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Mikey Garcia Gives Big Update on Floyd Mayweather Exhibition

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floyd mayweather

Floyd Mayweather Jr. is one of the biggest names in the sport. Throughout his career, he faced some of the toughest opponents in the sport and managed to stay undefeated. He now fights exhibition bouts against YouTubers, and MMA fighters and provides a spectacle for his fans to see. After his previous fight against John Gotti III that ended in a disaster, it seemed like Mayweather was ready to make his return to the ring.

Recently, rumors started surfacing that the boxing legend was going to make his return to the ring against former four-division world champion Mikey Garcia. It was stated that the fight would be an exhibition event in December. However, it seems that the truth is far from what was suggested by the rumor-mongers. Here’s what Garcia had to say about the supposed fight.

In an interview with ESNEWS, Garcia cleared the air, expressing his confusion about the origins of these rumors and setting the record straight. Garcia stated, “I don’t know how people start rumors like that. Like I said, I’m just here to work out a little bit. I was getting too lazy and I just wanted to come back to the gym a little bit and to lose a little bit of weight, and get in shape. At the same time, spot somebody younger, maybe teach them a little bit of something or motivate them a bit.”

Furthermore, he also shared his bewilderment about how these rumors gained momentum. “I wonder how they started—who started it. I think I know who was the first one I saw online, I know him personally. But he must have…what I heard from him, he interpreted you and I speaking here a week ago. He gives his opinion, and then somebody else hears him, and they take another step—it’s like the telephone game,” Garcia explained.

Mikey Garcia’s statement clarifies his intentions and sheds light on the Mayweather exhibition rumors. As of now, it seems these rumors might be nothing more than a game of miscommunication.

Garcia’s brother clears all rumors about the potential Floyd Mayweather bout

Trainer Robert Garcia has also debunked the rumors of his brother, engaging in an exhibition match with Floyd Mayweather Jr. According to Robert, he’s had a conversation with Mikey, who clarified that he’s solely sparring to maintain his fitness levels.

Speculation abounds that Mayweather might be keeping this potential matchup under wraps. Moreover, they hinted that he might be aiming to make a grand announcement closer to the date for maximum fan excitement. Previously, Chris Algieri claimed that Mayweather’s next exhibition is part of a promotional endeavor for his ‘Good Money Whiskey.‘ To maximize exposure, he would need a marquee opponent. Moreover, fighting another non-boxer, as he’s done in most of his exhibitions since 2018, won’t be as effective.

Mikey Garcia’s recent training activities, as Robert Garcia affirmed, are simply about maintaining shape and not adding excess weight. Mayweather isn’t likely to face Mikey in the ring, given the age disparity. As of now, the match remains a figment of someone’s imagination.

 

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BOXING

Eddie Hearn rates Gervonta Davis, Devin Haney, and Shakur Stevenson

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Gervonta Davis

Following the official press conference announcing Devin Haney’s upcoming fight against Regis Prograis, Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn talks to reporters about his thoughts on Haney and how he would compare him to his contemporaries like Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis and Shakur Stevenson. Here’s some of what Hearn had to say below.

Hearn on who’s best between Tank, Haney, and Stevenson

“I’m a big fan of all of ‘em. I think Gervonta Davis is a beast, I think he’s very exciting. I think Shakur has tremendous fundamentals. I think if you’re looking at wins, then it’s definitely between Devin Haney and Tank. If you’re talking about ability, I mean they’re all unbelievably talented and you have to throw Shakur in that mix.

“But Shakur hasn’t beaten anyone yet of massive note. I know the win against Valdez was a big win at super feather. But at lightweight he hasn’t beaten anybody yet, and that’s not his fault. I do believe he’ll go on to be a great but right now if you look at the resumes…you have to say Devin but Tank has got a great resume as well.

“I don’t think it’s really a comparison. I think if Devin beats Prograis, I think then you’re talking about another level of moving up weight classes, beating the top at 140 or arguably the top guy at 140, and a guy that has power as well.

“I think if you look at Kambosos and you look at Lomachenko, neither guy has destructive power like Regis Prograis does. I think that’s what makes this fight really intriguing.”

Hearn on what he saw in Haney when he signed him to Matchroom

“Just saw a bit of a superstar, really. I like the smile. He’s a very polite, respectful man. Bill’s raised him very well. I mean Bill has his ups and downs but you can’t question the job Bill’s done with Devin. I mean, it’s been unbelievable.

“And what I like about Bill as well, it’s not a total control thing. Like, he’s willing to bring people in, he’s willing to take advice. But what I saw in Devin in a guy who’s completely committed to his craft and as a promoter I like working with people like that because you know you’re going to get the most out of what you’ve got.

