BOXING

Thriving in a sport that places limitations on those who are perceived to be less fortunate requires more than just a natural athleticism. The new sports biopic, The Fire Inside, which chronicles the origin story of boxer Claressa “T-Rex” Shields, showcases how she embraced both her strengths and limitations to become an Olympic gold medal-winning athlete.

The Fire Inside marks the feature film directorial debut of Black Panther cinematographer, Rachel Morrison. The new drama was penned by Oscar-winning screenwriter, Barry Jenkins. The scribe served as a producer, while Morrison and Shields acted as executive producers, on the movie.

The Fire Inside tells the inspirational true story of Claressa Shields (played by Ryan Destiny in an Independent Spirit Award-nominated role). She has become considered by many to be the greatest female boxer of all time.

Claressa, a high school junior from Flint, Michigan, aided by her tough-love coach, Jason Crutchfield (portrayed by Brian Tyree Henry in a Gotham Award-nominated performance), pushes past all limitations to become the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in boxing. But even at the pinnacle of success, Claressa has to reckon with the fact that not all dreams are created equal, and the real fight has only just begun.

Amazon MGM Studios will distribute The Fire Inside in theaters on December 25, 2024. To help promote the biopic’s release, Morrison, Destiny, Henry and Shields generously took the time recently to talk about the feature and the boxer’s career during an press conference over Zoom.

Q: Rachel, The Fire Inside marks your directorial debut and what a story to start with. What was it about Claressa’s journey and her story that made you tap in and say, “This is the story that I want to tell”?

Rachel Morrison: I think it started with the fact that I didn’t know it. Claressa is such a badass force and an incredible athlete, and I follow sports. So for me to not know it, it felt like there was something wrong in the universe. I think Barry (Jenkins) had the same response, which s what inspired him to take on the project as well

I’d been reading for a long time and looking for something that felt meaningful and additive in the universe and that I could be additive to. There were things that I saw from my experiences being a female DP (Director of Photography) that I could put into it, as well. But really it’s just Claressa’s story deserved to be out there.

Q: Ryan, where were you in the world when The Fire Inside came to you? What was that audition process like? Why did you say, “I have to be a part of this film?”

Ryan Destiny: I think I was in L.A. I was working on another project at the time, and this one came in just like any other project does with your team to audition. So I just went in for it and I did my self-tape. I didn’t think too much of it because I just knew how competitive it would be. I knew how special the project was and how incredible everyone was that was behind it.

So it was just a thing where I was like, let’s just see how this goes and let’s see what happens. So it was fairly normal, just like any other thing you do. Then the callbacks came and I was really shocked that that even happened itself. So it was really cool. But I was out in L.A. during that time in my life.

Q: Was this a story that you were familiar with, too, or was it a lot of new information for you?

Ryan Destiny: It was a lot of new information. So you know, I think for all of us, it was just unbelievable that we didn’t know much about the story. I think that that’s also for other people who need to really see this film and get familiar with, and understand, the history that she’s made and how iconic she is. So it was just interesting to learn so much more when I had to audition.

BOXING

‘Robbery!’ – Daniel Dubois crashes Oleksandr Usyk interview after Tyson Fury fight to demand ‘revenge’

Daniel Dubois crashed Oleksandr Usyk’s celebration speech to demand a rematch with the Ukrainian after his victory over Tyson Fury. The British challenger, who lost to Usyk in August 2023, infiltrated the interview and grabbed the mic from Usyk to demand his “revenge.” Usyk beat Fury 116-112 in their rematch in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday to retain his heavyweight titles.

Daniel Dubois crashed Oleksandr Usyk’s celebration speech after the latter’s victory over Tyson Fury, demanding a rematch with the Ukrainian.

Usyk was fresh from winning a unanimous decision victory over Fury in the long-anticipated rematch between the two, retaining his heavyweight titles in Riyadh with a 116-112 scorecard.

Dubois, who picked up the IBF title by beating Filip Hrgovic in June, was in attendance at the Kingdom Arena in Saudi Arabia.

“Usyk! I want my revenge. I want my revenge Usyk,” Dubois said after grabbing the mic.

“Well done on tonight, well done on tonight, god bless. I want my revenge for the robbery last time. Let’s get it. Let’s go.

