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Shakur Stevenson reveals the BIGGEST advantage he has over Teofimo Lopez

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Teofimo Lopez defends his WBO super lightweight title against Shakur Stevenson on Saturday at Madison Square Garden Photo: Matchroom Boxing

Shakur Stevenson believes he has one major advantage over Teofimo Lopez ahead of their highly anticipated world title showdown.

On Saturday at Madison Square Garden, Stevenson challenges Lopez for the WBO super lightweight world title live on DAZN pay-per-view.

The 28-year-old is the bookmakers’ clear favorite to dethrone his American rival, despite moving up from the lightweight category.

Lopez infamously questioned himself after being dropped en route to a split decision victory over Sandor Martin in 2022 and asked in the ring, “Do I still understand it?”

The athlete from Newark believes that thanks to his mental toughness he will become a four-time world champion.

Teofimo Lopez defends his WBO super lightweight title against Shakur Stevenson on Saturday at Madison Square Garden Photo: Matchroom Boxing

“My greatest asset is my mind, my mind,” Stevenson said DAZN.

“My mind is stronger than him.

“I have a lot of heart.

“I am made of heart, that is who I am.”

Stevenson defeated Zepeda in July. Photo: Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy/Getty Images
Stevenson defeated Zepeda in July. Photo: Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy/Getty Images

Stevenson defended his WBC lightweight title with a dominant scoring victory over William Zepeda in July.

Lopez has won six times in the session since his only professional loss to George Kambosos Jr in 2021, and despite a comprehensive performance over Arnold Barboza Jr, who defended his WBO super lightweight title last May, Stevenson insists he saw plenty of flaws that he vowed to exploit.

Lopez dominated Barboza. Photo: Geoffrey Knott/Matchroom Boxing
Lopez dominated Barboza. Photo: Geoffrey Knott/Matchroom Boxing

“He has many weaknesses,” he added.

“He is a very good player, but I see many weaknesses.

– He won’t correct them overnight.

“It’ll be the same Teo we’ve seen a thousand times before.”

The winner of Saturday’s fight could be in line for a unification with recently crowned WBC champion Dalton Smith, who is expected to watch the fight from ringside.

Smith knocked out Subriel Matias in Brooklyn earlier this month and is looking forward to facing the winner.

“I’ll probably be there watching it,” the 28-year-old said Heavenly sports.

Dalton Smith becomes the new WBC super lightweight world champion. Photo: Mohsin Hussain/Matchroom Boxing
Dalton Smith becomes the fresh WBC super lightweight world champion. Photo: Mohsin Hussain/Matchroom Boxing

“It’s a great fight and I obviously have my eye on it as a potential opponent for these fighters next.

“It will be good and it will be a great fight.

“I favor Shakur in points.”

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UK Boxing

“I’m not interested in belts” – Ryan Rozicki talks about changing Zuffa Boxing

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Masternak retired in his corner after appearing to sustain a rib injury.Credit: Richard Crease

Ryan Rozicki is set to return to the ring tomorrow when he faces Chris Billam-Smith live from Bournemouth.

The Billam-Smith vs Rozicki fight will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.

Many people know “CBS” as he plans a successful homecoming run, headlining in Bournemouth for the first time since 2023.

He fights out of the Bournemouth International Center once again forced Mateusz Masternak to retire on the stool in the eighth round due to a rib injury.

Chris Billam-Smith was forced to kick demanding against Mateusz Masternak in Bournemouth.
Source: Boxxer

The Briton’s opponent before entering the competition remains relatively unknown, but his achievements tell the story of danger and a man who decided to tear up the script.

Rozicki boxes from Nova Scotia, Canada, and continues to train in his hometown. He spoke to professional boxing fans and revealed the biggest challenge his location poses to his boxing career.

Chris Billam-Smith will face Ryan Rozicki in Bournemouth on Saturday. Photo: Zuffa Boxing
Chris Billam-Smith will face Ryan Rozicki in Bournemouth on Saturday. Photo: Zuffa Boxing

He recently posted a video on social media highlighting one of the more unusual training methods he uses while camping in such a remote location.

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“There are no sparring partners there, no. If I want to spar, I have to travel.”

The Canadian has a devastating knockout rate of over 95%, which he added in his last outing less than three months ago.

The bookmakers' favorite is Chris Billam-Smith, who will beat Ryan Rozicki on Saturday. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing/Andre Kuthy
The bookmakers’ favorite is Chris Billam-Smith, who will beat Ryan Rozicki on Saturday. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing/Andre Kuthy

He stopped Gerardo Mellado in the second round after dropping him twice earlier.

The 31-year-old is currently ranked number one in the WBC cruiserweight rankings.

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‘The Bruiser’ revealed his biggest inspiration growing up and how he emulates Jack Dempsey’s brutal and relentless style.

“Jack Dempsey. Brutal. Constant pressure. Damage.

“I have no interest in participating in a boxing match. I want to hurt my opponent.”

Despite such a high position in the WBC rankings, he surprisingly presented his goals for tomorrow night and the rest of his career.

Give me fights, give me large fights, pay me the most money and I will be there.

“I don’t focus on numbers, rankings, belts, anything.”

Rozicki had already tried to secure a fight with Billam-Smith.

The Canadian was ringside for his 2024 rematch victory over Richard Riakporhe at Selhurst Park and revealed what Ben Shalom told him about the pair’s fight two years ago.