“So we’ll do the best we can do, you do the best you can do, and God will decide the rest. And with Devin it’s like once you’ve got a talent that you know is going to work hard, I just felt like at the time he was a big acquisition for us because he was the kind of fighter that we needed.

“And it was really difficult when he had to make that decision to sign with Top Rank, because they froze us out completely. It’s a great learning curve, you know. Lou DiBella really had the keys to make that fight because he had Kambosos, he had the site deal, and he didn’t want to do it with us. That’s the reality. Devin was desperate to do it with us.

“When I started working with Devin we had a pact together that he would be my first undisputed champion in America…I will always remember he tried and tried and tried and tried to do the deal with us and DAZN, and in the end he found it difficult to tell me — and I knew what he had to do — and I said to him ‘I know you have to do it’ and he said to me ‘I’ll promise I’ll be back. I promise.’ But I said ‘you can’t turn this down.’ He would’ve had to turn down the opportunity to become undisputed to stay with me who couldn’t deliver him the undisputed fight.

“So when he went it was a bit of a kick in the cojones, but he promised me he’ll be back…and true to his word he’s back and I believe this relationship, win or lose, will continue.”

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BOXING

Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao rematch? Their children could be boxing’s next big rivalry

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floyd mayweather

The 2015 boxing showdown between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao was billed to be the ‘Fight of the Century’. The two world champions fought it out over twelve rounds, with Mayweather ultimately being crowned champion.

Despite plenty of speculation over the possibility of a rematch, the two never ended getting back into the ring together. What’s more, with Floyd now just doing exhibition fights and Pacquiao long retired, it looks like any possibility of a rematch is over.

Having said that, do not despair boxing fans. It looks like both boxers will be handing the baton over to their children, who both look to be fierce fighters despite their age.

In fact, both Mayweather and Pacquiao have posted videos of them training their kids in the gym, which include sparring sessions. Both look like they could follow in their father’s footsteps and perhaps face off in years to come in what would be an epic repeat of the 2015 fight.

A video of the two kids sparring has gone viral on social media…and boxing fans just can’t get enough. “Lil Pacquiao got his dad’s speed love to see it,” wrote one user on X. “Can’t wait until 2029 for Mayweather vs Pacquiao 2,” wrote another.

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BOXING

Eddie Hearn Rates Devin Haney’s Resume Above Gervonta Davis

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gervonta tank davis

Eddie Hearn rates Devin Haney’s career resume ahead of former three-division world champion Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis, who some see as the actual ‘Face of Boxing’ due to his popularity. Hearn feels that the 28-year-old Baltimore native Tank Davis (29-0, 27 KOs) doesn’t quite have as good a resume as the younger 24-year-old Haney, and it’s hard to disagree with him.

The truth is, Haney’s resume is almost as poor as Tank Davis’s, but it’s not quite as awful. It’s definitely not good, especially with his recent controversial win over Vasily Lomachenko last May, a fight in which practically the whole world saw Devin being given a gift decision.

Isaac Cruz – fringe-level fighter

Ryan Garcia – Unproven Instagram fighter

Mario Barrios – secondary WBA 140-lb champion

Leo Santa Cruz – Former 118-pounder

Jose Pedraza – old & past it

Careful Matchmaking

This is the new era of boxing in which wily promoters match their fighters against stewbums to build an unbeaten resume and then stick them on PPV to make money. It’s all about bringing in the dough. Tank’s handlers at Mayweather Promotions & PBC have been cautious with how they’ve matched him, opting for non-risky opposition that wasn’t a threat to defeating him while ignoring guys that could mar his perfect record.
The fans of Tank argue that his management are being clever by letting the big fights marginate using the Mayweather-esque formula of letting these match-ups stew for five to six years before finally making them happen. Gervonta is now a ten-year pro, fast approaching 30 years old, and he still hasn’t fought anyone of real quality. It’s become a kind of a joke, and some feel that Showtime’s decision to exit broadcasting boxing events on their network is a result of the non-competitive match-ups by Tank Davis as well as many of the other PBC fighters. There’s nothing wrong with Gervonta Davis fighting those guys if he used them as stay-busy fights because none of them are high-quality. Tank Davis should have fought these fighters:

Vasily Lomachenko

Devin Haney

Shakur Stevenson

Keyshawn Davis

Teofimo Lopez

Frank Martin

William Zepeda

Subriel Matias

Gary Antuanne Russell

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BOXING

Anthony Joshua Could Now Become A Three-Time World Champion In His Next Fight

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Anthony Joshua

Anthony Joshua has always made it clear his goal is to become a three-time heavyweight world champion and his promoter, Eddie Hearn, believes he could achieve that in his next fight.

