Category: News

The highly anticipated exhibition fight between boxing legends Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather has reportedly locked in a date and location. According to sources who spoke with renowned boxing insider Mike Coppinger of Ring Magazine, the bout is tentatively scheduled for April 25, 2026, in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Fight Details

The exhibition match will mark the first time these two all-time greats have faced each other in the ring. Event organizers CSI Sports/Fight Sports first announced the bout in September 2025, with an initial target of spring 2026. After months of speculation about the venue, it now appears the Democratic Republic of Congo has been selected to host what Tyson has called “one of the biggest events in the history of sports”.​

Historic African Venue

Neither Tyson nor Mayweather has previously boxed in Africa, making this a historic occasion for both fighters. The location carries significant symbolism, as it’s where Muhammad Ali—one of Tyson’s heroes—delivered his legendary upset victory over George Foreman in the iconic “Rumble in the Jungle” in 1974. Tyson first confirmed the African location during an “Experience with Mike Tyson” event in December 2025, stating the fight would “break all the records”.

Recent Confirmation

After a period of minimal updates that left fans questioning whether the matchup would materialize, Tyson reaffirmed the fight’s status in an interview with TMZ Sports earlier this week, confirming the bout remains on track. Tyson, 59, last fought in November 2024 against Jake Paul, while Mayweather, 49, last competed in an exhibition rematch with John Gotti III in June 2024.

Zuffa Boxing 03 results are coming in live from Meta APEX in Las Vegas as the third event from Dana White’s boxing promotion features an interesting heavyweight contest.

TKO Group-backed boxing league brings another night of fights, headlined by a heavyweight battle featuring knockout artist Efe Ajagba and former IBF champion Charles Martin.

Joe Tessitore calls the action alongside analysts Max Kellerman and Andre Ward.

How to Watch Zuffa Boxing 03

• Date: Sunday, February 15, 2026
• Venue: Meta APEX, Las Vegas, Nevada
• Streaming: Paramount+ (exclusive)
• Prelims: 6 PM ET / 3 PM PT
• Main Card: 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT

Zuffa Boxing 03 Results

Preliminary Card (Paramount+, 6 PM ET)

Lightweight – Dariial Kuchmenov (9-0) vs. Jorge Lagunas (18-7)

Result: Dariial Kuchmenov def. Jorge Lagunas via TKO (Rd. 4, 1:32)

Featherweight – Emiliano Alvarado (9-0) vs. Devin Gantt (5-2)

Result: Emiliano Alvarado def. Devin Gantt via TKO (Rd. 4, 1:24)

Lightweight – Oswaldo Molina (8-0) vs. Joshua Clark (9-1)

Result: Oswaldo Molina def. Joshua Clark via unanimous decision (60-54 x3)

Middleweight – Antonio Woods (14-1) vs. Mark Beuke (12-3)

Result: Mark Beuke def. Antonio Woods via split decision (77-75 x2, 75-77)

Lightweight – Leonardo Ruiz (16-1) vs. Casey Streeter (15-2-2)

Result: Leonardo Ruiz def. Casey Streeter via TKO (Rd. 4, 1:23)

Main Card (Paramount+, 9 PM ET)

Lightweight – Abel Mejia (10-0) vs. Jaybrio Pe Benito (6-0)

Result: Jaybrio Pe Benito def. Abel Mejia via TKO (Rd. 3, 0:48)

Light Heavyweight – Umar Dzambekov (13-0) vs. Ahmed Elbiali (24-1)

Result: Umar Dzambekov def. Ahmed Elbiali via KO (Rd. 2, 0:57)

Heavyweight – Efe Ajagba (20-1-1) vs. Charles Martin (30-4-1)

Result: Efe Ajagba def. Charles Martin via TKO (Rd. 4, 1:11)

Eddie Hearn has criticized Dana White’s introduction of the Zuffa Boxing World Cruiserweight Championship, calling it the “cringiest shit” he’s ever seen. The Matchroom Boxing boss questioned the legitimacy of a promotional championship belt in an interview with iFL TV.

