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More than a decade ago, at the emblematic MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, one of the most memorable fights between Floyd Mayweather and Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez took place.

On that occasion, the former American boxer emerged victorious against the Mexican fighter without too much difficulty.

Recently, Mayweather has shared little-known details of that fight, which still resonates in the minds of fans of the sport. The former world champion’s revelations have shed new light on that historic confrontation between two boxing titans.

In an interview with Fight Hype, Mayweather made it clear that it was Canelo, who at the time was 23 years old, who requested that the fight be held at an agreed-upon weight of 152 pounds.

“Let’s be clear that I didn’t choose the agreed weight, it was Canelo who asked for it,” Mayweather stated.

Floyd Mayweather-Canelo Alvarez top grossing PPV fight - ESPN

I never asked Canelo for a bantamweight. I remember someone on Canelo’s team gave an interview where they said they were willing to fight Floyd at a bantamweight, so my team took them at their word and asked them what weight they wanted to fight at and they chose the weight,” added the former American boxer.

Mayweather never had problems with the weight

During the same conversation, the Atlanta ’96 Olympic medalist, who finished his career undefeated, reiterated that he never had any problems with the weight in which he fought the Guadalajara superstar, with Canelo having lost his super welterweight titles in that fight.

“For me, the weight was not a problem; I would have fought anyway, even if we had agreed on 154 pounds instead of 152,” Mayweather recalled.

READ MORE ;Devin Haney takes break from attacking Ryan Garcia to call out hater Floyd Mayweather

It is important to remember that both Floyd Mayweather and Dmitry Bivol are the only fighters who have managed to defeat Canelo Alvarez to dateAlvarez is scheduled to return to the ring next May in Las Vegas, although the name of his next opponent in ‘Sin City’ is still unknown.

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic this week makes his return to the BNP Paribas Open, where the 36-year-old is competing for the first time since 2019.

Should Djokovic collect a record-extending 41st ATP Masters 1000 trophy this fortnight, it would mark his sixth Indian Wells crown, breaking his tie with rival Roger Federer for most titles in the California desert. Djokovic triumphed in Indian Wells in 2008, 2011, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

After not playing in Indian Wells or Miami last year, the Serbian is defending zero points this month, meaning he could also strengthen his claim on World No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings. Carlos Alcaraz will drop champion’s points in Indian Wells while Jannik Sinner, No. 2 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, defends 960 points throughout the Sunshine Double.

The top seed Djokovic will play his first match since his Australian Open semi-final defeat to Sinner against a qualifier or World No. 69 Australian Aleksandar Vukic.

Australian Open 2024: Djokovic Defeats Etcheverry To Ease Into fourth Round

Just two titles shy of 100 tour-level trophies, Djokovic is seeded to meet either American Tommy Paul or newly minted ATP 500 Dubai champion Ugo Humbert in the fourth round before a potential quarter-final with Casper Ruud or Hubert Hurkacz.

READ MORE ;Carlos Alcaraz to MARCA: I cried after losing to Novak Djokovic at the ATP Finals in Turin

Djokovic also has the opportunity in Indian Wells to become just the third man in history to reach 1,100 tour-level wins. He begins the week on 1,094 victories, trailing only Jimmy Connors (1,274) and Roger Federer (1,251) on the all-time leaderboard. Assuming that he does not receive a walkover this fortnight, with six wins to take the title Djokovic would hit the 1,100-wins milestone, according to Infosys ATP Stats.

Tiger Woods was back out on the golf course on Monday after the 82-time PGA Tour winner competed in the Pro-Member event at Seminole Golf Club in Juno Beach, Florida

Rory McIlroy earned the bragging rights over his close friend and business partner Tiger Woods, as the pair competed in the Seminole Pro-Member in Florida on Monday.

The Pro-Am event included a whole host of names from the world of golf and business, while seven-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady took headline billing alongside Woods and McIlroy. Woods was partnered up with PGA of America CEO, Seth Waugh whilst McIlroy had the chance to play alongside his father, Gerry.

