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BOXING

VIDEO: Gervonta Davis Undergoes Brutal Training for Title Defense

By Admin January 5, 2025

Gervonta Davis has begun his first day of training, shutting down rumors that he will not fight Lamont Roach Jr.

Davis is scheduled to face Roach on March 1 in a defense of his WBA Lightweight Title. But Tank ruffled a few feathers by saying the fight was off. This raised alarm bells from the boxing community since Roach said the fight is still happening as far he is concerned. Tank had also said he was retiring in 2025 once he boxed three more times. But now it seems Davis is locked in. The following video shows him going through various training drills as he pushes himself to the limit. Roach will face a tough task since the WBA champion is moving up from 130. Hector Garcia did something similar but failed to beat Davis, getting stopped.

READ: Floyd Mayweather Cleared of Bankruptcy Rumors as Insider Reveals Details of LA Gym Protest

But Tank is facing criticism for not facing the big names. He has been linked with a unification against the WBC Lightweight Champion Shakur Stevenson. The latter will face Floyd Schofield on February 22. Davis has given mixed comments about the fight. He has said he would face Stevenson at some point. But he has also downplayed the fight, stating that Shakur has no special skills. This is despite Shakur being an undefeated three-weight champion. Tank could equally pursue a fight with Devin Haney or Teofimo Lopez at 140.

The latter two are two-weight world champions, and the fights would generate a lot of attention. But Tank’s insistence appears to be on facing Ryan Garcia, someone he has already beaten, rather than those names. Leonard Ellerbe came out to defend Davis’ retirement decision. Tank was clear he wanted to leave the sport to focus on his real estate portfolio and his newborn son. But if he leaves at his peak without facing the best, there will be an asterisk on his legacy.

Ellerbe Reacts

“I can understand where he’s coming from. Things are different when you have kids. It changed your life. It completely changes your life. He looks at things differently than six or seven years ago. If that’s what he said [he’s retiring] and we all heard him. No, not at all. It’s never good enough what you do, and sometimes that can be frustrating. There’s more to life than something you do for a living. You have respect for fans who pay their money to see you fight, but you have a life outside of boxing.

“They want you to continue to do this, and they really don’t care about your health afterward. Boxing is a brutal sport. You see a lot of fighters from before; they were taken advantage of in a lot of different ways. They went through a lot of health issues, a lot of permanent stuff. I understand the philosophy that you come into the sport and make your mark, and then you leave it at that. Everybody’s opinion is different, and everybody has different goals in life,” Ellerbe said

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GOLF

‘Let Tiger Woods Play’: Veteran Golfer Makes Bold Appeal to Seniors Tour Amid 49-Year-Old’s Health Crisis

By Admin January 5, 2025

Remember when Tiger Woods made it clear how much he hated using a cart, even though his body, post-surgery, could’ve really used one?

Well, fast forward to now, and we all know how much Tiger’s health has been a factor in his career. Back in September, he underwent his sixth back surgery, and as for his 2024 season? His absence mostly defined it. Seeing Woods in action last year felt like a miracle. Notably, he skipped the Hero World Challenge altogether, opting to host the event from the booth instead of playing.

But Woods did make his comeback at the 2024 PNC Championship alongside his son, Charlie, where Team Woods finished second. Impressive, for sure, but no win this time. Still, the future looks bright, and there are plenty more years ahead where we’ll hopefully see Woods swinging those clubs again at full strength.

JUST IN: Tiger Woods, and 1 part of his history that he thinks you’ll be ‘amazed’ at

But hey wait, Woods just turned 49, which means in just a year, he’ll be eligible to play on the Senior PGA Tour. That’s right—he’ll finally be able to use a cart! And it seems his future peers can’t wait to have him on the Senior circuit.

Golf legend Mark Calcavecchia recently took to X and tossed out a pretty bold idea—he thinks it’s time for Woods to join the Champions Tour. He pointed out that Tiger’s 49 now, which is close enough to the 50-year mark, Calcavecchia joked, “Let him (Tiger Woods) play now I say.” He also quipped that with only 48 wins needed to be the best in senior golf, maybe Tiger could win them all in a row. “I wouldn’t put it past you,” he added, teasing that the Big Cat could pull off such a feat.

