Boxing
Morrell says Thurman took the fight to Fundora too soon
Published
2 weeks agoon
Thurman, 37, was stopped in the sixth round by Fundora on March 28, struggling with the size, pressure and pace of the 6-foot-6 WBC junior middleweight world champion. Morrell believes the outcome was predictable due to Thurman’s age and inactivity.
Fundora is a unique problem that requires a special set of tools. Thurman’s career was built on explosive single shots and lateral movement. Against Fundora, who took 96 shots compared to Thurman’s 28, you can’t win by throwing one punch at a time.
“I want to say that Thurman is way too stupid because this fight is impossible for him,” Morrell told Fight Hub TV. “That’s a long time. Thurman, you’re going back to the Fundora match, but this decision is stupid.
“I think this guy needed a fight or two before he fights Fundora. You can do it. You have the skills, but you’re also a little elderly. This is crazy.”
Fundora’s reach of 80 inches and height of 6 feet 6 inches create a “dead zone” for smaller players. To defeat him, you usually have to fight from the inside or have an engine adapted to his pace. Thurman simply doesn’t have the volume or chin he once had to trade in the trenches.
The break caused Thurman to ponderous down, which made a challenging fight impossible. He looked hesitant to pull the trigger, and for a guy who throws punches all the time, hesitation is a death sentence.
Even if Thurman made two substitutions, he would still be a 5-foot-1/2-inch fighter trying to top a 6-foot-6-inch punch. Morrell calls it “stupid” because from a career management standpoint, taking this fight was basically setting yourself up for failure.
“For me, it will be better for this fight,” Morrell added. “For Thurman against Fundora, this fight is impossible. You haven’t fought in a long time.”
Morrell’s suggestion that it should be a side event is technically correct from a sporting point of view. It wasn’t a main event fight, but that’s financially impossible in the real world.
At this point, Keith Thurman isn’t stepping into the ring for the “love of the game” or climbing the rankings. He is a warrior in the most literal sense of the word.
A co-main event slot usually provides a fraction of the purse compared to the headliner. For a guy who fights as rarely as Halley’s Comet, Thurman has to make the most of every appearance.
Taking the tune-up would mean a smaller paycheck and another full training camp, which carries the risk of injury or an embarrassing $200,000 loss. dollars instead of over $2 million. In Thurman’s case, it was probably “shoot for the big-money title or stay on the couch.”
Fans’ frustration with Thurman working part-time is borne out by the numbers. Since his victory over Danny Garcia in 2017, his activity has been terrible:
2017–2019: Two-year break for Josesito Lopez.
2019–2022: Three-year break before Mario Barrios.
2022–2026: Four-year hiatus before Fundora.
You cannot remain an elite 154-pound division that is currently teeming with youthful, dynamic talent by treating boxing like a seasonal hobby. Morrell’s “stupid” comment hits home because Thurman chose money over an inheritance. By taking the fight to Fundora right away, he essentially traded his “One Time” aura for ultimate mass control.
Morrell is a fighter, so he sees the impossible nature of this matchup. But promoters and networks see the name. Even a faded Keith Thurman sells more PPV than a keen but relatively unknown prospect.
“For me, it will be better for this fight,” Morrell said.
While Morrell believes that this is where the fight should be in terms of quality, the boxing business needs a “B-side” that has fans. Thurman gave his name, Fundor was beaten, and the bank accounts filled up.
Dan Ambrose is a boxing journalist at Boxing News 24, respected for his direct analysis and extensive coverage of the global fight landscape. His reports focus on the most essential fights, division development and the most discussed stories in sports.
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Boxing
Gervonta Davis accused of avoiding undefeated rival: ‘He said he would never fight’
Published
34 minutes agoon
April 23, 2026
Gervonta Davis’ return appears imminent, but it’s unclear whether the now-hiatus WBA lightweight champion will fight at 135 pounds, and the team of his expected lightweight opponent says “Tank” is avoiding them.
Davis, a three-division champion, has held the WBA title since delayed 2023 and defended it twice, defeating Frank Martin and then drawing with Lamont Roach Jr during his last trip, over a year ago.
However, in January, Davis lost his champion status and was instead named halftime champion, meaning he will likely get a chance to regain the belt after his first fight at 135 pounds.
Although despite rumors that the Baltimore-born knockout puncher will fight at super lightweight and face Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz upon his return, no modern lightweight champion has yet been crowned or a free-for-all title fight ordered.
Floyd Schofield is currently the man to benefit from this situation, but his team is growing increasingly frustrated with the slowness of the process as they wait to be promoted to champion or ordered to fight for the title – against Davis or an alternative challenger.
I’m talking to Boxing in Mill City“Kid Austin”‘s father and trainer, Floyd Schofield Snr, expressed his belief that Davis was avoiding his son and revealed plans to fight for the “Tank” title against a slimmed-down version.