And whilst neither pair were able to win the event outright, the McIlroy duo were able to get the better of Woods and Waugh, finishing a single shot ahead of the all-American pair in the net (after handicaps) leaderboard in a tie for 22nd.

Overall, Erik Van Rooyen and John Pinkman claimed the title on the net side of the event, whilst Mackenzie Hughes and Frank Edwards carded the best gross score. For Woods however it would no doubt have been nice to get back out on the golf course following yet another set back last month.

Here's what Tiger Woods told Rory McIlroy in fascinating hot-mic chat

The 15-time major champion made his first PGA Tour start of the year at the Genesis Invitational, but has often been the case in recent years, his tournament was cut short. Woods was forced to withdraw from the second round in Los Angeles in February, but this time it centred around illness rather than injury.

READ MORE ;Tiger Woods named recipient of Bob Jones Award by USGA and to have ceremony ahead of US Open

With Woods seemingly comfortable with the ankle injury that had kept him out for almost eight months in 2023, he was then taken ill with influenza and forced to pull out just six holes into day two. The tournament host was seen being taken from course to the clubhouse in a golf cart, and appeared visibly unwell.An ambulance arrived on the scene in the aftermath of the withdrawal, but Woods left some time after by car. Woods then took to social media to provide an update on his health to fans, with those watching on once again fearing the worst over his PGA Tour future.”I would like to confirm that I had to withdraw from the Genesis Invitational due to illness, which we now know is influenza,” he tweeted. ‘I am resting and feeling better. Good luck to the players this weekend. I’m disappointed to not be there and want to thank Genesis and all the fans for the support.”

BMW Championship — Anything Woods Can Do, McIlroy Can Do Better - The New  York TimesWoods had previously announced that he planned to play in one PGA Tour event a month starting in February. It is expected that March’s chosen tournament will come at next week’s Players Championship, whilst he will no doubt be targeting the Masters at Augusta National in April. It remains unknown as to whether his illness will impact his upcoming plans.

 

Francis Ngannou’s trainer Dewey Cooper has tipped his fighter to claim victory over Anthony Joshua on Friday night and go on to become the heavyweight champion of the world. The former UFC champion nearly clinched a shock win over Tyson Fury on his professional boxing debut and takes on Joshua next, with the winner likely to be among the contenders for the next title shot.

Francis Ngannou’s trainer Dewey Cooper has fired a warning to Anthony Joshua ahead of their highly anticipated heavyweight boxing clash on Friday night in Saudi Arabia.
Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion, nearly caused a seismic upset against Tyson Fury on his professional boxing debut, flooring ‘The Gypsy King’ in the third round before losing via split decision.
Next up for the Cameroonian is a showdown with Joshua, who is coming off the back of three successive victories as he plots a route back to the title.
But Cooper is confident Ngannou is going to thwart the Brit’s hopes and once again defy the odds.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Cooper said: “Can he go one better? Absolutely. That’s the goal and that’s the plan.
“In the Tyson Fury fight, we told you guys he was going to at least drop him once, that he could win the fight. We mean our words; this is not poetry, not fantasy.
“I know Joshua is your guy, you’re supposed to support him, but just know what he’s up against. He is up against a man who has proven life wrong from childhood all the way up.”
In the UFC, Ngannou was renowned for his devastating power, earning knockout victories in 10 of his 12 wins in the promotion.
It seemed to translate immediately when he swapped the octagon for the boxing ring as he sent Fury to the canvas, but Cooper says it’s not the only weapon in his arsenal.
“He has gargantuan power. It’s natural, in both fists. If he lands clean, bad things are going to happen for Joshua,” Cooper added.
“His precision is on point, his mentality is on point. It’s going to be one heck of a fight.
“We’re going to gain more from that first outing than anyone’s expectations could be. He’s going to be a much better, much more improved fighter than in his first outing against Tyson Fury.
Francis Ngannou Rules Out Fighting Anthony Joshua Next And Makes It Clear  Who He Wants
“Beware and be worried if you’re a Joshua fan.”
Such is the confidence of the Ngannou team, they are already targeting the winner of the unification bout between Fury and Oleksandr Usyk on May 18, live on TNT Sports Box Office.
“He wins [Friday], the goal will be to become unified world boxing champion – and that will be a great thing,” Cooper continued.
“An ex-UFC world champion to unified boxing world champion in three fights… scary!
TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.

