Boxing
True or not boxing: Joshua vs. Paul? Can Pacquiao win the title?
Published
11 months agoon
Nick Ball is the third defense of his WBA featherweight title against Sam Goodman on August 16. While Ball is the second longest prevailing champion in the division, or he can win with Goodman, crowning him as a warrior No. 1 who beat 126 pounds?
Oleksandr Usyk is fresh from the impressive KO from the fifth round of Daniel Dubois on July 19, to unite heavyweight titles, but WBO has already ordered Utcun to face the mandatory pretender Joseph Parker. It is expected that Usyk will fight Tyson Fury in the trilogy next year, but if he first refuses to face Parker, he will have to give up the WBO belt and will no longer be the undisputed champion. What will Usyk do?
The unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, who lost to Uyk twice, tries to return after losing KO in the fifth round of Dubois twice. He decided on the long -awaited fight with the English fury compatriot or a thunderous fight with YouTube, which is Jake Paul, who said that the fight would “take place”. However, the chance to fight Tony Yoka in a duel between British Olympic gold medalists from boxing is also very intriguing for Joshua. Will this fight be the melody he needs?
Another former Master, Manny Pacquiao, returned to the ring on July 19 after four -year retirement and fought with the WBA WBA HEADE Master Mario Barrios. The 46 -year -old Pacquiao looked impressive and after the fight he called WBA Master Rolando “Rome”. Can he win the title in a crowded 147-pound division?
And Master WBO Junior D WADZKA WEFRESIBLE Teofimo Lopez has the next IBF Richardson Hitchins champion. Can Lopez unite lanes and aim at other masters in the division, wanting to become the undisputed champion in the second weight class?
Here are the answers to those burning questions, offered to separate what is real and what is not.
Real or not: Oleksandr Usyk will fight Joseph Parker
0:42
Usyk breaks Dubois to become a heavyweight champion of unquestioning
Oleksandr Usyk breaks Daniel Dubois in round 5 to become the world champion again in ponderous weight again.
True. With the deep pockets of the Riyadh season Apparently uninterested In the staging of Usyk vs. Parker, a compulsory pretender WBO, Uyk must either take a salary with another promoter, or wait for the fury to return in 2026. If the Utyk was to wait, he would have to abandon the WBO belt so that the Ukrainian probably continues to fight Parker. A good idea may be to keep a fight at the indoor football stadium in Germany, closer to Ukraine than Riyadh.
Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko, former heavyweight champions, who also come from Ukraine, had most of their fights in places in Germany, which borders with Poland, where there is a gigantic Ukrainian population. Usyk also fought many times in Great Britain, recently in the fifth round of KO from Dubois at the London Wembley stadium on July 19. But the place in Great Britain to fight Usyk-Parker would cause lower interest; It is challenging to imagine two non-British fighters attracting 60,000 people, even if Usyk is considered the best ponderous weight of the last two decades.
If Parker is his last opponent, do not be surprised if the fight takes place in Germany or Poland at the end of this year. Parker is the strongest current contender for Utyk and the best duel for the undisputed master.
Real or not: Nick Ball should be No. 1 in a featherweight
It is not real. In some divisions it is quite an uncomplicated call to who the boss is. Usyk in ponderous weight, Nayya Inoue at Junior Feather Wweight, Canelo Alvarez in Super Middle Wweight – there are no arguments there. But with a featherweight, it is debatable about who is sitting at the top.
Although there is a sturdy possibility that the ball retains its WBA title on August 16 against Goodman (Ball is a favorite, according to the ESPN plant), even KO would not be enough for the ball to be widely considered warrior No. 1 in the Penage Science Division. To achieve this status, he must defeat one of the other masters. Goodman accelerates the division and fought only once last year. The Australian is not a banner or former world champion, and Ball from Liverpool in England should make a third defense at a distance.
