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BOXING

Claressa Shields wins first female MMA bout in Saudi Arabia as she triumphs on return to octagon

By Lauren February 25, 2024

Claressa Shields beats Kelsey DeSantis via split decision on her return to MMA for the first time since 2021; Shields is a three-weight world boxing champion; American says Savannah Marshall would get “torched” if the two fought in the octagon; Shields beat Marshall in boxing ring in 2022

A tearful Claressa Shields secured a historic victory as she won the first women’s MMA bout to be held in Saudi Arabia on her return to the octagon for the first time since 2021.

RELATED ;Claressa Shields lists one unusual sport she thinks she’d beat Savannah Marshall at

The American recently told Sky Sports she would “torch” Britain’s Savannah Marshall if they ever fought in MMA, with Marshall set to make her first appearance in the octagon this summer.

Shields added in her Sky Sports interview: “Savannah needs to understand – and the sooner she understands the better – you can’t beat me in nothing. The sooner she understands that the better we’ll all be. Just give it up.

“We can fight boxing, I’m going to win. We can fight MMA, I’m going to win. We can streetfight, I’m going to win. It doesn’t matter. We can play ping pong, I’m going to win.

UPDATE ;Claressa Shields hits back at Savannah Marshall: ‘You can’t beat me in anything!’

“I’m just better than her at everything. She needs to understand that and I’m going to make sure whatever she wants to challenge me in, I’m better.”

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BOXING

Tyson Fury’s stance on withdrawing from Oleksandr Usyk fight revealed after Anthony Joshua offer

By Lauren February 25, 2024

Tyson Fury won’t be withdrawing from his fight with Oleksandr Usyk, his father has claimed.

And that’s a blow for Anthony Joshua, with the Briton’s promoter Eddie Hearn recently admitting he was prepared to step in should the showdown suffer any further setbacks.

Fury and Usyk had been due to meet in the ring earlier this month, only for a gruesome eye injury sustained by the 35-year-old to push the fight back to May instead.

Hearn recently revealed Joshua was ready to step in in the event of another postponement.

UPDATE ;Anthony Joshua Changes Tune 2 Weeks Before Heavyweight Fight With Francis Ngannou

The likes of Carl Froch, Joe Egan and Chase Demoor have all revealed they’d fancy their chances of facing the 59-year-old.

But John isn’t interested and believes the trio are mentioning his name, as well as Tyson’s, with their own agendas in mind.

“A lot of people have been talking, shouting, screaming, but yet there’s no genuine, written offers have come to my address or to my people,” he said.

“So, listen, they can all shout, they can all scream, but actions speak louder than words. Put the money across, it’s a business and let’s get on with it.

“But they don’t seem to want to do that. They seem to just want to shout and scream, calling me out, trying to embarrass me, which they can’t do.

“They could never embarrass a man like me, because I’ve been through too much.

JUST IN ;Tyson Fury vs Oleksand Usyk: Who wins? Will Anthony Joshua be champ again? Delicious Orie heavyweight predictions

“To clarify, there have been no written offers, it’s just talk, it’s just nothing, idle chat.”

He added: “It’s nothing new and it’s a good point – that’s what they do.

“They think by mentioning me and people paying them a few hundred quid to run a podcast to run me down, ‘Oh, I want to fight John Fury’, ‘I think this, I think that’, you know what, thinking has caused people a lot of problems in life.

“Thinking and doing are two different things and people don’t seem to understand that today do they?

“But you know what, all those people who think they’re hard men, all of them calling me out hear this…

“The way they’ve gone about it is unprofessional, so therefore it’s caused me to have an instant dislike for these people. Therefore, why would I want to make them any money?

“What they can do, I’ve got a nice barn at the side of me, all of them that think that I’m bothered about fighting, come down.

“Me and him will walk in the barn and the best man will come out, just me and him.

RELATED ;Francis Ngannou announces next fight weeks before Anthony Joshua showdown

“We’ll shut the door, we’ll lock ourselves in and the best man will come out of the barn.

“There’s no money, there’s no fame, there’s nothing but a good hiding for them kinds of people.

“That’s if they think they can take me, and I’m telling you they can’t.”

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BOXING

10 Mythical Floyd Mayweather Jr. Fights That Would Rewrite Boxing History

By Lauren February 25, 2024

For one to bestow lofty praise such as being “The Best Ever” upon themselves, their greatness should be beyond reproach, which many can agree is certainly the case for Floyd Mayweather Jr. A native of Grand Rapids, MI., Mayweather Jr. was surrounded by boxing since birth, as his father, Floyd Mayweather Sr., was a welterweight contender who famously faced off against Sugar Ray Leonard. His uncle, Roger “Black Mamba” Mayweather, also held championship titles at the super featherweight, light welterweight, and welterweight.

