s not just other boxers that Lopez is currently facing issues with.

It seems that the current WBO and The Ring light welterweight champion is also having issues with his promoters.

Teofimo Lopez is currently signed to Top Rank Boxing.

Top Rank Boxing are one of the biggest agencies in the world with their roster including the likes of Naoya Inoue and Vasiliy Lomachenko.

They’ve also promoted some of the biggest names in the history of the sport including Muhammad Ali, Marvelous Marvin Hagler, George Foreman, Sugar Ray Leonard, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and many more besides.

Bob Arum has certainly built a reputation as one of the best in the business over a number of decades.

That doesn’t mean that every boxer is happy with their affiliation to the organisation.Eddie Hearn replies to Oscar De La Hoya rant

And it seems that Lopez is one of them.

According to reports online, Teofimo Lopez reportedly filed a lawsuit against Top Rank Boxing to get out of his contract with his promoters.

It is widely believed that the New Yorker has one fight left on his contract.

But he seems to want to get out early.

Twitter user @izdatyofaceee has held a Twitter / X spaces recording where it’s claimed that Lopez is looking to secure his freedom from Top Rank Boxing.

Getting legal is definitely an interesting way to go about things for Lopez.

If that’s the route that he decides to follow, it may mean that he’ll be out of commission for a while from the ring.

With Teofimo Lopez previously asking for fights against the likes of Crawford and Gervonta Davis, fight fans will be keen to see how this current situation resolves itself.Teofimo Lopez has reportedly filed a lawsuit against Top Rank Boxing to secure his freedom. Is this justified? How long will Teo be on the shelf?

#TeofimoLopez #TopRank #BoxingNews #TerenceCrawford #LegalBattle #WBOChampion #FightFans #GervontaDavis #BoxingUpdates #SportsNews

Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez is known for delivering some devastating knockouts throughout his career, with highlights including his brutal KO of James Kirkland in 2015 and stoppage wins over Sergey Kovalev and Amir Khan. However, one of his fiercest rivals, former unified world champion Gennady Golovkin, has now questioned the true strength of Canelo's power.

Canelo and Golovkin have met three times in the ring, with the first fight ending in a controversial draw and Alvarez narrowly edging the next two. A memorable moment in their first bout came in round nine when Alvarez landed a massive right hand flush on Golovkin, yet ‘GGG’ has downplayed its impact.

Speaking to DAZN, Golovkin said, “I remember that punch, I let it get through. It wasn’t hard; it felt kind of like a slap or a sliding punch. Well, it didn’t do too much.”

While Canelo’s power has brought him success in the past, his recent victories, including his unanimous decision over Edgar Berlanga in September, have lacked the knockout punch fans have come to expect. Canelo is set to return to the ring in May 2025, with potential opponents including Dmitry Bivol and Terence Crawford, while Golovkin remains undecided on his future in the sport.

#CaneloAlvarez #GennadyGolovkin #BoxingNews #DAZN #CaneloVsGGG #BoxingFans #KnockoutPower #BoxingRivalry #GGG #BoxingUpdates

Heavyweights Kem Ljungquist (18-0) from Denmark and US-based Armenian Murat Gassiev (30-2) are set to face off on October 19 in Vienna, Austria, in a non-title fight scheduled for 10 rounds. This matchup is significant for both fighters, particularly for Gassiev, the former IBF cruiserweight champion, who is looking to bounce back after a loss to Otto Wallin more than a year ago. Gassiev has been sidelined since then due to a shoulder injury.

As a cruiserweight, Gassiev was formidable, with his only loss coming at the hands of Oleksandr Usyk. In the heavyweight division, he holds a record of 4-1, but the long gap between fights and a tough outing against Wallin—who, like Ljungquist, is a southpaw—raises questions about his current form.

Ljungquist, on the other hand, has made strides in his career, having defeated Greek/Swede Marios Kollias and Tanzanian/Swede Awadh Tamim earlier this year. However, this fight against Gassiev marks his most significant challenge to date. Initially signed with Sauerland Event, he is now promoting himself through Rng*Sde Promotions.

The Gassiev vs. Ljungquist bout will headline an IBA Champions Night, with more exciting fights to be announced.

#GassievLjungquist #HeavyweightBoxing #IBAChampionsNight #BoxingNews #FightNight #Knockout #BoxingFans #BoxingHighlights #RngSdePromotions #CruiserweightChampion

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Lennox Lewis has revealed his desire to fight Jake Paul next, following Mike Tyson's potential bout with the YouTuber-turned-boxer. Speaking to Fox 29 Philippines and The Guardian, Lewis expressed his confidence in Tyson’s ability to defeat Paul, emphasizing that Paul “is not a true fighter.”

"I hope that Tyson saves a little bit of Jake Paul for me," Lewis remarked, when asked if he would consider a match against Paul. "I'd 100 percent consider it."

Lewis, a boxing legend and former heavyweight champion, also stated that he doesn’t believe Tyson is too old to win.

"Mike Tyson's gonna win. Mike Tyson's not that old. Don't take him too softly. We're one year apart. You can fight somebody like that and do well because the person you're fighting is not a true fighter," Lewis said.

As both Tyson and Lewis near their 60s, the potential matchups with Jake Paul are bound to draw major attention in the world of boxing.

#LennoxLewis #JakePaul #MikeTyson #BoxingNews #FightNight #HeavyweightLegend #TrueFighter #BoxingUpdates #YouTuberToBoxer #BoxingFans

Los Angeles-based featherweight Iyana “Right Hook Roxy” Verduzco has officially signed with 360 Promotions, as announced on Friday. Tom Loeffler, president of 360 Promotions, expressed pride in signing the talented fighter to an exclusive promotional contract. “Over the course of my promotional career, I’ve had the opportunity to work with many female world champions, and Roxy has all the attributes to be the next female star in boxing. When she fought on our July 26 card at Commerce Casino, it was clear that not only was she a very talented fighter but also among the most popular fighters in Southern California,” Loeffler stated.

Loeffler has previously worked with notable female champions, including former undisputed welterweight champion Cecilia Braekhus, former super middleweight titleholder Laila Ali, former junior welterweight titlist Lucia Rijker, and current unified minimumweight champion Seniesa Estrada.

“Women in sports is the story of 2024, and our team is excited to play a continued role in giving female fighters the best opportunities for their careers,” Loeffler continued. “Female fighters have always had a place with my promotions, from main-event world champions to prospects making their start.”

