Boxing
Great matches that haven’t happened (yet)
Published
6 months agoon
When the highly anticipated fight between Gervonta “Tank” Davis and Vasyl Lomachenko fell through, fans were reminded of other potentially great fights that suffered the same fate.
From Lennox Lewis-Wladimir Klitschko, Prince Naseem Hamed-Juan Manuel Marquez, Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Kostya Tszyu, Mike Tyson-George Foreman, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez-David Benavidez, the list goes on.
Here are seven of the biggest fights of the contemporary era that were considered possible but, for various reasons, never happened. Some of them are gone forever, but fingers crossed, others may still make it to the finish line.
- Sergey Kovalev vs. Adonis Stevenson
Russian Sergey Kovalev was one of the best fighters from 2013 to 2015, during which time he became the unified featherlight heavyweight champion after a unanimous decision in 12 rounds over Bernard Hopkins. On the other hand, Adonis Stevenson held the lineal title and the WBC belt at that time.
The duo were unstoppable at 175 pounds for a time, and a fight between the two seemed guaranteed to generate fireworks, but Stevenson reportedly decided to work with Al Haymon’s Showtime stable.
- Sergio Martinez fights Gennady Golovkin
Former middleweight titleholder Gennady “GGG” Golovkin was in his prime when he was offered a fight with Argentine Sergio Martinez in the 2013–14 season. While Golovkin held the IBF and WBA belts, Martinez was the WBC champion and considered the true king.
Golovkin may have been too much for Martinez at the time, given his age, but it would have been a fascinating encounter nonetheless. However, when Martinez, ravaged by injuries, was defeated by Miguel Cotto, it almost ended his career.
- Roman Gonzalez vs. Naoya Inoue
Gonzalez and Inoue have dominated the junior bantamweight division at various times and both were world champions at 115 pounds.
While Gonzalez still fights in the junior bantamweight division and has defeated the likes of Juan Francisco Estrada, Srisaket Sor Rungvisai and Carlos Cuadras, Inoue moved up to bantamweight after three successful years in that weight class.
Inoue currently fights in the junior featherweight division and is the undisputed 122-pound champion, but a fight with Gonzalez could always end in a fiasco.
- Terence Crawford vs. Jaron “Boots” Ennis
Terence “Bud” Crawford became a three-division champion when he took the WBO welterweight title from Australian Jeff Horn in June 2018. Before that feat, the Nebraska native held the lightweight and junior welterweight world titles.
Crawford became the undisputed junior welterweight champion by knocking out then-unbeaten Julius Indongo in three rounds in August 2017. He moved up to 147 pounds and secured the title of undisputed champion when he defeated Errol Spence Jr. by ninth-round knockout last year.
During this period of dominance, Crawford was challenged by the best juvenile fighter in the division – Jaron “Boots” Ennis – but his decisions were never taken into account.
At the time, Crawford understandably preferred a no-contest challenge to Spence Jr., as their contract stipulated a rematch. After Bud’s decisive victory, the sequel ultimately fell through, so Crawford moved up to fight for the titles at 154.
Even though he defeated Israil Madrjmov, a drop to 147 is not out of the question – it could still happen in the future.
- Saul “Canelo” Alvarez vs. David Benavidez
The highly anticipated fight between two of the world’s top super middleweight contenders has been on the radar for a few years now, but grave negotiations have yet to begin.
Canelo has been accused of avoiding Benavidez, especially after he demanded a monstrous fee to face his closest rival. The Mexican superstar has faced a number of high-profile opponents, but his recent opponents have not been considered a real threat.
It is not yet known whether Alvarez, who is scheduled to face Edgar Berlanga on September 14, will change his mind and agree to a superfight in 2025.
- Gervonta “Tank” Davis vs. Vasyl Lomachenko
One of the most talked about lightweight fights, Gervonta “Tank” Davis was ready to fight Vasyl Lomachenko for the unified WBA and IBF championship. It was reported that it would take place in November.
However, Lomachenko has decided not to return to the ring this year – citing his family as the reason. Few can deny that he has not earned some time off.
