Shakur Stevenson has commented on a possible fight against Ryan García. The statements arise after recent comments from Bernard Hopkins. During the presentation of “Latino Night,” Hopkins suggested a matchup between the two boxers. He proposed that the fight take place at a catchweight between 135 and 143 pounds.

Although there are no confirmations yet, interest in this bout is growing among fans. Stevenson addressed the topic on his social media. On his X account, he wrote:

“I’m kinda scheduled to beat his other fighter in February I would love that fight too tho 😂.”It is important to note that both Shakur Stevenson and Ryan García are currently inactive.

Stevenson suffered a hand injury in early September. The injury occurred while he was preparing for his fight against Joe Cordina. He is expected to return to the ring in early 2025. However, his first opponent will be William ‘Camarón’ Zepeda.

On the other hand, García is facing a different situation. The Californian was suspended for a year after testing positive for Ostarine. This substance is banned and enhances performance. The result of his fight with Devin Haney, held in April, was changed to a no contest. Despite this, García had displayed a dominant performance before the suspension.

Both boxers are projecting their return for the first half of 2025. This opens up the possibility of a fight between them materializing. However, their plans for a comeback are different.

Ryan García, 26, shocked the boxing world by capitalizing on a victory over Haney, marking a milestone in his career. However, the result was affected by his positive test for PED. To date, García has a record of 24 wins, with 20 by knockout, one loss, and one no contest.Terence Crawford claims rival was knocked out by recent opponent in sparring

Similarly, Shakur Stevenson, also 26, comes off a recent victory. He defeated Artem Harutyunyan by unanimous decision. Despite his win, the boxer was booed for his fighting style, which some critics deemed boring. Currently, Stevenson boasts an impressive record of 21 wins, with 10 by knockout and no losses.

As both boxers prepare for their return, interest in their potential matchup grows. The combination of styles and personalities promises an exciting fight if it comes to fruition. The boxing community eagerly awaits further updates on this anticipated showdown.I’m kinda scheduled to beat his other fighter in February I would love that fight too tho 😂

Recently, renowned boxer Shawn Porter was inducted during the 66th induction ceremony and banquet of the Summit County Sports Hall of Fame at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Akron, Ohio. The two-time world champion expressed that this honor means a lot to him. At the same time, he remarked during the induction ceremony that the experience is “surreal.”

Porter, a native of Cleveland, is an example of success in boxing. He graduated from Stow High School and attended Cuyahoga Falls High School. Throughout his career, he compiled an impressive record of 31 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw. Additionally, he achieved 17 knockouts and won welterweight world titles, capturing the IBF title in 2013 and the WBC title in 2018.During his speech, Shawn Porter highlighted the support from his fans in northeastern Ohio. “I never realized how much it was hitting home,” he stated about his career. “I want to say thank you for this induction”, said Porter.

The boxer also spoke about his efforts to change the perception of fighters. “Boxing is the bad boy of sports,” he indicated. “I’ve done my best to be one of the good guys in the sport.”

Porter emphasized that boxers are more than just “punches, knockouts, and blood.” “We have common sense. We have education. We have goals,” he affirmed. He also underscored the importance of ambition and drive in a boxer’s life.

“I stand up here right now with you guys as a winner,” Porter said. “someone who’s extremely goal-oriented and full of faith” He thanked his parents, who were present at the ceremony. “My mom and my dad over here have really led me to becoming everything that I’ve been both inside of and outside of the ring”

Porter’s induction into the Hall of Fame is a testament to his dedication and passion for boxing. Likewise, the boxer’s legacy will endure among fans and new talents in the sport.Summit County (Akron, OH) Sports HOF inductee for 2024. Honored to be inducted, especially with this superb athlete Antoine Winfield Sr, as well as the other inductees!! pic.twitter.com/XiRwp5KhV4

LOS ANGELES – Devin Haney sued Ryan Garcia for battery and fraud on Friday following their controversial April 20 matchup. 

Golden Boy Promotions was named in the lawsuit as well, as Haney demanded a full review and adjustment of the accounting around the pay-per-view event held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 

For the fight, after a tumultuous promotion, Garcia came in 3.2 pounds over the 140-pound contracted weight limit and knocked Haney down three times to win a majority decision. After the fight, it was revealed that Garcia tested positive for the performance enhancing drug ostarine. The result of the fight was later changed to a no contest and Garcia was fined and suspended for one year due to the violation. 

On Wednesday, Oscar De La Hoya met the media for the first time since Haney’s lawsuit was filed while promoting his November 16 “Latino Night” event in Saudi Arabia. Away from the introductory press conference, the main topic of conversion was focused on Haney’s lawsuit and Garcia’s future. 

“There are big plans for Ryan coming back,” De La Hoya told BoxingScene. “Obviously we have to deal with this frivolous lawsuit that they slapped on us, but that's all it is. It's noise. How can you sue somebody that beat the crap out of you? It just doesn't make sense.

“I don't think anything about it because when we're always in the right, you have no worries whatsoever.

“When you do the right thing, when you are positive, and honest to your fighters, when you're transparent – guess what? At the end of the day, the good guys always win.” 

De La Hoya said he met Garcia at his Golden Boy Promotions headquarters in downtown LA on Wednesday to outline the next steps for Garcia’s return. 

Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs) has teased a December fight in Japan in recent months. 

“Don't know yet. We are figuring it out as we speak,” said De La Hoya. “First things first, we have to get Ryan back to where he belongs in the gym. He was in great spirits when we saw him. He's doing awesome. He's focused. He's learned from what happened in the past. He's grown as a young man and I gave him a good, nice little speech today on my experiences on how I've been through hell and back and survived it. I'm a man who has the experience who can tell Garcia 'it's OK. You're going to be OK.'” 

De La Hoya believes Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) will never be the same fighter ever again after absorbing the kind of beating that he did from Garcia. 

“I don't think [that the rematch is the biggest fight of 2025] because I believe that Devin Haney is a shot fighter,” said De La Hoya. “Of course [he'll take the fight if it's offered.] It's a lot of money. 

“What I would do [instead of suing] is call that fighter out, get back in the ring, and beat his ass.” 

#DevinHaney #RyanGarcia #OscarDeLaHoya #boxing #BoxingNews

The purse bid for the rematch between Rafael Espinoza and Robeisy Ramírez will take place on Friday, October 11, 2024. This event will determine the rights to organize the rematch for the WBO featherweight title. The auction will begin at 11:00 a.m., Atlantic Standard Time, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The World Boxing Organization (WBO) confirmed that the minimum bid is $150,000.

Espinoza surprised the boxing world last December by defeating Ramírez. In that bout, both boxers were knocked down, but Espinoza ultimately prevailed. This victory was unexpected, as Espinoza was a relatively unknown contender at the time. With a record of 25-0, including 21 knockouts, Espinoza has proven his power in the ring. His height of 1.85 meters also makes him a challenging opponent for anyone in the division.Since then, Espinoza has successfully defended his title. In his most recent fight earlier this year, he knocked out Sergio Chirino in the fourth round. His undefeated streak and aggressive style have positioned him as one of the most feared champions.

On the other hand, former Cuban champion Robeisy Ramírez has not been idle. Ramírez has a record of 14 wins and 2 losses, with 9 knockouts. Before losing his title to Espinoza, he made a successful defense of it. After his defeat, he returned to the ring with a knockout victory over Brandon León Benítez. Ramírez requested a rematch, eager to regain his title.

