Boxing
Eddie Hearn says that the winner of Lewis Crocker-Paddy Donovan will land Jaron Ennis
Published
1 year agoon
Belfast – Promoter Eddie Hearn admits that it is unlikely that the winner of the Saturday fight of Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan will end the challenge of Jaron Ennis for IBF.
Ennis is fighting WBA Beltholder Eimantas Stanionis in April, and Crocker-Donovan is the eliminator of the Philadelphia Championships.
But only because Ennis is heading in a different direction, it does not mean that there is not much on the line for the Saturday winner at the SSE arena in Belfast.
“So, when Boots fights with Stanionis, the winner will receive a letter with information that you have to fight Paddy Donovan or Lewis Crocker, whoever wins,” explained Hearn. “And it is very likely that the shoes decide not to fight this person because he will go to 154, or ask to release from the fight with another master, which will probably be awarded. But then there will be no layoffs and it is very likely that the winner of this fight will fight for a free title. And when you look at the rankings, it is very likely that it will be a fight that you can bring to Ireland. If it’s Crocker, it is very likely that he can fight for the title of World Championships in Odyssey, the World Cup Championships. This is a huge title to win. And if it is Paddy, there is a good chance that we could bring a substantial fight to the south of Ireland and try something wild, and he could fight for the championship of the world -class weight. If you win this belt, you put yourself in a position for Haney, Garcia, Teofimo, all the life changing fights, so it will be really intriguing to see what will happen. But without a crocker, who will now be the headline in Northern Ireland? You can do good nights for fighting … Crocker is not a star yet to fill the arena with anyone. He does it against Paddy, because it is a great fight and everyone is buying north-south, Belfast-Limerick, but if he wins, he has the opportunity to fill him in huge fights. “
It is a fight that captured the imagination, and 8,000 fans will pack a place in Fight Night. Donovan-Crocker is not yet well-established stars, but the chemistry they created and the energy of the fight is concrete.
“It’s quite unusual, undefeated, in their absolute splendor, it is very true and you often don’t see it,” added Hearn. “Both have teams that think their man is insurmountable in this fight. You have Billy Nelson and some may sometimes call him a little illusive, but he is sold 100 percent that Lewis Crocker will pass through Paddy Donovan. Andy Lee is the biggest fan of Paddy Donovan on the planet, so normally in such a fight, you would think that he might think: “What about another route?” Or people, especially they both come from Ireland, do not tend to do so, because there are many on the line with the rights to brag. If you lose this fight, you have a future for now, but not at the world level. “
With this in mind, Hearn was clearly impressed by the state in which Donovan, in which he appears, but also delights with Crocker’s weighty hands.
“I think Paddy will be razor. I think it looks in an unbelievable form, “added Hearn. “There are two paddys, right? There is a fallen, who was in Belfast in Belfast, when we did a miniature show, a four -week termination, a bit plump. Still flashy, but then he gets a little tired, and then there is the devered one who probably trained out of the respect of Lewis Crocker, knowing that it was a real fight. I think Lewis is a substantial blow. “
He tactically said that the best Donovana plant is Bivol to make Crocker’s Beterbiv.
“Lewis’s style is more like Beterbiev, come, go down, huge painful shots land, but you have to catch him, and Paddy is very slippery,” said Hearn. “And if he enters his flow in five or six rounds, it will be easier for him to choose a fight, and he can put his foot on gas. I think that a lot will depend on how Lewis has Paddy Donovan at the beginning of the fight. He can’t lose missiles and get six celebrations and have four or five down, because Paddy will start in his flow, and then he frustrated, then you will load, and then the fight can leave you. ”
There are several intriguing fights in the series, in which Irish fans got involved in the bill. With this in mind, probably the place will be full long before the main event.
Between Craig Richards and Nadzie McCrora and Nadzie McCrora.
“I tell you where the loser is going; done. Ready – said Hearn. “But I know Craig Richards. Both guys move a little. And if Craig doesn’t win in this fight, I don’t see him continue. Nasty, even after [Edgar] Berlanga Fight, he thought: “Well, I had a great run.” Now, if he is defeated, he finished or ended near the world level. Craig, you have some bad performance against Willy Hutchinson, a few signs of questions, both great puncher. I think it will be a really good fight and I think the winner may get a smith calum, a [Anthony] Yarde fight or Lyndon Arthur fight. You intend to put yourself on a great British or European duel and a great payment day. This is a struggle to stay alive. This is reality.
“So you have Kurt Walker against Leon Woodstock, it’s a really good fight and get ready for the bell, Shauna Browne, fights with Elif Nur Turhan from Turkey, whose team haunted me for two years. When I tell you that it will be a 10-rund war … Shauna Browne will not go back, it is as strenuous as elderly shoes, this Elif Turhan does not cease to appear. Huge puncher. And then you have [Ruadhan] Farrell-[Gerard] Hughes rematch, they will get together, it’s a really good box of boxing. “
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Boxing
Johnny Fisher Signs with Zuffa Boxing for September 26 London Main Event
Published
4 hours agoon
July 13, 2026

The agreement gives the 27-year-old Romford fighter a fresh platform following a turbulent spell that included the first defeat of his professional career. Rather than ease back into competition, Fisher will immediately top the bill at ZUFFA BOXING 11 as the promotion continues to strengthen its heavyweight roster.
