Connect with us

Boxing

Deontay Wilder lost his chance for the WBC belt in the fight for the crown of two weight classes

Published

on

Deontay Wilder celebrates after defeating Derek Chisora in London.

Deontay Wilder could still retire as a two-weight world champion after WBC bridgeweight titleholder Kevin Lerena told World Boxing News he would welcome a fight with the former heavyweight ruler.

The opportunity remains a real possibility as Wilder will naturally climb around the WBC bridgeweight limit of 224 pounds following his recent victory over Derek Chisora, keeping the long-discussed path to a second world title alive should the American decide to pursue another shot at the championship.

Current champion Lerena confirmed to WBN that he would give Wilder a chance without hesitation.

“I would 100 percent give Deontay Wilder a shot at the title,” Lerena told World Boxing News exclusively on Wednesday.

“He is always risky, as he showed in the fight with Derek Chisora. Wilder is one of the toughest boxers of our era. However, I do not back down from any man. I respect everyone and I am not afraid of anyone.”

Deontay Wilder’s bridgeweight option

The possibility of an Olympic bronze medalist winning a second world title outside the heavyweight division had existed for years.

World Boxing News previously revealed that the WBC would approve Wilder for a bridgeweight title shot if he continued with that decision, and president Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed that the sanctioning body would have no problem approving the fight if the fighters reached an agreement.

Even earlier in the division’s history, former champion Oscar Rivas was willing to defend his title against Wilder, showing that the American’s name immediately attracts attention in a newer weight class.

Lerena himself has already talked about the possibility of facing Wilder. Shortly after being elevated to full champion, the South African told WBN he would be open to giving the American a shot at the 224-pound title if the opportunity presented itself.

Wilder himself rejected the division when it was first introduced, insisting that his career would remain at heavyweight, even though the WBC indicated that he would be eligible to fight for the bridgeweight title if he exercised that option.

Since then, the landscape surrounding it has changed significantly.

The future of the heavyweight division is uncertain

After Wilder’s latest victory, there was little fanfare about what might come next.

There are still rumors about a fight with Anthony Joshua, but many observers consider this fight to be challenging for the American at this stage of his career. Others even suggested that he should leave after the victory rather than risk another painful defeat.

Wilder’s weaknesses have been exposed in recent years, and a heavyweight more risky than Derek Chisora ​​could arguably test those weaknesses again.

Moving up to bridge weight involves a different equation.

Lerena is not a airy boxer, but the “Bronze Bomber” would have an advantage over an opponent who would have to weigh the same as him. This is where the danger increases for the champion, who would lose the physical advantage that many heavyweights have abused him over the years.

Wilder’s weight advantage

The WBC bridge weight limit of 224 pounds is within Wilder’s natural range.

The former champion weighed 226 pounds before his fight with Chisora ​​in London and 225 pounds before his fight with Tyrrell Herndon in July 2025. Early in his career, Wilder often competed well below that mark and even talked about moving up to cruiserweight, a division twenty-four pounds lighter than bridgeweight.

Under these circumstances, the Alabama knockout fighter wouldn’t have to drastically change his preparation to reach the limit.

The idea of ​​Wilder finally winning the second division crown has huge benefits as the American seeks another path back to championship prominence.

If Wilder decided to take advantage of this opportunity, few would envy him if he tried to end his career as a two-division world champion.


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.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Boxing

Floyd Mayweather confirms next fight – Tyson dropped out due to Pacquiao’s plans

Published

on

Mayweather Gotti

Floyd Mayweather has confirmed his next fight, leaving Mike Tyson and Manny Pacquiao’s plans up in the air.

Mayweather will face Mike Zambidis on June 27 in Athens, Greece, in an exhibition that has previously only been mentioned on social media.

Mayweather has gone in a different direction – one that doesn’t involve risk to his 50-0 record.

This one is real. Others never made it this far.

When Mayweather first mentioned Zambidis, it carried the same uncertainty as the proposed Tyson fight, which appeared online but never followed up. Tickets are already on sale and the place is secured. The fight is closed.

Nothing ever came after Tyson.

Tyson’s fight is over

As World Boxing News reported when the April 25 date was discussed, the proposed fight with Mike Tyson never followed Mayweather’s usual fight. As the deadline approached, there was no sustained promotion, confirmation or push.

An idea appeared, gained attention, and then disappeared.

At this stage it looks like he’s done, especially considering Tyson’s age and complete lack of movement over time.

Pacquiao is still waiting

A rematch with Pacquiao remains on the cards, but only on paper.

Recent progress has removed a sticking point in the contract, and Pacquiao Promotions hosts the fight on September 19 at the Sphere in Las Vegas. Mayweather is also understood to have received a cash advance after early disagreements over whether the fight would be professional or exhibition.

Still, there was no confirmation.

Everything around Pacquiao is improving – except the part that matters.

The priority is the fight against Zambidis

Zambidis is now in central defense.

He’s not replacing Pacquiao – he’s buying time for Mayweather.

The June 27 fight will see Mayweather confirmed to return while the larger deal remains unfinished, but it also raises a familiar issue.

