27 years ago today it happened: Mike Tyson, the “unbeatable” heavyweight king, was sensationally beaten up, defeated and knocked out in what still ranks as the biggest sporting upset in history. Whopping great 42-1 underdog James “Buster” Douglas pulled off the almighty stunner; a shock so great it commanded front page status on just about every newspaper on the planet the following day.
James Slater
Arum’s Top Rank signs up Shakur Stevenson, pro debut planned for April
Gifted amateur sensation Shakur Stevenson, the 19 year-old who helped light up the Rio Olympics, was in hot demand almost as soon as his tenure at the games was over. Floyd Mayweather visited with Stevenson – who picked up a silver medal at bantamweight at last year’s games – and many people thought Floyd’s TMT outfit would soon have Stevenson’s ultra-promising career signed, sealed and delivered.
Wladimir Klitschko says Joshua fight is “toughest challenge I have ever had”
Is Anthony Joshua a tougher opponent for former heavyweight king Wladimir Klitschko than Tyson Fury? If so, and if what Klitschko had to say about his April fight was not down to hype and nothing more, then Wladimir could be in trouble. Klitschko lost to Fury, yet he has either forgotten about that fight or he has dismissed it from his mind; because Klitschko says the Joshua fight is “the toughest challenge I have ever had.”
Hearn in favour of WBC eliminator between Luis Ortiz and Bermane Stiverne
Unbeaten Cuban heavyweight contender Luis Ortiz has plenty of options, the most appealing of which just might be the mooted WBC final eliminator between Ortiz and former WBC heavyweight champ and current WBC NO.1 contender Bermane Stiverne. Ortiz, who is currently ranked at NO.2 with the WBC, would likely take the Stiverne fight if it were indeed offered to him – so says his promoter Eddie Hearn.
The Canelo-Chavez Jr. card just got even better: Lucas Matthysse will return May 6
The May 6 all-Mexican clash between big stars Saul Canelo Alvarez and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. is a huge fight all by itself, ensuring millions of viewers at home as well as a big, big live audience in Las Vegas. But the card just got even better, with the announcement – courtesy of Dan Rafael of ESPN.com – that Argentine monster puncher Lucas Matthysse will make his ring return on the bill.
Deontay Wilder: 2017 is all about unifications
While reigning and unbeaten WBC heavyweight king Deontay Wilder has gone on record as saying he doesn’t believe his February 25 challenger Gerald Washington is ready to fight him (way to build the fight!), “The Bronze Bomber” is more than ready to get busy trying to unify the heavyweight titles here in 2017.
Speaking at a presser this week, and quoted by RingTV.com, Wilder said that after he gets past the unbeaten (but yes, still very green) Washington, he wants his very next fight to be for the WBO belt; either against the current holder Joseph Parker or Parker’s next challenger Hughie Fury – who will face Parker in his maiden defence on April 1 (incidentally, Wilder picks Parker to win the fight.)
Kell Brook-Errol Spence Jr. possible for Sheffield; Hearn hopes to get a deal done by next Tuesday
It looks almost certain that Kell Brook will defend his IBF welterweight title against his unbeaten mandatory challenger Errol Spence Jr. in his next fight. Speaking with Sky Sports News today, Brook promoter Eddie Hearn spoke of how a venue for the fight is now being looked at being finalised.
According to the Matchroom boss Brook’s hometown of Sheffield is a strong possibility to play host to the hugely intriguing fight, while New York and Las Vegas are also possibilities. Hearn said he hopes to make a deal soon, so as to avoid the need for purse bids.
Fury vs. Fury? Forget it! Hughie says he’ll never fight Tyson
As it was when the two Klitschko brothers, Wladimir and Vitali, were fighting at the same time, some people have asked the Fury cousins, Tyson and Hughie, if they would ever get it on and fight. Well, as was the case with the two world heavyweight rulers, Tyson and Hughie will never, ever fight.
Twenty Years ago today: when “The Prince” was in his prime; Hamed unifies the featherweight titles
Exciting, abrasive, controversial and still talked about some 15 years after his final ring appearance. Who? Sheffield’s cocksure, blisteringly powerful featherweight king Naseem Hamed, a potentially great fighter who preferred to go by the nickname of “Prince.”
It was two full decades ago today (February 8, 1997) when Hamed scored what was arguably the most impressive and meaningful win of his 10 year, 37 fight pro career. Southpaw Hamed – who had burst onto first the British scene and then the world scene with thrilling wins and an extremely arrogant approach that included a pre-fight somersault over the top rope, a hands-held-low style and supreme self-belief – met the classy and experienced Tom Johnson in London.
Who is the best heavyweight in the world today? Lennox Lewis says it’s still Tyson Fury
Right now there are a number of heavyweights who could lay claim to being the number-one, the best in the division today, and not run the risk of being laughed out of the room upon making such a lofty claim. We have unbeaten WBC king Deontay Wilder, we have young and unbeaten IBF ruler Anthony Joshua, and we have unblemished WBO boss Joseph Parker.