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Serena Williams revealed how she managed to stave off insomnia by becoming obsessed with laundry as the 23-time tennis Grand Slam winner decided to turn her sleepless nights into productivity.

The 43-year-old retired from the sport in 2020 and has since settled down to become a mother to her two kids with Alexis Ohanian, who founded Reddit and has been her husband since November 2017.

Part of that new life away from serving aces includes taking on the burden of household chores to keep the home ticking over, which is something she decided to embrace by making sure everyone has fresh clothes.

READ: ‘Craziest’ Minor Moment Leaves Serena Williams Surprisingly Happy in Delightful Fan Update

She also made sure to clue her fans in on what’s going on by filming her restless nights and posting them to social media whilst providing a humoring running commentary.

“Oh wait, ew, those are not mine,” Williams says in a clip, posted to TikTok. “And it’s 01:56.

“I had coffee at like twelve o’clock and I just can’t sleep. So what do you do when you can’t sleep? One of my favorite things, laundry baby.”

Whilst this occasion might be self-inflicted after the athlete admitted to drinking coffee, she has battled insomnia through the past and hinted that it could even be an inherited trait from her father.

“I’m not a sleeper. I’m kind of like my dad, never slept much,” Williams said, as per EssentiallySports. “I can really go off of five hours of sleep, but obviously, that’s not healthy.

“When I don’t get enough sleep I just can’t get a good workout. It’s low quality and I don’t have enough rejuvenation in my cells to use the muscles that I need to use.”

What are the health risks of insomnia?

Many people might think that being unable to sleep is simply more of a frustration rather than a health risk but this is not actually the case, thus it must be taken as seriously as any kind of chronic sickness.

Insomnia can cause high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes as well as impacting weight, the immune system and sexual libido.

Mentally, it can cause anxiety and depression as well as issues with memory, focus and concentration and can cause stress levels to rise.

GOLF

Best is yet to come for Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, as TGL gets huge TV ratings boost

The opening night of TGL – the tech-infused golf league created by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy – was greeted by impressive TV viewing figures, without either man playing in the inaugural match.

TGL debuted on ESPN on Tuesday with The Bay – comprised of Wyndham Clark, Shane Lowry and Ludvig Aberg – defeating the New York team of Xander Schauffele, Rickie Fowler and Matt Fitzpatrick in a one-sided match.

The launch of the league created plenty of intrigue, with some of the PGA Tour’s top stars playing fantasy golf holes – including one set on an active volcano – by hitting into a massive simulator screen before moving to a dynamic short-game area with a green that rotates and changes typography for each new virtual creation – all in front of a 1,500 crowd at the bespoke SoFi Center arena in Florida.

READ: Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy add insult to injury for Greg Norman at TGL launch

And viewers responded in their droves, with an average audience of 919,000 across the two-hour broadcast, with a peak of 1.1 million viewers as the players hit their first shots. Most encouragingly for TGL, which is aiming to attract younger audiences, the opening match proved to be a hit with its target demographic.

The “Worldwide Leader” reported that TGL’s opener averaged 402,270 viewers aged 18-49, accounting for 44 per cent of the viewership – a much greater proportion than a typical PGA Tour event.

The broadcast was a success in attracting younger male viewers in particular, with 77 per cent of viewers from the 18-49 bracket being male, compared to 67 per cent for the final round of The Sentry in Hawaii on Sunday.

And better numbers likely await on the horizon. Despite injuries suffered both on and off the golf course dramatically reducing Woods’ playing schedule in recent years, he remains golf’s great needle mover – evidenced by the 15-time major champion ranking top of the PGA Tour’s Player Impact Program bonus scheme for $10 million despite playing only five events in 2024.

Woods will make his TGL debut next week when his Jupiter Links Golf Club play Los Angeles, and although seeing the 49-year-old play simulator golf will not compare to the memories of him charging through the field on a Sunday, the chance to see him tee it up is sure to be appealing to both golf purists and casual fans.

