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“Get Some Advise From Charlo”: Oleksandr Usyk Ruffles Feathers With Terence Crawford vs. Canelo Alvarez Prediction

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Terence Crawford Canelo Alvarez Oleksandr Usyk

Every boxing fan wants to see ‘the’ fight. Two of sport’s biggest names, Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez, in a momentous clash.

Talks about a potential fight have been going on for some time now. Even His Excellency Turki Alalshikh has expressed a keen interest on the much-sought-after match-up. Thoughts and discussions apart, social media is already abuzz with ‘the outcome’ game. Who will win? Or, who has a better chance of winning?

Oleksandr Usyk is preparing for the rematch with Tyson Fury. Days following his epic win over the Mancunian saw him vacate the IBF title, thus making his undisputed championship one of the shortest in boxing history. Like many, Usyk too found himself in a corner boxed by a poser on the Crawford-Alvarez puzzle. The P4P number-one boxer, however, knew the answer. Ever since it reached the ears of the fans, discussion on the subject has become more rigorous.

Oleksandr Usyk Has No Doubt Who Wins Canelo-Crawford Fight: "He's Different" - Seconds Out

JUST IN: ‘GREEDY BELLY, YOU’RE MY FRIEND’ – USYK TROLLS FURY’S TRAINING FOR THE REMATCH

Oleksandr Usyk was a guest on the ‘3 Knockdown Rule’ podcast. As the show neared its end, host Mario Lopez finally asked, “What about there? There’s talk. It’s not official, of course, but there’s talk of a potential fight between Canelo and Terrence Crawford. How do you see that fight?”

“I like Terence,” responded the champion. Usyk revealed that ‘Bud’ happens to be his friend. But when the push comes to shove, Terence Crawford will win. “Terence, it’s different, man. Terence works in two, two, two sides, two sides, right and left, but it’s very smart, man. It’s very, very smart, but feel the distance and the place.”

From the time he became boxing’s first male two-division undisputed champion, Terence Crawford made it clear what he wanted next. Aside from Alvarez, his list included Jermell Charlo. It underwent alteration following the ‘Iron Man’ suffering a defeat from the Mexican icon. However, concerns over the sheer weight gap always raised alarm and concern across the board.

Clearly, there was no unanimity among fans over a clear winner. To some, the super middleweight champion would remain unscathed. But then a few believe the Nebraskan southpaw has the wherewithal to usurp the throne. Let’s check what a few others had to say about the ambitious lineup.

Given Oleksandr Usyk’s winning streak, this fan believes that on the Crawford-Alvarez question, the Ukrainian champion might face an aberration. According to them, Canelo Alvarez’s physical attributes give him a significant advantage. Hence, it might as well be a one-sided fight, where he might dominate ‘Bud’ Crawford.

Commonwealth Games gold medalist and former professional boxer Anthony Fowler also seems to favor Canelo Alvarez for the win. Reinforcing the belief that weight classes often play a crucial role in determining outcomes in boxing, he insisted that Alvarez’s prowess at 168 pounds makes him a clear favorite.

Given how Yuriorkis Gamboa shook him up in their 2014 fight, this fan also lacks confidence in whether ‘Bud’ Crawford can withstand the shots from the hard-hitting Alvarez. Perhaps taking a dig, they suggested that the Nebraskan might as well check with Jermell Charlo beforehand to see how Alvarez’s punches felt. Underscoring the Mexican icon’s prowess in the ring, they predicted the likelihood of the match ending in the sixth round—in Alvarez’s favor.

However, this fan finds himself siding with Usyk. expressing their preference for Crawford over Alvarez in the hypothetical matchup, they believe that ‘Bud’s superior skills in movement, reflexes, and hand to understand punching power might enable him to dominate the fight. conceding that Alvarez has too much of a granite chin to be knocked out; however, they espoused that Crawford would barely give a quarter.

Then this user felt that maybe Terence Crawford should note down a few items from Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s playbook if he wants to defeat Canelo Alvarez. The former world champion’s method, where he overpowered the Mexican boxer with his sheer technical skills, gives ‘Bud’ the best chance of scoring a ‘W’.

It should now be understandable how debatable the matchup is. On his part, Terence Crawford, after a year-long break, will enter the ring on August 3 to mark his debut in the light middleweight division. So instead of three, he is now short of the super middleweight division by two weight classes.

