Make no mistake: Alan Picasso is an excellent warrior. What’s more, he performed brilliantly in the wake of Saturday’s brilliant match against Inoue Naoya in Saudi Arabia. Unfortunately for Picasso and all his opponents, Inoue was dealing with a living legend. Inoue threw combinations at lightning speed reminiscent of Roberto Duran en route to a decision victory in Riyad. Surprisingly, Inoue was dissatisfied with his performance, even going as far as to say, “I’m really tired. I think I’ll rest for a while. Next time it will be much better.”
I feel sorry for the person the 32-year-old will have to face next. The undisputed junior featherweight world champion seems to be like many other great athletes and is quite critical of himself. They say that the best are rarely satisfied with their performances. It looks like this may be the case with Inoue. We may not understand it, we men and women on the street, but we are not like the best athletes among us. Inoue is just done differently. However, no matter how different he is, man is still composed of flesh and blood. In other words, Naoya won’t stay on top after all.
Fighting with controlled aggression Inoue can knock down an opponent with a single body punch or tire him out, as he had to do in his fight with Nonito Donaire a few years ago. However, in any career, there are only a constrained number of great performances. Inoue seems to be aware of this as she ventures into the future. However, he is still not thinking about ending the case. Rather, he thinks about how he can continue to win as he has been doing. This may include reducing the number of fights he fights each year. In fact, Inoue is an old-fashioned fighter who will fight a full four fights in 2025.
As it stands, the fighter known as the Monster is arguably the best boxer in the game right now. If Terence Crawford is truly retiring as he said, then it’s challenging to deny that there is someone better than Inoue right now. It’s also challenging to imagine someone funnier. The sight of a man rushing forward while fighting Picasso is a thing of beauty. He hit challenging, tidy and exact, time and time again.
He may still be a long way from the end of his career, but it’s good to watch Inoue whenever possible. Players of his talent come along once or maybe twice a generation.
Peter Fury believes that Tyson Fury should face a significant test if he decides to fight one more time before his planned clash with Anthony Joshua.
Fury returned to the ring earlier this year after spending all of 2025 in retirement. He outpointed Arslanbek Makhmudov over 12 rounds in April, and a long-awaited clash with Joshua is expected later this year.
As some fans questioned whether Fury should fight another fight before facing Joshua, Peter Fury said there would be little value in a gentle touch.
“Well, definitely someone who is hard-wearing and can hit back, because a walk in the park won’t get you anywhere,” Peter Fury said in an interview with SPORT Boxing, discussing Tyson’s potential fleeting opponent.
“The only thing that’s going to come out of this is me walking around the ring and saying well, I’ve got to get in the ring again, that’s all.”
Peter didn’t mention any specific names, but he made it clear that he believes any opponent should be able to hold their own and force Fury to be on his guard for the fight with Joshua.
The former heavyweight champion is coming off a unanimous decision win over Makhmudov in his comeback fight and could return one more time before facing Joshua.
Joshua is also preparing to return to the ring. The two-time heavyweight champion is scheduled to face Kristian Prenga on July 25 as he looks to build momentum towards a potential clash with Fury.
If Fury decides to fight early, Peter Fury’s view is elementary: there is no point in fighting an opponent who poses no challenge.
“A walk in the park gets you nowhere,” said Peter Fury. “Definitely someone who is hard-wearing and can hit back.”
Robert Segal is a boxing reporter at Boxing News 24 with over a decade of experience covering fight news, previews and analysis. Known for his first-hand reporting and in-ring perspective, he delivers authoritative coverage of champions, challengers and emerging talent from around the world.
Anthony Joshua will return to action next month as he looks to revive his highly anticipated clash with Tyson Fury by knocking out Albania’s Kristian Prenga. If he is successful in both of these fights, Joshua has five opponents in mind for 2027.
Since his failed attempt to dethrone Daniel Dubois to become a three-time world heavyweight champion in September 2024, Joshua has only made one appearance; winning six rounds in a gimmick fight against YouTuber turned boxer Jake Paul.
Now, “AJ” returns to the chase ranks and looks to remind fight fans of his pedigree and strength, starting with a July “tune-up” against Prengi, who is expected to pose a minor threat before his November showdown with “The Gypsy King.”
I’m talking to Ring MagazineJoshua mentioned the five “gigantic fights” he is looking forward to after his feud with Fury ends.
“For me and Fury, he can’t be the one [left]because I know if I stay here long enough there will be a rematch with [Daniel] Dubois, there is a potential Fabio [Wardley] to fight is Agit [Kabayel] to fight there as long as he becomes champion, I like how gigantic that would be.
“Exists [Moses] Itauma’s fight as he nears the rankings is still there [Deontay] Wilder fight there. There will be massive fights.
“Fury is just another number and what I’m trying to say is that I don’t put him on a pedestal, he’s not above anyone, everyone stands in my way, everyone is on the same level. I don’t put him above anyone.”
After months of delays, silence and changing plans, the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao 2 fight finally has a date and place booked.
Manny Pacquiao Promotions has placed the Sept. 25 date and the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on the Nevada State Athletic Commission’s official calendar for the proposed rematch, giving the long-talked-about event its most concrete development since Floyd Mayweather publicly stated the fight should be finalized within 48 hours.
Almost a month has passed since these comments and now fans can look forward to Friday night’s world-famous boxing event.
September 25
The stipulation represents another step forward in a fight that has spent most of 2026 waiting for what Pacquiao adviser Sean Gibbons previously described to WBN as “Floyd Time.”
Pacquiao’s team initially revealed plans for a Netflix-backed rematch before Mayweather finally confirmed the project while promoting his Mike Zambidis exhibition.
However, despite approving the concept, Mayweather has offered little publicly since then.
It’s worth noting that Mayweather’s promotions were not mentioned in the latest booking announcement.
T-Mobile Arena
The selection of T-Mobile Arena also marks a departure from the original 2015 competition, which was held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
A quick check by World Boxing News of the T-Mobile Arena schedule currently shows no conflicting event scheduled for September 25.
That said, boxing fans have seen this story before.
While September 19 was previously linked to the rematch, the date was ultimately set by Hall of Fame rock band The Eagles.
I’m still waiting for Floyd
For now, the booking represents the clearest sign that Mayweather vs. Pacquiao 2 remains on track.
Pacquiao’s team has continued to publicly push for the event, while Mayweather has largely avoided talks since confirming Netflix’s course of action.
Time will tell if Floyd decides to give this fight the same public support he will give Pacquiao’s team.
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.
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