boxing Archives - Page 58 of 69

Roy Jones Jr has given a current fighter an accolade not many receive – a comparison to one of the most feared and infamous men to ever lace up in Mike Tyson.

‘Iron’ Mike was undisputed heavyweight champion in his heyday, a subsequent prison stint interfering with his prime years thereafter. When he was firing on all cylinders, fans would be hard pushed to find a more ferocious and determined power puncher.

His legacy in the sport is not only one of title achievement, but worldwide notoriety and a different level of fame. It’s a blueprint many today try and follow, but few, if any, have been able.

Speaking to Sporting Post about the most entertaining current fighters, Jones Jr – himself a former heavyweight champion – looked to the lightweight division and highlighted Gervonta Davis as a modern-day Mike.

“Devin Haney and Shakur Stevenson are entertaining but Tank is the most entertaining guy because he has that Mike Tyson level of entertainment, he’s very powerful and anything can happen at any time, inside or outside the ring. Tank is a modern day Mike Tyson.”

‘Tank’ certainly has the power to strike fear into an opponent, with 27 of his 29 wins coming via knockout. His most recent victory – a seventh round body shot stoppage of Ryan Garcia – has propelled his fame to new heights.

Unfortunately for him, another comparison with Tyson is that he recently served jail time, although it was months rather than years and he is now prepping for a ring return.

Jones went on to include welterweight Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis and heavyweight Tyson Fury in his list of the most entertaining fighters alongside Davis, Devin Haney and Shakur Stevenson.

“Haney and Shakur are both really top level boxers and I like Jaron Ennis, those are my top four right now as far as the entertainment factor goes. You’re getting something when they box and with Jaron you’re going to get that old Roy Jones flavour too. Tyson Fury is another guy that gives you that.”

Davis is expected back out towards the end of the year, perhaps in a rematch with Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz. As for Jones and Tyson, the two faced off back in 2020 – an exhibition done right in the minds of boxing fans

BOXING

Hearn: Joshua will knock out both Wilder and Fury

Eddie Hearn said in an interview with talkSPORT that the fight Anthony Joshua With Deontay Wilder can still take place. If the deal with Saudi Arabia does not materialize, it could be moved to March or April in Las Vegas or Wembley. Hearn added that AJ could fight another opponent in December, while Wilder is eyeing a fight in November.

JUST IN:Boxing star Anthony Joshua reveals what he ‘got’ from meeting Verstappen

“I’m Anthony Joshua’s No. 1 fan. In my head — call me crazy — but he’ll knock out Deontay Wilder and then he’ll knock out Tyson Fury and become the undisputed heavyweight champion and then we’ll sail off into the sunset together. Call me crazy, I don’t care what you call me, I believe in it and I’m clear about it,” added Eddie Hearn.

BOXING

WWE SmackDown Results: Winners, Live Grades, Reaction and Highlights from Sept. 8

One week after her return, Charlotte Flair teamed with Shotzi Friday night on SmackDown to battle Damage CTRL’s Bayley and WWE Women’s Champion Iyo Sky in tag team action.

The women’s division showdown was one of three matches announced ahead of time for the Fox broadcast, which also included a blockbuster main event pitting AJ Styles and Jimmy, and a rare blue brand appearance from Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions The Judgment Day.

What went down, who emerged victoriously and what did it mean for a brand building toward its Fastlane premium live event?

Announced in advance of Friday’s show were:

- AJ Styles vs. Jimmy Uso
- The Brawling Brutes (Butch and Ridge Holland) vs. The Judgment Day (Damian Priest and Finn Balor)
- Shotzi and Charlotte Flair vs. Bayley and Iyo Sky

Shotzi and Charlotte Flair kicked off Friday’s episode of SmackDown with a big win over Bayley and Iyo Sky that enhanced the former’s recent push.

It was the post-match staredown between Sky and the returning Asuka, who taunted The Goddess of the Sky with her own WWE Women’s Championship, that was the bigger story of the segment.