In September, Canelo Alvarez will also face his year’s second opponent. He is no longer an undisputed champion. so he will have to defend his remaining unified titles from Edgar Berlanga on the weekend before Mexican Independence Day. So may be after that, by this year-end or first quarter next year, will the fight with Terence Crawford eventually make through?

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‘GREEDY BELLY, YOU’RE MY FRIEND’ – USYK TROLLS FURY’S TRAINING FOR THE REMATCH

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Tyson Fury Oleksandr Usyk

Oleksandr Usyk reacted to Tyson Fury’s training ahead of their rematch on December 21. 

Usyk defeated Fury to become the Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the world. Despite winning via a split decision, Usyk dominated the fight. Fury’s only good rounds were the middle parts of the fight. Usyk almost knocked out Fury in round nine, only for the referee to impose a standing eight count when Uysk was going to the finish.

Fury refused to accept the loss, saying Usyk made the decision due to the war in Ukraine. He referred to Usyk as an amateur boxer. The rematch offers the chance for redemption. However, it will not be undisputed as Usyk vacated the IBF belt. Fury has been putting in the work early. The following footage shows Fury after a run. He then stated the following.

Fury Reacts

JUST IN: Terence Crawford vs Israil Madrimov: Madrimov manager urges ‘fair fight’ from the powers that be

Tyson Fury: “I just finished a little bit of a run on the bay with the lads, working away, chipping away nicely. December 21st, Usyk, you’re on notice. Come on.”

In contrast, Usyk has been taking things much easier since the win. Usyk is starring in the new film Smashing Machine alongside The Rock. He will play the character of Ukrainian kickboxer Igor ‘Ice Cold’ Vovchanchyn. He has already made an impression with Johnson and Snoop Dogg, who came to visit him on set.

The Ukrainian also attended the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Usyk was vocal about the state of amateur boxing, with worries it could get scraped from the Olympics. Usyk won an Olympic Gold in London 2012 and went professional a year later. The importance of the Olympics showed as Usyk became undisputed at cruiserweight and heavyweight. The Ukrainian was not happy with the standards.

“For many years, there has been a desire to change the boxing system, which is rotten on an international level. So, we just need to work. No promises need to be made; we need to act. When you do this, people see the work done and come to you, asking to collaborate. But I think boxing will be in the Olympic Games. We are at war. But our athletes still came. They are fighting,” Usyk said

Although Fury was pushing the limits with his training, Usyk was unfazed.

Oleksandr Usyk: “Hey, my friend, ‘Greedy Belly,’ continue training. I’m ready, brother. I know your hard work is good. I appreciate it. Thank you so much, ‘Greedy Belly.’ You’re my friend. You are my friend.”

The rematch is pivotal for both. Another win for Usyk may be enough for him to walk away from the sport. His team has already hinted at a crossover fight. Conor McGregor has been mentioned as an opponent in BKFC. There is also the chance that Usyk will drop back down to cruiserweight. However, that is unlikely, as he would have to lose much weight.

This would be more difficult at this stage of his career now that he is 37. Meanwhile, another loss for Fury will leave question marks over where he goes next. Although there is the Anthony Joshua fight, it will not be as big as it would have been. Either way, there is plenty on the line come fight night.

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Terence Crawford vs Israil Madrimov: Madrimov manager urges “fair fight” from the powers that be

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Terence Crawford Israil Madrimov

Consider it a preemptive strike rooted in an abundance of supportive evidence.

To close Thursday’s news conference with favored, three-division world champion Terence Crawford, new World Boxing Association (WBA) junior-middleweight champion Israil Madrimov of Uzbekistan said, “My dream is to create something that nobody expects and win the fight I’m not supposed to win. I believe I can do that Saturday night.”

The point of emphasis for Madrimov (10-0-1, 7 KOs) and his team Thursday was to make it clear to the three judges, referee and California commission that an upset is indeed possible, urging them to look for it.

Terence Crawford Israil Madrimov

READ: Can Terence Crawford Beat Floyd Mayweather and Canelo Alvarez in Their Prime? 

Much of this campaigning has to do with some recently criticized scoring in boxing – Robson Conceicao’s junior-lightweight title victory over O’Shaquie Foster, Sean McComb’s split-decision loss to unbeaten 140-pounder Arnold Barboza Jr. and Marlon Tapales’ split-decision triumph last year over Madrimov’s stablemate and former junior-featherweight champion Murodjon “M.J.” Akhmadaliev.