Verduzco, a 23-year-old southpaw, is coming off her second professional victory, a dominant six-round decision over Colleen Davis on July 26 at the Commerce Casino Events Center in Commerce, California. “Tom and his team at 360 Promotions have been great to work with and have terrific ideas for my future,” Verduzco said. “The energy level at my July 26 fight at ‘Hollywood Fight Nights’ was amazing. They consistently promote big shows in Los Angeles, which means I can fight at home, and my fans can come and watch. Plus, the fights are broadcast globally on UFC Fight Pass, which is very important to me.”

A highly decorated amateur with a record of 101-6, Verduzco has achieved significant accolades, including 21 national titles, three gold medals in international tournaments, and the distinction of being the youngest American to win an Amateur World Championship.

Details of Verduzco’s next fight will be announced soon, according to 360 Promotions.

#IyanaVerduzco #360Promotions #WomenInSports #BoxingNews #Featherweight #FightAnnouncement #UFCFightPass #RoxyVerduzco #BoxingProspect

WBO strawweight champion Oscar Collazo is gearing up for a significant unification clash in what could be one of the most pivotal bouts in recent strawweight history. Collazo will face WBA titleholder Thammanoon Niyomtrong, also known as Knockout CP Freshmart, on “Latino Night” No. 16, part of the Riyadh Season at The Venue in Riyadh.

The 27-year-old Puerto Rican, Collazo (10-0, 7 KOs), is emerging as a star in a division that often flies under the radar of mainstream boxing fans. With this unification bout on such a prominent platform, he is eager to solidify his status among boxing's elite and position himself as the face of Puerto Rican boxing.

“You got to give me one of my dreams — to be the unified champion,” Collazo stated at a recent press conference. “And we’re going to get it. I dreamed about this day; I talk to God every day to give me this opportunity to shine bright.”

Collazo’s last fight in June saw him go the distance against Gerardo Zapata during Hall of Fame weekend, ending a streak of four consecutive knockouts. Nevertheless, he secured a dominant unanimous decision victory, extending his undefeated record. He won the WBO title a year earlier by stopping Melvin Jerusalem in the seventh round.

On the other side of the ring, Niyomtrong (25-0, 9 KOs) has held the WBA title since 2016 and successfully defended it for the 12th time in September with a majority decision win over Australia’s Alex Winwood. This bout marked Niyomtrong’s return after more than two years of inactivity.

“Everybody doesn’t see us minimum weights, but now I’ve got the chance to show everybody my talents, my courage, how disciplined I am,” Collazo said, emphasizing the significance of this fight.

Collazo is currently one of only two boxing titleholders from Puerto Rico, alongside Amanda Serrano, a legend in women’s boxing. He expressed his determination to carry the torch for Puerto Rican boxing, stating his hope to “show the whole world I’m the face of boxing in Puerto Rico.”

#OscarCollazo #ThammanoonNiyomtrong #BoxingUnification #PuertoRico #LatinoNight #RiyadhSeason #Strawweight #WBO #WBA #BoxingNews

Seven months after losing to Sebastian Fundora, Tim Tszyu has described the unified WBC and WBO junior middleweight titlist as the man to beat at 154.

Twenty-nine year-old Tszyu, from Australia, lost a split decision to late substitute Fundora at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, surrendering his WBO belt in the process. The 26-year-old Fundora took advantage of a second round terrible cut on Tszyu in the second round to record a 115-113, 116-112, and 116-112 split decision win.

Talking about the wealth of talents at 154, Tszyu refused to rate Fundora as the best fighter at junior middleweight, but believes he currently holds the titles needed to be judged the best.

“The 154-pound division is red hot right now, man,” Tszyu said in an interview with BoxingScene. “There are names flooding around everywhere. Belts are stacked from everywhere, so it's good to be in this division right now.”

As well as Tszyu, the junior middleweight division is currently packed with a lot of talents such as Terence Crawford, Fundora, Israil Madrimov, Vergil Ortiz, Serhii Bohachuk, Brian Mendoza, and Erickson Lubin among others.

When asked who among the pool of talents he wants to face, Tszyu said he was open to facing any fighter at 154 but chose Fundora as the first option on his list. Tszyu also has plans to move up in weight in the future.

“If everything presents itself and the way things work out, then yeah, of course. Why not? It all depends on the current situation. Boxing changes. It's like a fighter loses, and then it's the next guy in line. That's all. You can't really predict the future much. It's hard.

“Right now, 154 is very hot so I’ll stay here. At the moment, Fundora has the belts now but, no, I don't think he's the best.”

#TimTszyu #SebastianFundora #BoxingNews #JuniorMiddleweight #WBC #WBO #BoxingFans #154PoundDivision #FightNight

The annual Herlev Fight Night took place tonight, drawing a full house for an evening filled with boxing action. While last year featured three professional bouts, this year’s event showcased four, all promoted by Rng*Sde Promotions. However, it was the amateur and Olympic matchups that once again stole the show.

In the main event, local lightweight Elias Idrissi (6-0) headlined the professional portion of the night, earning a decisive victory over German-South African David Rajuili (13-14-1) after six rounds. Idrissi dominated the fight, outscoring Rajuili, though he was unable to land a decisive blow. The judges unanimously scored the bout 60-54 in favor of Idrissi.

In another lightweight contest, Ahmad Chauki El Ahmad (5-0) faced off against Spanish-Kenyan Ronald Olkwera (3-3-1). This closely contested six-round fight saw El Ahmad emerge victorious, with the judges scoring it 60-54 twice and 59-55. However, some observers felt the score was somewhat harsh on Olkwera, as neither fighter managed to hurt the other significantly. El Ahmad did sustain a cut over his right eye, but it did not hinder his performance.

The heavyweight clash between Gustav Thorsen (4-0) and Dutch-Italian Giovanni Auriemma (2-5-1) turned out to be a messy affair. Thorsen managed to secure a unanimous decision victory, with all judges scoring it 60-54. However, many rounds were competitive, with neither fighter able to establish clear dominance.

The professional portion of the show opened with light heavyweight Amre Allman (2-1) defeating Czech Tomas Podas (3-8) by unanimous decision, with scores of 40-36 twice and 40-35.

The combination of local talent and the excitement of amateur bouts ensured that Herlev Fight Night continued its tradition of providing memorable boxing experiences.

#HerlevFightNight #BoxingResults #EliasIdrissi #AhmadChaukiElAhmad #GustavThorsen #AmreAllman #BoxingNews #RngSdePromotions #LocalTalent

Lancashire’s Jack Rafferty (24-0, 15 KOs) secured the British junior welterweight title with a stunning come-from-behind victory against talented southpaw Henry Turner (13-1, 5 KOs) after eight rounds. Initially, it was Turner who established a commanding lead, utilizing his slick boxing skills to outmaneuver Rafferty and control the early rounds.