“You need to drop the belt! They’re breaking the law now, federal law. Do I think ‘Kid’ is ready for ‘Tank’?” “The Kid” is ready for them all. There’s a reason why Tank said, “I’ll never get in the ring with that kid. There’s a reason his trainer went online and said Tank will never get in the ring with him.”
“Tank said it out of his own mouth and Tank’s trainer said it on the internet in an interview and said that ‘The reason Tank said it is because he looks at him like an older brother.’ The thing is, Tank can’t go down to 135 and fight Kid, Tank would be at a disadvantage.”
“We want to suck him arid and fight him at 135 pounds, that’s the biggest advantage we have right now. If we let Tank get used to it, he would be on fire, and we let Tank get used to that weight? No!”
“He weighs around 175 pounds now, he needs to get down to 135 pounds and get ready to get in the ring to fight, and the WBA will just do it.” [rehydration clause] where it can only go up to 152 pounds.
Negotiations for Davis-Cruz II are believed to be ongoing, and once confirmation is announced, the WBA will likely make its own announcement regarding the modern lightweight champion.
Boxing
Jermell Charlo is negotiating a fight with Sebastian Fundora
Published
3 hours agoon
April 23, 2026
He also claimed that future options are already planned for Tim Tszyu and Errol Spence Jr.
“We are talking to Tim Tszyu and Errol Spence. All three have agreed to fight me.”
This is an ambitious statement from a fighter who has not competed since his defeat to Canelo Alvarez in 2023. Charlo turns 36 on May 19, and many fans believe the long break should mean tuning in or fighting a challenger first rather than immediately fighting for the champion. Charlo, however, made it clear that he still sees himself as the best man in the division.
The problem is that Jermell is essentially trying to cash his 2022 check in a completely different economy. PPV prices on PBC have increased to over $75, and asking fans to pay that for a guy who hasn’t won a fight since May 2022 is tough. This is a financial risk for promoters.
Jermell is used to unquestioned ‘money. If he’s asking for a huge guaranteed amount to fight Fundora or Ennis, the math just doesn’t work for the promoter unless the bid is above $150 or $200,000.
In boxing, three years is an eternity. Since Jermell stayed noiseless, we’ve seen the rise of Xander Zayas and the emergence of “Boots” Ennis at 154.
“I told you I was coming back. I told you I wanted my stripes,” Charlo said. “Nobody beat me by the belt.”
Promoters aren’t calling because Jermell’s confidence is currently low. If the promoter puts him in the main event and he looks like the version of himself that did or didn’t show up in the Canelo Alvarez match, the event is a disaster. Financially, it could still be a disaster.
Jermell wants the reward of a champion without the upgrade tax that every other veteran has to pay after a long layoff. With 2026 filled with newborn, hungry and busy talent, thinking that you can simply move to the front of the queue because of what you did four years ago is definitely a bold choice.
If Jermell had just gone for it and beaten some of the top 154 fighters like Israil Madrimov, Bakhram Murtazaliev and Brandon Adams, it wouldn’t have been much of a problem.
Dan Ambrose is a boxing journalist at Boxing News 24, respected for his direct analysis and extensive coverage of the global fight landscape. His reports focus on the most vital fights, division development and the most discussed stories in sports.
Boxing
David Benavidez Says One Man ‘Must Face Him’ After Zurdo Ramirez: ‘I’m Taking All His Belts’
Published
5 hours agoon
April 23, 2026
David Benavidez will fight for Gilberto Ramirez’s unified cruiserweight crown this weekend and if he passes this test, there will only be one person in the “Mexican Monster”.
Benavidez has established himself as one of the most fan-friendly fighters in sports, not only thanks to his fascinating fighting style, but also thanks to his mentality that allows him to face all opponents and take on the toughest challenges.
Reigning at both super middleweight and lightweight heavyweight, the reigning WBC 175-pound champion now moves up to cruiserweight, hoping to hand “Zurdo” Ramirez his second career defeat in what will be the titleholder’s 50th career appearance.
The only other man to defeat Ramirez is unified light heavyweight ruler Dmitry Bivoland v interview with Ariel HelwaniBenavidez made it clear that he intended to return to lightweight heavyweight and then face the Russian.
“I don’t want it to look like he’s scared or nothing, but he knows what it’s like when it comes to David Benavidez. He saw me up close and I saw him up close too.
“He’s a great fighter, we had some great sparring sessions, but he knows I’m not coming to play. He knows that when David Benavidez steps into the ring, all those belts go with David Benavidez.
“I think he knows the dangers and seriousness of this fight and that’s why he took the preparatory fight first. I respect Dmitry Bivol, he’s a great fighter, but he will definitely have to come to me after this fight.”
While Benavidez will fight next weekend, Bivol will make a mandatory defense of his titles against German Michael Eifert on Saturday, May 23, which will be his first fight on home soil since 2021.
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