The Empress of Tomorrow lost the title at SummerSlam to Bianca Belair, who turned around and dropped it Sky by way of a Money in the Bank cash-in. Asuka never received a contractually obligated rematch and if the confrontation this week is any indication, that is likely to change.

Especially considering Sky issued a formal challenge to Asuka in a backstage promo after the match.

It was nice to see Shotzi score the pin and build on her win from last week, with a win in a solid tag team opener, and the added element of Asuka meant this segment carried more gravity than it otherwise may have.

Result

Shotzi and Flair defeated Bayley and Sky

Grade

C+

Top Moments and Takeaways

- Graves asked what Shotzi would do to build on her momentum following her victory over Bayley last week. Ironically enough, fans have asked what WWE Creative is going to do to build on her momentum on a few different occasions since her main roster call-up.
- Sky intercepted Shotzi, blocking her from making the tag to her partner. Instead of pulling her into the heels’ corner, she left her there, walked across the ring, and tagged in Bayley. Drag her over and make her work to get back to the ring instead of creating obvious logic gaps.
- Asuka appeared at the conclusion of the match, distracting Sky and holding the WWE Women’s Championship. Shotzi took advantage, flattening Bayley for the win.
- In an attempt to get in Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman’s good graces, Jimmy Uso attacked AJ Styles in a backstage segment.

LA Knight vs. Austin Theory

3 OF 6

Credit: WWE.com

A verbal back and forth between LA Knight, Austin Theory, and Grayson Waller gave way to a match between the latter two, which ended with the hottest star in professional wrestling scoring the win with Blunt Force Trauma and leaving the heels dismayed.

A good, solid pro wrestling match, it served its purpose of putting Knight over and introducing two new foils for him to spar with in the coming weeks.

Theory and Waller are great as mates and putting them opposite Knight will only help intensify the incredible popularity of The Megastar and in the process, earn them more heat and television time.

Result

Knight defeated Theory

Grade

B

Top Moments and Takeaways

- “Soak all this in, enjoy your 15 minutes of fame because when I’m done with you, The Miz ain’t gonna waste his time,” Theory told Knight.
- Theory and Waller have great on-screen chemistry and are going to be a hell of a fun heel act to watch in the coming weeks and months if the powers that be opt to keep them together.
- Backstage, Knight interrupted Paul Heyman talking business with Adam Pearce. After receiving another match with The Miz on next week’s show, he was told by Heyman to make sure he knocks next time. “Yeah,” he said, toned down and deadly serious.

Butch and Ridge Holland vs. Damian Priest and Finn Balor

4 OF 6

Credit: WWE.com

The Judgment Day sought to continue its takeover of WWE, expanding to SmackDown where they battled Butch and Ridge Holland of The Brawling Brutes.

Priest and Balor earned the win, defeating their very game opponents decisively and fairly.

Midway through the match, cameras panned backstage, where Pretty Deadly watched Holland and Butch compete, their first appearance since Elton Prince was injured in a match with the babyfaces a few months back.

That feud is likely to resume once Prince is cleared for action. One we may not have to wait for, though, is Judgment Day vs. the rebooted Hurt Business.

Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits hit the ring after the match and warned the tag champions that it will be him and his teammates that dominate, not Judgment Day. In terms of a high-profile feud that helps Lashley, Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins build momentum as a trio, there are far worse options to pain them with than the uber-over Judgment Day.

Great stuff with the tease of an upcoming program that fans can get excited about and anticipatory for.

Result

Balor and Priest defeated Butch and Holland

Grade

B+

Top Moments and Takeaways

- The crowd in Boston was so loudly booing Mysterio at one point that they drowned him out.
- Cole put over Butch’s performance in the NXT Global Heritage Cup, calling his match with Axiom the best of the tournament.
- Pretty Deadly made their return to SmackDown TV, watching the match from the back to the delight of Corey Graves, insinuating that the feud between them and the Brawling Brutes is not over.
- “You’re right: The Bloodline is crumbling, but it’s not the Judgment Day that’s gonna be taking over. It’s gonna be us,” Lashley warned.