Rafferty, who entered the ring as the Commonwealth junior welterweight champion, struggled in the opener as Turner, trained by Alan Smith, adeptly managed the distance. Turner continued to pick off Rafferty with precise shots in the second and third rounds, displaying his education in the sport. Despite this, Rafferty showed resilience, particularly in the fourth round, where he began to find his rhythm and landed some accurate right hands.

The pattern persisted, with Turner maintaining his composure and landing clean punches, including a lead right uppercut in the seventh round that was a highlight-worthy shot. However, Rafferty's relentless pressure began to wear down the 24-year-old Turner as the fight progressed. By the ninth round, Rafferty capitalized on Turner's exhaustion, unleashing a furious volley of punches that trapped Turner against the ropes.

In a dramatic moment, Rafferty landed a decisive shot to Turner’s stomach, sending him crashing to the canvas. Recognizing their fighter’s distress, Turner’s corner pulled him out at the end of the round, ensuring his safety.

“I’ve worked 18 years for this, dreamed of it,” Rafferty said post-fight. “I thought it was man versus boy tonight, but it was man versus man. When he gets older, he’ll be some fighter.”

After a grueling fight, Rafferty plans to take a break, stating, “I’m going to go and see my girlfriend; I haven’t seen her since March. I’ve not even gone to see my mum’s grave. I’ll be dressing her up tomorrow in the gold stuff.”

Meanwhile, Turner, just 24, may feel regret but undoubtedly has a bright future ahead.

In an earlier bout, Liverpool’s Jack Turner (9-0, 8 KOs) showcased his explosive power by achieving his seventh first-round finish against the vastly overmatched Gonzalo Corinaldesi (5-7-1, 1 KO) from Argentina. The 22-year-old bantamweight delivered a thunderous right hand that sent Corinaldesi crashing to the canvas at 2:47 of the first round.

As the referee counted, Turner celebrated wildly in a testament to boxing’s savage nature. However, out of respect, he paused his celebration until Corinaldesi regained consciousness.

#JackRafferty #HenryTurner #BritishTitle #Bantamweight #BoxingNews #Knockout #JackTurner #Liverpool #FightNight #BoxingHighlights

Tyson Fury recently declared that it would be “a travesty” if he never fights Anthony Joshua. Speaking on TNT Sports ahead of Nick Ball’s upcoming bout with Ronny Rios, Fury made it clear that their rivalry is far from over, no matter the circumstances surrounding Joshua’s career.

“It doesn’t matter if he’s lost one fight or 21, he will never escape the Gypsy King,” Fury said. “He will always have to fight me. It doesn’t matter if he’s 49, 42, 55, or 65, we will definitely fight. I don’t care if he never wins another fight for 20 years; we have to fight for the fans of this country.”

As Fury gears up for his December 21 rematch with Oleksandr Usyk, he expressed confidence, stating, “I’m ready to rock and roll. I don’t need a 12-week camp. I’ve been boxing all my life. I’m ready to go tonight, tomorrow, next weekend. All I need is five or six weeks of good sparring this time.”

Reflecting on Joshua’s recent loss to Daniel Dubois, Fury praised Dubois’s performance, saying, “Daniel did everything he had to do.” However, he quickly redirected his focus back to Joshua, emphasizing the importance of their long-awaited showdown.

“At the end of the day, it would be a travesty if we didn’t fight,” Fury continued. “No matter if he loses 20 more fights, if he doesn’t win another fight and has 10 years away from the game, it doesn’t matter. We have to fight. Doesn’t matter if we’re 50 years old; we have to fight.”

Fury reminisced about a missed opportunity with David Price, recalling how that rivalry was building up and could have resulted in a massive fight. He insists that allowing the Fury vs. Joshua fight to slip away would be equally regrettable.

As the boxing world waits with bated breath, the question remains: Will Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua finally meet in the ring, or will their highly anticipated clash remain a distant dream?

#TysonFury #AnthonyJoshua #BoxingRivalry #FightNight #HeavyweightChampionship

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British bantamweight champion Andrew Cain (13-1, 12 KOs) delivered a dominant performance against late replacement Lazaro Casseres (11-1, 4 KOs) on the undercard of Nick Ball’s title defense against Ronny Rios. Cain, 28, wasted no time getting to work, launching a barrage of heavy shots from the opening bell, pushing the traveling Colombian into every corner of the ring and showcasing his power with frightening hooks.

It quickly became apparent that Casseres would struggle to withstand Cain’s onslaught. Early in the second round, Cain landed a precise right uppercut that sent Casseres crashing to the canvas. The Colombian managed to rise to his feet before referee Victor Loughlin’s 10-count, but he was visibly shaken. Cain continued his relentless attack, and after a vicious left hook rocked Casseres, Loughlin intervened to save the fighter from further punishment, stopping the bout at 1 minute 48 seconds of the second round.

In an earlier bout, Joe Cooper (2-0, 0 KOs) earned a hard-fought victory over the tough Lukasz Barabasz (4-14, 2 KOs) in his second professional fight. Cooper utilized a stiff left jab to land punches to both the head and body, displaying impressive skills and countering Barabasz’s attacks with ease.

However, the 35-year-old Barabasz sought to disrupt Cooper’s rhythm in the second round, managing to land some shots while absorbing punches from the younger fighter. Cooper’s movement slowed in the third round as he opted to counter Barabasz off the ropes with sharp hooks, though they seemed to have little effect on the resilient Pole.

The fourth round showcased the best action of the fight. As Cooper began to tire, Barabasz increased his work rate, pushing the younger fighter back and exchanging heavy hooks. Both men swung away with what little energy remained, sinking into their respective corners as the final bell sounded.

Referee Steve Gray awarded Cooper the victory with a score of 40-37. While the young fighter expressed disappointment with his performance, he will surely appreciate the valuable experience gained from sharing the ring with the tough Barabasz.

#AndrewCain #LazaroCasseres #Bantamweight #BoxingNews #Knockout #JoeCooper #LukaszBarabasz #Liverpool #FightNight #BoxingHighlights

Cuban southpaw starlet Jadier Herrera, 16-0 (14 KOs), highlighted, underlined, and scrawled rings around his potential when he stopped the seasoned but still ambitious Oliver Flores, 31-6-1 (20 KOs), in Round 3 in Liverpool.

Herrera, wearing sparkly black shorts, attempted to take control early, but his experienced foe, chosen as the opponent to teach the young gun some lessons, refused to give ground in the ring center. However, by the end of the opening round, there were ominous signs for the 33-year-old as Herrera’s jab began to find its target.

Some range-finding fencing ensued in Round 2 before the end came suddenly at the beginning of the next session.

A right hook whipped home, followed quickly by a sharp left before Herrera—still only 22 years old—plunged a right hand into Flores's stomach. As the Nicaraguan instinctively sought shelter on the canvas, the wind left his lungs instantly. It was all over after just 30 seconds of the third round.

