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[VIDEO] TERENCE CRAWFORD VACATES WBA WELTERWEIGHT TITLE

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Terence Crawford WBA

Terence Crawford has vacated the last of his welterweight titles, with Eimantas Stanionis elevated to full WBA champion, the sanctioning body has announced.

Crawford (41-0-0 31 KO) became the undisputed welterweight world champion last July when he defeated Errol Spence Jr, adding his rival’s IBF, WBC, and WBA titles to his WBO belt. The victory made ‘Bud’ the first male fighter of the four-belt era to become undisputed in two divisions.

Since then, though, Crawford has gradually lost grip on the four belts. The IBF stripped the Nebraskan of its title in November for failing to fight mandatory challenger Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, who was subsequently promoted from interim to world champion.

Terence Crawford P4P king

READ: Terence Crawford initiates taking WBO title without a fight

The other three sanctioning bodies followed suit more recently in response to Crawford leaving 147lbs to compete at super-welterweight, where he defeated WBA title holder Israil Madrimov on August 3 to become a four-weight world champion.

The WBC acted first by awarding its world title to interim champion Mario Barrios before the WBO did the same with Brian Norman earlier this month.

Now the WBA has completed the same steps and announced the news in a short statement posted to its website.

“Terence Crawford decided to remain as champion in the super welterweight division of the World Boxing Association (WBA), and  vacate his welterweight belt, according to what he formally communicated to the pioneer organization,” the statement read.

“The American sent a letter in which he informed his decision to keep the 154-pound belt and vacate the 147-pound belt, which will leave Lithuanian Eimantas Stanionis as the only welterweight champion.

“Crawford won the title last August 3 with his victory over Israil Madrimov, in Los Angeles, and at that time he was champion in two different divisions. Now he has decided that he will stay in super welter and continue his career in that category.

“The pioneer body received the communication and responded to Crawford with a letter signed by the director of the championships committee, Carlos Chavez, in which he acknowledged receipt and sent a wave of thanks and recognition.”

With the belts now fragmented and evenly shared across the division, the hope is now for unification fights to eventually crown a new undisputed champion. However, those plans have already hit several obstacles, with Ennis and Norman at a stand-off over contract negotiations.

According to Ennis’ promoter Eddie Hearn, three separate offers have been sent to Norman – the last worth around $1.5 million – but have all been rejected. While Norman has claimed the offer was accepted, Hearn insists that’s not the case, accusing the WBO champion of “cloud chasing” and not having the belief he can beat Ennis.

Hearn also revealed that as talks with Norman stalled, a separate offer had gone out to Stanionis, who also turned down the terms.

There is another potential short-term obstacle for Ennis as the IBF has ordered him to fight mandatory challenger Karen Chukhadzhian, despite Boots beating him in a shutout points win just last year. Hearn responded by accusing the IBF of “ruining boxing”.

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“You Want Him to Lose”: Joe Rogan Shows Floyd Mayweather Jr. Respect in the Strangest Way Possible

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Floyd Mayweather Jr

A 50-0 record in boxing is enough to earn a huge amount of love from fans, but for Floyd Mayweather, things are a bit different.

Calling him a polarizing figure wouldn’t be the right term because most people love to hate ‘Money.’ But why is that? Well, longtime UFC commentator Joe Rogan seems to have an answer.

Floyd Mayweather hasn’t stopped his combat sports venture even after retirement. He’s been actively competing in exhibition boxing bouts even when he is 47 years old. The 50-0 legend has managed to impress Joe Rogan, who claimed that Mayweather is an expert in making people envy him, something for which Rogan respects Mayweather a lot.

People Hate Him” – Joe Rogan Shows Floyd Mayweather Jr. Respect in the Strangest Way Possible - EssentiallySports

JUST IN: Gervonta Davis or Devin Haney: Shakur Stevenson made his choice

You would be dead wrong if you think it’s just the boxing fans who hate Floyd Mayweather. When ‘Pretty Boy’ jumped over to WWE for a one-off match at WrestleMania XXIV, fans would boo him more than his opponent, The Big Show. Why do people love to hate the boxing phenom? Joe Rogan claims it’s because he flaunts his wealth a lot.

“They like watching him fight because they hate him [and] because he talks so much sh-t and he’s like, ‘Look at my million-dollar watch, look at my f—ing jet, look at my house,’” Joe Rogan stated on the #2195 JRE podcast episode. Floyd Mayweather leaves no stone unturned in showing people the luxurious part of his superstar lifestyle. That makes him more of a villain in the eyes of the combat fans.

