Following his retirement, Terence Crawford has made way for modern stars to take over his former divisions, and the next 18 months will tell when boxing will discover modern pound-for-pound challengers.
Crawford won the undisputed super lightweight world title by defeating Julius Indongo in 2017, and repeated the feat six years later at welterweight dominant triumph over Errol Spence Jr.
The Omaha operator then moved up to super welterweight, where he dethroned Israil Madrimov in his 154-pound debut to win the WBA world title before making a shocking jump to super middleweight.
Weighing in at 168 pounds, Crawford recorded a history-making triumph over then undisputed ruler Canelo Alvarez that will surely be talked about for generations to come. His departure was announced shortly thereafter, leaving the super middleweight titles divided.
Now in the super welterweight division, it appears that champions are ready and willing to fight both top contenders and each other, with Xander Zayas recently becoming the youngest unified world boxing champion and then signing a contract to fight Jaron “Boots” Ennis.
However, on social mediaCrawford highlighted the quality of another super welterweight world champion, believing that no one in the division can beat WBC world champion Sebastian Fundora.
Interestingly, despite fighting in six weight classes (including bridgeweight) below heavyweight, the appropriately nicknamed “Towering Inferno” is the tallest lively world boxing champion, boasting a height of 6’10”, which has proven complex for his super welterweight rivals to overcome.
Fundora returned to action last month, winning a dominant fight against Keith Thurman to retain his WBC title, and beating him will certainly be complex for anyone. Intriguing future fights include unification with the winner of Zayas and “Boots.”
Peter Fury is receiving praise for his latest efforts as a coach, but there is one player the 58-year-old admitted he is “really excited about”, promising to take him to the very top of the sport.
Since then, Peter Fury has continued to train his son, Hughie Fury, and guided Savannah Marshall to the undisputed super middleweight world title, but he recently drew praise for his partnership with Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven, who pushed Oleksandr Usyk to the limit in his fight for the heavyweight crown last month.
However, while Verhoeven impressed on the massive stage under Fury’s tutelage, the veteran coach is now trying to develop multiple national amateur champion and nephew, James Dean Fury, into a superstar.
I’m talking to Boxing King’s MediaJames Dean Fury certainly anticipated his rise to the top, believing that experience is the only thing currently keeping him from mixing at an elite level after announcing his move to the professional scene.
“Right now, all I want to do is achieve the best version of myself and fulfill my dream of becoming world champion, and whoever it is at that moment will definitely achieve it. I believe in myself, I believe that I am the best in the world and all I need is experience and rounds, and then I will definitely achieve it.”
Meanwhile, in a conversation with About boxingPeter Fury has declared he is “really excited” as he prepares to train another nephew to become a world champion.
“I’m really excited about him because he’s as good as he says he is. If he wasn’t, he wouldn’t be with me. He’s been with me since I was a baby, he’s close to me, I look at him like he’s my boy, like he’s my son. I have a vested interest in him because he’s my boy, right? He’s my brother’s son and I’ve had him since I was a baby.”
“So for me there’s a great reward waiting for me, to be able to see this adolescent guy fight his way to the top – and he will. He will do it because I can do it and if I have something to do with it, he will definitely do it. Believe me, he is a real talent.”
Floyd Mayweather insists he is heading to Greece this week despite a growing legal dispute that could cast a shadow over the event.
The undefeated boxing legend sent a direct message to Greek fans on Tuesday amid ongoing preparations for his June 27 event against kickboxing star Mike Zambidis in Athens.
“I want to thank everyone, I want to thank you for all the support. Greece, I’m on my way.
“Let’s have fun, let’s have fun and give the people what they want to see. Greece, I’m on my way.”
The news comes as a growing controversy surrounds several proposed Mayweather-related events involving Mike Tyson and Manny Pacquiao.
Mayweather presses forward
The recently disclosed arbitration request involving plaintiffs Jaspreet Mathur and EMI Capital LLC focuses on contracts related to proposed Mayweather events involving Tyson and Pacquiao.
The dispute names Jona Rechnitz and entities affiliated with Frist Apex Ventures among respondents and fits into an increasingly complicated picture of Mayweather’s exhibition plans.
At the same time, social media related to the case publicly alleged that rights related to Mayweather’s planned return to professional boxing had been sold to separate event producers.
The claims remain allegations, and Mayweather has not publicly addressed the latest filing.
What he did was further promote Greece.
While the arbitration proceedings are ongoing elsewhere, Mayweather is acting as if the June 27 date remains on track.
Collision course
The exhibition in Greece is moving forward and the controversy surrounding Tyson and Pacquiao is gaining momentum.
It’s unclear whether these proceedings will ultimately impact any of the proposed events, but Mayweather shows no signs of changing course.
Just a few weeks ago, attention focused on whether shows featuring Mike Zambidis, Manny Pacquiao and Mike Tyson could co-exist on the same schedule.
The focus now is on whether these plans will survive the increasingly public battle over the broader project.
For now, Athens remains on the calendar, with only days left until the first bell.
Despite the growing controversy surrounding the feud, Mayweather appears determined to keep the event going in Greece.
His message to Greece remains unchanged.
“I’m on my way.”
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.
Undisputed super bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue’s future plans are starting to take shape after promoter Hideyuki Ohashi revealed that a large fight is already planned for February 2027.
“Right now we’re working on the December pairing. Then next February, if I say there’s a large fight, you’ll probably know what I’m talking about. It’s already in the works. Then we’ll do another one in an amazing place,” Ohashi said to Yahoo Japan.
The comments included mentioning the opponent, but they will probably intensify speculation about the fight with Jesse Rodriguez. The undefeated American recently moved up to bantamweight and won the WBA title with a victory over Antonio Vargas.
Rodriguez’s trainer, Robert Garcia, has indicated that the plan is for Rodriguez to have one more fight before moving up to super bantamweight. Potential bantamweight opponents include WBA champion Seiya Tsutsumi and WBO titleholder Christian Medina, while Rodriguez is still looking for bigger opportunities.
While most of the attention will focus on the February schedule, Ohashi’s reference to another event in an “unusual location” suggests that discussions may already be underway about a second major appearance beyond the expected fight in early 2027.
Inoue defeated Junto Nakatani by unanimous decision in May at the Tokyo Dome, retaining his undisputed championship in a fight that attracted enormous attention across Japan. The victory improved his professional record to 31-0 and further strengthened his position as one of boxing’s best pound-for-pound fighters.
Ohashi’s latest comments represent the clearest indication yet that Inoue’s early 2027 schedule is already in the works, with plans moving beyond a single marquee event. Regardless of whether the February fight ultimately involves Rodriguez or another opponent, the promoter has made it clear that preparations are already underway for the next phase of Inoue’s career.
Robert Segal is a boxing reporter at Boxing News 24 with over a decade of experience covering fight news, previews and analysis. Known for his first-hand reporting and in-ring perspective, he delivers authoritative coverage of champions, challengers and emerging talent from around the world.
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