WBO President Paco Valcárcel will oversee the auction event. This rematch is highly anticipated by fans, as their first encounter left many shocked. Competitive bids are expected to organize the fight.

Both boxers are eager to return to the ring and prove who the true champion is. The date of the rematch will be determined once the winning promoter is announced.

As the film “The Featherweight,” about the life of boxing great Willie Pep, enters wide release, this week a different BoxingScene contributor will reflect on a boxing biopic that resonates with them. Today: "Cinderella Man."

“In all the history of the boxing game, you find no human interest story to compare with the life narrative of James J Braddock.”

The citation, from the great storyteller and journalist Damon Runyon, is certainly up for debate (even just among fighters from recent memory, Mike Tyson, Manny Pacquiao, Danny Jacobs and Dewey Bozella would probably like a word). But Runyon’s assessment, the marrow of it – that Braddock lived an implausible, larger-than-life existence – can’t be denied.

It’s also a helluva way to kick off a film.

And “Cinderella Man," the 2005 blockbuster featuring Russell Crowe and Renee Zellweger and directed by Ron Howard, is nothing if not a series of big swings. From the actors and the hitmaker behind the camera to the dramatic boxing set pieces and soaring score to the broader, uniquely human themes of struggle, self-belief, love and redemption, the movie follows familiar formulas – those we’ve seen before not only in numerous sports flicks but also as a staple of Howard’s blockbuster canon. Yet when it comes to scratching the fundamental itch of moviegoers, “Cinderella Man” delivers as effectively (and occasionally refreshingly) as any boxing film you’ll find.

Set in 1930s New York, Jim Braddock (Crowe) is a former light-heavyweight contender who has fallen on hard times after a broken right hand essentially retired him from boxing. We get a glimpse of Braddock’s relatively well-to-do pre-Depression life, but in a heartbeat we leap with the fighter and his family from $850 fight purses and a warm homestead in New Jersey to a ramshackle tenement, a rising stack of overdue bills and dwindling work as a longshoreman.

Braddock’s wife Mae (Zellweger) is a dream, unflagging in her support of her husband and a stalwart source of sweetness and optimism for their three children in the face of relentlessly bleak circumstances. She’s a beacon in good times and bad, even after one of the children falls ill. In the same vein, Braddock is a proper protagonist-hero – a selfless family man who, at varying points in the narrative, convinces his hungry daughter that she’ll be helping him out by finishing his meager dinner and who parents with patience and understanding when his son steals food for the struggling family.

A bit too saccharine for your tastes? Without a doubt, the script occasionally sends even our better angels into eye-rolling fits. Propping up the plot are the occasional and unnecessary patches of exposition, and every so often, “Cinderella Man” seems a bit too intent on reminding us that this is a period piece, with deliveries that stir the ghosts of Jimmy Cagney and Joan Blondell. “Every time you get hit,” Mae pleads with Jim, “it feels like I’m getting hit, too.”

Howard has been known to traffic in the treacly, but critics have said as much about Steven Spielberg. And lest we forget, there’s an all-time cinematic boxing classic that won Best Picture and Best Director at the Academy Awards – and was also nominated for Best Screenplay – that featured more than its share of heartfelt speechifying, even if that dialogue was sometimes Sly-ly slurred.

“Cinderella Man” sprinkles healthy doses of grit into the sugar, with Jim reaching a breaking point of sorts and storming out on Mae after she sends their children to live with relatives. Their poverty is visceral, and Crowe – who also gave us ultra-alphas Bud White and Maximus Decimus Meridius – nails the quiet sweet spot between pride and exhaustion when, literally hat in hand and fresh from the relief office, he humbles himself to Madison Square Garden’s boxing power brokers. When Braddock tells them, “You know me well enough to know if I had anywhere else to go, I wouldn’t be here," you believe it.

Then there’s Paul Giamatti, who brings a prickly humor to the proceedings as Braddock’s manager, Joe Gould. He busts balls with Crowe – “You gotta stop some of those lefts!” Gould implores between rounds in one fight, to which Braddock responds, “You see any getting past my head?” – and jousts repeatedly with Craig Bierko’s amped and murderous version of Max Baer. “You gonna punch him or pork him?” Gould shouts at Baer while the champ grimly toys with Braddock. Baer, firing back: “That’s your job, asshole!”

Not exactly the stuff of Disney. Like some of Howard’s other best work – “Apollo 13,” “Frost/Nixon” and “Rush” – the grand storytelling in “Cinderella Man” is effectively cut with high stakes, brisk pacing and strong performances. And as the conversations around boxing films inevitably turn, it’s worth noting that the fighting scenes check in somewhere between above average and quite good. Crowe is as fit as he has ever been, he and Bierko give solid accounts of themselves as prizefighters inside the ring, and Howard paints a textured picture of an era-specific boxing environment that doesn’t simply toss fedoras and cigar smoke at the audience.

After all this, you might ask, is “Cinderella Man” actually good ? The answer, objectively, is “yes." If not quite a critical masterpiece, the film has a built-in, big-screen story that is well executed and features clever and compelling performances. If your mood calls for the modern edge of “Bleed for This” or the relentless darkness of “Raging Bull," this isn’t it. But if you can’t help soaking in the early-century setting of “The Great White Hope” and fall hard for the highs, lows and hints of delicious hamminess from “Rocky," then “Cinderella Man” is two hours and 24 minutes very well spent.

Jason Langendorf is the former Boxing Editor of ESPN.com, has contributed to Ringside Seat and the Queensberry Rules, and has written about boxing for Vice, The Guardian, Chicago Sun-Times and other publications. A member of the Boxing Writers Association of America, he can be followed on X and LinkedIn, and emailed at dorf2112@hotmail.com.

Steel City Interactive confirmed the removal of Ryan Garcia from their upcoming boxing game, Undisputed. The news has sparked controversy within the gaming community. The official launch of Undisputed is scheduled for October 11, 2024, with early access for players on the Steam gaming store and platform starting on October 8.

The decision to remove Garcia follows a stance taken by the World Boxing Council (WBC). The boxer was expelled from the WBC earlier this year due to racist comments made on social media. Steel City Interactive, in solidarity with the WBC’s decision, announced Garcia’s removal from the roster of fighters in the game.

In an official Discord message, the Undisputed team explained that Ryan Garcia will no longer be available in various game modes:

“As part of the full launch update of Undisputed on October 8th, and following the lead of the World Boxing Council (WBC), Ryan Garcia’s character will no longer be playable in local, online, and prize fight game modes, and players won’t be able to create new career mode saves with the character”.

Starting October 8, players will no longer be able to use him in local, online, or prize fight modes. Players who have started career mode games with Garcia will be able to continue using him until December, when a final update will remove him.

The gaming community has not taken this decision well. Many users on Reddit and other platforms are criticizing Steel City Interactive for getting involved in issues unrelated to game development. Despite the criticism, the game’s development team stands by their decision.Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol card preview, date, time and how to watch

Undisputed has generated significant anticipation among boxing and gaming fans. The title, which launched in early access in January 2023, will officially release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC on October 11. It will be the first major boxing game since Fight Night Champion, released in 2010. The game has also been praised for its realism and gameplay.