UPDATE ;Floyd Mayweather criticises longtime rival and brands rival as easy

Beginning his own career in the featherweight division, it would be interesting to see how Mayweather Jr.’s more pressing course of attack in his younger years would fare against Pep’s crafty counters.

Half a century before Mayweather Jr.’s lifestyle captivated fans and ruffled pundits, Sugar Ray Robinson penned his own passages in the playbook of living large and publicly enjoying the fruits of his labor. Considered the best pound for pound boxer to ever live, Robinson was the first fighter to win a title in a singular weight-class five times and was known for his mastery of the sweet science, hence his nickname.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. Has Agreed to 2023 Exhibition Boxing Match, José Aldo Says | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors | Bleacher Report

Touting himself as The Best Ever and having collected hardware in multiple divisions himself, a faceoff against Mayweather Jr. and Robinson would be a fight fans dream of, not to mention a determining factor in the all-time rankings.

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BOXING

MMA star Claressa Shields’ next big fight is a first for women in Saudi Arabia

By Lauren February 24, 2024

Claressa Shields is, without a doubt, the best women’s boxer in the world. The two-time Olympic gold medalist was the first undisputed champion in two different divisions — light middleweight and middleweight — in an era with four belts to win. At 14-0 as a professional and atop all pound-for-pound lists, she can continue doing what she’s doing and cruise into the Boxing Hall of Fame.

But that’s simply not Shields’ style.

RELATED ;Savannah Marshall could fight Claressa Shields again but this time in mixed martial arts

Saudi Arabia has long been criticized by international human rights groups for its record on women’s rights, even amid some loosening of social restrictions. Women could not vote or run for office until 2015. They began driving legally in 2018. Women, unlike men, still must have the consent of a male legal guardian to get married.

In terms of sports, women first represented Saudi Arabia in the Olympics in 2012, when judoist Wojdan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shahrkhani and runner Sarah Attar competed in London. Women were not welcomed as spectators at sporting events in the kingdom until 2018, which led to an explosion in attendance, according to the Saudi Ministry of Sport.

Saudi Arabia has used major events in part to help its reputation on the world stage. In combat sports, Saudi Arabia has in recent years rivaled cities like Las Vegas and London in hosting major fights.

Anthony Joshua vs. Andy Ruiz 2, dubbed the “Clash on the Dunes,” took place in 2019 at Diriyah Arena in Diriyah. Jake Paul vs. Tommy Fury topped a card at the same arena in 2023. Tyson Fury fought Francis Ngannou last October at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, the same location for a March 8 megafight between Ngannou and Joshua. The UFC will hold the promotion’s first event in the county in March.

Minky Worden, director of global initiatives for Human Rights Watch, said the high profile events were notable but not a sign of significant progress for women at large in Saudi Arabia.

“They do two things. They distract from the repression in the country, and they’re a little surprising that you’d have women fighting in a kind of glitzy event,” Worden said. “But they’re also one off events. So it’s not something that’s likely to lead to structural change in the country where there will be lots of women and girls able to participate in MMA.”

Claressa Shields inks multi-year deal with PFL, targets 2024 MMA return – Fighters Only

Donn Davis, chairman of the PFL, said that the promotion signed its first woman from Saudi Arabia, the first for a major MMA company, when Hattan Alsaif agreed to a multi-fight deal in January. Alsaif, 22, was a gold medal winner at the 2023 International Federation of Muay Thai Associations World Championships.

“We’ve developed her over the last 18 months,” Davis said. “She’s come out of their academy. So they are eagerly and actively developing women athletes from A to Z of all sports.”

UPDATE ;Claressa Shields hits back at Savannah Marshall: ‘You can’t beat me in anything!’

Worden called the signing “very positive” but only because Saudi women have not always had full access to sports. “It’s from a very low bar, and it’s certainly the case that the millions of women and girls should never have been denied the right to play sports,” she said. “It’s also a positive development if they’re able to do that because sports gives you access to education, access to health, and access to a bright economic future.”

Shields’ journey to this point has been anything but typical. She has long been one of the most feared and technical strikers when on her feet, but has far less experience grappling on the mat. It’s why you rarely see boxers make the transition — once the fight hits the ground, more experienced and skilled jiu-jitsu practitioners often find a way to submit you.