Now, it’s not just Calcavecchia who is excited to have Woods on board. Padraig Harrington might’ve just dropped a hint about Woods’ own eagerness to join the Senior Tour. He shared with Today’s Golfer that when he “met Tiger recently, and he said he was looking forward to coming out onto the Champions Tour”. So you see, even Woods seems more than eager to join the Senior PGA Tour.

It’s clear that Woods’ future on the Senior Tour is something fans—and fellow golfers—are really looking forward to.

There was a time when Woods was always in the mix, and you could bet on him dominating the field. But now, with his limited appearances, fans are more often yearning just for a glimpse of him than actually cheering him on during a tournament. As the new season kicks off, all eyes are on Woods, especially with him set to tee up at his very own TGL. Fans are left wondering what his year might look like.

For Woods, 2024 was mostly about healing and recovering. He’s been pretty open about the physical challenges that have kept him from being tournament-ready. In a 2024 interview, he admitted, “I’m not tournament sharp yet.” And honestly, it’s no surprise—his journey back from the 2021 car accident and the multiple surgeries that followed has been anything but easy. But even with these setbacks, Woods remains optimistic about his future in golf, with plans to come back stronger in 2025.

Looking ahead, it’ll be interesting to see what 2025 has in store for Woods. Will we see him back in his full form, or could the Senior PGA Tour be where he truly shines again?

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GOLF

Tiger Woods, and 1 part of his history that he thinks you’ll be ‘amazed’ at

By Admin January 5, 2025

Tiger Woods, in his first start after the Covid shutdown of 2020, was struggling.

Then wasn’t. After a respectable 71 during the Memorial’s first round, he was six-over through 15 holes in round two, only to finish birdie, birdie, par, leading to a made cut — and a thought.

Did he consider himself a grinder?

Really? Woods? The 15-time major winner? The 82-time PGA Tour winner? A scrapper? A ham-and-egger?

READ: Bizarre TGL Rumor Shows Tiger Woods’s $500M League Is Rapidly Changing Pro Golf

“Always have,” Woods said.

And apparently still does.

This week, as part of a curtain-raising for its plush, new multimedia digs, the PGA Tour released a video of Woods touring the campus, and most of it was Woods’ fan catnip. There were highlights and commentary about his win at the 2018 Tour Championship. There were highlights and commentary about his chip-in at the 2001 Players Championship. There were highlights and commentary about his fist pump. There were highlights and commentary about his 82 Tour wins.

During the latter, though, Woods offered this:

— He felt he putted “really well” only twice in his career — at the 1997 Masters and at the 2000 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. He won both convincingly — the margin of victory at those events are tournament records. (He won by 12 at the Masters, and by 15 at the U.S. Open.)

— He felt the “best” he ever hit it in his career was at the 2000 Open Championship at St. Andrews, where Woods won by eight. “I felt like I had the ball on a string and I could do anything that I wanted to,” Woods said on the video.

— He felt at most of his events, he “didn’t really have it.”

Really? Woods? The 15-time major winner? The 82-time PGA Tour winner?

Here’s the full quote:

“People are probably amazed to hear this, but most of my events, I didn’t really have it. Those are the ones that I won by a lot, but most of them are just hanging in there and not making a double, making a key par save.

“And that was most of the events that I’d won, is in order to win the tournament you have to get to the weekend, you have to first make the cut, and that’s one of the things I was very proud of in my cut streak is that I gave myself an opportunity to make a run on the weekend. Torrey [Pines] one year, I made the cut on the number, and I came out and shot 62, 65 on the weekend to win. But that doesn’t happen unless I make the cut. So first things first, I made a lot of cuts in my career, which allowed me to then go on to have opportunities on the weekend to win.”

Amazed? Maybe.

The takeaway may be, though. It’s understandable, too.

Keep grinding. For the high-handicappers, turn the 99 into a 98. For the scratch gang, dig out a closing par. The moments of having “it” are just fleeting, and it’s honestly why we play. To get ourselves to that point.