AJ Styles vs. Jimmy Uso

5 OF 6

Credit: WWE.com

Jimmy Uso cannot get out of his own way.

After expressing his desire to rejoin the Bloodline and promising to prove himself, he proceeded to lose to AJ Styles in Friday’s main event, succumbing to a Phenomenal Forearm as the former WWE champion earned a hard-fought victory.

While that thread will be a prominent one in the coming weeks, so too will be a burgeoning faction war between The Bloodline and The Judgment Day, as teased twice on the show.

After Styles’ victory, Damian Priest and Finn Balor attacked him, then offered him up on a silver platter for Solo Sikoa, who laid The Phenomenal One out to close out the show.

Could WWE be heading toward Priest, Balor, Dominik Mysterio, and Rhea Ripley battling The Bloodline? Or is it a thinly veiled cover for Priest ultimately cashing in on Roman Reigns?

Whatever the case, it was an intriguing way to end Friday’s show and one that should create some buzz among fans interested in what happens next.

Result

B

Grade

Styles defeated Uso

Top Moments and Takeaways

- Heyman and Solo Sikoa emerged from the backstage area, an interesting development since the former told Uso earlier in the night that his younger brother would not be there.
- Uso wore his “We The Ones,” shirt, reiterating his desire to rejoin The Bloodline, something he communicated to Heyman earlier in the show.
- Styles wiped out Sikoa at ringside, threatened Heyman and sent Uso into the ring post. Moments later, he delivered the Phenomenal Forearm for the win.
- After the match, Judgment Day attacked Styles and rolled him into the ring, offering him up to Sikoa, who leveled The Phenomenal One to close out the show.

Overall Grade

6 OF 6

Friday’s show was an in-ring heavy episode, with three matches getting multiple segments of television time. All three of those matches were good-to-very-good, making the most of their minutes.

Throw in some key storyline developments and teases of new feuds, including your first look at LA Knight vs. The Bloodline, and you have a show that one the surface looked rather lethargic but may very well have sowed the seeds for programs that will carry the company into the new year and the all-important WrestleMania season.

Grade: B+

B/R Recommends

Top Moments and Takeaways

- Graves asked what Shotzi would do to build on her momentum following her victory over Bayley last week. Ironically enough, fans have asked what WWE Creative is going to do to build on her momentum on a few different occasions since her main roster call-up.
- Sky intercepted Shotzi, blocking her from making the tag to her partner. Instead of pulling her into the heels’ corner, she left her there, walked across the ring, and tagged in Bayley. Drag her over and make her work to get back to the ring instead of creating obvious logic gaps.
- Asuka appeared at the conclusion of the match, distracting Sky and holding the WWE Women’s Championship. Shotzi took advantage, flattening Bayley for the win.
- In an attempt to get in Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman’s good graces, Jimmy Uso attacked AJ Styles in a backstage segment.

A verbal back and forth between LA Knight, Austin Theory, and Grayson Waller gave way to a match between the latter two, which ended with the hottest star in professional wrestling scoring the win with Blunt Force Trauma and leaving the heels dismayed.

A good, solid pro wrestling match, it served its purpose of putting Knight over and introducing two new foils for him to spar with in the coming weeks.

Theory and Waller are great as mates and putting them opposite Knight will only help intensify the incredible popularity of The Megastar and in the process, earn them more heat and television time.

Result

Knight defeated Theory

Grade

B

Top Moments and Takeaways

- “Soak all this in, enjoy your 15 minutes of fame because when I’m done with you, The Miz ain’t gonna waste his time,” Theory told Knight.
- Theory and Waller have great on-screen chemistry and are going to be a hell of a fun heel act to watch in the coming weeks and months if the powers that be opt to keep them together.
- Backstage, Knight interrupted Paul Heyman talking business with Adam Pearce. After receiving another match with The Miz on next week’s show, he was told by Heyman to make sure he knocks next time. “Yeah,” he said, toned down and deadly serious.