I'm the greatest female boxer of all time... but now I want to be a world champion in a different sport | The Sun

Shields, who trains with Murcielago MMA in Lansing, Mich., said she had to “force myself to be uncomfortable for months” while learning how to grapple. Many times she lost breath while being choked out on the mat and questioned why she made the leap to begin with.

“I have days at the gym where I tell myself, ‘I don’t know why I do this,’” she said. “I don’t know why I’m doing MMA. I get paid more in boxing. I’m respected more in boxing. Boxing is easier. Why am I here?”

But she comes back willing to learn. Nowadays, she said, she’s more comfortable and confident. Each training session helps her confidence that if she is, indeed, taken to the mat against DeSantis — a purple belt in jiu-jitsu and former U.S. Marine Corps member — she’ll be ready.

A win on Saturday would be Shields’ third in as many professional MMA fights and get her closer to her goal of fighting for a PFL belt. She said after this weekend’s bout, she plans on boxing two times in a row and then closing the year with another MMA fight. Shields’ goal is to be champion in both sports to ensure her the title of the greatest woman of all time in combat sports, a moniker (“GWOAT”) that she has often used for herself in boxing.

“Whether that’s a year from now or two or three years from now, I want to still be reigning in boxing and then fight for the PFL championship and win,” Shields said. “To hold both of those titles at the same time, to me that would be the biggest thing I could do in combat sports.”

But she thinks her bout is significant no matter the outcome.

JUST IN ;Benzino Breaks Down in Tears Over Eminem Beef, Claressa Shields Gives Harsh Response

“I feel like adding sports will bring more value to their culture and to their women,” Shields said. “It will make them feel important and make them feel like their life has a purpose through sports. That’s what I’m hoping that they can see with me.”

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BOXING

Terence Crawford Gives Reality Check to Haters Calling Him Out for His Recent Fashion Choice

By Lauren February 24, 2024

The boxing world has its fair share of fashion icons. Speak of Floyd Mayweather, Mike Tyson, and Ryan Garcia. Now, joining this varied list is another bonafide fighter of this generation, Terence Crawford.

This time around, the 2-time undisputed champion, ‘Bud’ Crawford, has hit virality for reasons that have nothing to do with his impeccable boxing skills. A few days ago, he posted a fit-check on his Instagram stories that left fans divided. While some agreed that the outfit had nailed the “slayed” look, others felt it was out of place. In response to the latter set of fans, he clapped back.

RELATED ;Teofimo Lopez Sr. Warns Terence Crawford Will Get Destroyed, Career Will Be Over In Potential Fight

On Instagram, ‘Diamond K’ Williams, CEO of a media company reposted an image, the 36-year-old champion had previously storied on his Instagram. In the screengrab, the Nebraska-based fighter can be seen wearing a red and white, varsity jacket, the length of which resembles that of a trench coat. Along with the atypical jacket, Crawford wore loose-fitted skinny pants and black boots, striking a pose with hands in his much-discussed jacket’s pockets.

In today’s era, fashion has become an area where dominant narratives are being flipped to suit personal choices. While Crawford’s outfit could be part of this culture, some fans have not been very accepting of that. However, he’s not one to shy away from taking down his critics.

JUST IN ;Manny Pacquiao Ready ‘in 8 Weeks’ For the Terence Crawford ‘Fight of The Century’

Do you think his response would have shut his critics down? The world might not agree with his fashion choices, but Terence Crawford is not one to self-deter because of his critics. Like in the ring, he walks the path of fashion, unabashedly.

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BOXING

Gervonta Davis leaks email showing exact amount Eddie Hearn offered him for Conor Benn fight

By Lauren February 24, 2024

Gervonta Davis has now taken to social media and shown exactly how much money Eddie Hearn offered him to fight Conor Benn next.

Earlier this month, the two boxers welcomed a transatlantic showdown as they exchanged trash talk online.

This resulted in Benn’s promoter Hearn sending an official offer to one of Tank’s representatives.

However, a fight between them has not materialised and Hearn said he was told the offer was ‘insulting’.

UPDATE ;Gervonta Davis vs Frank Martin to reportedly headline PBC PPV

However, there are few fights out there for Davis that will prove as lucrative as the Garcia showdown was, and he will certainly be taking a pay cut when he faces Martin.

