Boxing Wire

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  • Rico Verhoeven Says He Is Bringing Something Oleksandr Usyk Has Never Seen Before

    Rico Verhoeven Says He Is Bringing Something Oleksandr Usyk Has Never Seen Before

    Rico Verhoeven says he is bringing an approach to boxing that Oleksandr Usyk has never faced, as the kickboxing great prepares to challenge the undisputed heavyweight champion Saturday at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.

    Verhoeven spoke at Thursday’s pre-fight press conference, framing his lack of traditional boxing experience as a potential asset.

    “I’m bringing something he hasn’t seen before because he’s only faced boxers. They’ve been boxing their whole life, and I haven’t. It’s just like a whole different approach. Like you said, it’s God’s will, so let’s see on Saturday. Let the best man win.”

    He also addressed the late-career transition from kickboxing to boxing.

    “I was kickboxing since I was 6 years old, and I was 36 when I started transitioning into boxing, it was at the end of last year. Of course, I was boxing, but I was boxing to kickbox. For Peter, it was a lot of fun because he was training me to box and kickbox, but now he’s training me to box, so he’s having a lot of fun. I think we did quite a good job, and I’m going to showcase that to the world on Saturday.”

    Matchroom Boxing CEO Eddie Hearn acknowledged the gap in class while refusing to fully rule out an upset.

    “The fight on paper is an impossible mountain to climb for Rico Verhoeven. No, I’ll re-phrase that: for the normal man. Oleksandr Usyk is one of the greatest not just fighters of our generation, but greatest examples to any young fighter, to any young athlete in terms of the work ethic and the mindset. Tomorrow night, this guy, this giant of a man whose arms are like the normal man’s thighs, has an opportunity to forge one of the greatest upsets in the history of boxing. He’s coming in not just to fight the best in the division; he’s coming in to fight the pound-for-pound No. 1. But I’ll tell you what: If there was ever anything dramatic, ever anything strange to happen, it’s going to happen at the foot of the Pyramids in Egypt.”

    Usyk is listed as a minus-5000 favorite. Verhoeven has one professional boxing bout on his record — a 2014 second-round knockout of Janos Finfera.

  • Paulie Malignaggi Knocked Out By Rolando Dy At Bare Knuckle Boxing Event

    Paulie Malignaggi Knocked Out By Rolando Dy At Bare Knuckle Boxing Event

    Paulie Malignaggi suffered a brutal knockout loss Saturday at a Bare Knuckle Boxing event in Manchester, England, stopped by UFC veteran Rolando Dy in the second round.

    Dy cracked Malignaggi with a right hand that bounced him off the ropes, but the 45-year-old beat the count. Dy immediately pressed forward again, pushing Malignaggi to a knee and forcing a pause in the action.

    The situation did not improve from there, with Dy continuing to apply pressure before landing another right hand that left Malignaggi dazed in the corner. The referee stepped in to stop the fight and prevent further damage.

    It was the sixth knockout loss of Malignaggi’s 25-year fighting career. He entered Saturday with a 1-1 bare-knuckle record, having suffered a memorable loss to Artem Lobov at BKFC 6 in 2019 before returning to defeat Tyler Goodjohn at a BKB event last October. Prior to his bare-knuckle career, Malignaggi held the IBF and WBA boxing titles.

    Dy, meanwhile, has found new life in the bare-knuckle format since transitioning from MMA. Saturday’s win improved him to five wins in six bare-knuckle bouts since debuting in the discipline in 2022.

  • David Haye Has A Strong Response For Anyone Criticising Oleksandr Usyk’s Kickboxer Fight

    David Haye Has A Strong Response For Anyone Criticising Oleksandr Usyk’s Kickboxer Fight

    David Haye says Oleksandr Usyk has earned the right to fight whoever he wants after dominating every major heavyweight of his era, and believes the kickboxing match against Rico Verhoeven is fully justified.

    Speaking to BoxingScene ahead of Usyk’s fight against Verhoeven in Egypt, Haye pushed back on critics who wanted to see Usyk face fresh contenders like Agit Kabayel or Moses Itauma.

    “He’s given the boxing fans everything. He’s given the boxing fraternity and the hardcore purists fight after fight. If you’d have said from the amateur days, from when he’s turned over, what’s the toughest, hardest possible route for this Olympic champion to fight at cruiserweight, the fights he had, one after another, tough guys, he’s fought the very, very best, beat them, got up to heavyweight. Okay, fight AJ, fight Tyson Fury. Okay, fight him again, just in case it was a fluke. Beat them all twice. Now he’s like, ‘Okay, I’ve done it all. I’m going to fight a kickboxer for a load of dough who’s never had a boxing match.’ God bless him.”

    Haye also addressed how Usyk would have matched up against heavyweights from previous eras.

    “Usyk, putting them in there with Holyfield, Tyson, Lennox, he would have hung with the best of them. He would have found a way. He’s shown consistently that he’s beat every man in and around his era. It’s hard not to be a fan of someone who’s done that.”

    Haye suggested only one fight remains for Usyk to complete a legacy-defining run.

