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Bob Arum Calls Out Canelo Alvarez to Fight Undefeated Frenchman

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Mbilli is unbeaten in 27 professional fights Photo Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank

Bob Arum Wants to Equal Canelo Alvarez to Christian Mbilli Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing/Esther Lin/Premier Boxing Champions
Bob Arum Wants to Equal Canelo Alvarez to Christian Mbilli Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing/Esther Lin/Premier Boxing Champions

Bob Arum is looking to secure a fight between rising French super middleweight boxer Christian Mbilla and unified super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez in the near future.

Mbilli, whose promoter is Arum’s Top Rank, is the number one contender for Canelo’s WBC title and is rated no lower than three by other governing organizations.

The 29-year-old will face former three-time middleweight world title challenger Sergey Derevyanchenko in Quebec on Saturday, facing what could be the toughest challenge of his career to date.

Hall of Fame promoter Arum says his company will do everything in its power to get Alvarez a fight if he beats the Ukrainian.

“Mbilli really fits into our plans,” said the 92-year-old Master A

Mbilli is undefeated in 27 professional fights. Photo source: Mikey Williams/Top Rank
Mbilli is undefeated in 27 professional fights. Photo source: Mikey Williams/Top Rank

“What’s the game plan?

“Well, he has to fight with top-class players.

“This fight, maybe one more, and then we will do everything we can to match Canelo Alvarez.

“Canelo is a really great fighter, but Christian is coming and I think it will be a really large event when that fight happens.”

Mbilli will face Derevyanchenko in Quebec City on Saturday. Photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank
Mbilli will face Derevyanchenko in Quebec City on Saturday. Photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank

Four-weight world champion Alvarez defends his WBA “super”, WBC and WBO belts in the fight against Edgar Berlanga at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on September 14.

The 34-year-old lost his undisputed status after IBF stripped him belt after refusing to defend it against little-known Cuban William Scull.

Arum, who promoted much of Berlanga’s career before he signed with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing, believes the 27-year-old will perform better than many expect.

Canelo will face Berlanga on September 14. Photo: Ryan Hafey/PBC
Canelo will face Berlanga on September 14. Photo: Ryan Hafey/PBC

“He is talented and very determined to win the fight,” Arum added.

“So I think the fight will be a lot better than some critics are saying.

“I don’t know if Berlanga can beat Canelo, but I’m sure he’ll give him a hell of a fight.”

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UK Boxing

Jake Paul considered taking his own life following the Brother Logan controversy

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Jake Paul spoke candidly about his path to boxing as a salvation after facing financial ruin following the controversy surrounding his brother’s infamous “Suicide Forest” music video.

The social media sensation is preparing for the fight of his life against heavyweight icon Mike Tyson on November 15 at AT&T Stadium in Texas, with both stars sharing a staggering $80 million (£60 million) prize purse.

Paul boasts an impressive boxing record of 10-1, suffering his only loss to Tommy Fury on points in 2023. His journey to the ring began in 2020, emerging from a tumultuous period marked by excessive partying and substance abuse, which was a direct result of scandal involving his brother Logan.

Logan sparked global outrage in early 2018 when he uploaded a video of a dead person in Japan’s Aokigahara forest, sparking widespread condemnation. The incident not only affected Logan, but it also had profound consequences for Jake, turning his world upside down.

In a revealing interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Jake Paul shared the extent of this influence: “I interfered with all of my brother’s hate. I thought to myself, ‘Fuck the Pauls. Fuck both of these people.” It was bad.

This suicide forest thing basically ruined my career and income. I probably lost $30 million on trades. One retail products deal fell apart. They could get out of it with the morals clause.”

Paul says his life spiraled and he considered taking his own life. He added: “I had a plan. I mean, this is fucking crazy. I was going to put a few cans of gas in my Lamborghini, get really drunk, and drive off a cliff in Calabasas. It’s called Stunt Road.”

However, he defiantly stated: “I had no intention of letting them win. I thought: ‘I will fight. That’s what every social media hater wants, to wake up and see Jake Paul killing himself.”

Looking ahead to the Tyson fight, Paul shrugged off criticism of the reasons for his fight and declared at the press conference, “Making history,” emphasizing his ambition rather than financial gain: “Man, that’s what it’s all about. I’m an Ohio kid.”

“They will never acknowledge me. That’s how it is. If I walked on water, they would say it was because I couldn’t swim. And this is about to go down in history. People think they can outdo me because of this sturdy, powerful guy.

“All the people in my comments are saying, ‘look at his strength. He’s about to get knocked out.» This was a chance to fight someone as fierce as Mike. You have to risk it for the good. I’m here to make history. I’m here to challenge one of the most threatening fighters in all of boxing.

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UK Boxing

Mike Tyson’s former trainer says the fight with Jake Paul could be over in 30 seconds

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According to a close friend and former trainer of the boxing legend, Mike Tyson’s upcoming fight with Jake Paul could be the easiest payday of his career.

The fight between the former world heavyweight champion and the YouTuber-turned-boxer was initially scheduled for July 20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, but was postponed due to health concerns for Tyson, now 58.

He was diagnosed with a recurrence of peptic ulcer disease. The fight is now scheduled to take place on November 15 at the same venue and up to 90,000 fans are expected to attend.