And a week later, TGL will stage its headline attraction when Woods and his crew take on McIlroy’s Boston Common in primetime – without anything in the way of competition from the NFL or the College Football Playoff.

BOXING

Usyk Summed Up Deontay Wilder’s Chances Of Ever Beating Anthony Joshua In Just 1 Word

Anthony Joshua versus Deontay Wilder is in danger of being the match-up that got away in this heavyweight era.

The two big punchers could have, at one stage, faced off for the undisputed crown, but failed talks and different paths put paid to that and both men would lost their belts.

Joshua was first upset by Andy Ruiz Jr and, though he won the unified titles back in the rematch, Wilder was then embroiled in a trilogy with Tyson Fury that he would come out relieved of his WBC belt.

JUST IN: Claressa Shields Hits Back at Fan for Spreading Lies About Her Boxing Career

‘AJ’ then lost again to Oleksandr Usyk and couldn’t reverse the result in a return fight. The lack of belts seemed to then make talks easier with his American rival, as well as the introduction of Riyadh Season and its deep pockets, and the pair were put on a collision course, fighting on the same card against different opponents with wins setting up the clash.

Joshua did his part, beating Otto Wallin by fifth round stoppage, but Wilder was upset over the distance by Joseph Parker. The Brit would instead face and knockout Francis Ngannou. Wilder again tried to build back by facing giant Chinese southpaw Zhilei Zhang. He was stopped inside five leaving not just the ‘AJ’ fight on the ropes, but his career entire.

Usyk, having shared the ring with the Brit for 24 rounds, made a prediction back in 2023 for if the pair of knockout artists were to face off at their best. He gave his former foe a chance, but leaned ‘60%’ to Wilder.

“It would’ve been a phenomenal match. Wilder’s unique if he clips, one is unable to fight back. I’m going with Wilder on 60% for the contest. He’s a puncher and Joshua could be set on. Deontay’s able to send someone flying when he touches them. They usually have the flight.”

Joshua was recently stopped by now IBF Champion Daniel Dubois, once again opening the door to the fight after Wilder announced he will not retire. However, ‘AJ’ is much more likely to pursue another long-awaited clash with Fury instead.

BOXING

Claressa Shields Hits Back at Fan for Spreading Lies About Her Boxing Career

Claressa Shields has gotten herself into a verbal spat with a fan on social media.

The undefeated ‘GWOAT’ of boxing is slated to square off against Brooklyn, New York’s Danielle Perkins on February 2nd at the Dort Financial Center in her hometown. However, her squabble with the fan is not about her next opponent.

Shields is coming off a second-round knockout victory over Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse in July last year. On top of that, her new movie ‘The Fire Inside’ starring Ryan Destiny as Shields hit the big screen on Christmas, and has become the talk of the town since. Regardless, what really started her spat with the fan has to do with some allegations the fan made against her.

JUST IN: ‘Hell of a fighter’ – Floyd Mayweather names the one boxer who pushed him ‘to the limits’

Responding to a now-deleted tweet, a fan accused Claressa Shields of avoiding top-tier opponents such as Amanda Serrano, Katie Taylor, Alycia Baumgardner, and others. The fan further alleged that Shields is more skilled at sparking online feuds than following through with them. This seems to have ticked off the 29-year-old champion, who quickly hit back.

“I’ve never been challenged by Katie, Amanda, Cecilia. The rest of the girls [were] just talking! So shut up!!” Shields responded. It’s worth noting that at one point or the other Shields has been in an online spat with most of the top women boxers in the game today. Although numerous claims have been made by all parties involved, they have yet to culminate in an actual boxing match.

In some cases, the issue is genuine, say the weight difference, while in others the callouts and threats were empty promises to drum up some drama. Nevertheless, it’s not just women in boxing Shields has beef with and would like to fight.

