boxing Archives - Page 33 of 64

Mike Tyson, with his experience of not just boxing but also turbulent life experiences, does not hesitate to share his learnings. The 61st Annual WBC Convention kicked off with a bang on Sunday night, setting the stage in the captivating and unconventional setting of Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Despite the distance from the familiar Western Hemisphere, the welcome cocktail that marked the unofficial start of the event was nothing short of a bustling affair.

The venue was teeming with familiar faces, a lively mix of personalities from both Mexico and the United States, turning the gathering into a vibrant tapestry of boxing enthusiasts and professionals. Tyson also graced the convention along with the likes of legends such as Evander Holyfield and others. In a press conference, he reached out to young boxers, offering them his recipe for success.

Mike Tyson’s journey is a riveting tale of highs and lows in the world of boxing. Rising from a turbulent Brooklyn upbringing, Tyson became the youngest heavyweight champion in history at just 20. Despite financial and personal setbacks, Tyson’s resilience and later-life reinvention continue to captivate audiences worldwide. All these years of struggle have also helped Tyson gather priceless wisdom.

“First of all, you can prepare somebody for success but you can’t prepare somebody to handle that success.” While many can help one pave the path that leads to the top, barely anyone can tell how to continue there and not let success and money take control over you.

“It’s very difficult. It’s very rare to listen to somebody else advice. Life is the greatest teacher, that’s what I would say.” Information and knowledge are not the same things. One can gather information from many wise men but it converts into knowledge only when life starts testing you in your pursuit of becoming a renewed version of yourself.

Tyson has shared his thoughts on Francis Ngannou’s entry into the WBC heavyweight rankings, a move that stirred controversy. Having trained Ngannou for the showdown against Tyson Fury, Mike Tyson, a former champion, deemed the ranking “too low” during the WBC convention. Tyson praised Ngannou’s performance against Fury, stating that the Cameroonian-Frenchman deserved a higher rank than 10. “He did a great job. Number 10 is too low!” said Tyson. Expressing his belief in Ngannou’s abilities, Tyson conveyed that the ranking failed to capture the true essence of Ngannou’s potential, emphasizing the need for recognition based on his commendable efforts in the ring.

BOXING

Why Floyd Mayweather Choosing to Rematch John Gotti III Might Backfire

Floyd Mayweather and John Gotti III have some unfinished business. The two seized headlines worldwide when they clashed in Florida in June. But their bout ended abruptly, putting an unfortunate conclusion to their fight, and the fans were left displeased. The boxing gods and the promoters have smiled at fans and recently blessed them with a rematch.

‘Money’ surprised the fans when he announced the rematch with Gotti III on Friday. While the exact details of the fight are yet to be chalked out, the two will run it back during the Super Bowl weekend. The details of their first encounter might still be fresh in the fans’ minds. The referee, Kenny Bayless, had enough of the verbal jibes instead of punches thrown in the ring. He waved off the fight after the trash-talking reached a tipping point, and the subsequent scenes flooded the internet. Despite the curiosity surrounding the fight, the rematch talks never received traction. However, the critical question is whether the rematch and its hype are way past their shelf life.

The visuals of ‘TBE’ and Gotti III showdown descending into chaos broke the internet. While the similar scenes are hard to replicate, they dent the reputations of the American boxer. Fans crave to see him box and chant his name from the stands as he tears apart his opponent. Not him pulling shots after the fight has been called off.

In addition, the primary focus is to capitalize on the earlier buzz created by the off-ring shenanigans. It might be a disastrous PR tactic, as you can’t always top off the event with chaos. Gotti III’s previous comments also suggest the same.

“From what I understood, after the fight, it was the most Googled thing in the whole world… Floyd’s a businessman. Floyd wants to capitalize on that. He wants to make money,” Gotti III explained to Ariel Helwani.

But will the fans shell out money just to watch Mayweather dance around the ring and toy with his opponent? Will they buy the PPV event where the chances of a competitive fight are almost none? Will the fans prefer chaos and long stretches of inactivity or an exciting back-and-forth?