Woods knows this well. Think of his play at the 2020 Masters, in his last title defense. During the final round, he took a ghastly 10 at the par-3 12, then finished this way: birdie, par, birdie, birdie, birdie and birdie.

To finish things here, we’ll give Woods’ definition of grinder, which he also offered at the 2020 Memorial.

“I think that anyone who fights all day,” he said. “I think that’s the guys that have typically been grinders, guys that don’t ever want to make bogeys.”

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TENNIS

The Complete List of Serena Williams Companies

By Admin January 5, 2025

Serena Williams is best known for being one of the greatest tennis players of all time.

She made her professional debut in Quebec City in 1995, losing in the first round to fellow American Annie Miller and taking home just $240 in prize money. Within two years, and at just 16 years old, she was ranked among the world’s top 100 players before winning 23 Grand Slam singles titles and four Olympic gold medals. Throughout her entire sporting career, she earned a total of $95 million in prize money.

Williams announced her retirement from tennis in the September 2022 issue of Vogue magazine. “Maybe the best word to describe what I’m up to is evolution,” she wrote. “I’m here to tell you that I’m evolving away from tennis, toward other things that are important to me.” In recent years, this so-called evolution has seen the former tennis star rapidly expand her venture capital fund, Serena Ventures, secure a wide range of new endorsement deals, and establish multiple businesses.

JUST IN: ‘Thanks for All the Memories’: Serena Williams Shares New Family Photos with Her Two Girls in 2024 Recap

According to Forbes, Williams’ net worth as of 2024 is $340 million. Here’s a rundown of her entire brand portfolio.

Serena Ventures

Founded by Williams in 2017, Serena Ventures is a venture capital fund that supports founders from underrepresented groups. The company sees a future where “genius isn’t stifled by a lack of resources and historically overlooked people and markets are empowered for a more inclusive economy.”

As well as managing a sizable portfolio of angel investments, Serena Ventures announced it had raised an inaugural fund of $111 million in 2022, which is funding further investments and enabling the company to advance its mission. Today, its portfolio comprises 79% underrepresented founders—54% women founders, 47% Black founders, and 11% Latino founders—with Williams estimating that 14 brands have achieved unicorn status.

Some of the most successful Serena Ventures brands include:

MasterClass

Masterclass is an online education subscription platform that enables students of all skill levels to learn from subject matter experts in a wide range of fields. The site’s library of 200+ classes features several well-known faces, including filmmaker James Cameron, author Salman Rushdie, comedian Amy Poehler, and—of course—tennis player Serena Williams. Meanwhile, the MasterClass at Work series provides powerful, flexible training solutions, empowering employees to drive real business impact.

While the specific terms of her investments have not been disclosed, there’s no doubt that Williams is a long-time MasterClass supporter. “I remember finding [the company] with like eight people in a small room in a garage in San Francisco, and I just fell in love with what they were doing and what they were building,” Williams explained on TikTok.

Tonal

Billed as the world’s smartest home gym machine, Tonal combines revolutionary digital weight technology with personalized, artificial intelligence-powered coaching, enabling athletes at any level to achieve their fitness goals. The product offers more than 245 unique movements, a wide range of guided multi-week programs, Tonal Live classes, and real-time progress tracking.

In February 2022, Tonal unveiled Serena Williams as its latest brand ambassador and the face of its new “Strength Made Me” campaign, which celebrates women who are physically, mentally, and emotionally strong. “With Serena being one of our earliest athlete investors, it’s been a pleasure to work with her on extending the relationship to Tonal brand ambassador,” said Nancy Gold, Director of Sports Marketing and Brand Partnerships at Tonal.

Impossible Foods

Founded in 2011 and headquartered in California, Impossible Foods is on a mission to “make delicious food that’s nutritious, better for the planet, and way better for animals.” Its existing product range, which includes plant-based ground beef, chicken nuggets, hot dogs, burger patties, and meatballs, is available in grocery stores and restaurants around the world, including the U.S., Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Oman, Singapore, and the UK. In a 2020 survey of customers who visited restaurants partnered with the brand, 63% said they would be more likely to eat at restaurants carrying Impossible Foods products.

Williams participated in a $300 million series E financing round in May 2019, joining several other celebrities in the investment.