The Zuffa Boxing World Cruiserweight Championship will be contested between Jai Opetaia (29-0, 23 KOs), the IBF and Ring cruiserweight champion, and Brandon Glanton (21-3, 18 KOs) on March 8 at Zuffa Boxing 04. The IBF and Ring belts are not on the line for Opetaia vs. Glanton. The event will take place at Meta APEX in Las Vegas and will be available on Paramount+. Opetaia signed with Zuffa Boxing last month and is making his U.S. debut.

Hearn’s Critique of Zuffa Boxing

Hearn mocked the idea of a promotional championship belt, questioning its validity compared to established boxing titles. He stated,

“That is the cringiest shit I’ve ever seen. You know I would never do that, but I was just laughing because I was reading about, whenever it is, Jai Opetaia fighting Brandon Glanton for the Zuffa championship of the world, and I was thinking, ‘Do you know what? I could just do that.’ That would be quite amusing. Why don’t we do an iFL one as well?”

Zuffa Boxing does not recognize sanctioning bodies but acknowledges The Ring rankings; Glanton is No. 10 in The Ring cruiserweight rankings.

Dana White confirmed via livestream that, “Whoever wins this fight will be our first world champion.”

Amanda Serrano sharply criticized Jake Paul on February 9, 2026, after he labeled Bad Bunny a “fake American citizen” for his Super Bowl halftime performance in Santa Clara, California, and accused him of “hating America.”

The exchange unfolded on X, where Paul (who resides in Puerto Rico and benefits from Act 60 tax incentives), took aim at the Puerto Rican superstar’s show.

Serrano, a top fighter signed to Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions, defended Bad Bunny and Puerto Rican identity in response. Serrano acknowledged Paul’s role in elevating her career but drew a firm line on cultural disrespect.

“Puerto Ricans are not ‘fake Americans.’ We are citizens who have contributed to this country in every field, from military service to sports, business, science, and the arts, and our identity and citizenship deserve respect.”

This is not Paul’s only “Patriotic” dust up this week – he’s also among a group of fighters who slammed the US Olympian Skiiers Over ICE Comments.

Jake Paul’s About Face

Update: On Monday morning, Paul issued the following statement on X, walking back some of his spicy commentary from the weekend.

Conor McGregor praised Andrei Arlovski as a “hero” after the 47-year-old became BKFC heavyweight champion at KnuckleMania VI on Saturday night.

The BKFC co-owner took to his Instagram story to celebrate what he called the greatest night in bare-knuckle boxing history, with a record-breaking crowd of more than 18,000 fans packing the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.

Arlovski Delivers Emotional Post-Fight Speech

Arlovski defeated Ben Rothwell via third-round TKO in the main event to become a two-sport world champion — having previously held the UFC heavyweight title two decades ago.

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The victory was remarkable enough on its own, but Arlovski’s post-fight speech elevated the moment. The Belarusian, who has survived cancer three times, aimed a powerful message at anyone currently fighting the disease.

“Guys, people who are in the battle right now with the f—ing cancer, don’t f—ing give up,” Arlovski said. “I’m a great f—ing example. Three times cancer survivor. Keep f—ing fight. Life is beautiful.”

McGregor Pays Tribute on Instagram

McGregor reacted directly on his Instagram story, calling Arlovski a “hero” and celebrating the accomplishment. As BKFC’s most prominent co-owner, McGregor has been instrumental in elevating the promotion’s profile, and KnuckleMania VI delivered the company’s biggest event to date.

The record-setting crowd of 18,000 at the Xfinity Mobile Arena underscored how far bare-knuckle boxing has come under McGregor’s watch.

Arlovski’s Remarkable Late-Career Renaissance

At 47, Arlovski continues to defy expectations. The former UFC champion transitioned to bare-knuckle competition and immediately captured championship gold, adding another chapter to one of combat sports’ most inspirational careers.

With KnuckleMania VI setting attendance records and McGregor publicly championing its fighters, BKFC’s momentum heading into the rest of 2026 has never been stronger.

