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Roberto Duran is backing an “explosive” rising star to win the world title

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Roberto Duran backs ‘explosive’ rising star to become world champion

Roberto Duran praised the “explosive speed and arm strength” of Luis Reynaldo Nunez, the Dominican featherweight whom he sees as a future world champion.

The 26-year-old returned to action earlier this month, having finished better in the first round scores victory over Hector Andres Sosa in December.

Despite the constrained nature of his opponent, Jhan Estiven Camacho, Nunez managed to show off a brief but striking glimpse of his talent at the Hotel El Panama, where an impressed Duran looked on at ringside.

The legend’s son, Roberto Duran Jr, was in Nunez’s corner, accompanying head coach Bob Santos, who has previously worked with the likes of Robert Guerrero and Erislandy Lara.

I’m talking to Boxing Scene after the Nuneza fight, Santos recalled an encouraging conversation he shared with Duran, whose fighting career is still considered one of the best in history.

“He really enjoyed watching Nunez up close and said, ‘This kid has explosive speed and arm strength. I have no doubt he will be a world champion.’ Who better to know that than [Duran]?”

Santos added that Nunez is targeting Rafael Espinoza, who is widely considered the top dog at 126 pounds after his two wins over Robeisy Ramirez.

Espinoza won the WBO world title by defeating the Olympic gold medalist in 2023, then finished the rematch in the sixth round a year later.

Although Nunez and his team are determined to prove themselves against the best, it is unlikely that they will get a chance against the Mexican any time soon.

A much more likely shot at the IBF title currently held by Angelo Leo is that Nunez boasts a No. 3 ranking in that particular sanctioning body.

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The former heavyweight champion admits he is not yet ready to fight Moses Itauma

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Former heavyweight champion admits he’s not ready to face Moses Itauma yet

Moses Itauma appears to have a fresh fight date set as he continues his march towards the heavyweight throne, with talk turning to who will walk through the ropes with him.

Itauma has never fought more than six rounds in his 14-fight professional career, but now he finds himself one step away from fighting for the coveted heavyweight crown. which may occur before the end of the year.

It has been reported that the 21-year-old will headline the O2 Arena in London on Saturday, July 25 in a fight that will ideally be another step forward in the competition.

Promoter Frank Warren didn’t have time to catch up with the youthful talent, claiming that many heavyweights had either rejected the fight altogether or overestimated themselves. Itauma’s future depends on strategically selecting players, increasing his exposure and attracting opponents who can bring fresh aspects to his game. There were many suggestions for good candidates, and Andy Ruiz Jr was mentioned as a hard-wearing and experienced operator by the likes of Tony Bellew.

However, when asked if he would be willing to compete in his opponent’s corner, the former unified heavyweight ruler, who shocked the world by defeating Anthony Joshua in 2019, said: Casino.org that he would like at least two fights to get rid of the rust in the ring.

“Of course I’m not backing down from any fight, but I want to be ready to fight. I want to fight at least two fights first. Then, if they put me against him, I’ll be ready and it will be a great fight.

“If you combine the Mexican fighting style, which is about moving forward and not being afraid of getting hit, with his style, I think it will be an intriguing fight. So we’ll see if he succeeds or not.”

“If I’m 100% and in shape, I don’t think there’s anyone who can beat me. But I think me and Itauma could do it. I feel like I could beat those guys (AJ and Itauma).

“Other than that, I was like Patrick Star, I was just resting under a rock while everyone else was getting beat up and taking losses and stuff like that. So I’m going to come in fresh and come in differently than before.”

The search is on for Itauma’s next foe, which will be his first headlining appearance in London.

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Amari Jones headlines May 22 vs. Vincenzo Gualtieri

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Image: Amari Jones Gets Real Test Against Gualtieri

Jones was billed as one of the company’s rising names, and the hometown headline gave him a apparent platform on DAZN. The organizers don’t randomly hand out the main events. It’s a sign that Golden Boy wants to see if Jones can move from prospect talks into rival territory. This part still needs to be proven.

Jones boasts an attractive record and clear physical tools, but his rise has come without a victory to dispel doubts. He showed strength against his chosen opponent, but astute observers were still waiting for a performance that would confirm he was more than just a well-managed, undefeated fighter.

For this reason, Gualtieri is a useful opponent. The German won the vacant IBF middleweight title in 2023 by defeating Esquiva Falcao before losing in a unification fight to Zhanibek Alimkhanuly. He has since bounced back with four straight wins and brings experience, size and composure.

It’s not the most perilous fight in the division, but that’s how Jones should be judged. If he is a solemn middleweight, as Golden Boy claims, then a former champion with a rebounding streak is the type of guy he should beat, and beat it decisively.

A close victory would keep Jones going, but it wouldn’t silence him much. A flat display would raise louder questions than a press release.

The middleweight category needs recent names. Jones now has a chance to show that he belongs.

Golden Boy has taken a sluggish approach throughout Jones’ career, but at some point you have to turn up the heat or fans will lose interest. From a promoter’s point of view, this is a protected pairing that looks like a step forward.

By pairing Jones with a former world champion, Golden Boy can claim to be fighting a world-class talent. In fact, they chose a guy who has already played at the highest level and doesn’t have the one-punch power to keep Amari from taking him to the ground.

If Amari truly is the next huge star to come out of Virgil Hunter’s gym, he should blow Gualtieri out of the water. Anything less will only confirm that it is still protected.

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Floyd Mayweather confirmed who he will fight before his rematch with Manny Pacquiao

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Floyd Mayweather confirms who he will fight before Manny Pacquiao rematch

Floyd Mayweather is officially scheduled to return to the ring this summer, ahead of his clash with Manny Pacquiao later this year.

The shocker was that earlier this year it was announced that Mayweather would end his nearly decade-long retirement and return to competition face former foe Pacquiao on September 19 at The Sphere in Las Vegas.

However, doubts have been raised about the fight in recent weeks, with Mayweather claiming the fight will be an exhibition rather than a professional fight, while Pacquiao insists it will be a fully sanctioned fight.

As the confusion surrounding this fight continues, one thing is certain that Mayweather is expected to compete before his fight with Pacquiao, after he confirmed details about the June exhibition.

Mayweather was scheduled to fight both Mike Tyson and Mike Zambidis this year, and while there is no further information on Tyson’s fight, Mayweather posted on social media officially reveal the details of his fight with Zambidis.

“IT’S OFFICIAL. June 27 – Athens, Greece. History will be made. I’m stepping into the ring with Mike Zambidis. One night. One stage. An all-out fight you can’t miss.”

Zambidis is a Greek kickboxing legend who has won multiple world titles during his career in the sport, but has only competed professionally once, winning in March 2019.

The Zambidis fight gives Mayweather a chance to get busy, but most boxing fans will be keen to resolve the issues surrounding his fight with Pacquiao as the two boxing legends look to resume their rivalry since their first meeting in 2015.

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