Noom

Founded in 2008 and headquartered in New York City, Noom is a health coaching company that offers personalized app-based weight-loss plans and exercise coaching. The app’s bite-size daily lessons help users adopt healthier habits for sustained weight loss, while its customized plans feature meal logging, water consumption tracking, and on-demand Noom Move exercise classes for all fitness levels. A study of more than 35,000 Noom app users found that about 78% of people reported some weight loss while using the app.

In 2019, Noom announced it had received investment from Serena Ventures, noting that it would also gain access to the firm’s expansive network and growing list of portfolio companies. “I’m a true believer that everyone should have easy access to a healthier life, which is why I decided to invest in Noom,” said Williams.

Esusu

Founded in 2018, Esusu is a fintech startup helping people of all backgrounds to achieve financial wellness and stability. Currently, more than 45 million Americans are deemed “credit invisible,” which means they have no credit history in any of the three major credit bureaus. Via Esusu’s app, renters can build and improve their credit rating by reporting their rental payments. To date, Esusu has helped to establish credit scores for 107,000 users, with a median credit score of 665.

In 2021, Williams invested an undisclosed amount in Esusu via Serena Ventures. “Esusu is really focused on credit building and creating pathways to financial inclusion not only for working families but for individuals as well,” she said.

Will Perform

Williams launched Will Perform, a pain relief and performance care brand, in December 2022. The brand seeks to revolutionize post-workout recovery by targeting the specific needs of athletes. “Recovery has played an integral role in my performance and professional success,” Williams said. “It’s a practice that can benefit anyone with an active lifestyle.”

Will Perform’s portfolio of pre- and post-recovery products includes muscle recovery magnesium lotions, fast-acting lidocaine pain relief, and Epsom salt shower sticks and bath soaks. Its products are currently available at various grocery stores, including Target and Walmart.

Wyn Beauty

Williams founded Wyn Beauty in 2024. The brand’s range of “makeup you can move in” uses clean, high-performing ingredients designed to “wear beautifully and keep skin improving for days.” Its product range currently includes hydrating lip gloss, mascara, lip serum, eyeliner, creamy concealer, skin-enhancing tint, and brow liner. Notably, all Wyn Beauty products are formulated, tested, and perfected for deeper skin tones.

Williams, a long-time advocate for maternal health, is donating a portion of the brand’s profits to supporting organizations that provide necessary maternal care services to mothers and their communities.

926 Productions

Williams launched 926 Productions, a multimedia production company seemingly named after her birthday (September 26), in April 2023. The announcement came not long after the release of the 2021 biopic “King Richard,” which was co-produced by Williams and chronicled the story of her and her sister Venus Williams’ rise to the top of women’s tennis under the guidance of their father and coach Richard Williams.

The company aims to bolster women and diverse individuals through four-quadrant storytelling that appeals to various age groups and genders. “With the launch of 926 Productions, we aim to elevate female and diverse voices through content that speaks to everyone,” Williams said.

Los Angeles Golf Club

Los Angeles Golf Club (LAGC) is the first golf team of TGL, a new Monday night golf league created by TMRW Sports, which was formed by professional golfers Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. LAGC is one of six teams that will make up the TGL, with each team holding 3% of the league’s equity.

Williams purchased the LAGC in 2023 alongside her husband, Alexis Ohanian, and Venus. The team comprises four PGA TOUR athletes including Collin Morikawa, Sahith Theegala, Justin Rose, and Tommy Fleetwood.

Miami Dolphins

In 2009, Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross sold a small portion of his team’s shares to the Williams sisters and several other celebrities. The sisters became the first Black Americans to hold an ownership stake in an NFL franchise. “Having spent so much of my childhood in the area, being involved with a staple of Miami culture is a huge honor,” Williams said. “We look forward to many championships and much success together with the Miami Dolphins.” At the time of their investment, the team was valued at just over $2 billion. That figure has more than doubled in the past 15 years, with the Dolphins being one of the most popular franchises in the NFL.

Yetunde Price Resource Center

The Yetunde Price Resource Center (YPRC) was opened in 2017 to honor the life and memory of Williams’ older sister, Yetunde Price, who was tragically killed by an act of violence in 2003, leaving behind three children, four siblings, and a close community in Compton, California, that mourned her.

