Boxing
Where did the wild spark go?
Published
3 months agoon
“I can only take what’s coming my way,” Norman told Ring magazine when asked about the bigger names being discussed in the division. “I’m pretty sure these guys will still be here when that time comes.”
Norman concluded his response by stating that he would address matters on May 16 and then accept whatever was proposed after that date.
“Whatever is put on the table next, I’ll take it. I don’t care who it is.”
That loss to Devin Haney in November stripped him of his WBO title and appears to have stripped away some of his fighting spirit as well. This is a complete 180 from the “Savage” personality he brought to Saudi Arabia.
When Malik Scott insisted on naming names, his broken spirit was likely a lingering effect of the reality check Haney handed him.
Getting dropped in the second round and then being chased around the ring for 12 rounds by a guy most people thought was damaged after the Ryan Garcia fight has to be a huge psychological blow.
The May 16 fight with Josh Wagner is textbook matchmaking for a fighter whose confidence is in the basement. Wagner is a solid enough professional, but he’s not in the same stratosphere as the names Norman previously dismissed.
Norman is a huge 1/20 favorite. This fight is about a knockout so he can remember what victory feels like.
It’s irritating to hear a teenage player who was once so vocal suddenly seem content to just “take whatever’s on the table.” In boxing, this is usually code for “I’m not sure I belong at the top yet.”
If he fights Wagner at all in Norfolk, or even if he wins but looks unsure, this assertive and confident version of Brian Norman Jr. may disappear for good.
May 16 will be less about Josh Wagner and more about Norman proving to himself and his coach that the Haney loss hasn’t permanently damaged him.
The version of Norman Jr. we saw in Riyad was unrecognizable from the guy who annihilated Giovani Santillan. When Haney dropped him in the second, it seemed like the “Savage” personality immediately evaporated and was replaced by a warrior who was in survival mode.
Watching the octopus separate from Haney was definitely frustrating, but the real problem: Norman Jr. he didn’t have the dog in him tonight to fight it. Instead of using his strength to push Haney away or work his body during the hold, he simply stood there and allowed Haney to neutralize his attacks over and over again.
This defeated energy is precisely why Wagner’s fight on May 16 is so blatantly planned. If Norman Jr. he was afraid to push a guy like Haney, who isn’t exactly known as a devastating one-punch KO artist, which is a huge red flag when he finally faces a real puncher like Ennis or even a heavy-handed Benn.
In boxing, when a fighter’s invincibility is destroyed and he shows his timidity, it is rarely a one-off event. It usually becomes a novel plan for each opponent.
The fight in Norfolk is clearly a test for his team to see if they can find the missing aggression in a low-risk environment. Wagner has ten knockouts, but he won’t demand respect like a top-flight elite would.
If Norman Jr. comes out on May 16 and is still uncertain, waiting for Wagner to lead or fail to initiate exchanges, then we will know for sure that the fight with Haney cost him not only the belt, but also his fighting identity.
It’s one thing to lose a decision, but it’s another thing entirely to lose an edge and start sounding like you’re just ecstatic to be there.
Dan Ambrose is a boxing journalist at Boxing News 24, respected for his direct analysis and extensive coverage of the global fight landscape. His reports focus on the most vital fights, division development and the most discussed stories in sports.
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Boxing
Johnny Fisher Signs with Zuffa Boxing for September 26 London Main Event
Published
5 hours agoon
July 13, 2026

The agreement gives the 27-year-old Romford fighter a fresh platform following a turbulent spell that included the first defeat of his professional career. Rather than ease back into competition, Fisher will immediately top the bill at ZUFFA BOXING 11 as the promotion continues to strengthen its heavyweight roster.
“The most exciting chapter of my professional career begins,” Fisher said. “Thank you to Dana White, Nick Khan, and the Zuffa Boxing team for this opportunity. Everything has led to this point. Bull Army, get ready to assemble. Bosh!”
Fisher earned widespread attention during his rise through the domestic heavyweight scene with an aggressive style that produced 12 knockouts from 14 victories. His latest outing saw him stop previously unbeaten Ivan Balaz in four rounds, restoring momentum after his rematch defeat to Dave Allen.
The Copper Box Arena has become a familiar venue for Fisher. September’s event will mark his third appearance there, giving him another opportunity to perform in front of a London crowd while beginning life with a new promoter.
