Boxing
What Terence Crawford saw before he retired
Published
5 months agoon
“No, not at all. That would be stupid of me,” Crawford said. “I’m 38 years vintage. 38 years in boxing. I’ve been boxing since I was seven. I have nothing more to prove. I have nothing else to achieve.”
The response did not concern a correction to the minutes. It was about rejecting the idea that boxing had forced its hand on him. Crawford wanted to make it clear that he left on his own terms. However, his next comment revealed much more than he probably intended.
“They’re not going to admit I’m wrong anyway, so it doesn’t really matter,” Crawford said.
This line explains everything. Crawford isn’t saying there are no more risky fights. He says there are no more fights that reward him for taking real risks. Victories no longer lift his spirits. Losses would destroy the entire narrative.
There was a fight with Carlos Adames in the middleweight division. He didn’t promise a gigantic payout and offered a compact loan if you won. That would be brutal too. Adames is juvenile, aggressive and hunts opponents. This isn’t a fight where Crawford can rely on punching, running and holding to survive.
In the super middleweight division, the situation was even worse.
After defeating Canelo Alvarez, Crawford faced immediate pressure to defend against Christian Mbilli, Lester Martinez and Osleys Iglesias. They are the juvenile lions of the division – fighters who apply constant pressure and do not give senior technicians time or space to manage the rounds.
At the age of 168, Canelo’s last title defenses were against Edgar Berlanga, Jaime Munguia, William Scull and the well-to-forty Gennady Golovkin. This environment would not protect Crawford for long.
There was also a clear line he didn’t want to cross. When Turki Alalshikh publicly suggested a fight with David Benavidez, Crawford immediately silenced her. The balance of risk and reward didn’t make sense to him.
There were already warning signs in the ring. Crawford defeated Canelo by two scores of 115–113 and a questionable 116–112, which was met with criticism.
Earlier, Crawford took a narrow decision at 154 against Israil Madrimov and still didn’t look like the best fighter in the division.
If Crawford had been forced to work his way to Canelo by fighting Mbilli, Martinez or Iglesias first, there’s a real chance he wouldn’t have made it to that fight at all. These warriors don’t wait. They don’t age. They hunt. This is a scenario Crawford avoids.
Critics such as Oscar De La Hoya have already questioned the content of Crawford’s resume, arguing that his two signature wins came against 35-year-old Canelo and Errol Spence Jr., years after a near-fatal car crash. Crawford hears these arguments. And he knows what will happen if he loses again.
“When you’re so much better than the competition,” Crawford said, “and you make them look like they’ve never looked before, everyone says, ‘Oh, they’re washed, or that guy’s a bum.'”
This is not self-confidence. It’s the fear of reversal. Because if Crawford had stayed and lost – once, twice or repeatedly – the mystery would have disappeared. Paydays would shrink. The conversation will turn around overnight. And the idea that he was protected by timing and mate selection would no longer be theoretical.
Retirement now makes such settlement impossible. He didn’t leave because boxing had nothing for him anymore. He left because staying on the show risked revealing more than he wanted to see.
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Boxing
Peter Fury says Tyson needs someone who can deliver the attack before Joshua
Published
45 minutes agoon
June 6, 2026
Peter Fury believes that Tyson Fury should face a significant test if he decides to fight one more time before his planned clash with Anthony Joshua.
Fury returned to the ring earlier this year after spending all of 2025 in retirement. He outpointed Arslanbek Makhmudov over 12 rounds in April, and a long-awaited clash with Joshua is expected later this year.
As some fans questioned whether Fury should fight another fight before facing Joshua, Peter Fury said there would be little value in a gentle touch.
“Well, definitely someone who is hard-wearing and can hit back, because a walk in the park won’t get you anywhere,” Peter Fury said in an interview with SPORT Boxing, discussing Tyson’s potential fleeting opponent.
“The only thing that’s going to come out of this is me walking around the ring and saying well, I’ve got to get in the ring again, that’s all.”
Peter didn’t mention any specific names, but he made it clear that he believes any opponent should be able to hold their own and force Fury to be on his guard for the fight with Joshua.
The former heavyweight champion is coming off a unanimous decision win over Makhmudov in his comeback fight and could return one more time before facing Joshua.
