Author Archives: Sean Crose

Posted on 04/26/2024

By: Sean Crose

“FYI I don’t wait on no one,” Tim Tszyu tweeted this week. “I create my own destiny. Get the job done this weekend @VergilOrtiz and we make a fight for the ages.” Get the job done indeed. Should Vergil Ortiz succeed in defeating Thomas Dulorme this Saturday night when they meet at Fresno’s Save Mart Arena, he will find himself in line to face the popular and notable Tszyu. What’s more, should Ortiz emerge victorious on Saturday, he and Tszyu will fight on the absolutely loaded undercard for the Terence Crawford – Israil Madrimov bout in August. Again, the 20-0 Ortiz, who has never met an opponent he hasn’t knocked out, has a lot riding on this weekend’s fight with Dulorme.

Suffice to say, Ortiz-Tszyu is a fight worth salivating over. These are two tough, skilled, and exciting fighters who leave it all out in the ring. Tszyu recently lost his junior middleweight title to Sebastian Fundora in a bout Tszyu seemed to be in change of before suffering a horrible cut near his eye. As for Ortiz, the man, simply put, is dangerous. A composed hunter, he’s known to move forward deliberately while maintaining strong footwork and pressuring opponents. Lastly, the Texan knows how to close the show in grand fashion.

Then again, Ortiz has never faced anyone like Tszyu before. Like Ortiz, Tszyu loves to apply pressure. He’s also fast and is one of the best in the business at putting his punches together effectively. Furthermore, Tszyu – as was evidenced in the Fundora fight – is pure heart. Knowing how bad his bloody situation was against Fundora, the popular Australian kept fighting to win in spite of the odds. Lastly, Tszyu is looking to get back on track after suffering his only loss just about a month ago. He’s a fighter eager to get back in the win column.

Of course, exciting as talk of a Ortiz-Tszyu fight might be, Ortiz still has to get past Dulorme this weekend. And if Ryan Garcia’s stunning victory over Devin Haney last Saturday told fans anything, it’s that anything seems to be possible in boxing. Dulorme may have lost to the likes of Crawford and Yordenis Ugas, but defeats to big names can be seen as learning experiences. He’s dropped three of his last four fights, true, but Dulorme clearly knows this is as much a time as any to rise to the occasion.

The Ortiz-Dulorme fight will air Saturday night at DAZN. The televised main card starts at 8:00 PM Eastern time.

Posted on 04/25/2024

By: Sean Crose

Devin Haney took to Instagram Wednesday to declare he wants another fight with Ryan Garcia – just under different circumstances than the ones he found himself in last Saturday night at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. For, although he had been heavily favored walking in, Haney ended up being soundly beaten by the brash Garcia in their 12 round fight. “First off,” Haney stated, “I wanna say.. Alhamdulillah Allah is the perfect planner and I trust his plan no matter what. I came up short but this boxing, and if anyone knows me they know that I am a true competitor, and always wanted to test my skills against the best fighters in the world.”

The WBC junior welterweight champion then went on to give his ring conqueror credit. “Ryan, despite the circumstances was victorious that night and that’s fine,” said Haney. “I do feel like weight played a role in it but only Allah knows. I would love to run it back and give the fans a FAIR fight within an agreed weight.” Here Haney was referring to the fact that Garcia weighed in over three pounds over the junior welterweight limit last weekend. That’s why Haney was able to keep his title despite being dropped three times on the road to being bested by California’s Garcia.

“With that being said,” Haney added, “I am currently enjoying time with my family & friends as well as making up my days of Ramadan. Thank you to all my supporters & everyone involved in making this event happen. After I finish making up my days of Ramadan I will tell you guys what’s next!” After thanking those who have “reached out” to him, Haney went on to graciously thank those who made the fight last weekend possible – including Garcia promoter Oscar De La Hoya.