Francis Ngannou takes on Anthony Joshua in Riyadh, marking a significant moment in his boxing career. A testament to Ngannou’s ambition and versatility.

Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is set to face former unified boxing champion Anthony Joshua in a highly anticipated 10-round bout in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This match not only marks Ngannou’s significant move within the boxing world but also positions him as a formidable contender in the heavyweight division, offering a potential pathway to a shot at the undisputed title. Ngannou’s previous encounter with Tyson Fury showcased his knockout capabilities, despite a split decision loss, suggesting that Joshua faces a genuine threat in the ring.

From UFC Champion to Boxing Contender

Ngannou’s transition from the Octagon to the boxing ring is a testament to his unwavering dedication to combat sports. After leaving the UFC at the peak of his career, Ngannou expressed his lifelong passion for boxing and his intention to continue competing in both boxing and MMA. This dedication underscores his versatility as a fighter and his desire to establish a legacy across multiple combat sports platforms. Ngannou’s performance against Fury, coupled with his powerful striking ability, has already made waves in the boxing community, setting the stage for an explosive clash with Joshua.

Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou: How to live stream and watch the fight  in the UK | Goal.com UK

The Road to Riyadh

The upcoming bout between Ngannou and Joshua is not just a fight; it’s a culmination of Ngannou’s extraordinary journey from the sand quarries of Cameroon to the global stage of professional boxing. With a reputation for devastating first-round knockouts in the UFC, Ngannou brings a unique threat to the boxing ring – one that Joshua cannot afford to underestimate. Their fight in Riyadh is poised to be more than a sporting event; it’s a narrative of perseverance, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of greatness.

An Unprecedented Sporting Spectacle

As fight night approaches, the sports world watches with bated breath. Ngannou’s bout against Joshua represents a pivotal moment in his boxing career and a significant milestone in the world of combat sports. While Joshua is a seasoned boxer with a proven track record, Ngannou’s unpredictable power and resilience make him a wildcard. This fight not only offers Ngannou a chance to solidify his place in boxing history but also an opportunity to inspire millions with his remarkable story of triumph over adversity.

Anthony Joshua To Fight Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia

As Francis Ngannou steps into the ring against Anthony Joshua, it’s clear that this is more than just a fight; it’s a manifestation of Ngannou’s unwavering spirit and determination. Win or lose, Ngannou’s journey from the streets of Cameroon to the pinnacle of combat sports is a testament to the power of dreams and the unyielding pursuit of one’s passions. As fans around the world tune in to witness this historic clash, one thing is certain: Francis Ngannou’s legacy extends far beyond the confines of any ring.

Jarrell Miller’s career can still be rebuilt, according to his promoter Dmitriy Salita.

The disgraced heavyweight lost his undefeated record in December when he was stopped by Daniel Dubois in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on the same evening on which Otto Wallin, Salita’s other leading heavyweight, fought Anthony Joshua and was also stopped.

Miller, 35 and from New York, served three drug bans before he was presented with the biggest opportunity of his career since 2019 — the world heavyweight title fight with Joshua that didn’t happen because he tested positive for GW501516, a metabolic performance enhancer.

Before being installed as Dubois’ opponent he fought, in a largely overlooked occasion, Lucas Browne, but Dubois’ profile is such that during fight week there were vulgar suggestions that Miller and Joshua ought to still fight.