Butch and Ridge Holland vs. Damian Priest and Finn Balor

The Judgment Day sought to continue its takeover of WWE, expanding to SmackDown where they battled Butch and Ridge Holland of The Brawling Brutes.

Priest and Balor earned the win, defeating their very game opponents decisively and fairly.

Midway through the match, cameras panned backstage, where Pretty Deadly watched Holland and Butch compete, their first appearance since Elton Prince was injured in a match with the babyfaces a few months back.

That feud is likely to resume once Prince is cleared for action. One we may not have to wait for, though, is Judgment Day vs. the rebooted Hurt Business.

Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits hit the ring after the match and warned the tag champions that it will be him and his teammates that dominate, not Judgment Day. In terms of a high-profile feud that helps Lashley, Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins build momentum as a trio, there are far worse options to pain them with than the uber-over Judgment Day.

Great stuff with the tease of an upcoming program that fans can get excited about and anticipatory for.

Result

Balor and Priest defeated Butch and Holland

Grade

B+

Top Moments and Takeaways

- The crowd in Boston was so loudly booing Mysterio at one point that they drowned him out.
- Cole put over Butch’s performance in the NXT Global Heritage Cup, calling his match with Axiom the best of the tournament.
- Pretty Deadly made their return to SmackDown TV, watching the match from the back to the delight of Corey Graves, insinuating that the feud between them and the Brawling Brutes is not over.
- “You’re right: The Bloodline is crumbling, but it’s not the Judgment Day that’s gonna be taking over. It’s gonna be us,” Lashley warned.

AJ Styles vs. Jimmy Uso

Jimmy Uso cannot get out of his own way.

After expressing his desire to rejoin the Bloodline and promising to prove himself, he proceeded to lose to AJ Styles in Friday’s main event, succumbing to a Phenomenal Forearm as the former WWE champion earned a hard-fought victory.

While that thread will be a prominent one in the coming weeks, so too will be a burgeoning faction war between The Bloodline and The Judgment Day, as teased twice on the show.

After Styles’ victory, Damian Priest and Finn Balor attacked him, then offered him up on a silver platter for Solo Sikoa, who laid The Phenomenal One out to close out the show.

Could WWE be heading toward Priest, Balor, Dominik Mysterio, and Rhea Ripley battling The Bloodline? Or is it a thinly veiled cover for Priest ultimately cashing in on Roman Reigns?

Whatever the case, it was an intriguing way to end Friday’s show and one that should create some buzz among fans interested in what happens next.

Result

B

Grade

Styles defeated Uso

Top Moments and Takeaways

- Heyman and Solo Sikoa emerged from the backstage area, an interesting development since the former told Uso earlier in the night that his younger brother would not be there.
- Uso wore his “We The Ones,” shirt, reiterating his desire to rejoin The Bloodline, something he communicated to Heyman earlier in the show.
- Styles wiped out Sikoa at ringside, threatened Heyman and sent Uso into the ring post. Moments later, he delivered the Phenomenal Forearm for the win.
- After the match, Judgment Day attacked Styles and rolled him into the ring, offering him up to Sikoa, who leveled The Phenomenal One to close out the show.

Overall Grade

Friday’s show was an in-ring heavy episode, with three matches getting multiple segments of television time. All three of those matches were good-to-very-good, making the most of their minutes.

Throw in some key storyline developments and teases of new feuds, including your first look at LA Knight vs. The Bloodline, and you have a show that one the surface looked rather lethargic but may very well have sowed the seeds for programs that will carry the company into the new year and the all-important WrestleMania season.