Benn reacted to Davis leaking the offer by tweeting: “Clearly Gerv-umpalumpa doesn’t know what upside means. Stick to fighting women. All talk, no smoke @Gervontaa.”

Davis replied: “U will beat the dog s*** outta you, we all know this! I was just trying to be good for the sport and beat ya ass in ya home town but the spoon fed white boy keep trying to cheat me outta my f***ing money bitch.”

JUST IN ;WHY ;Gervonta Davis Did Not Accept Conor Benn Fight Offer, Eddie Hearn Confirms

Davis concluded: “Too late dummy, what y’all people don’t understand [is] I DON’T NEED Y’ALL.”

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BOXING

Surprise world title fight added to Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou undercard at late notice

By Lauren February 24, 2024

A late-notice world title fight between Israil Madrimov and Magomed Kurbanov is reportedly set to feature on the Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou bill on March 8.

The belt is currently in Jermell Charlo’s possession but isn’t expected to be for much longer.

Charlo has already been forced to relinquish the WBC, IBF and WBO belts and will be stripped of his WBA title once the bell rings for Madrimov vs Kurbanov.

UPDATE ;Francis Ngannou announces next fight weeks before Anthony Joshua showdown

Madrimov has been sitting in limbo ever since.

Like Madrimov, Kubranov (24-0) also comes from an impressive amateur pedigree having won gold at the 2008 World Youth Championships.

He is currently ranked No 2 by the WBA and holds notable wins over Liam Smith and Patrick Teixeira in the paid ranks.

Fights that have already been confirmed for Joshua and Ngannou’s undercard are Zhilei Zhang vs Joseph Parke, Rey Vargas vs Nick Ball, Mark Chamberlain vs Gavin Gwynne and Andrii Novytskyi vs Juan Torres.

Meanwhile, Justis Huni, Ziyad Almaayouf, Roman Fury and Jack McGann are also expected to feature.

RELATED ;‘He didn’t want to discuss’: Eddie Hearn says Gervonta Davis rejected offer for Conor Benn, talks Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou

Joshua and Ngannou’s crossover clash will be broadcast worldwide by DAZN PPV and is also available in the UK on Sky Sports Box Office.

The unique broadcasting deal that sees two of boxing’s biggest broadcasters share the television rights was spearheaded by Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, in a bid to get as many eyes on the event as possible.

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CELEB NEWS

Will Simone Biles compete in 2024? Everything to know about the gymnast’s plans for the Olympic year

By Lauren February 24, 2024

Although Simone Biles will be competing in 2024, she hasn’t officially announced when. The Olympic champion has chosen to forgo the ongoing Winter Cup, and will likely be back on the mat sometime in May.

In 2023, after returning from her two-year-long hiatus, Biles got back in competition, starting at the US Classics. Next, she participated in the National Championships, where she qualified for the Antwerp Artistic World Championships.

UPDATE ;No Simone Biles in The 2024 Winter Cup: Could It Be A Big Setback For Team USA?

Simone Biles is one of the top favorites to qualify for the American gymnastics team that heads to Paris for the 2024 Olympics. If and when she manages to snag a spot in the team, she will be competing in her third consecutive Games.

In Paris, Biles stands to break the record for most Olympic medals by an American gymnast. She is currently tied with Shannon Miller as they have seven each. But the 2016 all-around champion is likely to surpass Miller after her performance in Paris.

She also stands a chance to join the elite group of gymnasts who have won eight or more Olympic medals. The current list of gymnasts to have achieved this feat comprises Larisa Latynina, Věra Čáslavská, Ágnes Keleti, Polina Astakhova, Nadia Comăneci, Ludmilla Tourischeva, Margit Korond, and Sofia Muratova.

RELATED ;Simone Biles’ ‘Speechless’ Moments: Reflecting on Triumph and Setback During Black History Month

If Simone Biles can pull off a repeat of the performance she gave at the World Championships in Antwerp last August, she would also catapult to the second spot in the list of most decorated Olympic gymnasts.

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BOXING

Floyd Mayweather offers thoughts on biggest sports attractions

By Lauren February 24, 2024

What is the biggest attraction in world sports?

Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather has provided his opinions on the biggest attractions in world sport.

‘The Best Ever’ was the longtime Las Vegas main event. Mayweather headlined Las Vegas for years with megafights against Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Manny Pacquiao, and Juan Manuel Marquez.

Once known as the world’s fight capital, Las Vegas is now arguably the world’s sports capital. The NFL, NHL and WNBA all have teams in Vegas.