The night of chaos and the fight might fail to attract people

And the answer is no. Mayweather tends to play around with his opponent. Gotti III, too scared by the man he was squaring off, barely landed a punch in the earlier rounds. The enormous gap between the two can’t be bridged, and we don’t expect Gotti III to improve significantly to match the skills of a boxer with a 50-0 record.

The outcome is all but decided. Can you expect Gotti III to chip off Mayweather’s skin and hand him a black eye, as Deji did? The chances are still low. Besides, the only thing moving the needle for the rematch is not the clash of skills but the obscenities thrown in their encounters and the chaos in the square ring.

“It was kind of crazy. A lot of people on social media were saying this was fake, that it was scripted. Absolutely not true. You see, there were fights all around the arena. So, when something like that happens, it can’t be fake or rehearsed,” Mayweather clarified recently.

Chaos and the teams jumping in the ring to have a go at each other shouldn’t be associated with Mayweather. The legendary American boxer doesn’t need these antics to sell his fights and arenas. The fans need a glimpse of his former self, which is fleeting every time he fights.

Every time Mayweather steps into the ring, he tries to roll back the old times. However, it happens against obscure, feeble opponents with almost no boxing experience. Mayweather’s exhibition fights are nothing but his unwillingness to give up the idea of retiring.

BOXING

A Year After the $5 Million Fight, Rolando Romero Makes a Startling Confession on Why Fighting Gervonta Davis Was His Life’s “Biggest Blessings”

In a surprising turn of events, Rolando Romero, the boxer who raked in a cool $5 million from his showdown with Gervonta Davis last year, has spilled the beans on why stepping into the ring with Davis was more than just a lucrative career move. In the early rounds of the fight, ‘Rolly’ appeared to be the superior fighter, showcasing his skills dominantly.

Tank, however, shifted the momentum of the fight in the sixth round with a well-timed left hand that coincided with Rolly’s attempt at a right. In the end, the victory was in Tank’s name. The confession, delivered in a candid tweet, has now confused much of the boxing community, leaving fans and pundits alike scratching their heads to understand the deeper layers behind Romero’s unexpected revelation.

The allure of a $5 million payday is undoubtedly a powerful motivator for any athlete, but for Romero, the significance of facing Gervonta Davis transcended mere financial gain. In an X (formerly Twitter) post that caught the attention of fans and critics alike, Romero declared, “Gervonta was one of my life’s biggest blessings, and I ain’t talking about money either.” He concluded the post by writing, “Some things are deeper than boxing.” This statement opens a window into a narrative that extends beyond the glitz and glamour of the boxing world.

For those closely following Romero’s journey, the apparent contradiction between the financial windfall and the spiritual blessing raises intriguing questions. What was it about facing Gervonta Davis that elevated the experience beyond the realm of a high-stakes prizefight? Certainly, one to only look at the bright side of things, the lightweight had to overcome a lot in his life to reach where he is currently. Romero, not too long ago, had revealed how he had to overcome a childhood speech impediment.

Rolando Romero, who was given the chance to face Gervonta Davis a year ago, stood out not only for his unbeaten record and punching power but for his bold, brash attitude and promotional prowess. Despite being an exceptional trash talker and a draw for attention, Romero’s ability to speak confidently in public was hard-won. Struggling with a lisp and speech impediment until the age of 11, Romero faced teasing and harassment in his Nevada hometown.

Though the fights over his speech impediment didn’t directly lead him to boxing, they played a role in shaping his affinity for combat. While now bilingual and articulate in public, Romero admits to lingering insecurity about his speech, a stark contrast to his confident demeanor discussing his boxing skills. Romero often reflects on the transformative journey from a speech-impaired child to a fighter commanding attention in and out of the ring.

BOXING

“That’s Even Better for Business”: Mike Tyson Demands More Championship Titles in Boxing for a Very Noble Reason

Mike Tyson, though retired, stays busy and just as relevant in the boxing industry as the boxers. Analysts and interviewers rush to the legend for his opinion and insight on every upcoming fight and every new situation. It has been revealed that Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk are set to clash in a battle for the undisputed heavyweight title.