    “I think he should fight this kickboxer, then fight Deontay Wilder, because then on paper, he’s beaten every man of the era. And in 50 years, looking back, no one cares that Wilder had a life and death against Dereck Chisora. No one cares. They just see the name brand there.”

  • Ryan Garcia Calls Out Conor Benn For September Fight During Live Stream

    Ryan Garcia Calls Out Conor Benn For September Fight During Live Stream

    Ryan Garcia has suggested his next fight will take place on September 12 in Las Vegas and strongly hinted his opponent will be Conor Benn of England.

    Garcia made the declaration during a live stream with rapper 6ix9ine, stopping short of a formal announcement but leaving little ambiguity.

    “My next fight is September 12. I can’t announce it yet, but there are some people from the UK that need an ass-whooping. The guy I might fight next is from the UK. It’s gonna be in Vegas at T-Mobile. You hear that, Conor Bum? My guy is gonna walk me out. Go get a goofy from England to walk you out.”

    Benn’s manager Keith Connelly confirmed to Boxing News that negotiations between the two camps are ongoing, while stopping short of calling the fight done.

    “We’re in the middle of negotiating, along with some other big fights. I could see it happening, I could see it falling apart, but we’re targeting that fight right now. I think that’s a great fight for both guys. It’ll be a massive fight if it’s over here and it’ll be a massive fight if it’s in Vegas. It’s a sellout wherever it goes. I think we’ll know in the next couple of weeks where we’re headed, but that’s definitely the fight that we want.”

    Garcia, 25-2, won the WBC welterweight title in February by outpointing Mario Barrios over 12 rounds. Benn, who recently signed an extension with Zuffa Boxing, sits first in the WBC’s 147-pound rankings despite not having competed at welterweight since 2022. He last fought in April, outpointing Regis Prograis. September 12 is the same date as Canelo Alvarez’s fight with Christian Mbilli in Riyadh, suggesting Turki Alalshikh may be orchestrating another split international event.

  • Canelo Alvarez Returns September 12 Against Undefeated Fighter In Saudi Arabia

    Canelo Alvarez Returns September 12 Against Undefeated Fighter In Saudi Arabia

    Canelo Alvarez will return to the ring on September 12 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, facing undefeated WBC super middleweight champion Christian Mbilli in what will mark his first fight since losing all four 168-pound titles to Terence Crawford last September.

    Alvarez, 63-3-2, will be coming off nearly a year of inactivity when he steps through the ropes. He had sought a rematch with Crawford, who beat him by unanimous decision, but Crawford has since retired. Alvarez, who turns 36 in July, addressed his motivation heading into the fight.

    “After so many years in this sport, my motivation is still the same: to challenge myself, represent Mexico, and continue building my legacy. Mbilli is undefeated, and a great fighter, and I must respect that. But my focus is always on my preparation, performance, and giving the fans another great night of boxing. On September 12 in Riyadh, we begin a new chapter with the same discipline, ambition, and vision that has carried me throughout my career.”

    Mbilli, 29-0-1 with 24 knockouts, is a former WBC interim champion who was elevated to full champion status when Crawford vacated. The 31-year-old Frenchman, born in Cameroon, last fought to a thrilling 10-round draw with Lester Martinez on the Crawford vs. Canelo undercard in Las Vegas. He was confident ahead of the announcement.

    “My last fight was fight of the year. In September, against Canelo Alvarez, it will be the fight of the decade. And when it is over, the world will witness a historic victory for me.”

  • Brian Norman Sr. Says Jaron Ennis Has Not Earned A Terence Crawford Comparison

    Brian Norman Sr. Says Jaron Ennis Has Not Earned A Terence Crawford Comparison

    Brian Norman Sr. says Jaron Ennis has not earned the right to be mentioned alongside Terence Crawford, arguing his reputation was built on gym stories rather than victories over elite opposition.

    Speaking to MillCity Boxing, Norman Sr. was direct in his assessment of Ennis.

    “I think Boots is a good fighter, but I think he’s no better than anybody else. I do not think he’s a special talent.”

    Norman Sr. questioned the sparring tales that have followed Ennis out of Philadelphia for years.

    “He’s a great gym fighter to me. That whole aura when you in your hometown. Everybody in the gym stop watching like it’s amazing. But guess what? Ain’t nobody getting hurt. Ain’t nobody going to sleep.”

    On the subject of a potential Crawford-Ennis fight, Norman Sr. said Ennis was offered the opportunity and declined.

    “No, because they really did offer the man to fight. He clearly said that we loyal to Espinosa. You talking about a guy who still to this day ain’t fought nobody like that.”

    Norman Sr. acknowledged Ennis’ dominant win over Eimantas Stanionis but framed it as evidence of the problem rather than proof of elite status.

    “Stanionis was his biggest test, and he passed with flying colors. But you talking about a guy that had never been tested.”

    He summarized his position plainly.

    “We haven’t had a chance to even see him show out in front of anybody because he hasn’t been in the ring with anybody of his level.”

  • Oleksandr Usyk Gives A One-Word Answer When Asked To Name The Greatest Boxer Ever

    Oleksandr Usyk Gives A One-Word Answer When Asked To Name The Greatest Boxer Ever

    Oleksandr Usyk has named Muhammad Ali as the greatest fighter of all time.

