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Mission to save Olympic boxing

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Boxing Scene: What is the current status of Olympic boxing ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics?

McAtee: That’s a great question. As of now, boxing is still not on the program for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. That’s due to a decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) following the suspension of the International Boxing Association (IBA). However, the IOC felt it was necessary to hire an international federation to oversee boxing at the Games. USA Boxing, along with about 42 other countries, has joined World Boxing, a fresh international federation that we helped found. World Boxing is working to meet IOC requirements, such as anti-doping rules, financial transparency and integrity of the game. We are sanguine that a decision on boxing for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will be made by the IOC in early 2025.

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Since this interview was conducted, World Boxing has announced the addition of two fresh members – Japan and Algeria – bringing World Boxing’s membership to 44.)

Boxing Scene: Could you outline the specific requirements that boxing must meet to be included in LA 2028?

McAtee: There are around 35 to 40 requirements that must be met, according to the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) guidelines. These include issues such as procedures for selecting officials, governance standards and financial transparency. For example, World Boxing will hold an international event, the world qualifiers in Colorado later this year, to demonstrate our compliance with these requirements. Each of these elements is indispensable to ensuring that the sport is managed with integrity and transparency, and we work difficult to meet all of them.

Boxing Scene: How would you describe the current state of boxing in the U.S., especially after the recent Olympics?

McAtee: USA Boxing has grown tremendously since 2016. When I started, we had about 38,000 members and 1,800 boxing gyms. Today, we have over 62,000 members and 2,600 gyms. Last year, we had 30,000 fights. Although we fell compact at the Paris Olympics, losing a couple of split decisions, we remain committed to our goal of consistently placing athletes on the top of the podium. Our grassroots efforts continue to grow, and we are constantly analyzing our results to improve. We also invest in developing not only elite athletes, but also good citizens through our programs that serve thousands of boxers across the country.

Boxing Scene: USA Boxing has found success on a local level. How are you working to continue to grow the sport?

McAtee: Grassroots development is key. The larger the base, the greater the opportunity to develop high-achieving athletes. Since 2016, we have grown our membership and are now expanding into adaptive boxing programs and esports platforms such as Virtual Reality Golden Gloves. Boxing may be a niche sport, but it has huge potential for health benefits and building confidence in adolescent people. We also work with our alumni and professionals to continue to grow the sport. The future is dazzling for USA Boxing and we are focused on bringing fresh eyes to the sport, both at the grassroots and elite levels.

Boxing Scene: How does USA Boxing deal with modern-day challenges like social media and disinformation?

McAtee: We see these challenges as opportunities. At USA Boxing, we prioritize serving our members, providing correct and timely information, and educating the public on the benefits and safety of Olympic-style boxing. Our communications team is evolving to better engage with our community through a variety of channels, including podcasts and other digital platforms. Boxing is one of the safest sports in the U.S., despite popular perceptions. We are committed to growing the sport while maintaining transparency and compliance with all regulations. Our goal is not only to perform well on the international stage, but also to develop great citizens through our programs.

Boxing Scene: How does USA Boxing plan to stay relevant when there have been so many changes to the sport and youth participation?

McAtee: The sports landscape has changed dramatically, with adolescent people generally participating less in sports. As such, we are evolving with the times, looking for ways to engage youth in boxing through inventive programs like esports and adaptive boxing. We have also strengthened our partnerships with organizations like the Golden Gloves and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee. We know that growth won’t happen overnight, but we are committed to showcasing the value of boxing as a sport and community builder. As we look ahead to the 2028 Los Angeles Games and beyond, we remain focused on our mission of developing both elite athletes and good citizens.

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Boxing

George Kambosos moves up to 140, adds Eddie Hearn to team

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George Kambosos beats Teofimo

Former unified lightweight champion George Kambosos approached promoter Eddie Hearn asking for more massive fights.

Kambosos has signed a co-promotional deal with Eddie Hearn, under which the Greek-Australian slugger will continue his association with DiBella Entertainment Inc. and his own company, Ferocious Promotions.