“Where’s Frank? Make it happen.”

Usyk beat Dubois in August 2023 in Poland, stopping the young Brit in the ninth round of a bruising fight.

The fifth round saw Dubois drop Usyk to the canvas with a punch on the beltline that was ruled as a low blow.

After being given four minutes to recover, Usyk drew on his superior experience and determination to beat Dubois into submission.

When asked about a fight with Dubois, Usyk simply said: “Yeah, no problem.

“I am ready, next fight no problem. Now I wanna (go) back home, a little bit of rest, and I’m ready.

“Your excellency, make me a fight with Daniel Dubois.”

‘Thank you God’

Prior to Dubois’ interruption, Usyk was asked his thoughts on the judge’s scorecard for his rematch with Fury, which he won 116-12.

“I win. It’s good,” he said in the ring. “I’m not a judge, I’m a sportsman, I’m a athlete. It’s not my deal. I win, thank you God.

When asked how he keeps improving even as he approaches his 38th birthday, he joked, “I don’t know. Maybe I am training, preparing well. My wife helped me.

“It’s a very happy day. My sons won competitions too in judo. My son talked to me ‘Hey papa, you’re next.’ I say ‘Okay, I try’.”

Talking about Fury, who did not stay in the ring for an interview after the fight, the 37-year-old said:

“He is a great fighter, he is a great opponent. An unbelievable 24 rounds for my career. Thank you so much.”

While speaking in Ukrainian, he added: “I want to devote this victory to my mother. She’s worrying about me all the time and I want to say to her thank you very much for everything you’ve done for me,

“I give all this to her and all mothers of Ukraine.”

BOXING

Mike Tyson hints at the return everyone has been waiting for after abandoning it for Jake Paul

Iron Mike gives one-word verdict on Hotboxin’ podcast future

Almost 257 episodes later and a journey spanning almost five years, the Hotboxin’ podcast saw its closure earlier this year

The beloved podcast hosted by Mike Tyson had everything you would have liked: celebrity guests, unfiltered conversations and your favorite “Iron Mike“. But since it closed, fans have been wondering if there will be another edition of the show. Will the podcast return? The former world champion has dropped an important hint.

Will Mike Tyson’s Hotboxin’ be reborn?

Tyson, 58, had to end Hotboxin’ due to his other commitments. But his scheduled fight with Jake Paul was like a death sentence

He was finding it difficult to juggle his business ventures and the Hotboxin’ podcast. The added burden of training had a knock-on effect on the recording of the podcast. He stated earlier this year:

So when Tyson, 50-7, appeared in an interview with FOX, the co-hosts were excited about the recent commercial success of the Paul vs. Tyson fight. They also wanted to know if the new popularity could help revive Hotboxin’. To this, Tyson explained how the podcast started. He said: “This is something fun. My wife got me into this. Yeah, it’s not that it doesn’t drive me crazy, I don’t love it. I love it like crazy. But I’m really good at it, yeah.”

After this, Brooklyn gave his one-word response as to whether fans could expect anything from the podcast soon. He continued: “Yes.” But will former co-host Eben Britton also return? We’re not sure. Before the podcast is dated, one might expect Tyson to appear in another Netflix venture: his docuseries.

Mike Tyson returns to the spotlight on Netflix

Thank you for watching

The three-part docuseries will recall Tyson’s famous and infamous accolades and acts, which made him one of the most popular faces of all time. In the same conversation, he addressed the subject and added: “We’re working on it right now. We’re doing everything that’s about to come out of my new show. It will be on Netflix.”

When the series was announced, Tyson told Netflix: “Most people are too afraid to look at their lives objectively, wanting to paint themselves as the hero of their own story… Having the opportunity to share my story through the thoughtful lens of my growth and maturity… will be a challenging, but very welcome journey.”

You can expect three-hour-long episodes, which will consist of interviews with Tyson, his confidants and colleagues, and will give you an insight into his personal life and how he and his close friends saw his illustrious life unfold.

What do you think of these comments from Mike Tyson? Do you think fans will get another edition of Hotboxin’?

BOXING

Gervonta Davis And Ryan Garcia Both Want Rematch But Can’t Agree On One Term: “Stop The Talk”

Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia remain rivals despite their blockbuster fight a couple of years ago.