“He’s like constantly showing you all these things he has… So you hate him. People hate him… He creates envy and you want him to lose, but he’s not gonna,” Joe Rogan further stated. Meanwhile, he does claim that ‘Money’ loves to be the arrogant guy, which is part of his persona in front of the world. But deep beneath the pomp and show lies his unparalleled work ethic.

“He’s just not this cocky guy, who’s like really good at boxing. He also has incredible discipline,” the JRE host added. Besides Joe Rogan, Floyd Mayweather has a fellow legendary boxer who recently showered praise on him. Most importantly, he claimed that ‘Money’ portrayed the role of a villain way better than anybody in combat sports history.

Former six-weight champion, Oscar De La Hoya, believes that Floyd Mayweather was the villain that the sport of boxing needed, and he stayed true to that role. While talking on the ‘Club Shay Shay’ podcast, ‘The Golden Boy’ praised the 50-0 for always maintaining his athletic physique even after retirement and his unwavering discipline, something that Joe Rogan also pointed out. As such, there’s no doubt about his place in the G.O.A.T. debate.

“Floyd [Mayweather] was built to be the villain…And in the movie, you need the hero and the villain, and Floyd was the perfect villain, you know, people loved to hate him. And guess what, he made a whole career about it and he’s one of the greatest… All of people tuned in to watch him lose but a lot of people also tuned in to watch greatness,” said Oscar De La Hoya.

As much as Conor McGregor gets the reputation for being the most notorious figure in combat sports, people would still boo Mayweather over the UFC star. When the pair shared a stage in Toronto during the promotional tour for their fight, Mayweather bought a bag with cash to flaunt in front of the fans and McGregor. “What are you doing with a school bag on stage? You can’t even read,” yelled McGregor to the rapturous cheers from the fans.

There has been no one after Floyd Mayweather, who’s had the same aura as ‘Money’. Maybe we may never get anyone like him ever again.

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Gervonta Davis or Devin Haney: Shakur Stevenson made his choice

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Shakur Stevenson Gervonta Davis Devin Haney

The WBC lightweight world champion makes it clear.

Shakur Stevenson will defend his WBC lightweight world championship against Joe Cordina on October 12 as the co-feature to the Artur Beterbiev-Dmitry Bivol undisputed light heavyweight tilt in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

But even still, Stevenson can’t get away from fielding questions about a possible mega fight with Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis, the WBA lightweight titleholder.

Fighter Who Sparred Gervonta Davis, Shakur Stevenson And Devin Haney Names Who's The Best - Seconds Out

JUST IN: ‘Devin Haney is taking Ryan Garcia fight rough’ – Eddie Hearn

When asked on the ARLS Podcast whether he believes a fight with Davis or Devin Haney is more likely, Stevenson was clear with his gut feeling.

“I think the ‘Tank’ fight is more so possible,” Stevenson said. “I think ‘Tank’ is not like no scary dude. ‘Tank,’ he believes in himself to the fullest. When he’s knocking them people out it gives him great confidence. I think that fight will happen.”

When pressed to answer whether that mega bout can be made in the next 12 months, Stevenson responded: “Yeah, I could see that happening.”

Stevenson can envision that bout over a possible fight with Haney, adding: “Devin, I don’t believe he’s really that confident. I don’t believe he really believes in himself like ‘Tank’ do.”

A Davis-Stevenson fight would pit two undefeated boxers up against each other with lightweight supremacy on the line.

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BOXING

‘Devin Haney is taking Ryan Garcia fight rough’ – Eddie Hearn

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Devin Haney Ryan Garcia

Eddie Hearn believes Devin Haney is having a rough time following an overturned defeat by Ryan Garcia.

Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) maintained his unbeaten record despite initially suffering a 12-round majority decision loss to Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs) in a WBC junior-welterweight title defense. Garcia tested positive for Ostarine, a performance-enhancing drug, in tests conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association. Despite maintaining his innocence, Garcia was banned for a year by the New York State Athletic Commission, and the result of their fight was changed to a no contest.

Haney, 25, is yet to reveal plans regarding a potential return to the ring, and Matchroom’s Hearn, his promoter for the fights with Regis Prograis and Garcia, told All The Smoke Fight: “I think he’s taking it rough, honestly. Like, you know It’s a tough one.