While translating for Madrimov, the fighter’s manager, Vadim Kornilov, went off script and said this in English:

“I know that I’m fighting the best in Terence Crawford and his team, but I’m also fighting his fans and the rest … and I’m hoping that everything will be fair and neutral.

“I’m expecting that this event is big enough – the whole world is going to watch this event – and I hope everything will be fair and square on fight night.”

The astute Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs) cracked, “That wasn’t the translation … .”

Kornilov admitted he was taking a liberty, but insisted he was speaking the truth.

“I don’t want anyone to take it the wrong way. There’s more to it. Everyone understood what I meant,” he said.

His stance is partially connected to a fresh wound.

Wednesday night on the Santa Monica (Calif.) Pier, another Madrimov stablemate and countryman, welterweight Shakhram Giyasov (16-0, 9 KOs) barely remained unbeaten when he defeated Mexico’s Miguel Parra by split-decision, 95-94, 96-93, 94-95, when Giyasov had a point deducted for a low blow by referee David Solivan.

Both Giyasov and Kornilov objected to the ruling and wanted a replay, but the replay system was not available.

California State Athletic Commission Executive Officer Andy Foster told BoxingScene that Nevada referee Jay Nady will preside over the ringside replay system at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles Saturday night.

In addition to staffing respected veteran referee Jack Reiss to Crawford-Madrimov, the California commission has assigned judges Steve Weisfeld of New Jersey, Canada’s Benoit Roussel and Fernando Villarreal of California to score the bout.

One member of Madrimov’s team recommended Roussel for the bout following his 98-92 score favoring McComb over Barboza on April 20 in New York.

Crawford’s team didn’t request a specific judge, asking for the placement of the highest-qualified judges possible, according to a California official.

“(Fans) are coming from all over the world because they want the best to win,” Kornilov said on the news-conference dais for the first U.S. card sponsored by Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Season, an effort headed by Turki Alalshikh.

Boxing experts have speculated Saturday’s stacked card is a $70 million show.

“They’re investing millions because what’s happening in the business has got to change,” Kornilov said. “There’s too much B.S. The best man in the ring has got to win, and I think everybody agrees with that. I don’t think anyone here wants to get a decision they don’t deserve.”

Kornilov said he spoke up not because he thinks there’s any funny business going on. He said he’s certain that while boxing fan Alalshikh has designated Crawford a Riyadh Season ambassador and has struck up a friendship with the veteran champion, he wants the rightful winner to emerge.

“(Alalshikh) doesn’t take favors. He doesn’t want an undeserving winner on his shows. I know that for a fact. He’s said that,” Kornilov said. “The whole world should know that.”

While Crawford’s pedigree and fame is more substantial than Madrimov, the new champion is also a two-handed power puncher who’s dedicated his life to the craft of the sport, piling up more than 300 amateur fights and becoming a champion in his 11th pro bout.

Crawford has not been a constant “A” side fighter. He was the “B” side in his most recent bout, his signature ninth-round TKO of three-belt welterweight champion Errol Spence one year ago this week.

Kornilov thinks so highly of Crawford’s integrity he said he’d doubt that Crawford would celebrate a triumph claimed by flawed judging.

Terence Crawford Israil Madrimov

But Kornilov watched two years ago in Las Vegas as all three judges – including Weisfeld – scored the first four rounds for the more-popular Canelo Alvarez over Madrimov’s close friend, Russia’s WBA light-heavyweight champion Dmitrii Bivol.

Bivol seemed to comfortably win the fight and ultimately emerged victorious, but only by three 115-113 scores.

Kornilov was aghast when judge Javier Alvarez delivered his then-champion Akhmadaliev a wide 118-110 score in April 2023, only to watch defeat arrive when judges Sergio Caiz and Jose Roberto Torres each scored the bout 115-113 for Tapales – who then landed a lucrative unification against Japan’s Naoya Inoue while that bout has evaded Akhmadaliev.

Madrimov “knows all that’s happened,” Kornilov said, but he doesn’t expect the flawed-scoring horror stories to force the fighter to chase a knockout as if it’s his only route to victory.

