UK Boxing
Anthony Joshua’s offer from the head of the UFC and what the boxing star immediately told Dana White
Anthony Joshua was previously approached by UFC supremo Dana White (Photo: Getty)
According to his promoter Eddie Hearn, Dana White has sensationally approached Anthony Joshua about the prospect of joining the UFC supremo’s boxing stable. The former heavyweight champion is close to returning to the ring for the first time since his December knockout victory over Jake Paul. Just days later, he was involved in a sedate car accident in Nigeria that killed two of his closest friends.
The tragic incident has complicated Joshua’s return to boxing, but he is believed to be preparing for two gigantic fights before the end of the year. He is expected to have a warm-up fight in the summer, likely against Deontay Wilder, before finally facing Tyson Fury in the fall.
Joshua has worked with Hearn throughout his professional career, but White became his target in an attempt to lure him away from his longtime promoter.
White, best known for his role as UFC president, ventured into boxing with his Zuffa brand last year and immediately made a splash by poaching Conor Benn from Hearn on a one-fight deal.
He also tried to sign Joshua, but the former Olympic champion was not interested in doing business, instead showing loyalty to Hearn.
During the performance in Talking about cigars podcast, a Matchroom promoter recalls: “About two deals ago, the media published an article… ‘AJ talks to Dana White.’ And I said, ‘What the hell?’
“So it’s in the paper, right. So I go to AJ, we have a media scandal, and I say, ‘What the hell?’ And he says, ‘Yeah, he called me out of the blue.’
“And I said, ‘What?’ And he said, ‘I told him right away. I told him I was with Eddie, but we had a nice conversation. We talked for about half an hour.’
“Because AJ likes to listen, I’m like, ‘What?’ And then, funnily enough, about six months later I went to Dana’s office and we had a meeting.
The Whites failed to extort Joshua from Matchroom (Photo: Getty)
“And I said, ‘Oh, I heard you talked to AJ.’ And he said, ‘Yeah, and you know something, he told me within the first five seconds to let you know that I’m not leaving Eddie. He’s my guy, but let’s talk.’ I respected that. I was like, ‘Fuck, wow.'”
Hearn added that Joshua’s loyalty had been tested several times over the years but he had not wavered despite being offered lucrative offers.
“After our contract expired, he was offered deals that were much better short-term financial options for him,” Hearn added.
“And when you looked at it, fur again, no panties. When you looked at the beginning, you thought, Wow.” But then you thought, “Oh, you have to do this, and it’s a five-year deal,” and blah, blah, blah.
“But he never even [was like]: “Let me look at it.” It was like, “No, no. I’m with Eddie, so whatever, but Eddie can look at it.”
“I have a lot of respect for him because… there are a few players, probably a few players, that I feel the same way about as AJ.
“Like in an empty room with one or two people, they will support you in conversation, you know what I mean? And in life, you know, there are not many people like that, that’s true, especially in a game like boxing.
“So I will always be grateful to him. Not only as a company because he helped us and is now a shareholder in my company, but also because of what he did for me and the company.”
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UK Boxing
Re: Official Negotiating Order – Mandatory WBO Welterweight Championship – DevinHaney (champion) vs. Keyshawn Davis (#1 challenger)
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June 30, 2026
Re: Official Negotiation Order – Mandatory WBO Welterweight Championship Contest – Devin
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UPCOMING FIGHTS
JR. WEIGHT Championship
Bermudas
VS
Osorio
Osorio Won R
JR. AVERAGE WEIGHT Championship
Zayas
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Ennis
Ennis won R7
WEIGHT Championship
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Dominguez
R won
JR. BANTAM WEIGHT Championship
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Johnson
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R won
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Robinson
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The official record holder
Jaron Ennis is the bookmakers’ main favorite to defeat Xander Zayas in their highly anticipated world title clash on Saturday in Brooklyn.
Ennis challenges Zayas for the WBO and WBA super welterweight belts at the Barclays Center live on DAZN pay-per-view.
The undefeated resident of Philadelphia enters the game as the favorite on February 11 Bet365 give the 23-year-old his first professional defeat and become world champion in two weight categories.