Multi-weight champion Claressa Shields has set her sights on an unusual opponent—Jake Paul. Ahead of her February 2 heavyweight title bout against Danielle Perkins, Shields made it clear she’s ready to take on the YouTuber-turned-boxer.

“I know that I can whip Jake Paul’s [expletive], and people who are against that are just sexist and they don’t know boxing,” Shields told USA TODAY Sports. The undefeated Shields dismissed Paul’s power, saying, “You can have power, but you got to have the skills to land a punch.”

Paul, fresh off a decision win over Mike Tyson, failed to impress Shields. “Jake Paul showed that he has not gotten better with his skills,” she said. Shields’ frustration with Paul dates back to his support for Savannah Marshall, who Shields defeated in 2022. “[Expletive] that apology. Fight me,” she challenged.

BOXING

‘Hell of a fighter’ – Floyd Mayweather names the one boxer who pushed him ‘to the limits’

Floyd Mayweather barely put a foot wrong during his unblemished 50-0 professional career.

Only a handful of fighters were able to ask questions of the self-proclaimed ‘Best Ever’ at the peak of his powers.

There was his nip-and-tuck affair with Oscar De La Hoya in 2007, a shaky moment against Shane Mosley in 2010 and, of course, Mayweather’s inaugural encounter against Jose Luis Castillo in 2002, which many fans felt he lost.

READ: Reason why Heavyweight denies being Deontay Wilder’s BLK Prime opponent

But outside of those three fights, Mayweather remained in almost complete control throughout his stint in the paid ranks.

Other generational greats he shared the ring with were Manny Pacquiao, Miguel Cotto and Canelo Alvarez.

However, none of them proved to be any match for Mayweather.

It is therefore a massive compliment to former welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr, who Mayweather sparred in 2013, that he was singled out as one of the best fighters the boxing icon had faced in the ring.

“Errol Spence, he’s a hell of a fighter,” Mayweather told Fight Hype.

“One thing about me, I’m always going to give it to you 100 per cent you know.

“And in training camp, when I was training for my fight with [Robert] Guerrero, Errol Spence gave me solid work.

“He’s a very young, tough competitor, so if I sit here and not give that young kid props, it’ll be bad.

“Even though after doing my time I’d been off a year, he took me to the limit, he made me work in the boxing gym, I like kids like that.”

Spence unified the WBA, WBC and IBF welterweight titles in the late 2010s and early 2020s before losing all three major world titles to Terence Crawford in a much-anticipated undisputed clash in July 2023.

‘The Truth’ hasn’t fought since that fateful night although he is reportedly close to agreeing on a deal to box WBO and WBC super welterweight champion Sebastian Fundora in early 2025.

However, newly appointed WBO president Gustavo Olivieri has informed talkSPORT.com that only the WBC title will be on the line should that fight make it off the negotiation table.

If Fundora beats Spence then he will keep hold of his belt.

But should he fall to defeat then WBO interim champion Crawford will be elevated to full world champion without throwing a punch.

“During the WBO convention at the ratings proceedings which I was presiding at after being elected, TGB Promotions through their council, Phile Weiss (lawyer) petitioned that Errol Spence be installed within the top ten at 154lbs,” said Oliveri.

“The purpose was to request that he be allowed to fight Fundora for the [WBO] title and he presented his case with strong arguments.

“But there are some factors that are undisputed: he’s been inactive for two years, he’s coming off a brutal TKO loss to Terence Crawford and he has never fought at 154lbs nor been rated at 154lbs.

“So I have those facts that are undisputed… You may say ‘Errol Spence is one of the biggest names at 154lbs, it’s a great fight against Fundora’.

“But based on those facts and the other fighters that are waiting their turn at 154lbs, having fought at 154lbs plus their level activity, their suitable opposition, having won regional titles, having faced rated contenders.

“If I allow Spence to fight Fundora immediately for the title with those facts…

“Would that be a good precedent to set? It would open doors for other petitions, ‘Oh you did this in the past, why are you not giving the chance to another fighter?’