Devin Haney: "This isn't a 6-foot putt to win The Masters” - Eddie Hearn explains why Ryan Garcia's “newfound” persona could help him against Devin Haney

READ: Anthony Joshua understands the danger posed by Daniel Dubois

“And, again, because of what he went through physically in that fight, and, also, the world that we live in is so crazy now, he’s getting criticized. People are going, ‘You’re making excuses’. It’s like, woah. Hang on a minute. I lost to the guy.

“He came in heavy. He was positive for PEDS on the night. Like, I think people should actually feel sorry for Devin. Do you know what I mean?”

San Francisco’s Haney was knocked down in rounds seven, 10, and 11 before losing 114-110, 115-109, and 112-112 on the judges’ scorecards. Although Hearn recognised that Haney had performed poorly against Garcia, he said that the former unified lightweight champion proved a lot.

“Regardless of the performance, which was poor, he went through a lot of that – because that’s probably one of the things we didn’t know about Devin,” the promoter said. “We [already] know he’s well-schooled. We know he’s got a great jab. We know he’s got a good IQ.”

Garcia blamed contamination from a tainted supplement as the reason for his positive test results, but Hearn said: “He says he never intentionally took any drug but it was contamination. But if it wasn’t contamination, I believe he’s probably taken that to try and help him make weight for the fight [Garcia weighed in at more that 143lbs].

“He’s now got 12 months, which he probably needs, but only if he uses that 12 months in the right way.”

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Anthony Joshua understands the danger posed by Daniel Dubois

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Anthony Joshua training

After a rocky period, two-time unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has looked back to his best in recent months. 

Joshua’s physical gifts have never been in question, but over the course of five rounds of target practice against a reticent Otto Wallin and a powerful but out-of-his-depth Francis Ngannou, Joshua seems to have rediscovered the self-belief and composure that characterized his first reign as champion.

Joshua was calm, composed and cruel through the five rounds he spent dissecting Wallin but ruthless and brutal when destroying Ngannou inside two. However, Daniel Dubois’ promoter, Frank Warren, believes that Joshua will be putting himself in much more danger when he steps into the ring with the big punching – and newly determined – IBF heavyweight titleholder next month.

Anthony Joshua Daniel Dubois

READ: [VIDEO] ‘Scary power’ – Anthony Joshua posts terrifying POV of what Daniel Dubois will see on fight night

Oleksandr Usyk was able to stun Joshua with his timing and technique while Andy Ruiz’s fast hands famously floored Joshua four times in New York back in 2019, but Warren believes that Joshua will be taking on the heaviest puncher he has faced since he unified the heavyweight division by getting off the floor to outpoint Wladimir Klitschko more than seven years ago.

“I do. [Joshua] knows it as well – don’t worry about that,” Warren told Queensberry. “Listen, he knows him. He’s sparred with him. There’s this big debate about what happened in that sparring, and I’ve heard two versions of it. One of the reasons we signed him and I sponsored him was because of what I was being told. And that was from people who were there.”

Throughout the build up to his fight with Filip Hrgovic in June, Dubois was forced to listen to the confident Croatian recalling details of their past sparring sessions as Hrgovic attempted to bring painful memories back to the forefront of the Londoner’s mind. His plan failed and, if anything, the jibes seemed to push Dubois to new heights. He walked through a series of flush right hands and bullied the previously unbeaten Hrgovic to an eighth-round defeat.

If the rumors are to be believed, this time around it is Dubois who wields the ability to recount favorable sparring stories but he has decided to keep quiet and push the whole affair to one side.

Warren can see why Dubois is choosing not to bring up the past but he does believe that the roots of an upset are buried deep in those shared rounds.

“I understand that. That was then but how I look at it was that that was a 17-year-old kid in with a fella who was, what, 24 or 25? A gold medallist and whatever. He’s got stronger. He punches harder now. He’s matured. He seems mentally stronger. He’s a much more mentally strong guy,” Warren said.

“I saw that in Hrgovic because he talked a lot about what he done to him. It wasn’t the case actually. They didn’t spar once, they sparred four or five times and it was very tough sparring for both of them.

“Hrgovic came out and looked very good early on in the fight, catching him with those right hands. He gritted his teeth and got back into it. He busted him up and I think it was at the end of the fifth round I thought he was about to stop him. He busted him up. He showed what he was all about. And he was an underdog then. He was an underdog against [Jarrell] Miller and he was an underdog against Usyk.”

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[VIDEO] ‘Scary power’ – Anthony Joshua posts terrifying POV of what Daniel Dubois will see on fight night

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Anthony Joshua

Anthony Joshua looks to be in sensational shape ahead of his upcoming clash with Daniel Dubois.