In Saudi Arabia on February 17, Fury will defend his WBC belt against Usyk, who holds the WBA, IBF, and WBO titles. It’s a collision of two heavyweight titans in Riyadh, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. While the buzz about the clash is multiplying, Tyson has pulled attention towards a pressing issue.

In an interview with Fight Hub TV, Tyson spoke about the upcoming match. In the same conversation, he brought forward the issue of having only a few championships while fighters are desperate to find a speck of an opportunity to compete for a title. There are often criticisms levelled against boxing that the sport has many organizations and each organization has titles across every weight division. For most, this is too much, however, not for Tyson.

Remarking on the need for every contender to get a shot at the title, Tyson said, “By having one champion and there’s so many contenders, the contenders are not gonna get an opportunity to fight for the title.” Tyson explained that having more titles provides every fighter a chance and platform to test out their skills, stating, “That’s even better for business.” From a business perspective as well, it would fare well when the revenue is considered.

Many often complain about there being too many organizations making things messy. Tyson has the answer ready for this. He said, “Well, without the organizations, fighters wouldn’t have a chance.” The legend himself was of a similar opinion, but with time and experience, he has learned that the opposite holds true.

“If they can’t fight for the title, they can’t take care of their family. You know that’s the money fight, that’s the championship fight, so the many championship fights you have, the better it is for the fighter,” stated Tyson. Moreover, it all boils down to looking out for the fighters who toil hard to earn their bread and put their lives on the line for the industry to flourish.

The buzz surrounding the impending clash between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk is reaching a crescendo, with none other than the legendary Mike Tyson offering his insight. As Tyson delves into the analysis, his words carry the weight of years spent in the ring. “I Look forward to that fight, really. That’s going to be an interesting fight,” says the former champion, hinting at the anticipation surrounding the bout.

Tyson shares his prediction, leaning towards Fury due to his behemoth-like power. The former Heavyweight champion’s words unveil a path to victory for Fury. “He’s going to catch up with him and overpower him I feel. I think I could be wrong,” said Iron Mike, acknowledging the inherent unpredictability of the sweet science.

BOXING

“It Can’t Be Fake or Rehearsed”: After Announcing Rematch With Former New York Don’s Grandson, Floyd Mayweather Opened Up About Last Fight Chaos

After Curmel Moton, the protege of Floyd Mayweather successfully made his pro debut against Ezequiel Flores in September, ‘TBE’ revealed he was planning to stage yet another exhibition fight soon. In addition, although he did not mention a date or an opponent, Mayweather teased the media enough by suggesting that Moton would likely return on the undercard of his exhibition.

Recently, the 50-0 boxer, who has lately been squaring off against hand-picked fighters, revealed that he had “unfinished business” with his last opponent John Gotti III. Additionally, he soon released a poster of his rematch with the member of the Gambino crime family. In this context, as Fight Hype interviewed ‘TBE’ about his upcoming bout, ‘Money’ meditated on the circus that occurred after his victory over Gotti III in their last fight.

When Mayweather and Gotti III stepped inside the ring in June, ‘TBE’ had his opponent completely out-skilled. Despite being the shorter fighter, Mayweather landed sharp hooks and straight hands to the body with speed. In addition, by continuously changing levels and landing combinations, ‘TBE’ kept the fight far from the reach of John’s understanding. However, after the referee stopped the contest in Mayweather’s favor, frustrated John started wildly swinging at the former, leading to a brawl.

Speaking of it in his latest interview, Mayweather said, “It was kind of crazy. A lot of people on social media were saying this was fake, that it was scripted. Absolutely not true. You see, there were fights all around the arena. So, when something like that happens, it can’t be fake or rehearsed.”

Since despite losing the fight, Gotti III did not get over ‘TBE’, Mayweather announced there was unfinished business between the two. Likewise, taking to Instagram, he revealed a rematch that would happen during the Super Bowl Weekend in Las Vegas.

Although Mayweather revealed a poster for the rematch with Gotti III, he has yet to reveal more details. Besides the actual date of the fight, we don’t know about the undercard of the event. In addition, even though we know the fight will take place in Las Vegas, we don’t know about the exact venue. But, as ‘Money’ said, “Kicking off Super Bowl Weekend- Unfinished Business. See you in Las Vegas. More details Soon!!”

