Boxing
David Haye, Lennox Lewis and Joseph Parker announce Tyson Fury’s return
Published
2 months agoon
Tyson Fury will return to the ring on Saturday evening against Arslanbek Makhmudov in London.
ESPN spoke to three heavyweight experts: David Haye, Joseph Parker and Lennox Lewis, to get their take on Fury’s latest return and how the fight might go.
David Haye
Are you joyful that Tyson Fury is back?
“Yes, of course. Boxing is better with Tyson Fury. We need controversy; we need ‘The Gypsy King’ in the heavyweight division.” It’s not as fun without it.
I hope he will be back to his best on Saturday night. Makhmudov is not a pushover. He’s not the easiest guy when you don’t know what you have left. Makhmudov is the perfect opponent, but you’ll need 12 rounds of action or he’ll flood you.
“He’s very sturdy, he hits tough. He’s not the most skillful boxer. It’s one thing to say, ‘I’m No. 1 in the world, I didn’t lose to Usyk’… It doesn’t matter. We’ll see on Saturday night.”
Do you think he’ll be sitting in the locker room wondering how he’ll handle being in that ring?
“No, he’s been doing it since he was a child. He won’t worry at all. It’s a normal human attitude. He’s a fighter. He’s shown it time and time again. He was there with Wilder when he was an undefeated beast and he beat him.
“The fight with Makhmudov won’t surprise him. It’s not about his mindset, it’s about his physicality. That’s an unknown.”
Joseph Parker
Were you around him, how did Tyson do at camp?
“He’s in amazing shape. He always puts in the work. Always. It’s nice to see him joyful and enjoying camp. I think it’s for him now [to] enjoy every moment.
“He’s in great shape and ready to go. Even now he’s the fittest player in the camp. We’re training in Thailand, it’s very balmy in the gym, I did 4-5 rounds of sparring with him and I really felt it. I jumped out, another guy jumped in… Then another guy.
The fight against Makhmudov is not effortless. What is Tyson’s attitude on this matter?
“I don’t think Tyson could have trained harder [than if it was] title fight. He treated this guy [Makhmudov] like he was King Kong. That’s how he was trained for this fight, and I can say this truthfully because I was there.
Lennox Lewis
Tyson looks in good shape and has been relaxed and joyful all week. What version of him do you expect to see on Saturday night?
“I expect Tyson Fury to come out on the pitch and feel confident. He has already been through trials and tribulations with [Francis] Ngannou struggles as he gets caught in the first rounds.
“He’s going to make sure he doesn’t get caught… He knows how it feels and he doesn’t want it to happen again.”
Do you think the leave could have helped him?
“100%. I think Thailand has done so many good things for him. He’s a guy who needs to get away. He doesn’t like people, but he loves being around his family and they make him feel good. He is [been] in a place where you feel good, allows you to lose weight comfortably.
“If he comes back and expresses his desire to box a few more times, he can stay for at least another year.”
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Boxing
Floyd Mayweather says ‘I’m on my way’ as fight in Greece faces legal threat
Published
1 hour agoon
June 23, 2026
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.
Boxing
Promoter Naoya Inoue points to two main fights that will start in February 2027.
Published
2 hours agoon
June 23, 2026
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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Last updated: 23/06/2026 at 1:15
Boxing
Shane Mosley predicts PM Marvin Hagler vs PM Canelo: ‘I think he’s going to get him’
Published
4 hours agoon
June 23, 2026
Two-division world champion Shane Mosley predicted how the fantastic fight between Canelo Alvarez and “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler would go.
Canelo ruled four weight classes, earning world honors between super welterweight and featherlight heavyweight and becoming the division’s first-ever undisputed champion in an iconic 11-month span.
The 35-year-old’s strength seemed to have waned recently, with him failing to win a single break since 2021. defeat to former lightweight champion Terence Crawford in his last fight.
That being said, his reputation will be able to be reclaimed in September when is fighting for the WBC super middleweight world title.
Still, as his career nears its final chapter, fans wonder where Canelo ranks among the greatest champions of his country, the contemporary era and of all time, wondering how he would fare against other iconic fighters in the division he ruled.
Speaking on Mi Gallo boxing podcasthosted by two-time middleweight title challenger Gabriel Rosado, Mosley selected middleweight fan favorite Hagler to emerge victorious in a fantastic fight against top-ranked Canelo.
“I think Marvin could get him.”
Hagler never boxed outside the middleweight division during his 67-fight career, reigning as undisputed champion for seven years and boasting the sixth-longest reign in division history; during this time he became notable for defeating Roberto Duran and Thomas Hearns.
In total, Hagler won 62 of 67 professional fights, with his only three losses coming to Bobby Watts, Willie Monroe and Sugar Ray Leonard, as well as draws to Vito Antuofermo and Sugar Ray Searles.
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