Despite the controversy, the game continues to receive mostly positive reviews on Steam. With a roster that includes legends like Tyson Fury, Canelo Álvarez, and Muhammad Ali, Undisputed promises to deliver an authentic and immersive boxing experience. However, Ryan Garcia’s removal leaves the game with one less fighter at launch, sparking debate over the implications of such decisions in video game development.Ryan Garcia canned from Undisputed boxing 😬 pic.twitter.com/GoUxF6kNzn

Gervonta “Tank” Davis pushed for Vasiliy Lomachenko and engaged with Shakur Stevenson and when those plans went astray, he is now finalizing a deal with junior lightweight titleholder Lamont Roach.

Baltimore’s Davis today confirmed the contest will take place in Houston, with December named as the date. It has been reported that Dec. 14 is the focus for the pay-per-view defense of his WBA lightweight belt.

The 29-year-old Roach (25-1-1, 10 KOs) is coming off an eighth-round TKO of Feargal McCrory on June 28 on a ProBox TV main event from his hometown, Washington D.C. Roach became champion by virtue of his November 2023 split decision triumph over Hector Luis Garcia.

In an extended discussion about the near finality of Davis-Roach, ProBox TV’s Paulie Malignaggi said Tuesday that the fight represents “an opportunity” for Roach to build his name recognition and explore a restricted path to victory against the bigger knockout artist Davis (30-0, 28 KOs).

“Roach has been a solid fighter, but he hasn’t been at the level of notoriety to be in a fight like this … I don’t think this is a fight that should go on pay-per-view,” said Malignaggi, a former welterweight champion. “If Roach had been a bona fide champion who’s made five-six title defenses … .”

Instead, Malignaggi said, the bout represents a “cement your brand kind of thing … keep [Davis] winning so he can look like a winner. But people want to see more.”

That’s not all Davis’ fault. The 29-year-old expressed willingness to fight veteran three-division champion Lomachenko only to see the Ukrainian announce he wanted to be with his family as his war-torn country confronts its war with Russia this year.

And then WBC lightweight titleholder Stevenson turned away from social media chatter with Davis to pursue bouts linked to Saudi Arabia, ultimately signing with promoter Eddie Hearn before suffering an injury that scrapped Stevenson’s planned Oct. 12 return.

Beyond the head-scratching move of taking a D.C.-area bout to Texas and placing it on pay-per-view, ProBox TV’s Chris Algieri said Davis missed an opportunity to select a more qualified lightweight contender rather than picking new titlist Roach.

The cast of qualified 135-pounders includes top-ranked William Zepeda and WBA No. 2-ranked Floyd Schofield of Golden Boy Promotions, top-three contenders Keyshawn Davis and Raymond Muratalla of Top Rank and WBO titleholder Denys Berinchyk, who hasn’t locked in his first title defense. Zepeda and Davis are now fighting on separate cards in November.

“The fight itself is a hard pill to swallow,” Algieri said on Tuesday’s edition of ProBox TV’s “Top Stories.”

Malignaggi elaborated, “When you look at the lightweight division from a boxing perspective, why pull up a guy from other weight classes when there are fresh, young lightweights [and] lots of viable fights for [Davis]?”

Malignaggi praises Roach as a “crafty, little veteran … It’s a springboard for ProBox. [Roach] has showed a solid chin. … If he can bring those skill sets, he can be a problem.”

Algieri said if Roach can stack up early rounds on the scorecards, because Davis usually starts slow and puts “all his eggs in the basket, that he’ll score a knockout,” Roach could “outhustle, out-finesse [Davis] and survive late … yes, it’s possible we can see an upset.”

That moved Malignaggi.

#GervontaDavis #LamontRoach #BoxingMatchup #HardPillToSwallow #Undefeated

Recently, it was announced that Manny Pacquiao, the icon of Filipino boxing, leads the list of new nominees for the International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF). The recent voting revealed his inclusion on the list of candidates eligible for induction in 2025. The induction ceremony will take place from June 5 to 8 in Canastota and at the nearby Turning Stone Casino in New York.

The voting for induction has been sent to voters worldwide. Alongside Pacquiao, other notable names have been added to the list of new candidates. Shawn Porter, Lucian Bute, and Mikey García are included in the Modern category. In the women’s category, Yessica Chávez from Mexico and Jessica Rakoczy from Canada appear for the first time on the ballot. The Italian Bruno Arcari has also been added to the veterans’ ballot.

The pioneer ballot also includes the English boxer Owen Swift. Meanwhile, veteran trainer and cutman Russ Anber may receive his plaque in the museum. Referee Kenny Bayless and Italian promoter Salvatore Cherchi are also nominated.

The observers include Argentine journalist Ernesto Cherquis Bialo. He

It is important to highlight that Pacquiao is recognized as one of the greatest boxers in history. Throughout his career, he conquered titles in eight weight categories within the sport. His professional journey was marked by famous bouts, including the four confrontations with Juan Manuel Márquez and the trilogy against Erik Morales. However, the most important fight of his career was against Floyd Mayweather in 2015. Although Pacquiao managed to defeat Márquez and Martínez, he would later be defeated by Mayweather by unanimous decision.

Today, talking about Manny Pacquiao is synonymous with discussing a legend in the boxing world. At 40 years old, he became the oldest welterweight champion. This happened in 2019 when he defeated Keith Thurman for the WBA welterweight title. His professional career ended in 2021 after a loss to Yordenis Ugas. Since his retirement, Pacquiao has participated in two exhibition matches. In the first, he faced DK Yoo on December 11, 2022, where he emerged victorious by unanimous decision.

On July 28 of this year, he had an exhibition against Rukiya Anpo at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. It is worth mentioning that, although it was not an official result, Pacquiao demonstrated his skill in the ring during the three rounds of the exhibition. Regarding his future, there was speculation about a possible return against the WBC welterweight champion, Mario Barrios. However, plans for a potential fight did not come to fruition. Barrios will face Abel Ramos on the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson card on November 15.

Pacquiao was seen in the United Kingdom during the fight between Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois. Reports suggest that he is seeking a fight in England. Amir Khan and Conor Benn are mentioned as possible opponents. This pursuit of new challenges showcases Pacquiao’s passion for boxing.

#MannyPacquiao #IBHOF2025 #BoxingLegend #HallOfFame #FilipinoPride #ShawnPorter #MikeyGarcia #LucianBute #Boxing

A purse bid for the rematch between WBO featherweight titleholder Rafael Espinoza and challenger Robeisy Ramirez will be held on Friday, October 11, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Atlantic Standard Time, the WBO announced. 

The bid will take place at the WBO's main offices in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The rematch follows their clash in December clash when Espinoza, a relatively unknown challenger at the time, upset Ramirez to win the WBO title in a fight that saw both fighters hit the canvas. Espinoza (25-0, 21 KOs), known for his impressive 6 '1 frame, has since defended his title with a fourth-round stoppage of Sergio Chirino earlier this year.

Ramirez (14-2, 9 KOs), the 30-year-old Cuban former champion, made one successful defense before losing to Espinoza. He returned to action with a stoppage victory over Brandon Leon Benitez and called for the rematch.

The minimum bid for the WBO featherweight title bout is $150,000. WBO President Paco Valcárcel, Esq., will preside over the proceedings.