“The most exciting chapter of my professional career begins,” Fisher said. “Thank you to Dana White, Nick Khan, and the Zuffa Boxing team for this opportunity. Everything has led to this point. Bull Army, get ready to assemble. Bosh!”
Fisher earned widespread attention during his rise through the domestic heavyweight scene with an aggressive style that produced 12 knockouts from 14 victories. His latest outing saw him stop previously unbeaten Ivan Balaz in four rounds, restoring momentum after his rematch defeat to Dave Allen.
The Copper Box Arena has become a familiar venue for Fisher. September’s event will mark his third appearance there, giving him another opportunity to perform in front of a London crowd while beginning life with a new promoter.
The signing also represents another step in Zuffa Boxing’s expansion. After entering professional boxing under the leadership of Dana White and Nick Khan, the company has continued adding recognizable names, and Fisher becomes one of its most prominent British heavyweights.
An opponent has yet to be confirmed for the September 26 main event, with additional bouts expected to be announced as the card takes shape.
For Fisher, the move offers more than a change of promoter. It places him at the front of a growing platform and gives him the chance to rebuild his standing in the heavyweight division with a successful debut under the Zuffa Boxing banner.

Olly Campbell is a boxing journalist who has covered the sport since 2014, providing ringside reporting and technical analysis of major bouts. His work focuses on fighter tendencies, tactical adjustments, and the details that shape high-level competition.
Boxing
Oleksandr Usyk Has Left the Sport of Boxing, Says Hall of Famer
Published
4 hours agoon
July 13, 2026
Oleksandr Usyk has vacated his three heavyweight world titles but will not retire, promising at least one more professional outing before he hangs up the gloves, but in the eyes of one Hall of Famer, the Ukrainian has already ‘left the sport’.
Usyk struggled to overcome Rico Verhoeven back in Maywith a late and controversial stoppage sparing his blushes and denying boxing of one of it’s greatest ever upsets, leading to many saying that the ability of the 39-year-old fan-favourite has perhaps declined.
Following the fight, Usyk decided to vacate his WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight marbles, with Murat Gassiev and Agit Kabayel being elevated to full world champions, whilst Frank Sanchez is expected to face either Moses Itauma or Bakhodir Jalolov for the vacant IBF strap.
Speaking on the Inside The Ring showformer two-division world champion and Boxing Hall of Fame inductee Tim Bradley said he believes Usyk has moved beyond the “sport” of boxing and into the “business” of boxing by choosing to relinquish his titles.
“I think that the Rico Verhoeven fight was an eye-opener for him to be honest with you. He struggled with him right, but then he was able to pull it off at the end.
“Relinquishing the titles, for me, you see the white smoke. He is done. He has left the sport of boxing, he is going to fight [again] but he has left the sport of boxing, he is in the business of boxing now.”
Usyk is currently being linked to a showdown with Deontay Wilder for what would presumably be his career finalealthough it remains to be seen whether a solid performance next time out could convince him to postpone his planned retirement.
Boxing
Exclusive Insights: Moses Itaumas Frightening Sparring Sessions with Tyson Fury Revealed
Published
6 hours agoon
July 13, 2026
Tipped for the top, Moses Itauma is already being compared to some of Britain’s best heavyweights, and now details regarding his sparring sessions with two-time world champion Tyson Fury have been revealed.
Whilst yet to defeat an elite heavyweight or claim world honours, many British fight fans believe that 21-year-old Moses Itauma is the United Kingdom’s standout heavyweight and that a long, dominant reign is around the corner for the Kent-based sensation.
Next month, Itauma will hope to tee up a world title bid by scoring a career-best win over Filip Hrgovicwell-poised to challenge for all four of the heavyweight marbles and in the privileged position to select his own preferred route to the throne.
It is not only the fans who are appreciative of Itauma’s talent, with boxing manager Spencer Brown telling Playbook Boxing that Tyson Fury recognised the skill of the youngster after their ‘frightening’ sparring sessions in 2024.
“Him and Tyson, when they were in camp together, when Tyson was fighting [Oleksandr] Usyk, they had a great bond and him and Tyson sat and talked about boxing and what he has to do, what he hasn’t. He gave him all of the experience in the world.”
“It [the sparring] was unbelievable, it was frightening but it was great. They bumped each other and they just went at it. I think at one stage Moses went to get out of the ring and Tyson said ‘nah, we have only done six, we are going to eight now,’ and he went ‘oh, alright’ and they went at it again.
“With Tyson, he just wants to help people. He can see what this kid is, you have only got to ask Tyson, he knows what this kid is and anybody in boxing knows what this kid is.”
At that stage, Fury was the reigning WBC heavyweight champion and heading into an undisputed showdown with Usyk.
As for Itauma, his clash with Hrgovic takes place at the O2 Arena on Saturday, August 29as the youngster seeks yet another authoritative display that once again captures the attention of the boxing universe.
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