“Thank you Oscar & Golden Boy,” he said, “Eddie Hearn & all of Matchroom.. DAZN.. Mauricio & the WBC.. & all of DHP great night of boxing Alhamdulillah.” For his own part, De La Hoya was not in the mood to play nice.  “Good luck with Eddie (promoter Eddie Hearn) De La Hoya said, before adding that “there will not be a rematch.” De La Hoya smugly concluded by telling Haney: “Good luck in your career and good luck with Eddie a European promoter trying to make it in the US.”

Garcia’s bizarre behavior leading up to last weekend’s fight, coupled with the fact that he didn’t seem to even seriously attempt to make weight, led many – perhaps most – to feel it would be Haney’s fight on Saturday night. It didn’t work out that way at all, as Garcia was able to land his potent punches repeatedly.

Posted on 04/24/2024

By: Sean Crose

Saudi Arabia’s Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Entertainment Authority, Turki Alalshikh has become a top figure in the world of professional boxing over the past few years. Now the Saudi authority is introducing himself to the world of US boxing by promoting the August 3’d junior middleweight title bout between Terence Crawford and Israil Madrimov. The scheduled 12 rounder will go down at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, making it the first time Alashikh will make his mark in America. Analysts are arguing Alashikh might be changing the fight game and perhaps he is.

Not only does the man have a whole lot of money to arrange major fights with, he’s not afraid to spend it on the kinds of fights and fight cards fans are apt to crave. The August 3’d card, for instance, has a loaded undercard uncommon in this age of contemporary boxing. Tim Tszyu, Leo Santa Cruz, Abner Mares, Andy Ruiz, Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller, Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz and Jose Valenzuela will all be seeing action at the BMO Stadium that night. “The undercard has to be one of if not the best we have ever seen for a US card – get ready for a huge night on August 3 in Los Angeles,” says Matchroom Promotions honcho Eddie Hearn.

Crawford, who is now looking to conquer a whopping fourth weight division, is clearly pleased with recent developments, as well. “I’m proud to partner with Riyadh Season and HE Turki Alalshikh on their first boxing event in the United States. I cannot wait to get back in the ring in my fourth weight class and remind the world why I’m the best pound for pound fighter in the world,” he says. “Israil Madrimov is a tremendous and entertaining fighter, but on August 3, he will be my next victim. This is the Terence Crawford era.”

Madrimov, who now has the chance to step into the spotlight, is equally happy. “Terence Crawford is one of my favorite boxers and one of the best boxers in the world,” he says. “I am very excited to get this opportunity to make a statement, and I will Inshallah.” Golden Boy Promotions honcho Oscar De La Hoya, like others involved with the August 3’d card, is effusive in his praise.

“We are thrilled to be participating in what will be a stacked Los Angeles card in support of Riyadh season. His Excellency’s desire to work with all promoters in order to put on the best fights perfectly aligns with what Golden Boy has been delivering for years,” he says, “and I believe this will be the beginning of a wonderful partnership going forward. If Vergil emerges victorious this Saturday, he is going to be ready to roll and steal the show against Tim Tszyu in a can’t-miss fight-of-the-year contender.”

Suffice to say, U.S. fans will likely be happy to see more Turki Alalshikh backed cards cards in the future if they resemble the quality of this summer’s. One of boxing’s biggest issues over recent years is that it’s lacked a sense of excitement. Should major fight cards be presented with regularity, that issue may find itself fading away

Posted on 04/23/2024

By: Sean Crose

It appears the question of when the great Terence Crawford will return to the ring has been answered. According to numerous reports, the undefeated pound for pound king will make the leap to junior middleweight to take on WBA titlist Israil Madrimov at Los Angeles’ BMO Stadium on August 3’d. It will be the first time the fighter known as “Bud” has fought since completely dominating Errol Spence in a welterweight championship superfight last summer. For the Madrimov fight, Crawford will once again be moving up in weight, much as he did from lightweight to junior welterweight, then from junior welterweight to welterweight as his career progressed.