#RafaelEspinoza #RobeisyRamirez #WBOTitle #FeatherweightDivision #BoxingRematch #PuertoRico #PurseBid #BoxingNews #FeatherweightChampionship #SanJuanBoxing #WBOFeatherweight #Boxing

When Harry Simon won his first amateur bout at 10 years of age, his reward for winning was an orange. Not an orange sash, or an orange rosette, but an actual orange; one he could peel and eat. Harry’s next challenge, in fact, was to try to resist the temptation to eat this orange and take it home, where it could then be showcased like any other trinket a boxer might earn in victory. 

For seven days that orange had pride of place, just not on a mantelpiece but on top of a fridge. It was there, on the fridge, Harry could find it whenever he entered the kitchen looking for a reminder of what he had achieved in the ring. It was also there that the orange would change, both in color and shape, and somehow become the perfect metaphor for Harry Simon’s boxing career and indeed his life. 

Unlike a trophy, you see, the orange on the fridge was forever altering and deteriorating. Even as a token of success, its shelf life was short, indeterminate. One day it was fresh and fine to eat, the next it was rotting, no good. “After two or three days it had changed color,” Simon recalls. “It was going green. I’ll never forget that.” In the end it would wither and die, as expected, yet the memory of it has sustained. So too has the memory of the success the orange represented. “I remember it was a three-rounder or a four-rounder and it was against someone who was 14,” says Simon. “He had been a boxer as an amateur for maybe two or three years. I beat him on points.”

Born in Walvis Bay, Namibia in 1971, Harry Simon was the last of 11 children. He grew up without a father and often found himself surrounded by older boys and girls, the impact of which seems, on reflection, to have been almost as great as having no father figure. 

“I would say I was a naughty boy,” he says. “I was a naughty boy and I would get in trouble a lot. I would always be fighting everywhere. I would fight at school and also when I wasn’t at school.” He then pauses to make room for a greater degree of honesty. “I would say I was a bully,” he now says. “As a child I would bully other children. Some of them were older than me, but I still bullied them. I didn’t have any fear. None at all. I don’t know why that was. I had 10 siblings and I’m the last born – the 11th. It was a difficult childhood for me because I had to grow up without a father. I felt his absence. Every boy needs a father. I was not taught well. If my dad was there, he would teach me not to bully other people. He would teach me to do the right thing. I was not disciplined at all.”

When I speak with Simon, he is in Walvis Bay and has just been to the boxing gym, where he continues to find the solace he requires in adulthood and the discipline he lacked during his childhood. He is now 52 years of age. He will box again on November 2 in an exhibition in Namibia and is still getting from boxing the same things he got from it growing up. It is still, for him, a home away from home and a sanctuary. It still teaches him the lessons and provides him with gifts he didn’t receive as a child. “Boxing gave me discipline, one hundred per cent,” he says. “It is the same for other people in Namibia, too. In Namibia, boxing is very popular. I could be wrong, but I would say it is the number one sport in Namibia. In the gym today I was training with a lot of kids. There may have been 60 kids in the gym.”

He says of his own training: “I don’t feel fit yet but I feel good to get back in the ring. I’ll be ready. I’m training every day except Sunday. I’m doing my roadwork in the morning and then I do boxing in the afternoon. I never thought I would be boxing at this age, no, but I still enjoy it very much.”

For the younger ones, boxing is a way to learn, to find discipline, to find strength. For Simon, on the other hand, one gets the impression that the gym is now, at 52, more akin to a time machine, something he can use in the hope of feeling youthful again. Not only that, boxing, as a discipline, is all he has ever known, with the ring often the safest place for him. “I had over 200 amateur fights,” he says, “and lost maybe two or three or four.”

With this kind of success rate, it stands to reason that Simon associates the ring with progress and, for the most part, happiness. As a pro, it was the boxing ring that brought him money and acclaim and even as an amateur his exploits inside it led to Simon representing Namibia at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. 

“For me, I don’t want to lie, that was not a good experience at all,” he recalls. “It was 1992 and they had the computer scoring. Many people could see that this boy won but the computer would say no, this boy lost. It made me angry. You see it all the time in amateur boxing. Just because the boy is from Great Britain or America, and he fought a guy from Zimbabwe or somewhere else in Africa, they say they won even if they didn’t. A lot of superstars have lost at the Olympics because of the scoring. Roy Jones lost against a Korean (Park Si-Hun) in Korea (at the 1988 Olympics). Also, Floyd Mayweather lost (against Serafim Todorov in ’96).”

Like any boxer, Simon, outpointed by Aníbal Acevedo in the first round, wanted a win to feel like a win; just as a loss should feel like a loss. He wanted fights to be decided by his own physical prowess rather than politics or popularity. It was for this reason, among others, he turned professional in 1994.

“I was working at the time in sports and recreation and I had to give that up to become a professional,” he says. “I had to leave my job to go to South Africa because there was no professional boxing in Namibia. It was very difficult. I had to go look for a place to stay. I didn’t know anybody in South Africa. I had to show everybody in the gym how good I was. Everybody was asking, ‘Who is that boy? Who is that boy?’ I had to prove myself in the gym. That’s what happened. As time went on, I enjoyed living there. It became my second home.”

While in South Africa, Simon, known as “The Terminator”, won nine fights and only went the distance once. Then, having boxed on several occasions in Great Britain, he received a shot at the WBO junior middleweight title in 1998. The owner of this belt at the time was Ronald “Winky” Wright, one of the most technically proficient fighters of the modern era and already someone most junior middleweights were eager to avoid. He, too, had impressed in Britain, beating the likes of Ensley Bingham, Steven Foster, and Adrian Dodson, and seemingly had no problem travelling around the world to make money and beat up opponents in hostile territory. The idea of going to South Africa to fight Simon therefore was deemed no more than the continuation of a theme for Wright.

“That was a dangerous fight for me,” recalls Simon. “That one opened my eyes. If I had lost to Winky that night, my life was never going to be the same. I was maybe going to retire after one more fight, or maybe have no more fights. But I fought my heart out against him. If I couldn’t win after fighting my heart out, what would be the point? I gave everything in that fight. I was also a very inexperienced man. I learned a lot from that fight.”

Fighting at a frenetic pace throughout, Simon learned as much about himself as he did Wright that night in Hammanskraal. He had, at the time, only 16 pro fights to his name whereas Wright was 38-1 and accustomed by now to beating world-class challengers on the road. Nevertheless, Simon ultimately came out on top, beating Wright by majority decision, and now joined the same rarified club in which “Winky” himself could be found. Suddenly Simon, Namibia’s first ever world champion, was both a marked man and a man any astute fighter would look to avoid. 

“I love Winky; I love that boy,” he says. “I named my son after him. Winky is not a popular name. It is only known to the people who know Winky Wright. But I have a tattoo of Winky on my arm; I have the names of all my children on my arm.”

Of the two it was of course Wright who would go on to find both fame and the kind of paydays that would forever and for good reason elude Harry Simon. Yet, by virtue of him beating Wright, still Simon remained a feared, dangerous man, his quality plain for all to see. 

After beating Wright, he went on to defend his belt against Kevin Lueshing, whom he stopped in three rounds, Enrique Areco, whom he stopped in 10, and Rodney Jones, with whom Simon went 12 rounds in Canada, retaining the belt the same way it was won: by majority decision. In his next fight he returned to Britain to face Wayne Alexander, a heavy-handed fighter unbeaten in 16 fights. 

“It was a great fight,” Simon remembers. “Before the fight I told everybody that it was going to be my easiest fight. But I didn’t know he had that much courage. He was also the biggest puncher I faced.” He pauses and laughs, perhaps remembering the stoppage in round five. “Still it was an easy fight for me, though.”