BOXING

$10 Billion Worth Company Signing Shakur Stevenson and Terence Crawford Leaves Floyd Mayweather’s Protégé and Fans in Awe

Logan Paul and KSI, renowned for their influential presence on YouTube, extended their reach beyond social media as the faces of PRIME. Expanding the brand’s influence in the world of sports sports, Logan Paul and KSI showcased the pedigree of their business venture. Beyond their initial collaborations with football giants F.C. Bayern Munich and F.C. Barcelona, the duo has made significant strides in the combat sports arena.

The PRIME brand has successfully inked deals with notable figures such as Israel Adesanya and Alexander Volkanovski. Their collaboration took yet another exciting turn with the recent announcement that PRIME has joined forces with professional boxers Terence Crawford and Shakur Stevenson. The fans went berserk after the company announced they were shaking hands with the two best fighters in the world of boxing.

Not long ago, the four Instagram accounts of KSI, Logan Paul, Prime, and Terence Crawford posted about Prime’s new partnership with ‘Bud’ and ‘Sugar’. Moreover, in the caption, the company talked about how “proud” it felt about such partnerships that help elevate such great athletes. The fans show their support as well.

Along with fans, Floyd Mayweather‘s protégé also commented on the post with a fire emoji, thus showing his support to the Youtubers’ business venture.

One of the fans stated that, out of all collaborations, this was the finest of them all. They wrote, “Nah this was the best one yet…”

Another fan also commended the energy drink company’s decision to cherry-pick great talents in the realm of boxing. They wrote, “Nice the two nest American born talent right now this was a smart choice.”

One fan talked about how this was an amazing deal that KSI and Logan Paul have finalized. They wrote, “Massive deal! Current face of boxing and future face of boxing.”

A fan talked about how these announcements come out as a surprise out of nowhere. They wrote, “They just surprise man everyday.”

An Instagram user also paid his due respect to the men behind all of this, KSI and Logan Paul. They wrote, “Bro respect to Logan and Ksi out there.”

So, the fans were all in favor of this decision made by Logan Paul and KSI. Judging by the company’s success thus far, it is highly likely that this would turn out to be profitable for Crawford and Stevenson.

On November 10th, a long queue of young fans awaited the opening of the London Prime Store opening, as they couldn’t wait to get their hands on the exclusive gold bottles. According to Business Insider, leading the pack in the front Ellie Whitby and her friend Emanuele Maccotta, who braved the dreadful 15 hours of rain and 50-degree weather. Their decision to queue up was spontaneous, that sparked after a nighttime stroll past the store.

Whitby, the owner of a YouTube channel with 290,000 subscribers, saw the occasion as an opportunity to capture engaging content for the internet. Following closely was Steve Cooper, the brains behind the online candy emporium, Central Sweet Supply, who noted a significant uptick in business related to Prime in some recent months. Driven by the profitable money, Cooper sought to seize the chance to purchase the prized gold bottles from exiting visitors. Currently, the bottles are being featured on the Central Sweet Supply website for $171.

BOXING

“Can’t Get No Cooler”: Floyd Mayweather Rocking Legendary Rapper Eazy-E T-Shirt at Shakur Stevenson vs Edwin De La Santos Event Leaves Fans in Awe

Shakur Stevenson meets Edwin De Los Santos at some point. The winner will become the new WBC lightweight champion. Needless to say, how much the fight means to both However, it could be said that the fight could matter a bit more to Stevenson, given the stakes involved. A win not only makes him a three-division world champion but also opens up prospects for other big fights.

As a result, both fans and pundits are closely monitoring the match. It is expected to be a star-studded gala event. Who’s who of boxing would be in attendance at the T Mobile Arena. But the pair of eyes almost everyone would be looking out for would be ‘Sin City’s longtime resident and boxing great Floyd Mayweather Jr. It seems he didn’t make everyone wait for him too long. ‘The Money’ moved in with his entourage, smiling and talking to everyone with a drink in hand. The regal entry, unsurprisingly, had everyone chatting on social media.