That Miller not only lost but was stopped by a fighter whose reputation had also suffered in defeat by Oleksandr Usyk made his options even more limited. Boxing is far from a sport that consistently punishes those for brushes with the law but a month later Miller was arrested in Florida for allegedly body slamming the employee of a car dealership, potentially leaving him even more stranded than he was before.

Deontay Wilder and Jarrell Miller get into heated on-air exchange - Bad  Left Hook

“It is,” Salita responded when it was put to him that it is a long road back Miller is faced with. “It was a fight for him to win, and he didn’t really show up and do what we felt he could. It’s to Daniel Dubois’ credit, and [Dubois’ trainer] Don Charles — they fought an incredible fight.

“When I thought Daniel Dubois would break he didn’t break. When the going got tough he got going — so, much credit to him for being in incredible condition. Jarrell put a lot of pressure on him; was 100lbs heavier than him. That’s a lot to deal with. He did a great job.

“Jarrell is fighting his way back into shape. If he can maintain peace outside of the ring and stay focused, with a win or two he can get a shot at one of the big guys again.”

READ MORE ;“He’s a Real One”: Deontay Wilder’s Inspiring Message on His “Character” Earns Him Respect From Fans

When asked about potential opponents Salita mentioned Deontay Wilder, who also lost on the same night as Miller and Wallin — against Joseph Parker, jeopardising plans for Wilder to fight Joshua.

“[Miller would] like to be able to come back in May or June,” the promoter continued. “There was some conversation about him fighting on the March 8 [Joshuna-Ngannou] show, but what happened, happened. He couldn’t travel, and he had to recover from the fight with Daniel Dubois.

Deontay Wilder and Jarrell Miller turned down heavyweight contender says  British trainer | DAZN News US

“So yeah, May, June — the heavyweight division is competitive because everybody is fighting everybody. Which is great. Jarrell and Deontay Wilder may be an interesting fight — they’re coming off sub-par performances. So I do think that there’s big fights out there for Jarrell. He only has one loss in the ring, so he definitely deserves another shot. Daniel Dubois, on paper and in the ring, is the best fighter that he’s fought.

UPDATE NEWS ;Tyson Fury vs. Deontay Wilder II: The Night Fury Returned to the Top

“My hope is that he learns from the experience, gets better, and comes back and gives it another shot. At the end of the day, it’s up to Jarrell. He has talent; he has personality. He’s getting opportunities, so it’s up to Jarrell to put his best foot forward to be the best he can be.”

Terence Crawford landed in Puerto Rico for the Amanda SerranoNina Meinke fight. However, the fight got canceled due to Serrano’s injury, but still, it turned out to be a decent event overall. Crawford made his presence known to the world when he entered the venue. However, that wasn’t the sole purpose of his arrival in Puerto Rico.

After attending the fight in San Juan on Saturday, the next day he flew out to Bayamón. Why? Well, it was to receive an honor from the World Boxing Organization. Even though Crawford doesn’t have any fight lined up as such, he’s still managed to stay relevant and is considered a top-notch modern-day boxer.

Terence Crawford says he “deserved” to receive the great honor

On Sunday, the WBO organized an event in Bayamón, Puerto Rico at the Monterrey Boxing Academy. This is where they celebrated to acknowledge the might of Boxing Pound x Pound fighter Terence Crawford. So, it was specially conducted to honor ‘Bud’ and present him with the ‘Ring of Power’.

Terence Crawford absolutely dominates toward ninth-round TKO of Errol  Spence to become undisputed welterweight champion | DAZN News US

In the event, Terence Crawford met with the locals of the city and flaunted his prize to the camera as well. There are a lot of great pictures from that day, posted on WBO’s official X account. Furthermore, Crawford also shared the news on his Instagram story, and regarding the prize, he wrote, “Going for everything deserved.

READ MORE ;Terence Crawford gives big update on whether he fight Canelo Alvarez

As of now, Crawford doesn’t have a finalized opponent for his next fight. He last fought against Errol Spence Jr. back in July 2023. So, it’s been seven months since he’s stepped inside the ring, however, there are many options available for the unified welterweight champion. The WBO President himself shared his vision for Bud’s future.

