Connect with us

Boxing

After Joshua, Paul became interested in fighting UFC’s Pereira

Published

on

When Jake Paul’s fight with Gervonta “Tank” Davis was canceled following the revelations of the WBA lightweight champion’s latest legal troubles, the social media influencer turned boxer was determined to land a modern opponent before the end of 2025.

According to reports, there were several potential opponents in the works, but Paul got into a fight with former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and the two will meet on Friday at the Kaseya Center in Miami, live on Netflix.

“I didn’t expect the Joshua fight to happen this year,” Paul told ESPN about his selection process. “But the plan was always to fight Gervonta Davis and then Anthony Joshua, so we pushed the fight ahead of schedule.”

However, Paul revealed that he was very close to securing a fight against undisputed three-division champion Terence Crawford instead of Joshua, with the only obstacle being the adjustment of event schedules.

“It was very close to being Crawford and not Joshua,” Paul said. “It really came down to timing and wanting to promote the Crawford fight properly. Maybe we’ll do it in 2026 and adjust the schedules because we were so close to making that fight. It’s a huge fight, and when I beat Joshua, it’ll be even bigger.”

However, on Tuesday, after Paul’s speech, Crawford announced he was leaving boxing.

Crawford was one of several fighters Paul told ESPN was on his updated “hit list” of opponents he wanted to fight. He posted his first “hit list” on social media in 2021 and has fought six of his 12 desired opponents so far. Both Joshua and Crawford are on the updated “hit list,” but one other name that was considered for the December fight that wasn’t on his list was former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.

An offer was made for Ngannou to face Paul shortly after losing the fight to Davis. However, Ngannou told TMZ that he refused and felt “disrespected” by the idea of ​​getting into a boxing ring with Paul.

“It’s not about the number,” Ngannou said. “I’m not interested. It doesn’t make sense.”

Paul told ESPN he was “surprised” that Ngannou, who lost a split decision to Tyson Fury in October 2023 and was knocked out by Joshua in March 2024, refused to fight him.

“I was definitely surprised, but the players are not very astute people, especially Francis Ngannou,” Paul said. “When he sees that I’m better than him against Joshua, it’ll be obvious what an idiot he is. He screwed up and I think he realizes it now.”

Paul didn’t want to look too far ahead with a fight against Joshua just around the corner, but he did mention another name that was on his “hit list”: UFC delicate heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.

Pereira is the only MMA fighter on Paul’s modern list. However, this may prove to be his toughest fight considering he is still under contract with the UFC and Paul still has a public rift with UFC CEO Dana White. However, with White entering the boxing industry with Zuffa Boxing in 2026, perhaps there is a glimmer of hope that Paul-Pereira’s success will finally be achieved.

“[Dana being a boxing promoter] it definitely makes this fight easier to make,” Paul said. “But I don’t know if the UFC will ever allow one of their MMA fighters to have a boxing fight again. I hope so, and I would be thrilled if they did. But ultimately, I don’t think it’s good for their business to lose one of their superstars to a Disney baby.”

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

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

Boxing

Lennox Lewis gives an truthful assessment of the Vitali Klitschko fight and the reasons he retired

Published

on

Lennox Lewis gives honest assessment of Vitali Klitschko fight and why he subsequently retired

Lennox Lewis surrendered on his own terms shortly after defeating Vitali Klitschko, but he still found it extremely arduous to hang up his gloves.

Before retiring, Lewis had firmly established himself as the all-time heavyweight champion, especially after he overtook Evander Holyfield for the undisputed crown in 1999.

Then “The Lion” would do it lost to Hasim Rahman in a shocker in 2001, then took revenge for the defeat by reaching the fourth round in the same year.

At this point he had beaten every fighter in the opposite corner, and he only continued this pattern after securing an eighth-round berth over Mike Tyson in 2002.

But instead of sailing off into the sunset, Lewis was convinced by his legendary trainer Emanuel Steward to fight Klitschko in 2003.

I’m talking to Heavenly sportsLewis said it was simply an opportunity to further cement his legacy by fighting the previous and potentially future heavyweight champion. He admitted that the performance was not pretty, but assured that he did his job.

