“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.

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.

This pattern does not resemble a warrior tightening his belt. It’s comparable to managing a fighter based on risk while the 154 and 160 divisions fight without him.

Prograis (30-3, 24 KO), who has won two welterweight titles, made that distinction clear when talking about the 37-year-old Conor ahead of the April 11 fight at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. There were no buildings or hedges there.

“He may never become champion. I don’t see that for him,” Prograis said.

He didn’t need to say much more. The comparison suggests itself. Regis has already gone through the process of winning and defending the title. Benn, at the same stage in his career, is still being judged on where he fits rather than what he has achieved.

Division also matters here. The 154-year-old champions are proven operators who have fought strenuous to get there. At 160, size and physical demands only boost. Conor hasn’t established himself in any lane and the current tour, catchweights and selective matchups don’t change that.

The Eubank Jr. fight that was talked about earlier this year followed the same logic. Eubank, 35, would move down in weight, giving Benn a controlled version of a bigger opponent rather than forcing him to face the division on his own terms. This was another situation that protected positioning without answering the more significant question.

This fight with Regis has a similar vibe. Benn is younger and obviously bigger at this adjusted weight, but the test is not about size. It’s a question of whether he can show something that will take him beyond the intermediate stage into a real title conversation.

Prograis says he hasn’t seen it yet and, more importantly, he doesn’t expect it. It’s a strenuous line to draw, but it fits the way Benn’s career has been built up to this point.

This is supposed to be a step forward for Conor, promoted by Zuffa. Prograis sees this as evidence that this step may never happen.