When is Crawford fighting next?

While fans gear up for the upcoming clash between WBO light middleweight champion Tim Tszyu and veteran Keith Thurman, whispers of a future welterweight showdown are swirling. The WBO President Francisco ‘Paco’ Valcarcel dropped a not-so-subtle hint during a press conference.

Crawford fight history: Who has he fought, who has he defeated ahead of  Errol Spence Jr. fight? - DraftKings Network

Terence Crawford might be back in the ring soon. It also brings a new spin to the Tszyu-Thurman fight. Even Tszyu seemed excited about his potential bout against Crawford if he wins against Thurman on March 30. Anyway, Paco remained a bit vague during his interview with FightHype, he said, “I don’t know what we happen but but but we’ll be soon.” 

JUST IN ;TERENCE CRAWFORD GIFTS LOGO PENDANTS TO TEAM  As Thank You For Hard Work

He refrained from revealing anything about the possible prospects for Crawford but still gave a few important hints. Meanwhile, Crawford stated, “We’ve got a few guys on the roster for my next fight – Tszyu/Thurman is one of them.

Simone Biles is modeling workout gear. In a new social media post, the gymnast shows off her amazing body while modeling her favorite Athleta pieces. She shared the Instagram video during her luxurious getaway to Hawaii with husband Jonathan Owens. How does the athlete maintain her amazing body? Here is everything you need to know about her lifestyle habits, including her approach to mental and physical health.

“I’ve always been in therapy [and] I’ve always been an advocate for medicine,” Biles told Vanity Fair. “If you need an inhaler, take it. If you have anxiety, take it. I’m no stranger to medicine.” Years ago Biles was prescribed Lexapro for anxiety, and she continues to take the medication today.

Simone fills her plate with lean protein and lots of fiber. For breakfast she has Kellogg’s Red Berries or egg whites. Lunch, “is either chicken or fish so I get the protein,” she told Women’s Health. Next up, a “quick snack” before another workout. “Pre-workout I love drinking Core Power; it’s a recovery drink. And then a banana and peanut butter because bananas have potassium, which helps with muscle cramps.” “And then,” for dinner, “I like having a good fish, like salmon, and rice and carrots.”

Simone Biles dazzles in her return to easily claim the U.S. Classic

“We swam twice a week—almost a mile! I swore I was going to drown, it was so hard, and then we would run. And the year before that we would bike 10 miles outside once a week. If we didn’t bike, we would run a mile before practice, and as soon as we finished the mile we’d have to go inside and do a beam routine. My legs were absolute jello. But it got easier because the cross-training helped. This year we haven’t done [cross-training] because we’re just calming it down,” she told Women’s Health about what her exercise session consists of.

READ MORE ;Absent From Gymnastics World, Simone Biles Punches Debut Ticket for American Dream

Simone also spends hours in the gym daily. “I like doing legs because those exercises come pretty easily to me. I have good, powerful legs, so I can do conditioning and they won’t be too sore. But stomach conditioning, I don’t like it at all! It’s my least favorite. I like laughing better for an ab workout than actually doing abs!” she told Women’s Health.

Watch Simone Biles' Gravity-Defying Floor Routine from Olympic Trials

Simone understands the importance of stretching. “We have a routine that includes running and then a stretch for every part of our body. So we’ll stretch before practice, but especially afterwards, because then you’re tense and you need to stretch those muscles down. It’s very important to keep your body flexible so that you don’t get injured,” she told Women’s Health. “My favorite stretch is splits because not a lot of people can do them. And over-splits is when you put your leg up on a mat so it’s higher—and it just looks cooler!” “Stretching keeps the muscles flexible, strong, and healthy, and we need that flexibility to maintain a range of motion in the joints,” says Harvard Health. “Without it, the muscles shorten and become tight. Then, when you call on the muscles for activity, they are weak and unable to extend all the way. That puts you at risk for joint pain, strains, and muscle damage.”