From the comments, it wasn’t difficult to make out his personal flair, as he always caught everyone’s attention. The t-shirt had the face and name of cult rap artist Eazy-E. A few who noticed couldn’t help themselves from highlighting it.

For the following user, Floyd Mayweather Jr. donning an Eazy-E tee is the coolest thing ever.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Shakur Stevenson have known each other for some time. The clips of the former training the New Jersey-born Southpaw went viral on social media. Stevenson, who has been mentored by the likes of Terence Crawford and Andre Ward, underwent a training camp run by Mayweather Jr. Incidentally, given his fighting style, he is often compared with the boxing legend. The young boxer, who recently signed a deal with Reebok, now shoulders a big responsibility. Many followers now look up to him to continue the legacy established by the greats associated with him.

BOXING

Weeks After Francis Ngannou Showdown, Mike Tyson Comes Forward to Defend Tyson Fury’s Performance Against Ex-UFC Champion: “That Was His Bad Night”

Tyson Fury finds himself in the center of scrutiny. Earlier this year, he was subject to criticism for facing Francis Ngannou instead of a unification bout against Oleksandr Usyk. However, little did the boxing fans know that ‘The Predator’ would end up giving Fury one of his toughest fights. Many boxing pundits and fans believe that Ngannou might have even won the decision if the judges were different.

In a recent turn of events, the trainer of Ngannou and former heavyweight champion, Mike Tyson, recently came forward to defend Fury’s performance. In his conversation, he dove into the criticism Tyson Fury is currently facing.

‘Iron Mike,’ put on his trainer’s hat and prepared the former UFC champ to face Fury. When the two finally squared off, Ngannou knocked Tyson down in the third round. The later rounds weren’t easy for Fury either. The boxing world was very critical of ‘The Gypsy King,’ despite his laborious win.

For a better part of the month, since the end of the fight, Fury has been facing a barrage of criticism from people who think that his fighting days are over. However, according to Iron Mike, the WBC heavyweight champion does not deserve the hate that is coming his way.

Reflecting on the same, in an interview with Fight Hub TV, he stated, “You gotta understand, he’s still the champion. He made that night a great night. He gave Francis the opportunity. And this was just a bad night at the office for him. We all have a bad night and listen, that was his bad night.”

It would be reasonable to say that Tyson, to an extent, acknowledged the performance of Fury and commended him for giving a boxing novice like Ngannou a shot. However, at the same time, Tyson finds Ngannou to be worthy of praise for rising up to the occasion and putting his best foot forward.

In another recent interview, ‘Iron Mike,’ gave Ngannou his due credit for not only fighting one of the greatest boxers in his boxing debut but also for giving him a tough fight. His will and skills demand credit. At the recent WBC convention, he stated, “He did a great job with the greatest fighter of our time. First time boxing, faces the heavyweight champion, the greatest heavyweight of his era. He deserves a lot of credits after that.”

BOXING

“That’s What I’m Offering You”: Gervonta Davis Jumps in to Give Devin Haney Harsh Reality Check After He Blasts Shakur Stevenson’s Recent Win

In the fast-paced world of boxing, verbal jabs can sometimes pack as much punch as the ones thrown in the ring. The latest bout of verbal sparring comes from none other than Devin Haney and Gervonta Davis, two titans in the sport known for their skills both inside and outside the ropes.

After Devin Haney took to social media, expressing his opinion on the recent Shakur Stevensonvs. Edwin De Los Santos match, Gervonta Davis wasted no time in firing back. Although Stevenson admits to a disappointing performance, even going so far as to apologize, ‘Sugar’s Camp is not having it. In the end, a historical win is a historical win. Furthermore, issuing a unanimous decision, the prevalent rhetoric typically involves one side alleging a robbery by the other. Without mincing words, Tank steps in for his friend.

It seems like Devin Haney is not going to let a bout with Stevenson go. Commenting on the performance he chose after walking away from Haney’s 75/25 offer, In a classic display of boxing banter, Haney remarked, “Should’ve offered this Bum 10% I was being too generous!”