Grade: B+

BOXING

Deontay Wilder Trainer Malik Scott on Snags in Joshua Fight Talks: ‘It’s a Real Frustrating Situation’

Trainer Malik Scott isn’t too pleased by the scuttlebutt concerning his top charge, former heavyweight titlist Deontay Wilder.

Earlier this week, promoter Eddie Hearn seemingly pumped the brakes on a potential fight in Saudi Arabia early next year between his client, Anthony Joshua, and Wilder, despite the fact that both sides are in agreement. Hearn blamed the sudden hitch on the turbulence of the business climate in Saudi Arabia and suggested the fight could even take place outside of that country.

“Politically, it sounds like there’s a lot going on,” Hearn told Boxing King Media. “It doesn’t just have to happen in Saudi Arabia. There are now other talks about other countries that it could take place in. …There is a movement of management and ownership of boxing in Saudi and it’s up to them what they want to do. If they don’t do Joshua-Wilder maybe it goes somewhere else.”

When asked to respond to Hearn’s claims, Scott expressed his dismay with the situation.

“It’s a real frustrating frustration, because to me, out of everybody, Deontay is the one, as far as activity, is the one that misses out,” Scott told ESNews. “It’s a lot of promises, but it seems the promises are being broken a little bit. But we’ll see.”

Wilder (43-2-1, 42 KOs) has not fought since starching Robert Helenius in one round in October of last year. That was Wilder’s first fight in 12 months since his 11th-round stoppage loss to Tyson Fury in the third fight of their trilogy. It was presumed he would fight Andy Ruiz earlier this spring but talks for that fight broke down over the purse.

Meanwhile, Joshua (26-3, 23 KOs) has fought twice this year—a unanimous decision over Jermaine Franklin in April and a seventh-round knockout of Helenius last month—and has expressed his desire for a third fight in a single calendar year.

BOXING

WWE’s Liv Morgan Debuts Bold New Look As Rumors Swirl Around Her Injury Status

The WWE still has quite a few upcoming live events for fans to buzz about in 2023, and the fact that there’s no shortage of main-roster talent has made the major injuries of top stars less noticeable all around. At the same time, it’s hard not to feel the absence when a top champion is taken down at their peak, which is precisely what happened to Liv Morgan. As rumors hint at how long fans can expect her to be out of the ring, the superstar showcased a bold new look on social media.

Ahead of the big reveal, Liv Morgan hinted that she drastically changed her hair recently, posting only a chunk of her hair that was chopped off and laying on the floor. The former women’s champion finally showed off her new look on her Instagram Stories, which features a much shorter hairstyle than what she rocked the time she last held the tag-team titles:

Overall, Liv Morgan looks a lot different in this photo. No doubt that the considerable length of hair she’s missing is a factor, as is the fact that she’s wearing glasses and a monochromatic color scheme. But it’s a fresh and stylish cut that fans no doubt want to see her flipping around in the squared circle.

Liv Morgan, who recently went viral for meeting up with her “twin” Margot Robbie, gave her followers another peek at her hair, with the second photo confirming the new haircut is above shoulder-length. It’s a big departure from her previous long-haired style

Liv Morgan will join Rhea Ripley as another short-haired women’s superstar in the WWE, assuming it hasn’t mostly grown back before she returns. Right now, Morgan is on the sidelines after being written off television with a shoulder injury. In the context of WWE storylines, Ripley “injured” Morgan’s arm by using a chair in the ring, and the latter hasn’t been seen since.

In reality, Morgan injured herself before the attack from Ripley, and according to Wrestling Observer Newsletter, there is a possibility that she’ll require surgery to repair whatever is injured. If surgery is necessary, it’s likely going to mean a lengthy absence for Morgan that could maybe even keep her away from the WWE for the rest of the year. It all depends on what type of surgery is needed, as well as the recovery time. Which all falls back on this being trustworthy information to begin with.