The heavyweight titans are set to duke it out on September 21 at Wembley Stadium for the IBF title.

Oleksandr Usyk was previously in possession of the red and gold strap.

JUST IN: “Genius” Floyd Mayweather Leaves Joe Rogan in Awe With ‘Trick’ to Making Millions of Dollars After Retirement

 

However, he vacated the title in order to pursue a rematch with Tyson Fury in December.

As a result, Dubois has been elevated from ‘interim’ to full world champion and will make the first defence of his title against the Watford powerhouse this summer.

Joshua is leaving no stone unturned in preparation for the fight and recently posted a frightening point-of-view video of him hammering the pads.

AJ captioned the video: “In an industry where respect is earnt and not given”, while his followers were amazed by the two-time world champion’s power.

Reacting to the video, one fan wrote: “That hurt even through Twitter!”

Another tweeted: “Damn!! Those sound like pain.”

A third commented: “Great to see this. I almost feel the punches.”

Meanwhile, a fourth supporter added: “I feel like I just got knocked out, multiple times.”

And somebody else remarked: “Scary power.”

Joshua vs Dubois is on track to break the British boxing attendance record next month.

Fury vs Dillian Whyte currently tops the list with 94,000 punters attending their Wembley Stadium clash after a special dispensation was granted by the local authority.

Joshua and Dubois have already sold 90,000 tickets, but Saudi boxing chief HE Turki Alalshikh and promoters Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren don’t intend to stop there.

The chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority recently had a request granted to extend the capacity to 96,000, which would surpass Fury and Whyte’s crowd.

The additional 6,000 tickets are set to go on sale on Friday at noon UK time – and are expected to fly off the shelves.

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BOXING

“Genius” Floyd Mayweather Leaves Joe Rogan in Awe With ‘Trick’ to Making Millions of Dollars After Retirement

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Floyd money Mayweather

Floyd Mayweather probably has the best defense in the entire history of boxing.

This is why the Olympic silver medallist went undefeated 50-0 and retired after fighting Conor McGregor in their 2017 super-fight. But this retirement has caused one very serious problem for the boxer. Mayweather, after all, likes to live big. Fans, of course, are well aware of his proclivity for luxury and the high life, with his million-dollar watches, chartered private planes, and flashy jewelry.

With the 47-year-old’s professional career over, he still needs money, and a lot of it, to maintain this lifestyle. And Mayweather has found a perfect way to make sure he maintains his lifestyle, which Joe Rogan finds ‘genius’.

Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather forced to deny he spent $1million on diamond-encrusted hat - Mirror Online

READ: Terence Crawford initiates taking WBO title without a fight

Speaking about Floyd Mayweather’s exhibition boxing match against mixed martial artist John Gotti III, Rogan couldn’t help but marvel at ‘Money Mayweather’s ability to make millions by fighting no names in exhibitions of late. Since retiring, Mayweather has been boxing non-boxers in exhibitions, keeping the gravy train going.

“He’s [Floyd Matweather] still doing these bouts at 46 years old, still boxing these young kids again. This John Gotti III who is a very good up and coming MMA fighter … but he’s choosing to fight Floyd in a boxing fight just for money. Just like Conor McGregor did. It’s really a trick, he gets these people to box with him. They have no business boxing with them and he’s making millions and millions of dollars doing this,” Rogan said during the 2195 episode of ‘Joe Rogan Experience’.

Joe Rogan finds this a “genius” move, especially the reason Mayweather can put on big events and get paid the big bucks despite everyone knowing his exhibitions aren’t going to be competitive. Rogan pointed out that the former champion flashes his luxurious lifestyle deliberately in the most arrogant manner to make people hate him. This then leads to them buying pay-per-views to his fights in hopes of seeing him beaten and humbled if nothing else.

“He’s a genius in figuring out a way to keep making money. And one of the reasons why people watch him fight is… because they hate him because he talks so much sh– and he’s like ‘look at my million-dollar watch, look at my f—ing jet’… So that you hate him, people hate him. He creates envy… and you want him to lose, but he’s not gonna. He’s so good,” he added. But Rogan thinks while this may have earned him a lot of money, it has also prevented him from being properly recognized as an all-time great fighter.

Despite his wizardry in the ring, undefeated record, and the fact that he was the highest-paid and highest PPV seller in the entire sport of boxing, Mayweather is not a very popular fighter among fans. Boxing fans are the strongest and loudest critics of the former champ, and not only because of the villainous persona he puts on.

