Jake Paul will face Gervonta Davis on November 14, creating debates about fairness and legitimacy. Paul previously fought Julio Cesar Chavez Jr at cruiserweight and now moves to face lightweight Davis. Paul stands 8 inches taller than Davis, intensifying concerns over the size and weight disparity. Bisping Criticizes Match Former UFC champion Michael Bisping called the fight a mockery of boxing on his YouTube channel. He argued the bout prioritizes spectacle over sport and questions Paul’s true ambitions in boxing. Bisping highlighted the huge size difference, likening it to David fighting Goliath with a disadvantage. Froch Weighs Risks Carl Froch…
Author: Rachel Maddow
Boxing fans and media flock to Manila to honor a legendary rivalry from October 1975. The city hosted Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in the brutal “Thrilla in Manila.” Ali declared the fight “the closest thing I know to dying” after Frazier’s corner stopped him in round 14. Celebrating 50 Years October 1, 2025, marks the 50th anniversary of the iconic bout. Philippine media report organizers are planning a major fight card to commemorate the event. Manny Pacquiao helps coordinate the festivities, though his participation in the ring remains uncertain. Confirmed fighters include Filipino stars Mark Magsayo and Eumir Marcial.…
Raymond Muratalla bypassed mandatory challenger Andy Cruz after negotiations collapsed over a money dispute. Muratalla, 28, will instead defend his IBF title voluntarily against Floyd Schofield. Schofield Gains Spotlight Schofield, 23, recently knocked out former IBF super featherweight champion Tevin Farmer in the first round. Farmer, 35, had lost two close decisions to William Zepeda before facing Schofield. Schofield’s victory surprised fans and raised his profile as a rising contender. Strategic Choice for Muratalla Muratalla’s promoters at Top Rank chose Schofield over Cruz due to his relative inexperience. Cruz’s 140-9 amateur record and 2020 Olympic gold would have challenged Muratalla’s…
Former WBO lightweight champion Keyshawn Davis petitioned the sanctioning body to rank him #1 at 140. If approved, Davis could face Alfredo Santiago for the interim belt while Teofimo Lopez negotiates with Shakur Stevenson. Boxingscene’s Lance Pugmire reported Davis’ request to the WBO. Weight Issues Strip Davis of Title The WBO stripped Davis of his lightweight crown on June 6, 2025. He weighed 139.3 lbs, 4.3 over the lightweight limit, before his scheduled defense against Edwin De Los Santos. Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz canceled the fight, citing safety concerns for De Los Santos. Davis lost his title without defending it, raising…
Mexican authorities released boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. as he awaits trial for alleged cartel ties. His lawyer, Ruben Fernando Benitez, confirmed Chavez Jr. returned home to his family in Hermosillo, Sonora. A judge allowed the 39-year-old former champion to continue his legal process outside detention. Legal Proceedings Underway Chavez Jr. appeared in court on Saturday, where Judge Enrique Hernandez Miranda reviewed the case. Benitez stated prosecutors presented no evidence to support the charges against his client. Chavez Jr.’s legal team and family have consistently denied all cartel-related accusations. Background and Allegations Chavez Jr. faced detention by U.S. immigration authorities…
Box-Olympic champion Lin Yuting will take the gender test required by World Boxing before the Liverpool World Championship. Her coach, Tseng Tzuchiang, confirmed the decision to AFP. Lin and Algerian boxer Imane Khelif faced a gender debate at the Paris Olympics. The suspended IBA excluded them from the 2023 World Championship over alleged testosterone test failures. The IOC allowed both athletes to compete in Paris, recognizing the gender listed in their passports. World Boxing Introduces Compulsory Screening World Boxing confirmed the mandatory test for all female competitors two weeks before the World Championship. The federation stated the rule ensures safety…
World Boxing will require mandatory gender tests for all female boxers just weeks before the World Championship. Olympic champion Imane Khelif (26) now faces pressure due to the new requirement. The decision sparks heated debate over fairness, equality, and participation rights. Mandatory Tests for Female Boxers All female boxers competing from September 4 to 14 in Liverpool must complete the test. World Boxing states the rule ensures safety and creates equal competition between men and women. Athletes over 18 must undergo a one-time PCR test or an equivalent genetic screening. The new regulation takes effect immediately and applies to all…
The UFC arrives in Shanghai this Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Arena. Johnny Walker and Zhang Mingyang headline the 205-pound light heavyweight clash. Aljamain Sterling and Brian Ortega co-headline at featherweight, promising fireworks in the 145-pound division. The card also features Sergei Pavlovich vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta in a heavyweight slugfest. Fighters Step on the Scales All 26 fighters must weigh in before the ESPN+ broadcast. UFC allows a one-pound allowance for non-title bouts. The first fighter hits the scale at 9 p.m. ET. Text results will appear shortly afterward, confirming all fighters meet weight requirements. Full Fight Card for…
The UFC secured a $7.7 billion media rights deal with Paramount+, raising expectations for higher fighter bonuses. Dana White confirmed payouts will increase, but some fighters remain skeptical. Paulo Costa Questions Bonus Boost Former title contender Paulo Costa expressed doubt on Ariel Helwani’s podcast, joking that bonuses might only rise by $500 and a Venom bag. He made it clear he doesn’t see the deal as a major win for fighters. White Promises Bigger Post-Fight Payouts Dana White said the new seven-year agreement, starting in 2026, will expand post-fight bonuses. UFC currently offers two $50,000 Performance of the Night bonuses…
Khamzat Chimaev earned the UFC middleweight championship after defeating Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 in Chicago. Champion Delivers Belt to Chechen Leader Days later, Chimaev flew to Chechnya and handed the title to Ramzan Kadyrov, head of the Chechen Republic. Kadyrov previously opened a concentration camp targeting LGBTQ+ people in 2017. Personal Ties Influence Decisions Chimaev called the belt “important for my country” during an interview with Joe Rogan. He trains frequently with Kadyrov, who also attended his 2022 wedding. Travel Issues and Political Connections Chimaev faced difficulties entering the United States due to his Chechen connections. UFC CEO…