It would also be Simon’s last fight as a 154-pound junior middleweight. Afterwards, he would signal his intention to vacate his WBO belt and move up to middleweight, which is where, in 2001, he beat Hacine Cherifi to claim the WBO interim strap and then Armand Krajnc to win the full version of that title the following year. Both those fights went the distance, with Simon taking unanimous decisions, and both would be considered mere afterthoughts given all that was to happen to Simon in 2002. 

In truth, the only names that really matter at this point are the following: Frederick de Winter, a 31-year-old father, Michelle de Clerck, a 29-year-old mother, and Ibe de Winter, a 22-month-old baby. Those are the names of the three Belgians killed by Harry Simon’s Mercedes-Benz ML500 in a head-on collision at Langstrand, just between his birthplace Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, in November of 2002. 

Nothing was ever the same after that. One life had changed, three lives had ended, and yet it wasn’t until August 5, 2005, almost three years after the crash, that Simon was found guilty of culpable homicide and handed a two-year jail sentence. He appealed this decision but to no avail, then started to serve his sentence on July 9, 2007. By that time, he had, he says, lost everything. He had lost the ability to box on account of his injuries – a broken right arm and a broken right leg – and he had lost both his freedom and peace of mind.

“It took me five years to recover,” he says of the injuries, aware that a loss of time is incomparable to the loss experienced by three Belgians visiting a Namibian beach resort one day in November. “It was up and down. I had to go to America for surgery, go to London for surgery, come back to South Africa for surgery… it was tough. That whole period was very difficult for me. I just took one day at a time and tried to get through it. I wondered if I would box again and I was worried that would never be possible. I was in my prime at that time in my life and I actually lost everything. I was supposed to fight guys like Felix Trinidad and Bernard Hopkins for big money but that couldn’t happen. Everything I wanted to happen could not happen anymore. I accepted it. I pray a lot and that has helped. I had to go to church. There were a lot of people encouraging me as well. This is life and I have to accept it.”

In total, Simon was out of the ring for five years. These were meant to have been the best and most productive – both athletically and financially speaking – five years of his life, yet still he is lucky; lucky to have rediscovered freedom and a new perspective and lucky to have even been able to box again. 

“That was one of the hardest things I have ever done,” he says, speaking now of jail. “You lose everything and still they put you in jail. It was like being buried alive. That is what it felt like. 

“I was training while I was in jail, so I always hoped to box again. When I came out, I was almost 100 per cent and ready to box. I wanted to be a world champion again.”

While Simon may have fallen short of that, he did continue to box and make some sort of living from the sport in the subsequent years. In November 2018, some 16 years after the crash, he even shared a bill in Namibia with his son, Harry Simon Jnr, a boxer currently 22-0. “That doesn’t happen every day, so it was a very proud moment for me,” he says. “I have 10 children and I am in their lives. That is the most important thing.”

One gets the sense he is forever making up – either for lost time or an absence, be it his own or his father’s. It is why, perhaps, Simon continues to box at 52 and why, even though content with his achievements, there remains an urge on his part to do more. 

“I am proud of what I have achieved in the ring,” he says. “What I have done is something special for me. If you look at my record, it’s 31-0 and I’m 30 years undefeated. Do you know why I’m saying that? Because I’m still active. There’s nobody on this planet who has been undefeated that long. I’m the first to do that and I’m the only one. I don’t know why people don’t mention it. Maybe it’s because I’m from Africa. I look around at all the people and there is nobody else who has done what I have done.”

He adds: “I’m doing many exhibitions in Namibia and South Africa and I want to do an exhibition against (Floyd) Mayweather. Mayweather is also undefeated. I remember he did an exhibition with Jake Paul’s brother (Logan Paul) and Jake Paul’s brother was a cruiserweight. If I can get my weight down, we can do an exhibition. That will be an exhibition between two fighters with a combined 81 fights without a loss. He beat good world champions; I also beat good world champions. So we can do an eight-rounder or a six-rounder. Let’s give the fans a great show: two super world champions who can’t remember how it feels to lose.”

That, of course, is not strictly true. Harry Simon, more than anyone, knows exactly what it means to win and exactly how it feels to lose. He is in fact a man well-versed in the extremities of both winning and losing. He knows now that just as a decaying orange is not an adequate representation of victory, nor does losing a boxing match against another boxer do any sort of justice to the feeling of loss. 

#HarrySimon #NamibianBoxer #UndisputedChampion #WinkyWright #BoxingLegend #BoxingComeback #NeverDefeated #TragicAccident #UndefeatedChamp #Boxing

In the boxing world, a scenario where Tyson Fury collides in a ring battle against Anthony Joshua would be a dream match for fans. However, this anticipated duel does not seem to be close to materializing in the immediate future.

Despite this, Fury, the former WBC heavyweight champion, has not stopped provoking Joshua.

Currently, Fury and Joshua are positioned as two of the leading figures in British boxing on an international level. It is worth noting that the possibility of a matchup between these two titans has always been a common topic of discussion.

In that same vein, boxing fans remain eager for a future encounter between these two giants in the ring.

Fury used his Instagram account to compare their physiques and send a mocking message to Joshua. In the post, he included a photo of Joshua with an extensive message about his diet. The text read:

“My breakfast consist of yams, eggs and dates. Followed by a big bowl of porridge, a protein shake, a glass of orange juice and a glass of honey, lemon and ginger”.

Fury, for his part, contrasted his training approach with a humorous anecdote.

On his Instagram story, Tyson Fury recalled:Former undisputed champion announced for fight on U.K. undercard

“I remember one night I had 14 pints of Fosters & then sparred three top-ten heavyweights and battered them all”.

This provocative statement highlights Fury’s confidence and carefree lifestyle compared to Joshua’s disciplined regimen.

The expectation of a possible fight between Fury and Joshua persists.

However, it remains to be seen if this confrontation will eventually take place. Tyson Fury has a scheduled fight that could be crucial for his career.

On December 21, Fury will face unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk. This matchup is considered a highly anticipated rematch and could influence the future of British boxing.

#TysonFury #AnthonyJoshua #OleksandrUsyk #HeavyweightBoxing #BattleOfBritain #BoxingNews #BritishBoxing #FuryVsJoshua #BoxingShowdown #BoxingRivalry

WBA super-welterweight champion Terence Crawford solidified his claim to the pound-for-pound throne with a victory over Israil Madrimov two months ago – that win seeing him become a four-division world champion. Now, as ‘Bud’ eyes up another fight to add to his legacy, he revealed a shocking sparring rumour about one of his potential opponents.

Crawford etched his name into the record books when he halted Errol Spence Jr. in a grudge match undisputed welterweight title showdown last year, becoming the first fighter to become a multi-divisional undisputed champion since the dawn of the four-belt era.

The Omaha-born sensation has achieved further success since stepping up to 154lbs and grinded out a unanimous-decision win over Madrimov on his debut at the weight, in what appeared to be the toughest test of his career to date.

Now the 37-year-old is hopeful of fighting for the undisputed crown at a third weight, whether that be a mammoth jump to super-middleweight to take on Canelo Alvarez, and whomever holds the vacant IBF belt at the time, or unification contests at super-welterweight.

