devin haney At 27, he still remains one of boxing’s top young stars. Haney, a three-division title holder and former undisputed champion at 135 pounds, has not fought yet this year and does not appear to have any opponents. Three potential bouts have been publicly released: Welterweight unification fight with WBA titleholder Rolando “Rolly” Romero and WBC champion Ryan Garciaas well as a title defense Teofimo Lopez Jr. But will any of them come together?
There is uncertainty all around Floyd Mayweatherwith talk of a proposed exhibition against Mike Tyson And a possible professional fight in the rematch. Manny Pacquiao. Are any of them having a fight?
Unified Junior Welterweight Women’s Champion katie taylor Is aiming for one final fight before retiring. he said this in february homecoming match in dublin – Ideally Croke Park, which can host more than 80,000 fans – would be the perfect farewell. Who should be his opponent?
Errol Spence Jr. He has not fought since his defeat by TKO in the ninth round. Terence Crawford in July 2023, but the former unified welterweight champion looks to be close to a return. He is back in training and could face another former champion in his return.
Meanwhile, boxing in the UK has boomed over the past year, with new champions and contenders rising up the ranks. But who is the best active fighter in Britain today?
Andreas Hell, Nick Parkinson and James Regan consider these questions.
What’s going on with Haney, Lopez, Romero and Garcia?
All signs point to Devin Haney meeting Rolando Romero in a welterweight title unification bout in May. However, those negotiations ultimately stalled and apparently failed. Haney blames social media Romero’s financial demandsWhile Romero has suggested that Haney just didn’t want a fight. Although the fight could be revisited at a later date, it appears Haney will look in a different direction for now.
There was some discussion about a rematch with Ryan Garcia, who defeated Haney in April 2024, after which the result was changed to a no-contest. Garcia found guilty of consuming a banned substance And was suspended for one year. But it appears that Garcia, the current WBC champion, is moving toward a fight with Conor Benn this summer, with the thought that Haney’s rematch with Garcia could happen at another time. Meanwhile, Teofimo Lopez could find himself in IBF title contention after moving up to 140 pounds Richardson Hitchins vacates the belt Weight gain. The IBF has reportedly inquired about the availability of Lopez, who is ranked No. 5 by the sanctioning body, and No. 1-ranked Lindolfo Delgado. Although this fight is not finalized yet, it suggests that Lopez will remain at 140 pounds for the time being. –hel
Is Mayweather fighting Pacquiao? What about his exhibition against Tyson?
It’s a bit messy, isn’t it? It’s April 24, and there’s no sign of an exhibition after the first fight between Floyd Mayweather and Mike Tyson announced in september. Dates have been discussed and reported, but no formal booking announcement has been made. Inquiries by ESPN with sources close to the fight did not yield much information, but the sources did not say it had been canceled entirely.
Meanwhile, Mayweather cools suggestion of a rematch with Manny Pacquiao The fight will be an exhibition Despite a formal announcement by Netflix to the contrary. Since Mayweather’s shocking statement went viral, Team Pacquiao has been steadfast in multiple conversations with ESPN that The fight will take place on September 19 at the Sphere in Las Vegas, and that Mayweather would be in “breach” of his contractual obligation if he did not compete. While Mayweather has not yet issued a public statement, he commented on an Instagram post by boxing reporter Eli Seckbach saying “the fight is back.”
“That’s not true!” Mayweather commented.
However, according to Team Pacquiao, both parties signed a legally binding contract. Netflix hasn’t said anything to suggest the fight will be anything other than what was announced as a pro fight.
There’s also a possibility that Mayweather is doing this to generate more interest in the fight. But until he speaks on it directly, we will all keep speculating. –hel
Who should Taylor fight in his farewell appearance in Ireland?
Who should Katie Taylor fight and who will she fight are two very different questions.
The most exciting fight for fans will be a trilogy bout with Chantelle Cameron. Cameron is the only person to defeat Taylor as a professional, and although she lost the rematch, both bouts were epic. The clash with Cameron has multiple layers to the narrative that will heighten the interest even more.
But if not Cameron, there are other options for the former undisputed lightweight champion. Caroline Dubois is put forward by Nakisa Biederian, co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions. Dubois has made waves over the past few months, becoming unified lightweight champion with her win over Terry Harper. But if you want the promise of a real rivalry and firepower to mark Taylor’s departure, this clash with Cameroon must be the winner. — Regan
Is Spence making a comeback to boxing?
All signs point to Errol Spence Jr. ending his nearly three-year hiatus against Tim Tszyu this summer. Sources told ESPN in February that a fight between the two would be scheduled for early June at an Australian venue. Tszyu kept up his end of the bargain One-sided decision victory Over Dennis Noorja in early April. The Spence fight hasn’t been 100% confirmed yet, but it appears Tszyu’s side agrees and he said so after his win over Nurja.
“I think I’m ready for Errol Spence Jr.,” Tszyu said. “I think it’s going to be a hell of a fight. It’s going to be a blast. I don’t step back. If he’s willing to meet me there, come on over. I’m coming to catch the big fish. Let’s go fishing.”
As far as Spence is concerned, he hasn’t said much Since losing by TKO To Terence Crawford In July 2023. But he responded to Tszyu on X, saying, “You think s—t sweet I am[ma] Did you do so bad!” which suggests that he is close to a comeback and will be Tszyu’s opponent. But nothing is confirmed until a formal announcement is made. –hel
Britain’s current best fighter aircraft is…
Dalton Smith.
Let me explain. Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Conor Benn are the biggest names in British boxing, but they are not currently the best. Former heavyweight champions Fury and Joshua have both suffered recent losses and boxed lower-ranked opponents. Ben has yet to fight for a world title Failed to submit a statement display In his latest battle against a fade Regis Progress.
Fabio Wardley is the WBO heavyweight champion, and will face former IBF champion Daniel Dubois on May 9. The winner of that Wardley-Dubois fight could also be considered a top fighter.
Other British boxers who are world champions have excelled in the past year – IBF junior middleweight champion Josh Kelly, IBF welterweight champion Lewis Crocker, WBA junior lightweight champion Anthony Cacace. And Ellie Scottney, who became the youngest undisputed champion in UK boxing history with a unanimous decision win over Mayeli Flores in London earlier this month, also deserves a place in British boxing’s current top 10.
Then there’s fast-rising heavyweight contender Moses Itauma, who could challenge for a world title in the next 12 months.
But if I had to pick one UK fighter over anyone else right now, it would be Smith, who won the WBC junior welterweight title with a stunning fifth-round stoppage win over heavyweight Subriel Matias in New York in January. It was an upset victory over an opponent considered one of the best in the division to win his first world title, and it took him over the top. — Parkinson