Joshua first lost his titles in a shock upset to Andy Ruiz Jr back in 2019, but regained them just six months later in the rematch. Oleksandr Usyk then dethroned ‘AJ’ from this WBA, IBF and WBO belts two years later and that time the Brit wasn’t able to get them back as the Ukrainian once again out pointed him in their second meeting.

Since then Joshua has linked up with new trainer Derrick James and has had two victories over Jermaine Franklin and Robert Helenius as he looks to get back into world title contention.

Speaking to Boxing Social about who Joshua might fight next, Hearn said that a recent IBF ruling meant that Filip Hrgovic ‘was the fight’ that made the most sense.

“The news from the IBF changes things a little bit in respect of, basically, the winner of Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk has to fight Filip Hrgovic or they’ll be stripped and they’re not going to.

[Anthony Joshua vs Hrgovic] is the fight. I believe that fight will happen, potentially for the world title, so if it does we have to look at that. We’ve got the Wilder fight, so there is a lot to think about, but that news certainly changes things, the goal is for AJ to become a three time world champion and that would allow us to do that.

The Wilder fight is much bigger, but the Hrgovic fight comes with a world title which will always take priority, but we’ll have to see how it plays out.”

Joshua had been expected to face American, Deontay Wilder, but after an offer from Saudi Arabia’s Skills Challenge Promotions was withdrawn that now looks unlikely to happen anytime soon.

Hearn and his charge will have to overcome one obstacle in Otto Wallin, who recently became IBF number two, leap frogging Joshua with a win over Murat Gassiev.

There has been no official order for Hrgovic – co-promoted by Hearn – to fight the number two challenger, so a fight with Joshua could be potentially made without consideration of Wallin’s position

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BOXING

Floyd Mayweather Naming The “Best Fighter” He Ever Fought In Forgotten Clip Sparks Debate Among Fans

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Floyd Mayweather

Floyd Mayweather Jr. grew up in a famous boxing family and naturally chose to box. He won the Golden Gloves in 1993, 1994, and 1996. Furthermore, he competed in the Olympics and lost a disputed semi-final to Serafim Todorov, earning a bronze medal. In 1996, just before turning 20, he started his professional career by fighting Roberto Apodaca on October 11.

Throughout his career, he remained undisputed. After winning against Andre Berto, ‘Pretty Boy’ announced his retirement. However, he returned to the ring once again in 2017 against Conor McGregor. Furthermore, he won by the tenth round, making his record 50-0. Thus, with a stellar career in boxing, ‘Money’ believes he is even greater than the legendary Muhammad Ali. Where the claim is a moot point, one thing is certain: Mayweather proved his merit. So, when such a boxer brands his “best fighter,” it carries some weight.

In a recently posted video by Daily Shorts Boxing, Mayweather declares that Manny Pacquiao is his best fighter. He said, “The best fighter I ever fought was probably Manny Pacquiao because of his movement. He’s a hell of a fighter, and I can see why he won so many fights. I can also see why he’s going down as a Hall of Famer; it’s just certain moves that he made.” However, this claim hasn’t fared well with fans as his assertion has now sparked a heated debate.

One fan believes that Mayweather didn’t come to fight and that the bout is a blemish on his career. The fan says, “Pacquiao came to fight that night Mayweather didn’t. That fight is the only blemish on Mayweather’s career.”

Another argues that Mayweather was wrong to underestimate Pacquiao. The fan writes, “After all those years he said Manny is not on his level, well he just proved it that he was wrong because Manny’s records say it all. Manny never ducked, ran away, or picked his next opponent. That’s why he’s greater than Floyd Mayweather inside and outside the ring. Manny.”

Additionally, a follower pointed out that Pacquiao fought at less than full strength but still performed well. The follower opines know but you lost on points ..fought you one handed at 90%”

Furthermore, a fan highlighted that Mayweather avoided a rematch, missing out on a significant payday. And that he resorted to tactics like holding and clenching to secure his win. The viewer writes, “We can see why you were holding all night and also clenching and running and we also can see why you dunk the rematch and missed out on a 100 million plus dollars in the bank for a rematch this was a hurt Manny Pacquiao and still did good”

In conclusion, Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s legacy in boxing is undeniable, but it’s not without controversy. His own admission that Manny Pacquiao was his toughest opponent adds a layer of complexity to his career and sparks debate among fans. Whether you agree with Mayweather’s self-ranking or side with fans who question his tactics and choices, the boxer’s impact on the sport is lasting. The debate around his career only amplifies his significance in boxing history.

