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Beltline: Ohara Davies, Phony News, and Boxer Games

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3 months ago

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Sometimes, especially when it comes to social media, it’s best to say nothing at all. For example, if someone dies, eminent or not, there’s no need for JoeBloggs649264883 to comment publicly or express what the deceased meant to them. Likewise, if a huge news story seems to be trending, there’s no need for JoeBloggs649264883 to express his opinion on it in the hopes that his opinion — and therefore JoeBloggs649264883’s — will be noticed.

Sometimes it’s best to just sit back, wait, watch. This is especially true when news is about to break, and the temptation is to jump ahead and pounce before everyone else. In fact, it could be argued that the hunger to win in this race has never been greater, with good taste giving way to haste, and the newsfeed’s greatest enemy is the restless fingers of those with the power to scroll up and down.

In that respect, and that alone, Ohara Davies was right when he acted as he did on Tuesday (September 3). That day, Davies learned via @NoSmokeBoxing that he had been scheduled to fight Adam Azim, one of the warm prospects in the UK, on ​​October 19. That same day, Davies criticized @NoSmokeBoxing for spreading what he considered “imitation news,” adding on his account: “This is what I mean by boxing media.”

And yet, despite the denials, because this is boxing, there was always a chance that Davies would end up fighting Azim, as it turned out, and the official announcement of their fight came just two days later. This, rather than being a surprise or a Shyamalan-esque plot twist, was merely a reminder. It was a reminder that the only groups of people who lie as much as the media does are actors, drug addicts, and professional boxers, those men and women who have to lie to themselves to get into the ring on fight night; those men and women who lie to the media as much as the media lies to them.

Davies, playing coy, did nothing wrong. After all, it’s his prerogative to keep his cards close to his chest and try to maintain the illusion of control. More likely, he was just annoyed at being gassed; robbed of his own exclusivity by the zeal of online fans.

Either way, when Davies writes, “Don’t call or write me for interviews, you can all fuck off,” we should at least acknowledge his irritation in those words. We should also acknowledge that the constant thirst for news these days can become a bit tiresome for those boxers from whom the news is ultimately collected. For example, after hearing the Azim rumour, one can only imagine how many fans with webcams contacted Davies in the hope of catching him driving somewhere, then asking him pointless questions in pursuit of a coveted video clip. Doing it once is demotivating enough, but when you make a career out of it, you can understand why the likes of Davies are susceptible to moment on a random Tuesday afternoon.

Because these aren’t interviews in any classic sense. Instead, Davies, when asked to do an interview, knows he’s simply being used, relevant only to Adam Azim and the need to create content for an online audience. He knows that when he gets these calls, people aren’t interested in his career or how he felt after his defeat in January, but rather what they want from him is confirmation; confirmation of a rumor spread without his consent. In that moment, he’s reminded of his place as a boxer. He’s reminded of both his value and how it fluctuates.

The truth is that if classic interviews weren’t so infrequent these days, Davies might have a different perspective on what he considers media, or rather interviews. He might know what an interview is, and therefore appreciate that creating clickbait and farming engagement aren’t the only reasons people want to talk to a boxer when a publicist offers them six minutes on Zoom. He might understand the difference between journalists and content creators.

A few weeks ago, British featherlight heavyweight Joshua Buatsi expressed similar weariness when asked about pre-fight interviews. “Usually,” he said, “they ask us the same thing over and over again, and I think, ‘Oh my God, I’ve been asked that a hundred times.’”

“This is completely different.”

Our interview was different only because the interviewer anticipated the mood of the interviewee and therefore did everything he could to make the interviewee feel (a) as if they mattered more than a news headline and (b) remotely stimulated – or at least made to think – by the line of questioning. That, with such a low bar, was no real feat, to be truthful, but it was still depressing to think that such measures had to be taken. It was equally depressing to think that there were boxers like Buatsi who were shielded from journalists by a legion of publicists and managers who had never really experienced what it was like to be properly interviewed.

In the case of Davies, 25-3 (18), I have no doubt that he is a character worthy of an interview – a proper one. In fact, I interviewed Davies properly in 2018, around the time he was emerging as a mature, reformed figure, believing that the best way to get noticed was to be as raucous and annoying as possible. By the time we spoke, Davies, or “OD,” was a different man. It was only with the passage of time and a few humiliating setbacks that he realized that no amount of fame was worth the energy it took to simultaneously keep a mask in place, juggle balls, and dance on cue.

Now 32, Davies says he has learned his lesson and found his voice; voice. He no longer boasts about beating every fighter in his weight class, or claims to have all the answers. In other words, he has been humbled, disciplined. First he was humbled by Josh Taylor in 2017, then by Jack Catterall in 2018, and most recently he was caught frosty and stopped in the round by Ismael Barroso, a loss so humiliating that one might dare suggest Davies should be grateful that the “media” picked up the phone, let alone pretend to care.

