Tim Bradley listed probably the biggest challenge for Oleksandr Usyk, who some say should hang up his gloves after the clash with Rico Verhoeven.

Last month, the Ukrainian endured a tougher-than-expected test against Verhoeven, which ended with a controversial suspension following an 11th-round knockout.

Until then Usyk was losing on one of the judges’ scorecards However, he managed to inspire the intervention of referee Mark Lyson, who waved at Verhoeven after the bell.

Indeed, it was controversial while on duty, however, the real story is that Verhoeven, a former kickboxer, was able to last 11 rounds with the heavyweight king.

Perhaps it was because Usyk underestimated his opponent, or perhaps his performance would be better explained by a text message he received from his daughter, who contacted him from a bomb shelter in Ukraine before the fight.

Either way, the 39-year-old would need to significantly improve his performance if he faces WBC “interim” champion Agit Kabayel in his next fight.

I keep talking his YouTube channelBradley said Kabayel, who has previously stopped fighters such as Zhilei Zhang and Frank Sanchez, posed a real threat to Usyk’s dominance as WBC, IBF and WBA world champion.

“You have a guy like Kabayel who has been waiting for a while. This might be the right time for him [to defeat Usyk].

“Usyk’s aged manager [Alex Krassyuk] he said, “You must go ahead and retire, because if you don’t retire, you will be defeated.”

“[Krassyuk] I didn’t like what he saw against Rico, but I have hope for him in this fight [with Kabayel] what’s happening next. Fighting Kabayel will be tough for him.

“This guy can punch, he can punch the body very well, he can move and box, he can get forward, he can counter-punch – he can do a little bit of everything.”

Having been ordered to defend his WBC title against Kabayel, Usyk must now decide whether to face the undefeated challenger or vacate the belt and pursue alternative options.

Pacheco (25-0 (18 KO)) will defend his WBC Silver and WBO International super middleweight belts against Aleem 22-4-3 (14 KO). The 25-year-old Los Angeles native is coming off a unanimous decision win over Kevin Lele Sadjo last December.

Pacheco was knocked out in the eighth round following a unanimous decision victory over Kevin Lele Sadjo last December.

Since then, Pacheco has made significant changes outside the ring, joining Sheer Sports and bringing Hall of Fame trainer Buddy McGirt into his corner. Matchroom has also renewed a promotional deal with a highly-rated super middleweight.

“I can’t wait to take him to a world title,” Robert Diaz of Sheer Sports said of Pacheco.

This common feature can have solemn consequences in the lightweight division. Cruz (6-1 (3 KO)) will try to recover from the first defeat of his professional career when he faces Bell (28-1 (9 KO)) in the IBF final.

On January 24, the 2020 Olympic gold medalist lost a 12-round majority decision to Muratalla, failing in his attempt to win the IBF lightweight title. Despite the setback, Cruz received an immediate opportunity to return to title contention.

Bell enters the fight on a long winning streak and has spent years climbing the rankings in search of a breakthrough opportunity. The winner will strengthen his position before the next meeting with Muratalla, who is scheduled to defend his title against Robson Conceicao on August 1.

The lightweight world title eliminator and one of the most highly rated super middleweights in boxing returns to action, with the July 18 card providing significant stakes in two divisions as Matchroom continues to shape the title picture for the second half of 2026.

Floyd Mayweather has been linked to some amazing stories from his life inside and outside of boxing. Few are as shocking as the day he reportedly listened helplessly to a murder-suicide over a FaceTime call.

The incident occurred on December 8, 2014, when rapper Earl Hayes, a member of Mayweather’s inner circle and a recording artist associated with The Money Team, shot and killed his wife, actress and dancer Stephanie Moseley, before taking his own life.

According to multiple reports, Mayweather spoke with Hayes at the time and tried to serene the rapper down for a period of time as the situation got out of control.

FaceTime call

The tragedy took place in the Palazzo East apartments in Los Angeles.

According to police, officers responded after neighbors reported hearing shots and a woman screaming. The LAPD SWAT team entered the apartment and discovered Hayes and Moseley dead from apparent gunshot wounds in the locked bathroom.

Authorities later concluded that Hayes fatally shot Moseley before turning the gun on himself.

Reports at the time indicated that Hayes had contacted Mayweather during an argument over suspicions that Moseley had been inconstant.

Mayweather reportedly kept trying to serene Hayes down as the conversation escalated.

Hollywood shock

Moseley’s death shocked the entertainment industry.

The Canadian actress and dancer appeared on the VH1 series “Hit the Floor” and throughout her career she has performed alongside music’s biggest stars.

A statement released by VH1 at the time said the network and the entire “Hit the Floor” family were devastated by the loss and expressed their condolences to Moseley’s family and friends.

Hayes’ friends also expressed disbelief, describing him as a caring and talented person whose actions seemed completely out of character.

Tragedies surrounding Mayweather

The Hayes tragedy wasn’t the only devastating real-life event that coincided with Mayweather’s life outside of boxing.

The former five-weight world champion was also present during the drive-by shooting that injured one of his bodyguards, and the death of Josie Harris, the mother of his three children, sparked another public tragedy and another personal tragedy.

Harris died on March 10, 2020 at the age of 40. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner later ruled her death was the result of an accidental overdose.

A forgotten story

More than a decade has passed, and many boxing fans have no idea this event even happened.

Mayweather was not involved in the crime itself, but reports that he was on the other end of the call ensured that his name would forever be linked to one of the most shocking stories of his career.

For those who remember it, few stories surrounding Floyd Mayweather have been more challenging to understand.

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.