It was one of the most anticipated fights of the year when Davis and Garcia squared off at the Barclays Center in New York in April 2023.

‘Tank’ took full control of the bout in just the second round when he dropped Garcia, before then earning another knockdown in the seventh after a big body shot, with ‘King Ry’ unable to recover and beat the count, handing Davis the victory.

While several years may have passed since their first meeting, both men appear keen to step back into the ring once again, although there are differing terms for how they want it to play out.

It began when Garcia laid out on social media that he would want the fight to be at a catchweight between super-lightweight and welterweight, after their first fight was held at a 136lb catchweight and ‘King Ry’ felt he was weight drained in the bout.

“Everyone wanna talk about the little stupid Tank. Let’s fight. Enough of that funny talk. Come see me at 144 and let’s stop the talk.

Davis has since responded whilst speaking to ESNews, insisting that the fight would have to take place at the official super-lightweight weight class of 140lbs.

“Yeah [it’s a massive fight]. But not at 143 [or 144], why 143? Probably at 140, that’s the next weight class up from 135, it’s the weight class he fights at. Let’s do 140 and he can rehydrate back up to 150, or the most 152, I’m 135 brother.”

If a Garcia rematch can’t be made, another potential option for Davis is a showdown against Shakur Stevenson, and ‘Tank’ has discussed the prospect of the fight happening.

BOXING

Floyd Mayweather breaks records with most expensive rental of luxury apartment in New York

The multimillionaire former boxer found a passion in real estate

After a long search, Floyd Mayweather Jr found a luxurious apartment in Manhattan. The former world boxing champion already has another passion in real estate investment, and would be paying the figure of $100,000 per month for this residence.

“Money” assures that she moves from place to place for commercial reasons, as most of her money is invested in New York and she needed to settle in those lands

By the way, it is not the first property he has near that county, according to several media reports, Floyd has a huge room in the Baccarat Hotel and Residences.

All the details of the luxury apartment

Apparently, this residence was in the power of Travis Kalanick, former CEO of Uber.

The apartment has a rooftop pool. It is practically a huge 30-story building, it was built in 2016 by the Italian architect, Renzo Piano

It seems that it was quite a challenge for Mayweather to find the perfect place, as he also took a look at a building with furniture at $95,000 per month on Leonard St, Tribeca and a five-bedroom penthouse worth $80,000 per month near the same location, but in the end he decided to go for another option.

Is Floyd returning to boxing in 2025?

On the other hand, it is said that in Saudi Arabia they want to convince “Money” to participate in the Riyadh Season with an exhibition boxing match. According to some reports, his opponent could be Mario Barrios, and the card could have a legends theme and the idea is that it will take place in March 2025

If the money is right, it seems that Floyd Mayweather Jr. would return to the ring with an exhibition, something that happened during 2024 with his fights with John Gotti III.

BOXING

Terence Crawford Summed Up How A Fight Against Floyd Mayweather Would Go In Just 3 Words

Terence Crawford is currently 41 fights undefeated, nine off Floyd Mayweather‘s incredible record of 50-0.

The switch hitter from Omaha, Nebraska is a four-weight world champion with 31 stoppages to his name. He most recently won the WBA World Title in the super-welterweight ranks with a decision win over Israil Madrimov. That was the fourth division in which Crawford has won belts. He has also been undisputed in two – one of only three men to achieve that in the four-belt era.

As Crawford continues to stake his claim as the best of a generation, fans are debating how he fares compared to the all-time greats. One intriguing fantasy match-up is against the last dominant American, Floyd Mayweather.

‘Money’ Mayweather famously retired undefeated in 2017 as one of the most lucrative stars the sport of boxing has ever seen. The defensive master beat the likes of Canelo Alvarez, Manny Pacquiao, Shane Mosley and Oscar De La Hoya. Would Crawford be on that list if the pair had crossed paths?

Asked on the Million Dollaz Worth of Game podcast how he would do against Mayweather, Crawford didn’t hesitate to back himself.

Crawford’s trainer Brian ‘BoMac’ McIntyre shares the same prediction, though he admits he is, like Crawford, biased.

“There are two things. For one, Crawford is like my son, so I’m going to always go with him.

