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Deontay Wilder names the heavyweight he wants to fight before he faces Oleksandr Usyk

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Deontay Wilder names the heavyweight he wants to fight before challenging Oleksandr Usyk

Deontay Wilder revealed this week that he is officially in negotiations with unified heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk.

The “Brown Bomber” – once the long-reigning and undefeated WBC champion – suffered his first loss to Tyson Fury in 2020 and has since recorded just two wins in five fights during a period with extensive breaks in activity.

Losses to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang in 2023 and 2024, respectively, left many feeling that the 40-year-old Alabama knockout would be done with his campaign, but he reaffirmed his decision to continue fighting on his return with a win over Tyrell Herndon.

The surprise call-up of Usyk, the holder of the WBC, IBF and WBA titles, gives Wilder a significant boost at this behind schedule stage of his career. Herndon, however, is not prepared for the undefeated southpaw.

Wilder recently faced Usyk’s former opponent Derek Chisora ​​in Dubai. The American said that after things got heated and there was pushing and shoving ES News he was now considering facing ‘Del Boy’ in preparation for Usyk.

“Derek Chisora, you want it, you can get it. That’s for sure. This could be my warm-up fight. I’ll see what people think. We were supposed to fight years ago and I was in legal trouble and that meant I couldn’t travel. It was supposed to happen, but it didn’t, and this chance means it can happen.”

Chisora ​​is currently looking for his 50th opponent who is well placed in the IBF rankings and wants to leave the sport with a bang. Recent talks with Dillian Whyte for a trilogy fight fell through – although this could be revisited – and many imagine his chances against Wilder given their current form.

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Tim Bradley wonders if Inoue is tired of fighting

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Image: Tim Bradley Wonders if Inoue Is Becoming Battle-Worn

Tim Bradley raised modern questions about Naoya Inoue ahead of a possible fight with Junto Nakatani, saying the undisputed champion has been hit too tough recently and could be he’s starting to get tired of fighting.

“I was hesitant on what to choose,” Bradley said on his channel while talking about Saturday’s Inoue vs. Nakatani fight. “I don’t know who I’m going to favor yet. I’ll let you know later, man. I don’t know. I really don’t know.”

Bradley explained that Nakatani’s length, timing and counters give him the tools to give Inoue more trouble than recent opponents. “Nakatani got a chance to bat,” Bradley said. “In any case, she needs to close the distance from him. The question is, will she do it safely?”


He also pointed out a recurring error in Inoue’s style, noting moments where the undisputed champion can be caught stepping in.

“He’s defenseless. He’s getting hit. That’s what it is,” Bradley said. “Like Nakatani.”

Bradley praised the way Nakatani uses his range and setup play, saying it all starts with his lead hand.

“It all depends on the leading hand and whether he can get his opponent into the action,” Bradley said. “He wants you to reach so he can teach.”

Still, Bradley sees Inoue as a more adaptable player and therefore can’t fully engage in an upset conversation.

“You can never predict. You look at Inoue’s fights and you see this guy doesn’t fight the same,” Bradley said. “He always adapts his game to the style he is dealing with.”

Bradley also questioned whether years of activity could compensate Inoue after his recent struggles.

“He was hit too tough,” Bradley said. “I wonder if he’s getting tired of fighting?”

Even with these concerns, Bradley expects both men to be in top shape should the fight happen.

“It’s going to be a hell of a fight, man,” Bradley said. “These guys are going to beat the living [expletive] from each other.”

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Categories Naoya Inoue

Last updated: 26/04/2026 at 17:17

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Doubts are growing about Floyd Mayweather’s rematch with Manny Pacquiao

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Mayweather vs Pacquiao 2 doubts clouds no word

Floyd Mayweather still has not confirmed his rematch with Manny Pacquiao, and his silence now raises grave doubts whether this fight will take place at all.

While Pacquiao and his team continue to push the idea that a second fight has been agreed, Mayweather has said nothing beyond suggesting that any return would be an exhibition and that his undefeated record is not in jeopardy.

This gap between the two sides has only widened, resulting in one version being shared publicly while the other remains absent.

Pacquiao insists the deal is done

Pacquiao has repeatedly said the contract is for a fully sanctioned professional fight, not an exhibition.

“The contract we signed is a real fight,” Pacquiao said. “It’s either a real fight or nothing.”

His team went further, maintaining that contracts had been signed and financial commitments made, and Manny Pacquiao Promotions CEO Jas Mathur provided those details in multiple interviews, including with World Boxing News.

At this stage, the message was clear – the fight had begun and it would be fought on fully professional terms.

Mayweather’s silence tells a different story

Mayweather’s position does not match this certainty.

The former five-weight world champion has not yet officially confirmed the rematch and only referred to the exhibition conditions when discussing a possible return to the professional ranks.

There has been no announcement from Mayweather Promotions, no official launch of the event, and no confirmation from any broadcaster despite reports linking Netflix to the project.

Even that element has gone silent, with no evident promotion or support to suggest that a major fight announcement is imminent.

Mathur, who spoke out during the initial rollout, has also withdrawn from public comments in recent weeks.

The famed Mayweather pattern

The situation mirrors previous instances where reports of fighting have gained popularity without ever being confirmed.

Earlier this year, a proposed exhibition featuring Mike Tyson followed a similar path, with a reported date circulating ahead of his departure, with neither man formally mentioning its status.

Mayweather has long maintained a consistent stance in situations like this.

“Nothing is confirmed unless you hear it here first,” he said throughout his career, a standard he maintained until the exhibition era.

Until confirmation comes directly from Mayweather, speculation alone will not be enough to make the fight real.

Unresolved, not imminent

Pacquiao’s position remains unchanged, and there is an expectation in his camp that the rematch will be conducted as a truly professional fight.

But without Mayweather publicly responding to these conditions, the situation remains unresolved – and increasingly questionable.

At this point the direction becomes clear.

Throughout the discussion surrounding the second meeting, only one side is actively driving the narrative, while the other has yet to take any action.

Until Floyd Mayweather says it himself, there is no fight – just one-sided noise.


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.

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Tim Bradley sums up Terence Crawford’s chances of beating the first Floyd Mayweather

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Tim Bradley sums up Terence Crawford’s chances of beating prime Floyd Mayweather

Terence Crawford or Floyd Mayweather? Hall of Fame player Tim Bradley only sees one winner.

Eight years after Mayweather retired undefeated, Crawford followed suit. The two shared many of the characteristics that define elite warriors. Both won titles in different weight classes and relied on IQ, timing and accuracy rather than outright aggression. It’s worth noting that they were able to adapt mid-fight and take away from their opponents what they do best without taking unnecessary risks.

They were also very different. Mayweather, especially in the later stages of his career, was almost entirely defensive and content to win rounds through control and minimal effort. “Bud” was more proactive and fan-friendly – ​​changing positions, increasing his efficiency and pushing for the finish when there was a chance.

It’s an intriguing clash of styles and a natural choice for a high-end fantasy fight ES Newsthe animated Bradley had no hesitation in predicting Crawford’s victory.

“Crawford!…He’s got too much power, man, too much power for Floyd. He’s as shrewd as [Floyd] Is. He has perfect timing. He can play both ways – Floyd doesn’t like to face southpaws. Damn, Zab Judah was getting his act together before he ran out of gas. I’ve been saying this for years, I have Crawford all day long.

Crawford was only respectful when asked about Mayweather, and even admitted he believed Floyd was the only fighter who could have caused him problems. This will remain one of the hottest intergenerational debates.

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