    Asked by Mail Sport Boxing to identify the GOAT of boxing, Usyk gave a one-word answer: “GOAT” — a reference to Ali.

    Usyk, 39, is widely considered the best heavyweight on the planet today. He became undisputed champion at cruiserweight before repeating the achievement at heavyweight, defeating Tyson Fury twice and earning victories over Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois along the way.

    Ali became a three-time world heavyweight champion and retired with 56 victories from 61 professional fights. He is best remembered for the “Rumble in the Jungle” victory over George Foreman and the “Thrilla in Manila” against Joe Frazier, and won an Olympic gold medal before beginning his professional career.

    Usyk is not alone among modern heavyweights in that view. Mike Tyson has also repeatedly named Ali as the greatest the sport has ever produced.

  • Dana White Fires Back at Roy Jones Jr.’s Criticism of Zuffa Boxing

    Dana White Fires Back at Roy Jones Jr.’s Criticism of Zuffa Boxing

    Dana White has pushed back against criticism from Roy Jones Jr. regarding Zuffa Boxing’s growing influence in the sport, defending the promotion’s approach to fighter treatment at the post-fight press conference following Zuffa Boxing 06 in Las Vegas.

    Jones had questioned in a recent interview whether Zuffa’s long-term presence could alter how boxing historically operates. White addressed the comments directly and dismissed the idea that fighters are being mistreated or politically managed under the Zuffa structure.

    “I don’t know whose ass you got to kiss around here to get fights. Probably got to be Ish or Harrison or somebody. I think that if you asked any of the fighters, they would tell you that we treat them very well, treat them like professional athletes. Any of the interactions that I’ve had through Ish and Harrison has been nothing but respectful.”

    White acknowledged that disruption inevitably generates resistance from established figures within any industry, framing Jones’ criticism as a predictable consequence of what Zuffa is doing.

    “Everybody’s entitled to their opinions. I’m sure when you come into a business and you start to cause disruption, you’re going to ruffle some feathers. It’s going to happen.”

    Zuffa Boxing has built its early identity around matching undefeated fighters against each other earlier than is traditionally common in boxing, and White has been consistent in saying the promotion will not protect fighter records at the expense of meaningful matchmaking. He has also stated that fighters will not face pay cuts or contract changes as a result of losing, a policy designed to differentiate Zuffa from traditional boxing structures.

  • Dana White Explains What Zuffa Boxing is Best At, Promises Bigger Progress Heading Into 2027

    Dana White Explains What Zuffa Boxing is Best At, Promises Bigger Progress Heading Into 2027

    Dana White used the post-fight press conference following Zuffa Boxing 06 in Las Vegas to outline the promotional philosophy driving the company forward, pointing to undefeated fighters facing each other as the clearest expression of what Zuffa Boxing is trying to do differently.

    “When the best fight the best, that’s what everybody wants to see. A great card top to bottom with lots of up-and-coming prospects, lots of undefeated guys fighting undefeated guys.”

    White also addressed a key structural difference between Zuffa and traditional boxing promotions, specifically around what happens to a fighter’s financial standing after a loss.

    “Nobody has to worry about being cut or their money being changed with a loss. That’s how it works.”

    He also signaled that the first several months of Zuffa Boxing should be understood as a foundation-building period rather than the finished product, pointing toward 2027 as the window when the promotion’s work will be most visible.

    “Judge us by our body of work as we head into ’27. They’re only going to get better.”

    Zuffa Boxing launched in January and has signed a growing roster including Conor Benn, Jai Opetaia, Edgar Berlanga, Richardson Hitchins, and Chris Billiam-Smith. Reports linking Shakur Stevenson and Devin Haney to the promotion are adding further momentum to a company that has staged six events across its first four months of operation.

  • Jake Paul Says His Boxing Career Could Be Over After Jaw Injury

    Jake Paul Says His Boxing Career Could Be Over After Jaw Injury

    Jake Paul has raised the possibility that his boxing career could be finished following the jaw injury sustained in his knockout loss to Anthony Joshua last December, telling Ariel Helwani on The Ariel Helwani Show that he is awaiting medical scans before any clearer picture can emerge.

    Paul was knocked down twice in the fifth round and stopped in the sixth by Joshua in Miami in their Netflix main event. He subsequently shared images of his swollen jaw on social media and has been managing the injury since.

    “I’m getting some new scans in a couple of days, of the jaw, to get an update on the healing process. We’ll see what the doctors say. I think I’ll be able to get a more accurate time-frame, or can I even fight again? That is definitely in the realm of possibility. It does feel a lot better as the weeks go by, but I definitely need to get cleared to be able to spar. I think it just depends on how the bone heals, and then there’s a tooth missing that I’m pretty sure I’m going to have to get an implant of some sort.”

    Paul co-founded Most Valuable Promotions alongside Nakisa Bidarian and has been focused on the promotional side of the business during his recovery, with MVP MMA 1 headlined by Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano on Netflix this Saturday serving as the promotion’s next major event. Whether his fighting career resumes will depend on the results of the upcoming scans and the advice of his medical team.