Boxing Wire

Category: Article

  • Dana White Fires Back At ‘Bum’ Eddie Hearn After Latest Comments

    Dana White Fires Back At ‘Bum’ Eddie Hearn After Latest Comments

    The Dana White and Eddie Hearn promotional rivalry has taken another sharp turn, with Hearn delivering a lengthy attack on White at his Liverpool show while White responded with his now-familiar dismissal on the other side of the Atlantic.

    White originally floated the idea of a boxing match between the two promoters in what began as a lighthearted exchange, but Hearn has since pursued the concept with enthusiasm and growing frustration at what he sees as White backing away from a fight he called for.

    Speaking after his show at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, Hearn went directly at White and challenged him to follow through.

    “The only thing that can stop the fight happening is Dana White,” Hearn said. “So really, the truth of the matter is, he’s backing out of the fight that he called on. So who’s the p—e now? Where’s your balls gone? You can’t keep calling me a p—e when you call me out for a fight, and I accept the fight, and then you go, ‘Oh, no, no, we’re bums, it would go on earlier in the night.’ What the f— is that? We would main event and sell out a massive stadium. Do you not think we’d sell out The O2? Do you not think we’d do over a million buys globally?”

    Hearn added that he has been daydreaming about the fight in considerable detail. “In bed every night I’ve picked my ring walk, I’ve actually designed my robe. But, like I said, it’ll probably just be fantasy because unfortunately, Dana White backed out of the fight.”

    Hours later at the UFC Winnipeg press conference, White was asked about the situation and repeated his standard framing of the two men as unworthy of a real fight card.

    “Eddie said that me and him are the biggest fight in boxing. Therein lies the problem with boxing. You’re a f—ing bum, I’m old, and we don’t even deserve to be on a card with a bunch of real fighters,” White said.

    The two promoters are currently running competing boxing and MMA operations, with White’s Zuffa Boxing signing high-profile names while Hearn continues to operate Matchroom Boxing as one of the sport’s most established promotional outfits.

  • Manny Pacquiao Finalizes Team Boxing League Franchise Ownership

    Manny Pacquiao Finalizes Team Boxing League Franchise Ownership

    Manny Pacquiao has officially finalized his ownership stake in the Team Boxing League, signing a deal that makes him and Manny Pacquiao Promotions part of the ownership group for the San Diego TJ’s franchise.

    The announcement, made on April 13, formalizes a relationship first revealed in February when Pacquiao was named TBL’s league ambassador for the 2026 season. That initial agreement outlined a phased entry: ambassador role in 2026, followed by ownership and active competition beginning in 2027.

    The partnership is described as a nine-figure commitment focused on long-term growth and global expansion of the league’s team-based model.

    “This is not just about fighting anymore,” Pacquiao said. “This is a new chapter in my life. I have accomplished everything I wanted in boxing, and now I want to build something bigger than myself.”

    What Is Team Boxing League?

    TBL operates 12 city-based franchises across major U.S. markets. The format features male and female boxers competing in single-round bouts across multiple weight classes, with results tallied on a team scoring system. State-licensed judges score each round, and the cumulative totals determine the winning team.

    The league launched in 2023 and opened its 2026 season (Season 4) in March. The San Diego TJ’s are an expansion franchise that will begin competition in 2027 as part of a broader global expansion.

    For Pacquiao, 47, the format offers a path to stay active without enduring traditional 12-round fights. He plans to serve as the team’s captain and compete as a fighter through at least 2029, with a stated goal of boxing until he turns 50.

    Pacquiao’s Role Beyond the Ring

    Through Manny Pacquiao Promotions, Pacquiao will also help expand TBL internationally, using his global reach to attract new audiences and partnerships across sports, media, and entertainment.

    “This isn’t just Manny coming back to fight, this is Manny building an empire around boxing,” said Jas Mathur, CEO of Manny Pacquiao Promotions.

    TBL CEO Kevin Cassidy framed the signing as validation of the league’s model. “Bringing in a global icon like Manny Pacquiao as an owner validates our vision of transforming boxing into a true league model,” Cassidy said.

    The announcement comes at a busy time for Pacquiao, who is also pushing for his September rematch with Floyd Mayweather to be sanctioned as a professional bout. That fight, set for the Sphere in Las Vegas, has been the subject of back-and-forth between the two camps over whether it will be an exhibition or a sanctioned contest.

