Boxing
Cuban sunset: Rigondeaux and Gamboa
Published
3 weeks agoon
Rigondeaux will face Jose Velasquez (34-13-3, 24 KO), and Gamboa will face Alexander Espinoza (20-5-1, 9 KO). The two icons of Cuban boxing, the twin headliners, are almost a hundred years ancient together; Gamboa is 45 years ancient and Rigondeaux is 44. Although both men are near the end of their careers, both Cuban migrants have achieved a lot in boxing.
Cuban citizens fleeing their homeland is not uncommon, and sports are no exception. Especially in baseball and boxing, many athletes left the island in pursuit of a professional career. The amateur boxing system in Cuba is legendary. One of the greatest Cuban boxers of all time, Teofilmo Stevenson, was so in love with his homeland that he never left it. Despite offers from promoters salivating at the prospect of Stevenson fighting Muhammad Ali, Stevenson became famed for saying, “What’s a million dollars compared to the love of eight million Cubans?”
Rigondeaux was born in Santiago de Cuba, the second largest city on the island. Rigondeaux is a two-weight world champion, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in 2000 and 2004, and widely considered one of the greatest amateur boxers of all time, with a record of 463-12 in the amateur rankings. Hall of Fame coach Freddie Roach called Rigondeaux “probably the greatest talent I’ve ever seen.”
Rigondeaux was a powerhouse from the beginning of his professional career, becoming the unified junior bantamweight champion and then winning the 126-pound title. His technique and precision were sublime. Rigondeaux then met one of the few players who matched his technical skills, Vasyl Lomachenko.
In December 2017, Rigondeaux moved up two weight classes to challenge Lomachenko at 130 pounds. For the first time, men with two Olympic gold medals competed in the professional ranks. Though both were decorated amateurs, Lomachenko was naturally the bigger man. At the official weigh-in, Rigondeaux weighed 128.4 pounds and Lomachenko weighed 129 pounds. But these numbers don’t tell the whole story. The next day, after both rehydrated, Lomachenko weighed 137.4 pounds and Rigondeaux weighed 130 pounds.
Lomachenko impressively won the fight via TKO in six rounds after Rigondeaux was out for round 7. Rigondeaux said he broke the top of his left hand in the second round. It was Rigondeaux’s first loss since he became an amateur in 2003.
After the loss to Lomachenko, Rigondeaux won three fights in a row before losing the next two in a row. The first was a split decision loss to John Riel Casimero, followed by a unanimous decision defeat to Vincent Astrolabio. Despite a career setback a month later, Rigondeaux avoided a catastrophic, life-changing defeat.
The fact that Rigondeaux is fighting at all now is a minor miracle. In March 2022, he was nearly blinded after an accident at home when a pressure cooker exploded in his face while Rigondeaux was cooking Cuban black beans. Despite suffering severe burns and losing over 80% of his vision, his corneas regrew and fortunately Rigondeaux was able to recover and return to the ring.
Gamboa, a native of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, was the world featherweight champion and won a gold medal at the 2004 Olympics. Before fleeing Cuba, Gamboa sold his gold medal and gave the proceeds to his family.
After his defection, Gamboa, nicknamed El Ciclón de Guantanamo, meaning “The Cyclone of Guantanamo”, began his professional career with 23 straight wins before meeting Terence Crawford.
After losing to Crawford, Gamboa became much less busy. Gamboa has suffered losses in his last three fights, losing to Gervonta Davis, Devin Haney and ultimately Isaac Cruz in April 2022. Gamboa was knocked down three times in his fights with Davis and Cruz. Gamboa hung up his gloves. That was until February last year, when he agreed to a contract with BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing. And now we are here at the FTL War Memorial Auditorium.
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Boxing
Terence Crawford won’t let fans rewrite his Errol Spence victory
Published
1 hour agoon
June 19, 2026
I still want @ErrolSpenceJr the best in his upcoming fight. I see what you’re trying to do, but it won’t work, not this time.
— Terence Crawford (@terencecrawford) June 19, 2026
The post comes after renewed discussion about Spence’s physical condition ahead of their July 2023 undisputed welterweight championship clash. Spence revealed that he dealt with injuries, restricted sparring and other issues during camp, while maintaining that he was not making excuses for the loss.
Many fans pointed to concerns that existed even before the Crawford fight. Spence was involved in a sedate car accident in 2019 and underwent eye surgery.
Debate about Spence’s condition raged ahead of the Crawford fight, with some pointing to his bouts with Shawn Porter, Danny Garcia and Yordenis Ugas.
Others note that Spence appeared noticeably bigger between fights in the years leading up to the Crawford fight, which fueled questions about weight management and the consequences of repeatedly gaining 147 pounds.
Crawford’s supporters say these concerns ignore what happened on fight night. Crawford dropped Spence three times and stopped him in the ninth round, putting on one of the most dominant performances ever seen in a welterweight championship main event.
The debate continues, partly because Crawford’s subsequent appearances have not received the same acclaim. His victory over Israil Madrimov in the junior middleweight division was competitive, and his victory over Canelo Alvarez was met with criticism from some fans who expected a more aggressive performance.
Instead of delivering the offensive display many fans expected, Crawford delivered a disciplined, tactical performance built on striking, movement and defensive awareness.
For many boxing fans, it is no longer a question of whether Crawford deserved the victory over Spence. The argument centers on whether the version of Spence he defeated is still at the same level as the fighter who unified the titles and established himself as one of the sport’s elite welterweights.
With Spence’s match against Tim Tszyu scheduled for July 25 in Sydney, Australia, Crawford’s message suggests he has no interest in revisiting ancient debates and doesn’t want his greatest victory reinterpreted through the prism of Spence’s recent comments.