Much of this has to do with Mayweather’s defense-first, Philly Shell fighting style. The American’s boxing philosophy can be summed up exclusively as hit and don’t get hit. And while that has led to him having a perfect record, it also doesn’t make for very exciting fight. And Rogan feels this fighting style has warped and corrupted the perception fans have of him, which the JRE host personally finds very unfair.

The UFC commentator felt that not only was Mayweather an all-time great, but also called him the ‘best ever’ boxer, which not many boxing fans will agree with. “I mean, people, just because of the fact that he won decisions by playing it safe, people don’t get excited about him and don’t recognize him with the all-time greats. He’s the best ever,” Rogan told Andrew Huberman on his podcast.

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Terence Crawford initiates taking WBO title without a fight

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Terence Crawford Sebastian Fundora

Terence Crawford has set the wheels in motion to take the WBO super welterweight title from Sebastian Fundora without a fight.

World Boxing News understands Crawford triggered his option of facing the champion after claiming the interim version against Israil Madrimov earlier this month. Due to his standing with the WBO as a three-weight and ‘super’ champion, ‘Bud’ has sizable pulling power with the organization and was granted his request immediately. That’s despite Fundora having negotiated a deal with Errol Spence Jr. for months.

It’s not secret, and Crawford is well aware, that Fundora vs Spence is on the verge of being confirmed. However, that hasn’t stopped the Omaha man from asking the WBO to give Fundora 30 days to negotiate his challenge. Crawford will know full well that Fundora will not be able to follow through with this request due to his commitment to Spence and the PBC’s forthcoming schedule.

Fundora-Crawford ordenada bajo 'cachetada financiera' y actualización de división superligera

READ: Canelo Alvarez: I’m not saying Terence Crawford fight can’t happen

This scenario means Crawford will get the title without facing Fundora in the ring.

In a letter sent to WBN, the WBO said, “Please be advised that the parties herein have thirty [30] days upon issuance of this notice to negotiate and reach an agreement for the above-referenced WBO Jr. Middleweight [super-welterweight] Mandatory Championship Contest.

“If an accord is not reached within the timeframe stated herein, a purse bid will be ordered per the WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests. The minimum acceptable bid in the WBO Jr. Middleweight Division is $200,000.00 [Two Hundred Thousand Dollars]. Any of the parties involved may request a purse bid procedure at any time during the negotiation process.

“Furthermore, if a purse bid ceremony for the Crawford/Fundora bout is called, [the rule mentioned above] triggers and governs proceedings per Terrence Crawford’s “WBO Super Champion” status [Rights and Privileges, not a title], with the rights conferred by such provision. The aforementioned rule states as follows: Conversely, this Committee’s “Resolution” dated April 22, 2024, regarding Sebastian Fundora, which all terms and conditions are incorporated hereby and made part of this negotiation order.”

Unless both sides can agree, Crawford will be the full WBA and WBO champion by the end of next month. Fundora vs. Spence will then be for the WBC championship only, as Crawford aims to clean out another division.

Many would have preferred Crawford to take both titles from whoever wins the Fundora vs Spence, but that doesn’t seem like the plan.

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BOXING

‘THAT ORDER DOESN’T MATTER’- WBO ORDERS FUNDORA VS. CRAWFORD, CANELO REACTS

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Sebastian Fundora Terence Crawford

The WBO has called for Sebastian Fundora to defend his junior middleweight belt against Terence Crawford next. 

The news means that both sides have 30 days to agree on a deal before purse bids are ordered. Fundora holds the WBO and WBC belts after having beaten Tim Tszyu. Fundora has been linked with the Errol Spence Jr. fight. However, there has been no confirmation from either side regarding the date. Meanwhile, Crawford became a four-weight world champion after beating Israil Madrimovto win the WBA belt in his first fight at 154.

While it was a unanimous decision, Eddie Hearn felt his fighter had been hard done by, suggesting it was a lot closer than the scorecards indicated. In his post-fight comments, Crawford called out Canelo Alvarez for a fight at 168.  Hearn clarified those comments, hinting that Crawford could retire if he does not secure the Canelo fight. But a bout with Tszyu takes Crawford a step closer to unifying, knowing a win only leaves him with the IBF belt to secure.

The WBO has given Crawford and Fundora a deadline of the end of April – RingSide24

JUST IN: Andy Ruiz Jr vanishes with future in doubt after Jarrell Miller draw

“[They have 30 days to] negotiate and reach an agreement for the above-referenced WBO Jr. Middleweight Mandatory Championship Contest. If an accord is not reached within the timeframe stated herein, a purse bid will be ordered per the WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests.