In another bout, Walter Fury, the cousin of former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, dominated his four-round match against 126-fight veteran Dale Arrowsmith. Sporting bleach blonde hair and a thick black beard, Fury pinged the jab from a southpaw stance early on while Arrowsmith chose to stay back and see what his opponent had to offer.

Lancaster, England’s Fury, now 2-0, largely controlled the pace, switching stances and learning on the job, as Arrowsmith—a journeyman employed to survive—only sporadically attacked.

At the end of four, the score in Fury’s favor was a somewhat predictable 40-36 from referee Mark Lyson.

#JadierHerrera #WalterFury #BoxingNews #LiverpoolFightNight #Knockout #CubanBoxer #TysonFury #BoxingHighlights #RisingStars #FightRecap #Southpaw #BoxingLife #FutureChampions

In some respects, the most remarkable thing about Raging Bull is how unremarkable it is. 

The bare bones of the story - boxer battles marital problems and family strife as well as the Mob as he seeks glory in the ring - do not necessarily make for the most original plot in the world. And the movie's protagonist is not exactly a sympathetic character: misogynist, suspicious, and quick to anger, he drives away the loyal brother who had been at his side through thick and thin; after leaving his wife for a young girl whom he makes his second wife, he becomes convinced she is having an affair, beats her, and drives her away, too.

What makes the movie widely regarded as one of the very greatest works in the history of American cinema is that it is simultaneously sparing and unsparing: unsparing in its close and critical examination of the aforementioned protagonist, former middleweight champion Jake LaMotta; and sparing in the way the acting and direction are stripped of glamor and spectacle, creating an air of verisimilitude that, combined with the black and white photography, at times makes it feel as if the viewer has simply been deposited into a tenement in the Bronx circa 1948.

The movie's director, Martin Scorsese, initially wanted nothing to do with it. He found the story unremarkable and he didn't like boxing, or indeed sports generally. The idea had been brought to him by Robert De Niro, who had read LaMotta 's autobiography. Somewhat reflective of the movie's troubled gestation, De Niro didn't actually much like the book or the way it was written, but found himself coming away from it with a borderline obsession with LaMotta and his life.

De Niro pressed the issue with his frequent collaborator; that he did so not only perpetuated the career of one of Hollywood's greatest ever auteurs, it probably saved his life, because prior to yielding to the actor's persistence, Scorsese was at his lowest ebb. Depressed by the muted commercial and critical response to his previous theatrical release, New York, New York , he buried himself in piles of cocaine, convinced his career was over. When he finally agreed to film Raging Bull, he threw himself into every last detail with gusto, expecting it to be his directorial swansong.

The first draft of the screenplay was summarily rejected. A second draft by Paul Schraeder, who scripted a previous Scorsese-De Niro collaboration, Taxi Driver , was closer to the mark, but it took intensive and uncredited rewrites from De Niro and Scorsese to create the finished product. Upon release, Raging Bull received mixed reviews and performed poorly at the box office, although it took little time for it to undergo a significant critical reassessment. 

One wonders how Raging Bull might perform in 2024, when a generation of moviegoers has been conditioned to expect action sequences and uncomplicated heroes. There would be a place for it, surely: quality movie making continues to shine its light through the fog of Marvel franchises, after all. (The bigger obstacle, validly, would be the fact that the movie's antihero hits women and goes to jail for enabling the prostitution of a minor; it would be a daring director, or one bent on career suicide, who attempted to extract pathos from a character with such traits today.)  

In a way, Raging Bull feels very much a snapshot of its eras. Of the 1940s and 1950s, when it is set, when the only non-white characters are boxers and the only women are largely subservient and at risk of violence when independent or confrontational. But also of the 1970s and early 1980s, when directors like Scorsese, Coppola, and Cimino crafted masterpieces around examples of flawed masculinity, from Martin Sheen's Captain Willard to Al Pacino's Michael Corleone or De Niro's own Mike Vronsky. 

Raging Bull is a movie for people who like boxing, yes, but also for people who like movies, who admire the craft of understated storytelling and crisp acting. Joe Pesci, in only his second credited movie role, is magnetic as LaMotta’s brother Joey; and debutant Cathy Moriarty, a mere 19 years old, displays the husky world-weariness of a young Lauren Bacall in her Oscar-nominated turn as LaMotta's second wife, Vikki. The movie's fulcrum is, of course, De Niro, who won an Academy Award for his portrayal of LaMotta, perfecting his trademark conveyance of menace through subtlety and restraint. Today, an actor portraying LaMotta's later life and associated middle age spread might rely on a combination of prostheses and CGI to convey his aging bulk; De Niro went to Paris for three months so he could eat an extra 60 pounds onto his frame the hard way.

Raging Bull received plaudits for its fight sequences, which by the standards of boxing movies convey at least an element of authenticity, even when clearly dramatized, such as the beautifully-composed sequences of LaMotta's loss to Sugar Ray Robinson in the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. But in a way, its spirit is perhaps best conveyed by its closing scene, in which LaMotta, now a stage performer, sits in his dressing room and works his way through Terry Malloy's soliloquy from ‘On the Waterfront.’

On the one hand, LaMotta has lost it all: his career, his wealth, his wife, his brother, his boxer's physique. He is performing on small stages for punters who laugh at him rather than with him. He is a subject of pity, if he even deserves that much. On the other hand, he refuses, as he did in the ring, to be knocked down, let alone knocked out. He continues to display the indomitable spirit that took him to the top before and, he hopes, will again. If ever a movie scene can be said to convey the ambiguity and misplaced optimism that courses through the sport and business of boxing, it's that one. 

Kieran Mulvaney has written, broadcast and podcasted about boxing for HBO, Showtime, ESPN and Reuters, among other outlets. He also writes regularly for National Geographic, has written several books on the Arctic and Antarctic, and is at his happiest hanging out with wild polar bears. His website is www.kieranmulvaney.com.

Local talents Brad Strand and Lucas Biswana made a significant impact on the Liverpool crowd at the M&S Bank Arena, providing a thrilling undercard for Nick Ball’s title defense against Ronny Rios. The Everton Red Triangle gym saw a successful start to the night, with hopes high for victories from both Ball and fellow fighter Andrew Cain.

In the super bantamweight division, Strand (12-0, 4 KOs) bounced back from a previous defeat with a spectacular sixth-round knockout against Marvin Solano (24-20, 8 KOs). Strand controlled most of the bout but struggled to penetrate Solano’s tough defense until the end of round six. With a perfectly timed right hand, he sent Solano crashing to the canvas, securing the knockout at 2:47 of round six.