But some think WBO Master Rafael Espinosis, who won 23 out of 27 KO fights or the title owner of WBC Stephen Fulton Superior from Ball. Espinosis not only has a gigantic KO ratio, but at 6 feet-1, also towers over 5-2 ball. Espinosis is extremely high for a featherweight and in the last two fights, Stoppage over Robeisa Ramirez and Edward Vazquez wins. Ball must do more to get everyone voting as number 1 at 126 pounds.
Real or not: Another opponent of Anthony Joshu will not be Jake Paul or Tyson Fury
True. From northern London there are sturdy rumors that Joshua, a former world champion in ponderous weight, will face Tony Yoka – not Paul or Fury – then. Speculation has carried out that Joshua would face Paul, YouTube, who turned around, after Paul’s comments during the fight Uyk vs. Dubois.
“It will happen,” said Paul during an interview about Dazna. “So drink seat belts or anything else, and when I knock it out, I go to historical books forever.”
Eddie Hearn, promoter Joshua, held talks with the Paul team and excitedly spoke about the possibilities of a record number of income in the fight, which was ridiculous recently.
“AJ-Paul is never a fight we expected, and it is never a fight we targeted,” said Hearn Sky Sports News after the fight with Usyk-Dubois.
“But if you want Jake Paul to be a toasty -up for a fury – and you want to provide the opportunity to extinguish Jake Paul from the world of boxing – then Joshua would commit herself.”
Joshua, who is recovering after the elbow surgery, suggested that 2026 would be his last year in boxing, and his most critical priorities will finally secure the fight against Fury and Paul.
“I signed twelve years ago with you,” Joshua wrote in a post on social media directed in WW last week at Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing. “And 12 years later I will throw the last blow with you.”
Joshua is coming down in September the defeat of the 5th round of Dubois, and the clash of contrary to Yoka – a colleague with the Olympic gold medalist heavyweight (Joshua in 2012, Yoka in 2016) – can restore his momentum.
This fight would also provide Hearn and Joshua, time to secure the contract with Paul at the beginning of 2026. It was an eye -catching event would pave the way to fight Fury in the second half of 2026.
Real or not: Manny Pacquiao will win the title fight again
2:05
Pacquiao ready to fight again
After the fight with Mario Barrios with most draws, Manny Pacquiao says he has not yet done.
Probably true. With proper creation, the Pacquiao boxing legend can avoid hazardous men in welterweight and fight the opponent that he can still overcome. When Master WBA, Jaron “Boots” Ennis up and ultimately leaves his title, there will be the possibilities of 46-year-old Pacquiao.
Rolando “Rolly” Romero, a regular owner of WBA titles, takes the best unanimous career, winning in Ryan Garcia in May and would be an opponent of high risk for Pacquiao because of his intensity and aggression. Pacman should also stay away from Brian Norman Jr., WBO master, taking into account his current form. Norman produced the best KO from 2025, when in May he recommended Jin Sasaki with his left hook. The rematch with WBC Master Mario Barrios, after their draw of July 19, would be another arduous task for Pacquiao, but one of the safer options. Pacquiao began well in this fight and was overtaken on the results cards, but lost the last three rounds against Barrios, who is 16 years younger than him.
Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan will fight for the free IBF title on September 13, and if Pacquiao can be set in a queue to fight the winner, it would be his best chance to become a champion again.
Nobody wants to see Pacquiao, the only eight -person world champion in boxing, ultimately like Sasaki, but if the Pacquiao team can lead him towards the IBF belt, there may be a fairytale ending of the extraordinary career of the Filipinos.
Real or not: Teofimo Lopez will unite titles against Richardson Hitchins
True. If Lopez, a WBO -secondary weight master, continues the form of his latest fight and improves his strategy, he should be able to defeat Hitchins, the IBF titles holder. If this struggle for the title of union occurs, Lopez must remain disciplined and break away from Witriol, which is already brewing on social media.
Leaving the round of George Cambosos Jr., Hitchins will try to lure Lopez to a fight. But if Lopez is able to stick to glossy movement and boxing, his quick combinations and original crime will give him enough rounds to win a decision against Hitchins.