WWE fans will remember that there was a belief only months ago that Liv Morgan suffered a significant injury, but then returned soon after it appeared things weren’t as severe as originally thought. We still don’t know at this time if Morgan’s injury is something entirely new, or it’s possible she reaggravated whatever sidelined her in the first place.

In any case, it would appear she’s out of the women’s title picture for the time being, though primed for a big return in the future. Liv Morgan could make a surprise return ahead of WrestleMania 40 and challenge Rhea Ripley. Assuming she still has the title, that would be a match I could see booked for the two-night event. Of course, it would require a healthy Morgan to return ahead of Mania, and we still don’t know when she’ll return.

For now, anyone can catch Liv Morgan’s greatest hits in the WWE with a Peacock Premium subscription. Here’s hoping for a speedy and full recovery on her end, and that we’ll get to see a new era of “short-hair Liv” in the WWE.

BOXING

Anthony Joshua finally AGREES terms with Deontay Wilder for heavyweight superfight… but there’s still one massive catch

ANTHONY JOSHUA has apparently agreed terms for the overdue Deontay Wilder showdown.

But the heavyweight stars have nobody to host the fight.

Promoter Eddie Hearn has been promising 33-year-old London 2012 legend AJ will finally face the Bronze Bomber for an eternity.

But the Saudi Arabia team Hearn worked with for AJ’s rematches with Andy Ruiz Jr and Oleksandr Usyk has suddenly vanished from the sport.

Now the Matchroom boss claims all the details have been agreed upon.

But he admits he’s struggling to find a site to stump up the giant fee required and time is running out.

He said: “We’ve agreed the money. We’ve agreed everything.

“We’re waiting on the official contract but we won’t wait forever.”

Hearn reckons Joshua could fight again this year, regardless of whether Wilder is his opponent or not.

“If it can’t be made, he wants to stay active. If he fights in December, that’ll be three fights in eight months which is incredible for him.

“People keep saying he should have one more fight and then fight Wilder, but we don’t think so. If it ends up that way, so be it and nothing would surprise me.

“If he fights in December, if he fights Deontay Wilder, if he fights Tyson Fury next – nothing would surprise me.

“There’s Filip Hrgovic and there’s Andy Ruiz Jr, but it probably won’t take place in this country.

“He’s had two now on the spin at The O2 Arena, so maybe we go to Madison Square Garden, somewhere in the Middle East. It’s just about activity for him.”

BOXING

WWE Rumors on CM Punk’s Possible Return, Liv Morgan’s Injury and Zoey Stark Backstage

Top Stars Don’t Want CM Punk in WWE

In the wake of his firing from All Elite Wrestling, CM Punk’s future in the sport has been a hot topic of discussion.

While there has been talk of him possibly going back to WWE, it doesn’t sound like too many people in the company are high on the idea.

Per Mike Johnson of PW Insider (h/t Felix Upton of Ringside News), some of the top stars in WWE were “adamantly against the idea” of Punk coming in and “didn’t believe it could happen” anyway.

Johnson did note there were some who viewed the opportunity to bring in Punk as a “chance to make big money,” including one top-tier superstar who was all for the idea but knows it’s not their call.

On the latest episode of The Hall of Fame podcast (starts at :50 mark), Booker T gave a resounding “no” when asked if he thought Punk would return to WWE:

“No, I don’t think so at all. I don’t see that happening. Go back and look at some of CM Punk’s quotes about WWE over the last seven-eight years. Nothing, man, nothing nothing positive. And my think was I always said, you never know when you might want to cross that bridge again. You just never know. And to think that that might be the company you’re gonna stay at forever, that’s kinda like wishful thinking.”

Punk hasn’t wrestled for WWE since walking out of the company after the 2014 Royal Rumble. When he debuted for AEW in August 2021, his first promo saw him address at least some of the reasons why he left wrestling seven years earlier.

