The Matchroom Boxing card streams live on DAZN this Saturday, July 18, from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. In the co-feature, lightweight contender Andy Cruz will face late replacement Abraham Montoya (24-7-1, 14 KOs)) after Albert Bell withdrew to accept a world title shot against WBO lightweight champion Abdullah Mason.

Cruz, who many fans believed did enough to defeat IBF lightweight champion Raymond Muratalla before dropping a disputed 12-round majority decision last January, had been scheduled to meet Bell in what was widely viewed as a more compelling matchup. Bell’s withdrawal forced Matchroom to find a replacement on short notice, with Montoya getting the opportunity.

Pacheco (25-0, 18 KOs) enters the fight looking to continue his rise toward a world title shot while beginning his partnership with McGirt, one of boxing’s most accomplished trainers. Aleem (22-4-3, 14 KOs) is an experienced veteran who has shared the ring with several respected contenders and will look to derail Pacheco’s momentum.

Cruz (6-1, 3 KOs), a two-time Olympic gold medalist, remains one of boxing’s most highly regarded lightweight contenders despite the controversial loss to Muratalla. A victory over Bell would have strengthened his case for another title opportunity, but Bell’s decision to pursue a championship fight changed those plans.

The opponent switch drew criticism from some fans on social media, with many describing the revised matchup as a mismatch and expressing disappointment that Cruz would no longer face Bell. Others questioned the overall strength of the doubleheader.

However, the change was not Cruz’s doing. Bell withdrew after landing a title shot against Mason, leaving Matchroom to secure an available replacement rather than remove Cruz from the card. While Montoya may not generate the same interest as Bell, Cruz can still make a statement with an impressive performance and move himself closer to another lightweight title opportunity.

Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield are regarded as two of the best heavyweights in recent history, and now a former world heavyweight champion who fought them both is planning a shock return to the sport at the age of 53.

Lewis and Holyfield ruled the heavyweight division at various stages throughout the 1990s, which led to the duo famously colliding on two occasions in 1999.

The first bout ended in a controversial split decision draw, before Lewis left no doubt in the second meeting as he won by unanimous decision to become undisputed heavyweight champion.

Just under 18 months later, Lewis suffered an upset defeat, as he was knocked out inside five rounds by Hasim Rahman, and it is Rahman who is now planning on returning to the sport at the age of 53, as he looks to compete for the first time since June 2014.

After his victory over Lewis, Rahman lost by fourth round knockout in their immediate rematch, before he then headed straight into a bout with Holyfield, suffering a technical decision loss after eight rounds due to an eye injury after an accidental head clash.

Further defeats followed, with his record currently standing at 50 wins from 62 fights, but he has told Sean Zittel about his current success in the gym.

“I feel like in every aspect of my life, I feel like a 25-year-old. I go in the gym and I’ll work everybody in the gym, every single person.”

Rahman is scheduled to compete at the ESL Ballpark in Rochester, New York on Tuesday 18 August, with an opponent yet to be announced.

“It’s crazy when they talk shit to me God punish them.”

FightHype interpreted the post as Crawford reacting to McGregor’s defeat, and many fans reached the same conclusion given the timing.

The two have exchanged words in recent weeks after McGregor claimed Crawford turned down a $200 million two-fight boxing and MMA deal. Crawford rejected that version of events, saying no such offer was ever presented to him.

Crawford did not mention McGregor by name or elaborate on his message, but the post quickly spread across social media.

The reaction was divided. Some boxing fans viewed the message as Crawford reminding McGregor of their recent feud, while many MMA fans criticized the retired four-division champion for appearing to celebrate McGregor’s injury and defeat. Others accused Crawford of invoking divine punishment over a sporting result, calling the post unnecessary.

Neither Crawford nor McGregor has commented further since the exchange reignited discussion between boxing and MMA fans.