Although, the super-welterweight route appears to be the most likely option as interest in Canelo-Crawford continues to depreciate and therefore unified 154lb champion Sebastian Fundora finds himself in the firing line.Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol card preview, date, time and how to watch

Crawford has now been ordered to take on ‘The Towering Inferno’ and in an interview with Bernie Tha Boxer, the slick southpaw revealed that he is not afraid of a clash with Fundora, in spite of his gigantic frame and distinct physical advantages, because of rumours that the 6’5” WBC & WBO champion was knocked out in sparring by Madrimov.

“That’s a fight [that is] on the table.

“If Fundora’s licking his chops over my performance vs Israil Madrimov, then I should be licking my chops because Madrimov knocked Fundora out in sparring.

“So, who should be licking their chops? You know what I mean.”

The teams of both Crawford and Fundora now have just eight days to negotiate a fight contract after a ten day extension was granted, if they fail to do so, then the three-belt unification bout will go to purse bids.

#TerenceCrawford #SebastianFundora #BoxingNews #SuperWelterweight #IsrailMadrimov #BoxingRumors #PoundForPound #BoxingMatchup #BoxingDrama #LegacyFight

As boxing fans, watching the son of a great of the sport will always come with intrigue for both the right and wrong reasons. Can he match or surpass the legacy of his father? Has he undeservedly been skyrocketed onto a major card simply because of his surname? Every fight, round, punch is heavily scrutinised. However, there have been a handful of occasions where a son has followed in the footsteps of his father even more directly and fought the exact same opponent – some earning validation, some claiming vengeance, and some being vanquished.Phil/Harold Johnson vs Jersey Joe Walcott

Fresh from two knockout victories over former heavyweight world champion Primo Carnera, Leroy Haynes travelled to Philadelphia in 1936 to face Al Ettore in his hometown. On that undercard, New Jersey contender ‘Jersey’ Joe Walcott was continuing to carve out a career for himself in the division and faced a fellow New Jerseyite in the form of Phil Johnson.

After two dull rounds, Walcott brought the fight to a close in the third with a vicious left-hook that broke the nose of his opponent and left Johnson down on the canvas, blood gushing from his beak.

Some 14 years later, Walcott had still not claimed heavyweight gold but had blossomed into a serious threat to Joe Louis’ throne despite losing twice to ‘The Brown Bomber’ – the first of which remains as one of the most contentious decisions of all-time.

A loss to eventual heavyweight world champion Ezzard Charles followed the heart-aching duology with Louis, but Walcott had bounced back with a knockout victory over Sweden’s Ollie Tandberg in Stockholm, before returning to Philadelphia to fight a 22-year-old Harold Johnson, son of Phil.

In the headline attraction of the bill, fight fans were left unsatisfied and also concerned. Walcott proved that he was still worthy of being in title contention with an early knockdown in the second, but it was in the third where Harold Johnson collapsed, just as his father did. Although, Harold fell without taking a punch, and made no attempt to beat the count of referee Dave Beloff.

The commission doctor, Dr. I. Joseph Levey later revealed that the youngster had suffered an injury to an intervertebral disc in his back.

Harold Johnson recovered from the setback and went on to be crowned light-heavyweight world champion in 1962 after dropping down in weight. Meanwhile, Walcott made history one year after his victory over Harold Johnson and became boxing’s oldest heavyweight champion when he defeated Charles in the third of their four meetings aged 37-years-old – a record that lasted a stunning 43 years until it was trumped by George Foreman in 1994.Joe/Marvis Frazier vs. Joe Bugner

During the 1970’s Joe Bugner attempted to become the first British heavyweight world champion of the 20th century, seven decades since the short reign of Bob Fitzsimmons, although the Brits were not so keen on Bugner due to the fact that he was born in Hungary and fled to the United Kingdom at a young age.

Still, Bugner earned the respect of fans around the globe for a courageous performance against Muhammad Ali, battling through a cut in the opening-round and lasting the full twelve rounds in a spirited display in 1973.

Just five months later, Joe Frazier would travel to London to face Bugner, looking to remind fans of his skills after he famously lost his WBA and WBC titles to George Foreman in the second-round of ‘The Sunshine Showdown’.

Once again, Bugner proved himself to be a genuine world title threat, recovering from a trademark Frazier left-hook to push ‘Smokin’ Joe’ to his limit, only to lose a razor-thin decision in what many believe to have been his greatest ever performance.

Bugner would eventually challenge for world honours when he rematched Ali in 1975 but lost a more lopsided decision this time around, before being defeated by world title contenders Ron Lyle and Earnie Shavers, putting an end to Bugner’s title hopes.

Still, Bugner carried the knockout power to be successful against fringe level opponents and in 1983 we saw him revisit his classic contest against a Frazier, this time taking on his son Marvis Frazier, off of the back of four consecutive stoppage wins.

Yet, the amateur pedigree and world champion genes of young Frazier shone through, outboxing a below-par Bugner for the full ten rounds of an uneventful clash and earning a shot at Larry Holmes’ Ring Magazine title for his troubles.

A true Mexican legend and one of the all-time-greats of our beautiful yet bloodied sport, Julio Cesar Chavez bowed out of boxing in 2005 when he faced Grover Wiley in his 118th professional contest – 25 years after Chavez’s debut. After losing out in a WBC super-lightweight title challenge against Kostya Tszyu, ‘El César del Boxeo’ had strung together four victories and was pitted up against Wiley in Phoenix, the latter having a youthful Brian ‘BoMac’ McIntyre in his corner.

Chavez had a solid start in the opening couple of rounds until his age began to show, his gas tank and possibly his will being visibly faded as opposed to his skills, Wiley managing to score with grunt-inducing blows to the body as a result. In the fifth, Wiley began to land a number of clean strikes as the 43-year-old Chavez marched forwards offering little in return before being pulled out in-between rounds – citing a broken right-hand as the reason for his early withdrawal – rather than the broken heart that Wiley still suspects to this day.

On that same card, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. would extend his record to 22-0 (a sizeable distance short of his father’s fabled 90-fight unbeaten run,) against Corey Alarcon with a second-round stoppage win, before stating his intentions to avenge his father’s loss later that night.

True to his word, Chavez Jr. stepped through the ropes to take on Wiley less than two years later, during which time he had fought a further ten occasions and improved to 32-0-1 whilst Wiley had fought thrice and lost all three bouts.

Having learnt his craft on the job after just four amateur contests, Chavez Jr. looked to have finally found his style and appeared both confident and comfortable from the sound of the opening bell onwards, scoring a knockdown with a left-hook, left-uppercut combination with seconds remaining on the clock in the first-round.

An assured Chavez Jr. did not rush to finish the job but picked his shots well in both the second and third-round, using his superior size effectively in the face of the onrushing Wiley to continue to land hooks to the body, not dissimilar to those that his father was subject to against the same Florida-born 154lber.

Twice in the third-round, Chavez Jr. floored his opponent with signature body blows that his father would have been proud of, the last of which left Grover Wiley face down on the canvas and unable to beat the count – finally falling victim to the illustrious Chavez name.Elijah/Oliver McCall vs Marcin Rekowski

In 2013, Elijah McCall’s hopes of emulating his father’s success in the heavyweight division and securing a world title took a serious dent, as he suffered a second stoppage defeat of his career against eventual unified champion of the division, Andy Ruiz Jr.

In an attempt to get his career back on track, the 23-year-old ventured to eastern Europe to take on undefeated Polish contender Marcin Rekowski on away soil.

