Boxing
David Haye’s massive claim against Deontay Wilder collapsed in 12 days
Published
1 month agoon
David Haye made one of Deontay Wilder’s boldest claims in the build-up to his rematch with Tyson Fury, only for the argument to look very different twelve days later as Fury led the American out in Las Vegas.
In February 2020, Haye supported Wilder’s chin, recovery ability and all-time punching ability ahead of his rematch with Fury at the MGM Grand.
At the time, it wasn’t an outrageous sight because Haye knew Wilder better than most from many sparring rounds.
Wilder was also undefeated, still the WBC heavyweight champion, and had almost knocked out Fury in the final round of their first meeting in 2018, which meant many people still believed that one immaculate right hand could decide the rematch.
This was the most feared version of Wilder in boxing before Fury changed the entire conversation in seven brutal rounds.
David Haye on Deontay Wilder
Ahead of the Wilder vs Fury II fight, Haye recalled his sparring sessions with Wilder before the “Bronze Bomber” became world champion.
The former cruiserweight and heavyweight titleholder told Richie Woodall on BT Sport that Wilder’s punch resistance is underestimated.
“One thing people don’t mention is impact resistance. I’ve never heard anyone say that [Deontay] I can take the shot. He can hit the shot,” Haye said.
Haye then took the point further.
“Not only does he have a good chin, but he has great recovery ability,” he added.
This was the part that came back most strongly when Fury caught him, because while Haye’s assessment of Wilder’s strength was always easier to defend, the chin and recovery argument was about to face a very different kind of pressure.
Wilder remains one of the most perilous single-punch heavyweights boxing has ever seen, with his right hand securing a world title and leaving many opponents losing their minds. No one needed to exaggerate this threat.
The rematch was different because Fury failed to give Wilder a immaculate, upright fight at the distance that allowed the threat to breathe.
Wilder vs. Fury II
Fury entered the rematch heavier, meaner and fully committed to pushing Wilder back and choking him.
From the opening rounds, the fight was nothing like the first encounter, as the challenger leaned on him, battered him, physically abused him, and kept Wilder from loading up on the weapon that made his career.
WBN was ringside in Las Vegas and scored, but the booking never mattered as Fury knocked down Wilder in the third round, knocked him down again in the fifth and kept the pressure on until the seventh when the towel came and referee Kenny Bayliss stopped the fight.
At the beginning of the seventh round, WBN had Fury in the lead 59-52. The scorecard was there, but Fury made it irrelevant.
The ringside results report described how Fury mauled, manipulated and stopped Deontay Wilder in the seventh minute, which was about as far from Haye’s assessment as Fury could take.
The claim failed within 12 days
Haye said Wilder could take the shot and recover quickly, but Fury forced boxing to see the opposite picture over seven increasingly uncomfortable rounds.
Wilder wasn’t simply sent off. He was slowly being torn apart by the pressure, size, clinch strength and a game plan designed to strip him of the rhythm that made him so perilous.
When Fury hurt him, Wilder never looked like the same fighter again.
The rematch exposed the difference between carrying terrifying power and facing a heavyweight who won’t let you recover.
Wilder still had power, but Fury had lost his aura.
The fury changed everything
Before that night, Wilder could still point to Fury’s twelfth-round escape in the first fight and argue that one punch almost decided everything.
After the rematch, the conversation was completely different because Fury not only outlived Wilder. He dominated him.
Haye’s theorem remains one of the most memorable takeaways from the fracas.
Twelve days before Fury II, Wilder was praised for his beard, recovery and devastating power. Twelve days later, only one of these claims still seemed secure.
The power survived, but everything else was destroyed.
About the author
Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.
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Boxing
Adrien Broner Challenges Ryan Garcia: You Got Stopped, I Never Did
Published
1 hour agoon
July 12, 2026

“I want to fight you. We can fight next,” Broner said on social. “I know you’re getting nice fights, but you ain’t going to get as much money as you will fighting me. You’re about that money, right? Fight me. I’ll take your belt. Do he got a belt? Whatever he got, I’ll take it.”
Adrien also contrasted Ryan’s career with his own, pointing to his knockout loss and accusing him of quitting while insisting he has never been stopped.
“You got knocked out. You got stopped. I ain’t never got stopped, not ever against no matter who I fought,” Broner said. “You done quit.”
The 36-year-old then shifted from boxing to their personal relationship, saying Ryan had leaned on him during difficult times but failed to return the favor.
