In what is probably not a surprise, it is not to the top -class promotion for anyone and ESPN, apparently separate ways when their partnership is legally ended this summer. While ESPN certainly put great matches there, the highest rank seemed to be pushed to the side by UFC. In a world where boxing is now all over the world by tensioning its muscles, the most critical American sports network has clearly lost interest in sweet science. Perhaps, if the highest rank had huge names, such as Tank Davis and Ryan Garcia in their stable things, could work differently. Although he has known names, such as Nayya Inoue, the highest rank does not seem much on the road to the crossover.
Of course, nothing is official yet, so you never know, but the report here – from the ring, first, and then others – seems to be widely accepted. In fact, it has never been a great partnership. Yes, in recent years there have been great fights, including more than one with the participation of Vasyl Lomachenko, but often combat cards did not start even tardy on Saturday evenings, on the east coast. Simply put, there were and there are better places for the highest rank. After all, the Bob Arum Helmed organization remains one of the most powerful boxing forces.
Considering this, sport certainly goes through a strange time that could take it exponentially or hurt if/when Saudi money ends. However, the Saudis deserve to be considered to be provided by the delivery of one main card on the other (I hope that the trend will continue). Indeed, he can replace Las Vegas as the heart and soul of this sport. However, this is not only intensive Saudi interest that change things into the head. In general, it is now a stream sport, not a television.
Not that streaming makes such a substantial difference. After all, a broadcast fight is a transmitting fight. Still, there are signs that the venerable way of doing things is over. It can be a good or bad thing again. Only time will show. In the meantime, there are many good fights to enjoy … Only you will not be able to watch them on ESPN soon. In this way, it is worth remembering that boxing turned out to be the most pliant sport from a decade after a decade until the 19th century.
There is no reason to think that the trend will not be continued.
“I want to fight you. We can fight next,” Broner said on social. “I know you’re getting nice fights, but you ain’t going to get as much money as you will fighting me. You’re about that money, right? Fight me. I’ll take your belt. Do he got a belt? Whatever he got, I’ll take it.”
Adrien also contrasted Ryan’s career with his own, pointing to his knockout loss and accusing him of quitting while insisting he has never been stopped.
“You got knocked out. You got stopped. I ain’t never got stopped, not ever against no matter who I fought,” Broner said. “You done quit.”
The 36-year-old then shifted from boxing to their personal relationship, saying Ryan had leaned on him during difficult times but failed to return the favor.
“When you were going through your s***, you was calling me, and I was answering every time,” Broner said. “So, don’t be on no fake s*** now.”
He closed by claiming Garcia had the resources to help him but chose not to.
“You call your people, and my people are ready. I ain’t with nobody. I’m doing this from the ground up,” Broner said. “If you felt that way about me, you would have came and picked me up. You had the money, right? You didn’t come and pick me up.”
Broner has not fought since his unanimous decision win over Blair Cobbs in June 2025 and has repeatedly called for high-profile opponents as he attempts to revive his career. Whether Garcia has any interest in the matchup remains to be seen, but Broner made it clear he’s looking for a title shot rather than a tune-up.
Adrien Broner just went OFF on Ryan Garcia and says he wants to fight him next 🗣️
“You got knocked out… I want to fight you next… I’ll take yo belt.
When you was going through your sh*t, you was calling me, and I was answering everytime.” pic.twitter.com/dE4EJokKME
— Source of Boxing (@Sourceofboxing) July 13, 2026
Dan Ambrose is a boxing journalist at Boxing News 24, recognized for his direct analysis and extensive coverage of the global fight landscape. His reporting focuses on major bouts, divisional developments, and the sport’s most discussed storylines.
The Matchroom Boxing card streams live on DAZN this Saturday, July 18, from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. In the co-feature, lightweight contender Andy Cruz will face late replacement Abraham Montoya (24-7-1, 14 KOs)) after Albert Bell withdrew to accept a world title shot against WBO lightweight champion Abdullah Mason.
Cruz, who many fans believed did enough to defeat IBF lightweight champion Raymond Muratalla before dropping a disputed 12-round majority decision last January, had been scheduled to meet Bell in what was widely viewed as a more compelling matchup. Bell’s withdrawal forced Matchroom to find a replacement on short notice, with Montoya getting the opportunity.
Pacheco (25-0, 18 KOs) enters the fight looking to continue his rise toward a world title shot while beginning his partnership with McGirt, one of boxing’s most accomplished trainers. Aleem (22-4-3, 14 KOs) is an experienced veteran who has shared the ring with several respected contenders and will look to derail Pacheco’s momentum.
Cruz (6-1, 3 KOs), a two-time Olympic gold medalist, remains one of boxing’s most highly regarded lightweight contenders despite the controversial loss to Muratalla. A victory over Bell would have strengthened his case for another title opportunity, but Bell’s decision to pursue a championship fight changed those plans.
The opponent switch drew criticism from some fans on social media, with many describing the revised matchup as a mismatch and expressing disappointment that Cruz would no longer face Bell. Others questioned the overall strength of the doubleheader.
However, the change was not Cruz’s doing. Bell withdrew after landing a title shot against Mason, leaving Matchroom to secure an available replacement rather than remove Cruz from the card. While Montoya may not generate the same interest as Bell, Cruz can still make a statement with an impressive performance and move himself closer to another lightweight title opportunity.
Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield are regarded as two of the best heavyweights in recent history, and now a former world heavyweight champion who fought them both is planning a shock return to the sport at the age of 53.
Lewis and Holyfield ruled the heavyweight division at various stages throughout the 1990s, which led to the duo famously colliding on two occasions in 1999.
The first bout ended in a controversial split decision draw, before Lewis left no doubt in the second meeting as he won by unanimous decision to become undisputed heavyweight champion.
Just under 18 months later, Lewis suffered an upset defeat, as he was knocked out inside five rounds by Hasim Rahman, and it is Rahman who is now planning on returning to the sport at the age of 53, as he looks to compete for the first time since June 2014.
After his victory over Lewis, Rahman lost by fourth round knockout in their immediate rematch, before he then headed straight into a bout with Holyfield, suffering a technical decision loss after eight rounds due to an eye injury after an accidental head clash.
Further defeats followed, with his record currently standing at 50 wins from 62 fights, but he has told Sean Zittel about his current success in the gym.
“I feel like in every aspect of my life, I feel like a 25-year-old. I go in the gym and I’ll work everybody in the gym, every single person.”
Rahman is scheduled to compete at the ESL Ballpark in Rochester, New York on Tuesday 18 August, with an opponent yet to be announced.