We hope that the fight between them will take place in 2025.
- Anthony Joshua vs. Deontay Wilder
Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua were the top heavyweights in the world from 2017 to 2019, when both were undefeated and in the prime of their careers. Joshua held the WBO, IBF, and WBA titles, Wilder was the WBC champion, and the duo could (and should) have put together one of the most anticipated fights in heavyweight history.
After being sidelined for far too long, Joshua was stopped by Andy Ruiz Jr. in June 2019, days after Wilder announced he had signed a rematch with Tyson Fury with the possibility of a third fight.
Since then, the Bronze Bomber has only won one fight, knocking out Robert Helenius, and after losses to Fury (twice) came losses to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang, which will surely spell the end of his career.
Not long ago, however, a Joshua-Wilder fight would have been the hottest event in sports.
You may like
Boxing
BrianNorman Jr. prepares his father for a shocking comeback after 14 years
Published
3 hours agoon
January 23, 2025Undefeated twenty-four-year-old welterweight world champion Brian Norman Jr. he has been coached by his father, Brian Norman Sr., since he was seven years elderly. They changed course and Junior is now training Senior for his February 15 boxing match against Greg Hackett in Atlanta, Georgia.
The long-running feud between Brian Sr. and Hackett came to a head in November when the two participated on Coach Malachi’s Tru Media podcast. Things got heated when Norman told Hackett, “As an opponent, you were getting $400 to basically lose. You lose for a living.
Shortly thereafter, it was decided that they would lace them up and settle them in the ring. The event will be broadcast live on BLK Prime PPV.
Norman (17-11, 5 KO) from Atlanta and Greg Hackett (3-23) from Philadelphia will decide the result in a six-round lightweight heavyweight fight.
“I’m trained by a world champion who I trained to become that world champion,” Brian Sr. said. “He has the knowledge that I gave him. Now he can see this vision of what he is telling me, which is the same thing I was telling him. At the same time, he can visualize himself through me, observing how I respond to instructions. Ultimately, he helps himself as much, if not more, than he helps me.”
So, Junior, you’re getting him back after everything Dad’s been through all these years?
“Has it been a wonderful journey so far,” Brian Norman Jr. said. “I see a lot of similarities between me and him, mainly the drive for self-determination and the desire. It was a wonderful experience to witness. There were a few times when Dad got tired and wanted to stop and I shouted “no, two more rounds.” I have to push him, you know? We don’t like to lose – we’re both very competitive and I see that in him all day long.
“I like the way this fight turned out and it’s good for boxing,” Hackett said. “There’s no animosity here, but I’m going to hate him for eighteen minutes of our fight. There are many people who say they don’t want to go there, but we will go there. I’ve been training since the day it happened. It’s going to be a good fight. I think he’ll push it because he’s a bigger guy, but skill-wise I’m the better player. I just have to be prepared for whatever he brings to the table and make him pay for his mistakes. I will win this fight, whether by knockout or decision. I will win this fight.”
Boxing
Deontay Wilder: Warning against throwing in the towel on the fat suit myth
Published
20 hours agoon
January 22, 2025Deontay Wilder is preparing to return to boxing this year and will face an opponent who has lost eleven times in Curtis Harper.
Wilder is on a losing streak, winning just once in his last five fights. The first of these four defeats remains a huge bone of contention. Wilder exploded with emotion after a one-sided rematch in February 2020 at the MGM Grand.
The “Brown Bomber” blamed everyone but himself for what happened when Fury beat him and put him through seven painful rounds. WBN witnessed the fight in the smoke-filled Garden Arena. Despite the sight, it was clear that Fury was the much better fighter that night.
Fury brought Steward SugarHill into his corner to make him more aggressive. The tactic paid off brilliantly as he regained the world heavyweight title. However, this was not what became the story of the event. Unfortunately, Deontay Wilder took that away from the “Gypsy King” with his post-fight accusations.
