Matt Floyd claims James DeGale knocked out six sparring partners before their bare-knuckle fight, offering another look at the former world champion’s winning debut.

DeGale defeated Floyd by unanimous decision in a tumultuous BKFC fight last September, but Floyd says the performance was not representative of the level his opponent had achieved in pre-fight camp.

Six sparring knockouts

“I respect James DeGale as a boxer. He is one of the greatest boxers England has produced – an Olympic gold medalist and world champion,” Floyd said.

“Kedu Uchegbu, who managed our fight, later told me that DeGale had knocked out six sparring partners in camp and looked the best he had ever been in our fight.”

From Floyd’s account, DeGale was in great shape, even if it didn’t show that evening.

Floyd’s view of the fight

DeGale ultimately secured a unanimous decision in a brutal and often violent clash with BKFC that was shaped by point deductions, fouls and constant hostility between the two.

The Londoner fell during the fight and Floyd was disciplined multiple times because the fight threatened to go beyond the rules. Still, DeGale did enough on the scorecards to get his hand raised in his debut.

Floyd insists it was more due to his own style than any lack of sharpness on DeGale’s part.

“But because of how clumsy I am and the fighting style I pride myself in, I make the best fighters look average. Not because they are, but because of what I bring to the ring,” he explained.

“James DeGale wasn’t average tonight. I just made it look that way.”

Floyd maintained this view as he reflected on the performance.

“And I will continue to make the best fighters in the world look average. I will make the best fighters in the world not want to be there with me.”

The ambition remains

The Australian’s confidence extended beyond the fight with DeGale. Floyd recently posted a photo in which he claims to have offered identical terms to Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., Billy Joe Saunders and Tommy Fury as he continues to pursue high-profile opponents.

He previously told World Boxing News that a fight with Fury had been agreed for March, although the fight has yet to materialize.

Floyd also unusually pursued a showdown with Saunders, even going to a British pub to get involved in a proposed parking lot collision that never happened.

It’s unclear where Chavez Jr. fits into this equation, but Floyd’s willingness to attack established names is obvious despite DeGale’s defeat.

Confidence remains unchanged

The Australian also made it clear that the result did not change how he viewed his level.

“Not only do I make it uncomfortable – I will also beat anyone they put in front of me like I beat James DeGale and I will continue to make it look simple like I did with Chunky.”

This indicates that DeGale is in much better condition than the fight itself suggested, despite the victory.

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“I would love to fight Devin Haney. I would love to fight him,” Davis said. “I told my manager, J. Prince, ‘You know that when I knock out Jermaine Ortiz, they’re going to be afraid to fight me, right?’ … I knocked him out and we haven’t heard from them since the fight.”

The problem is the jump. Davis just moved up and is still making weight, while Haney is already operating at a different level in the division. Calling for a title shot at this position is not a natural next step.

It would have carried more weight if Keyshawn had moved to 147 and built his case first by defeating names like Brian Norman Jr., Shakhram Giyasov and Karen Chukhadzhian. He currently has one win at 140 pounds and is already calling for a 147 title fight with Haney.

There are other names around Davis who would be the first to answer questions. Andy Cruz is a no-brainer given their history, and fighters like Ernesto Mercado and Giyasov offer real tests at this weight. These fights involve risk and less reward, which helps explain why they don’t get pushed.

Meanwhile, Haney has no reason to turn to Keyshawn right now. He’s the biggest draw, has more established options, and has little to gain from fighting a fighter who’s still trying to define himself at 140 pounds.

For now, this clarification increases visibility but does not change Davis’ position in the division or bring him closer to a title shot at this stage. Keyshawn has gained attention with his explanation, but the path forward still leads through harder, less noticeable fights first.

Less than two months after hosting its first event, Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing team has signed a broadcast deal in the UK.

After taking the MMA world by storm and making the UFC arguably the largest combat sports promotion in the world, White has now turned his attention to boxing, partnering with Saudi Arabian boss Turki Al-Sheikh to launch Zuffa Boxing.

They’ve held four shows so far, the last of which saw cruiserweight star Jai Opetaia in action, but it was probably the moves they made away from those shows that got the most attention.

The most notable of these is the shock signing of Conor Benn, who joined forces with White and Zuffa last month after leaving long-term promoters Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing.

Zuffa’s latest game was revealed today after it was confirmed signed a long-term contract with the British giant Sky Sports to broadcast their programs in the future.

Sky, in particular, had an exclusive deal with Matchroom for around a decade before spending the last few years broadcasting Boxxer events. Now they will be teaming up with Zuffa, and White shared his delight at the announcement.

“The UK has played a key role in the history of boxing. The fans there are some of the most true and passionate in the world. When you talk about boxing in this region, Sky Sports has always been home to legendary boxing matches.

“There is no bigger or better platform to showcase the best boxing in the UK. This is a huge milestone for Zuffa Boxing.”

The deal covers a minimum of five performances per year across the UK, with a more detailed schedule to be published in the coming weeks.