Boxing
MSG press conference heats up ahead of the Lopez-Stevenson clash
Published
3 months agoon
The atmosphere at Madison Square Garden was electric during the final press conference ahead of “The Ring 6,” DAZN’s sold-out PPV event headlined by Teofimo Lopez (22-1, 13 KO), defending his Ring Magazine and WBO junior welterweight titles against undefeated Shakur Stevenson (24-0, 11 KO) on Saturday, January 31. Stevenson will be fighting for his fourth world title in a fourth weight class in what promises to be a clash of the generations.
The card is stacked: Keyshawn Davis (13-0, 9 KO) vs. Jamaine Ortiz (20-2, 10 KO) in the second fight, WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames (24-1, 18 KO) vs. Austin “Ammo” Williams (19-1, 13 KO), Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington (16-0, 9 KO) fought with Carlos Castro (30-3, 14 KO) for the vacant WBC featherweight belt, Jarrell “Gigantic Baby” Miller (26-1, 22 KO) with Kingsley “Black Lion” Ibeh (16-2, 14 KO) and the pioneer of Saudi Arabia Ziyad “Zizo” Almaayouf (7-0, 1 KO) against Kevin Castillo (5-2).
Fighters and promoters expressed emotion, confidence and respect, with MSG’s sold-out crowd and historic venue raising the stakes even further.
Teofimo Lopez
Lopez exuded peaceful confidence. “The preparation was very good,” he said, praising assistant coach Stacy McKinley and his father for honing his skills. “The amount of knowledge provided… was really impressive. I feel very good, I’m excited, determined.” He announced that this was the best he felt going into the fight and added, “More importantly, my soul feels great, like a beacon.”
Manager Keith Connolly compared it to Lopez’s upset of Vasily Lomachenko in 2020: “We’re in the exact same situation five, six years ago… He came in and kicked him in the ass. He’ll do it again. Shakur is a great fighter, but he’s never fought someone like Teofimo Lopez.”
Shakur Stevenson
Stevenson kept his emotions in check, choosing business over personal competition. “It’s all business… I’m 100 percent focused.” On Lopez as a challenge: “We’ll see. He’s a good player.”
He emphasized the importance of including children in his Fresh Jersey community in the fight: “It all means… giving them motivation” by seeing someone who has been in a similar situation succeed.
James Prince praised Stevenson’s uniqueness: “He’s one of a kind… He took aspects of Andre Ward and Roy Jones and yet incorporated them into his own mix. Now he’s Shakur Stevenson.”
Jarrell “Gigantic Baby” Miller
Miller’s return to MSG after 19 years caused deep emotions. “The last time I fought in this gym was 19 years ago… Coming back home to fight in front of my fans and family means a lot to me.” Sober and focused – “I don’t party, smoke or drink, I keep my mind acute” – he recalled past setbacks since 2019, but expressed gratitude to promoter Eddie Hearn and Matchroom for the opportunity. Notably, this will be the first time his children will see him fight live.
On opponent Kingsley Ibeh: “Am I afraid of him? Hell no… I’m from Brooklyn… I’m going to fight.” He promised aggression: “Come Saturday night, I’ll make Kingsley’s head spin… I’m horny and I’m going to kick some ass.”
Other special moments
Keyshawn Davis promised an ending: “I don’t want to leave this in the judges’ hands… The amazing Keyshawn Davis is back.” Jamaine Ortiz, determined after close defeats, said: “I learned a lot, especially not to leave it to the judges… I will show everyone that it all has its levels.”
Carlos Adames was matter-of-fact: “I’m looking forward to doing what I’ve always done.” Challenger Austin Williams brims with confidence and artistry: “I’m here to be the most cerebral fighter… I’m ready to give the fans the greatest performance they’ve ever seen.”
Brooklyn’s Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington called Brownsville’s free shot at the title a “dream come true”: “This is my moment… I have to do it.” Carlos Castro replied: “I’m here to beat the best… Bruce Carrington gets in my way and I realize there are levels to it all.”
Ziyad “Zizo” Almaayouf, Saudi Arabia’s first professional boxer, spoke of historic pride: “Gotham has Batman… Saudi Arabia has Zizo. On Saturday night I will make history” as the first Saudi to fight at MSG.
Eddie Hearn celebrated the sold-out event: “This place is special… the whole boxing world will be in Fresh York.” He praised both main event fighters for chasing greatness over easier paydays and highlighted personal stories, from Miller’s redemption to Williams’ journey.
The press conference highlighted an evening of high stakes, hometown pride and legacy-defining moments, and Lopez-Stevenson was ready to deliver a state-of-the-art classic in the Mecca of boxing.
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Boxing
Victor Ortiz was knocked out by Floyd Mayweather, but names an opponent who was ‘much better’
Published
57 minutes agoon
April 25, 2026
Floyd Mayweather’s last knockout victory over a legal opponent came in 2011 against Victor Ortiz, but despite the stoppage loss, the fighter known as “Vicious” claims he once fought a much better opponent.