JUST IN ;Floyd Mayweather broke down in tears in rare vulnerable interview about the dark side of fame

The 46-year-old also hinted at a big payday for any exhibition bout. Mayweather said, “These fighters get the bag when they go to Saudi Arabia. It’s not good money, it’s great money. Of course, they want to see Floyd Mayweather in an exhibition. And you know what the payday will be.”

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BOXING

Floyd Mayweather criticises longtime rival and brands rival as ‘easy’

By Lauren February 24, 2024

Who did Floyd Mayweather criticise?

Floyd Mayweather has criticised longtime foe, Manny Pacquiao.

The two were adversaries throughout their careers and fought in 2015. Mayweather defeated Pacquiao that night, and talk of a rematch or exhibition bout has not disappeared since that May 2015 contest.

Pacquiao recently called Mayweather out at a show in Japan.

RELATED ;The Staggering Amount Floyd Mayweather Earned After Pacquiao Mentioned His Name

Mayweather did hint that he would be open to more exhibition bouts. And this one would undoubtedly draw the boxing world’s eyes.

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CELEB NEWS

READ MORE ;MMA star Claressa Shields’ next big fight is a first for women in Saudi Arabia

RELATED ;Claressa Shields lists one unusual sport she thinks she&#8217;d beat Savannah Marshall at

UPDATE ;Claressa Shields hits back at Savannah Marshall: ‘You can’t beat me in anything!’

READ MORE ;Surprise world title fight added to Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou undercard at late notice

UPDATE ;Anthony Joshua Changes Tune 2 Weeks Before Heavyweight Fight With Francis Ngannou

JUST IN ;Tyson Fury vs Oleksand Usyk: Who wins? Will Anthony Joshua be champ again? Delicious Orie heavyweight predictions

RELATED ;Francis Ngannou announces next fight weeks before Anthony Joshua showdown

READ MORE ;Floyd Mayweather coy on rumoured rematch with Manny Pacquiao: ‘He shouldn’t have spoken about it’

UPDATE ;Floyd Mayweather criticises longtime rival and brands rival as easy

READ MORE ;Claressa Shields responds to backlash after talking up chances in intergender fight with Keith Thurman

RELATED ;Savannah Marshall could fight Claressa Shields again but this time in mixed martial arts

UPDATE ;Claressa Shields hits back at Savannah Marshall: ‘You can’t beat me in anything!’

JUST IN ;Benzino Breaks Down in Tears Over Eminem Beef, Claressa Shields Gives Harsh Response

READ MORE ;Frank Stallone Thinks Terence Crawford Beats Canelo Alvarez: “You Can’t Hit What You Can’t See”

RELATED ;Teofimo Lopez Sr. Warns Terence Crawford Will Get Destroyed, Career Will Be Over In Potential Fight

JUST IN ;Manny Pacquiao Ready ‘in 8 Weeks’ For the Terence Crawford ‘Fight of The Century’

READ MORE ;Gervonta Davis agrees deal to next fight fellow unbeaten American Frank Martin, who was accused of ‘ducking’ Shakur Stevenson

UPDATE ;Gervonta Davis vs Frank Martin to reportedly headline PBC PPV

JUST IN ;WHY ;Gervonta Davis Did Not Accept Conor Benn Fight Offer, Eddie Hearn Confirms

READ MORE ;Anthony Joshua Changes Tune 2 Weeks Before Heavyweight Fight With Francis Ngannou

UPDATE ;Francis Ngannou announces next fight weeks before Anthony Joshua showdown

RELATED ;‘He didn’t want to discuss’: Eddie Hearn says Gervonta Davis rejected offer for Conor Benn, talks Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou

READ MORE ;Simone Biles Teases Undisclosed Vacation Destination As She Flies With Husband Jonathan Owens

UPDATE ;No Simone Biles in The 2024 Winter Cup: Could It Be A Big Setback For Team USA?

RELATED ;Simone Biles’ ‘Speechless’ Moments: Reflecting on Triumph and Setback During Black History Month

READ MORE ;Floyd Mayweather Turns 47: Have a Look Inside His Insane Birthday Bash

JUST IN ;Floyd Mayweather broke down in tears in rare vulnerable interview about the dark side of fame

READ MORE ;Floyd Mayweather breaks down in tears over death of sister he never had

RELATED ;The Staggering Amount Floyd Mayweather Earned After Pacquiao Mentioned His Name

RELATED ;Claressa Shields lists one unusual sport she thinks she’d beat Savannah Marshall at