“Terence has that dog in him.”Terence didn’t get to where he is now overnight, it’s taken years and years.

“But, if you put ‘Bud’ in there in his prime with Mayweather in his prime, then of course Mayweather is gonna be the smarter one, but I think ‘Bud’ will have more dog in him.”

Whether or not ‘Bud’ could break the famed defences of Mayweather down will always be resigned to debate. Meanwhile, Crawford chases his own fight with Canelo which would require him to jump up a further two weight classes.

BOXING

[VIDEOS] Oleksandr Usyk: The Ukrainian champion who can hold his breath longer than your average dolphin

The boxing world witnessed something special last Saturday as Oleksandr Usyk faced Tyson Fury in what fans called “the fight of the millennium.”

The 37-year-old Ukrainian didn’t just defend his heavyweight titles – the WBA Super, WBC, WBO, and The Ring – he proved why he’s at the top of the sport.

Their first bout in May ended with Usyk winning by split decision, leaving room for debate. This time was different. After twelve rounds of masterful boxing, all judges agreed: Usyk wasn’t just the winner, he was the better fighter.

JUST IN: WATCH: Mayweather Reacts To Fury’s Second Usyk Loss – ‘Usyk Is Taking Over’

His journey to the top has been a wild ride – full of unlikely twists, perfect timing, and the kind of determination that turns sparring partners into champions.

Before diving into his story, you need to understand something about Usyk – he’s probably the most entertaining champion boxing has seen in years.

“How do you feel?” asked a journalist before a 2015 fight. “I am very feel,” replied Oleksandr Usyk with a grin, creating boxing’s most endearing catchphrase.

Years later, when even Cristiano Ronaldo referenced this moment in conversation with Usyk, the boxer – now much better in English – smiled and repeated his famous phrase. Just for fun. Because that’s who Usyk is.

Usyk wasn’t always the star of the show. He was just a sparring partner on the Ukrainian national team back then. But then fate played its hand—one guy got caught doping, another broke his hand, and suddenly Usyk got his shot.

But here’s the kicker – he was fighting guys 7-8 kilograms heavier because he didn’t have time to bulk up. And he was winning.

This pattern of turning challenges into opportunities would define his career. After a disappointing second-round loss to Italy’s Clemente Russo in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Usyk responded by winning both European and World Championships. The story came full circle at the 2012 London Olympics, where he defeated Russo for the gold medal.

His training methods are kind of insane

Usyk’s approach to training seems designed to redefine what’s possible. While most people struggle to hold their breath for a minute, this man casually goes without air for 4 minutes and 40 seconds—longer than some sea creatures! While larger dolphins like the bottlenose can stay underwater for 8-10 minutes, Usyk’s lung capacity actually surpasses smaller cetaceans like the Maui dolphin, which typically surfaces every 2-3 minutes.

Before fighting Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia, he cycled 100 kilometers in 40-degree Celsius heat. He once swam 10 kilometers over five hours before a London press conference. Because apparently, regular training is too mainstream for Usyk.

If you thought Usyk’s training was unconventional, wait till you see his ring entrances. This guy doesn’t just walk to the ring – he turns every entrance into a performance art piece.

For his first clash with Fury in May 2024, he showed up dressed as a 17th-century Ukrainian Cossack warrior. We’re talking full traditional gear inspired by historical leader Bohdan Khmelnytskyi himself.

But he wasn’t done yet. For their December rematch, Usyk took things to a whole new level. Picture this: he walks out wearing this incredibly detailed Ukrainian outfit while a live choir belts out an ancient Cossack battle hymn mixed with techno beats. His robe was decked out in blue and yellow patterns with a massive Tryzub symbol – Ukraine’s national emblem. Because apparently, regular entrance music is also too mainstream for Usyk.

Here’s something most people don’t know: Usyk nearly went to theater school instead of boxing. Boxing won out, but he never abandoned his artistic ambitions. After starting with a role in a 2017 Ukrainian film, The Fight Rules, and voicing cartoon characters, he’s about to hit Hollywood big time.

In 2025, you’ll see him alongside Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in The Smashing Machine, where he portrays a Ukrainian MMA fighter.