Super featherweight Nelson Birchall (6-0, 3 KOs) continued to impress, delivering a third-round stoppage against Mark Butler (3-13, 1 KO). Birchall, trained by Joe McNally in Liverpool, ramped up the pressure in the third round, punishing Butler to the head and body. Referee Steve Gray stepped in to halt the action at 1:22 of the round, recognizing Butler's unsteady state.

Heavyweight Boma Brown (5-0, 3 KOs) achieved a notable sixth-round finish over the resilient Amine Boucetta (8-17, 0 KOs). Brown found it challenging to corner the awkward opponent but finally landed a powerful right uppercut, knocking Boucetta out for the full count at 0:36 of round six.

Lightweight prospect James McGivern (10-0, 3 KOs) shone on his Queensberry debut, dominating Reuquen Cona Facundo Arce (17-17, 7 KOs) over eight rounds. Utilizing his southpaw jab and quick footwork, McGivern secured an 80-72 points victory.

Lastly, super lightweight Lucas Biswana (1-0, 0 KOs) kicked off his professional career with a unanimous decision victory over Jakub Laskowski (4-32, 2 KOs). The 2024 ABA welterweight champion started strong, applying pressure from the outset. Though Laskowski managed to endure the full four rounds, referee Mark Lyson scored the contest 40-36 in favor of the debutant.

As the night progressed, the local fighters left an impression, raising anticipation for the main events ahead.

#LiverpoolBoxing #LocalTalents #BradStrand #LucasBiswana #FightNight #BoxingHighlights

The war of words between Terence Crawford and Teofimo Lopez is heating up. The tension escalated quickly after Lopez made disparaging comments about Crawford and Gervonta Davis, referring to them as "monkeys" during an online interview. This inflammatory remark sparked outrage, drawing parallels to xenophobic language and triggering a strong backlash.

In response, Terence Crawford didn’t hold back, dismissing Lopez as “a little kid screaming for attention.” It’s clear that there’s no love lost between these two fighters.

On Thursday evening, Lopez took to social media, stating, “Boxing is a sport! Please stop trying to make the business more important than us fighting for the best against the best.” This comment reflects Lopez's desire for meaningful matchups rather than getting caught up in promotional politics.

Crawford quickly fired back on Twitter/X, using colorful language to take a jab at Lopez. “@TeofimoLopez looks like you’re the one in a f***ed up situation with Top Rank! You want to fight? What’s you contracted to fight for?” This reference to Top Rank—Lopez’s current promotional company—implies that Crawford believes Lopez’s contract may be holding him back from bigger fights.

Crawford's tweet included a laughing emoji, and his questions were direct: “Do you want to fight?” The clarity of his challenge indicates a growing intensity between the two.

Teofimo Lopez has been vocal about wanting to fight Crawford, Gervonta Davis, or Devin Haney, especially as he looks to secure a significant payday. With Crawford’s attention firmly on him, it appears that the groundwork for a potential collision in the ring is being laid.

One thing is certain: the animosity is palpable, and the boxing world is watching closely as this rivalry develops.

#CrawfordLopez #BoxingRivalry #FightNight #TerenceCrawford #TeofimoLopez #BoxingDrama

For Tyson Fury, the upcoming rematch with Oleksandr Usyk on December 21 has striking similarities to his storied rivalry with Deontay Wilder. Fury envisions this fight as the second in a potential trilogy with Usyk, just as he had with Wilder from 2018 to 2021. This possibility excites Fury because it would mean he’s won the rematch, setting up a third fight. But, based on his Wilder experience, Fury knows he needs more than a technical victory—he needs to make a statement in the ring, rather than leave it in the hands of the judges.

In his trilogy with Wilder, Fury’s first bout ended in a controversial draw, but he later silenced doubts with two emphatic knockout wins. Against Usyk, however, Fury wasn’t haunted by poor judging but by his own lack of dominance in their first fight. He acknowledges that allowing the match to go the distance was a mistake he won’t repeat in December. This time, Fury intends to capitalize on every moment and finish Usyk before the fight reaches the scorecards.

“There’s no secret—I’m going in there to knock him out because I don’t think I’m going to get a decision no matter what I do,” Fury said in an interview with Undisputed. “I’ve got to take it out of the judges’ hands like I did in America. I’ve got to get him out of there.”

However, knocking out Oleksandr Usyk is no easy task. With a spotless 22-0 (14 KOs) record over an 11-year career, Usyk has never come close to losing, let alone being stopped. His intelligence, adaptability, and counterpunching abilities make him a dangerous opponent for anyone who tries to overwhelm him. Many fighters have hesitated to push for a knockout against Usyk, knowing that his sharp instincts can turn aggression into opportunity. For Fury to become the first man to stop the Ukrainian, he’ll need the performance of a lifetime.

Only time will tell if Fury can rise to the occasion and deliver the knockout he’s determined to achieve, but one thing is certain: the stakes couldn’t be higher.

#FuryVsUsyk #HeavyweightRematch #BoxingShowdown #UndisputedChamp #FuryKnockoutMission #UsykDefense

When Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois step into the ring again, there will likely be even more anticipation than there was for their first fight. Dubois’s dominant performance, which resulted in a knockout of AJ, sent shockwaves through the boxing world. Now, the pressing question on everyone's mind is: what’s next for Joshua?

From his camp, it's clear that a rematch with Daniel Dubois is Joshua's top priority. But what could that rematch look like?

Promoter Eddie Hearn has provided some insight into the situation. In a recent interview with FightHubTV, Hearn revealed that there is a clause in the contract for a rematch scheduled for February. Despite speculation about Joshua potentially facing the loser of the Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury rematch, it appears AJ is eager to secure another fight sooner rather than later.

The initial match between Joshua and Dubois took place at Wembley Stadium in London, drawing a record-breaking 96,000 fans and making history for UK boxing attendance. However, it seems the rematch may not occur in London. When asked about the location, Hearn suggested it’s more likely to be part of the Riyadh Season, set to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Riyadh Season runs from October to the end of February or early March, meaning the rematch would be staged in Saudi Arabia rather than England. Hearn also mentioned that he is currently awaiting AJ’s decision on his next steps. It’s possible that more details will emerge once Joshua's suspension from boxing is lifted.

With all signs indicating that Joshua is keen to rematch Dubois and rectify the mistakes from their first encounter, Saudi Arabia appears poised for a blockbuster showdown in February 2025.

#AnthonyJoshua #DanielDubois #BoxingRematch #EddieHearn #MatchroomBoxing #BoxingNews #RiyadhSeason #SaudiArabia #WembleyStadium #AJVsDubois #BoxingAnticipation #SportsEvent #Knockout #HeavyweightBoxing

Sky Sports have had a long standing relationship with boxing.