“And we have done this in the past, Tim Tszyu wanted to fight Keith Thurman and we didn’t approve Thurman.

“And we’re not going to sanction that fight [Fundora vs Spence]. Fundora may fight Spence but it will be considered a WBO non-title fight…

“We’re going to allow him to proceed with that fight with the condition that if he loses, the title is vacated automatically and Crawford elevated to full champion status.”

TENNIS

Coco Gauff’s Shot at Australian Open Glory in Jeopardy as Familiar Foes Lurk in Nightmare Draw

Coco Gauff has been riding a wave of brilliance lately, and with the Australian Open finally here, the American sensation is ready to make her mark on the season’s first Grand Slam.

Eyes firmly set on the coveted title, Gauff isn’t just relying on wishes to make it happen—it’s all about grit and game. But hold on! The freshly released draw has thrown a curveball her way, and the path to glory looks anything but smooth.

The American tennis sensation is fresh off her victory at the United Cup where she demonstrated remarkable skills to lead her team to the glory. But the latest Australian Open draw is all set to pose some challenges for the star player, especially in the critical stages. As per the latest draw, Gauff will enjoy a smooth beginning to the tournament. She will play her first match against compatriot Sofia Kenin. While Gauff has lost two of the three encounters against Kenin, the last defeat came in January 2023 and since then, the star player has shown immense growth. Moving forward, she will face either the qualifier or Jodie Anna Burrage for the second time after defeating her in Eastbourne in 2023. But here begins the challenge for the star player.

READ: ‘Craziest’ Minor Moment Leaves Serena Williams Surprisingly Happy in Delightful Fan Update

If Gauff manages to advance to the third round, she will likely face Leylah Fernandez, against whom Gauff holds a 1-0 lead. Movie ahead, she will face either Karolina Muchova or Jelena Ostapenko in the fourth round. Gauff leads both the players in the head-to-head tally. However, Muchova’s rise in the last season and her tough contest with Gauff in the China Open can pose further difficulties for the star player. And if she manages to overcome this challenge, she will go on to face Jessica Pegula in the quarterfinals of the tournament.

Notably, Pegula leads Gauff 4-2 in the head-to-head tally and has handed her defeat at crucial stages. Be it in the semi-finals of the WTA Finals in 2023, or the mega-clash in Berlin last year, Pegula has managed to keep her dominance against the 20-year-old. However, if she manages to overcome the challenge, Coco Gauff will likely have to face Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-finals of the tournament. While Gauff leads the head-to-head tally 5-4, Sabalenka has proven to be a tough competitor for Gauff, especially in last year.

The World No. 1 faced the American giant thrice last year and except for the WTA Finals, she managed to baffle her on all occasions. Point to note: Gauff and Sabalenka met at the Semifinals of the Australian Open last year as well where the American was outshined in straight sets. Besides, the infamous defeat that came for Gauff at the Wuhan Open where she fired 21 double faults, will further boost Sabalenka’s confidence. But guess what? Gauff has the potential to overcome the Belarusian force but despite that the challenges for her will not end. If Gauff manages to reach the finals, she will then have to face Iga Swiatek for the title.

Gauff and Swiatek have faced each other 14 times with the 2023 US Open champion winning only three of the encounters, While she managed to beat Swiatek in the last two matches that came at the WTA Finals and the United Cup, the determination depicted by Pole throughout will definitely pose challenges for Gauff. But while the challenge is monumental, one thing is clear—this young star isn’t one to back down. And as she gears up for the tournament, Gauff is beaming with confidence.

Coco Gauff has witnessed immense success recently, After winning the China Open and the WTA Finals in Riyad last year, she entered the new season in a dominant form. And true to herself, she showcased impeccable performance at the United Cup, winning all the matches she played. These victories have given immense confidence to the star player and she is completely ready to take on challenges head-on at the Australian Open.