“He worries about this. He’s seen his comrades not get these decisions … I’m saying this to make sure everybody feels the responsibility to get it right,” Kornilov said.

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Can Terence Crawford Beat Floyd Mayweather and Canelo Alvarez in Their Prime?

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Terence Crawford Floyd Mayweather Jr. Canelo Alvarez

When you find yourself at the pinnacle of modern boxing, you invariably draw parallels with the greats of the last generation.

It’s the position that Terence Crawford finds himself in at the moment. Doubts, applause, criticism, and shunned comments follow in a heated debate. Has he taken on the tag of the best modern welterweight since Floyd Mayweather Jr. left the scene? Has he what it takes to triumph over the face of boxing, Canelo Alvarez, a fight he desperately chases? These are the questions that cloud a boxing fan’s imagination.

These have plagued the fans’ minds ever since the Omaha native dismantled Errol Spence Jr. with ease last year and cemented his legacy as an undisputed champion in two different weight classes. Interestingly, ‘Money’ Mayweather was just hanging his gloves up when Crawford moved up to the division. Had he delayed his retirement a year later, the fans might have witnessed the two clash. But would ‘Bud’ have taken Mayweather Jr. down? It first depends on which version of Mayweather Jr. we are pitting him against.

Terence Crawford Eyeing Canelo Alvarez Fight Exposes Floyd Mayweather's Failure to Be All-Time Great, Explains Boxing Commentator - EssentiallySports

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You could dissect Mayweather Jr.’s career into two halves, the first when he brought aggression and fight into the ring. And the second, when he racked up fame and tightened up his defense, fighting primarily on his back foot, rolling his shoulders, and content with collecting decision wins with relative ease. It was about his undefeated record, after all. The Michigan native had a solid, tight defense, which would have run counter to Crawford’s power and quick pair of hands. It would have been a classic bout, a style showdown.

Let’s talk about their size and skills first. You look at Crawford, 36, and you see why he would rip apart Mayweather Jr. with his taller frame, reach, and size advantage. At least on the paper. However, his hypothetical opponent has been elusive, honing his defensive skills to a near-perfect level. While Crawford bags the size and reach advantage with the ability to impose his will on the smaller but smarter rival, Mayweather Jr. has the better skillset to hit and not get hit, even against towering foes. That’s the mantra that stood up whenever ‘Money’ Mayweather fought inside the ring.

Mayweather Jr. tended to feel the fight initially and then pick apart anyone who stood across from him as the rounds progressed. But what if the 50-0 record holder’s stamina fizzles out in the middle rounds? Could he evade 10 or 12 rounds against the boxer, who is relentless, and packs a power, especially at close quarters? Whichever side you pick, either a hungry fighter with power, quick footwork, and a swift pair of hands, or a boxer with impenetrable defensive skills, you would leave home watching the two world-class fighters go for the kill.

Will you let your recency bias clog your judgment, or will you put your faith in a boxer who has the experience and has done it against fighters of all sizes and styles? If the Omaha native produced a flawless night, where he could hit and tear down Mayweather Jr., you could see him taking the win home. But is it happening? Mayweather Jr. wouldn’t let it happen, would he?

What separates Crawford, at 40-0, from the crop of modern fighters? It’s his explosive yet unpredictable style, where he manages to switch up stances from southpaw to orthodox or from orthodox to southpaw, the minute he senses his opponent has him figured out. You throw into the mix his impeccable defense and a high ring IQ, you have a fighter you will find it hard to deal with in the ring. What bugs his competitors the most is his ability to mold himself and adapt according to whatever his rivals are throwing. So, where does Canelo Alvarez find himself?

The Mexican champion has the skills, experience, and ability to land clean shots. You can sense a running theme here, don’t you? But you need to be careful with him in the ring, as he also had knockout power with his combinations before his hand injury slowed him down a bit. You could sit and heap praise on his ring generalship and his unusual skill of breaking down opponents with his devastating body shots. It’s something that Crawford has found troubling in his fights. In addition, the latter’s most effective weapon, his counters, runs the risk of getting negated because of the 34-year-old champion’s ring generalship. And when you take into consideration the prime Canelo Alvarez, the champion who was devouring the top-ranked fighters, you face an uphill battle.