This, of course, is an enormous opportunity for Madrimov, who – although he possesses the WBA’s world super welterweight title – isn’t exactly a household name. The 29 year old will certainly find himself in the spotlight if he ends up upsetting the 36 year old Crawford. For, while both men are undefeated, it’s Crawford who has the far more impressive resume. With forty wins against zero defeats, Crawford has won world titles in three weight divisions, having bested such notables as Amir Khan, and Shawn Porter, along with the aforementioned Spence, along the way.

With that being said, the 10-0-1 Madrimov bested the previously undefeated Magomed Kurbanov via fifth round stoppage this past March in order to win his WBA belt. Furthermore, 7 out of the man’s 10 victories have come before the sound of the final bell. There’s no doubt Madrimov can hit, but does he stand much of a chance against the sublime Crawford? The odds will no doubt respond in the negative. Still, if fans learned anything from last weekend’s memorable Ryan Garcia-Devin Haney matchup, it’s that no one can be entirely written off when it comes to the fight game.

Importantly, it appears that the Crawford-Madrimov fight will be accompanied by a loaded undercard. Leo Santa Cruz is emerging from years in the boxing shadows to face Abner Mares for the third time. Likewise, former toast of boxing Andy Ruiz will also be returning to the ring. His opponent, Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller, is yet another man looking to make a comeback. Lastly, Isaac Cruz, fresh off his win over Rolando Romero in late winter will be back to take on Jose Valenzuela, whose fresh off his own victory over Chris Colbert last December. All in all, this has the ingredients of a interesting night of boxing.

Posted on 04/22/2024

By: Sean Crose

Devin Haney took a beating from Ryan Garcia Saturday night at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. That wasn’t how things were supposed to have turned out. Garcia, who had been acting bizarrely in the leadup to the fight, missed weight by a whopping three plus pounds and came across as not taking the bout seriously. Suffice to say, Garcia surprised a whole lot of people when he knocked Haney down three times on his way to a majority decision win. With that being said, the strange, powerful, enormously talented Garcia is now the biggest thing in boxing – at least for the time being.

What about Haney, though? Most had assumed it would be him, and not Garcia, who would be the biggest thing in boxing walking away from this past weekend. Where did he go wrong on Saturday – or was there nothing he could do to stop the lightning fast howitzers Garcia repeatedly sent his way throughout the fight? Even before the opening bell, the man didn’t look great. Unlike Garcia, Haney made the weight cut – a move which indeed may have hurt his chances against Garcia in the ring. Haney also made the mistake – odd for him – of allowing himself to be hit by Garcia. Even when retreating when hurt, Haney went straight back, leaving himself vulnerable for attack.

Was there more to it than that, however? Did Garcia’s strange actions leading up to the fight somehow make their way inside Haney’s mind? If so, it wouldn’t be the first time such a thing has happened in the leadup to a professional boxing match. It was said Muhammad Ali (then still Cassius Clay) got inside heavyweight champion Sonny Liston’s head but good before Ali dethroned the defending champion back in 1964. Going back even further, “Two Ton” Tony Galento did such a good job getting himself inside Joe Louis’ head that Luis even admitted it. Perhaps that’s why Galento was able to drop Louis in their 1939 title bout (Louis got off the canvas and went on to win).

No one can really say what kind of impact Garcia had on Haney’s performance Saturday night. He didn’t look like the masterful Haney people are used to seeing, however, not by a long shot. While no one would argue Garcia didn’t have more power than Haney, it was still surprising to see how much more power he had. Could it be that in the midst of the fight’s chaotic leadup, Haney somehow lost focus? Or could it be Haney simply fell victim to his own overconfidence? Or could it be that, in the end, Garcia was simply all around a far superior fighter?

Should a rematch between the two men go-down, those questions might well be answered.

