Terence Crawford retired in December last year, hanging up the gloves as an undefeated five-weight world champion.

The switch-hitter from Omaha, Nebraska, bowed out from boxing after a stellar win over Mexican icon Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, relinquishing the undisputed super-middleweight world title.

At 38 years old, perhaps the biggest fight available for Crawford was a Canelo rematch, though he said he was never approached about the bout. The American has made it clear that fights with rising stars like Jaron Ennis would do nothing for his legacy, hence his retirement.

There was, however, one route ‘Bud’ was exploring before making the final decision. Speaking on The Breakfast ClubCrawford reflecting on almost booking a fight against Janibek Alimkhanuly before the Kazakh champion failed a doping test.

“Every fight that I fought since 2014 has been for something. Either I’m defending my title, or I’m going to conquer another division for a title … [I said] I’m gonna beat Canelo and I’m gonna see what they do down here [at 154]. Then it came out that Janibek was on performance enhancers. So, that fight got cancelled. I think they stripped him for a title. I’m into making history … but it didn’t [play out like that].”

Alimkhanuly tested positive for a banned substance in December last year before his middleweight unification fight against Erislandy Lara. He has since been stripped of the IBF belt, though he is controversially still the WBO champion despite a year’s ban from the sanctioning body.

With the plans not playing out in Crawford’s favour, middleweight will remain the one skipped division from 135 to 168lbs.

World Boxing News provides a live scorecard and results as Harlem Eubank and David Papot clash in London tonight for the vacant IBF International welterweight title.

Eubank returns looking to continue his recent run of form, while Papot enters the contest aiming to secure the biggest win of his career.

WBN will provide live updates and a live scorecard from the Copper Box Arena throughout the evening.

Eubank vs Papot Live Scorecard

Harlem Eubank vs David Papot

(Round-by-round scorecard will refresh every 2 mins)

Eubank vs Papot Results

Time are local UK

16:41

Jay Pitman and Jamie Barrett both secured victories to kick off the Harlem Eubank vs. David Papot undercard.

Pitman outpointed Enzo Munoz over six rounds, while Barrett needed just one round to stop Stefan Vincent in an explosive start to the evening.

REMAINING BOUTS

Harlem Eubank vs David Papot
vacant IBF International Welterweight title

Kieran Molloy vs Sean Noakes
IBF European Welterweight Title

Joel Bartell vs Kyran Jones

Aaron Prospere vs Mikey Sakyi
Vacant BBBofC English Super Lightweight Title

Finley James vs Jake Henty
Vacant BBBofC Southern Area Welterweight Title

Codie Smith vs Ryan Griffiths

Christian Bozzia vs Kurtis Wiggins

Matty Harris vs Ben Vickers

JP O’Meara vs TBA

Preview

Harlem Eubank and David Papot meet over 12 rounds at welterweight, with the vacant IBF International title at stake.

The event takes place at the Copper Box Arena in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London, under the jurisdiction of the British Boxing Board of Control.

Eubank enters the main event having earned one victory since suffering his only loss to Jack Catterallwhile Papot arrives with an impressive 31-1 record but on the back of his first defeat.

All bouts will be updated as results come in throughout the night, with more live coverage on World Boxing News.

About the Author

Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a veteran boxing reporter with 16 years of experience. He has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside since 2010. Read full bio.

Following in the footsteps of mentor Terence Crawford, Shakur Stevenson has established himself as one of boxing’s most accomplished champions, winning world titles in four divisions and cementing his place among the sport’s elite.

The unbeaten American most recently stepped up to super-lightweight, defeating Teofimo Lopez to claim the WBO title and continue his rise through the weight classes. Since then, attention has quickly turned to who could be next, with a number of high-profile names linked to the Newark southpaw.

Earlier this month, Stevenson signed with Zuffa Boxinga move widely expected to increase his chances of landing the biggest fights available due to the strong affiliation with Ring Magazine cards. Chief among the match-ups is a long-discussed clash with fellow three-weight world champion Devin Haneywho has also been heavily linked with the promotion in recent weeks.

Speaking on The Breakfast Club, ‘Bud’ Crawford joined fans in calling for Stevenson to face Haney, and said that the latter is in “a great spot” at the moment.

“I want to see him and Devin. I think that’s gonna be the fight. Listen, Devin-Keyshawn, Devin-Shakur, Devin-Tank. Devin’s in a great spot right now, he’s got a lot of good options. Devin-Ryan [Garcia]Devin-Conor Benn. All these guys can fight each other. They can round robin.”

Stevenson and Haney have been embroiled in a public back and forth for months now, first unable to agree on a weight before Haney appeared to concede to dropping down from welterweight to a 144lbs catchweight. The fight, however, does not seem a done deal just yet, with the latest exchange proving less encouraging.

Stevenson’s deal with Zuffa Boxing and Haney’s reported talks with the promotion remain positive signs for fans hoping to see the fight come together.