And his first love was actually football

Growing up in Simferopol, now Russian-occupied Crimea, young Usyk dreamed of football glory until financial constraints forced him to quit the sport. But his passion never faded.

Today, he’s not just a fan—he signed a professional contract with a Ukrainian club, FC Polissia Zhytomyr, and made his debut in 2022.

These days, he’s also a businessman

The recent bout with Fury earned Usyk $114 million, but he isn’t just about boxing money. He’s built a business empire that employs a hundred people. He’s got merchandise lines, a promotion company, and even created a social network for boxers to find sparring partners.

You can’t miss Usyk in the ring – his traditional Cossack hairstyle(the mohawk-like “oseledets”) has become his signature.

He’s transformed the Ukrainian warrior tradition into a global brand, introducing millions to Ukrainian culture through both his appearance and his victory Hopak dance – as Ukrainian as borsch.

Beyond the ring, Usyk is a family man – a devoted father of four and a man of deep faith. He’s emerged as one of Ukraine’s most powerful voices on the global stage, especially as his country fights against Russian aggression.

******

Here’s another thing about Usyk – he could have had an easier path. When Russia occupied Crimea in 2014, many athletes from the peninsula faced a choice. Some stayed, some took Russian citizenship, some left. Usyk packed his bags and moved his family to Kyiv.

It wasn’t a comfortable choice. He left behind his home, his training base, and many friends. But when asked about it, Usyk answered in his characteristically straightforward way: “I’m from Crimea. But Crimea is Ukraine.” Simple as that.

Now look at him today – strutting into the ring in wildly creative outfits that always feature Ukrainian elements, from traditional patterns to Cossack symbols. It’s not just for show. Every entrance tells the same story: this is who I am, this is what I choose to be – a Ukrainian athlete bringing his nation’s fighting spirit to the global stage. Very feel, indeed.

BOXING

WATCH: Mayweather Reacts To Fury’s Second Usyk Loss – ‘Usyk Is Taking Over’

Jeff Mayweather says Tyson Fury did not take enough risks, which is why he came up short against Oleksandr Usyk.

Usyk secured another victory against Fury via a unanimous decision to retain his unified heavyweight titles. It was the second defeat of Fury’s career, ending any need for a trilogy fight. Once again, Fury was upset with the result, being adamant that he had done enough to win. Frank Warren also came out to say he could not understand the judging, as all three scorecards were 116-112 in favor of Usyk. However, the boxing statistics showed that the Ukrainian was the better fighter.

Usyk landed 179 punches compared to Fury’s 144. Fury threw more punches at 509 compared to Usyk’s 423. But the Ukrainian was the more accurate fighter. The card also used AI scoring for the first time in boxing’s history. The AI scorecards had it an even wider win for Usyk at 118-112. Mayweather has now given his take on what went wrong. He felt Fury did not take enough chances going into the latter part of the fight, which ultimately proved the difference, as Usyk finished stronger.

READ: VIDEO: ‘Not easy but easier’: Oleksandr Usyk reacts to second win over Tyson Fury

“The fight was extremely close. It could go either way, but I’ll lean a little bit toward Tyson. Every other round, he [Usyk] would do good, but not as much as Tyson did. Usyk is taking over the heavyweights. They’re all getting beat by Usyk. So, probably not. I don’t think anyone wants to see a third fight [between Fury and Usyk]. The first fight to me was very good. The second fight was mediocre. Neither one of them did too much. Basically, I think, both guys were fighting safe, and that’s probably why Tyson didn’t get the fight. He was fighting too safe,” Mayweather said

It is one thing to say that but another thing entirely to execute it. A large part of Fury’s problem was that he could not keep up with Usyk’s constant pressure. The Ukrainian is known for his impeccable footwork, as he continuously put his front foot on the outside, allowing him to get into position to let that left hand go. Fury also came in heavier than the first fight, which may have had an impact later down the stretch. Although it could have helped Fury sit down on his punches, if he attempted to get the knockout, he would ultimately carry more pounds.

There is also a suggestion that Fury did not risk going for the knockout, given what happened in the first fight. He ultimately lost a split decision but was almost stopped in the ninth round, only for the referee to intervene by imposing a standing eight count. If Fury continues boxing, he is likely to face Anthony Joshua. While he was stopped against Daniel Dubois, AJ is known for letting off huge combinations. And if Fury wants to come out victorious in the big fights, he must take more chances.