Speaking about the same after the United Cup, Gauff said, “Obviously this start of the season gives me a lot of confidence. “I feel like when I’m playing confident tennis, I’m playing great tennis. I definitely feel confident going into AO.” And it is not just Gauff who is positive of her campaign in Melbourne as experts are also rallying behind her. One such voice is coming from none other than Andy Roddick.

Expressing confidence in Gauff, Roddick made his thoughts clear during the off-season. “She’s going to sleep a lot better this off-season, and her steps are going to be a little bit lighter when she goes into problem-solving. There’s not as much scar tissue from 2024, she’s almost deleted all of it, and I think she’s prepped for a massive year next year.” Now, as the Australian Open unfolds, it will be interesting to see if Gauff can continue her dominance and overcome the challenges.

GOLF

Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy add insult to injury for Greg Norman at TGL launch

Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy sent an invite to the man tipped to replace Greg Norman at LIV Golf to their brand-new indoor golf league.

When LIV first hit the fairways in 2022, Norman was at the helm, stirring up controversy and causing a rift in the world of professional golf. And while LIV and the PGA Tour agreed on a framework for a merger between the two promotions in June 2023, McIlroy and Woods have remained at a standoff with Aussie legend Norman.

At a ground-breaking event held on Tuesday (January 7), both McIlroy and Woods graced the inaugural match of the Tomorrow’s Golf League – an ambitious project of their joint company TMRW Sports. This innovative league marries virtual reality tech with the classic game in an indoor matchup setting, a bold step for the sport – and an invite to the event was even extended to a LIV Golf executive.

READ: Inside the 10 most remarkable courses on Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s TGL

According to the Sports Business Journal, Scott O’Neil – who is rumoured to be stepping into Norman’s shoes as LIV’s main man – was seen attending the TGL’s big kick-off at the SoFi Center without Norman alongside him. Speculation suggests Norman, aged 69, will be pivoted to a new position by the bosses at Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, reports the Mirror US.

Back in 2022, Woods famously refused a jaw-dropping offer from LIV, speculated to be around $800m, opting to stick with the PGA Tour. That December, during the height of the tensions between the rival golf factions, Woods spoke out, doubting a merger while Norman was at the wheel.

He said: “Not right now, not with their leadership, not with Greg there and his animosity towards the tour itself. I don’t see that happening. As Rory said, I think Greg’s got to leave and then we can eventually, hopefully, have a stay between the two lawsuits and figure something out. But why would you change anything if you’ve got a lawsuit against you?

“They sued us first. I see that there’s an opportunity out there if both organisations put a stay on their litigation but that’s the problem, they’ve got to put a stay on it. I think it has to start with leadership on their side.” While Woods is actively involved in the PAC overseeing the potential PGA-LIV merger, McIlroy hasn’t shied away from engaging with PIF chiefs either.

After earlier suggesting that Norman should “exit stage left”, McIlroy believes removing Norman from the equation could pave the way for smoother negotiations. He explained last year: “I think I’ve said this before, I have spent time with [PIF chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan] and the people that have represented him in LIV I think have done him a disservice, so [Greg] Norman and those guys.

“I actually think there’s a really big disconnect between PIF and LIV. I think you got PIF over here and LIV are sort of over here doing their own thing. So the closer that we can get to Yasir, PIF and hopefully finalise that investment, I think that will be a really good thing.”

The TGL launch was delayed by a year prior to Tuesday’s event, which saw The Bay Golf Club clinch a 9-2 win over New York Golf Club. TGL is made up of six four-man teams, with each 15-hole match split into triples and singles play. It is set to be played on weekdays, and the next event takes place on January 15.

BOXING

Why Anthony Joshua ‘Should Feel Ashamed of Himself,’ Rival Says

Rising heavyweight contender Martin Bakole has ripped into Anthony Joshua, challenged him to a boxing fight, and said he “should feel ashamed of himself” in a new video he posted on X, formerly Twitter.