Posted on 04/21/2024

By: Sean Crose

Saturday night, it all went down. After one of the strangest leadups to a fight in recent memory, the 31-0 Devin Haney and the 24-1 Ryan Garcia finally did battle at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. Although Garcia literally didn’t stand a chance of winning Haney’s WBC junior welterweight title (due to the fact he had weighed in more than three pounds overweight at Friday’s official weigh in) he could silence all the doubters if he somehow delivered an upset win. Would he be able to do that, however?

Garcia came out flicking a fast jab in the first. Then, in what clearly came as a shock to many, he rocked the heavily favored Haney. He then rocked Haney again. He then rocked Haney a third time. Haney, however, was able to survive the round. A far more effective Haney fired off his jab throughout the second. Haney took to grabbing Garcia when they got in close in the third. He then rocked Garcia. Hard. Like Haney, however, Garcia survived the moment as well as the round.

Haney employed his own left hook in the fourth while Garcia was able to score with a strong right. Garcia then took to moving about the ring in order to avoid his opponent until the opportunity for a good shot presented itself. Haney continued to land his left in the fifth while Garcia continued to move about the ring. Right when things looked bad Garcia, however, he managed to tag Haney again early in the sixth. Later in the round, Garcia took to almost turning his back to Haney. As Garcia continued to move about, the crowd booed.

Garcia dropped Haney again in the seventh. Haney got to his feet, but he was badly hurt. Garcia went in for the kill, the referee stopped the action in order to take a point off Garcia’s card for hitting on the break….yet Garcia dropped Haney once again, but it was was somehow ruled a push or a slip. After surviving the round, Haney went on to have a better eighth. The ninth saw Haney banging away at Garcia’s body as Garcia nearly turned his back on the action.

Yet Garcia decked Haney yet again in the tenth. Yet again, Haney got back to his feet. Still, Garcia rocked Haney yet again later in the tenth. Garcia tagged Haney once more in the eleventh, dropping Haney again. Haney got up once more, but he was taking a real beating. Clearly concussed, Haney tried to hold on strong. The final round contained a lot of holding. Then Garcia took to mocking Haney and showboating as the round wound down.

After the final bell, the judges ruled in favor of Garcia via majority decision.

“Come on guys, you really thought I was crazy?” Garcia asked in the post fight interview. “You done lost your own minds!”

He then took to scolding his doubters after weeks of odd behavior.

“You guys do not love the truth,” he said. “The truth is in front of you.”

Posted on 04/20/2024

By: Sean Crose

The 29-0 junior welterweight Arnold Barboza squared off against the 18-1 Sean McComb in the co-main event of Saturday’s Devin Haney-Ryan Garcia card at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. The Barboza-McComb match was scheduled for 10 rounds. Southpaw McComb pushed the action in the first. Barboza, on the other hand, remained patient. It became apparent in the second that Barboza was dealing with an awkward, fairly high volume puncher. What’s more, Barboza had clearly decided that the winning strategy would be to wear his man down. Yet the lanky McComb continued to throw off Barboza’s timing in the third.

Barboza decided to pick up the pace in the fourth. He was able to land, but the taller McComb was still giving him problems. The pace was slower in the fifth, but McComb was still keeping Barboza from getting into a rhythm. McComb continued to look good in the sixth, throwing a lot and employing a slippery defense. By the seventh it looked as if Barboza didn’t have any answers for his tall, frustrating opponent. Whenever he landed well, McComb would fire right back. Had Barboza been a harder hitter, things perhaps might have been different. Still, when Barboza managed to land, it was clear he was still in the fight.

That didn’t keep the fans from voicing their frustration in the eighth, for Barboza simply didn’t appear to have the tools to get the better of his opponent. McComb didn’t land with power, but he landed frequently. Even in the ninth round, Barboza couldn’t seem to make anything happen. McComb’s style seemed to have a mental and physical edge over the the betting favorite. The tenth and final round may have actually gone to Barboza, who had a solid three minutes for himself.