“Boots” has stopped 31 of his 35 opponents, including Uisma Lima in his 154-pound debut in October, and is expected to stop the Puerto Rican on 20/21.
The 28-year-old last covered this distance in 2024, and a decision victory is valued at 13/2.
Even though Zayas has taken over as unified champion, he is an underdog Bet365 at 15/04.
Man from San Juan defeated Abass Baraou by split decision will add the WBA belt to his WBO crown in January and his best chance of victory is rated at 13/2 by decision, while success in the shock break is rated at 14/1.
Full Bet365 odds
The result of the fight
- Xander Zayas will win the fight: 15/4
- Xander Zayas by KO/TKO/DQ: 14/1
- Xander Zayas by decision or technical decision: 13/2
- Jaron Ennis will win the fight: 11/02
- Jaron Ennis by KO/TKO/DQ: 20/21
- Jaron Ennis by decision or technical: 8/5
- Draw or technical draw: 14/1
Round bets
Xander Zayas
- Win in round 1: 100/1
- Win in round 2: 100/1
- Win in round 3: 100/1
- Win in round 4: 100/1
- Win in round 5: 100/1
- To win in round 6: 100/1
- To win in round 7: 80/1
- To win in round 8: 80/1
- To win round 9: 66/1
- To win in round 10: 66/1
- To win round 11: 66/1
- To win in round 12: 80/1
- To win by decision or technical decision: 6/1
Jaron Ennis
- To win round 1: 80/1
- Win in round 2: 50/1
- Win in round 3: 40/1
- To win in round 4: 28/1
- To win in round 5: 20/1
- To win in round 6: 16/1
- Win in round 7: 12/12
- To win in round 8: 1/11
- To win in round 9: 10/1
- To win in round 10: 10/1
- To win in round 11: 10/1
- To win in round 12: 1/11
- Win by Decision or Technical Decision: 7/4
The post Xander Zayas vs Jaron Ennis – Odds and Betting Guide appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
On Wednesday, Lewis Crocker heads to Australia to defend his IBF welterweight world title against Liam Paro for the first time.
Crocker will face Paro at the Pat Rafter Arena in Queensland, live on DAZN in the UK and Kayo Sports in Australia.
Crocker (22-0, 11 KO) became world champion in September, defeating Paddy Donovan twice before winning the rematch by split decision.
Man from Belfast recorded his second victory over Donovan after the first victory in March last year, and his rival was disqualified for hitting him after the bell.
Paro (27-1, 16 KO) is trying to become a world champion in two weight categories, having previously reigned in the super-lightweight division.
The 30-year-old won the title with a unanimous decision victory over Subriel Matias in Puerto Rico before winning the belt in his first defense against Richardson Hitchins.
The Australian has since won twice, overtaking David Papot in his last appearance in September.
McKean meets Taliva
Heavyweight Demsey McKean will look to continue his rebuild when he faces Liam Talivaa for the vacant IBF Pan Pacific title.
McKean (24-2, 16 KO) had his career cut miniature after a last-round loss to Filip Hrgovic, followed by a brutal first-round loss to Moses Itauma.
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The 35-year-old southpaw returned to winning ways with back-to-back stoppage victories.
Talivaa (8-2, 4 KO) last won the IBF Oceania-Orient title, defeating Faiga Opelu by first-round stoppage.
Undercard remaining
At cruiserweight, Luke Modini (13-0, 11 KO) will likely need distance to beat Peng Qu (17-2-1, 12 KO), while Riley Candy (8-1, 5 KO) could stop Nathan Watson (11-3, 3 KO) at super middleweight.
Vegas Larfield (13-1, 9 KO) can hand Shamal Ram Anuj (11-8, 8 KO) his fourth defeat in a row in a featherweight clash.
Heavyweight Nelson Asofa-Solomon (2-0, 2 KO) can secure a third straight knockout over debutant George Burgess, and Stevan Ivic (8-0-1, 2 KO) can do the same against Caleb Tialu (3-7, 3 KO), also a heavyweight.
Prospective super welterweight fighter Jack Javed (1-0) should overtake Lance McDonald (1-5-1, 1 KO).
The post Lewis Crocker vs. Liam Paro – Gigantic Fight Preview and Predictions appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
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