    San Diego’s large Filipino-American population makes the franchise a natural fit for Pacquiao. The city is home to over 200,000 residents of Filipino heritage, and Mayor Todd Gloria is the first Filipino-American mayor of a major U.S. city.

  • Richardson Hitchins, Edgar Berlanga Sign Multi-Fight Deals With Zuffa Boxing

    Richardson Hitchins, Edgar Berlanga Sign Multi-Fight Deals With Zuffa Boxing

    IBF junior welterweight champion Richardson Hitchins (20-0, 8 KOs) and super middleweight contender Edgar Berlanga (23-2, 18 KOs) have signed multi-fight promotional deals with Zuffa Boxing. ESPN Both fighters are expected to make their promotional debuts this summer. Yahoo Sports

    Both fighters are managed by Keith Connolly, who also brokered Conor Benn’s move from Matchroom to Zuffa earlier this year. Boxing Insider

    “This is a major step forward in my career,” Hitchins said in a statement. “With Zuffa Boxing in my corner, I’m going to show the world that I am a pound-for-pound, generational fighter.”

    Born and raised in Brooklyn, Hitchins captured his first world title in 2024 with a victory over then-unbeaten Liam Paro in Puerto Rico. Before turning pro, he represented Haiti in the 2016 Summer Olympics. Sky Sports His most recent outing was a dominant eighth-round stoppage of George Kambosos Jr. last June. ESPN

    Zuffa recognizes eight weight classes and the 140-pound division isn’t among them, meaning Hitchins will likely need to vacate his IBF belt and move up to welterweight. The Ring Hitchins is also on the clock to defend his title against mandatory challenger Lindolfo Delgado, leaving Zuffa to either negotiate with Top Rank or risk a purse bid. Bad Left Hook

    Berlanga, meanwhile, arrives as a free agent. He has not fought since a fifth-round stoppage loss to Hamzah Sheeraz in July 2025, a result that followed his decision defeat to Canelo Alvarez the previous September. Boxing Insider The 28-year-old Brooklyn native said Zuffa is “changing the game” and called the move the start of “a special journey.”

    Zuffa’s language about reclaiming contender status signals the promotion intends to build Berlanga back through activity rather than throw him immediately into another world-level fight. Boxing Insider

    Both fighters will appear at a live Q&A with Zuffa Boxing’s Max Kellerman ahead of the UFC 327 weigh-ins at the Kaseya Center in Miami at 4 PM ET on Friday, April 10. The Ring

  • Tyson Fury vs. Arslanbek Makhmudov Preview: Fights, How to Watch

    Tyson Fury vs. Arslanbek Makhmudov Preview: Fights, How to Watch

    Tyson Fury ends his fifth retirement on Saturday, April 11, stepping into a sold-out Tottenham Hotspur Stadium against one of the most dangerous knockout artists in the heavyweight division. Arslanbek Makhmudov has finished 19 of his 21 opponents. This is not a tuneup.

    What to know:

    • Main Event: Tyson Fury vs. Arslanbek Makhmudov, heavyweight, 12 rounds
    • Co-Main: Conor Benn vs. Regis Prograis, 150-pound catchweight
    • How to Watch: Netflix, included with all standard plans — no pay-per-view cost
    • Stakes: Fury says a loss means immediate retirement. His career hangs on a 16-month comeback.

    The Fight

    Fury carries a 34-2-1 record (24 KOs) into this one, but the losses matter. Both defeats came against Oleksandr Usyk in 2024, the second by unanimous decision in December. That back-to-back slide ended his reign as a two-time heavyweight world champion and prompted what he called his final retirement. It lasted about a year. A family holiday to Thailand in December turned into a training camp, which turned into a signed contract. As Fury put it to Sky Sports: “I had zero intentions of making a comeback when I came here in December, none, I was happily retired. And then the sunshine, a bit of training and one thing led to another.”

    Makhmudov is no soft return. The 36-year-old Dagestani stands 6-foot-6 and carries a 90 percent stoppage rate — 13 of those 19 knockouts came in the first round. He stopped four straight opponents in 2023 before running into Agit Kabayel and Guido Vianello in back-to-back TKO losses. Since then, he has rebuilt steadily, winning the WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Dave Allen in October 2025. He enters this fight as the WBA’s No. 5-ranked heavyweight.