The signing also represents another step in Zuffa Boxing’s expansion. After entering professional boxing under the leadership of Dana White and Nick Khan, the company has continued adding recognizable names, and Fisher becomes one of its most prominent British heavyweights.
An opponent has yet to be confirmed for the September 26 main event, with additional bouts expected to be announced as the card takes shape.
For Fisher, the move offers more than a change of promoter. It places him at the front of a growing platform and gives him the chance to rebuild his standing in the heavyweight division with a successful debut under the Zuffa Boxing banner.

Olly Campbell is a boxing journalist who has covered the sport since 2014, providing ringside reporting and technical analysis of major bouts. His work focuses on fighter tendencies, tactical adjustments, and the details that shape high-level competition.
Boxing
Oleksandr Usyk Has Left the Sport of Boxing, Says Hall of Famer
Published
6 hours agoon
July 13, 2026
Oleksandr Usyk has vacated his three heavyweight world titles but will not retire, promising at least one more professional outing before he hangs up the gloves, but in the eyes of one Hall of Famer, the Ukrainian has already ‘left the sport’.
Usyk struggled to overcome Rico Verhoeven back in Maywith a late and controversial stoppage sparing his blushes and denying boxing of one of it’s greatest ever upsets, leading to many saying that the ability of the 39-year-old fan-favourite has perhaps declined.
Following the fight, Usyk decided to vacate his WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight marbles, with Murat Gassiev and Agit Kabayel being elevated to full world champions, whilst Frank Sanchez is expected to face either Moses Itauma or Bakhodir Jalolov for the vacant IBF strap.
Speaking on the Inside The Ring showformer two-division world champion and Boxing Hall of Fame inductee Tim Bradley said he believes Usyk has moved beyond the “sport” of boxing and into the “business” of boxing by choosing to relinquish his titles.
“I think that the Rico Verhoeven fight was an eye-opener for him to be honest with you. He struggled with him right, but then he was able to pull it off at the end.
“Relinquishing the titles, for me, you see the white smoke. He is done. He has left the sport of boxing, he is going to fight [again] but he has left the sport of boxing, he is in the business of boxing now.”
Usyk is currently being linked to a showdown with Deontay Wilder for what would presumably be his career finalealthough it remains to be seen whether a solid performance next time out could convince him to postpone his planned retirement.
Boxing
Exclusive Insights: Moses Itaumas Frightening Sparring Sessions with Tyson Fury Revealed
Published
7 hours agoon
July 13, 2026
Tipped for the top, Moses Itauma is already being compared to some of Britain’s best heavyweights, and now details regarding his sparring sessions with two-time world champion Tyson Fury have been revealed.
Whilst yet to defeat an elite heavyweight or claim world honours, many British fight fans believe that 21-year-old Moses Itauma is the United Kingdom’s standout heavyweight and that a long, dominant reign is around the corner for the Kent-based sensation.
Next month, Itauma will hope to tee up a world title bid by scoring a career-best win over Filip Hrgovicwell-poised to challenge for all four of the heavyweight marbles and in the privileged position to select his own preferred route to the throne.
It is not only the fans who are appreciative of Itauma’s talent, with boxing manager Spencer Brown telling Playbook Boxing that Tyson Fury recognised the skill of the youngster after their ‘frightening’ sparring sessions in 2024.
“Him and Tyson, when they were in camp together, when Tyson was fighting [Oleksandr] Usyk, they had a great bond and him and Tyson sat and talked about boxing and what he has to do, what he hasn’t. He gave him all of the experience in the world.”
“It [the sparring] was unbelievable, it was frightening but it was great. They bumped each other and they just went at it. I think at one stage Moses went to get out of the ring and Tyson said ‘nah, we have only done six, we are going to eight now,’ and he went ‘oh, alright’ and they went at it again.
“With Tyson, he just wants to help people. He can see what this kid is, you have only got to ask Tyson, he knows what this kid is and anybody in boxing knows what this kid is.”
At that stage, Fury was the reigning WBC heavyweight champion and heading into an undisputed showdown with Usyk.
As for Itauma, his clash with Hrgovic takes place at the O2 Arena on Saturday, August 29as the youngster seeks yet another authoritative display that once again captures the attention of the boxing universe.
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