After the final bell had sounded, the judges awarded Barboza a split decision victory.

Posted on 04/20/2024

By: Sean Crose

Supermiddleweights Bektemir Melikuziev and Pierre Dibombe engaged in a scheduled 12 rounder Saturday night at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. The 22-0-1 Dibombe fought the 13-1 Melikuziev patiently at first, choosing to remain on the outside for most of the opening round. Dibombe, however, had what appeared to be a serious cut at round’s end. And indeed it was a serious cut, just over the left eye. With that being said, the fighters continued to throw and move with patience in the second. The doctor checked Dibombe’s eye before the end of the round, though he allowed the fight to continue.

Although he was cut, Dibombe proved to be a game opponent for Melikuziev, employing hit and run tactics and counter-punching in a way Melikuziev may have found surprising. Melikuziev became more active in the fourth. Dibombe’s cut came from a headbutt rather than a punch, but if the fight was stopped early it would still go to the judge’s cards. That meant Dibombe had to fight the blood from the cut as well as his opponent. Without the cut, it may have been a completely different fight.

A quick shot sent Dibombe to the mat briefly in the fifth. Yet Melikuziev now had a bad cut himself. Both fighters may have been fighting the clock at this point in the match. To make things even odder, Melikuziev pushed Dibombe to the mat twice within the round. And, to add to all that, the fight came close to being stopped before the round ended, as a now weakened Dibombe was suffering the impact of Melikuziev’s heavy blows. A slip sent Dibombe to his knee in the sixth. Once again, the man got to his feet. He even landed well. Melikuziev, though, had now taken control of the fight.

By the seventh, Melikuziev really began piling the punches on. To his credit, though Dibombe fired back. The man was nothing if not impressively courageous and game to fight. The doctor stopped the bout in the eighth after checking Melikuziev’s cut. The fight subsequently went to the cards. Needless to say, the judges ended up ruling in favor of Melikuziev.

Posted on 04/20/2024

By: Sean Crose

Super flyweights David Jimenez and John Ramirez battled for the WBA’s interim divisional title Saturday night at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. The 13-0 Ramirez opened up by falling to the mat before the 15-1 Jimenez just after the opening bell. Both men then fought to control the range as well as the tempo in the first. The second was a fairly high octane affair, with the fighters engaging on the inside. Things remained close in the third, though Jimenez may well have been the more active of the two. The fighters went back to grinding on the inside during the fourth.

The fifth, like much of the fight up until that point, was difficult to score. Because the combatants often fought in close quarters, it was often difficult to tell who was landing the more effective punches. In was a messy, but entertaining, bout. The fighters were still exerting a great deal of energy in the sixth. Would the fight come down to who had more in the gas tank? Jimenez went down from a slip early in the seventh, though the war quickly resumed. Though the chapter was generally as close as the others, Jimenez appeared to land the more telling shots.

Ramirez’ face looked worse for wear in the eighth. While he may have entered the ring the betting favorite, Jimenez now seemed to control the tempo. The ninth had Ramirez pushing the action, but also taking shots from Jimenez. Both men were looking the worse for wear in the tenth. Their fight had simply proven to be a brutal affair that never truly slowed down. Ramirez continued to fight aggressively while Jimenez took to leaning on his opponent when possible. The penultimate round had Jimenez hold while Ramirez fought to get inside. It was starting to look like a fight from the early 1900s. By the final minute of the round, however, Jimenez was banging away at Ramirez on the ropes.

The twelfth and final round indicated that Jimenez was, in the end, simply too strong for Ramirez. His punches and physicality left an impression that the bloody, gutsy Ramirez’ performance didn’t.