But a boxer would obviously never think like that. Some people have difficulty thinking at all, while others, like Davies, who perhaps think, or simply offer too much of themselves to the public, will utilize the Me vs. the World mentality as both motivation and, when necessary, a way to create separation. “You can all ‘fuck off,’” he said Tuesday, and he probably thought so then, too. That’s not to say he’s right to think that way, or that he wants people to stop contacting him indefinitely, but maybe Davies was just a little tired that day. Tired of being used. Tired of not having control. Tired of having to consider the thought of now being someone’s springboard. Tired of boxing itself; the ferocity of it, the speed at which it evolves. Or maybe he was just bored that day. Maybe what Davies needed to do Tuesday was sit quietly and say nothing; something he should have done two days earlier, when he wrote on the same Twitter account, “I hate doing medical tests because (I have to) sit in that MRI place for so long and it’s so uninteresting.”

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Boxing

George Kambosos moves up to 140, adds Eddie Hearn to team

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12 hours ago

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November 23, 2024

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George Kambosos beats Teofimo

Former unified lightweight champion George Kambosos approached promoter Eddie Hearn asking for more massive fights.

Kambosos has signed a co-promotional deal with Eddie Hearn, under which the Greek-Australian slugger will continue his association with DiBella Entertainment Inc. and his own company, Ferocious Promotions.

The 21-3 star will move up to the super lightweight division of Matchroom Boxing’s lively division. He aims to become a two-weight world champion in early 2025, and as part of the deal, a title fight is promised as long as he continues to win.

Since his stunning victory over Teofimo Lopez, Kambosos has never shied away from competing against the best. Those three losses on his resume came to Devin Haney [twice] and Vasily Lomachenko, all at home and all for world titles.

The 31-year-old is now set to face compatriot Liam Paro after defending his IBF title against Richardson Hitchins in December in Puerto Rico.

“I am thrilled to be working with Matchroom Boxing. I am excited to have signed a three-way promotional cooperation agreement with my long-time promoter DiBella Entertainment Inc. and Ferocious Promotions,” Kambosos said.

“I made great success and history when I moved up the Matchroom shows by winning my UK elimination fight against Lee Selby. The most noteworthy and unforgettable is my victory against Teofimo at Madison Square Garden in Up-to-date York to become the 135-pound world champion.

“I am officially announcing that I will be moving up to 140 pounds and signing with Matchroom will ensure my continued success and the legacy I want to leave in the sport of boxing.”

Hearn, who adds an experienced campaigner to his stable, added: “I am delighted to welcome George to the team. George’s victory over Teofimo tore up the script and showed that George was the man for the massive time. He has proven to be a huge attraction in Australia and one of the real driving forces behind the rapid growth of boxing Down Under.

“The 140-pound division is full of massive names and massive potential fights. Adding George to the mix only elevates the level, and a possible fight with Liam Paro is a truly appetizing prospect. If Liam manages to win in a great fight against Richardson on December 7th [the fight could be on].

Lou DiBella, who has worked with Kambosos for years, said: “I’m glad I was able to make a deal with my antique buddy Eddie to work with George Kambosos Jr. and Ferocious Promotions.

“Throughout his career, George has been a fighter who has never shied away from a challenge, and now he wants to test himself against top junior welterweights.

Matchroom works with top 140-pounders, including George’s compatriot Liam Paro, and, like DiBella Entertainment, is heavily invested in Australia.

“It’s a natural partnership,” added the Up-to-date Yorker.

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Boxing

Mike Tyson had absolutely no chance of knocking out Jake Paul

Published

2 days ago

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November 21, 2024

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Mike Tyson comeback black

One of the hottest topics surrounding Mike Tyson’s return at the age of 58 was the possibility of the boxing legend scoring a knockout of Jake Paul.

WBN has weighed in on this topic several times, questioning the validity of five-second training clips that revealed nothing about Tyson’s abilities at this overdue age. One of the most intriguing observations during the preparations was the opinion of UFC commentator Daniel Cormier.

Speaking on his show “Funky and the Champ,” Cormier reflected on Tyson’s social media videos and offered an informed opinion on the meaning of the clips.

“I understand that [he is in amazing shape at 58]and I understand what he is saying [he feels as though he can compete]– Cormier said. “And I agree that when he hits the pads with Rafael Cordeiro, it looks like there’s still something left in him.

“But then I watch Jake Paul fight Mike Perry. I saw Jake Paul get overwhelmed to the point where he started to feel uncomfortable. It looked like Mike Perry had a chance. But Jake has a reserve tank he can go to and benefit from because he’s 28 years ancient. Then he comes back and finally finishes Mike Perry.

