Author: Rachel Maddow

Former world champion Gennadiy Golovkin prepares to assume the presidency of World Boxing for the 2028 Olympic cycle.Officials said he became the sole eligible candidate after a vetting process removed Greek contender Harilaos Mariolis.Golovkin confirmed learning that his only rival had been ruled ineligible.He praised the independent panel for enforcing strict electoral standards.He said the process ensured fair and transparent governance within Olympic sport.Observers viewed him as the favourite after he led efforts to reconnect World Boxing with the International Olympic Committee.The IOC had considered dropping boxing from the 2028 Games before reinstating it in March.Golovkin previously claimed Olympic silver…

The NHS hosts the UK’s first dedicated boxing gym through a 10-year partnership with Off The Ropes.Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust provides the long-term base at Goldie Leigh, supporting mental health and neurological services.The facility allows charity trainers to deliver non-contact boxing for inpatients and outpatients across South East London. Boxing Supports Mental Health Founder Warren Dunkley, a former boxer and occupational therapist, uses boxing to help patients with severe mental illness.Trainers build relationships with clients through pads and drills, boosting motivation, physical health, and social interaction.Boxing helps reduce depression, anxiety, aggression, and improves self-esteem, concentration, and self-agency, according to research…

Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez skipped Wednesday’s open workout to witness the birth of his second child via FaceTime.The super-flyweight champion had been scheduled to appear at 10:30 p.m. in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, ahead of his fight.Fans and reporters gathered expecting to see Rodriguez’s final workout, with some traveling internationally for the session.Upon learning his girlfriend Rebecca went into labor, Rodriguez chose family over the press event, phone in hand.The 25-year-old prioritized witnessing the delivery virtually rather than performing for fight-week fanfare. Emotional Build-Up Meets Reality Rodriguez’s title defense coincided with Rebecca’s due date, creating the risk of an emotional and logistical…

Every week, Brenda Lipson leads a boxing class in London, Ontario, chanting: “Quitting is not an option.”The students all have Parkinson’s disease and train to maintain strength, balance, and coordination.Lipson pushes participants to sweat and work hard, knowing the effort can improve their health.More than 35 students attend the Knock Out Parkinson’s Disease (KOPD) program, a partnership between Neuphysio and Damian Warner Fitness Centre.The class meets three times per week and focuses on non-contact boxing exercises that target Parkinson’s symptoms.Lipson reports remarkable improvements in students’ mobility, strength, and confidence since the program began almost three years ago.She says many patients…

Leaders Confront Scoring Problems World Boxing leaders now study ways to correct long-standing scoring disputes that have damaged trust in the sport. Officials want clean, consistent judging to secure full recognition from the International Olympic Committee. Outgoing president Boris van der Vorst said the organisation examines the use of Artificial Intelligence to review fights and remove doubts about fairness. He told reporters that boxing must always reward the better athlete without controversy. He said the sport struggles because juries influence outcomes. He argued that restoring confidence remains essential as World Boxing prepares to run the competition at the 2028 Los…

Saul “Canelo” Alvarez plans only two more fights with promoter Riyah Season, owned by Sheikh Turki Alalshikh. He will complete them in 2026 or 2027 after recovering from elbow surgery and completing rehabilitation. As Canelo approaches retirement, new boxers aim to fill his void both in the ring and among Mexican fans worldwide. Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz recognizes this opportunity and wants to become the new face of Mexican boxing. Cruz knows he must combine exceptional results and consistent performance to match Canelo’s legacy, traits the former champion demonstrated throughout his career. Pitbull Prepares to Rise Isaac Cruz still has far…

Eddie Hearn labeled Jake Paul a “madman” as reports indicated a deal for Paul to fight former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua nears completion. Hearn promotes Joshua and reflects views shared by many who assess a matchup between the 6-foot-6 Joshua, with 13 title fights, and the 6-1 Paul, with 13 total pro bouts. Joshua holds a 28-4 record with 25 knockouts. Paul stands at 12-1 with seven knockouts. Hearn told the BBC that Paul has developed into a genuine professional, yet he insisted Joshua operates on a far higher level. He said Paul embraces the challenge with a reckless mindset.…

Sydney Sweeney refuses to stress over the poor box office results of her boxing biopic Christy. Directed by David Michôd, the film opened last Friday and stars the 28-year-old actress as boxing icon Christy Martin. The movie, which follows Martin’s rise from small-town fighter to world champion, earned only $1.3 million in its domestic debut, one of the weakest openings in recent years. It screened in 2,011 North American theaters, averaging $649 per location. Despite the low turnout, Sweeney expressed pride in the project and its message. A Story of Strength and Survival Sweeney shared heartfelt reflections on Instagram, celebrating…

Boxing now confronts a shift: private leagues, modeled after MMA, are emerging as platforms for rising fighters. These leagues promise exposure and opportunities to earn, but fighters worry about low pay relative to the revenue they generate. UFC stars have long criticized their earnings despite producing massive profits. UFC argues that feeding many athletes limits top pay, unlike the NFL or NBA, which distribute about 50% of league revenue to players. Dana White plans to launch Zuffa Boxing in 2026, staging 12 events for prospects under uniform financial terms. The league aims to cultivate future stars for high-purse Riyadh Season…

Vergil Ortiz Jr brought the Dickies Arena crowd to life in Fort Worth, Texas. He stopped Erickson Lubin in just two rounds, clearing the last hurdle before a possible 2026 showdown with Jaron Ennis. Ennis, 35-0 (31 KOs), sat ringside and watched closely. The former unified welterweight champion impressed in October when he crushed Uisma Lima in one round during his 154-pound debut. With Xander Zayas and Abass Baraou set to unify the WBO and WBA titles on January 31, the Ortiz–Ennis fight now looms as another thrilling battle in a red-hot division. Tension Erupts in the Ring After his…