Many continue to argue that Mayweather Jr. wouldn’t have beaten the 61-2-2 record holder if he were not young. Does Crawford stand a chance against the prime Alvarez? When you factor in the disparity in weight categories, Alvarez’s size, strength, and excellent conditioning, and more importantly, the super middleweight champion being the kryptonite to Crawford’s style, the task seems somewhere on the impossible side. Will Crawford’s aggression, speed, and unpredictable boxing style have been enough to tackle Alvarez’s technical style with splendid counterpunching and brilliant head movement? The odds might be very low. But stranger things have happened in boxing.

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‘Are you up for it, Tank?’ December ideal for Isaac Cruz rematch

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Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz Gervonta “Tank” Davis

It will be three years ago in December when Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz stepped in with little more than a month’s notice to accept the biggest fight of his life against now-three-division-champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis, and then took him the distance in a Rocky-esque storyline.

Should the new World Boxing Association junior welterweight titleholder (26-2-1, 18 KOs) defeat his challenger Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela (13-2, 9 KOs) on Saturday night at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, the stars may be aligning for a December anniversary rematch with the WBA lightweight belt holder Davis.

Earlier this month, Baltimore’s Davis (30-0, 28 KOs) learned negotiations with his fellow three-division champion, the IBF lightweight titlist Vasiliy Lomachenko, had come to little, with Lomachenko saying he needed the rest of the year off to return to his native, war-torn Ukraine with his family.

Gervonta Davis fights through injury, outpoints game Isaac Cruz by unanimous decision - The Ring

JUST IN: ‘IT’S THE TERENCE CRAWFORD ERA’ – CRAWFORD TELLS MADRIMOV

On Tuesday, the co-manager for the three-division and WBC lightweight titleholder Shakur Stevenson told BoxingScene that Davis’ representatives have not been responsive to negotiating a deal for a unification bout; Stevenson has verbally agreed to pursue a fight against consensus No. 1 lightweight contender William Zepeda, of Mexico.

“Pitbull’s open for December,” Cruz’s advisor, Sean Gibbons, said at the fighter’s grand arrival on the Santa Monica Pier. “So why not do it again?

“He’s up for it any day of the year. Are you up for it, Gervonta? We have no problem here.”

Cruz’s popularity has surged since the first fight, which Davis won by scores of 115-113, 115-113 and 116-112 after entering the bout on the heels of knockout victories over Cuba’s Yuriorkis Gamboa, four-division champion Leo Santa Cruz and reigning WBC welterweight titleholder Mario Barrios.

Since then, Cruz has recorded three stoppages in his past four fights – including his rousing finish in March of then-140-pound titleholder Rolly Romero in Las Vegas.

Cruz earned the loudest ovation of the night in the co-main event, which supported the junior middleweight title fight between the newly unified champion Sebastian Fundora and Australia’s Tim Tszyu.

A similar greeting is expected Saturday night against Mexican countryman Valenzuela in the co-main under the 154-pound title fight between titleholder Israil Madrimov and three-division champion Terence Crawford.

Cruz’s popularity was obvious at the grand arrivals, as he remained among the crowd following interviews with reporters and signed autographs and mingled with his supporters.

Having a full camp to prepare for Davis for what would certainly be an all-action bout is appetizing to consider, but Cruz said he’s locked in on the task ahead of him.

“I’m focused on the fight now; I have a lot of respect for [Valenzuela],” Cruz told BoxingScene.

He had such great success by delivering an onslaught of punches on Romero. Will he repeat that strategy against Valenzuela?

“I’m looking to give the people a great performance. That’s the only thing I’m thinking about,” Cruz said.

As for his thoughts on Stevenson moving toward Zepeda and Davis needing an opponent, Cruz said, “I’m not thinking about that right now. I’m just focused on ‘Rayo’ and being excited about Saturday. I had a great camp. I’m ready for any kind of fight.”

And should he win it, the opportunity to run it back against Davis is rich.

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‘IT’S THE TERENCE CRAWFORD ERA’ – CRAWFORD TELLS MADRIMOV

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Terence Crawford Israil Madrimov

Terence Crawford and Israil Madrimov made their grand arrivals ahead of their clash on Saturday. 

They face off in a WBA Junior Middleweight Clash as Crawford seeks to win Madrimov’s WBA belt. It is Crawford’s first fight in over a year since his ninth-round TKO win over Errol Spence Jr. The win made him the first Undisputed Welterweight Champion of the four-belt era, as he chases a title in a fourth weight class.