Anthony Joshua had a humorous response when Islam Makhachev invited him to train in Dagestan — he’d come for weeks, not years.

The two-time unified heavyweight boxing champion attended PFL’s event in Dubai on Saturday night and headed backstage to meet the Nurmagomedov team ahead of Usman Nurmagomedov’s successful title defense.

Joshua Meets Islam Makhachev Backstage

Joshua spent time in the Nurmagomedov dressing room, where an all-star corner had assembled for Usman’s fight. Khabib Nurmagomedov headed up proceedings alongside coach Javier Mendez, while Usman’s brother Umar and the legendary Makhachev filled out the team.

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The boxing star appeared particularly keen to meet with Makhachev, pulling out his phone to show the two-weight UFC champion something. After their exchange, Makhachev told Joshua he “should come” to Dagestan.

Joshua then referenced the popular “2-3 years Dagestan” meme — commonly used online when someone is told they need to toughen up by training in the Russian republic.

Joshua’s Compromise Draws Big Laughs

Rather than committing to the meme’s infamous two-to-three-year exile, Joshua countered with a more practical offer: two to three weeks. The joke drew a big laugh from everyone in the room.

The moment was captured on video and shared across PFL’s social media channels, quickly going viral among combat sports fans who enjoyed seeing the crossover between boxing and MMA royalty.

Joshua, who currently lives in Dubai, also sat next to PFL women’s flyweight champion Dakota Ditcheva throughout the event and met with new PFL CEO John Martin. The former heavyweight boxing champion has been increasingly visible at MMA events in recent months.

Usman Nurmagomedov Retains PFL Belt

The main event saw Usman Nurmagomedov choke out Alfie Davis in the third round to retain his PFL lightweight title. The Dagestan connection in combat sports continues to grow, with the Nurmagomedov team producing champions across multiple organizations.

Whether Joshua actually follows through on a Dagestan training trip remains to be seen — but the two-to-three-week compromise may have been enough to earn him an open invitation.

KnuckleMania VI marked a pivotal night for Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, returning its flagship show to Philadelphia just as the promotion is hitting a new popularity peak. Billed as BKFC’s biggest card of the year, the event packed the Xfinity Mobile Arena and was positioned as a showcase for bare-knuckle’s rapid rise from niche curiosity to a regular player in the combat-sports calendar.

In the main event, longtime UFC veterans Ben Rothwell and Andrei Arlovski brought decades of heavyweight name value into a brutal BKFC title fight that was framed as one of the most important matchups in the company’s short history. The promotion doubled down on exposure by making the entire card free to watch on its own app and YouTube, a strategic move BKFC president David Feldman has pushed for as a way to grow the fanbase at a time when traditional pay-per-view pricing is under pressure across combat sports.

Combined with a 13-fight lineup that mixed established champions, ex-UFC names and cult favorites like Charles “Felony” Bennett, KnuckleMania VI was designed to feel less like a routine show and more like BKFC’s annual statement that it belongs in the same conversation as the biggest nights in MMA and boxing.

Main Card Results

Andrei Arlovski def. Ben Rothwell via TKO (doctor stoppage), Round 3, 1:14 – wins BKFC heavyweight title

Lorenzo Hunt def. David Mundell via KO, Round 4, 0:29

John Garbarino def. Kaine Tomlinson Jr. via TKO, Round 5, 0:49

Ben Bonner def. Tony Soto via unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 49-46)

Patrick Brady def. Bear Hill via unanimous decision (50-42, 50-41, 49-43)

Jade Masson-Wong def. Crystal Pittman via unanimous decision (50-45 x3)

Mike Richman def. Joe Elmore via majority decision (47-47, 48-46, 49-45)

Undercard Results

Charles Bennett def. Pat Sullivan via TKO, Round 2, 1:56

Cody Russell def. Harrison Aiken via KO, Round 2, 1:16

Zedekiah Montanez def. Brandon Meyer via KO, Round 2, 1:59

Lex Ludlow def. Zachary Calmus via unanimous decision (30-26 x3)