The center, established by the Williams and Price families, works to ensure that victims of direct or indirect senseless violence have complete access to the necessary support and resources and that where there is a dearth of services, new resources are created. It collaborates with several partner organizations to offer trauma-informed programs, promoting individual and community-wide healing and resiliency.

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TENNIS

‘Thanks for All the Memories’: Serena Williams Shares New Family Photos with Her Two Girls in 2024 Recap

By Admin January 5, 2025

Serena Williams is looking back on her memories with her family over the last year.

In a Reel posted to her Instagram on Thursday, Jan. 2, the tennis pro, 43, shared photos and videos from her 2024, which included a peek at her daughters Olympia, 7, and Adira, 16 months, who she shares with husband Alexis Ohanian, 41.

In the sections from the summer, Williams can be seen riding a bike with Olympia, later posing with her as the 7-year-old holds her hands up high. Adira can be seen in August, wearing a pink tutu, and later pictured being carried by Ohanian in October.

READ: “Looking Like a Snack” – Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka Gush Over American WTA Star’s Stunning Holiday Card

Lastly, the entire family posed together in October, wearing Roman attire. “Thanks for all the memories, 2024 🎉,” Williams wrote in her caption.

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In November, Williams spoke with PEOPLE in conjunction with her new partnership with Lingo, a continuous glucose monitor from Abbott, opening up about her two daughters.

“Olympia was a solo child,” Williams said about her older daughter, who was nearly 6 when her sister Adira was born in August 2023. “She was our star. And I am so obsessed with Olympia. Even when I was pregnant, I was like, ‘How do I even love anyone as much as Olympia? It just doesn’t work.’”

But she added, “It’s so funny how, I don’t know, just your heart gets bigger. I was just like, my heart just got bigger.”

The mom of two shared that her family dynamic growing up as the youngest of five sisters gives her a unique perspective on navigating the relationship between her two girls.

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“Olympia is a very hard act to follow, but I tell you what, Adira has followed it and it’s just so crazy,” Williams told PEOPLE. “She’s amazing. I just can’t wait for people to see how amazing she is in her own way. And she’s so special and she’s so tough. She’s just a tough little cookie. And she reminds me a lot of me in that aspect.”

Earlier that month, the tennis icon shared a video on her Instagram of herself and her daughter Adira as they stood together on a tennis court. In the Reel, Adira picked up a tennis ball and looked up at her mom, who pointed to a basket filled with tennis balls and said, “Hey Adira, put it in here!”

Adira ran away from her mom, throwing the ball against a fence and walking over to a white bench. “She was just doing it, man,” Williams said in the video. “We turned on the camera, she don’t want to do it.”

“When’s too early? @adiraohanian,” Williams joked in her caption.

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BOXING

“Usyk Did Not Get $60 Million”: Insider Blows the Lid Off Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk 2 Fight Purses

By Admin January 4, 2025

Just over ten days have passed since Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury faced each other once again in the ring.

With Usyk emerging victorious, discussions have naturally shifted toward future matchups. For the Ukrainian champion, there has been clamor for a rematch with Daniel Dubois. For Fury, it is back to the much sought-after clash against fellow Briton Anthony Joshua.

However, amidst the discussions, fresh insights on the Usyk-Fury rematch have appeared. A recent take from an insider digresses on the money part of the showdown. To some, the revelation might be startling. Seven months after their first encounter at the Kingdom Arena, Usyk and Fury met again on December 21 to settle their rivalry. Unlike their initial clash, Usyk secured a decisive win, retaining his unified titles. Alongside his belts, the Olympic gold medalist reportedly earned an unprecedented payout as well. However, Chael Sonnen has cast doubt on the rumored figures surrounding the fight.

JUST IN: Floyd Mayweather Cleared of Bankruptcy Rumors as Insider Reveals Details of LA Gym Protest

“Usyk was rumored to have gotten 60 million to fight Tyson Fury. 3 weeks ago Usyk did not get 60 million,” said Sonnen. According to him, these numbers are exaggerated. The claim is fabricated for publicity.