Bakole put together one of the sport’s best wins in 2024 when he bruised, battered, and beat American heavyweight hope Jared Anderson in a one-sided demolition job in August. The fight was in the middle of Riyadh Season’s debut in the United States, and it has since been suggested that Bakole is now deserving of a bigger name opponent, on a more prominent spot on a big fight card.

JUST IN: Gervonta Davis Allegedly Chose Retirement Over Fighting the Next Face of Boxing

Now, Bakole appears to be making Joshua the desired big-name opponent for his next breakout fight.

Martin Bakole & Anthony Joshua’s pro records (as of 08/01/25)
	Martin Bakole	Anthony Joshua
Fights	22	32
Wins	21	28
Losses	1	4
Draws	0	0

Bakole’s beef with Joshua all began because the former two-time world heavyweight boxing champion said he tipped Efe Ajagba, who Bakole is linked with fighting in the coming months, to triumph in their prospective bout. It’s a prediction Bakole took umbrage with.

“Hey, Anthony Joshua this video is for you,” Bakole began his video. “I called [you] out, I wanted to knock you out, and now you’re saying Ajagba is going to beat me. Shame on you.”

“How many times did I call you out? How many times did I ask you to fight in Africa? You should feel ashamed of yourself.”

Bakole said: “I want to fight you.”

He then referenced a potential difference between them, regarding Daniel Dubois, who eviscerated Joshua in a beatdown for the ages last year. Dubois, Bakole says, is someone whom he scored significant damage over when they sparred in training.

“Look at Daniel Dubois – I broke his nose twice [in sparring] and he knocked you out cold,” Bakole said.

“I will knock you out in the first round.”

“You’re talking about Ajagba? Ajagba is a baby, wait till you see how I’m going to knock him out.”

Joshua is yet to respond.

Joshua wasn’t the only fighter to attract Bakole’s ire as, in a YouTube video on iFL TV, he pointed to other heavyweight contenders — Zhilei Zhang and Agib Kabayel — who he believes have avoided fighting him, to take on other bouts.

“I was supposed to fight Big Zhang or Kabayel,” Bakole told the channel. “I’m not surprised they’re scared, or fighting each other, in Rihyadh Season. So now I have Ajagba [in March or April].”

BOXING

Gervonta Davis Allegedly Chose Retirement Over Fighting the Next Face of Boxing

Why is Gervonta Davis retiring?

The Baltimore native has revealed that he has grown tired of the sport and wants to get away from it all. But not everyone is buying it. Floyd Schofield Jr.’s father, Schofield Sr., has thrown some serious shade, suggesting that Davis isn’t retiring because he’s done with the sport—but because he’s dodging a fight with his son.

‘Kid Austin’ is slated to square off against WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson on February 22nd, part of one of the most stacked cards of this year. It will be the biggest fight of his career as Schofield Jr. prepares for his first-ever title fight. In the meantime, the 22-year-old has managed to turn some heads with performances.

JUST IN: Reason why Heavyweight denies being Deontay Wilder’s BLK Prime opponent

Some would even say he is one of America’s top-rated boxing prospects. While the Jersey City native hasn’t fought someone of Stevenson’s caliber yet, he has been in the ring with the biggest names in the game. He sparred with former WBC super lightweight champion Devin Haney, former world champion Shawn Porter, and even Stevenson in the past.

Schofield Jr. was also part of Davis’ camp for two fights, but never actually exchanged blows with the Baltimore puncher. Schofield Jr.’s father seems to think they never will! While speaking to talkSport recently, Sr. revealed a private conversation he had with Davis. “Gervonta said ‘I would never get in the ring with that guy’.”

He even seems to have predicted Davis’ retirement, suggesting Davis made the decision because of his son. “And two years ago I told the world that when Floyd gets up to that level where he’s a mandatory to Gervonta, Gervonta will retire,” he added. “And that’s exactly the same thing that is happening right now.”