Eddie Hearnhas been backing Madrimov to cause an upset, feeling that Crawford may be out of his depth. Madrimov won the vacant title after knocking out Magomed Kurbanov in his last fight. His record stands at 10-0-1 with 7 KOs, showing he is not experienced at the pro level. Crawford, by comparison, is 40-0 with 31 KOs.

FACE OFF | Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov • HEAD TO HEAD in NYC | DAZN & Matchroom Boxing

READ: “Bigger Than The Errol Spence fight”: Terence Crawford Says His Fight Saturday is Bigger Than The Errol Spence Bout 

But Madrimov has over 300 amateur fights, meaning he has seen the full array of styles. A win for either fighter sets up a possible unification with Sebastian Fundora, who holds the WBO and WBC belts. Meanwhile, Crawford may chase the Canelo Alvarez fight at 168 if he wins. The face-off was very cordial, but both felt confident ahead of the clash.

Madrimov’s Quotes

Chris Mannix: “Israel, it’s a first title defense for you, and it’s a big one against a man that has long been the pound-for-pound king. How are you feeling heading into this fight?”

Israil Madrimov: “I’m feeling great. I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time. My dream is coming true because I’m feeling great,”

Mannix: “Three divisions, no one has been able to beat this man. Why are you confident that you’ll be able to do it?”

Madrimov: “This is my division because it’s only victory for me.”

Mannix: “It’s been a long time since we called you a title challenger. How does it feel to be challenging for a belt at 154?”

Crawford Reacts

Terence Crawford: “It’s alright. I had to go through it at 135, 140 and 147. It ain’t no different than at 154.”

Mannix: “It’s your first fight at junior middleweight. You’re going right to the top of the division against Israil Madrimov. Why was this the right fight for you?”

Crawford: “I think all the fights are important at 154. I want all the champions. I consider Israil the #1 guy in the division. He’s a great fighter. I just think its the Terence Crawford era.”

Mannix: “This man is probably a little bit bigger and stronger. What kind of fight are you expecting on Saturday?”

Crawford: “I don’t know. He might come out and try to box. He might try to use his size and pressure me, but I assure you. We’re going to be ready for whatever he brings to the table.”

Mannix: “11 straight knockouts for you. Is this the type of fight that you can get the 12th?”

Crawford: “Hey, we shall see,”

Full Card

Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov

Andy Ruiz vs. Jarrell Miller

Jared Anderson vs. Martin Bakole

Isaac Cruz vs. Jose Venezuela

David Morrell vs. Radivoje Kalajdzic

Andy Cruz vs. Antonio Moran

Steve Nelson vs. Marcos Ramon Vazquez

Ziyad Almaayouf vs. Michal Bulk

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Andy Ruiz Jr. explains what went wrong in rematch loss to Anthony Joshua

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Andy Ruiz Jr. Anthony Joshua

Andy Ruiz Jr. has shared the ring twice with the British star.

On June 1, 2019, Andy Ruiz Jr. was briefly one of the biggest names in boxing.

The less fancied American was given the chance to face unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua at Madison Square Garden in a fight which many thought would be a formality for the British star.

Fight Picks: Andy Ruiz vs. Anthony Joshua 2 - The Ring

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What transpired was one of the biggest shocks in recent memory with Ruiz stopping Joshua in the seventh round and becoming a unified world heavyweight champion.

Despite knowing that a rematch with Joshua would be next, Ruiz enjoyed lavish celebrations following his triumph, but this appeared to have a detrimental effect on his performance during his second meeting with AJ six months later with the British fighter making easy work of his opponent in Diriyah to become a two-time champion.

Speaking about the rematch on DAZN’s Off The Cuff, Ruiz revealed what went wrong in the Joshua rematch and he was quick to criticise how he conducted himself following the biggest win of his career.

“I think I stayed too much in the party life, I was still enjoying the win,” Ruiz said.

“I totally forgot I had the rematch in six months, it goes by so fast.

“When I went to Saudi Arabia, I gained 30 more pounds, I wasn’t focused, I wasn’t ready.”

Since that loss to Joshua, Ruiz has fought just twice with wins over Chris Arreola and Luis Ortiz in 2021 and 2022 respectively, but he ends this period of inactivity this coming Saturday live on DAZN.

