Boxing
Harutyunyan showers Stevenson with praise ahead of title fight
Published
6 months agoon
By
J. HumzaLooking like a sharply dressed bank executive, contender Artem Harutyunyan showered WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson with compliments during the final press conference ahead of their main event this Saturday, July 6, on ESPN from the Prudential Center in Newark, Up-to-date Jersey.
(Mandatory Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank)
Shakur’s Value at the Line
Harutyunyan (13-1, 7 KOs) indulged Shakur (21-0, 10 KOs) out of gratitude for receiving the golden award after losing to Frank Martin in July 2023 and not earning a title shot.
Top Rank has chosen the 34-year-old Harutyunyan for Shakur’s final fight under their contract, which could be their way of trying to get him to re-sign. They could give Shakur a tough opponent like William Zepeda, and he could lose to him, or more likely have another terrible performance like he did in his last fight with Edwin De Los Santos.
It wouldn’t aid Top Rank because Shakur wouldn’t be worth a novel contract. His value would go even lower than it is now, and that’s the worst thing that can happen to a world champion who started his career with a lot of hype.
Top Rank threw Shakur a bone, choosing the lightly punching Harutyunyan, who lost to Frank Martin, as his opponent.
One can only imagine what Shakur would have done if Bob Arum had decided to kick his ass by facing Zepeda, Abdullah Mason or Raymond Muralli and disqualifying him from the club as a free agent.
Harutyunyan’s acting performance worthy of an Oscar
“We both fought at the Olympic Games. He is a silver medalist, and I am a bronze medalist. Now we are fighting for the world championship, WBC,” Artem Harutyunyan said during today’s last press conference for a fight against WBC lightweight world champion Shakur Stevenson this Saturday night, July 6th, in Newark, Up-to-date Jersey.
“I’m not fooled. You’re trying to act real humble, you’re trying to suck up to me, like you’re not here to win. No, you’re here to win. I already know,” Shakur Stevenson said.
“Some people say I should wear running shoes in this fight, but that’s just a joke,” Harutyunyan said.
“That sh*t was sh*t,” Shakur said.
“Shakur Stevenson, you have to show him respect. A lot of fighters don’t want to fight him. As Shakur once said, ‘Everybody ducks.’ I think that’s true, but I took advantage of the opportunity. I want this fight to happen,” Harutyunyan said. “He’s a good fighter. Give him the credit and the respect he deserves, and of course it’s going to be a great event, a great night.”
“I want to show the fans a good boxing fight,” Harutyunyan said.
“I’m just going to take him to a level he’s never been at,” Shakur said.
“You can’t compare Frank Martin to Shakur Stevenson. Every player is different,” Harutyunyan said.
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Boxing
Floyd Mayweather’s record is not normal, it can’t happen in 70 years
Published
23 hours agoon
January 12, 2025Floyd Mayweather’s incredible 50-0 record is not normal and cannot be repeated in sports for another seventy years.
This is the view of Saudi Arabian president Turki Alalshikh, who wants to adopt the UFC model in which fighters lose many fights during their career.
In a speech as he hosted the Ring Magazine Awards after acquiring the long-running boxing publication from Oscar De La Hoya, Alalshikh was unequivocal in his opinion.
“Now losing some fights in boxing must be normal,” he explained. “All fighters want a career similar to Floyd Mayweather – no losses. This may happen once every 50, 60 or 70 years.
“We need it [to be] like currently in the UFC model, where champions lose and win,” added the matchmaker during the Riyad season.
Mayweather rose through the sport in the tardy 1990s to become one of its youngest superstars. Mayweather’s professional success came after winning a bronze medal at the Olympics after losing to Serafim Todorov.
Winning world titles in five weight classes, Mayweather was untouchable. The Grand Rapids native only came close to defeat a few times. He dominated Manny Pacquiao and overtook Canelo Alvarez and Oscar De La Hoya after heated debates, with decisions that should have been made unanimously.
Towards the end of his career, Mayweather chose to face Andre Berto and Conor McGregor, easily winning and ending his boxing career at the age of 50 without ever going out. Calling himself “the greatest of all time,” Mayweather earned first-ballot Hall of Fame honors and is widely considered one of, if not the greatest defensive fighter of all time.
However, Alalshikh says this type of career needs to end so that fans can get the most out of boxing, as is the case with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Boxing needs to become more attractive, and Alalshikh sees the failures of top stars as a way to keep interest at an all-time high.
In this sport, many boxers enjoy undefeated streaks, the most notable of which is Oleksandr Usyk. The Ukrainian Pound for Pound King is 23-0 and has beaten the best he has to offer in his division and cruiserweight classification.