“I understand, if you all try to understand that I was never gonna get healthy physically, mentally, spiritually, or emotionally, staying in the same place that got me sick in the first place,” he said.

The former WWE champion has had some contact with the company in recent years. He appeared on FS1’s WWE Backstage show in 2019 and was backstage before an episode of Raw in Chicago on April 24.

AEW president Tony Khan announced Punk’s contract had been terminated with cause following an investigation into an incident with Jack Perry that occurred backstage at All In on Aug. 27.

This was the second high-profile incident Punk was involved in over the past 12 months. He was in a physical altercation with Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks in the locker room at All Out 2022 after talking about issues he had with some of AEW’s executive vice presidents, a group that includes Omega and the Bucks.

Punk was off television for nine months following the backstage brawl. He was also recovering from a torn triceps that was suffered in his match with Jon Moxley in the main event of the pay-per-view.

Upon returning this summer, Punk had been positioned as the top star on Collision when the show debuted on June 17. His final match in AEW was a victory over Samoa Joe at All In to retain the “real world championship.”

Latest on Liv Morgan’s Injury

Liv Morgan could be getting closer to making her in-ring return after being sidelined since June due to a shoulder injury.

Per Johnson (h/t Upton), she is expected to meet with doctors next week for a follow-up exam in Birmingham, Alabama.

While this doesn’t provide a specific timeline for her comeback, it’s a sign that things are at least progressing for the 29-year-old.

Morgan hasn’t been seen since being attacked by Rhea Ripley before a scheduled match between the two on the July 24 episode of Raw.

The Australian used a steel chair to attack her opponent’s left arm in a way to write her off television.

Morgan previously said on the UpUpDownDown YouTube show (h/t Nick Tylwalk of Wrestling Junkie) on June 3 she had a “torn shoulder.” She didn’t wrestle for six weeks from May 12 through June 24.

As a result of the injury, she and Raquel Rodriguez vacated the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship. They defeated Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler to regain the titles at Money in the Bank when The Queen of Spades turned on her partner.

On the July 17 episode of Raw, Morgan and Rodriguez lost the titles to Chelsea Green and Sonya Deville. Morgan’s left arm was noticeably in a brace and wrapped during the match.

When Morgan does make her return, it will be a huge boost to the women’s division on Raw. She can be a top star on her own as a potential challenger to Ripley or as part of a duo to help add depth to a what is currently a very weak women’s tag team division.

BOXING

Fury: I’m Named After [Mike Tyson] And Now I’m In The Opposite Corner From Him, It’s Crazy

Tyson Fury had to laugh at the irony. The unbeaten two-time and reigning lineal heavyweight champion has taken great pride in his having been named after former undisputed champ Mike Tyson. So, it came as a bit of a shock when he learned that his next fight would come with the Hall of Fame legend working the corner of his opponent, former UFC heavyweight king and pro boxing debutant Francis Ngannou.

“He thinks he’s in a dream? F——’ hell, I’m in a dream,” Fury laughed of the situation during Thursday’s official press conference to announce their October 28 crossover bout in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. “I’m named after the guy and now I’m in the opposite corner from him. It’s crazy.”

England’s Fury (33-0-1, 24KOs) will enter the ring without his WBC title at stake versus Ngannou. Their scheduled ten-round heavyweight contest will air live on TNT Sport Box Office in the U.K. and on ESPN+ Pay-Per-View in the U.S.

JUST IN:Mike Tyson: McGregor Went 10 With Mayweather, Why Can’t Ngannou Give Fury a Capable Fight?

The event has already attracted a lot of attention for a variety of reasons. Added to the storyline was the revelation that Mike Tyson has taken the lead in preparing Ngannou’s transition from the octagon to the boxing ring.

The union has been four years in the making, as revealed during the presser by Ngannou, a Cameroon-born boxer who now lives and trains in Las Vegas.