Riakporhe had no answer for Billam-Smith (Photo: Lawrence Lustig, Boxxer)
Riakporhe had no answer for Billam-Smith (Photo: Lawrence Lustig, Boxxer)

“Ben said no one knows who you are and that you hit too demanding.”

While preparing to appear at Dana White’s first ever boxing gala in the UK, Rozicki also shared exactly how he sees the fight ending.

“One of my shots, from any angle, from any hand… he’ll go to sleep.”

The post “I’m not interested in belts” – Ryan Rozicki talks about the Zuffa Boxing switch appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.

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UK Boxing

Josh Padley vs. Aqib Fiaz – Gigantic Fight Preview and Predictions

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Padley defends his European super featherweight title. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

On Saturday in Sheffield, Josh Padley will defend his European super featherweight title against Aqib Fiaz for the first time.

Eddie HearnMatchroom is promoting the Padley vs Fiaz fight from Utilita Arena live on DAZN worldwide.

The pair were scheduled to fight on the undercard, but were later advanced to the main event Dalton Smith’s WBC super lightweight title defense against Albert Puello and then Galal Yafai’s clash with unified flyweight world champion Ricardo Sandoval was shelved due to injury.

Padley (18-1, 6 KO) won the vacant belt after a second-round stoppage of Jaouad Belmehdi in Newcastle in January.

The 30-year-old has won three times since a ninth-round defeat to Shakur Stevenson for the WBC lightweight title on four days’ notice.

Padley defends his European super featherweight title. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

Fiaz (14-1, 2 KO) is looking to break the script here and has won two in a row since an eight-round retirement loss to mutual opponent Reece Bellotti in 2023, whom Padley defeated by unanimous decision in October.

The 26-year-old last didn’t play 11 months ago, securing a unanimous decision victory over Alex Murphy.

Padley and Fiaz face to face at Thursday's final press conference. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Padley and Fiaz face to face at Thursday’s final press conference. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Nadim-Sulaimaan will fight for the title of English champion

Ibrahim Nadim defends his English super featherweight crown for the first time against Ibraheem Sulaimaan.

Nadim (16-1, 2 KO) secured the vacant belt with a unanimous decision victory over Numan Hussain in November, and Sulaimaan (10-0, 5 KO) became the Midlands Area champion with a sixth-round victory over Nico Ogbeide also in November.

Nadim defends his English super featherweight title against Sulaimaan. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Nadim defends his English super featherweight title against Sulaimaan. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Undercard remaining

Middleweight Aaron Bowen (7-1, 5 KO) suffered his first professional loss to Tom Cowling in November, but can get back to winning ways with a stoppage victory over Troy Coleman (15-4-1, 7 KO).

Heavyweight prospect Leo Atang (6-0, 5 KO) can remain excellent by defeating Frenchman Fouad Shaili (5-4-2, 3 KO).

Connor Mitchell (2-0, 1 KO) can improve his undefeated record by scoring points over Jesus Carrasco (2-4-2) at featherweight, while Chris Mulanda (2-0) can do the same against Connor Goulding (6-12) in their middleweight bout.

Adam Maca (5-0, 5 KO) and Edward Hardy (6-0, 2 KO) will return to the pitch against an as yet unspecified opponent.

The post Josh Padley vs Aqib Fiaz – Gigantic Fight Preview and Predictions appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.

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UK Boxing

Anthony Joshua REVEALS when he will retire from boxing

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Joshua and Prenga face-to-face ahead of July clash Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

Anthony Joshua won’t be leaving boxing any time soon.

Joshua returns to the ring on July 25 in Saudi Arabia against Kristian Prengi, ahead of a thrilling clash with long-time rival Tyson Fury in November.

The two-time world heavyweight champion was expected to potentially end his career after his long-awaited clash with Fury, but the 36-year-old insists he can continue for another four years, even opening the door to a potential clash with the rising 21-year-old heavyweight champion, Moses This is going to hurt.

“For me, maybe until I’m 40,” Joshua told reporters.

“It’s only been about three or four years.

Joshua and Prenga face-to-face ahead of July clash Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

“I’ll be 37 in October, so it’s only three years, it’ll go by quickly.

“Of course it will be challenging, but I definitely think I’m tough enough to do it.

“Why not, why not? I’m definitely more mature.”

Joshua and Fury have signed a contract to fight. Photo: Mark Robinson
Joshua and Fury have signed a contract to fight. Photo: Mark Robinson

“AJ” will fight for the first time since the sixth-round knockout of Jake Paul in Miami in December.

The Watford player took a break from the sport after he was involved in a devastating road accident in Nigeria 10 days later that killed two of his close friends, Latif “Latz” Ayodele and Sina Ghami.

Joshua, who met Prenga face-to-face earlier this week, said he strongly supports parents Ayodele and Ghami.

Anthony Joshua's close friends Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami died in a car crash in Nigeria
Anthony Joshua’s close friends Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami died in a car crash in Nigeria

“You’ll never get over it, but you’ll gain perspective in life,” he said BBC Sport.

“Life sometimes teaches you humility. You never know your fate.

“As a soldier, I stand powerful in defense of their parents.

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“First of all, it’s not about me.

“I think it’s crucial to put parents first at this time.

“I will have time to grieve, but I know that right now my heart and mind say that their parents are my main priority.”

Joshua’s fight against Prenga will take place at the Jeddah Superdome.

Fury, who retired in April to defeat Arslanbek Makhmudov, is scheduled to have another warm-up fight on August 1.

The post Anthony Joshua REVEALS when he will retire from boxing appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.

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