Prince Nyseam (Nyseam McCain) def. Brett Shoenfelt via unanimous decision (30-25 x3)

Joshua Oxendine def. Travis Thompson via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

There’s been a ton of boxing news over the past several days, here’s a roundup of the stop stories we’re watching:

WBC Strips Shakur Stevenson of Lightweight Title

The WBC officially declared its lightweight title vacant on Wednesday, just four days after Shakur Stevenson dominated Teofimo Lopez to capture the WBO super lightweight crown at Madison Square Garden. The sanctioning body cited its rules against fighters holding WBC titles while simultaneously reigning as champion in another weight class with a different organization.

Stevenson fired back on social media, calling the WBC “crooks” and alleging they demanded a $100,000 sanctioning fee despite having no involvement in the Lopez fight. He also drew a connection to the WBC’s recent stripping of close friend Terence Crawford’s super middleweight title over a similar fee dispute. The WBC’s interim lightweight champion is Jadier Herrera, with William Zepeda ranked as the No. 1 contender.

Fundora vs. Thurman Officially Rescheduled for March 28

Premier Boxing Champions confirmed that WBC super welterweight champion Sebastian Fundora will defend his title against former unified welterweight champion Keith Thurman on March 28 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The bout will headline a PBC on Prime Video pay-per-view card.

The fight was originally scheduled for October 25, 2025, but was postponed after Fundora suffered a hand injury during training camp. A press conference was held Wednesday at Avalon Hollywood in Los Angeles, where both fighters exchanged words. Thurman, 37, embraced what he called a “gatekeeper” role, while Fundora, 28, remained focused on business as usual. Tickets went on public sale today.

Arrest Warrant Issued for Gervonta Davis in Baltimore

A Baltimore judge issued an arrest warrant on Monday for Gervonta “Tank” Davis after ruling that the boxer violated his probation. The warrant, issued by Circuit Judge Althea M. Handy, stems from Davis’ 2020 hit-and-run case in Baltimore that injured four people. Davis, 31, had been sentenced to 90 days of house arrest, three years of probation, and 200 hours of community service.

The probation violation ruling comes just one week after Davis was arrested in Miami on charges of battery, false imprisonment, and attempted kidnapping related to an alleged October 2025 incident involving his ex-girlfriend. Davis’ attorney has filed a motion to recall the warrant and request GPS monitoring instead. Davis has also been stripped of his WBA lightweight title and designated a “champion in recess.”

Zuffa Boxing Plans to Expand Beyond 13 Events in 2026

Dana White announced that Zuffa Boxing will hold more events in 2026 than the originally planned 13 cards. Speaking at the Zuffa Boxing 02 post-fight press conference, White said the promotion is “further ahead” than expected after its first two events. IBF and Ring Magazine cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia is set to headline the fourth Zuffa Boxing card on March 8 at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas, marking the Australian’s U.S. debut.

Nick Ball Defends WBA Featherweight Title Against Figueroa Saturday

Undefeated WBA featherweight champion Nick Ball (23-0-1) will make the fourth defense of his title against former two-division world champion Brandon Figueroa (26-2-1) this Saturday, February 7, at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool. The fight will stream live on DAZN. Ball enters as a strong favorite in front of his hometown crowd, while Figueroa looks to reclaim world title status after losing his WBC featherweight belt to Stephen Fulton in a February 2025 rematch.

Wilder vs. Chisora Confirmed for April 4 in London

Deontay Wilder and Derek Chisora officially announced their heavyweight showdown for April 4 at the O2 Arena in London following a face-to-face in Times Square. The fight will be the 50th professional bout for both men and is expected to serve as Chisora’s retirement fight. Wilder, 40, is looking to build momentum toward a potential world title run, while the 42-year-old Chisora rides a three-fight winning streak. The bout will air on DAZN.