“At the beginning of the fight, Mike Perry gets beaten up and dropped. He looks trained and unmatched. This worries me because what if it looks like a 58-year-old man fighting a 28-year-old man while Mike can’t employ the backup tank to stay and compete with this newborn kid? I think it’s a failure for Jake Paul because if you beat Mike Tyson, everyone will love him.

He added: “What if Mike knocks him out? It’s over. Everything is ready. This would be the backfire of all time. If he gets knocked out, nothing like that has ever happened in the history of the sport.”

Unfortunately for Tyson, this revenge backfired spectacularly, as the former heavyweight champion’s return was the only event that bombed. Tyson had nothing left twenty years after he had nothing left in his tank and no desire to box in his mind.

Paul parlayed this into a money-making scheme that would forever be a success for him and his company, but would be poorly received by the die-hard boxing fraternity.

Cormier’s words resonate, especially after what happened in the ring when Mike Tyson struggled to shift into first gear, warning former fighters thinking about returning after 50.

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Lauren Price looks to win Jonas vs Habazin with an undercard victory

Published

3 days ago

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November 21, 2024

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Lauren Price

Lauren Price MBE will defend her world title for the first time on Saturday, December 14 at the Exhibition Center in Liverpool, while the Welsh champion plans to stage an all-British unification clash with welterweight rival Natasha Jonas, which will headline the Collision Course that night.

Price defends her WBA welterweight title against undefeated Colombian challenger Bexcy Mateus on the same night as Jonas attempts to unify the IBF and WBC titles with Ivana Habazin as part of BOXXER’s ‘Collision Course’ fight night, which can be seen live and exclusively on Sky Sports in the UK UK and Ireland and Peacock in the US.

Price MBE (7-0, 1 KO) made history with an excellent performance, defeating former undisputed welterweight world ruler Jessica McCaskill in front of her fans in Cardiff in May.

Price, the first Welsh boxer to win Olympic gold, once again entered the record books by becoming the country’s first world champion in just her seventh professional fight. The 30-year-old from Ystrad Mynach, who has yet to lose a round as a professional, will now defend her world titles for the first time as she focuses on dominating the welterweight division.

Mateus (7-0, 6 KO), ranked No. 5 in the WBA rankings, is undefeated in the professional ranks and has won all but one of her seven fights by knockout. The 29-year-old from Bogota, fighting outside her native Colombia for the first time, will now have her first chance at global fame, with her goal to dethrone Price and take the top spot in the welterweight division.

Lauren Price said: “I’m excited to defend my belts and complete what has been an crucial year for me. I have full respect for Mateusz. I will prove that I am the best in the division and I will not let anything or anyone stand in my way of being undisputed.”

BOXXER Founder and CEO Ben Shalom said: “It’s a massive night for the women’s welterweight division with three world champions competing. Natasha Jonas returns to her hometown for a mandatory unification fight against Ivana Habazin, and Lauren Price defends her world titles against undefeated challenger Bexcy Mateus. The fight for the undisputed continues. If Natasha and Lauren win on December 14, it will set the stage for a massive “Battle Of Britain” world title unification fight next year.

There’s reason to celebrate as BOXXER delivers a Christmas cracker to end the year. In addition to the world championship fights between Natasha Jonas and Lauren Price, fight fans can expect a gala full of drama and entertainment.

Undefeated Irishman Stephen McKenna (15-0, 14 KO) will face English champion Lee Cutler (14-1, 7 KO) in an invigorating super welterweight fight for the silver WBC International title.

McKenna impressed fans in his three-round fight against Joe Laws last August at Oakwell Stadium in Barnsley. The two struck out in the first round, then McKenna began to apply the pressure, losing Laws three more times and maintaining his undefeated record after a third-round stoppage.

English cruiserweight champion Viddal Riley (11-0, 6 KO) returns to action from a rib injury that has kept him out of the ring since a career-best victory over Mikael Lawal in March. Riley will be looking to shake off the ring rust as he takes on high-profile opponents in the recent year.

Undefeated Chorley super middleweight Mark Jeffers (18-0, 5 KO) scored an explosive fifth-round knockout victory over Darren Johnston in May and will be looking to bring more drama to Liverpool’s Exhibition Center as he goes in search of his 19th professional win.

Mason Cartwright (20-4-1, 8 KO) from Cheshire, a former two-time British title challenger from Ellesmere Port, will be counting on local support as he returns to the title track.

After signing a promotional contract with BOXXER, local star Frankie Stringer (8-0, 1 KO) can achieve his third victory in 2024, when he returns in front of his fans in Liverpool. The 23-year-old lightweight fighter is a player of the notable city team Rotunda ABC, and his manager is former world champion Liam Smith.

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