“When you were going through your s***, you was calling me, and I was answering every time,” Broner said. “So, don’t be on no fake s*** now.”
He closed by claiming Garcia had the resources to help him but chose not to.
“You call your people, and my people are ready. I ain’t with nobody. I’m doing this from the ground up,” Broner said. “If you felt that way about me, you would have came and picked me up. You had the money, right? You didn’t come and pick me up.”
Broner has not fought since his unanimous decision win over Blair Cobbs in June 2025 and has repeatedly called for high-profile opponents as he attempts to revive his career. Whether Garcia has any interest in the matchup remains to be seen, but Broner made it clear he’s looking for a title shot rather than a tune-up.
Adrien Broner just went OFF on Ryan Garcia and says he wants to fight him next 🗣️
“You got knocked out… I want to fight you next… I’ll take yo belt.
When you was going through your sh*t, you was calling me, and I was answering everytime.” pic.twitter.com/dE4EJokKME
— Source of Boxing (@Sourceofboxing) July 13, 2026
Dan Ambrose is a boxing journalist at Boxing News 24, recognized for his direct analysis and extensive coverage of the global fight landscape. His reporting focuses on major bouts, divisional developments, and the sport’s most discussed storylines.
Boxing
Diego Pacheco Makes Debut with Buddy McGirt as Andy Cruzs Opponent Changes
Published
9 hours agoon
July 12, 2026

The Matchroom Boxing card streams live on DAZN this Saturday, July 18, from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. In the co-feature, lightweight contender Andy Cruz will face late replacement Abraham Montoya (24-7-1, 14 KOs)) after Albert Bell withdrew to accept a world title shot against WBO lightweight champion Abdullah Mason.
Cruz, who many fans believed did enough to defeat IBF lightweight champion Raymond Muratalla before dropping a disputed 12-round majority decision last January, had been scheduled to meet Bell in what was widely viewed as a more compelling matchup. Bell’s withdrawal forced Matchroom to find a replacement on short notice, with Montoya getting the opportunity.
Pacheco (25-0, 18 KOs) enters the fight looking to continue his rise toward a world title shot while beginning his partnership with McGirt, one of boxing’s most accomplished trainers. Aleem (22-4-3, 14 KOs) is an experienced veteran who has shared the ring with several respected contenders and will look to derail Pacheco’s momentum.
Cruz (6-1, 3 KOs), a two-time Olympic gold medalist, remains one of boxing’s most highly regarded lightweight contenders despite the controversial loss to Muratalla. A victory over Bell would have strengthened his case for another title opportunity, but Bell’s decision to pursue a championship fight changed those plans.
The opponent switch drew criticism from some fans on social media, with many describing the revised matchup as a mismatch and expressing disappointment that Cruz would no longer face Bell. Others questioned the overall strength of the doubleheader.
However, the change was not Cruz’s doing. Bell withdrew after landing a title shot against Mason, leaving Matchroom to secure an available replacement rather than remove Cruz from the card. While Montoya may not generate the same interest as Bell, Cruz can still make a statement with an impressive performance and move himself closer to another lightweight title opportunity.
Boxing
53-Year-Old Heavyweight Champion Prepares for Boxing Comeback: Im Outperforming Everyone in the Gym
Published
17 hours agoon
July 12, 2026
Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield are regarded as two of the best heavyweights in recent history, and now a former world heavyweight champion who fought them both is planning a shock return to the sport at the age of 53.
Lewis and Holyfield ruled the heavyweight division at various stages throughout the 1990s, which led to the duo famously colliding on two occasions in 1999.
The first bout ended in a controversial split decision draw, before Lewis left no doubt in the second meeting as he won by unanimous decision to become undisputed heavyweight champion.
Just under 18 months later, Lewis suffered an upset defeat, as he was knocked out inside five rounds by Hasim Rahman, and it is Rahman who is now planning on returning to the sport at the age of 53, as he looks to compete for the first time since June 2014.
After his victory over Lewis, Rahman lost by fourth round knockout in their immediate rematch, before he then headed straight into a bout with Holyfield, suffering a technical decision loss after eight rounds due to an eye injury after an accidental head clash.
Further defeats followed, with his record currently standing at 50 wins from 62 fights, but he has told Sean Zittel about his current success in the gym.
“I feel like in every aspect of my life, I feel like a 25-year-old. I go in the gym and I’ll work everybody in the gym, every single person.”
Rahman is scheduled to compete at the ESL Ballpark in Rochester, New York on Tuesday 18 August, with an opponent yet to be announced.
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