    The stylistic contrast is sharp. Fury’s entire career has been built on evasion, distance management, and breaking pressure fighters down over 12 rounds. Makhmudov works the opposite way — forward, constant, punishing. He needs to land early and often before Fury settles in. If this fight reaches the championship rounds, the edge shifts significantly to the returning champion.

    The wild card is the 16-month layoff. Fury trained in Thailand, focused on recapturing the elusive footwork of his younger years rather than the power-punching style he drifted into during his later fights. He also made the unusual decision to enter camp without a traditional corner trainer. At the press conference in February, Fury predicted a right-hand KO in round six and physically tickled Makhmudov at the face-off. The Gypsy King is clearly motivated. Whether his reflexes and chin hold up after more than a year away is a different question.

    Fury has been direct about what a loss means. “If he beats me, then it’s curtains,” he told The Ring. “There’s no other fights after that. I’m done.” He has outlined a three-fight plan for 2026 that leads to Anthony Joshua, but that only works if he gets through Saturday. Fury has spoken openly about concerns over his own decline, and the rift with his father John — who refuses to attend the fight and has been vocal about wanting Tyson to stop — adds another layer to an already complicated comeback narrative.

    Makhmudov, for his part, is under no illusions about what he’s walking into. Speaking to The Guardian, he called Fury “a legend, one of the best heavyweights in history” but added: “I don’t know how I will beat him, but of course I believe I will win.”

    Full Fight Card

    MatchDivision / Title
    Tyson Fury vs. Arslanbek MakhmudovHeavyweight (12 rounds)
    Conor Benn vs. Regis Prograis150-pound catchweight
    Jeamie Tshikeva vs. Richard RiakporheBritish Heavyweight Title
    Frazer Clarke vs. Justis HuniHeavyweight
    Troy Williamson vs. Simon ZachenhuberSuper Middleweight
    Felix Cash vs. Liam O’HareMiddleweight
    Elliot Whale vs. Tom HillHeavyweight
    Hector Avila Lozano vs. Sultan AlmohammedSuper Featherweight
    Mikie Tallon vs. Cristopher RiosBantamweight
    Breyon Gorham vs. Eduard GeorgievHeavyweight

    How to Watch

    • Date/Time: Saturday, April 11, 2026 — Main card 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT / 7 p.m. BST
    • Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, England
    • Streaming: Netflix (worldwide) — included in all standard plans, no PPV cost

    Don’t Miss BoxingWire Coverage

    Stay tuned to BoxingWire.com for live results, round-by-round updates, and post-fight analysis from Fury vs. Makhmudov.

  • Tyson Fury Fears Career Decline After Watching Wilder-Chisora Fight

    Tyson Fury Fears Career Decline After Watching Wilder-Chisora Fight

    Tyson Fury has admitted that watching Deontay Wilder and Derek Chisora fight last weekend left him questioning whether he is on the same trajectory as the two aging heavyweights.

    Speaking on the Inside Ring Show ahead of his return to the ring Saturday night against Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, Fury was honest about the doubts the performance stirred in him.

    “After watching Deontay and Chisora the other night fight, it was hard to watch for me,” Fury said. “It was sad, it was heartbreaking. And I’d never seen two men slide as much as them two in my life.” The performance prompted an immediate and personal reaction. “I’m thinking, ‘Am I f—ing next? Is this me?’ So I said to the boys, ‘If I’m even 10 percent as bad as those guys in my fight, take me out to the field and shoot me.’”

    Fury has not fought since dropping back-to-back decisions to Oleksandr Usyk in December 2024. Saturday’s fight against Makhmudov will mark 16 months out of the ring, a long layoff that Fury acknowledged carries its own complications at this stage of his career.

    “By the time the fight comes around on Saturday, I’ll have been out of the ring 16 months,” he said. “At 37 years old, 16 months is a long time. So I have a little bit of stuff to do and to think about in my own mind, and see how I am.”

    Beyond Saturday, a long-discussed fight with Anthony Joshua remains on the horizon. Reports have suggested Fury vs. Joshua could be finalized for Croke Park in Dublin this September, though promoter Eddie Hearn has stated the fight is not yet confirmed, with Joshua’s team continuing to weigh options, including a potential summer bout with Turki Alalshikh. 