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BOXING

Martin Brundle ignored by Anthony Joshua in “embarrassing” US GP Sky F1 grid walk gaffe

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anthony joshua

Formula 1 fans labelled the moment Martin Brundle was awkwardly ignored by Anthony Joshua on the United States Grand Prix grid “embarrassing”.

The former heavyweight boxing champion was one of several stars lined up to speak to Sky Sports prior to the start of the race. But when Brundle arrived at his side he was already in deep conversation with an astronaut.

And Joshua was clearly unwilling to cut that conversation short for Brundle. Nevertheless, the experienced broadcaster decided to wait awkwardly at the side of the two of them as they avoided eye contact with him, creating a lengthy period of almost dead air.

“I think he’s seen us,” Brundle said, as he waited patiently, before starting to get the hint and almost moving on. “If not, I think we’re going to chat with Rory McIlroy and can come back,” he added.

The toe-curling exchange prompted a huge reaction from fans on social media who found it difficult to watch. “God, Martin Brundle’s track walks can be embarrassing,” wrote one. Another added: “Move on Brundle. He doesn’t want to talk to you.”

A third pointed out: “Martin Brundle will say, ‘I don’t want to interrupt this conversation’ then will proceed to interrupt said conversation.” And a fourth concurred: “Brundle waiting for Anthony Joshua to finish his conversation is like me when I wait for my mum to stop talking to someone in the supermarket.”

But for some, the awkwardness was what made it such engaging television to watch. “If they ever get rid of the Martin Brundle grid walk I will riot,” declared a fan who clearly took some enjoyment from it.

Eventually, Joshua ended his conversation with the astronaut and turned to Brundle with a wide smile. And the topic of the Alpine F1 team came up, days after the news that the boxer was one of several high-profile sports stars to invest in the team.

“Sport is changing, we’re crossing over and I have a great team that I work with,” said AJ. “Obviously, F1 is massive but, hopefully, Alpine can have direct, committed supporters and fans like myself now, who will be here head-to-toe in Alpine gear.”

At that moment, Joshua pronounced the team name incorrectly, prompting him to correct himself with a laugh. He then continued: “What I’m here to do is raise awareness for the people who don’t know enough about Alpine.”

 

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BOXING

Anthony Joshua Names The Fight He Felt The Most Pain: “I’ll Never Forget That Punch”

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anthony joshua

Anthony Joshua has taken some big licks in his professional boxing career, but one punch stands out to the former heavyweight champion.

From the beating he sustained at the hands of Andy Ruiz Jr, the 24 rounds he shared with pound for pound great Oleksandr Usyk, the war he had against Wladimir Klitschko where he was hurt on numerous occasions and getting clipped by Russian dynamo Alexander Povetkin – ‘AJ’ had been on the receiving end of some heavy leather.

However, in a recent feature with Men’s Health when asked the most pain he ever felt in the ring, he revealed it was a punch he took in his amateur days which was one he will “never forget.”

“I remember a tough fight in 2011, the final of the World Championships against a fighter from Azerbaijan. He had knocked out everyone to get to the final, we had a real fucking tear-up, he was so strong.”

“I was inexperienced, making silly mistakes, and I walked on to one of his punches. Force meeting the force. Boom! I’ll never forget that punch. I lost by one point. So there was emotional pain and physical pain.”

The opponent Joshua is referring to was Azerbaijani amateur stalwart Mahammadrasul Majidov, who actually also turned professional with Eddie Hearn, though did not enjoy nearly the same level of success as the Brit.

If a fight between Joshua and Deontay Wilder ever does materialise, Majidov may be relegated to inflicting the second hardest punch ever landed on ‘AJ,’ so devastating is the power of Wilder.

However, despite assurances all year that the fight is “locked in,” talks appear to be at a complete standstill at the moment.

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BOXING

Months After Devastating Loss Against Gervonta Davis, Oscar De La Hoya Warns Ryan Garcia Of Picking Another ‘Knockout Artist’ As His Opponent

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gervonta tank davis

Ryan Garcia, after getting knocked out in his last fight has now chosen Oscar Duarte as his next opponent. In a highly anticipated bout, two celebrated fighters, Gervonta Davis and Garcia, clashed before a packed audience at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Davis’s win came from a powerful straight left hand to Garcia’s body, causing a delayed reaction and leading Garcia to take a knee.

Duarte has engaged in 28 professional bouts, completing a remarkable total of 129 rounds. His standout feature is an impressive knockout ratio of 80.77%, highlighting his skill in finishing his opponents prematurely. Typically competing in the 135-pound category, Duarte will be moving up to 140 pounds for this particular match. Oscar De La Hoya has expressed concern over such a decision by Garcia. Let us find out what the promoter said.