Wilder’s main target under his deal was Mark Breland. His longtime coach threw in the towel when the Tuscaloosa player came under massive fire and stared at his feet. But that’s not where Breland went wrong. Wilder’s problem was that the 1984 Olympic gold medalist ignored his previous instructions and never used a towel to end one of his fights.
That’s why Wilder was so irate, as he later told Brian Custer in “The Last Stand.”
“I have been preaching for five years. Never give up on Deontay Wilder,” said the former WBC champion.
The 36-year-old believed he could detonate on Fury at any time due to his one-punch KO skills.
“Deontay Wilder is never out until this is all over, because of my heart, my will and the strength I have. And yes, I really feel like he was part of it and it’s not my place to explain that to anyone. I said my peace and let out my emotions. I said it. People can believe what they want.”
Another story that got out of hand was the massive suit excuse. Wilder pointed out that he only mentioned something behind the scenes and someone in the media blew it up.
“They actually overheard something in the locker room,” Wilder explained. “I’m not justifying the costume. The costume was a bit massive. But it wasn’t enough to make me feel the way I felt in the ring. It wasn’t enough that I had no legs.
Strangely, however, Wilder blamed this part on someone who potentially gave him a demanding time. He will strive to ensure that the decision never falls on Malik Scott, who replaced Breland as coach.
Boxing
Ryan Rozicki is waiting for Badou Jack’s consent to mandatory cooperation with the WBC
Published
1 week agoon
January 13, 2025The World Boxing Council (WBC) ordered world cruiserweight champion Badou “The Ripper” Jack (20-1-1, 19 KO) to make a mandatory title defense against Ryan “The Bruiser” Rozicki (20-1), number 1 in the WBC ranking – 1, 19 KOs).
If both camps fail to successfully negotiate an agreement, the WBC will organize a tender on February 4, followed by the Jack vs. Rozicki. Rozicki’s promoter, Three Lions Promotions, immediately sent Team Jacek an offer to promote the fight in Canada last week.
“We are waiting for their counteroffer,” explained promoter Dan Otter of Three Lions Promotions. “Boxing has had a huge resurgence in Canada and Ryan is leading the way. He is one of the most electrifying and hardest-hitting fighters in boxing, definitely in the cruiserweight division. He wants the WBC green belt and ultimately the unification of the division. Ryan will fight Jack anywhere for the belt.”
29-year-old Rozicki, born in Sydney (Nova Scotia) and living in Hamilton (Ontario), fought 22 professional fights against 21 different opponents (twice against Yamil Alberto Peralta), stopping 19 of the 20 opponents he defeated. an eye-opening 95-KO percentage.
Jack, 41, was a 2008 Olympian representing his native Sweden. He is a three-division world champion, as well as the WBC super middleweight and World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight heavyweight title holder. Jack has a record of 5-0-2 (2 KO) in world championship fights.
“We respect Jack and I don’t want to sound disrespectful,” Otter added, “but he’s over 40 years vintage and has been relatively inactive for two years (only one fight). He brings a lot of experience and respect to the ring, but he will fight a newborn defender with a lot of power. Jack is going to struggle and honestly, I don’t think he’ll make it past the first few rounds.”
Ryan Rozicki is on a mission to become the first Canadian cruiserweight world champion.
The next move is Badou Jack’s.
Ryan Garcia LOOKING FOR Caleb Plant DARING TO BE SLAPPED after DISRESPECTING him
AWKWARD! Joe Parker Very Annoyed At Daniel Dubois
BrianNorman Jr. prepares his father for a shocking comeback after 14 years
Trending
-
MMA8 months ago
Max Holloway is on a mission at UFC 212
-
MMA8 months ago
Cris Cyborg ready to add a UFC title to her collection
-
Interviews3 months ago
Carl Froch predicts that Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol
-
MMA8 months ago
The Irish showed up in droves at the Mayweather-McGregor weigh-in
-
Interviews3 months ago
Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol
-
Boxing6 months ago
Lucas Bahdi ready to test his skills against Ashton Sylve
-
Interviews8 months ago
I fell in love with boxing again
-
Opinions & Features4 months ago
Dmitry Bivol: The story so far