Boxing
Avtandil Khurtsidze: From prison rampage to Brooklyn tie
Published
5 months agoon
World Boxing News can reveal that Avtandil Khurtsidze – once one of boxing’s most feared middleweights – has resurfaced for a second time, years after a brutal prison stabbing that almost ended his life and career.
The Georgian veteran, former world-famous fighter, fought a six-round draw in Brooklyn at Danny Garcia’s farewell gala, beginning the next chapter in one of boxing’s strangest and most cautionary comeback stories.
Stabbing in prison and criminal connections
In 2017, a few days before the planned fight for the WBO world title with Billy Joe Saunders, Khurtsidze’s career collapsed. He was arrested along with 26 others as part of a federal crackdown on the so-called Shulaya Enterprise – an alleged organized crime network operating throughout the United States.
The player himself later became a victim. Reports describe a “knife rampage” at the Brooklyn Detention Center, where Khurtsidze and Razhden Shulaya were hospitalized after a confrontation with a Latin American gang. Court documents confirmed that Khurtsidze “suffered multiple stab wounds to his face,” which left the former “Mini Mike Tyson” scarred and sidelined for years.
Killing the FBI
The US Department of Justice he described Shulaya as “vor v zakone” – Russian for “thief”, a high-ranking figure from the underworld. Prosecutors have charged the group with crimes ranging from extortion and identity theft to illegal gambling, drug trafficking and casino fraud.
For Khurtsidze, it meant the demise of a promising career and reputation buried under headlines about organized crime and prison violence. Instead of fighting for the WBO title, he spent years behind bars, watching the world cope without him.
Return
Interestingly, Khurtsidze returned in May 2024 for his first fight since prison, scoring a stunning first-round knockout that suggested his legendary strength and timing had survived the lost years. Heading into Saturday’s fight, his record was 34-2-2 (23 KOs), a stark reminder of what could have been.
Against Guinean newcomer Andres Martinez in Brooklyn, the 46-year-old fought to a close draw. While the result was met with polite applause, what was more vital was his presence at all – a convicted felon turned comeback contender sharing the spotlight on one of boxing’s biggest nights.
From pretender to cautionary tale
Khurtsidze’s fall remains one of the most dramatic collapses in sports. Once a fierce challenger known for punishing hooks and relentless pressure, he now fights in the shadow of his past – a man whose life has led from world title contention to courtroom interrogations and prison violence.
His years behind bars may have slowed him down, but his return – scarred, defiant and still full of energy – highlights the ruthless nature of boxing. While he may never again reach the global level that was once deemed inevitable, Avtandil Khurtsidze’s story is no longer about titles. It’s about survival, resilience and getting back into the ring against all odds.
About the author
Phil Jay is experienced boxing journalist with over 15 years of experience covering the global combat scene. How Since 2010, editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN).Jay has interviewed dozens of world champions and the most vital boxing evenings in the ring were reported.
[View all articles by Phil Jay] and learn more about his work in combat sports journalism.
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Boxing
Tyson Fury eyes September fight as Joshua returns uncertain
Published
1 hour agoon
March 11, 2026
His promoter Frank Warren says Fury’s return is intended to restart Fury’s run towards another major fight before the end of the summer.
“Tyson has his finger on the pulse and knows what he wants to do,” Warren told DAZN, discussing Fury’s plans for the rest of the year. “I can’t feel it [Anthony Joshua] he will be ready, but if he is there and wants it, Tyson is there. If he doesn’t, Tyson will want to fight a substantial fight in August or September. That’s what he wants.”
The most discussed option remains a meeting with Anthony Joshua. Fans have waited years for the all-British heavyweight clash that once seemed inevitable when both men held world titles at the same time. Saudi boxing boss Turki Alalshikh had previously considered the possibility of staging the fight this summer, but Joshua’s involvement in a stern car crash in Nigeria tardy last year caused uncertainty over the timetable for his return to the ring.
Warren said Fury’s focus is firmly on competition this year after spending most of last year on outside projects.
“The past year has been about his TV series, other commitments and the documentary,” Warren said. “This year it’s about getting the number one position and that’s where his head is.”
If Joshua isn’t ready by tardy summer, other options may become available. WBO heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley has already expressed interest in fighting Fury if he successfully defends his belt against Daniel Dubois on May 9.
Wardley previously said he offered Fury the fight earlier in the year, before both men moved on to other fights.