“My coach Emanuel said, ‘Listen, you can beat the present and the future in this fight,’ and I said, ‘Well, I’ll take it.’ It wasn’t a pretty fight, but I still won.”

Indeed, it was a close fight between Lewis and Klitschko, who was ultimately stopped in the sixth round after suffering significant facial injuries.

However, Klitschko won the vacant WBC belt shortly thereafter and remained undefeated (defending the title 11 times) before retiring in 2012.

Meanwhile, Lewis was tempted to return several times, but was keenly aware of the focus and discipline he needed to compete at the highest level.

“There were many times I felt like jumping back into the ring, but stay focused [and] discipline kept me at bay.

“Let me tell you, it was difficult. I wanted to retire and say I wasn’t coming back and it was difficult to stay out of the ring. HBO gave me a job as a commentator and I was back there in front of boxing and trying to get away from boxing.

“I said I’ve done everything, I don’t have to prove anything anymore. So I stayed away from boxing.”

After retiring, Lewis became a widely respected pundit, analyst and commentator, largely due to his deep understanding of the sport.

Continue Reading

Boxing

Sulaiman says Shakur has huge all-time potential

Published

on

Image: Derek 'Bozy' Ennis to Shakur Stevenson: "You Don't Have to Prove Anything to Anybody"

“He’s a great fighter. He has everything,” Sulaiman told Ring Champs. “He has all-time potential. He’s a great fighter.”

Sulaiman said Stevenson’s skills have already been proven in multiple leagues, adding that the latest move has only strengthened his standing in the sport.

The comments came when Sulaiman was asked whether Stevenson could finally become boxing’s top pound-for-pound fighter. His answer was direct.

“I think so,” Sulaiman said. “He looks very good and sturdy in this weight class.”

Stevenson’s rise also became a major topic of conversation after the Teofimo fight. Sulaiman said the up-to-date division seemed to suit him physically.

At 28 years elderly, Stevenson is currently at the point in his career where accolades become expectations. Talent alone no longer divides him. The question is whether his upcoming fights match the level people currently see in him.

All the while, Sugar Ray Robinson was moving up from welterweight to middleweight and fighting the toughest monsters of his era without asking them to suck him parched. When you request a hydration clause, as Shakur did with Conor Benn at welterweight, you are essentially saying that you want your opponent to be at his weakest while you are at his best.

Sugar Ray Robinson didn’t ask for a “rehydration clause” during his fight with Jake LaMotta. He just went out and fought a much bigger, stronger man. If Shakur wants to be mentioned in the same breath, he must finally fight a fight in which he will not be the one dictated by physical disabilities.

Robinson didn’t ask for a “rehydration clause” in his fight with Jake LaMotta. He just went out and fought a much bigger, stronger man. If Shakur wants to be mentioned in the same breath, he must finally fight a fight in which he will not be the one dictated by physical disabilities.

Continue Reading

Boxing

Gervonta Davis called out by world champion for mega fight: “I need it”

Published

on

Gervonta Davis called out by world champion for mega fight: “I need it”

Gervonta Davis’ future is currently in doubt, but that’s not stopping one of the reigning world champions from calling out ‘Tank’ for a showdown.

It was over a year since Davis last saw action in March 2025 against Lamont Roach Jr. This fight ended in a controversial majority draw, but “Tank” still defended his WBA lightweight title.

Since then, however, the Baltimore man’s life has been extremely hard. A first-time exhibition with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, scheduled for November, was canceled after Davis found himself at the center of domestic violence allegations.

Further allegations led to “Tank” losing his WBA belt and being declared champion during his hiatus, but earlier this year reports surfaced that he could return against former foe and current WBC interim super lightweight champion Isaac Cruz.

After Ryan Garcia posted, it’s yet another former foe of Davis who is now calling for a rematch social media his intention to secure a second fight.

“I pray I get a tank rematch one day. I need it back on equal footing. I need it!!!”

Garcia suffered a seventh-round loss to Davis when they met in April 2023, but “King Ry” has repeatedly said since the fight that he was far from his best as it was a 136-pound catchweight fight with a 10-pound rehydration clause.

in February Garcia defeated Mario Barrios to win the WBC welterweight titleand if Davis decides to campaign at 147 pounds, the prospect of winning world titles in another weight class could tempt him into a rematch with “King Ry.”

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