Behind on all three cards with claret sprayed across his face as well as onto the referee’s shirt, a battered McCall fell first to his knees and then into the ropes after feeling the full effect of Rekowski’s power in the fifth-round – leaving the referee with no choice but to call an end to the contest and leave a saddened Oliver McCall in the corner cleaning his son’s blood-sodden face.

Nine months later, almost two decades since he knocked out Lennox Lewis for the WBC title, a remarkably still active Oliver McCall made that same trip to Poland in the hopes of putting an end to Rekowski’s unbeaten run.

At 48-years-old and in his 70th professional bout, ‘The Atomic Bull’ edged out a tight split-decision victory despite being the away fighter, astonishingly negating the power of Rekowski with old-school defence and his renowned granite chin in a low-output affair.

Unfortunately for the McCall family, Rekowski would get his own back over the old bull, registering a dominant unanimous decision victory over Oliver McCall in a rematch which took place less than three months after their initial encounter.

Now as we enter the final quarter of 2024, it has been over a decade since a father and son duo have

As fights become more sparse and the days of fighting ten times a year appear long gone, the likelihood of witnessing this occurrence can only become lesser and lesser, at least on the world stage.

As ever, fans will judge those both fortunate and unfortunate offspring of the heroes of yesteryear and quickly determine whether they are fit to lace the boots of their fathers, wielding that double-edged sword of intrigue and showing little patience before casting a damning verdict – rarely being able to witness that direct comparison of a familiar foe.

#BoxingLegends #JoeBugner #JoeFrazier #JerseyJoeWalcott #JulioCesarChavez #JulioCesarChavezJr #McCall #GroverWiley #PhilJohnson #HaroldJohnson #MarcinRekowski #MarvisFrazier #BoxingHistory #LegacyFights #FatherAndSon #BoxingComparisons

Heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has shown composure and respect in response to Tyson Fury’s recent taunts. After defeating the British fighter in May, Usyk became the first man to hand the “Gypsy King” a professional loss. The two fighters are set to face off again in December in what is expected to be one of the most highly anticipated fights of the year.

Usyk’s victory in May, secured by a split decision, was a historic moment. At 37, the Ukrainian became the undisputed heavyweight champion, a title not claimed since Lennox Lewis in 1999. The most critical moment in the fight came in the ninth round, when Usyk landed several sharp blows that left Fury dazed. The British fighter was saved by the bell, with many believing the fight should have been stopped.

The announcement of the rematch has stirred excitement among boxing fans. The bout, scheduled for December 21, promises to be an epic event. Both Usyk and Fury were ringside at Anthony Joshua’s defeat to Daniel Dubois, and Fury has since ramped up the trash talk. Despite their polite exchange after Joshua’s fight, Fury has adopted a more aggressive tone on social media.

In a recent Instagram post, Fury

“You had your shot but couldn’t finish the job! mistake! now your about to feel the wrath of A menace! f*ck @usykaa fuck @klimasmanagement f*ck @alex.krassyuk & if your down with usyk then f*ck you2! Gypsy king 2024 coming for you! dec21 is mine🖕🏼me against the world 🌍 incoming 3x heavyweight champ!”, Fury declared.

Usyk’s response, however, surprised many. Instead of retaliating with insults, the Ukrainian remained respectful. In a story posted on his Instagram account, he simply replied:Teofimo Lopez makes shocking career earnings revelation

“You’re really cool, my friend”, said Usyk.

In a recent interview with Boxing King Media, Oleksandr Usyk also commented on his conversation with Fury after the Joshua fight. “Yes, we talked a little. He’s like my brother. But I will win in December,” Usyk stated confidently. The Ukrainian made it clear that his focus is on the rematch, after which he plans to spend time with his family.

Fury’s preparation, or lack thereof, has raised eyebrows. Despite the looming date, the British fighter admitted that he has yet to start his training camp. When asked about his physical condition, Fury revealed that he plans to begin training in about six weeks. According to him, that’s all the time he needs to be ready and deliver his best performance on December 21.

As the fight draws near, tension between the two fighters continues to rise. While Fury has resorted to taunts, Oleksandr Usyk has once again shown that he prefers to let his actions in the ring do the talking. The upcoming bout promises to be a memorable showdown that will define the future of the heavyweight division.

#OleksandrUsyk #TysonFury #HeavyweightBoxing #BoxingRematch #GypsyKing #UsykVsFury #BoxingChampion #December21Fight #SportsNews #BoxingMatchup #FightNight #UndisputedChampion #BoxingWorld #HeavyweightTitle #BoxingHistory

In an exciting development for boxing fans, Busta Rhymes has been confirmed as the special guest artist for the upcoming Beterbiev-Bivol event in Riyadh. This fight night promises not only a thrilling boxing match but also an entertaining concert, continuing the trend established by Turki Al-Alshikh over the past year.

The event, which will take place in the Kingdom Arena, features a highly anticipated matchup between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol. This fight will determine who will become the first four-belt undisputed champion in the light-heavyweight division's history. With both fighters boasting impressive records and skills, fans are eagerly awaiting what promises to be a historic night in boxing.

Al-Alshikh has made significant strides in revitalizing boxing in Saudi Arabia, hosting numerous major events that have captured global attention. His initiative to combine fight nights with live performances has been a game-changer, drawing in new audiences and creating a unique atmosphere. The recent events in Los Angeles and London featured star-studded performances from legends like Eminem and Liam Gallagher, respectively, setting high expectations for the Riyadh event.

As the countdown to the Beterbiev-Bivol fight continues, boxing enthusiasts are gearing up for what could be the highlight of the boxing calendar. In addition to the main event, there are plans for future events in the Riyadh Season, including a cruiserweight unification fight between Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez and Chris Billam-Smith in November, followed by the heavyweight rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury in December.

With Busta Rhymes bringing his musical talents to the ring, the excitement surrounding this event is palpable. Fans can expect an unforgettable night of boxing and entertainment, showcasing the best of both worlds.

#BustaRhymes #ArturBeterbiev #DmitryBivol #RiyadhSeason #Boxing #TurkiAlAlshikh #SaudiArabia #GilbertoRamirez #ChrisBillamSmith #OleksandrUsyk #TysonFury #FightNight #BoxingEvents #FourBeltChampion #BoxingConcert

Gervonta Davis today dropped a rather large hint that his next fight, already confirmed to be against Lamont Roach, will take place in Houston, TX, with December the month in which it will take place.

"DECEMBER, Houston," the short but revealing post said. 

It had been reported that December 21, the night of the Oleksandr Usyk-Tyson Fury rematch in Saudi Arabia, was under consideration as the specific date. Further reports have speculated that December 14 is when the event will occur.

Davis, 30-0 (28 KOs), was last seen inside a boxing ring against Frank Martin in June, applying the knockout in round eight inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. 

Roach, 25-1-1 (10 KOs), would likely step up from his usual junior lightweight surrounds, where he currently holds the WBA title, to challenge for Davis' lightweight belt from the same organization. 

Roach would start as a huge underdog but has won six in a row since he was outpointed by Jamel Herring in a bid for the WBO title at 130lbs.

#GervontaDavis #LamontRoach #Boxing #Houston #DecemberFight #MGMGrand #WBA #LightweightTitle #Knockout #BoxingFans #FightNight #BoxingMatch #BoxingNews #TitleFight #BoxingCommunity

Junior welterweight contender Kenneth Sims Jr. has struggled with inactivity in recent years, but 2024 is shaping up to be a turning point for the Chicago native. 

