Ryan Garcia, fresh off his impressive victory over Devin Haney, has turned his attention to former friend-turned-foe Logan Paul. Garcia, in a recent podcast appearance, unleashed a barrage of criticism on Paul and his business partner, KSI, calling them ‘cowards’ and ‘leechers.’ He also vowed to ‘destroy’ Paul if they ever cross paths again.
Terence Crawford, once a master of evasion, faces the daunting challenge of Israil Madrimov, a young lion whose power has instilled awe and fear. The upcoming bout is not just a fight; it’s a spectacle of necessity for Crawford, driven by financial imperatives. The fight looms large over Crawford’s legacy and longevity, as he attempts to navigate a dangerous dance with time in a ring that forgives no man’s past.
Saudi Arabia’s boxing advisor, Turki Alalshikh, has unveiled ambitious plans for the sport, hinting at the possibility of women’s boxing events in Riyadh and expressing keen interest in several potential blockbuster fights. During a Reddit AMA, Alalshikh shared his enthusiasm for the heavyweight division, as well as other weight classes, and women’s boxing.
Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority Chairman Turki Alalshikh is making waves in the boxing world with his first card in the United States. Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom is promoting the event, which will showcase a star-studded lineup led by Terence Crawford challenging Israil Madrimov for the IBF super welterweight title. Other highlights include Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz defending his WBA junior welterweight belt against Jose Valenzuela, a heavyweight clash between Andy Ruiz and Jarrell ‘Big Baby’ Miller, and a potential showdown between Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Tim Tszyu. The card is scheduled for August 3 at the Los Angeles Forum in Inglewood, California. Crawford’s return to the ring is expected to draw a massive audience, but the rest of the planned card could make this the biggest boxing event of 2024.
In the wake of his victory over Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia has accepted UFC champion Sean O’Malley’s challenge for a boxing match. Despite initially expressing preference for an MMA bout, Garcia is now open to facing O’Malley in the boxing ring. The potential clash has garnered attention after Garcia’s online banter with O’Malley, who has hinted at a future move to boxing. Garcia has also reached out to UFC president Dana White, proposing an MMA fight with O’Malley, believing it would be a fairer test of his skills.
Nikita Tszyu has been advised against targeting Danilo Creati’s recently stitched right eye in Wednesday’s fight, as it could lead to dire consequences. Despite Creati’s visible scar, both the challenger and No Limit boss George Rose urge caution, as Creati’s awkward style and aloe treatment ensure the cut won’t hinder him. Creati’s Italian heritage and underdog status also fuel his confidence in potentially overcoming Tszyu.
Former two-division world champion Luis Nery challenges pound-for-pound king Naoya “Monster” Inoue for the undisputed junior featherweight world championship on May 6 at the Tokyo Dome. Inoue, a four-division world champion, has been dominant in recent years, but Nery believes he has the power, heart, and willingness to pull off an upset. The event will mark the first boxing match at the Tokyo Dome since 1990, when James “Buster” Douglas stunned Mike Tyson.
On June 15, professional boxing will make a triumphant return to Portland’s Cross Insurance Arena, marking a historic event for the city. The main event will feature a thrilling World Boxing Organization bantamweight title fight between champion Dylan Price and challenger Paul Hayo. This momentous occasion will also showcase local boxing talent, including Portland’s Casey Streeter, Zordan Holman of Westbrook, Ilyas Bashir of Auburn, and Brandon Berry of West Forks.
Sylvester Stallone revealed that a severe injury during training for ‘Rocky II’ almost forced him to halt the film’s production. The injury occurred while Stallone was training with bodybuilder Franco Columbu, resulting in a torn pectoral muscle. Stallone’s initial thoughts were that his career was over, as he was scheduled to start filming ‘Rocky II’ within a month and a half. However, he decided to adapt and switch Rocky’s fighting style from left-handed to right-handed due to the injury. Despite the improbable plot twist, Stallone’s determination kept the movie on track. ‘Rocky II’ became a box office success, grossing $200 million worldwide and solidifying Stallone’s status as a franchise star.
Devin Haney’s surprising defeat to Joseph ‘JoJo’ Diaz Jr. has raised concerns among analysts. Former world champions Paulie Malignaggi and Sergio Mora discussed Haney’s performance on ProBox TV’s ‘Deep Waters,’ highlighting his departure from his usual style and subsequent decline. Despite an effective jab early on, Haney struggled against Diaz’s power punches, leading to a seventh-round knockdown and loss of focus. Malignaggi criticized Haney’s decision to square up and chase the puncher, mistakes that proved costly against Diaz’s strength. The analysts emphasized the need for Haney to utilize his jab and boxing skills rather than relying on power punches.