Tomek Galm is a boxing journalist covering the global fight landscape since 2014, specializing in heavyweight analysis, industry trends and fighter psychology.
Boxing
Taylor Bevan on up-to-date coaching staff and first 10-round test: “It came at the perfect time”
Published
3 hours agoon
June 19, 2026
Taylor Bevan’s collaboration with Jamie Moore and Nigel Travis clearly came at the perfect time, ahead of his first 10-round fight against Ryszard Lewicki.
The 25-year-old has been making steady progress in the professional code, but now he seems to be approaching the toughest task of his career so far.
Not only does he face a credible opponent, but Bevan, who was an outstanding amateur, must also perform on the greatest stage he has ever encountered.
It’s fitting, then, that the talented prospect has joined forces with esteemed coaches Moore and Travis, knowing that basing himself in Manchester is a sacrifice worth making.
“They’re just two very experienced coaches. I went there to try them out and I immediately clicked well with them.
“Obviously they have a top stable of boxers – a lot of guys who are further down the journey than me.
“I can learn from a lot of people like that, and there’s a great atmosphere in the gym, which I missed before. I’m used to training alone, so I really came from the other end of the spectrum.
“Moving four or five hours away from home is a large commitment, but at this point in my career I’m willing to make sacrifices. I believe they will pay off in the future.”
One of the benefits of training in Manchester is that Bevan is closer, or at least closer than in Southampton, to top-flight super middleweight sparring.
As a result, he was fortunate to share his rounds with Callum Simpson, who will face Troy Williamson on August 8 before facing Lewicki.
“Yes, amazing sparring. He’s at the highest level in my weight, and he’s massive for his weight. I fought him eight rounds [around two weeks ago] and I played another eight rounds with him [last week].
“I don’t think you can get a better sparring match than this. It fills me with the greatest confidence for my next fight, that I’m in great shape and prepared for anything.”
Bevan will clash with Lewicki at St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton this Saturday. appearing on the match card Ryan Garner vs. Michael Magnesi.
Bevan continues to sign with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing but this is Bevan’s second appearance on the Queensberry Promotions show simply because the offer to take part in his first professional competition in Southampton was too good to refuse.
The goal, as always, is to present a spectacular performance and win, although Bevan does not rule out the possibility of covering the full distance of 10 rounds.
“I think the timing is perfect – Tom Dallas from Matchroom has matched me brilliantly so far.
“I was ready to go eight rounds in my last few fights, but it didn’t happen. In a way, it’s good to blow people away because you get those knockouts when it matters most, and 8-0 (8 KO) looks great on my record.”
“But at the same time, I wouldn’t be disappointed if I went 10 rounds in my next fight because that would be a good progression in my career. I have to go the distance at some point, so why not do it now?”
Indeed, Bevan has established himself as a clinical knockout artist, but he sees himself more as a mischievous technician than a total puncher.
“I wouldn’t say I’m a destructive boxer [stablemate] Pat Brown, but I would say [I get the stoppages with] astute boxing. When I launch, I look where [the opponent] leaves itself open.
“I always felt my style would suit the pros because I like to think about things and be more calculated, whereas the amateurs are very speedy and furious.
“I have always been an athletic guy and it was often my heart, determination and will to win that helped me survive these amateur fights.”
Although he boasts an excellent amateur record, Bevan is aware that he could be drawn into something of a “dogfight” against Lewicki. Fortunately, however, he should have plenty of supporters who will motivate him at any time of danger.
Boxing
Sergio Mora fears Errol Spence may be beaten in match against Tim Tszyu after three-year break
Published
5 hours agoon
June 19, 2026
Former world champion and DAZN commentator Sergio Mora fears that Errol Spence may be taking too huge a risk by returning straight to fight Tim Tszyu after a three-year absence.
The fight between Spence (36) and the former WBO junior middleweight champion will take place on July 25 in Sydney, Australia. The fight will be Spence’s first appearance since his ninth-round loss to Terence Crawford in July 2023.
“Spence chose not to correct [being victorious] it takes its toll too, man. It gets confusing in your brain, even when you win, and then during all the sparring sessions,” Sergio Mora said on DAZN Boxing.
Mora also pointed to Spence’s defensive style as another cause for concern.
“I hate this earmuff defense. It’s definitely going to catch up with him, and if he fights Tszyu, it won’t be nice, man. I think he’s done so much for boxing as an Olympian and as a champion, he’s had so many great fights against huge names.”
“You know, it will be tragic for him to face Tim Tszyu and be beaten like that on foreign soil. I don’t want to see that. But I wish him all the best.”
The fight will take place at the 158-pound catchweight and will be a earnest test for both fighters. Tszyu, 31, is trying to rebuild his position near the top of the junior middleweight division after losses to Sebastian Fundora and Bakhram Murtazaliev, while Spence is trying to prove he can still compete at an elite level after one of the longest layoffs of his career.
A victory over Tszyu would immediately put Spence back in the conversation for a junior middleweight main event, but Mora believes the former unified welterweight champion is taking a significant risk by returning to a younger opponent known for his strength and aggressive style.
“It won’t be nice” 🙁@TheLatinSnake_ about Errol Spence Jr’s return to boxing
The whole episode #TheFighterAndTheWriter With @SIChrisMannix AND @TheLatinSnake_ is now LIVE.
Keep watching https://t.co/FoiaUucafv 🍿 @DraftKings pic.twitter.com/ZUqDL42dOX
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) June 19, 2026
Dan Ambrose is a boxing journalist at Boxing News 24, respected for his direct analysis and extensive coverage of the global fighting landscape. His reports focus on the most essential fights, division development and the most discussed stories in sports.
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Last updated: 19/06/2026 at 17:33
Terence Crawford won’t let fans rewrite his Errol Spence victory
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