Claressa Shields is in terrific shape ahead of her MMA comeback.

The undefeated three-weight boxing world champion hasn’t fought in her second sport since suffering a split decision defeat against Abigail Montes in October 2021.

Shields will look to improve her MMA record to 2-1 when she squares off against fellow novice Kelsey DeSantis on the PFL vs Bellator: CHAMPIONS card in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night.

It’ll be her first fight of any kind since outboxing Maricela Cornejo to retain her WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, and WBF middleweight boxing belts in June 2023.

Since then, Shields has battled with a mental health issue that led to her gaining a lot of weight before she got back in the gym and completed an incredible body transformation.

Earlier this month, the 28-year-old shared a before and after picture that showed how far she’s come since deciding to fight back against depression.

“I did go through a rough time, and it did make me gain a whole lot of weight,” Shields told talkSPORT.com. “I was just not motivated, and kind of discouraged.

Shields to fight Cornejo after Gabriels's removal

“When I started back training, I did just decide to not let depression win and just to keep working. I really wasn’t going to let anyone know about it, but it was something that was on my heart to put out there.”

Shields, who is aptly nicknamed ‘The Greatest Woman of All Time’, revealed her unhappiness wasn’t to do with fighting, and was exacerbated by personal issues.

She added: “It wasn’t nothing involving boxing why I was down.

READ MORE ;Same thing Super Bowl weekend Cris Cyborg hits out at PFL for using her name to build Claressa Shields

“Real-life stuff happened that I can’t really go into detail about. People have family problems, relationship problems, and problems with yourself that you can’t really figure out.

“At the end of the day, I feel like I conquered it. I’ve only had to deal with depression a few times in my life, and it always feels different every time it creeps back on you.

“It’s all about if you’re going to let depression win or not, and I decided to win like I do everything else.”

Boxing Champion Claressa Shields To Make MMA Return In 2024, Signs New  Multi-Year PFL Deal - MMA News | UFC News, Results & Interviews

Shields will carry her fighting spirit into the cage this weekend.

The Flint, Michigan native has set herself the lofty goal of becoming the first person to hold world titles in boxing and MMA simultaneously, and her journey starts against DeSantis.

RELATED NEWS ;Claressa Shields Threatens Cris Cyborg With Potential Lawsuit for Her Recent Remarks: “You Better Stop Lying”

If it doesn’t come off it won’t be for a lack of trying. Shields is certainly putting the work in, and her body transformation shows that.

Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis and Frank Martin are set to collide for the WBA lightweight title this summer, and now the potential date of the fight has been revealed.

Davis is coming off an emphatic seventh-round stoppage over social media sensation Ryan Garcia –who himself is now training for his shot at the WBC world super lightweight title against Devin Haney on April 20.

Since that destructive performance in April last year, Davis has been linked with several names in other divisions, including Conor Benn, but has turned his attention to face Martin.

Martin shone in a scintillating performance against Michel Rivera back in 2022 when the American slickster showcased his refined skills, headlining his biggest show at the Chelsea Ballroom in Las Vegas.

In April last year, the 29-year-old returned to Sin City where he took on undefeated German Artem Harutyunyan coming away with a unanimous decision victory.

Gervonta Davis vs. Frank Martin: When is Gervonta Davis vs. Frank Martin?  All known details for the return of 'Tank'

Esteemed coach Derrick James trains Martin, and he anticipates the Davis vs. Martin showdown will land on June 15, according to Boxing Scene.

It means that in the upcoming weeks and months, James will have his hands completely full, with Martin and also Garcia, another fighter trained by James, dialled in on the daunting tasks ahead of them.

READ MORE ;Gervonta Davis Reacts as Errol Spence Jr. Sides With Frank Martin Amid Potential Fight Rumors

The American coach looks to get back to winning ways, with his fighters Errol Spence Jr and Jermell Charlo both losing to pound-for-pound elites last year, with Spence beaten by Terence Crawford, and Charlo losing to Canelo Alvarez.