Posted on 04/20/2024

By Sean Crose

A scheduled 10 round junior middleweight showdown opened the Devin Haney-Ryan Garcia pay per view card Saturday night in Brooklyn. The 22-7-1 Nathaniel Gallimore took on the rising 18-0 Charles Conwell to start things off at the Barclays Center. Both men fought tight in the first as they tried to control the tempo, though Gallimore opened up in the round’s final moments. Conwell was able to get in on Gallimore in the second, though he wasn’t able to do so consistently. By the third, however, Conwell was truly able to open fire on the taller fighter. Hitting hard and frequently, his goal was clearly to break his man down.

Sure enough, the ring doctor gave Gallimore a look at the beginning of the fourth. Although Gallimore was bleeding, the fight was allowed to continue. Gallimore responded by becoming more active in the round. Conwell hurt his man in the fifth and piled it on his wounded prey. Gallimore was nothing if not a smart fighter, though, and so he was able to survive the round. Yet the referee warned Gallimore in the corner that he would stop the fight if the Gallimore kept eating punches at the rate he was. Conwell continued to fire away in the sixth, leading the referee to stop the bout. “You’re taking too many head shots, my friend,” he said to Gallimore.

Posted on 04/19/2024

By: Sean Crose

Few will likely be surprised. Ryan Garcia, who has been on a strange journey of the mind leading up to tomorrow night’s fight with Devin Haney, has missed weight by over three pounds. While Haney has weighed in at a solid 140 pounds – within the junior welterweight limit where the fight is supposed to be contested, Garcia tipped the scales at 143.2 pounds. All this after Garcia bet Haney that he would pay his opponent five hundred thousand dollars for every pound overweight he might be found at – which Garcia apparently paid. “Ryan honored the 500k per pound,” Haney posted on social media Friday afternoon.

Garcia, of course, has had his own things to say on the matter. “3 pounds is nothing,” the Californian posted on social media, “stop crying.” Garcia when went on to state he felt good about the weight. “I feel great,” he said, “and I got a 3 pound advantage Let’s gooo hahahahaa Winners do what they have to do I’m still sharp.” The twenty-five year old fighter then defended the fact that he weighed in overweight. “Why would I force my self to make weight so I can be weak,” he asked rhetorically. “Nah I’m here to win That’s it.”

Suffice to say, Garcia has been acting erratically throughout the leadup to the fight. One minute he’s come across as a devout Christian, the next, a vulgar party boy, the next a passionate conspiracy theorist. People have been openly questioning the 24-1 Garcia’s emotional state. With that being said, the Haney-Garcia fight is still a go, as both fighter’s camps have apparently reached an agreement. Some feel that, at this point, the fight shouldn’t be allowed to go down. Yet it seems as if the answer to whether or not Garcia is equipped for a ring battle will be revealed Saturday night.

Suffice to say, Garcia did indeed show up for the formal weigh in later in the day on Friday. Things moved at a snail’s pace – but both he and Haney finally stepped on the scale. Garcia sucked down what appeared to be a beer while being weighed.. Once again, he was 143.2 pounds. And, once again, Haney weighed in at a professional 140 pounds. A scuffle broke out between the teams after before the standoff. Each man then went off on the other when the fighters finally stood face to face.

Garcia then went on a vulgar rant when interviewed by Ariel Helwani.

Posted on 04/18/2024

By: Sean Crose

While Ryan Garcia has brought a lot of attention to himself in the leadup to Saturday night’s fight with Devin Haney, the WBC junior welterweight champion has largely remained focused at the task at hand. “I put my work in during training camp,” Haney told the media during a Thursday press conference to promote this weekend’s fight. “I did everything I was supposed to do,” he continued. “I was on my diet. I did everything that I was supposed to do this camp to be the best Devin Haney. So when I win, give me my credit.”

When asked about the fact that he may not get credit for besting Garcia due to Garcia’s unusual behavior in the leadup to the bout, Haney appeared untroubled. “They’re going to say what they’re going to say,” the 25 year old stated, “and it is what it is.” Indeed, Haney made it clear that, although he’s focused on Saturday’s match at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, he has major plans. “I’m chasing greatness,” he said, “I want to be mentioned with the greats when all is said and done.”