From the mid 90s, the television broadcaster has been projecting boxing to the UK audience.

Famously, Sky Sports held the first ever pay-per-view event in the UK.

It was the Mike Tyson vs Frank Bruno fight and they’ve never looked back since.

With such support and interest in the sport, it’s no surprise that boxing fans still makes up such a large contingent of their audience.

So bringing boxers onto their platform only makes sense.

However, getting athletes on a live microphone doesn’t always go well.

And that just so happens to have been the case today.

Jai Opetaia is set to meet Jack Massey in Saudi Arabia this month and was on Sky Sports to talk about the fight.Espinoza vs. Ramírez rematch: purse bids to be held on Friday

The 29-year-old Opetaia, the current Ring Magazine and lIBF lineal cruiserweight titles holder, went a bit too far and was instantly admonished by the presenter.

“I used to think that mindset, once I win a world title it’s going to fix all my problems,” Opetaia said.

“But unfortunately I’ve had a few run-ins with some dirty promoters and things haven’t always worked to plan.

“I won a world title and the next day I woke up the same. You can’t eat f***ing gold belts.”

“The broadcasting rules are slightly different here, you can’t swear,” the Sky Sports presenter said while interrupting Opetaia. “Apologies.”

Australian Opetaia brushed the riposte off and continued talking about the fight.

His opponent, Jack Massey, is the current European and Commonwealth cruiserweight champion and they’ll be facing off on the undercard for the Dimitri Bivol v Artur Beterbiev event in Saudi Arabia next week.

If Jai Opetaia is just as aggressive in the ring as he was on the mic, then he’s got a chance to emerge the victor.

Tyson Fury has been in the boxing game a long time.

From an amateur career that stated in the mid 2000s to making his professional debut at age 20, the Gypsy King has met a lot of opponents in time.

Just at a professional level, he’s had a total of 36 fights with only one defeat.

That came against Oleksandr Usyk in his last bout.

Ukrainian Usyk beat Fury in a unanimous decision and became undisputed heavyweight champion in the process.

Attention has now turned to their rematch that is due to take place in December.

Tyson Fury has now

Despite being beaten by only one boxer in his career, Fury didn’t name Usyk as his toughest opponent.

Instead, that accolade went to the only other boxer that Fury has not beat.

Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury controversially drew their first bout together in 2018.

After that, there were two more fights between the pair.

The second fight ended in a TKO victory for Fury, with the third ending in knockout for Fury as well.

“I’m gonna have to say Wilder,” Fury said in an interview in response to who his toughest opponent has been.

The video was part of the promotion of new boxing video game Undisputed.Eddie Hearn replies to Oscar De La Hoya rant

“When I fought Wilder he was in his prime, he was the man to beat and he was a dynamite puncher.

“One mistake and it’s over in any round, round one or round 12. From maybe 2007, me and Wilder had a pact together.

“We met in Sheffield at one of the boxing fights on Channel 5 and we always said that we’ll talk up a good fight and we’ll have a good fight for the championship down the line.

“He was always my target, but I used to look at him and think, ‘wow’.

“I’d see him hit people and their legs would be shaking, out cold on the floor.

“They’re terrifying knockouts. The highlight reel knockouts that he has are up there with anybody’s, if not the best.

“Going in there with him I never once thought about going to sleep or getting hit by them punches, I just thought I’ll box and do what I got to do. I always do.

“I never really think, ‘well I’ll keep my hands up for this one’.

“My hands have been down behind my back for the majority of my career and they will continue to be there.

“Unfortunately, that’s just the way I am and if I’m going to get punched in the face then so be it. I’ve had plenty in the face before.”

Deontay Wilder has garnered a reputation of being one of the hardest punching fighters in the game.

But it’s still a shock to see Tyson Fury name him as more of a difficult opponent than Oleksandr Usyk.

When the pair meet again in December, it will be interesting to see if Usyk puts on a performance that changes Fury’s mind on the matter.

In this week’s mailbag, Philadelphia coach Stephen “Breadman” Edwards is asked about his thoughts on the upcoming light heavyweight undisputed fight between Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev, the December bout in Houston between Tank Davis and Lamont Roach, and he also weighs up how best to set up a fighter, looking at their physical attributes and fighting gifts

Hi Breadman.

I pray God is blessing and continues to bless you and your family and the fans of your mailbag and their families. Can’t wait for Bivol vs. Beterbiev. I don’t see anyway that this fight won’t be a classic confrontation. I like Beterbiev by late stoppage or UD, but I would be more confident if he wasn’t coming off of an injury. I see a lot of people still want to see Joshua vs Fury. Would you want to see that fight? I have absolutely no interest and that was a fight I was starving to see it years ago but now they both along with Andy Ruiz look like they are just about done in their careers. I wish fighters would fight each other when they are at their best and not their worst. I still feel boxing fans got robbed by Pac Man and Mayweather for not fighting that fight years earlier than when they did fight. Your fighter Plant should be all in the media calling out Crawford. Basically, saying that prove you deserve the fight with Canelo by fighting me first at 168. Boots should be calling out Crawford, too. That’s how fights get made. Sometimes you must come out of your comfort zone and shame people into fighting you. Tarver did it with Roy Jones and other fighters have done it. It’s like the scene with Mr. T in Rocky 3.  Plant, unlike Boots, seems to be a trashtalker so he might get under Crawford’s skin enough to make it happen. 

I don’t know who Lamont Roach is and I don’t want to see him vs Tank Davis. What the hell is going on with the business of boxing God bless and take care,                                                     Blood and Guts from Philly

Bread’s Response: I love the Beterbiev vs Bivol match up. Bivol has been looking great in training and Beterbiev’s injury bothers me. But I’m taking Beterbiev to get the win. I don’t know if he will stop him but I believe he will beat him. This is a historically significant match up. The winner becomes a HOF lock and an ATG at 175.

I wouldn’t mind seeing Joshua vs Fury within the next year. 

Taking fights when your opponent is depleted is part of the trickery of the era. Fight your opponent at his weakest and not at his best. It’s hard to go after greatness when just about everyone is doing it. Oh well. The only way it will change is if the world’s best and most popular fighter sets a trend where he goes after the best at their best on a consistent basis.

Caleb Plant is not going to call out a junior middleweight. That would look foolish and corny. Amir Khan who was an ex champion at 140lbs, never won a title at 147 or 154, got a shot at Canelo for the lineal MW crown. Crawford has had 10x better career than Khan. If they can justify Khan getting a shot, Crawford’s shot can be justified. 