“The minimum acceptable bid in the WBO Jr. Middleweight Division is $200,000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand Dollars). Any of the parties involved may request a purse bid procedure at any time during the negotiation process,” WBO

Crawford must now weigh up whether he wants a legacy or a big payday. A Fundora fight offers Crawford a chance to become a three-weight undisputed champion following his feats at 140 and 147. That would set him apart from the other fighters, such as Oleksandr Usyk and Naoya Inoue, the only two other fighters to have joined him as undisputed in two weight divisions.

However, a Fundora fight does not offer a massive purse that Crawford could get by fighting Canelo or Jaron Ennis. At 37, Crawford is at the latter end of his career. Fundora’s promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz, felt Crawford would only box his man if he could not get the Canelo fight.

That has left the ball in Canelo’s camp and the Saudis if they were willing to make a big offer. Canelo requested $200 million to fight David Benavidez. While Canelo will likely get less than that figure for a Crawford fight, it will still be a high number.

“I’m waiting on an offer now, and I’m certain one will not come until after the 14th. I’d like to find out right now if [Crawford’s] going to fight for the money or the titles. I believe he wants the money. [Crawford] will do everything he can to fight Canelo, and [his team] will not call me until after the fight,”  Lewkowicz said

“I’m not saying that fight can’t happen. That order doesn’t matter,” Alvarez stated

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Andy Ruiz Jr vanishes with future in doubt after Jarrell Miller draw

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Andy Ruiz Jr  Jarrell Mille

Andy Ruiz Jr faces another career delay after sickening injury 

Andy Ruiz Jr. has stepped back from the limelight after suffering a hand injury during his controversial draw with Jarrell Miller.

Unlike his opponent, Ruiz hasn’t been seen on social media since the fight that was co-featured on the Terence Crawford vs Israil Madrimov card. His Excellency Turki Alalshikh put the event together to get the Riyadh Season name into the United States domain, with one eye on making another massive heavyweight fight for the winner.

Andy Ruiz and Jarrell Miller fight to 12-round majority draw - The Ring

JUST IN: Canelo Alvarez: I’m not saying Terence Crawford fight can’t happen

However, it wasn’t to be as Ruiz and Miller drew following a twelve-round battle. Two scores read 114-114, but Robert Hoyle’s 116-112 effort in favor of Miller was seen by many as closer to the truth.

As Miller takes the plaudits and declares himself a moral victor, Ruiz has gone off the radar amid attempts to fix his grotesque hand ailment. Ruiz has been fleeting in and out of the sport since losing his world heavyweight title to Anthony Joshua in December 2019, and the ex-unified champion’s future has again been questioned.

After his loss, Ruiz immediately referenced the hand but stated his desire to have a second fight with Miller to see a winner finally. Those intentions may not be able to be honored for months, if ever, due to the apparent severity of Ruiz’s hand, by his own judgment.

“I hurt my hand, and you can see the bone right here. It bothered me a lot from that fifth round where I kept hitting him in the head,” said Ruiz. “He’s a strong mother******. He keeps coming forward and forward. Let’s run it again. I think it was close. It was crazy, man. I haven’t fought in two years, but let’s do a rematch.”

He added, “It’s pretty exhausting when you’ve got a 300lb man coming towards me. Throwing and throwing. I think I did pretty good after not fighting in two years.”

Ruiz has given fans zero updates since then.

Given recuperation and Ruiz’s usual timeouts, that two-year absence could turn into one fight in three years [not for the first time]. By then, the Mexican-American will be pushing 36. ‘The Destroyer’ will have wasted his best years outside the ropes.

Another world title shot could prove impossible unless Ruiz can again get serious about boxing.

In contrast, Miller is willing to move to Saudi Arabia to persuade Turki Alalshikh to bankroll his retirement run. The ‘Big Baby’ has only a few years left at the top. The New Yorker wants Alalshikh to make him a permanent part of Riyadh Season.

“I’m definitely heartbroken with the result [of the Ruiz fight], but I know in my life I’ve never had anything easy. Warriors don’t quit. Everything will come to light. They can rob you, they can steal from you, they can lie to you, but Allah sees all,” said Miller.

He added, “Brother Turki said what needed to be said. He has seen it for himself who won that fight [with Ruiz]. I’m a free agent. Free at last. I have no dealings with Dimitry Salita or his promotional company whatsoever. I’m packing my bags. It’s time to move to Saudi,” he concluded.

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