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Freddie Roach says one player would be the greatest player of all time if he had more discipline

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Freddie Roach says one fighter would be the greatest of all time if he had more discipline

Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach has seen it all in boxing, leading and witnessing greatness from the corner of the ring after his own 53-fight career.

Roach’s name is synonymous with Manny Pacquiao’s, and it’s no wonder – their work together has set records in a sport that is secure from any danger.

However, he managed to corner many other extraordinary talents, including Miguel Cotto, Bernard Hopkins, Oscar De La Hoya, Steve Collins and Amir Khan.

The 65-year-old considers James Toney the most naturally talented player he has coached, and in an interview with Ring Observerhe even went as far as to say that “Lights Out” has what it takes to be the best ever.

“He’s one of the best fighters in the world. He would just naturally go in there, figure out his opponent and take him apart. Great boxer.

“[If he had the discipline of Hopkins and Pacquiao] we would call him the greatest warrior today. He was a great warrior. However, if he put all his heart and skills into it, he would be the best.

Toney built his career on technique, timing and defensive control. After turning professional in 1988, he won the IBF middleweight title in 1991, defeating Michael Nunn at the end. This fight cemented his ability to adapt under pressure.

After five defenses of the belt, he moved to super middleweight, where he again became the IBF champion by defeating Iran Barkley. Toney’s rivalry with Mike McCallum, especially their first meeting, saw some of the most technically advanced boxing of the era.

In 1994, “Lights Out” suffered the first defeat of its campaign to the quick hands of Roy Jones Jr. However, he later won the world cruiserweight title before moving up to heavyweight and defeating John Ruiz for the WBA belt, but the decision was overturned after a failed drug test.

In 92 fights, Toney was never stopped, which is why he is known as one of the best defensive fighters of all time, characterized by, of course, exceptional durability. Roach and others highlighted the somewhat indifferent attitude that held Toney back, and fans will always wonder what more he could have achieved if that had actually been the case.

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Boxing

Keyshawn Davis says his next fight at 147 pounds could be a title shot

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Image: Keyshawn Davis Says Next Fight Likely at 147, “For a Championship”

“My next fight will definitely be under a credible name, bigger than Jamaine Ortiz,” Keyshawn told Fight Hub TV.

Since stopping Jamaine Ortiz in the 12th round on January 31 at Madison Square Garden, Keyshawn has been openly calling for bigger fights. He has mentioned names from junior welterweights and welterweights in interviews and on social media, including Devin Haney, Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz, Richardson Hitchins, Lewis Crocker and Lamont Roach Jr.

These challenges followed a performance that Keyshawn pointed to as evidence that he was among the top contenders. He dropped and stopped Ortiz in a fight where several previous opponents had gone the distance against a hard-wearing opponent. Now Keyshawn says the next step will take him to a welterweight title shot.

“I think I’m on the rise,” Keyshawn said when asked about the importance of his next fight, confirming plans to compete at 147 pounds and indicating the fight will be for the world championship.

Keyshawn did not name his opponent, but hinted that the fight would be a step up from his last fight. He also said that discussions about this fight have already taken place and that his return could come sooner than many expect.

A move up to welterweight would place Keyshawn in one of boxing’s most competitive divisions, with several established fighters already competing for title opportunities and championship fights receiving constant attention.

One possible opponent at 147 pounds is IBF champion Lewis Crocker, who Keyshawn mentioned when discussing future fights. Keyshawn has previously said he would be willing to head to the UK to challenge Crocker if a title opportunity arises. No agreement has been announced, but a fight has emerged as one potential path if the fighter wins the welterweight title outright.

For now, Keyshawn says preparations for his return are already underway as talks continue for a world title fight.

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Canelo Alvarez discusses his retirement plan

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Canelo Alvarez addresses his retirement plan

Canelo Alvarez talked about how long he could stay in the sport before hanging up his gloves and opting for a decorated career.

The 35-year-old is already destined for a place in the Hall of Fame, as he became a four-division world champion, but he still wants to compete at the highest level.

Since his professional debut in 2005, the Mexican has made 68 appearances and has twice become the undisputed king of the 168-pound division, scoring notable victories over the likes of Callum Smith and Caleb Plant.

However, his most critical victory came in the middleweight division, where Alvarez made a very controversial decision by majority vote in a rematch with Gennady Golovkin in 2018.

More controversial was their first meeting a year earlier, when many felt Golovkin had done enough to claim a convincing victory and the Kazakhstan ended in a draw.

Still, Canelo received plenty of credit for his follow-up triumph before dethroning Sergei Kovalev to capture the WBO featherlight heavyweight title over a year later.

Alvarez’s second undisputed super middleweight reign came to an end last September when Terence Crawford moved up two weight classes and won a unanimous decision.

But Canelo explained anyway Froch About the fight that he can still compete for another two years, maybe even longer, depending on how often his opportunities come along.

“I don’t know. I think maybe two years. I don’t need it, [but] I still enjoy it. If I [fight] maybe once a year [I can go on] a little bit [longer].

“Once a year to rest my body, I think I can fight more [than two years]”

Although an official announcement has not yet been made, Canelo is scheduled to fight in Riyad, Saudi Arabia this September, and Turki Alalshikh has promised to fight for the world title.

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The Inoue-Nakatani title fight will take place on May 2 at the Tokyo Dome

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Boxing’s worst kept secret has now been confirmed – Naoya Inoue (32-0, 27 KO) and Junto Nakatani (32-0, 24 KO) will meet on May 2 at the Tokyo Dome for Inoue’s undisputed junior featherweight championship.

The all-Japan clash was formally announced at a press conference in Japan. The fight will be broadcast live on Lemino pay-per-view; US distribution rights have not yet been announced.

Inoue – ESPN’s No. 2 pound-for-pound boxer – is coming off an impressive 2025 in which he competed four times, defeating Kim Ye-Joon, Ramon Cardenas, Murodjon Akhmadaliev and David Picasso. Thanks to Inoue’s unanimous decision victory over Picasso in December, Nakatani defeated Sebastian Hernandez in the second fight of the night in a tougher-than-expected fight. Their victories set up a long-awaited clash between two of Japan’s best players.

Nakatani is ranked No. 6 pound-for-pound by ESPN and will look to become a four-division champion after winning world titles at bantamweight, junior bantamweight and flyweight. Although Nakatani narrowly won his junior featherweight debut in a grueling fight against Hernandez, Nakatani proved he was one of the best fighters in the world and had a powerful showing in 2025, winning 3-0.

The Undercard will feature Inoue’s younger brother Takuma defending his WBC bantamweight title against former four-division titleholder Kazuto Ioka.

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