The 21-3 star will move up to the super lightweight division of Matchroom Boxing’s lively division. He aims to become a two-weight world champion in early 2025, and as part of the deal, a title fight is promised as long as he continues to win.

Since his stunning victory over Teofimo Lopez, Kambosos has never shied away from competing against the best. Those three losses on his resume came to Devin Haney [twice] and Vasily Lomachenko, all at home and all for world titles.

The 31-year-old is now set to face compatriot Liam Paro after defending his IBF title against Richardson Hitchins in December in Puerto Rico.

“I am thrilled to be working with Matchroom Boxing. I am excited to have signed a three-way promotional cooperation agreement with my long-time promoter DiBella Entertainment Inc. and Ferocious Promotions,” Kambosos said.

“I made great success and history when I moved up the Matchroom shows by winning my UK elimination fight against Lee Selby. The most noteworthy and unforgettable is my victory against Teofimo at Madison Square Garden in Up-to-date York to become the 135-pound world champion.

“I am officially announcing that I will be moving up to 140 pounds and signing with Matchroom will ensure my continued success and the legacy I want to leave in the sport of boxing.”

Hearn, who adds an experienced campaigner to his stable, added: “I am delighted to welcome George to the team. George’s victory over Teofimo tore up the script and showed that George was the man for the massive time. He has proven to be a huge attraction in Australia and one of the real driving forces behind the rapid growth of boxing Down Under.

“The 140-pound division is full of massive names and massive potential fights. Adding George to the mix only elevates the level, and a possible fight with Liam Paro is a truly appetizing prospect. If Liam manages to win in a great fight against Richardson on December 7th [the fight could be on].

Lou DiBella, who has worked with Kambosos for years, said: “I’m glad I was able to make a deal with my antique buddy Eddie to work with George Kambosos Jr. and Ferocious Promotions.

“Throughout his career, George has been a fighter who has never shied away from a challenge, and now he wants to test himself against top junior welterweights.

Matchroom works with top 140-pounders, including George’s compatriot Liam Paro, and, like DiBella Entertainment, is heavily invested in Australia.

“It’s a natural partnership,” added the Up-to-date Yorker.

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Mike Tyson had absolutely no chance of knocking out Jake Paul

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Mike Tyson comeback black

One of the hottest topics surrounding Mike Tyson’s return at the age of 58 was the possibility of the boxing legend scoring a knockout of Jake Paul.

WBN has weighed in on this topic several times, questioning the validity of five-second training clips that revealed nothing about Tyson’s abilities at this overdue age. One of the most intriguing observations during the preparations was the opinion of UFC commentator Daniel Cormier.

Speaking on his show “Funky and the Champ,” Cormier reflected on Tyson’s social media videos and offered an informed opinion on the meaning of the clips.

“I understand that [he is in amazing shape at 58]and I understand what he is saying [he feels as though he can compete]– Cormier said. “And I agree that when he hits the pads with Rafael Cordeiro, it looks like there’s still something left in him.

“But then I watch Jake Paul fight Mike Perry. I saw Jake Paul get overwhelmed to the point where he started to feel uncomfortable. It looked like Mike Perry had a chance. But Jake has a reserve tank he can go to and benefit from because he’s 28 years ancient. Then he comes back and finally finishes Mike Perry.

“At the beginning of the fight, Mike Perry gets beaten up and dropped. He looks trained and unmatched. This worries me because what if it looks like a 58-year-old man fighting a 28-year-old man while Mike can’t employ the backup tank to stay and compete with this newborn kid? I think it’s a failure for Jake Paul because if you beat Mike Tyson, everyone will love him.

He added: “What if Mike knocks him out? It’s over. Everything is ready. This would be the backfire of all time. If he gets knocked out, nothing like that has ever happened in the history of the sport.”

Unfortunately for Tyson, this revenge backfired spectacularly, as the former heavyweight champion’s return was the only event that bombed. Tyson had nothing left twenty years after he had nothing left in his tank and no desire to box in his mind.