“It’s actually hurtful. I’m about to cry my eyes out,” joked Fury. “If I knew it was personal and not business, I would take it seriously. But this is strictly business. Mike Tyson is doing a job for Francis. He’s a boxing trainer now, fair play to him.

“It’s surreal for me. Imagine as a baby you’re named after Mike Tyson. Then that baby goes on to become world heavyweight champion. Then, that heavyweight champion goes and fights somebody else and the guy you’re named after is training the guy.”

BOXING

Two-Weight Champion Vows To ‘Expose’ Gervonta Davis: “The World Thinks He’s A Killer”

Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis has built a reputation in the sport of boxing as one of the most feared punchers and efficient operators.

The Baltimore native has 27 knockouts from 29 wins, the latest of which was a career-best over Ryan Garcia.

The seventh round body shot stoppage cemented ‘Tank’s status as one of boxing’s megastars, and further proved his worth at the very top level.

His undefeated record is under fire from lightweight rival, Shakur Stevenson, though. The 26-year-old from Newark recently branded a fight with Davis as the biggest out there for him.

Earlier this year, he vowed to ‘expose’ Davis, believing beating him over the distance would ‘mess with his heart.’

“He fighting pay-per-view knocking these dudes out. That don’t take away the fact that I can beat this dude. That dude get to feeling himself and feeling like he’s something that he not. To the world he look like a killer, but I can’t wait – I’m gonna expose him, I promise you. Watch.

I’m gonna be the person that expose him. I’m gonna be the person he go in there and he not gonna knock out. He gotta go twelve rounds with somebody beating him. He ain’t gonna like that s**t. That gonna mess with his heart, f**k with his head. Watch.”

A fight between the two 135lbers is high on the lists of boxing fans, but won’t be happening this year.

Stevenson is set to fight for the vacant WBC title in November against fellow undefeated southpaw, Frank Martin, whilst Davis eyes a ring return a little later, potentially against Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz.

BOXING

Door closes forever on Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao II

By sportnow September 9, 2023

Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao will never fight again after calls for a rematch lasted seven years after their first meeting.

No longer are business investors ready to fork out multi-million dollar figures to both men for a repeat of their world-record-holding first bout.

Although they are both legends of the sport, the time for MayPac 2 has since passed.

Mayweather has confirmed his desire to return to the sport in the New Year. However, Pacquiao is focused on other plans. There’s no intention on either side to reignite the feud.

Exhibitions have been touted, including a possible MMA crossover, over the years. For Mayweather, the Pacquiao fight is the one that remains the most lucrative. That’s why the reports and suggestions have lasted this long.

Last posting on the matter earlier this year, it’s clear Pacquiao remains in the thoughts of Mayweather. As does the American with Pacquiao.

Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao II

Fan demand is undoubtedly still there. But the likes of Showtime and FOX PPV would no longer see the notion of ‘MayPac 2’ – even in exhibition form, as viable for the PPV platform once again.

The first bout sold 4.6m. Despite eight years passing, a figure still at the very top of the sport.

Taking home career-high purses, Mayweather and Pacquiao didn’t manage to give the closure most supporters wanted. That’s given they waited half a decade for the clash to get over the line.

A shoulder injury suffered by Pacquiao put a dampener on proceedings. This ailment was made even sourer by a later dip in form for the Filipino.

Since then, Pacquiao has made a triumphant return to the top of the sport. Wins over Adrien Broner and Keith Thurman saw Pacquiao become one of the top stars at 147 pounds again in 2019.

He even managed to break another record by becoming world champion at 40. However, a loss to Yordenis Ugas two years ago proved his last act.

Mayweather no longer has to risk his 50-0 legacy in his mid-40s. He can firmly put Pacquiao at the back of his mind.

Everybody knows that Mayweather vs Pacquiao 2 sells in whatever capacity it happens. It doesn’t seem enticing enough for Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.

Fans will have to continue to wonder whether Pacquiao could have gotten his revenge as both legends look elsewhere for challenges following the end of their pro careers.