It was a highly controversial moment when Mayweather knocked out Ortiz for the WBC welterweight title more than a decade ago, and the fourth round of their fight turned out to be full of drama.
Ortiz threw combinations on the ropes against Mayweather, but then got reckless and led with his head, prompting the referee to deduct a point.
With Ortiz paying no attention to the resumption of the fight, Mayweather fired a tough shot that knocked down and then knocked out his opponent, proving the elderly adage to always protect yourself.
Mayweather is undoubtedly the biggest name Ortiz has ever adopted, but while the boxing legend can be considered one of the best of all time, Ortiz told TalkSport that Andre Berto was better.
“He (Mayweather) is not the best opponent I’ve faced. Without a doubt, not. The best opponent I’ve faced was Andre Berto; he was much better. Andre Berto is a top-shelf pound-for-pound king. He knocked me down, I knocked him down, he got up, he knocked me down again.”
“This man showed everything: quality, heart, skill. Whatever, he’s got it. Someone like Floyd has what? Counter, running? That same year, I bought him some sprint shots at a press conference. My brother also bought him a box of tampons.
“But Andre Berto is special. I have the utmost respect for him. He has power in both hands; he is the total package. Someone with Floyd can’t compete with that.”
Ortiz defeated Berto to win the WBC welterweight title in a fight before facing Mayweather, which would be the first defeat of Berto’s professional career.
Berto’s final record was 32 wins and 6 losses, and during their meeting in September 2015, he suffered a one-sided defeat to Mayweather himself.
Mayweather competed just once again after the Berto fight, when he knocked out MMA fighter Conor McGregor in August 2017, although he is scheduled to return to fight former opponent Manny Pacquiao in September provided that the current problems can be solved.
Many fans on social media suspect that Miller is once again chasing Joshua just to secure a huge payday, which he threw away when failed drug tests canceled their 2019 fight.
Joshua wants a tune-up before he finally meets Tyson Fury. The plan is to shake off the rust and keep his record pristine before this huge event happens. This gap in the schedule gives other heavyweights a chance to make their voices heard, and Miller takes advantage of the moment.
Miller is still a controversial name, but he knows how to cause offense. Beating Pero would aid him prove that he still belongs in this conversation.
“Your whooping cough will come sooner or later. You can run, but you can’t hide,” Jarrell Miller said on Matchroom.
From a business perspective, Joshua’s team is focused on the Tyson Fury event. Facing an aggressive, volume hitter like Miller in a comeback fight would be risky. If Joshua wins, critics may view it as defeating a challenger who has spent years outside the elite mix. If he loses, Fury’s payout and his position will take damage.
Miller has built much of his reputation on noise and confrontation, but he’s still trying to fight his way into the majors. A victory over Pero won’t put him in a fight with Joshua right away, but it will keep him in the wider discussion.
Joshua’s team may still choose the safer and more controlled option of a return, especially if negotiations with Fury progress behind the scenes. Risking that payday against a hazardous or inconvenient opponent wouldn’t make much sense.
Still, Miller continues to cling to the story whenever Joshua’s name resurfaces in the headlines. Heavyweight boxing has a long memory, and some unfinished fights remain useful long after the first fall.
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
Terence Crawford names one fight he would like to see against Gervonta Davis this year
Published
5 hours agoon
April 25, 2026
Terence Crawford has named an opponent he would “love to face” with Gervonta Davis in his expected return to the sport.
The former world champion hasn’t fought since March 2025, when many felt he was lucky to draw with Lamont Roach.
Nevertheless, “Tank” retained the WBA lightweight title and was scheduled to face Roach in an immediate rematch before negotiating an exhibition match with Jake Paul.
But instead of spending time with the YouTuber-turned-boxer, Davis was forced to deal with domestic violence allegations from his former partner, Courtney Rossel.
Since then The 31-year-old was recognized by the WBA as a “breaktime champion”.urged by No. 1 contender Floyd Schofield to book their fight or give him a free shot at the title.
Davis, however, has expressed greater interest in a rematch with Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz at 140 pounds, even though he passed the Mexican in 2021.
Meanwhile, Crawford has no desire to watch “Tank” fight Schofield or Cruz, but he would happily sit back and watch him clash with Shakur Stevenson.
I’m talking to Danielle Pirello“Bud” called the WBO super lightweight world champion the perfect opponent for Davis, believing their potential meeting would be one of the best fights that could be had.
“I’d like to see Shakur vs. ‘Tank’ Davis.”
Stevenson had previously called on Davis to sign a contract several times, perhaps making him increasingly doubtful whether the Baltimore player would ever sign.
Therefore, it is unrealistic to expect an immediate fight between “Tank” and Stevenson, especially after the latter’s dominant performance against Teofimo Lopez in January.
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Victor Ortiz was knocked out by Floyd Mayweather, but names an opponent who was ‘much better’
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