Control.

Pacquiao’s team, led by CEO Jas Mathur, is leading the process. This wasn’t how Mayweather usually behaved. Throughout his career, he dictated conditions, deadlines and promotions.

This balance has not yet been determined.

With Zambidis confirmed, Mayweather’s short-term path is clear. What happens next depends on whether she regains control or allows the Pacquiao fight to continue without her.

Until that changes, Zambidis isn’t a detour – it’s the only fight that actually exists.


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.

Continue Reading

Boxing

Gervonta Davis accused of avoiding undefeated rival: ‘He said he would never fight’

Published

on

Gervonta Davis accused of avoiding unbeaten contender: “He said he’d never take the fight”

Gervonta Davis’ return appears imminent, but it’s unclear whether the now-hiatus WBA lightweight champion will fight at 135 pounds, and the team of his expected lightweight opponent says “Tank” is avoiding them.

Davis, a three-division champion, has held the WBA title since delayed 2023 and defended it twice, defeating Frank Martin and then drawing with Lamont Roach Jr during his last trip, over a year ago.

However, in January, Davis lost his champion status and was instead named halftime champion, meaning he will likely get a chance to regain the belt after his first fight at 135 pounds.

Although despite rumors that the Baltimore-born knockout puncher will fight at super lightweight and face Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz upon his return, no modern lightweight champion has yet been crowned or a free-for-all title fight ordered.

Floyd Schofield is currently the man to benefit from this situation, but his team is growing increasingly frustrated with the slowness of the process as they wait to be promoted to champion or ordered to fight for the title – against Davis or an alternative challenger.

I’m talking to Boxing in Mill City“Kid Austin”‘s father and trainer, Floyd Schofield Snr, expressed his belief that Davis was avoiding his son and revealed plans to fight for the “Tank” title against a slimmed-down version.

“You need to drop the belt! They’re breaking the law now, federal law. Do I think ‘Kid’ is ready for ‘Tank’?” “The Kid” is ready for them all. There’s a reason why Tank said, “I’ll never get in the ring with that kid. There’s a reason his trainer went online and said Tank will never get in the ring with him.”

“Tank said it out of his own mouth and Tank’s trainer said it on the internet in an interview and said that ‘The reason Tank said it is because he looks at him like an older brother.’ The thing is, Tank can’t go down to 135 and fight Kid, Tank would be at a disadvantage.”

“We want to suck him arid and fight him at 135 pounds, that’s the biggest advantage we have right now. If we let Tank get used to it, he would be on fire, and we let Tank get used to that weight? No!”

“He weighs around 175 pounds now, he needs to get down to 135 pounds and get ready to get in the ring to fight, and the WBA will just do it.” [rehydration clause] where it can only go up to 152 pounds.

Negotiations for Davis-Cruz II are believed to be ongoing, and once confirmation is announced, the WBA will likely make its own announcement regarding the modern lightweight champion.

Continue Reading

Boxing

Jermell Charlo is negotiating a fight with Sebastian Fundora

Published

on

Image: Jermell Charlo Posts Training Video, Declares '154 is Mine'

He also claimed that future options are already planned for Tim Tszyu and Errol Spence Jr.

“We are talking to Tim Tszyu and Errol Spence. All three have agreed to fight me.”

This is an ambitious statement from a fighter who has not competed since his defeat to Canelo Alvarez in 2023. Charlo turns 36 on May 19, and many fans believe the long break should mean tuning in or fighting a challenger first rather than immediately fighting for the champion. Charlo, however, made it clear that he still sees himself as the best man in the division.

The problem is that Jermell is essentially trying to cash his 2022 check in a completely different economy. PPV prices on PBC have increased to over $75, and asking fans to pay that for a guy who hasn’t won a fight since May 2022 is tough. This is a financial risk for promoters.

Jermell is used to unquestioned ‘money. If he’s asking for a huge guaranteed amount to fight Fundora or Ennis, the math just doesn’t work for the promoter unless the bid is above $150 or $200,000.

In boxing, three years is an eternity. Since Jermell stayed noiseless, we’ve seen the rise of Xander Zayas and the emergence of “Boots” Ennis at 154.

“I told you I was coming back. I told you I wanted my stripes,” Charlo said. “Nobody beat me by the belt.”

Promoters aren’t calling because Jermell’s confidence is currently low. If the promoter puts him in the main event and he looks like the version of himself that did or didn’t show up in the Canelo Alvarez match, the event is a disaster. Financially, it could still be a disaster.

Jermell wants the reward of a champion without the upgrade tax that every other veteran has to pay after a long layoff. With 2026 filled with newborn, hungry and busy talent, thinking that you can simply move to the front of the queue because of what you did four years ago is definitely a bold choice.

If Jermell had just gone for it and beaten some of the top 154 ​​fighters like Israil Madrimov, Bakhram Murtazaliev and Brandon Adams, it wouldn’t have been much of a problem.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

OUR NEWSLETTER

Subscribe Us To Receive Our Latest News Directly In Your Inbox!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Trending