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Manny Pacquiao will (probably) get a second chance

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Author: Sean Crose

A few weeks ago, it was announced that Floyd Mayweather would face main rival Manny Pacquiao in a professional boxing match at the Sphere in Law Vegas. It was also announced that the fight would be streamed live on Netflix. A tiny time later, groans of frustration could be heard online when Mayweather said the fight would not, in fact, be a professional match. Moreover, Mayweather said that the fight would not be professional. “We signed a real fight,” Pacquiao said in response to . “I think he’s afraid of losing.”

All of this can of course be attributed to mind games. Mayweather is eminent for gaining a mental advantage over his opponents. However, if this happens, it’s clearly irritating for more than just Pacquaio’s team. Netflix and The Sphere have a lot to do with this rematch. What if it’s more than just mind games? What is it really about Mayweather who wants to make the fight an unprofessional affair – one where there is no winner or loser?

“He can’t back out of this contract,” Pacquiao said. “This is the most essential fight of my career.” And that’s what Pacquiao is all about – another attack on Mayweather. Their first fight was considered a disappointment, but it wasn’t as bad as fans made it out to be. Mayweather basically dominated thanks to Mayweather’s classic defensive play, but it wasn’t effortless for Pacquiao. There’s no doubt that a second round between these two men is an intriguing proposition, especially when people realize that they won’t have to shell out a hundred or so dollars to watch the match live like they did in the first match. If this fight does end in failure, expect Netflix to come in gigantic numbers.

Here’s an intriguing note, though: Pacquiao has much less to lose if Mayweather should beat him a second time than Mayweather does if Pacquiao wins. Think about it. Had Pacquiao won, Mayweather’s aura – the air of stylistic invincibility that Mayweather had carried with him for over a decade – would have crumbled at his feet. In some ways, Mayweather is a victim of his own success… even now, about a decade after his prime. Conor McGregor was never really a threat to Mayweather, but Manny Pacquiao, even the older Manny Pacquiao, was.

Still, it’s good to remember that Mayweather was and is a competitor. Despite what some may claim, Mayweather was one of the greatest fighters in history in his prime. We’re talking about the top ten here. A man like that doesn’t want to fade into the sunset without a chance to get the money, glory and accolades of fighting Manny Pacquiao a second time. And such a man certainly doesn’t want to be remembered for avoiding his main rival. So yes, the chances are high that Manny and Floyd will face off again, this time on Netflix.

So Pacquiao has reasons to be positive. He must be delighted to have the opportunity to fight Mayweather again. Pacquiao must also be a bit surprised that there will (probably) be a rematch. It’s been over a decade since he and Floyd shared a ring. Ten years. Hope for a rematch must have slowly faded for Pacquiao over the last decade or so. How could it not? But now Pacquiao is here with a signed contract that will see him face Mayweather again. Boxing is indeed the strangest of all sports.

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Boxing

Johnny Fisher Signs with Zuffa Boxing for September 26 London Main Event

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"Johnny Fisher Signs with Zuffa Boxing for September 26 London Main Event"
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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.

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Oleksandr Usyk Has Left the Sport of Boxing, Says Hall of Famer

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"Oleksandr Usyk 'Has Left the Sport of Boxing', Says Hall of Famer"

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.

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Exclusive Insights: Moses Itaumas Frightening Sparring Sessions with Tyson Fury Revealed

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"Exclusive Insights: Moses Itauma's 'Frightening' Sparring Sessions with Tyson Fury Revealed"

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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