Joshua is also preparing to return to the ring. The two-time heavyweight champion is scheduled to face Kristian Prenga on July 25 as he looks to build momentum towards a potential clash with Fury.
If Fury decides to fight early, Peter Fury’s view is elementary: there is no point in fighting an opponent who poses no challenge.
“A walk in the park gets you nowhere,” said Peter Fury. “Definitely someone who is hard-wearing and can hit back.”

Robert Segal is a boxing reporter at Boxing News 24 with over a decade of experience covering fight news, previews and analysis. Known for his first-hand reporting and in-ring perspective, he delivers authoritative coverage of champions, challengers and emerging talent from around the world.
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Last updated: 6/06/2026 at 2:19 am
Boxing
Anthony Joshua lists 5 heavyweight fighters he is targeting after the fight with Tyson Fury
Published
3 hours agoon
June 6, 2026
Anthony Joshua will return to action next month as he looks to revive his highly anticipated clash with Tyson Fury by knocking out Albania’s Kristian Prenga. If he is successful in both of these fights, Joshua has five opponents in mind for 2027.
Since his failed attempt to dethrone Daniel Dubois to become a three-time world heavyweight champion in September 2024, Joshua has only made one appearance; winning six rounds in a gimmick fight against YouTuber turned boxer Jake Paul.
Now, “AJ” returns to the chase ranks and looks to remind fight fans of his pedigree and strength, starting with a July “tune-up” against Prengi, who is expected to pose a minor threat before his November showdown with “The Gypsy King.”
I’m talking to Ring MagazineJoshua mentioned the five “gigantic fights” he is looking forward to after his feud with Fury ends.
“For me and Fury, he can’t be the one [left]because I know if I stay here long enough there will be a rematch with [Daniel] Dubois, there is a potential Fabio [Wardley] to fight is Agit [Kabayel] to fight there as long as he becomes champion, I like how gigantic that would be.
“Exists [Moses] Itauma’s fight as he nears the rankings is still there [Deontay] Wilder fight there. There will be massive fights.
“Fury is just another number and what I’m trying to say is that I don’t put him on a pedestal, he’s not above anyone, everyone stands in my way, everyone is on the same level. I don’t put him above anyone.”
The Joshua-Prenga event will take place on Saturday, July 25, with the novel fight location being Jeddah since the event date has been confirmed. despite earlier announcements that the gala would take place in Riyad.
Boxing
Mayweather vs. Pacquiao 2. Date and venue booked in Las Vegas
Published
3 hours agoon
June 6, 2026
After months of delays, silence and changing plans, the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao 2 fight finally has a date and place booked.
Manny Pacquiao Promotions has placed the Sept. 25 date and the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on the Nevada State Athletic Commission’s official calendar for the proposed rematch, giving the long-talked-about event its most concrete development since Floyd Mayweather publicly stated the fight should be finalized within 48 hours.
Almost a month has passed since these comments and now fans can look forward to Friday night’s world-famous boxing event.
September 25
The stipulation represents another step forward in a fight that has spent most of 2026 waiting for what Pacquiao adviser Sean Gibbons previously described to WBN as “Floyd Time.”
Pacquiao’s team initially revealed plans for a Netflix-backed rematch before Mayweather finally confirmed the project while promoting his Mike Zambidis exhibition.
However, despite approving the concept, Mayweather has offered little publicly since then.
It’s worth noting that Mayweather’s promotions were not mentioned in the latest booking announcement.
T-Mobile Arena
The selection of T-Mobile Arena also marks a departure from the original 2015 competition, which was held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
A quick check by World Boxing News of the T-Mobile Arena schedule currently shows no conflicting event scheduled for September 25.
That said, boxing fans have seen this story before.
While September 19 was previously linked to the rematch, the date was ultimately set by Hall of Fame rock band The Eagles.
I’m still waiting for Floyd
For now, the booking represents the clearest sign that Mayweather vs. Pacquiao 2 remains on track.
Pacquiao’s team has continued to publicly push for the event, while Mayweather has largely avoided talks since confirming Netflix’s course of action.
Time will tell if Floyd decides to give this fight the same public support he will give Pacquiao’s team.
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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