UK Boxing
“Career End” – Johnny Nelson predicts Joshua vs Verhoeven
Johnny Nelson MBE has commented on a potential clash between Rico Verhoeven and Anthony Joshua.
Nelson reflected on Verhoeven’s recent performance and the traits he saw that could cause problems for Joshua.
“AJ” and the kickboxing icon were scheduled to fight earlier this year as it looked like Verhoeven would have his first boxing fight in over 14 years.
Initial plans were scrapped after Joshua became involved in wa terrible accident in Nigeria just 10 days after beating Jake Paul.
Nelson talked to Daily mail box about how he thought the contest might have gone.
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“I think he took a good turn. I think he took a turn that could have ended his career.
“Because Rico was powerful and substantial, there were shots that missed Usyk’s chin.”
Instead, the “King of Kickboxing” faced two-time undisputed heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk.
He entered the field as a much weaker player and many expected the Ukrainian to win his 25th career victory.
Verhoeven pushed the defending champion for 11 rounds, with one of the judges’ scorecards favoring him before the fight was stopped.
After Usyk released him, referee Mark Lyson stepped in and stopped the fight, even though Verhoeven wanted to continue.
“Remember, Rico is used to being kicked in the head by bigger men, so ‘AJ’ has strength and accuracy.
“If he doesn’t get rid of him first and Rico keeps holding him and twisting and using that physicality on him…
“You know what, it shouldn’t be like this, but now we know what he means. If it was “AJ”, Rico would have his number.”
After the defeat, he spoke to Verhoeven Sun boxing and revealed his disappointment at the end of the competition.
“It’s a mistake. This is a championship fight!
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“They would never stop this fight [if Usyk was hurt in the 11th round]. Never! They would let him go down and keep his hands up for the rest of the round.
“That’s the only thing I’m looking for. Just say, ‘Yes, you’re right.’
“If it had been the other way around or with any other boxer, we would have done it differently.
“It goes both ways.”
A fight between the two seems unlikely in the near future considering Joshua’s return to the ring on July 25.
In Saudi Arabia, he will face Kristian Prenga, wanting to organize the long-awaited fight with Tyson Fury.
The post Career Retirement – Johnny Nelson Predicts Joshua vs. Verhoeven appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
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
Haney (champion) vs. Keyshawn Davis (#1 challenger)
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UPCOMING FIGHTS
JR. WEIGHT Championship
Bermudas
VS
Osorio
Osorio Won R
JR. AVERAGE WEIGHT Championship
Zayas
VS
Ennis
Ennis won R7
WEIGHT Championship
with Olascua
VS
Dominguez
R won
JR. BANTAM WEIGHT Championship
BANTAM WEIGHT Championship
Johnson
VS
Thorslund
R won
JR. INTERMEDIATE WEIGHT Championship
AVERAGE WEIGHT Championship
Robinson
VS
Thibeault
R won
JR. AVERAGE WEIGHT Championship
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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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