Boots has already stated that he wanted to fight Crawford. If it’s not in his nature to be loud about those things then it’s not in his nature. Madrimov didn’t have to call Crawford out to get a shot. The A-side fighter can pretty much make a fight if he wants to… Crawford has stated he’s looking for bigger fights than Boots. And I understand that. I think Crawford is a special fighter and he was on the outside looking in for years. But that’s not on Boots. All Boots needs to do is keep being himself. And keep winning. And what’s for him will get to him.

I know who Lamont Roach is. He’s a solid fighter. And he’s a real champion at 130lbs. I don’t have an issue with this fight. But I do wish that Tank fought a superfight vs Shakur or Teofimo. Tank could justify a showcase fight here and there if he fought three times per year. I think this will be his second fight this year. When the fans don’t see you often, they want you to fight big fights every time out. Personally I’m just glad he wasn’t one and done for 2024. I enjoy seeing him fight. Along with Inoue, he’s the most dynamic KO puncher in boxing.

Hello Breadman,

Let’s say I have a guy who has solid fundamentals, good educated footwork although shows some vulnerability getting dropped every once in a while, has hammers for hands but is slow-twitch and not a one-punch knockout type of guy. Hypothetically what style would I need to keep him away from to get him to 20-0 with 20 knockouts?

He’s simply not the same guy now. Bivol has the IQ, the foot and handspeed, the chin, the athleticism, is fresher and has the style advantage and ability to fight more than one way. The power and the timing is with Beterbiev, but he relies on imposing his will on and breaking everybody he fights. Beterbiev’s best punch and a key to the way he breaks people down is his straight right to the body. He may be the best with this punch in all of boxing right now. Interestingly, I noticed that Canelo hit Bivol with a right to the body at the start of their fight then never landed it again. 

And therefore, maybe the thing that most tells me to pick Bivol is the way he reacted to getting hit by Joe Smith Jr. at the end of the 10th round, along with how disciplined a fight he fought on the biggest stage against Canelo. Bivol stayed completely calm and composed in both of those scenarios, which can itself be a form of imposing will. I like the younger faster Bivol to get it done, for Beterbiev to win he probably has to do it with one punch and he’s not really a one punch guy. Have you seen the Beterbiev-Koelling fight, and are you still picking Beterbiev over Bivol?

Bread’s Response: Everything you said is true. But I don’t let people talk me out of my picks. If I’m wrong, I’m wrong. But I’m picking Beterbiev. Bivol has not come close to losing. But I don’t feel like Beterbiev has either. He’s never been hopelessly down on the cards and needed a miracle comeback to win. He’s usually up or even on the cards and most importantly he’s been in control of the fights he’s won at the time of the stoppages. And he’s won them all. 

I don’t know who has the better chin. Just because we have seen Beterbiev down, doesn’t mean Bivol has the better chin. Beterbiev takes more risks, he fights differently. He’s in the danger zone more. I’ve always wondered about Bivol’s chin. He seems to allow inferior fighters to go the distance. And I wondered was it because he was a pure boxer. Or because he doesn’t like getting hit…

I don’t break down fights like you and neither of us is wrong. Checking boxes are for someone who is doing a camp or a hypothetical match up. Who wins head to head is simply about who is more effective at doing what he does. Tommy Hearns checks more boxes than Iran Barkley but yet lost to him. I’m not saying checking boxes doesn’t matter. But I’m saying Beterbiev has that Rocky Marciano type of way about him. Most of Marciano’s opponents checked more boxes than him. Yet none beat him. 

I also feel like Beterbiev can be a one punch KO guy. But he just tries to touch you, chip away at your resistance, then he stops you. It’s a form of discipline to not try to punch hard. But to just make solid contact. It’s a sign of reassurance and confidence. I have been around thousands of fighters. Most of the hard punchers scream and yell when they punch in a form of intimidation. Beterbiev just simply touches you. I think it’s a gift that’s in his favor, in terms of beating a boxer on the level of Bivol. Because not loading up allows you touch the target. 

However, stylistically I admit Bivol has an advantage. But I feel like Beterbiev has seen and overcame this style before, or he wouldn’t have been such a standout amateur. I’m taking Beterbiev.

Sup Breadman,

My question is about fighters’ physical attributes. As a trainer, do you consider certain fighters physical attributes advantageous, despite them not using them as such? For example, a fighter with a long reach, would push for them to fight at a distance? Would you like a more compact fighter to fight on the inside? Do physical attributes really make a difference? Thank you. 

Hope you and yours are doing well.

Bread’s Response: I am more inclined to evaluate a fighter’s physical gifts moreso than his attributes. Paul Williams was a 6ft 2ins welterweight with freakishly long arms. Everyone wanted him to be Tommy Hearns. If he had Hearns’s gift he wouldn’t have lost a fight. But he didn’t. In fact Pernell Whitaker was a better out fighter than Williams and Whitaker was 5ft 5ins with a 70 inch reach. 

In boxing, this mistake is made often. When we see a short muscular fighter, we expect him to fight like Mike Tyson or Joe Frazier. When we see a taller fighter we expect him to fight like Muhammad Ali or Tommy Hearns. And while true at times, I feel like what the fighter’s gifts are, should be valued over his physical attributes.

What are your thoughts on Tank fighting a guy from his hometown in Houston? I would assume they would fight in the DMV area. Also who would you favor in Tank vs Loma and do you consider it a duck that Loma didn’t want to fight at this moment?

Bread’s Response: I thought Tank vs Roach would be in Washington DC. But if it’s not, then it’s not. I don’t really have an opinion on why it’s in Houston because there is so much that goes on behind the scenes, that I don’t even indulge in unless I’m directly involved. As the fight approaches, Tank and his team will explain why they went to Houston. I honestly don’t know and I haven’t really thought about it. Let’s wait and see what they say before we criticize the move. 

I don’t think Loma ducked Tank. Ukraine is in a bad place right now. Loma loves his country. Loma is also an older fighter. He’s 36 and he’s had some tough nights. After his last two fights, he was filled with indifferent emotions. I can see him not fighting again, period.

It’s not just about fighting Tank. It’s going into camp in a clear state of mind and then performing vs Tank. If he went in and got creamed, and brought up he wasn’t right mentally, then you all would say he’s making excuses. But he has had one foot out the door for the last two fights. Besides that, there was a time when Loma wanted to fight Tank and for whatever reasons, the fight didn’t happen. Now many years later the shoe is on the other foot. But I remember...

I’m never going to say a man ducked another man, when he wanted to fight him when he was at his peak. But now that he’s clearly past his best day, the fight gets revisited and he doesn’t want it. I think Loma respects Tank. He knows he has to be at his best to beat him. 

I would favor Tank at this point. I don’t see Loma beating Tank at 36 years old. I think a prime Loma would have had a tough night vs Tank and it would’ve been 50/50ish. And I think while this Loma is still very capable, he’s not the same guy that say, Nicholas Walters fought many years ago.