  • Tommy Fury Urged Brother Tyson to Retire Ahead of Comeback

    Tommy Fury Urged Brother Tyson to Retire Ahead of Comeback

    Tommy Fury has revealed that the Fury family is unified in its concern over Tyson continuing to box, even as the former heavyweight champion prepares to return to the ring Saturday night against Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.

    Speaking to Bloody Elbow, Tommy was honest about the family’s private feelings while still backing his brother to get the job done.

    “I think if you asked any one of his family do we want to see him keeping boxing the answer would have been an all around ‘no,’” Tommy said. “That’s all the way around the board because we care about his health. Obviously, you guys are fight fans, you love to see him in the ring because he brings that entertainment. But we think of his health and everything like that so listen, he’s decided to keep fighting, it’s Tyson who is a fighting man who loves to do so. But I guess time will tell and I think he definitely still has it in him because he wouldn’t be getting in that ring if he knew he didn’t.”

    Despite those reservations, Tommy expressed confidence in Tyson’s ability to handle Makhmudov, while acknowledging that the Russian presents a genuine threat. “I think it’s going to be a great fight,” Tommy said. “I think he probably could have picked an easier fight to come back against.

    He’s massive, he’s a man mountain with a knockout ratio and power and he’s been in some big fights before. The thing is, Tyson just needs to stay switched on this Saturday, box how he knows he can box and he’ll get the job done. If he does that, I don’t see the fight going past eight or ten rounds. If he boxes like I know he can Makhmudov is getting stopped late on.”

    Saturday’s fight, which streams live on Netflix, marks Tyson’s return after losing back-to-back decisions to Oleksandr Usyk in December 2024. He will have been out of the ring for 16 months by fight night.

  • Deontay Wilder vs Derek Chisora Referee Avoids Sanctions

    Deontay Wilder vs Derek Chisora Referee Avoids Sanctions

    Referee Mark Bates will face no disciplinary action from the British Boxing Board of Control following his widely criticized performance during Deontay Wilder’s split decision victory over Derek Chisora at The O2 Arena in London on Saturday night.

    The board confirmed today that it will not pursue sanctions against Bates or any other officials connected to the event, despite the backlash that followed the heavyweight bout.

    Wilder had called for Bates to be banned from refereeing after what he described as repeated failures to protect him throughout the fight. Speaking to the media, the former world champion said he was struck in the back of the head between 10 and 12 times without any intervention from the referee.

    The controversy began in the opening round when Bates allowed Chisora’s coach to enter the ring, an incident that set the tone for what followed. The eighth round brought further scrutiny when Wilder scored a knockdown, only for a trainer to be seen propping up the retiring heavyweight, who also used the ropes to assist his return to his feet.

    In the aftermath of that sequence, it was Wilder who had a point deducted. The decision led to a strong reaction on social media, particularly from fans from the US who felt the officiating was weighted heavily in favor of the home fighter.

    Wilder revealed after the fight that he deliberately eased off on Chisora in the later rounds to avoid inflicting permanent damage following the knockdown, a decision that may have contributed to the bout going the distance. He secured the split decision victory but declined to announce his retirement from boxing in the aftermath.

  • Darren Till Leaves Misfits Boxing, Teases Major Announcement

    Darren Till Leaves Misfits Boxing, Teases Major Announcement

    Darren Till has departed Misfits Boxing after a successful run in the influencer boxing promotion. The former UFC welterweight title challenger announced the split on Instagram, confirming he and the promotion parted on amicable terms.

    Till went 3-0 during his time with Misfits, capturing the promotion’s championship along the way. His victories came against Luke Rockhold, Anthony Taylor, and Darren Stewart over a 12-month span.

    “I’ve got a very big announcement to make: I’ve parted ways with Misfits on really good terms,” Till said in his Instagram post. “I’m thankful for the 12 months I had with them and the three fights I had [where] I became champion. As I said, on extremely good terms. I’ve got nothing but love for Misfits and the owners and promoters, and all of the people who work behind the scenes.”

    The Liverpool native added that it was “time to try my hand in something else.”

    What’s Next for Till

    Till found success in the influencer boxing scene following his UFC release, but did not reveal his next move. He teased that a major announcement would be coming within days.

    “Not a lot of people wanted to fight me,” Till explained. “It was getting really hard to get fights, so in the next few days, I’m going to have a massive announcement. Some massive news. I’m sure you’re all going to be excited to see what I’m going to announce.”

