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The opponent claims that James DeGale had six sparring knockouts before winning with his bare knuckles

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James DeGale lands punch on Matt Floyd during bare-knuckle fight after six sparring KOs claim

Matt Floyd claims James DeGale knocked out six sparring partners before their bare-knuckle fight, offering another look at the former world champion’s winning debut.

DeGale defeated Floyd by unanimous decision in a tumultuous BKFC fight last September, but Floyd says the performance was not representative of the level his opponent had achieved in pre-fight camp.

Six sparring knockouts

“I respect James DeGale as a boxer. He is one of the greatest boxers England has produced – an Olympic gold medalist and world champion,” Floyd said.

“Kedu Uchegbu, who managed our fight, later told me that DeGale had knocked out six sparring partners in camp and looked the best he had ever been in our fight.”

From Floyd’s account, DeGale was in great shape, even if it didn’t show that evening.

Floyd’s view of the fight

DeGale ultimately secured a unanimous decision in a brutal and often violent clash with BKFC that was shaped by point deductions, fouls and constant hostility between the two.

The Londoner fell during the fight and Floyd was disciplined multiple times because the fight threatened to go beyond the rules. Still, DeGale did enough on the scorecards to get his hand raised in his debut.

Floyd insists it was more due to his own style than any lack of sharpness on DeGale’s part.

“But because of how clumsy I am and the fighting style I pride myself in, I make the best fighters look average. Not because they are, but because of what I bring to the ring,” he explained.

“James DeGale wasn’t average tonight. I just made it look that way.”

Floyd maintained this view as he reflected on the performance.

“And I will continue to make the best fighters in the world look average. I will make the best fighters in the world not want to be there with me.”

The ambition remains

The Australian’s confidence extended beyond the fight with DeGale. Floyd recently posted a photo in which he claims to have offered identical terms to Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., Billy Joe Saunders and Tommy Fury as he continues to pursue high-profile opponents.

He previously told World Boxing News that a fight with Fury had been agreed for March, although the fight has yet to materialize.

Floyd also unusually pursued a showdown with Saunders, even going to a British pub to get involved in a proposed parking lot collision that never happened.

It’s unclear where Chavez Jr. fits into this equation, but Floyd’s willingness to attack established names is obvious despite DeGale’s defeat.

Confidence remains unchanged

The Australian also made it clear that the result did not change how he viewed his level.

“Not only do I make it uncomfortable – I will also beat anyone they put in front of me like I beat James DeGale and I will continue to make it look simple like I did with Chunky.”

This indicates that DeGale is in much better condition than the fight itself suggested, despite the victory.


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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Eddie Hearn on Joshua-Fury conversation: ‘Completely untrue’

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“Completely untrue,” said via promoter Eddie Hearn in response to reports that a deal has been struck for the long-awaited fight between former heavyweight champions Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury. “There is absolutely nothing signed for Anthony Joshua to fight Tyson Fury next. Nothing is agreed. Before the accident, there were talks – deep talks – that he would fight Jake Paul, then he would fight in February or March in Saudi Arabia, and then he would fight Tyson Fury. Then, of course, the accident happened.

The accident Hearn is referring to was a brutal car accident in Africa over the holiday season while Joshua was visiting friends and family. Two passengers in the vehicle were killed and Joshua himself was injured. There is still no decisive fight on the horizon for the outstanding Londoner, but there are rumors that he may finally return to the ring. However, a fight with Fury is not on the cards yet… at least according to Joshua’s promoter Hearn.

“There haven’t really been any conversations about this fight since then,” Hearn said, “other than conversations with Dr. Raka and Sela over the last few days about starting to think about reconsidering the plan.” Suffice it to say that a fight between Joshua and Fury has long been on the wish list of fight fans.

Indeed, noted fight journalist Gareth Davis recently stated that “the Fury-Joshua fight is signed. OK, it’s signed in the background. I got it on good authority. I can’t post it as a tidbit, but they’re heading in that direction.” Davies added that “They (Joshua and Fury) want this fight.” While this may be true, Hearns’ comments indicate that it will be some time before the fight is announced… if it happens at all. In boxing, vital announcements can be few and far between.