Manny Pacquiao Promotions Partners with Team Boxing League

Manny Pacquiao Promotions announced an agreement with the Team Boxing League (TBL) on Wednesday. Under the deal, Pacquiao will serve as League Ambassador for the 2026 TBL season, with plans to join the ownership group of the San Diego TJ’s expansion franchise beginning in 2027. Pacquiao is also expected to serve as Team Captain and active competitor in future seasons as TBL continues to expand its team-based professional boxing platform.

WBC February Rankings: Dalton Smith Named Boxer of the Month

The WBC released its updated world rankings for February 2026, naming British fighter Dalton Smith as Boxer of the Month following his super lightweight championship victory over Subriel Matias. Notably, the WBC also confirmed Christian Mbilli as the undisputed WBC super middleweight champion following Terence Crawford’s retirement and belt vacating in December.

Stay with MMANews.com for complete coverage of all these developing stories.

Paramount has locked in a five-year broadcast agreement with Zuffa Boxing that will see the media giant pay around $100 million per year to air the upstart combat sports promotion, according to recent reports. The deal, which began in January 2026, makes Paramount+ the exclusive streaming home for Zuffa Boxing across the United States, Canada, and Latin America.

Paramount Secures Zuffa Boxing Rights in Five-Year Deal Worth $100 Million Annually

The arrangement calls for 12 to 13 fight cards annually during the initial rollout, with plans to expand programming in subsequent years. Select events may also be simulcast on CBS and other Paramount-owned platforms, giving the promotion access to linear broadcast audiences. The agreement runs through 2030 and represents a significant financial commitment to an unproven entity that had not hosted a single event when the deal was announced in September 2025.

Zuffa Boxing is a joint venture between TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of both UFC and WWE, and Sela, a Saudi Arabian entertainment conglomerate owned by the country’s Public Investment Fund. The promotion is led by UFC president Dana White, WWE president Nick Khan, and Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority. TKO holds a 40 percent stake in the venture while Sela controls the remaining 60 percent.

For its role as managing partner, TKO receives a $10 million annual fee to handle day-to-day operations and promotional oversight. TKO president Mark Shapiro characterized the arrangement as “low risk” during an investor earnings call, noting that the company has “no funding obligation” beyond operational management. The structure allows TKO to collect management fees while the Saudi partners provide the capital backing for fighter purses and event production.

The $100 million annual payment from Paramount works out to roughly $7.7 million per event based on the 12-card schedule. This figure stands in stark contrast to Paramount’s separate deal with UFC, which averages $1.1 billion per year for more than 40 events. The disparity highlights both the speculative nature of the Zuffa investment and the faith Paramount has placed in White’s ability to replicate his UFC success in boxing.

Zuffa Boxing held its inaugural event on January 23, 2026, at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas, featuring Irish middleweight Callum Walsh in the main event against Carlos Ocampo. The debut card featured eight bouts and was followed the next evening by UFC 324, creating a back-to-back combat sports weekend for Paramount. Initial reviews of the first show were mixed, with critics noting competitive mismatches and low-key production values compared to established boxing promotions.

The promotion scored its first major signing on January 16 when it secured IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia, widely regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in boxing. Opetaia’s deal allows him to compete on both Zuffa cards and Saudi-backed Riyadh Season events while pursuing unification bouts with other sanctioning bodies. The Australian champion is scheduled to make his Zuffa debut on March 8 in Las Vegas, defending his lineal, RING, and IBF titles.

White has stated that Zuffa Boxing will apply the UFC’s centralized promotional model to boxing, featuring regular matchmaking that pits fighters against each other based on rankings rather than the fragmented approach common in the sport. The promotion aims to streamline boxing’s current structure of 17 weight classes and move away from the traditional four-belt championship system operated by major sanctioning bodies.

The deal marks Paramount’s return to boxing after shuttering its Showtime Sports division at the end of 2023. Showtime had broadcast boxing for 37 years before Paramount Global eliminated the network’s sports programming as part of a corporate restructuring that preceded the company’s acquisition by Skydance. The Zuffa arrangement positions Paramount+ as what executives call “the home for combat sports,” combining UFC and boxing content under a single subscription platform priced at $12.99 monthly for ad-free service.