BOXING

3x Undisputed Boxing Champion Claressa Shields Left Tearful on Christmas Day for a Surprising Reason

Two-division undisputed champion Claressa Shields, who is set to face Danielle Perkins on February 2 in pursuit of becoming undisputed in a third weight class, was moved to tears by the overwhelming support her movie ‘The Fire Inside’ is receiving upon release on Christmas Day. So, the undefeated ‘GOWAT’ of boxing has taken to social media to express her gratitude.

Shields, who proudly refers to herself as a three-division undisputed champion on her X bio, first watched the movie based on her life in January 2024. The film chronicles her inspiring journey from her upbringing in Flint, Michigan, to her rise as a two-time Olympic gold medalist and boxing icon.

The Flint, Michigan native has already declared the movie “very accurate,” having played a hands-off role in the making of the film—reports reveal she had just OK’d the script. Shields also seems to have had lengthy conversations with producer Barry Jenkins to ensure she was fine with sharing intricate and personal details of her life through the movie.

‘T-Rex’ secured gold in the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, which made her the first American boxer, regardless of sex, to win gold in back-to-back Olympic Games. The movie’s main premise explores Shields’ road to London, concluding as she starts training for Rio. Regardless, with the movie ready to hit the theaters tonight—Shields preemptively thanked her fans.

“I’m crying my eyes out,” she wrote on X. “All the support for ‘The Fire Inside’ is so touching! Changing so many hearts & lives! Everyone who got tickets thank you so much. It means the world!” Meanwhile, Claressa Shields has revealed what she wants the movie to do for her fans!

Claressa Shields on Ryan Destiny portraying her in the movie

“I want them to see everything wasn’t easy,” the undefeated boxer said in a conversation with ESPN. “It was hard mentally and physically and emotionally and it took a lot to overcome those things, but I wanted those things to be in there, because I’m not ashamed of them, and I think it’ll help somebody else.”

BOXING

AI Predicts Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua in 2025

If Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua were to fight in 2025, what could we expect? Well, we have taken it upon ourselves to ask ChatGPT to predict the superfight should it take place in the new year. Taking into consideration their strengths and weaknesses, and also analysing what position they will be in in 2025, AI has come out with a winner, so let’s dive in and take a look.

Everyone knows the strengths of Fury. The Gypsy King has incredible agility for a man of his size (6’9″, 270+ lbs), exceptional boxing IQ, and the ability to switch tactics during a fight. With only two defeats on his record, both coming against, arguably, one of the greatest boxers of all time, Tyson poses a threat to boxers like not many can. In comparison to Fury, Joshua is an elite athlete with incredible physical power (6’6″, 240-250 lbs). His fundamentals — jab, straight right hand, and combination punching — are solid, and when he boxes intelligently, he’s hard to beat. His ability to hurt opponents with just one punch is a significant asset.

Weaknesses

Despite their glaring strengths, both fighters have weaknesses that can be exposed. Despite his size and agility, Fury’s occasional lapses in focus, especially in earlier rounds, have been seen. His stamina and ability to stay focused over 12 rounds have also been questioned, especially in tough, gruelling fights. Joshua, meanwhile, has shown some vulnerability to pressure fighters who can push him into uncomfortable situations, like Andy Ruiz Jr and Oleksandr Usyk. He’s been criticised for lacking the aggressive, relentless streak that would enable him to break down a champion like Fury. He also struggles under sustained pressure, especially if he’s rocked or hurt early in a fight.

State of Fighters in 2025

Depending on when the two meet inside the ring, Fury could be 37 and Joshua could be 36. The former has been one of the most active top-tier heavyweights, but there will be questions about his longevity. He may have slowed down slightly in terms of reflexes, but his experience and ring generalship will still be formidable. Assuming he’s still at the top of his game, he could enter the fight as the favourite due to his ability to box at long range, avoid damage, and adapt in real time. If AJ has successfully rebuilt himself after his loss to Daniel Dubois and improved his mental game and tactical discipline, he could come in sharper and more confident than in previous years. His form will depend heavily on his ability to regain his composure and mindset after the setbacks he’s faced.