Lopez returned to the best when in May he is not appointed by Arnold Barboz Jr. After a disappointing exhibition against Steve Claggett in June 2024, when Lopez boxes and moves as he did his time, and when he overtook Vasiliy Lomachenko (2020) and Josh Taylor (2023), he is a can beyond anyone, and he did not overtake Vasiliy Lomakenko (2020) and Josh Taylor (2023).
It is true that Lopez lost his divided decision from Cambosos in 2021, and Hitchins definitely coped with the Australian last month. But ordinary opponents are not always a reliable predictor, especially when it comes to inconsistent Lopez. Lopez will not have motivation in the fight against other Recent Yorker Hitchins, a hazardous opponent who, if he can impress, will not only win another belt, but also boost his profile and potential to become the most critical attraction of boxing.
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Boxing
Eddie Hearn names Christian Medina as a potential next opponent for Bam Rodriguez
Published
20 minutes agoon
June 14, 2026
“My answer is to talk to Robert Garcia and Bam, you know, it’s one fight at 118 pounds,” Hearn told DAZN Boxing after Rodriguez stopped Vargas in six rounds to win the WBA bantamweight title. “We also have Chispa Medina. This is a great unification fight that must be fought between the two of them.”
The comments show a different perspective on the debate that has been raging around Bam Rodriguez since his last victory. A lot of attention was focused on the Naoya Inoue fight, especially after trainer Robert Garcia indicated that he would prefer Bam have one more fight before moving on to fight the undisputed super bantamweight champion.
If Garcia remains committed to keeping Rodriguez at bantamweight for his next fight, Medina (27-4, 19 KO) would be a logical option. Instead of competing in a non-title fight, Rodriguez would have the opportunity to unify the WBA and WBO championships in just his second appearance at 118 pounds.
Rodriguez (25-0, 18 KO) moved up from super flyweight to dethrone Antonio Vargas by sixth-round knockout in Glendale, Arizona, becoming a three-division world champion at the age of 26.
Hearn later reminded fans that the main goal remains a future fight with Inoue.
“The deal has to be right. The offer has to be right,” Hearn said. “I know Bam will do it, without a doubt. Robert will do it too. But we have a long-term future in this sport. Belts up for grabs at 118 pounds.”
Hearn’s comments changed the discussion about Rodriguez’s next move. Rather than speculate on Inoue’s future showdown, promoter Matchroom considered WBO champion Christian “Chispa” Medina as a realistic option for Bam’s next fight.

Dan Ambrose is a boxing journalist at Boxing News 24, respected for his direct analysis and extensive coverage of the global fighting landscape. His reports focus on the most critical fights, division development and the most discussed stories in sports.
Boxing
Roy Jones Jr admits there is one fighter he wouldn’t want to face: ‘He’s explosive and mean’
Published
2 hours agoon
June 14, 2026
Roy Jones Jr named another Hall of Famer whose speed would pose major problems if they ever collided in the ring.
The American had remarkable speed himself, particularly during his dominant run between middleweight and airy heavyweight, with his only defeat coming against Montell Griffin in 1997.
Even then, Jones was only disqualified for punching Griffin while he was on one knee, and eventually won the rematch via first-round stoppage later that year.
Regardless of this flaw, the pound-for-pound legend was almost untouchable throughout his prime, yet he admits that fellow icon Sugar Ray Leonard would have been a tough matchup.
While Jones was arguably most effective at 168 to 175 pounds, Leonard scored two of his most crucial victories – against Tommy Hearns and Roberto Duran – at 147 pounds.
He then moved up to middleweight and, most importantly, he won a razor-thin split decision against Marvin Haglerbefore a rematch with Hearns at the 164-pound catchweight in 1989.
At this point, Leonard had everything behind him, and yet even at middleweight, “Sugar Ray” would be considered a fierce opponent for Jones.
In a social media clip reposted by BeeBoxJones explains that Leonard’s speed and malice would cause him problems.
“I never really wanted to fight [Leonard]. I knew that [against] a swift fighter like him, the jab is your problem – you can’t [keep] punch in the face.
“If you let him move around and do what he wants [wants to] do this, he will beat you because he is very compact tempered and very mean.