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“Bigger Than The Errol Spence fight”: Terence Crawford Says His Fight Saturday is Bigger Than The Errol Spence Bout

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Terence Crawford vs Israil Madrimov

Terence Crawford returns to the ring Saturday for a Riyadh Season-sponsored pay-per-view fight against super welterweight world boxing champion Israil Madrimov, and the American is already saying that the bout this weekend seems bigger than his landmark victory over long-time rival Errol Spence Jr. last year.

The undisputed welterweight world championship fight in Las Vegas was approximately five years in the making, and brought together two of the best-skilled boxers on the planet, in one of the most significant match-ups the sport had organized since Floyd Mayweather bested Manny Pacquiao in 2015.

In 2023, Crawford showed that he is levels apart from Spence — himself an extraordinary champion at 147 pounds — as Crawford bullied and beat Spence down in a brutal display of controlled, fistic violence. It generated $21 million in ticket sales, and sold to 700,000 homes in the US. The fight against Madrimov at the BMO Stadium, though, is even bigger, according to Crawford.

Terence Crawford vs Israil Madrimov Boxing card: What are the fights you must see this Saturday? | Marca

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The Crawford vs Madrimov result could dictate the future of elite boxing. Should Madrimov win, he’ll have struck one of boxing’s biggest modern day upsets against arguably the No.1 fighter in the entire sport. The world would be his oyster. Should Crawford, win, though, and he’ll put himself back into the spotlight for an unlikely shot at the super middleweight champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.

The moment may not be lost on Crawford himself, who spoke to DAZN during Tuesday’s Grand Arrivals on Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles County.

“To be honest, this feels bigger than the Errol Spence fight,” said Crawford.

“If you look around, it’s different. Errol Spence fight was big for the urban community, because it’s been something talked about for five years. Me and Errol, me and Errol. But, when you look around, you see so many different different races and cultures that it’s bigger in its own right.”

Here’s the eight-fight bout card, in full:

  • Terence Crawford vs Israil Madrimov — super welterweight
  • David Morrell vs Radivoje Kalajdzic — light heavyweight
  • Isaac Cruz vs Jose Valenzuela — super lightweight
  • Andy Cruz vs Antonio Moran — lightweight
  • Steven Nelson vs Marcos Vazquez Rodriguez — super middleweight
  • Ziyad Almaayouf vs Michal Bulik — welterweight
  • Jared Anderson vs Martin Bakole — heavyweight
  • Andy Ruiz vs Jarrell Miller — heavyweight

The event also features a live musical performance from smash hit rap star Eminem, who walked Crawford to the ring for his showdown with Spence.

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Boxing Rumors: Gervonta Davis vs. Shakur Stevenson Is “Not at All” Happening

By
Shakur Stevenson Gervonta Davis

It almost became reality—well, almost.

One of the biggest fights in the boxing world, Gervonta Davis vs. Shakur Stevenson, has attracted eyeballs and heated debates about who is the better boxer. And the fans had it for a while, as the rumors of the fight happening had them excited. However, that was it. Boxing insider Dan Rafael had to dismiss the circulating rumors and jolt the fans.

The news of a unification fight between two champions had the internet buzzing. Two undefeated records, two fighters with contrasting fighting styles, and two gold straps—the fight has every ingredient to make it a PPV blockbuster. You add to the mix their intense rivalry and you have a mouth-watering event. So, when a channel posted about a done deal about the two having a go at each other on November 23, the fans were swept off their feet. But not for long.

Who would win Gervonta Davis vs Shakur Stevenson? Scouting Report - Bad Left Hook

READ: Floyd Mayweather: Boxing’s Three Billion Dollar Man

Rafael took to his X handle and wrote, “I’m told by two people who would be involved that this is not true.” In a following post, the American sportswriter reconfirmed his stance and declared, “I asked a third source just now who would be directly involved if it was true and the response was “not at all”.”

Stevenson, 27, also had to address the rumors, as he promptly addressed the whispers of him facing ‘Tank’ next. He announced, “This is FAKE!!” Interestingly, he is already working behind the scenes to put pen to paper for a new fight. Who is his opponent?

According to BoxingScene, Stevenson, at 22-0, has zeroed in on William Zepeda. The 28-year-old is an explosive fighter with devastating knockout power. It will be a fight that pits a technically gifted Stevenson against a power puncher in Zepeda. In addition, ‘Sugar’ is in free agency, making it easier for Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy to ink a deal.