Additionally, Haney’s other rival, Gervonta Davis, and a friend of Stevenson stepped in immediately. In a now-deleted tweet, not one to back down, Davis swiftly responded, “That’s what I’m offering you, son son.”

Moreover, the exchange immediately caught the attention of fans and fellow fighters alike, setting the stage for what could be the next big showdown, not in the ring, but in the world of words. While the boxing world is no stranger to trash talk, the simplicity and directness of this exchange make it stand out.

In assessing the recent bout, it becomes apparent that the term “bad fight” is not an exaggeration. Subsequently, the dissatisfaction echoed audibly through the crowd, with boos persisting from late in the first round and persisting throughout the match. The lackluster nature of the bout left the audience with little to cheer about.

Shakur Stevenson, the victor of the less-than-thrilling contest, acknowledged the lackluster nature of his performance. “I really don’t care about being a three-division champion,” he stated candidly. “I had a bad performance tonight; that’s all I’m really focused on. I wasn’t feeling too good. I’ll live with it; it’s OK. I came here, got the victory, and that’s all I wanted to do.”

Consequently, Stevenson shrugged off inquiries about a possible issue with his left hand, firmly rejecting any excuses. He acknowledged the challenges fighters face. Additionally, he expressed that despite not feeling well before the fight, he remained focused on securing victory, emphasizing a commitment to adapting his strategy if necessary.

Despite his own dissatisfaction with the performance, Stevenson acknowledged the strengths of his opponent, De Los Santos (16-2, 14 KO). “He’s got some punching power. He’s got good little defense, and he’s a little tricky. He grabbed on the inside and stopped me from punching. He’s a good fighter.”

Looking forward, Shakur declined to specify future opponents. He expressed a desire to address the aspects of his performance that fell short. Furthermore, he leaves the door open for improvement in his future appearances in the ring.

Lastly, one takeaway from the bouts this year is the common theme of the more famous bruiser, completely underestimating their opponents. Moreover, it probably led to a lack of preparation and overconfidence. If you recall, in the Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou bout, Fury underestimated his opponent. Even though he was the victor, it was a wake-up call for the pugilist. Moreover, Ngannou injured Fury well enough for him to make the decision to postpone his bout against Oleksandr Usyk in December.

BOXING

“He Deserves a Lot of Credits”: Mike Tyson Reacts to Francis Ngannou Entering Heavyweight Rankings at WBC Convention 2023

In this context, when Mike Tyson attended the WBC Convention 2023, the former heavyweight champion of the world publicly expressed what he felt about Ngannou’s fight against Fury. In addition, he told the media what he thought about the former UFC Heavyweight champion being justifiably appreciated by the WBC.

As per Mike, ‘The Gypsy King,’ who is yet to face Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed Heavyweight title, is already the greatest fighter of the current time. Likewise, since Ngannou fought toe-to-toe with the WBC Heavyweight title holder in his boxing debut, Tyson feels it is imperative that we laud Ngannou’s skills and spirit. As a result, speaking at the WBC Convention 2023, with President Mauricio Sulaimán by his side, Tyson highlighted the magnitude of Ngannaou’s achievement against Fury.

“He did a great job with the greatest fighter of our time. First time boxing, faces the heavyweight champion,” said Tyson. “The greatest heavyweight of his era. He deserves a lot of credits after that,” he added.

In this context, it is worth mentioning that following Ngannou vs. Fury, Mauricio Sulaimán declared he would recommend Ngannou to the WBC rating committee. In his opinion, ‘The Predator’ was a “solid boxer” who had much to contribute to boxing. With that said, it is safe to declare that Tyson and Sulaimán are in complete agreement about Ngannou.

Since the WBC has now ranked Francis, the matter is quite simple. It only means that Ngannou will return to the ring. Recently, Deontay Wilder stated his interest in facing Ngannou. However, Wilder showed interest in fighting Ngannou in a cage. On the other hand, Eddie Hearn feels Anthony Joshua vs. Ngannou will be a fight to see.

Meanwhile, while Ngannou acknowledged Wilder’s interest, his manager Shelly Finkel clarified that ‘AJ’ was still his “first choice.” With that said, it is clear that Ngannou is returning to the ring.