Though far from the inflated figures, Tyson Fury’s actual earnings were slightly higher than the $40 million he acknowledged nevertheless. With a realistic ceiling of $100 million for the rematch, he seemed to suggest that even the biggest boxing matches, including those featuring the sport’s top heavyweights, failed to generate anywhere near the rumored sums.

Actually, Chael Sonnen’s discourse was more about the rumored boxing match between Conor McGregor and Logan Paul. Revealing a potential matchup against Jake Paul‘s elder brother, ‘The Notorious’ shocked everyone last month. Reportedly, both McGregor and Paul could take home an astronomical amount of $250 million each from the exhibition fight in India.

Expressing his doubts, Sonnen, however, suggested that under no circumstances would anyone splurge such an astronomical amount. “There’s not a single piece of that that’s true,” he said, adding, “To hand to a guy that’s 0 and 1 in boxing against the current WWE star, there is no part of that story that’s true.”

Sonnen also drew comparisons to other high-profile bouts, including the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight. While Tyson’s rumored earnings of $20 million might hold some truth, Sonnen dismissed claims of an equally substantial payout for Jake Paul. He further noted that even hypothetical superfights, like Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford, would likely struggle to reach the suggested extravagant sums.

Reportedly, the December 21 rematch saw a total payout of $190 million, split 55-45 in favor of Usyk. This marked a shift from their first encounter, where Fury claimed 70% of the $150 million purse. While the exact amount Usyk received remains unclear, it seems that both fighters walked away with substantial earnings.

Chael Sonnen’s perspective offers valuable insight into the economics of combat sports. Fans may continue to debate the feasibility of rumored matchups like McGregor vs. Logan Paul. However, his arguments serve as a reminder to approach such claims with skepticism.

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BOXING

Floyd Mayweather Cleared of Bankruptcy Rumors as Insider Reveals Details of LA Gym Protest

By Admin January 4, 2025

Former five-division champion Floyd Mayweather was in the spotlight a few days ago when employees of the Mayweather Gym in Los Angeles staged a protest outside the facility on Highland Avenue over non-payment of wages.

However, the latest update on the matter has absolved the undefeated legend of the sport from any wrongdoing.

A report from the Daily Mail highlighted that the employees claimed they hadn’t been paid by the boxing legend’s ‘Money Team’ company for weeks. In retaliation for the alleged nonpayment of wages, disgruntled staffers brought out signs and shouted during the protest to raise awareness of their situation, as they were unable to cover their daily expenses.

JUST IN: How Claressa Shields can match Oleksandr Usyk’s achievement by becoming an undisputed heavyweight champion

One sign at the protest said, “modern-day slavery” while the other read “The $ Team has no $,” accusing Mayweather’s money team of bankruptcy. “We’re out here just letting everybody know that they have not been treating us right,” one employee told Daily Mail.

“Even if you work for a different company and you ain’t getting paid, you’re scared to show up and say something because you know how businesses do. They silence you and they fire you because everything’s ‘at will.’”

They accused the Mayweather of Boxing and Fitness group of violating the California Labor Code. However, boxing insider Rick Glaser hopped on X today to shed light on the reality of the matter. “Allegations of non-payment of wages against @FloydMayweather are false,” Glaser wrote. “This Mayweather Gym in LA is a franchise that Floyd gets a franchise fee for.”

Glaser also added, “Floyd himself has nothing to do with thee assets or liabilities of this. These reports are misleading, & defamatory.” It’s also worth noting that the staffers staging the protest had claimed that they were not aware whether Mayweather himself was in the loop about their situation.

However, this isn’t the first time a Mayweather Gym has faced the threat of closure. Last year in May, Mayweather’s gym in Elk Grove was shut down due to a breach of contract involving $30,000 in unpaid rent. In the meantime, the bankruptcy allegations never really made any sense because the boxing legend was spending millions some time ago.

Mayweather started investing in real estate in October by spending $402 million to purchase a portfolio of more than 60 buildings in New York City. He went on to invest an unspecified amount in the 601W Companies, which have a collection of 18 buildings and 10 million square feet of space worth a staggering $10 billion.