It remains a mystery how Alalshikh plans to make Usyk suffer while he dominates everyone else. By the time his grand plan goes into action, Usyk will be long gone, and Gervonta Davis, Shakur Stevenson and Devin Haney may be more realistic targets.
Boxing
Manny Pacquiao remains the favorite to win the title against Mario Barrios
Published
1 week agoon
January 6, 2025WBN understands that despite alternative options emerging, it is more likely that Manny Pacquiao will face Mario Barrios next.
Bob Santos, coach of WBC welterweight champion Barrios, told World Boxing News that he is currently in contact with Pacquiao’s team. Asked by WBN if he had spoken to Pacquiao or representatives of any other challenger, Santos replied: “Yes, Pacquiao’s promoter, Sean Gibbons.” Pressed on whether Barrios vs Pacquiao might happen next, he added: “It’s challenging to say. We’ll have to see how this plays out.”
WBN contacted Santos after Conor Benn emerged as a potential alternative to Barrios. The British fighter, who recently returned from a suspension following two positive drug tests, is keen to return to competition.
Benn showed favor with the World Boxing Council at the recent WBC Convention, the WBC Evaluation Committee and during an interview with the sanctioning body over the weekend. “The Destroyer” is ranked second in the rankings at 147 pounds, despite less than solid opponents during his time in exile, during which Benn competed twice in the United States while his career in the United Kingdom was in doubt.
As he battled to clear his name and with the British Anti-Doping Authority finding no evidence that Benn had intentionally taken ostarine, the 28-year-old’s career took a pointed nosedive. Despite this, he remains highly rated and at least one step away from fighting for an eliminator or one of the remaining championship titles.
However, Pacquiao remains Barrios’ favorite. Now it’s up to the boxing legend and Hall of Famer who got the first votes to secure his shot. WBN believes a July date – most likely at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas – is the most realistic date for a Nevada swan song.
Pacquiao could extend his record as the oldest welterweight champion by six years if he can secure a huge victory over the 29-year-old world champion. At 46 years antique, such a scenario remains unlikely, but he can never be compared to one of the greatest players of this generation.
Unlike heavier boxers and his training regiment, Pacquiao looks in great shape despite his advanced age. Everything is set for a massive return to the boxing capital of the world, provided Pacquiao and his team can manage his political ambitions, which are expected to run from this month until May. After that time, Pacquiao could find himself in the summer finals and become the all-time champion, regardless of the result.
Barrios is based in the city, where he trained with Santos, and would be the perfect opponent to see out the career of one of the greatest fighters in history.
Boxing
A report about Deontay Wilder retiring at the age of 39 has been confirmed as false
Published
2 weeks agoon
January 2, 2025Deontay Wilder has not retired from boxing at the age of 39, and the former WBC heavyweight champion has not issued any official statement.
World Boxing News can confirm that reports circulating on social media are false and originated from a imitation account on Up-to-date Year’s Day. As of January 2, 2025, WBN has had no word from Wilder that he plans to hang up his gloves.
As usual, WBN also asked Shelly Finkel for comment. However, Finkel has repeatedly said in the past that Wilder is not retiring. This case seems to be no different.
The last time Wilder spoke publicly was while promoting a mental health app, the Brown Bomber was unveiling plans to return to the sport.
He said: “The push-up protocol has been disabled. Strengthen your body and train your mind; no paid subscription required! It’s not about money. It’s about a mission to strengthen mindsets and improve mental health for all.
To everyone: operate your services and achieve greatness.
“There will be people who tell you, ‘No, you can’t.’ [No] People trying to stop you or putting up stop signs. [No] People who want to bring you down and keep you down. But you can’t give up.
“No matter how many times you fall, no matter how many times you get knocked down, it’s a resilient mind, a confident mind, a powerful mind that gets back up and keeps moving forward to achieve your greatness.
“Apply your service. Achieve your greatness,” he added.
Deontay Wilder could announce his retirement tomorrow if he changed his mind, but at the time of the report, there was no truth to it.
When Zhilei Zhang knocked him out on June 1 in Saudi Arabia, the formidable top-flight contender needed time to assess his situation. WBN understands that Wilder has received offers, including contact from Francis Ngannou, regarding a possible boxing match with the MMA star.
The Wilder vs. Ngannou fight only makes sense for an American his age. Many voluntary positions [of which Wilder is WBC number 13] are occupied by threatening opponents who would start each clash as favorites.
Meanwhile, the Ngannou fight is winnable with less risk and more rewards, meaning Wilder can still earn a significant payday before hanging up his gloves for good.
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