Boxing
Avtandil Khurtsidze: From prison rampage to Brooklyn tie
Published
8 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
Tim Bradley explains why Lamont Roach can beat William Zepeda
Published
40 minutes agoon
June 13, 2026
Bradley says Roach’s experience against pressure players and southpaws will give him an advantage on August 1
Tim Bradley thinks Lamont Roach Jr. he is the player best placed to make William Zepeda lose. In a speech on his YouTube channel, Bradley selected Roach as the winner of the vacant WBC lightweight title on August 1 and cited the fight’s stylistic advantages as a key factor.
“I’m picking Roach to win this fight,” Bradley said on his channel. “I think it’s a perfect match in style. I think Roach fights southpaws better than orthodox fighters.”
Roach comes into the fight coming off a draw with Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz and a contentious draw with Gervonta Davis, as well as two physically demanding fights against high-pressure fighters that Bradley says has prepared him for Zepeda’s relentless approach.
“I think he fought one of the best southpaws in the world in Tank Davis. And he did damn well against him,” Bradley said. “He wasn’t scared by the force of the impact.”
Bradley believes Roach has the tools needed to neutralize Zepeda’s pressure.
“When guys who like to get forward and be aggressive, nine times out of 10 they don’t like being tackled,” Bradley said. “Roach has the ability to do it. He has the knowledge and the IQ to be able to do it. And if he does it, he will win this fight.”
Bradley also cautioned that Roach cannot afford to leave matters in the judges’ hands, arguing that he needs to create more separation than in recent draws with Isaac Cruz and Gervonta Davis.

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 vital fights, division development and the most discussed stories in sports.
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Last update: 2026/06/13 at 14:20
Boxing
Roy Jones Jr Says He’ll Return to Fighting One Fighter If He Gets an Eight-Figure Salary: ‘It’ll Make Me Prepare’
Published
3 hours agoon
June 13, 2026
Roy Jones Jr has announced his price and is demanding an eight-figure purse if he is to make it through the ropes.
At his peak, the American became one of the best players to ever grace the sport, and his breathtaking speed and overall physical prowess made him seem almost unbeatable.
After winning world titles at middleweight, super middleweight and airy heavyweight, Jones even moved up to heavyweight and dethroned John Ruiz to win the WBA belt in 2003.
The pound-for-pound legend retired in 2018, when many thought his best days were behind him, only to take it to the next level exhibition match with Mike Tyson in 2020
Although it was a non-contest, many believed that Tyson outplayed Jones, who then returned professionally against Anthony Pettis and lost an eight-round decision to the former UFC champion in 2023.
Since then, the 57-year-old has remained on the safer side of the competition, but is now eyeing another comeback, this time against Misfits boxer Tommy Fury.
Having delved into the power side of the sport following previous professional victories over Jake Paul and KSI, Fury is now preparing to face former World’s Strongest Man Eddie Hall.
I’m talking to Betting showroomJones said he would only be willing to challenge the 27-year-old if he was handsomely rewarded for his troubles.
“Is me vs. Tommy Fury dead? Nothing is dead forever. Roy Jones is still alive. Tommy Fury is still alive. Who knows? For the right money, it would make me go to the gym to get ready.”
“If they give me $10 million of course. Ten and more, yes. If they don’t give me $10 million and more, then no, I’m not wasting my time.”
Fury’s six-round exhibition match with Hall will take place later today at the Manchester Arena, although the result will not affect his professional record of 11-0 (4 KO).
“There are a confined number of fights and he can’t fight every fighter. So why don’t you consider that [Iglesias and Sheeraz] think about who wants to be at the front of the line,” Kellerman said on InsideRingShow.
Kellerman rejected the idea that Canelo was firing any of the fighters.
“He’s not saying he’s ignoring Sheeraz and Iglesias. In fact, he just gave them a path. He said, ‘I’m fighting Mbilli.’ You are fighting each other. This is not a duck. This is about business,” Kellerman said.
Sheeraz has already made it clear that he has no interest in following the route proposed by Canelo. Responding to a suggestion from an earlier interview, the British fighter said he respected Alvarez but would not allow another boxer to dictate his career decisions.
A fight between Sheeraz and Iglesias could answer many of the remaining questions about both men.
Canelo is preparing to fight Mbilli, a fighter widely viewed as one of the most threatening fighters in the division due to his constant pressure and furious attacks. Meanwhile, Sheeraz has had two fights since moving up to 168 pounds, a fight against Edgar Berlanga, who he stopped in July 2025 after Canelo had already beaten him a year earlier, and 39-year-old Al Begic for the vacant WBO title.
A fight between Sheeraz and Iglesias could eliminate many of the questions that still haunt both men. Sheeraz would have the opportunity to silence critics who believe his super middleweight resume is slim, while Iglesias could reaffirm a growing reputation that has led some fans to consider him the division’s boogeyman.
The winner would pose a bigger and more marketable challenge. Instead of facing Sheeraz immediately after his victory over Begic, Alvarez could face an opponent who had a decisive victory over another world champion, adding more significance to what could be one of the final marquee fights of his career.
Max Kellerman reacts to Canelo Álvarez’s comments about Hamzah Sheeraz and Osleys Iglesias 👀#InsideTheRing | The latest episode LIVE NOW on YouTube The Ring 📺 pic.twitter.com/tfOhDtjgit
— InsideRingShow (@InsideRingShow) June 12, 2026
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 essential fights, division development and the most discussed stories in sports.
Tim Bradley explains why Lamont Roach can beat William Zepeda
Roy Jones Jr Says He’ll Return to Fighting One Fighter If He Gets an Eight-Figure Salary: ‘It’ll Make Me Prepare’
Hamzah Sheeraz should fight Osleys Iglesias first
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