And the hard hitting Garcia? “I’m on a different level ,” said Haney of his brash foil. “I’m levels above him. I see it being an early night. I don’t see Ryan being able to go the full twelve with me. His antics will give up on him. It will show, all this bullshit, it will show There’s no secrets in boxing.” Haney isn’t the only one to take note of Garcia’s “antics.” The public has been inundated with Garcia’s social media posts over the past several weeks, some of which have been peculiar to say the least. Haney, on the other hand, has taken a more low key (some would argue determined) approach.

“I’ve got that tunnel vision,” he said. So Garcia’s behavior hasn’t troubled him? “Ryan’s just another opponent on the list…there’s nothing that he can say to get me off my game plan. I’m here for a reason.” When a reporter asked what people could expect on Saturday, Haney responded by uttering a single work: “Fireworks.” Although he’s not known as a hard hitter, Haney is making it clear that he wants to make an impressive showing on Saturday. If Garcia’s is indeed ready to fight, however, stopping him within the distance might not be such an easy task. Garcia, after all, possesses a thunderous left. Then again, Haney possesses a thunderous skill.

Posted on 04/17/2024

By: Sean Crose

“If you want to go to a Mets game, let me know because I’m throwing the first pitch.” So said Ryan Garcia on social media Tuesday. Things apparently didn’t go as planned. “The Mets just wasted three hours of our life,” Garcia posted later, “to say at the end we can’t throw the pitch for whatever reason. There was no reason and they kicked us out for no reason. I’m personally going to say “f–k the Mets! Don’t ever go to a f—–g Mets’ game again. F–k the Mets!” In truth, both Garcia and Devin Haney – the junior welterweight kingpin Garcia is set to fight this weekend at Brooklyn’s Barclay’s Center – were both supposed to throw out the ceremonial first pitch on Tuesday. It seems the Mets thought better of it.

Perhaps this was because of the fact that, earlier in the day, Haney pushed Garcia as the two stood for a photo shoot atop the Empire State Building. While such things are known to happen in the leadup to a major fight, Garcia’s unusual pre fight actions online have led a cloud of uncertainty to however over the event, which is scheduled to go down this Saturday night. With Garcia randomly weighing in on a seeming endless array of topics for weeks now, the push atop the famed skyscraper on Tuesday may have simply been the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back (Boxing Insider reached out to the Mets organization late Tuesday and will report on any response provided).

Although there were still seats available at the Barclay’s Center as of Thursday, there is little doubt that Haney-Garcia is one of the more high profile bouts to be found on boxing’s calendar so far this year. Haney is a master boxer who also knows how to entertain his audience. See his high octane battle with Vasyl Lomachenko last year to realize just how good the man is in high pressure situations. Yet though he may be widely favored to win this weekend, Haney may well be facing formidable competition come Saturday. For Garcia is very fast as has a left hook that can turn out the lights on most any fighter. On paper, it’s a very interesting matchup if not perhaps a superb one.

Pre fight actions, especially on the part of Garcia, however, may be threatening what could be a successful event. Haney-Garcia is a pay per view fight, after all, which means fans have to pay to watch, rather than stumble across it while flicking through the channels. Garcia argues people are making much ado about nothing in regard to his emotional state, and perhaps they truly are (professional boxers can be true masters when it comes to distracting their opposition before a major fight). It would be a shame, however, if this weekend’s bout became a little watched disappointment because of pre fight antics.

Tuesday’s push aside, Haney appears to be taking a low profile approach heading into Saturday. “Keeping my blinders on.. laser focused,” he posted on social media Wednesday.