Davis, 29, on the other side, is waiting on his next opponent. While his fight with Vasyl Lomachenko couldn’t materialize, he has another champion waiting for him. Isaac Cruz wants to run it back against the Baltimore native and exact revenge for the loss in 2021. But will that happen? The fans have to wait because the champions at 140 are ready to walk the unification route.

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Floyd Mayweather: Boxing’s Three Billion Dollar Man

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Floyd Mayweather Jr.

How much money did boxing legend Floyd Mayweather generate on Pay Per View throughout his remarkable boxing career?

World Boxing News has crunched the numbers regarding the actual takings Mayweather banked without taking anything away to make purse payments or event costs.

Mayweather amassed an incredible amount of cash throughout his career and continues totaling at least eight figures every time he steps into the ring. This will continue on August 24 when he fights John Gotti III in a rematch on Mexican soil.

Floyd Mayweather

Floyd Mayweather’s career PPV earnings
There’s long been an insistence from his team or the media that ‘Floyd Mayweather is boxing’s first billion-dollar man.’ Well, WBN can reveal that this is undeniably not the case. Mayweather is at least the sport’s first Billion-Dollar Man three times over if you take all the money from every sale of his PPV fights and add it together.

Floyd Mayweather made $1.8 billion in sales in the United States alone. His three billion at the worldwide box office proves he’s on his own in the paid platform stakes. Pay Per View buys featuring the five-weight king since his debut on the platform in 2005 at an average purchase price of $75; you’d even come to numbers north of $1.8 billion in US revenue.

Then, if you consider Mayweather’s other career purses and contract factors, the amount easily surpasses the two-billion-dollar mark in the United States alone. Worldwide sales of every event in hundreds of countries certainly exceed three and possibly into four, depending on how deep you delve.

It’s quite a dumbfounding statistic, and Mayweather has at least one billion in his pocket. Floyd’s Showtime contract alone made over one billion dollars from 14 million total buys [if you include Conor McGregor].

Floyd Mayweather – Total United States PPV Sales:

Jun 25, 2005 – Arturo Gatti vs. Floyd Mayweather (HBO 340k)

Apr 8, 2006 – Floyd Mayweather vs. Zab Judah (HBO 375k)

Nov 4, 2006 – Mayweather vs. Carlos Baldomir (HBO 325k)

May 5, 2007 – Oscar De La Hoya vs. Mayweather (HBO 2.4m)

Dec 8, 2007 – Mayweather vs. Ricky Hatton (HBO 920k)

Sep 19, 2009 – Mayweather vs. Juan Manuel Márquez (HBO 1.06m)

May 1, 2010 – Mayweather vs. Shane Mosley (HBO 1.4m)

Sep 17, 2011 – Mayweather vs. Victor Ortiz (HBO 1.25m)

May 5, 2012 – Mayweather vs. Miguel Cotto (HBO 1.5m)

May 4, 2013 – Mayweather vs. Robert Guerrero (Showtime 1m)

Sep 14, 2013 – Mayweather vs. Canelo Álvarez (Showtime 2.2m)

May 3, 2014 – Mayweather vs. Marcos Maidana (Showtime 900k)

Sep 13, 2014 – Mayweather vs. Marcos Maidana II (Showtime 925k)

May 2, 2015 – Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao (HBO/Showtime 4.6m)

Sep 12, 2015 – Mayweather vs. Andre Berto Mayweather (Showtime 400k)

Aug 26, 2017 – Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor (Showtime 4.3m)

Mayweather’s money-making numbers
The numbers are staggering. Most of which can add another 500 to 800k for worldwide distribution. Nobody has been generating those numbers since the days of closed-circuit TV without the home box office angle.

If you consider that Mayweather took several breaks during his tenure, some lasting over a year, the final total could have been over five billion dollars. Mayweather is and was money, no matter how you look at it.

Next month, at the age of 47, Mayweather will do it again, knowing that he only has to promise the fans a fight to put another huge check in the safe. Despite his ‘Heist Tour’ failing to materialize, Mayweather doesn’t need it. He can pick and choose when and who he fights and still does not bat an eyelid when considering the figures.

Mayweather earns one million dollars for most of his press conference appearances, making him far and away the most lucrative boxer ever.

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