While money was leaving Mayweather’s accounts, he sold his home in Miami’s Biscayne Bay for $22 million. The boxing legend also acquired a stake in the former Versace Mansion—it has been transformed into a luxury hotel in Miami Beach. He then entered into a joint venture with Go Partners by investing $100 million into a sprawling portfolio in New York, featuring both luxury and market-rate housing.

That being said, the nonpayment of wages issue seems to be unraveling, as Rick Glaser has come out in Floyd Mayweather’s support. He calls the gym a franchise and clears Mayweather of any wrongdoing. Meanwhile, Mayweather himself hasn’t addressed the situation.

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BOXING

How Claressa Shields can match Oleksandr Usyk’s achievement by becoming an undisputed heavyweight champion

By Admin January 4, 2025

Claressa Shields ‘stands among’ elite champions such as Oleksandr Usyk ahead of her bid to unify the heavyweight division, says promoter Dmitriy Salita.

The American star has already been crowned as a world champion in five weight divisions and can match Oleksandr Usyk’s achievements when she bids to become an undisputed world title holder at heavyweight next month.

Usyk defeated Tyson Fury in May last year to secure all the major belts in the top division and defended three of them in a rematch win over his British rival last month, while Shields battles Danielle Perkins for the WBC, IBF, WBA and WBO titles in Michigan on February 2.

READ: VIDEO: ‘The Fire Inside’ chronicles Claressa Shields’ gold medal road with immersive boxing

“Boxing is an individual sport, making it incredibly challenging to compare the unique and remarkable accomplishments of these two great fighters,” Dmitriy Salita, who promotes Shields, told Sky Sports.

“What sets Claressa apart from everyone else in boxing – past or present – is her ground-breaking achievements as a pioneer in women’s sports.

“She has been the first to accomplish many feats, breaking barriers and opening doors for equality while remaining utterly dominant in the ring.”

Both Usyk and Shields previously excelled in the amateur ranks, with the Ukrainian claiming gold at the 2012 Olympic Games, and Shields also took gold in London and in Rio four years later.

The 29-year-old avenged the only loss on her record, a World amateur Championship loss to Savannah Marshall, with a unanimous decision win to become undisputed super-middleweight champion in front of a huge televised audience and packed out crowd at The O2.

“Claressa is undoubtedly an all-time great, not only because of her unparalleled list of achievements but also due to her unwavering belief and determination,” said Salita.

“Growing up as a young girl in Flint, Michigan, one of the most challenging environments in the United States, she had the resilience to rise above her circumstances and prove that neither her surroundings nor her gender could define her limits.

“For these reasons, Claressa is a generational talent and stands among the all-time greats in the world of sports.”

Shields can extend her 15-bout unbeaten record against Perkins, who is undefeated in five fights.

Lauren Price, the WBA welterweight champion, has admitted she would welcome a fight against Shields at the Principality Stadium in front of her home support in Wales.

“It’s hard to put anything past Olympic champions. She won the Olympics 2021,” Shields, who has fought one division above at super-welterweight, told Sky Sports last year.

“I feel like when you’ve been all over the world and you’ve boxed and you’ve won World championships, it’s kind of destined for you to be great in the pros. I wish her the best of luck.”

But Price must first overcome Natasha Jonas in their world title unification fight at Royal Albert Hall on March 7.

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BOXING

Canelo Alvarez in talks with lesser-known champion to fight for world title he was stripped of

By Admin January 3, 2025

IBF super middleweight champion William Scull claims he has been approached by Canelo Alvarez’s team regarding a unification clash.

Canelo was stripped of the IBF title in July after refusing to fight Scull, who was his mandatory at the time.

Instead, Canelo opted to take on Edgar Berlanga in September while Scull was matched up against Vladimir Shishkin in a vacant IBF world title fight in October, which he won, albeit controversially, via unanimous decision.

JUST IN: ‘It Makes Me Hungry’: Anthony Joshua admits to ‘turbulent times’ after Daniel Dubois defeat

The other three major world titles (WBA, WBC and WBO) all remain in Canelo’s possession so if the fight gets over the line then it will be for undisputed supremacy at 168lbs.