The knowledge that Garcia had decided to take on another knockout artist surprised De La Hoya. While Garcia recently faced a knockout, for him to take on a boxer who is known for flooring his opponents sound a little concerning. “So Ryan Garcia, his date is in next December. I was pleasantly surprised that he chose Oscar Duarte as his next opponent because getting knocked out by Tank Davis and now fighting a knockout artist is not gonna be an easy task. So, I commend him for that. I respect him for that.”

“I think it is not going to be an easy fight but he is on a mission, he wants to become world champion. He believes he will become world champion. So this is the first step towards that. I wish him all the best in training camp and yeah, let’s give the fans a good fight.” However, the ‘Golden Boy’ believes this will be another step that Garcia takes towards his dream of becoming world champion.

In an ongoing legal struggle for Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, their star boxer, Ryan Garcia, alleged a breach of his contract in June. Garcia claims that the breach of contract occurred due to a failure to uphold exclusivity with DAZN in relation to pay-per-view sales. Mediation between Garcia and Golden Boy is set to commence on October 18. This coincides with efforts to plan Garcia’s return to the ring.

The 24-year-old fighter aims to resolve alleged violations of the promotional agreement, as well as California and federal law, which he claims invalidate the contract. Garcia’s demand letter in June triggered a response from Golden Boy, leading to a lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court of Nevada to enforce their contract with him. Despite the legal dispute, both parties are preparing for Garcia’s potential comeback bout on November 18.

 

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“That’s a Reason a Fight Can’t Be Made”: Ahead of Exiting Sport, Showtime President Gives an Update on Highly Anticipated Rematch Between Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr

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Terence Crawford

Errol Spence Jr., the former unified Welterweight champion, has activated his rematch clause to fight Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford once again. The boxing community eagerly anticipates the rematch, set to occur in the junior Middleweight division at 154 pounds. Specific details about the fight, including the date and location, have not been revealed yet. The first encounter between Crawford and Spence for the undisputed Welterweight title took place in July in Las Vegas after years of anticipation.

Not soon after confirming their exit from boxing, an interview with Sports Showtime president Stephen Espinoza reveals details about the rematch between Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr. There’s more to the sport than meets the eye. He recently shed light on an intriguing aspect of the sport.

Weight classes have long been a defining factor in determining which fighters face off in the ring. In a conversation with Espinoza, he stressed the importance of not using weight as a convenient excuse to avoid specific opponents. Moreover, there are legitimate cases where a significant weight difference makes a match unrealistic. It’s essential to ensure fairness and transparency in this aspect of the sport. “ I mean there are some other parameters that I don’t want to get into, but weight shouldn’t be– if there’s a legitimate difference one guy is legitimately going to 154 and one guy is legitimately staying at 47 then you know that’s a reason a fight can’t be made.”

The dialogue between fighters, promoters, and organizations is crucial in these situations. If two fighters genuinely cannot agree on the weight, that can indeed be a deal-breaker. However, it should not become an excuse for cherry-picking opponents based on personal preferences. That being said, due to Showtime’s exit from boxing, there is still a larger issue at hand, for not only this match but all other future matches.

As these negotiations remain ongoing, Espinoza has previously indicated that the fight dates have been postponed to the next year. This is attributed to ongoing discussions and time constraints. The weight at which fighters decide to compete stands as one of the few scenarios where a bout might not come to fruition. However, Espinoza predicts that a rematch will probably be scheduled for 2024.

However, the exit has made things more uncertain now than ever before. According to the Sports Business Journal, after captivating boxing enthusiasts for 37 years, Showtime is now scaling back its offerings. The brand will bid farewell to the boxing scene by the end of 2023. This surprising announcement was made by Paramount, which has opted to streamline its services and completely part ways with Showtime Sports.

Behind the scenes, discussions, negotiations, and the pursuit of fairness play a vital role in determining who faces off in that squared circle. Stephen Espinoza’s perspective reminds us that in this dynamic world of boxing, maintaining integrity and fairness is key. With the exit set in motion, everything is up for grabs. The PBC is in talks to form an exclusive partnership, allowing their top fighters to appear on pay-per-view events. Negotiations with Amazon Prime and DAZN are ongoing, with DAZN being the preferred choice after Showtime’s exit from boxing. Boxers like Terence Crawford, Ryan Garcia, and even Oscar De la Hoya, are advocating for collective action to transform the sport. Thus focusing on marketing, new audiences, and global expansion.

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