Images: Golden Boy

Posted on 04/16/2024

By: Sean Crose

“I had my first sparring session yesterday,” said super welterweight Justin Figueroa at the start of our phone interview. The 8-0 New Jersey native was already preparing for his next ring battle, which will go down May 11th in Atlantic City as part of Boxing Insider’s card, hosted by the Tropicana. “We’re still working on an opponent,” the fighter admitted, although that didn’t appear to bother him. Indeed, the affable Figueroa wanted to be ready just the same. The fight business is important to the 25 year old, which is why he looks to fight frequently as he climbs the proverbial ladder. Besides, Figueroa is a man who likes his work. “I love what I do,” he said over the phone, “I love training.”

What’s more, keeping busy means Figueroa can always keep prepared. “I’m gonna compete as much as a I can,” he said. “In fact, when he’s not training, Figueroa can be found “Watching a lot of boxing.” As Figueroa would surely admit himself, boxing is nothing if not a 24-hour job. This is especially true for young fighters on their way up through the ranks. Not that Figueroa is afraid to lose or slip on his way towards the top. “Some of the greats,” he rightfully pointed out, “have losses on their record.” Some, like Jack Johnson, Jack Dempsey, and Joe Louis, even had losses before they won the heavyweight title.

Not that such things mattered to those men – or to men like Figueroa today. ” I would look at is as a lesson,” he said when talking about the possibility of defeat. “I lose all the time,” he added (albeit not in professional prize fights). Sure enough, Figueroa sees a loss as “something to learn from.” It’s a unique and healthy attitude to have in a safety first era that at times can be boring and lacking in real competition. Indeed, it’s Figueroa’s perception of fighting in general which makes him a rather fascinating individual. “You have to be able to fight,” he said, “but you also have to have real charisma.”

Charisma is something the 8-0 fighter certainly isn’t lacking in. He’s an easygoing, friendly guy, Figueroa, but one whose knocked out six out of eight opponents in less than ten professional fights. Appearing on the Boxing Insider card on May 11th in his hometown of Atlantic City will offer Figueroa the chance to showcase that skill and charisma once more in front of local fans. “I’ve fought in Atlantic City six times already,” he said. “It keeps me motivated.” And then some. “I’m looking,” he added, “to bring big time boxing back to Atlantic City.”

Posted on 04/16/2024

By: Sean Crose

Some people feel there’s far too many belts in professional boxing. It’s hard to argue against the WBC’s new belt, however, which has been made to commemorate the 18th of May’s undisputed heavyweight championship fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk. Why? Because the new belt has literally received a Papal Blessing. That’s right, Pope Francis himself has personally blessed the commemorative belt after it was presented to him by WBC honcho Mauricio Suleiman. This isn’t the first time His Holiness has gotten involved with the sweet science. Back in 2019, Pope Francis named Deontay Wilder, who had paid him a visit, the “Boxers’ Representative and Ambassador for Peace through Sport.”

With that in mind, it always shows your upcoming fight is quite the big deal when major leaders weigh in (no pun intended). And Fury-Usyk is nothing if not a major event. For, barring the unlikely, a new undisputed heavyweight champion will emerge for literally the first time in decades. To perhaps even make things more interesting, it’s hard to tell who is actually going to win this throwdown. At his best (and he isn’t always at his best) Fury comes across as a possible all time great. Usyk, on the other hand, is a walking, talking skill set, an undefeated master who is aiming for his second undisputed championship (before moving up to heavyweight, Usyk was the world’s undisputed cruiserweight champion).

While neither man might be Roman Catholic, both Fury and Usyk are devout Christians, which perhaps gives Pope Francis’ blessing more gravity (as far as the two men are concerned) than might otherwise be expected. With that in mind, numerous well known fighters have had papal audiences over the years. Indeed, boxers from Riddick Bowe to Sergio Martinez to Arthur Abraham have all had papal audiences. The highly anticipated bout between Fury and Usyk will be broadcast live from Saudi Arabia on May 18th on DAZN, ESPN+, and PPV TV.

*Images: Sky Sports