Scull claims that both his and Canelo’s team will sit down and have a meeting on January 10 to discuss the fight, although the Mexican superstar isn’t his only option.

“The truth is that there are three offers: to Berlanga, to Canelo and at the time there was talk of [Christian] Mbilli but I think that was left behind because the offer was not very good,” Scull told Punos Cubanos.

“But we are aiming to unify with Canelo Alvarez. And now on January 10 we will speak over the phone and they will tell us more later.

“I will keep you informed on what is coming because this is going to be a great year.

“That will be a good fight for me [with Canelo] to continue dreaming and continue making history.”

Esteemed boxing journalist Jake Donovan confirmed that contact had been made between Scull and Canelo team’s but also added that the Cuban boxer is one of ‘several options’ being explored and is ‘not necessarily first or even second choice’.

Donovan didn’t mention the other names in the hat, although it is understood that a super fight with Terence Crawford remains a possibility for Cinco de Mayo weekend in Las Vegas.

The fight has been at the top of Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh’s wishlist for some time now and despite a breakdown in communication in August last year, the Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority is ready to make Canelo an offer.

“Yo Turki, tell them we are going to go for Canelo next,” said Crawford on an Instagram live video following Canelo’s dominant win over Berlanga four months ago.

The camera was then turned to Alalshikh, who replied: “Yes. Let’s go! Canelo, come on. We are ready.”

Crawford added: “You heard it from him. Just put me in the game b****.

“Canelo-Crawford, the biggest fight in boxing. But we stay ready though.

“We stay ready, that way we ain’t got to get ready.”

Crawford is the current WBA champion at super welterweight, two weight classes below Canelo’s super middleweight division.

It is likely both men will meet at a catchweight, although Crawford insists he is willing to move up to 168lbs for the fight.

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BOXING

‘It Makes Me Hungry’: Anthony Joshua admits to ‘turbulent times’ after Daniel Dubois defeat

By Admin January 3, 2025

Anthony Joshua has admitted to going through “turbulent times” since losing to Daniel Dubois, while revealing his priority fight for 2025.

In September, Joshua was dropped multiple times en route to a fifth-round loss to Dubois, who retained the IBF heavyweight belt at Wembley.

Talk quickly turned to a rematch, but Dubois has since been paired with Joseph Parker, whom he will face in February. Meanwhile, a long-awaited clash between Joshua and Tyson Fury looks close again, after the latter lost to Oleksandr Usyk in December.

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“2025, I am targeting Tyson Fury,” Joshua said during his meeting with Nigerian president Bola Tinubu, per multiple reports.

Of his loss to Dubois, “AJ” added: “[It] makes me hungry, makes me want to work harder. Time is of the essence, time is limited, so I just want to put in more work.

“When I look back, I believe I could have done more in 2024. I have another chance in 2025 to do more, and I am going to make sure I take every opportunity that comes my way.

“I should have won but I didn’t, and I am going to go again. My life is up and down, so I have to get used to the turbulent times and keep riding the wave. I can’t stop now. I have to keep going until I reach my destination.”

Joshua, 35, started 2024 in fine fashion, brutally knocking out Francis Ngannou in early March. But after beating the ex-UFC champion, Joshua’s fortunes changed, as he was dismantled by fellow Briton Dubois.

As a result, Joshua’s pursuit of a third world-title reign is up in the air. But a dream match with compatriot Fury would not need a title.

In late December, after Fury lost to Usyk on points for the second time in seven months, Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn said AJ wants to fight twice in 2025.

“[The first fight will be] in May or June,” Hearn told iFL TV. “He’s not in full training yet. He’s probably ready to resume training in January.

“At the moment, you’ve got the Dubois fight on 22 February, and you’ve got to see what Fury wants to do. We’re not in a terrible rush. AJ will fight twice in 2025. Once in the summer and once in the winter.

“If we can’t make the Dubois fight and if Fury doesn’t want to fight, then you have to make the decision to fight somebody, or do you wait for those fights?

“I can’t speak on behalf of AJ, for who he’s prepared to fight. But what I know is the focus is Daniel Dubois or Tyson Fury. Of course, Joshua’s done it all. If he gets Fury on his resume, he’s boxed virtually everybody of his era.”

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