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Teddy Atlas reacts to Jai Opetaia signing a recent promotional deal with Zuffa Boxing

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Teddy Atlas reacts to Jai Opetaia signing new promotional deal with Zuffa Boxing

Teddy Atlas has expressed his opinion following the surprise announcement that IBF cruiserweight world champion Jai Opetaia has signed a contract with Zuffa Boxing.

The inaugural venture backed by Dana White and Turki Alalshikh is set to launch later this year, with Irish super welterweight Callum Walsh (15-0, 11 KO) headlining the 10-undefeated opening card against Carlos Ocampo (38-3, 26 KO) at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas.

Zuffa Boxing is already accelerating the implementation of further events in the first quarter of 2026including the February 14 heavyweight main event between Efe Ajagba and former world champion Charles Martin.

Securing Opetai’s signature represents a major coup. The Australian is widely considered one of the two best cruiserweights in the world – alongside WBA champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez – and one of the most devastating fighters in his division, with 23 knockouts in 29 professional victories.

Atlas, one of boxing’s most respected analysts and longtime creator of The Fight podcast, responded to the X news by warning another sport.

“I think they will do the same thing they did with golf and other sports and buy out the stars one by one.”

Atlas was referring to LIV Golf, a men’s professional tour financed by Saudi Arabia with support from the Public Investment Fund (PIF), which launched in 2022 as direct competition to the established PGA Tour. LIV’s arrival sparked significant controversy, particularly criticism from major champions including Rory McIlroy, before he changed the landscape of professional golf by signing many of the world’s top players.

It’s unclear what this model might look like in boxing. White has repeatedly said he has no interest in working with the sport’s four main sanctioning bodies, but Opetaia made his ambitions clear in a video announcing the deal.

“Contract signed now with Zuffa Boxing. Pumped for the future. Stimulating times. Let’s get these large fights on the line. Unification, soon undisputed. Let’s go.”

The message has only increased uncertainty about Zuffa’s long-term intentions, especially if Opetaia continues to seek unification under a division administered by conventional sanctioning bodies.

There is no doubt, however, that this is the signing of a declaration – supported by significant financial muscles – and this may be just the beginning.

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Boxing

Deontay Wilder focuses on next opponent: “We will make it happen”

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Deontay Wilder zeroes in on next opponent: “We’re gonna make it happen”

Deontay Wilder appears to be in talks for his next appearance, which may include negotiations with Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn.

The former WBC heavyweight champion scored a split decision victory over Derek Chisora ​​in April, scoring two knockouts in a mostly close 12-round fight.

Previously, Wilder claimed that approx seventh-round finish over Tyrrell Herndon after consecutive defeats to Zhilei Zhang and Joseph Parker.

Chisora’s triumph therefore came at a critical moment, although many remain convinced that the 40-year-old should implement his retirement plan.

An imminent departure from the sport, however, seems increasingly unlikely as the ‘Bronze Bomber’ is currently considering a possible rematch with fellow veteran Chisora.

Unlike Wilder, Chisora ​​promised that their first meeting would be his last fight, believing that his 50th professional fight would be a suitable event from which he would retire.

However, the way their clash ended inspired the 42-year-old to demand an immediate rematch, hoping for a more favorable outcome next time.

I’m talking to Daily mail boxChisora ​​managed to get a response from Wilder via FaceTime, and the American expressed interest in withdrawing him.

“Hell yes. We’ll make it happen.”

Chisora ​​added that he intended to speak to Hearn, suggesting he was a free agent with the promotion and wanted to strike a deal with the Matchroom boss.

However, although he verbally agreed to a rematch, there is of course no guarantee that Wilder will ultimately put pen to paper.

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Boxing

Elijah Holyfield wins his WWE Evolve debut with an Uppercut Finisher

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Elijah Holyfield, son of former undisputed heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield, won his first WWE Evolve match on June 3, defeating Kai Kavari in the company’s developmental program.

According to material published by Bleacher ReportHolyfield ended the fight with a right hand and pinned Kavari. WWE calls the finisher “The Uppercut”, a move modeled after his father’s boxing. Pro Wrestling Dot Net reported that the fight lasted 1 minute and 14 seconds.

According to SEScoops, Holyfield went through a series of Stinger Splashes and Spinebusters before delivering the final blow.

His father, a former cruiserweight and heavyweight world champion and member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, built much of his ring identity on body striking and combination work during a career spanning the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.

From the NFL to the ring

Holyfield’s path to WWE didn’t go through boxing. He played running back at the University of Georgia and signed with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2019 and later spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles and Cincinnati Bengals. He appeared in one regular-season NFL game during the 2020 season.

A 2022 knee injury he suffered while on the Bengals’ roster ended his football career and redirected him toward wrestling.

WWE path

Holyfield signed a WWE developmental contract in November 2024. He competed in the first season of the WWE reality show LFG (Legends and Future Greats), where he mentored The Undertaker and earned a contract that placed him on the Evolve brand.

His ring debut was delayed due to injury. According to multiple wrestling outlets, he suffered a torn bicep in delayed 2025 and required surgery. He is 27 years ancient.

The June 3 episode of Evolve was taped at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida and streamed on Tubi in the United States.

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Boxing

Katie Taylor says the September 5 fight will be her last

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Image: Katie Taylor Says September 5 Fight Will Be Her Last

Katie Taylor’s farewell fight is now official.

On Thursday, Matchroom Boxing announced that Taylor will return to Dublin’s Croke Park on September 5 to defend her WBO, WBA, IBF and Ring Magazine titles against undefeated French challenger Flora Pili. The vacant WBC title is also at stake, giving Taylor a chance to become a three-time undisputed champion.


The event will be broadcast live worldwide on DAZN and is expected to attract over 80,000 fans to Ireland’s national stadium.

“It seems like the perfect way to end – to become Undisputed Champion once again on our national stadium that holds such a special place in Irish hearts. I’m grateful that this is happening and I can’t thank the people of this country enough for the support I’ve received over the years.

“People have traveled all over the world following my career and I hope I can return the favor with a confident performance on September 5. I have no illusions that Flora will pose a very arduous challenge; she is undefeated as a professional and has a good amateur pedigree, so I have the utmost respect for her.

“I have been blessed to have achieved more in this sport than I could have ever dreamed of, but fighting in Croke Park is truly the icing on the cake. I hope this event inspires a whole recent generation to take up sport and follow their passions.”

Taylor enters the fight with a 25-1 record. The event, which will take place on September 5, will be the first professional boxing event held in Croke Park since Muhammad Ali fought Alvin Lewis there in 1972.

Pili brings an undefeated record of 12-0 to the fight and will be looking for the biggest victory of his career. Tickets go on sale June 12 via Ticketmaster, with pre-sales starting earlier this week.

If successful, Taylor will retire as a three-time undisputed champion.

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Last update: 2026/06/05 at 11:27

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