Sims will step into the ring again on Nov. 16, facing Oscar Duarte as part of “Latino Night” during Riyadh Season at The Venue in Saudi Arabia.

After announcing himself as a serious contender with a majority decision victory over Elvis Rodriguez in 2021, Sims (21-2-1, 8 KOs) found himself on the regional fight circuit, battling to stay active. Between 2021 and 2023, Sims fought four times, including a potential Fight of the Year against Botirzhon Akhmedov that was broadcast on Showtime. This year, the 30-year-old Sims, now training in Las Vegas, signed with Golden Boy Promotions and made his promotional debut in August, stopping Jonathan Romero in five rounds.

His opponent, Mexico’s Duarte (27-2-1, 22 KOs), might have been stopped by Ryan Garcia in December 2023, but he bounced back under the guidance of trainer Robert Garcia, knocking out Joseph Diaz Jr. in his only fight of 2024. Duarte, 28, is a hard-hitting puncher, while Sims is known for his slick boxing skills, making for an intriguing clash of styles.

For Sims, this fight represents a crucial opportunity to stay active and showcase his best form.

“I’m just excited to be right back [in the ring],” Sims said. “It had been a long time, and this is two fights back to back — that's when I'm at my best, when I'm active. I just appreciate Golden Boy keeping me busy, and I’m ready to put on an amazing performance.”

Sims is well aware of the challenge that Duarte presents but is confident in his preparation and mindset. Sims also knows a win could propel him into the title picture at the top of the division

“Oscar Duarte is a tough opponent, so I got to bring my best, which I plan to do every time I step into the ring. I train like it’s the last fight I’ll ever have, so I plan to put on an amazing performance and give you guys a great show,” Sims said.

#KennethSimsJr #OscarDuarte #JuniorWelterweight #BoxingMatch #RiyadhSeason #GoldenBoyPromotions #Boxing #FightNight #LasVegas #ChicagoBoxer #KnockoutPower #SlickBoxer #TitleContention #ActiveFighter #BoxingFans

Janibek Alimkhanuly successfully weighed in below the middleweight limit for his unified title defense on Friday. The bout, which headlines an ESPN+ event at The Star in Sydney, Australia, will see Alimkhanuly (15-0, 10 KOs) face IBF mandatory challenger Andrei Mikhailovich (21-0, 13 KOs).

Alimkhanuly came in at 159.5 pounds, while Mikhailovich weighed 159.9 pounds. Both fighters must now comply with the IBF’s second-day rehydration limit, requiring them to weigh no more than 170 pounds on fight day at an arranged time, typically in the morning. 

Alimkhanuly holds both the IBF and WBO titles, though Mikhailovich is only eligible to win the IBF belt after declining the WBO challenge. This fight was rescheduled from July, when the original bout was canceled due to Alimkhanuly’s hospitalization for dehydration. He will make his first defense of the IBF title after unifying the belts in October with a knockout win over Vincent Gualtieri.

#JanibekAlimkhanuly #AndreiMikhailovich #MiddleweightChampionship #IBFChampion #WBOChampion #Boxing #FightNight #ESPNPlus #UnbeatenRecord #Sydney #BoxingFans #TitleFight #Knockout #BoxingEvent #BoxingNews

WBC Interim super lightweight champion Chantelle Cameron (19-1) will defend her title against Sweden's Patricia Berghult (17-1) November 2 in Birmingham on a Queensberry Promotion.

Topping the bill are Liam Davies (16-0) and Shabaz Masoud (13-0) in an IBO title fight at super bantamweight.

Berghult previously held the WBC super welterweight title but lost to Natasha Jonas in September of 2022 and has only fought twice since then. She is managed by Kamran Kabinejad and trained by her father Joakim. Patricia returned September 7 after 18 months out and beat Vaida Masiokaite (10-25-5).

Cameron went 1-1 with Katie Taylor last year and then beat Elhem Mekhaled and won the WBC interim title.

No doubt about it; Patricia is up against it but is also in a position where there is nothing to lose and everything to win.

#ChantelleCameron #PatriciaBerghult #WBC #Boxing #SuperLightweight #QueensberryPromotions #LiamDavies #ShabazMasoud #FightNight #Birmingham #WomenInBoxing #BoxingNews #ChampionshipFight #IBO #Undefeated

LOS ANGELES –  After years of crossing each other’s paths and climbing through the ranks together, junior welterweights Jose Ramirez and Arnold Barboza Jr. will finally square off in the squared circle. 

Ramirez (29-1, 18 KOs), a former unified 140-pound titlist, and Barboza (30-0, 11 KOs) had both been signed to Top Rank and manager Rick Mirigian in recent years. 

But a fight never came to fruition between the 32-year-old Californian combatants.

On Wednesday at The Mayan, both fighters, who are now promoted by Oscar De La Hoya, finally came to a head, respectfully, to announce their bout on November 16 as the co-main event of the Golden Boy Promotions “Latino Night” event in Saudi Arabia. 

“This is a fight I've been wanting since 2019 but for whatever reason it never happened,” said Barboza. “I was treated like a stepchild, watching Ramirez get main event fights, big fights and promoted right while I was scratching and clawing and banging on the door. 

“I tried every forum and even signed with the same thief manager. I'm not with him anymore, and the fight happens. Thanks to Oscar De La Hoya. He's a man of his word. When I signed with Golden Boy, he said I was going to get this fight, and he was a man of his word.

“I respect Jose Ramirez as a fighter and person. I know he's not scared of anybody. But this is personal. I'm coming with everything. I'm training in Big Bear, California harder than ever. I'm going to give it my all and come out on top November 16.” 

After moving on from Mirigian, Barboza signed an advisory deal with respected boxing broker Steve Bash to better guide his career. 

In April, Barboza sneaked by with a split decision win against tricky southpaw Sean McComb to keep his undefeated record intact. It was the second fight of Barboza’s Golden Boy deal. During his promotional debut in January, when Barboza stopped Xolisani Ndongeni in eight rounds, Ramirez was again front and center and in the spotlight, as it was announced at the Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas and on air on DAZN that Ramirez had signed a promotional deal with Golden Boy. 

“Arnold Barboza said he was chasing me but I was trying to unify titles and become undisputed,” said Ramirez. “I got busy. But now he stands in the way for me to reclaim my titles. It's time to get it on. I'm grateful for the opportunity. It's going to be a great show. It will be the kind of fight to get everyone in Saudi Arabia excited about boxing.” 

Ramirez first became a 140-pound WBC titleholder in 2018 against Amir Imam, and defended the belt against Antonio Orozco and Jose Zepeda before stopping then-WBO titleholder Maurice Hooker in 2019 in six rounds to unify titles in the division. After a majority decision win against Viktor Postol in 2020, Ramirez was dropped twice and lost the chance to become an undisputed junior welterweight champion against Josh Taylor in 2021.

“My biggest enemy in the sport of boxing has been my inactivity,” said Ramirez, who will be fighting twice in the same calendar year for the first time since 2019. 

“I respect Barboza as a fighter and this is one of the fights that excited me and motivates me. It pushes me to train hard. 

“It's a great fight and it's time for me to make a statement. I've been under the big lights and have the experience. I'm ready.”

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