“I said, ‘Listen, if you want to go straight away, we can go straight away, no problem,’” Wardley told Sky Sports. “But if he wants a little warm-up and wants to go through it and see how he feels, then frosty. I’ll still be ready and I’ll be waiting when I’m done with Daniel for a substantial fight.”
For now, Fury’s main goal remains an April return against Makhmudov. If Warren gets through this fight injury-free, Warren expects the former champion to compete in a major event later in the year, and Joshua’s fight is still something most fans want to see.
Olly Campbell is a boxing journalist covering this sport since 2014, providing reports from the ring and technical analyzes of the most vital fights. His work focuses on fighter tendencies, tactical adjustments and the details that shape high-level competition.
Boxing
Mike Tyson assesses Terence Crawford’s chances against Four Kings Leonard, Duran, Hagler and Hearns
Published
3 hours agoon
March 11, 2026
Mike Tyson assessed Terence Crawford’s chances against the Four Kings, determining how successful “Bud” would be in such a competitive era.
WITH Crawford is dedicating time to his decorated career Last December, when he became the five-division world champion, many wondered how he would fare against the likes of Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns and Roberto Duran.
During this iconic era, all four champions competed at the highest level for many years, with Leonard, Hearns and Duran fighting in multiple weight classes.
Meanwhile, Hagler weighed 160 pounds throughout his career, making 12 successful world title defenses before losing to Leonard in 1987 by controversial split decision.
However, during his nearly seven-year reign, “Marvelous” scored a unanimous decision victory over Duran and stopped Hearns in the third round of a shootout that many consider to be the greatest of all time in its own right.
As for the other Four Kings, who also fought at welterweight, super middleweight and super middleweight, it could be said that their careers are more similar to Crawford’s.
Regardless of the weight class, former heavyweight champion Tyson he told Ring magazine that Crawford shone brightly in the era of the Four Kings.
“It would be a handsome fight. There were people back then who weren’t as good as.” [Crawford] was, [but they] they were champions.
– He would do well [in that era]”
Even though Crawford had never fought at super middleweight before, he was able to dethrone Canelo Alvarez to become the undisputed three-division champion last September.
But his greatest success arguably came at 147 pounds, when the American stopped seven opponents before engineering a devastating ninth-round finish over Errol Spence Jr. in 2023.
Itauma (13-0, 11 KO) turned professional with the ambition to break Tyson’s record as the youngest heavyweight champion in history. Tyson established this goal in November 1986 when he defeated Trevor Berbick for the WBC title.
While Itauma’s early rise has generated excitement, his professional resume remains confined. The 20-year-old went just 26 rounds in 13 fights, averaging just over two rounds per fight. Two of his fights ended the distance during six-round fights scheduled at the beginning of his career. Since then, none of his opponents have heard the bell to start the third round.
These quick finishes highlight Itauma’s two-handed strength, but also leave unanswered questions about how he performs in longer fights against an experienced opponent.
Franklin (24-2, 15 KO) enters as the most established opponent of Itauma’s career. The American has already gone the distance with top heavyweights and has the stamina to extend fights into deeper rounds.
The fight was originally scheduled to take place in January, but was postponed due to Itauma’s biceps injury. Changing the date of the gala to March 28 brings the heavyweight candidate back into action.
For Itauma, this fight will be the next step in a career that has developed dynamically since his professional debut. For Franklin, it’s a chance to stop the momentum of one of boxing’s fastest-rising heavyweights.
Comparisons to Tyson continue to follow Itauma as he builds his record. The upcoming fight could provide a clearer picture for the juvenile heavyweight as he continues to climb the division.
Is Moses Itauma really the fresh Iron Mike Tyson?
This release Rummy Corner will attempt to answer this question by examining in detail the numbers, styles and schedules of both men. We compare Tyson’s legendary 1985-1986 career, during which he fought 28 times in just 565 days, with Itauma’s up-to-date trajectory. We also look at the enormous differences in their physical characteristics and fighting styles, leaving aside the “hype” to see the technical reality. Please watch and enjoy the video. This is Rummy’s Corner (produced and narrated by Geoffrey Ciani).
Geoffrey Ciani has been involved in boxing since 2000 and is the creator and host of the popular YouTube channel Rummy Cornerwhere he provides in-depth analysis, storytelling and comparisons of classic and up-to-date fights.
Tyson Fury eyes September fight as Joshua returns uncertain
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