The truth is that a clash between Joshua and Fury would be a huge event. Although some say that both men have their best years behind them. First, they were both world champions. Moreover, both are super heavyweight fighters. And finally, they are both from England, which makes this possible fight an even bigger deal in the UK than anywhere else. If for any reason these two men don’t meet in the ring, the fighting world will be left with a sense of what could have been. These two have been on a collision course for years. It would reflect poorly on boxing if they weren’t able to rush into the ring at some point… Provided, of course, that both are mentally and physically capable of putting up a fight.

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Moses Itauma questions Rico Verhoeven’s title shot against Usyk

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Image: Eddie Hearn's Take on Who Moses Itauma Should Fight Next: Hrgovic or Parker?

Moses Itauma is not against Oleksandr Usyk fighting a different type of fight. However, he does not agree with the idea of ​​tying the world champion title to it.

The 21-year-old heavyweight champion was asked about the possibility of Usyk facing kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven and made it clear that while unified heavyweight champion Usyk has earned freedom in his career, the title element does not sit well with him. Itauma kept his tone moderate, but the point remained the same.


“Usyk, he can do whatever he wants,” Itauma said on the Ariel Helwani Show. “He deserved that right. But I don’t think he should be allowed to fight for the world title.”

Itauma did not question Usyk’s position or what he had achieved. Instead, he focused on the idea of ​​a newcomer stepping directly into a championship fight without going through the usual route. That’s where he drew the line.

“The fact that Rico can fight for a world title in his first fight is kind of crazy,” Itauma said.

Usyk-Verhoeven syndrome The fight itself wasn’t the problem. Itauma didn’t dismiss Verhoeven’s skill or the appeal of the matchup. He took issue with the title being placed in this fight without the usual path.

It was also admitted that fighters in Usyk’s position operate in different conditions. Itauma pointed out that once someone reaches this level of achievement and superstar status, they can choose opportunities that others would not have to offer. In his opinion, this part covers the territory. The problem, he believes, is when that freedom spills over into title fights.

This is a tiny moment in the interview, but one of the few in which Itauma deviated from standard answers and took a clear position. His view is similar to what many boxing fans have been saying about the Usyk vs. Rico fight.

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Categories Moses Itauma, Oleksandr Usyk

Last update: 19/03/2026 at 12:14

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Mike Tyson lists his five best busy fighters

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Mike Tyson names his top 5 active fighters

Heavyweight fan favorite Mike Tyson remains a fan of the sport to this day, and now the one-time “Baddest Man on the Planet” has chosen his five favorite busy fighters.

At the age of 20, “Iron Mike” obliterated all opposition to winning the world title – a record that will likely never be broken, and a feat that will forever be etched in the history books.

Tyson became a two-time champion of the division and one of the biggest stars the sport has ever produced, and Muhammad Ali was probably the only man who could beat him in the recognition stakes.

Surprisingly, Tyson returned to professional life in 2024, when suffered his seventh career loss to YouTuber turned boxer Jake Paulbreaking the record of a former world heavyweight champion with the longest professional career, which was broken this year by Oliver McCall.

Despite the talk of exhibitions, Tyson now observes, analyzes and engages in the development of adolescent fighters. He said before his last Amateur Invitational Ring magazine who he likes to watch the most.

“I like [Shakur] Stevenson, you know. I like Keyshawn Davis, I do [Terence] Crawford. I like [Naoya] Inoue, that Japanese guy, I like him. Who is Charlo’s brother, Jermall? He’s a really good fighter.”

Defending champion and four-weight world champion Shakur Stevenson is currently considered one of the best fighters in the sport. After his victory over Teofimo Lopez, he is planning his next move, considering whether to choose lightweight or super lightweight. Keyshawn Davis is a close friend and training partner of Stevenson, who is proving to be just as challenging to beat, although he is still waiting for that essential, breakthrough fight.

Crawford – the mentor of both fighters – retired from boxing tardy last year after defeating Saul “Canelo” Alvarez against the odds. Most believed that when he hung up the gloves, Naoya Inoue had moved up the rankings pound for pound, and the Japanese “Monster” continued to dominate the lower weight classes with sturdy knockouts and clear victories.

The inclusion of Jermall Charlo is the most left-field choice for “Iron” Mike, considering his crippling inactivity over the last five years, in which he has fought just twice. Things were looking up recently when the two-division champion was reportedly given a shot at the WBA super middleweight champion in June, but news quickly emerged that he would not be at the event for unknown reasons.

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