While giving props to Shakur Stevenson for stepping up for the fight, Schofield Sr. claimed, “Everybody else who has seen Floyd [ducked him]. He buckled Devin Haney [in sparring] and Devin ran up two weight classes to get away from him.” He also roped in JoJo Diaz, suggesting he made excuses to avoid fighting his son.

“I’m not saying he is the greatest now, but I’m saying through the lessons and experience, he’s going to become the greatest boxer of all time,” Schofield Sr. told talkSport. ‘Kid Austin’ is currently ranked No. 2 lightweight by the WBA, so he was close to getting that mandatory shot. And before he landed Stevenson as an opponent, he was eager to face Davis.

Before he defeated Rene Tellez Giron in November, Schofield Jr. appeared in an interview with Michelle Joy Phelps on Fight Hub TV. Phelps asked the 22-year-old if he felt ready to fight Davis, especially given their close WBA rankings. “In my opinion, I am not scared of nobody, I don’t think nobody fears him [Tank] or these other fighters,” Schofield said.

Davis is supposed to square off against Lamont Roach on March 1st in Brooklyn, New York. However, Schofield Jr. claimed he should have been the one fighting Davis. “I should have got the fight before Lamont Roach but that is my opinion,” he said. “If next year the opportunity presents itself, we’ll be more than ready.”

However, since Schofield Jr. has taken the WBC route to fight Stevenson, a fight against Davis may have been lost—that is unless he beats Stevenson next month.

It appears Floyd Schofield Sr. truly believes Gervonta Davis feared his son and opted to retire rather than fight him. Even though that sounds far-fetched unless Davis decides to accept the challenge, there’s no disproving the claims.

BOXING

Reason why Heavyweight denies being Deontay Wilder’s BLK Prime opponent

Deontay Wilder had an opponent for his spring return for a few hours before the prospective opponent denied the main event.

Stephen Shaw was announced by more than one boxing outlet as the boxer in the opposite corner to Wilder for a return to action in April on Black Prime. Manouk Akopyan made the initial confirmation that Wilder would make a comeback after several months of being linked to retirement.

Once the news of Wilder’s imminent return was out in the open, discussions began over who ‘The Bronze Bomber’ would face. Without any official word, Shaw’s name was put out there as a done deal on Pay Per View.

READ: “Killing Me”- Gervonta Davis Makes Feelings Clear After Exchanging Blows With Lamont Roach Online

However, another boxing writer, Hans Themistode, quickly realized this wasn’t the case. Themistode spoke to Shaw directly, and the American denied any notion of the clash.

First, Themistode said, “OK, I did some digging, and I’ve been told that Shaw isn’t lined up to fight Wilder next. Shaw and his entire team would love to fight Wilder, but they told me that no discussions have taken place. I’m scheduled to talk to Shaw in a few hours, so I’ll do my best to provide some clarity.”

After the call, Themistode added, “I just spoke with Stephan Shaw about a possible Deontay Wilder fight, and he told me it’s all ‘smoke and mirrors.’

“Expect Wilder to return, but it probably won’t be against Shaw next.”

In the video, shared by WBN, Shaw said, “I just woke up one morning, and they were talking about the fight. A couple of weeks ago, they were like, Wilder fight da da da – like I hadn’t heard any particulars,” the 20-2 heavyweight told Themistode.

“Then today, I just saw a blog run with this, so I just shared this. I feel like that’s a fight that would be perfect for me. I’ve sparred with Deontay since 2017, and I’ve been his primary sparring partner. I’ve been part of every camp since he fought Gerald Washington to his last fight with [Zhilei] Zhang. I feel like it was just something to run with.

“Then I spoke to my manager, and he spoke to his manager; it’s a fight we’d love to take, but it’s all smoke and mirrors right now, to be honest,” he concluded.

Wilder is expected to confirm his next opponent this weekend after dropping off the major broadcaster platforms.