    Despite the departure, Till left the door open for a potential return to Misfits Boxing. “I just want to say thanks again to Misfits. Thanks to everyone involved, and I’ll probably be back there soon as well. This is not the end of it with Misfits.”

  • Derek Chisora Comes In Significantly Heavier Than Deontay Wilder

    Derek Chisora Comes In Significantly Heavier Than Deontay Wilder

    Derek Chisora will carry a significant weight advantage into his Saturday showdown with Deontay Wilder. At Friday’s weigh-ins for their 12-round main event at The O2 Arena in London, Chisora tipped the scales at 266.7 pounds while Wilder came in at 226.4 pounds.

    The 40-pound weight difference is not unusual for Wilder, who has consistently competed on the smaller side of the heavyweight division. The former WBC champion gave up similar weight disadvantages in his trilogy of fights with Tyson Fury.

    Chisora Wears Fury Mask During Face-Off

    After weighing in, Chisora appeared wearing a Tyson Fury mask during the final face-off, prompting a lighthearted exchange between the two fighters. “Hilarious,” Wilder said of the mask. “I ain’t know it was Halloween.”

    “I just wanted to put it on, because I know he’s got PTSD with Tyson Fury, and that’s the game of boxing,” Chisora said. “There’s crazy mind games.”

    Both Fighters Ready for 50th Career Bout

    Despite the pre-fight theatrics, both fighters remained respectful during their final interview. The bout marks the 50th professional fight for both men and is billed as Chisora’s retirement fight.

    “I think all of you know what time it is,” Chisora said. “When I strap up the boots, when I strap up the gloves, I go in there, there’s only one thing: F*ck it, let’s go! So, there’s no point in trying to sugarcoat it, and A, and B, and C. I know for a fact this is going to be an amazing fight between me and this man right here.”

    Wilder emphasized his focus heading into the fight. “I had a lot of things going on. But this time around? There’s nothing,” Wilder said. “All the way around.”

    Full Weigh-In Results

    Deontay Wilder (226.4) vs. Derek Chisora (266.7)

    Mateusz Masternak (199) vs. Viddal Riley (198.3), EBU European Cruiserweight Title Fight

    Denzel Bentley (159.6) vs. Endry Saavedra (159.7), Interim WBO Middleweight Title Fight

    Matty Harris (249.2) vs. Franklin Ignatius (237.4)

    Amir Anderson (159.5) vs. Jordan Dujon (162.9)

    Ashton Sylve (143) vs. Raul Antonio Galaviz Hernandez (144)

    Jermaine Dhilwayo (126.9) vs. Jake Morgan (126.2)

    Dan Toward (155) vs. Misael Da Veiga (151.8)

    Tom Welland (131.5) vs. Alexander Morales (128.8)

    The Wilder vs. Chisora card streams live on DAZN pay-per-view on Saturday.

  • Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua’s Venue and Date Revealed

    Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua’s Venue and Date Revealed

    Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua have reportedly agreed to fight in Dublin this fall, according to veteran promoter Kalle Sauerland. The heavyweight clash will take place in Ireland rather than the UK, US, or Saudi Arabia.

    Sauerland revealed the news during a press conference for Derek Chisora vs Deontay Wilder on Wednesday. The two former heavyweight champions have fought on multiple occasions before, including in 2021, when they held every belt in the division.

    Promoter Confirms September-October Timeframe

    Speaking with IFL TV, Sauerland stated, “I think Fury-AJ is done for the Autumn in Dublin.” When pressed for details, he added: “That’s what I’ve heard, done for Dublin in I think September/October.”

    The promoter acknowledged he may have revealed information prematurely. “Have I put my foot in it? That’s what I’ve heard, word on the street,” Sauerland said when asked if the news was public.

    Croke Park Expected to Host Mega-Event

    The fight is expected to take place at Croke Park, which has a capacity of 82,300. There have been active talks to have Katie Taylor finish her career at the stadium around the same timeframe.

    Fury has ties to Ireland as a member of the traveling community and a former Irish heavyweight champion. Frank Warren has previously teased a potential collaboration with Eddie Hearn to stage a major event in the Irish capital.

    Sauerland also revealed that the winner of Saturday’s Chisora vs Wilder fight will face Oleksandr Usyk next. Joshua is scheduled to attend the event alongside Hearn.