Paul parlayed this into a money-making scheme that would forever be a success for him and his company, but would be poorly received by the die-hard boxing fraternity.

Cormier’s words resonate, especially after what happened in the ring when Mike Tyson struggled to shift into first gear, warning former fighters thinking about returning after 50.

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Lauren Price looks to win Jonas vs Habazin with an undercard victory

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Lauren Price

Lauren Price MBE will defend her world title for the first time on Saturday, December 14 at the Exhibition Center in Liverpool, while the Welsh champion plans to stage an all-British unification clash with welterweight rival Natasha Jonas, which will headline the Collision Course that night.

Price defends her WBA welterweight title against undefeated Colombian challenger Bexcy Mateus on the same night as Jonas attempts to unify the IBF and WBC titles with Ivana Habazin as part of BOXXER’s ‘Collision Course’ fight night, which can be seen live and exclusively on Sky Sports in the UK UK and Ireland and Peacock in the US.

Price MBE (7-0, 1 KO) made history with an excellent performance, defeating former undisputed welterweight world ruler Jessica McCaskill in front of her fans in Cardiff in May.

Price, the first Welsh boxer to win Olympic gold, once again entered the record books by becoming the country’s first world champion in just her seventh professional fight. The 30-year-old from Ystrad Mynach, who has yet to lose a round as a professional, will now defend her world titles for the first time as she focuses on dominating the welterweight division.

Mateus (7-0, 6 KO), ranked No. 5 in the WBA rankings, is undefeated in the professional ranks and has won all but one of her seven fights by knockout. The 29-year-old from Bogota, fighting outside her native Colombia for the first time, will now have her first chance at global fame, with her goal to dethrone Price and take the top spot in the welterweight division.

Lauren Price said: “I’m excited to defend my belts and complete what has been an crucial year for me. I have full respect for Mateusz. I will prove that I am the best in the division and I will not let anything or anyone stand in my way of being undisputed.”

BOXXER Founder and CEO Ben Shalom said: “It’s a massive night for the women’s welterweight division with three world champions competing. Natasha Jonas returns to her hometown for a mandatory unification fight against Ivana Habazin, and Lauren Price defends her world titles against undefeated challenger Bexcy Mateus. The fight for the undisputed continues. If Natasha and Lauren win on December 14, it will set the stage for a massive “Battle Of Britain” world title unification fight next year.

There’s reason to celebrate as BOXXER delivers a Christmas cracker to end the year. In addition to the world championship fights between Natasha Jonas and Lauren Price, fight fans can expect a gala full of drama and entertainment.

Undefeated Irishman Stephen McKenna (15-0, 14 KO) will face English champion Lee Cutler (14-1, 7 KO) in an invigorating super welterweight fight for the silver WBC International title.

McKenna impressed fans in his three-round fight against Joe Laws last August at Oakwell Stadium in Barnsley. The two struck out in the first round, then McKenna began to apply the pressure, losing Laws three more times and maintaining his undefeated record after a third-round stoppage.

English cruiserweight champion Viddal Riley (11-0, 6 KO) returns to action from a rib injury that has kept him out of the ring since a career-best victory over Mikael Lawal in March. Riley will be looking to shake off the ring rust as he takes on high-profile opponents in the recent year.

Undefeated Chorley super middleweight Mark Jeffers (18-0, 5 KO) scored an explosive fifth-round knockout victory over Darren Johnston in May and will be looking to bring more drama to Liverpool’s Exhibition Center as he goes in search of his 19th professional win.

Mason Cartwright (20-4-1, 8 KO) from Cheshire, a former two-time British title challenger from Ellesmere Port, will be counting on local support as he returns to the title track.

After signing a promotional contract with BOXXER, local star Frankie Stringer (8-0, 1 KO) can achieve his third victory in 2024, when he returns in front of his fans in Liverpool. The 23-year-old lightweight fighter is a player of the notable city team Rotunda ABC, and his manager is former world champion Liam Smith.

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