Ultimately, Leonard ultimately retired following a loss to Hector Camacho in 1997, though admittedly both he and Jones were shadows of their former selves before they hung up the gloves.
Boxing
Bam Rodriguez wins the bantamweight crown with a sixth-round TKO of Antonio Vargas
Published
4 hours agoon
June 14, 2026
In the main event, Rodriguez improved to 24-0 (17 KO) after a sixth-round stoppage of Vargas, who dropped to 19-2-1 (11 KO). Rodriguez secured the victory at 1:15 of the sixth round of the scheduled 12-round fight.
Vargas had the advantage in the first round, ahead of Rodriguez. Rodriguez responded well in the second round, using the move effectively before Vargas closed the scoring strongly with a quick strike slow on. Vargas continued to find success in the third and fourth rounds, often overpowering Rodriguez.
The fight took a dramatic turn in the fifth round when Rodriguez delivered an overhand left hand that knocked Vargas down early in the round. Referee Chris Flores counted and Vargas got up and continued.
In the sixth round, Rodriguez closed the show. A fierce three-punch combination sent Vargas to the canvas again, and Flores counted out Vargas, giving Rodriguez another world title to add to his growing resume.
In the co-main event, Arturo Cardenas improved his record to 18-0-2 (9 KO), defeating Jordan Martinez, who dropped to 16-1-1 (15 KO) over 10 rounds.
The first two rounds were close, with Cardenas pressing and having a slight advantage. Martinez found success in the third and fourth rounds with his counter punches and movements, rocking Cardenas with a left hand slow in the fourth round.
Cardenas responded in the fifth round, landing a right hand that caught Martinez’s attention in another close stanza. From the sixth to ninth rounds, the action remained fierce, although Cardenas seemed to gain the advantage with body attacks. In the 10th and final round, Cardenas seemed to outsmart Martinez enough to secure the decision.
The judges scored the fight 100-90, 98-92 and 97-93. Raul Caiz Jr. he was a judge.
In the lightweight division, Elias Terraza remained undefeated, improving to 14-0 (9 KO), following a second-round stoppage of Adrian Rodriguez, who dropped to 10-1 (6 KO).
Terraza effectively took advantage of his height advantage in the first round, landing a jab and landing a right hand to Rodriguez’s temple in the final minute. Early in the second round, Terraza dropped a right cross to Rodriguez. After Rodriguez took down the count, Terraza pounced on him with a sustained attack, forcing referee Chris Flores to stop the fight at the 2:30 mark.
IBF women’s lightweight champion Elif Nur Turhan defended her title with a narrow unanimous decision over Gabriela “Sosa” Tellez.
Turhan improved to 14-0 (8 KO), while Tellez dropped to 7-1 (3 KO). Despite the official verdict, the fight was fierce throughout.
Turhan boxed effectively in the early rounds, while Tellez managed to land right hands, especially slow in the opening phase. Turhan seemed to have the advantage in the middle rounds before Tellez rallied in the fifth round.
Turhan landed a solid right hand in the final seconds of the sixth round that briefly rattled Tellez. In the seventh round, Tellez responded with a left hook that drew blood from Turhan’s mouth before the champion finished the round strongly.
The ninth round was close and Turhan seemed to have beaten Tellez. During the final round, referee Richard Hoyle warned Turhan twice for pushing Tellez to the canvas. Turhan pushed tough to stop in the closing moments, landing a wild right hand as the fight came to an end.
All three judges scored the fight 96-94 in favor of Turhan.
Ken Hissner is a senior boxing journalist at Boxing News 24 with over 20 years of experience in the sport. Known for his in-ring reporting, detailed results and historical perspective, he provides authoritative coverage of boxing through the eras.
Eddie Hearn names Christian Medina as a potential next opponent for Bam Rodriguez
Roy Jones Jr admits there is one fighter he wouldn’t want to face: ‘He’s explosive and mean’
Anthony Joshua vs. Kristian Prenga • FULL PRESS CONFERENCE | DAZN Boxing
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