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The opponent claims that James DeGale had six sparring knockouts before winning with his bare knuckles

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James DeGale lands punch on Matt Floyd during bare-knuckle fight after six sparring KOs claim

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.


About the author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.

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David Morrell says a career doesn’t end after a KO defeat

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Image: David Morrell Says Career Isn’t Over After Zak Chelli Knockout

David Morrell says his career isn’t over after his knockout loss to Zak Chelli last Saturday in England, but questions are already being raised about whether Morrell should return to 168 pounds after another tough run at lithe heavyweight.

Morrell was stopped in the 10th and final round after a competitive bout on the Fabio Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois heavyweight undercard. The defeat was Morrell’s second defeat in his last three fights following a decision loss to David Benavidez in February 2025.


“This doesn’t mean David Morrell’s career is over,” Morrell said on the I shownstagram. We must take this as a lesson and move on with greater strength.

“We’ll be back soon and we’ll have more news for you.”

Morrell also assured fans that he was recovering quickly from the knockout.

“For those who are worried: thank God, I am well and robust.

“A person is not measured by the number of times he falls, but by the number of times he gets up.

“This is the beginning of a fresh stage, not the end of the race.”

The loss to Chelli increased criticism of Morrell’s move to 175 pounds. Since moving up from super middleweight in August 2024, Morrell entered 2025 undefeated, but has now lost two of his last three fights since moving up to lithe heavyweight.

Morrell dropped a split decision victory over previously undefeated Imam Khataev last July before losing to David Benavidez and being stopped by Zak Chelli.

Boxing analyst Chris Mannix was among those who suggested Morrell may need to rebuild at super middleweight after the defeat.

The 28-year-old Cuban currently has a record of 12-2 with nine knockouts, having entered 2025 undefeated and viewed as one of the most perilous newborn fighters in boxing.

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Last update: 2026/05/14 at 23:49

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Coach Terence Crawford BoMac admits that one of the players “had his number”: “We had to take it away”

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Terence Crawford trainer BoMac admits one fighter ‘had his number’: “We had to pick it up”

Terence Crawford has faced select top-class players throughout his career, but there was one player who coach Brian “BoMac” McIntyre deemed a real threat to his protégé’s dominance.

As the undisputed champion of three divisions, it’s safe and sound to say that “Bud” never shied away from a formidable challenge, even if it meant putting himself at a significant disadvantage.

His fight with Canelo Alvarez, for example, saw the extraordinary technician move up two weight classes and dethroned the Mexican with a remarkable unanimous decision victory last September.

Similarly, many felt that Crawford was clearly the underdog before us his fight with Errol Spence Jr. in 2023only to score a ruthless ninth-round finish and unify all four major welterweight titles.

But according to longtime head coach “BoMac,” Crawford came closest to his only professional loss in 2019, six years before he retired from the sport.

The American was then defending his WBO welterweight title against Egidijus Kavaliauskas, also known as “Mean Machine”, who was not only undefeated, but also boasted an impressive knockout to victory ratio.

I’m talking to Podcast on the front pageMcIntyre credited Kavaliauskas with forcing Crawford to change his tactics after the third round, when “Bud” jumped out of the ring after being deemed a no-knockdown.

“That motherfucker just kept coming and coming. He didn’t stop. For the first few rounds, he only had Bud’s number because he was punching before Bud and punching after Bud.

“It was like, ‘Damn, dog – you [Crawford] I have to pick it up.”

Ultimately, Crawford managed to secure a ninth-round victory over Kavaliauskas, but he had to dig deep into his tool bag to win. The record-breaking star later said that “Mean Machine” was one of the hardest hits he had ever faced.

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Shakur Wants to ‘Get Eight Pounds’

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Image: J Prince Says Shakur Stevenson Willing To “Take Eight Pounds” For Devin Haney

“Well, you never know. You know what I mean? I think he can make that weight if he wants to,” Prince told Fighthype about the fight between Shakur and Haney.

“But like I told him, Shakur weighs 135 pounds. They weigh 147. So out of 12 pounds, we’re willing to take eight. We’re not even saying we’ll meet halfway.”

“So you never know. I don’t count them because certain numbers often change a person’s mind, right? You never know.”

Prince also said there are ongoing discussions about Stevenson fighting next after recently winning the WBO 140-pound welterweight title.

“It’s up in the air. We’re regrouping. We’re planning again and people will know about it very soon,” Prince said.

Shakur moved up earlier this year and defeated Teofimo Lopez to win the WBO 140-pound title. Stevenson already held titles in three weight classes before moving up to 140.

Haney continued competing at welterweight after moving up from 140 pounds following fights against Ryan Garcia, Brian Norman Jr. and Mario Barrios.

Prince also mentioned undefeated lightweight title challenger Abdullah Mason, who returns to his hometown of Cleveland this month.

“I’m excited, first of all, that Abdullah Mason is fighting at home,” Prince said.

“I have a long history with Cleveland, Chicago, Detroit, the entire Midwest was one of the first to embrace my Rap-A-Lot movement.

“They should be really proud of their child.”

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