Nelson didn’t hesitate when asked about his comments. He said Hamed was “delusional” and said the criticism only confirmed how far their relationship had fallen apart.

“I thought this kid was delusional,” Nelson told Sport Boxing. “After Giant I thought this kid hadn’t changed, and when I saw the show I thought you’ve definitely gotten worse.”

Nelson said he recently ignored two messages from Hamed on WhatsApp and is not interested in renewing the friendship.

“I turned him off. I don’t associate with him,” Nelson said. “If you look like an idiot, you feed him.”

The former cruiserweight champion made it clear that while he still respects Hamed’s achievements in the ring, he no longer respects him as a person.

“Do I admire what he’s accomplished? A lot,” Nelson said. “But as a person, I lost complete and utter respect for him.”

Much of Nelson’s anger appears to have to do with Hamed’s criticism of overdue coach Brendan Ingle, to whom both players attribute their careers. Nelson said he couldn’t accept the way Hamed spoke about a man he believed gave everything to the gym.

The public feud has escalated into one of the ugliest old-fashioned feuds in British boxing, with two former world champions now trading personal shots instead of memories.

It’s challenging to watch because these two are icons of the golden age of English in Sheffield. When you see former stablemates exchanging shots this overdue in life, you usually get the impression that there’s a lot of unhealed history behind them.

Naz’s “snake” comment clearly hit a nerve, but Nelson’s reaction suggests his real problem is his perceived lack of respect for Brendan Ingle. For Nelson, Brendan was the man who kept him afloat when he was struggling. The sight of Naz attacking that legacy seems to be a deal-breaker.

Nelson willingly gives Naz flowers for what he did in the ring, but closes the door on him himself. It’s a shame to see them at odds, especially since they were once the face of the same team, but Nelson seems to have found a lot of peace by simply pressing “block” and moving on.

Floyd Mayweather has confirmed his next fight, leaving Mike Tyson and Manny Pacquiao’s plans up in the air.

Mayweather will face Mike Zambidis on June 27 in Athens, Greece, in an exhibition that has previously only been mentioned on social media.

Mayweather has gone in a different direction – one that doesn’t involve risk to his 50-0 record.

This one is real. Others never made it this far.

When Mayweather first mentioned Zambidis, it carried the same uncertainty as the proposed Tyson fight, which appeared online but never followed up. Tickets are already on sale and the place is secured. The fight is closed.

Nothing ever came after Tyson.

Tyson’s fight is over

As World Boxing News reported when the April 25 date was discussed, the proposed fight with Mike Tyson never followed Mayweather’s usual fight. As the deadline approached, there was no sustained promotion, confirmation or push.

An idea appeared, gained attention, and then disappeared.

At this stage it looks like he’s done, especially considering Tyson’s age and complete lack of movement over time.

Pacquiao is still waiting

A rematch with Pacquiao remains on the cards, but only on paper.

Recent progress has removed a sticking point in the contract, and Pacquiao Promotions hosts the fight on September 19 at the Sphere in Las Vegas. Mayweather is also understood to have received a cash advance after early disagreements over whether the fight would be professional or exhibition.

Still, there was no confirmation.

Everything around Pacquiao is improving – except the part that matters.

The priority is the fight against Zambidis

Zambidis is now in central defense.

He’s not replacing Pacquiao – he’s buying time for Mayweather.

The June 27 fight will see Mayweather confirmed to return while the larger deal remains unfinished, but it also raises a familiar issue.

Control.

Pacquiao’s team, led by CEO Jas Mathur, is leading the process. This wasn’t how Mayweather usually behaved. Throughout his career, he dictated conditions, deadlines and promotions.

This balance has not yet been determined.

With Zambidis confirmed, Mayweather’s short-term path is clear. What happens next depends on whether she regains control or allows the Pacquiao fight to continue without her.

Until that changes, Zambidis isn’t a detour – it’s the only fight that actually exists.

About the author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.

Gervonta Davis’ return appears imminent, but it’s unclear whether the now-hiatus WBA lightweight champion will fight at 135 pounds, and the team of his expected lightweight opponent says “Tank” is avoiding them.

Davis, a three-division champion, has held the WBA title since delayed 2023 and defended it twice, defeating Frank Martin and then drawing with Lamont Roach Jr during his last trip, over a year ago.

However, in January, Davis lost his champion status and was instead named halftime champion, meaning he will likely get a chance to regain the belt after his first fight at 135 pounds.

Although despite rumors that the Baltimore-born knockout puncher will fight at super lightweight and face Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz upon his return, no modern lightweight champion has yet been crowned or a free-for-all title fight ordered.

Floyd Schofield is currently the man to benefit from this situation, but his team is growing increasingly frustrated with the slowness of the process as they wait to be promoted to champion or ordered to fight for the title – against Davis or an alternative challenger.

I’m talking to Boxing in Mill City“Kid Austin”‘s father and trainer, Floyd Schofield Snr, expressed his belief that Davis was avoiding his son and revealed plans to fight for the “Tank” title against a slimmed-down version.

“You need to drop the belt! They’re breaking the law now, federal law. Do I think ‘Kid’ is ready for ‘Tank’?” “The Kid” is ready for them all. There’s a reason why Tank said, “I’ll never get in the ring with that kid. There’s a reason his trainer went online and said Tank will never get in the ring with him.”

“Tank said it out of his own mouth and Tank’s trainer said it on the internet in an interview and said that ‘The reason Tank said it is because he looks at him like an older brother.’ The thing is, Tank can’t go down to 135 and fight Kid, Tank would be at a disadvantage.”

“We want to suck him arid and fight him at 135 pounds, that’s the biggest advantage we have right now. If we let Tank get used to it, he would be on fire, and we let Tank get used to that weight? No!”

“He weighs around 175 pounds now, he needs to get down to 135 pounds and get ready to get in the ring to fight, and the WBA will just do it.” [rehydration clause] where it can only go up to 152 pounds.

Negotiations for Davis-Cruz II are believed to be ongoing, and once confirmation is announced, the WBA will likely make its own announcement regarding the modern lightweight champion.