Given Tyson’s age, there are naturally concerns about whether such a fight should take place. Australian boxing star Jeff Fenech, who trained Tyson towards the end of his professional career in the mid-2000s, expressed reservations about the former heavyweight champion returning to the ring.

However, he thinks this could be an straightforward night for Tyson if he fights astute. “If it was my decision, I would definitely prefer him not to fight at all, but he will fight,” Fenech said Mirror fight.

“I talked to him several times [recently]. I talked to him about the fight. Realistically, if Mike enjoys working upstairs and nothing else and does the right thing, this could be the easiest money he’s ever made.

“When you both throw punches, it’s 50-50 who’s going to land. But if Mike concentrates and makes him miss and then pays… This is what Mike is an expert at, he has great head movement.

“If he does it in 30 seconds, the fight can be over in 30 seconds. Mike just needs to utilize common sense, not try to hit when he hits, make him miss and make him pay.”

Paul won 10 of his 11 fights, with his only loss coming to Tommy Fury, but to no one in Tyson’s class. Fenech believes the social media star will have a rude awakening when he feels Tyson’s power for the first time.

“Jake Paul has no boxing skills or knowledge,” added Fenech, 60. “I watched him but anyone can hit a pad or a bag or someone who really can’t fight. When you’re bigger and you’re stronger, it’s all good.

“But Mike, as a heavyweight, was a great defensive player. He had a way of tripping and making people miss. If he does this and lands a counterattack, the fight will be over.

“There is no chance in the world that Jake Paul could take a Mike Tyson hook, a Mike Tyson right hand, or a Mike Tyson uppercut. I hope so [for]. I love Mike, he’s a great friend, he’s like family to me. I just hope everything goes well.”

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UK Boxing

Junto Nakatani vs Tasana Salapat – results and post-fight report

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Nakatani

Nakatani continued his knockout streak (Image: Sky Sports)
Nakatani continued his knockout streak (Image: Sky Sports)

Junto Nakatani defended his WBC bantamweight title for a second time with a sixth-round knockout victory over Tasana Salapat in Japan.

Nakatani (28-0, 21 KO) entered the Salapat fight as a three-division world champion after serving as the WBO flyweight champion and great flybefore winning the WBC bantamweight title by defeating Alexandro Santiago in February. He last dropped in July, needing less than a round to knock out Vincent Astrolabio in his first defense.

Chitpattana (76-1, 53 KO) entered this fight with a very flattering record of 77 fights. His most essential fight was in 2018, but he was clearly defeated on the cards by Takuma Inoue in the fight for the interim WBC super bantamweight title.

In his last fight, he defended his WBC Asian belt for the fourth time, scoring in ten rounds over GuiMing Li 6-5-1 in Rangsit in July.

Nakatani’s punch was a powerful weapon in the first round and proved to be a very good measure as Chitpattana’s punches were mostly insufficient in the first three rounds.

Nakatani's strength proved too much for Salapat (photo: AFLOSPORT)
Nakatani’s strength proved too much for Salapat (photo: AFLOSPORT)

Although the Thai challenger had little success in round four, Nakatani was able to better capitalize on the exchanges and had more power in his punches.

Both men started with vicious punches in the fifth round, and a round later the champion scored a hefty knockdown, landing with his remaining strength, followed by several pointed combinations.

Chitpattana survived the count, but the end came behind schedule in the round when Nakatani hit Chitpattana with a left hammer that knocked his opponent forward and the referee waived the count.

Tanaka stunned Cafu

Kosei Tanaka (20-2, 11 KO) defended his WBO super flyweight title for the first time, but a knockout in favor of Phumelele Cafu (11-0-3, 8 KO) proved crucial to winning the South African split title decision.

Cafu got angry because of Tanaka (photo: Kyodo News)
Cafu got irate because of Tanaka (photo: Kyodo News)

A huge opposing right hand from Cafu had Tanaka on board in the fifth round, but after surviving the count he rallied brilliantly and the two had great action until the final bell, where two scores of 114-113 for Cafu ensured that the belt would have a recent owner, after a third time with the same result for Tanaka.

Olascuaga vs Gonzalez match summary

The third world title fight on the bill ended in disappointment, as WBO flyweight champion Anthony Olascuaga (7-1-1, 5 KO) and Jonathan Gonzalez (28-3-2, 14 KO) had to settle for a technical draw during the gala. first round. Gonzalez was ruled out of the competition with a nasty cut caused by a clash of heads, and after four incompletes, the fight was ruled a technical draw.

Tenshin covers the distance with Asilo

Tenshin Nasukawa (5-0, 2 KO) won the vacant WBO Asia-Pacific bantamweight title, scoring over ten rounds against Gerwin Asilo (9-1, 4 KO). Nasukawa scored a knockdown that looked more like a foul in the penultimate frame, but Nasukawa still came away with the win by two scores of 98-91 and the third by a score of 97-92.

Kobayashi held by James

Super lightweight hopeful Ayato Kobayashi (1-0-1, 0 KO) and Excell James Junior (2-1-1, 0 KO) couldn’t be separated over four rounds, with two judges scoring the score a 38-38 draw, meaning the result of the third The judge’s 39-37 score was unnecessary for Kobayashi.

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