I can’t believe Devin Haney is suing Ryan Garcia. This is some bitch shit. Just fight him in a rematch and beat him. Real fighters don’t sue. Devin and his dad act like gangsters. But now they want to go to court and sue a fighter for cheating. There wasn’t enough of whatever was in Ryan’s system to have an effect on his performance. What has boxing come to?

Bread’s Response: Boxing has come to a place where people like you can say these stupid things without repent. Devin Haney is not a b****. During the fight he was hurt several times and never stopped trying to win. Did you watch it? 

And this is not about his dad. This is about Devin. Devin is an adult. I don’t care what his father has said or done. Devin is taking the punches. So he decided to sue. It’s his choice. When someone wrongs you in business, that’s what you do. Boxing is a business. So if Devin decided to get a baseball bat an exact revenge on Garcia, then you’re the same person who would call him a thug and say this is a business. 

I don’t have an opinion on if Devin should’ve sued or not. I have on opinion on his right to do what he wants to. If he chose not so sue, I would say the same thing. But everyone is clowning him for suing is just wrong in my opinion. 

Ryan Garcia tested positive for a banned substance. Period! People are trying to justify it by saying it wasn’t enough in his system. Or it doesn’t effect his performance. Or he wasn’t using it to get an advantage, he was using it to cut weight. 

All of these excuses are misguided. Here is why. None of them matter. The testing guidelines are what matters. And if there was enough of it in his system to trigger a positive result, then it was too much. And let’s not psychoanalyze Garcia. We can’t give him an excuse. Let him come up with his own. 

And how would anyone know if he took it just to cut weight? How could anyone know if it effected him in a positive way? And not only is it irresponsible to say it, it’s irrelevant. He took something he wasn’t supposed to take, he came back positive for it and that’s that. 

And one more thing, let’s say Devin does decide to fight Garcia again. How can he trust him to do the honorable thing and not take anything banned? Are Garcia’s ethics and morals so high that anyone can be sure he won’t take a banned substance. I don’t know either way. And surely Devin doesn’t know. 

All of the heat that Devin Haney is catching, proves exactly what I have already said. No one in boxing cares about PEDS. They only care of their favorite fighter gets caught. Devin is well within his rights to do what he feels he needs to do.

Hello Breadman, I can see Bud Crawford’s point of view. He is not interested in proving anything. He is interested in the Canelo fight for money and maybe legacy, but first and foremost money. He is ready to cash out. He mostly likely will not get the Canelo fight. So what is the second biggest cash out fight Bud could make? I think it would be to rematch Spence. I would love to see the rematch at a higher weight.

Also what is going on with Boots Ennis? Do we really need this rematch with Chukhadzhian? A fighter who never won a round. I am a big Boots fan, but look at his resume. Who is the best fighter he has faced? He is twenty seven years old and can’t get fights? Doesn’t seem the promoter change has helped much so far. Has to fight in his hometown like Crawford to get a crowd. I totally believe you when you say he is the goods but he should have had major fights and a title fight three or four years ago. He didn’t even win his title in the ring. Something has to give here. Brian Norman Jr and Stanionis don’t want to fight him, or there is not enough interest to raise the money. Boots needs SRL chrisma and management. I want to see Boots fight Crawford, Spence, Stanionis, Brian Norman Jr, Vergil Ortiz. How do you fight the best guy available and unify and clean out the division when no one will fight you? Something has to give. Time waits on no man.

Bread’s Response: I don’t think we can use the term cash out when it comes to Bud. He’s a winner. If he were a cash out guy, he would take the Conor McGregor money. Bud is an ATG and he’s undefeated. He wants to win and he thinks he can beat Canelo. I don’t remotely consider that a cash out.

I think Boots needs to be Boots. His team inherits his personality. However, I think a good blueprint to take is the one GGG used. Stay active. Fight the best available and top rated contender. Stay in the public’s eye. And even if you have to overpay opponents, do it. GGG became one of the biggest stars of the last 20 years and it didn’t start out that way. 

I want you to observe something very closely. The fighters from the class of 2016. Teofimo Lopez, Charles Conwell, Shakur Stevenson, Devin Haney, Richardson Hitchins and Ryan Garcia. Even Tank Davis who is slightly older.

They all may trash talk each other. They all insult each other. Rarely do you hear them disrespect or say anything negative about Boots. There is a reason for that. They know how good he is! They have seen him up close and personal. Some have fought or sparred him. They know! Just like you don't hear fighters in Philly disrespect him. He’s not a bully. He doesn't try to intimidate fighters. He's just that good that in an era full of disrespect, he rarely gets disrespected. 

His team. And when I say team, I mean management, marketing, branding and promotion have to all raise their level of their games to match his talent. He’s doing his job...

What up Breadman?

Didn’t Roach call out Davis? I don’t see anything wrong with that fight. In Roach you have a fighter who is daring to be great and fight the best. By no means is this a Davis cherrypick. If it is then be prepared for the unexpected. As a boxing fan, this fight makes sense as Davis takes on another fluid style fighter. Roach appears hungry and not just a seat filler opponent. This can be “Danger”....

I like that. Time for David to face a legit threat. I can see upset. Nobody should be willing to face Roach, actually your "0" might go. No weight drain issues, bro is moving up to take the new “Face of Boxing” fighter’s crown. Roach may shake shit up and cause a “disturbance in the force”.

Respect,

Michael “Precise” Blount

Bread’s Response: Here is my objective take. I think Davis vs Roach is a decent match up. It’s not a great match up but it’s decent. Davis wants to stay busy. Loma is not available. Stevenson is injured. I guess Teofimo is around but you never know how those negotiations will go….. My point is there aren’t as many options for Davis as you would think. El Rayo is at 140 and he’s not ready to fight in December. 

If Davis vs Roach was in the DMV area it would be cool because Davis is from Baltimore and Roach is from DC. The fight looks like it’s in Texas. I don’t know why and I’m not criticizing because for all we know, they could be getting some money from someone to put it on down there. Who knows?

I don’t hate the fight. And I don’t love it. I’m glad Davis is staying busy. And I’m even more happy that Roach, who is a tough fighter, is getting a nice payday. I will be honest, however. I don’t think Roach will win. I think he’s going to fight hard and not lay down. But Davis is one of the 10 best fighters in the world. He’s also one of the three or four best punchers in the world. Roach can fight but in my opinion he doesn’t have the talent or physical attributes to move up in weight and beat a Davis. But listen, that’s why they fight the fights. I’m happy for Lamont and I wish him well. Let’s see what happens. You can’t win a fight that you don’t take. And he took the smoke.