Anthony Joshua has provided an update on the controversial weight rule for his upcoming fight with Jake Paul.
On November 14, YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul was set to return to the boxing ring for a bout with lightweight world champion Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.
However, with Davis facing a legal case brought forward by his ex-partner, the fight was called off, with two-time unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua stepping in as Davis’ replacement.
Ahead of their fight on December 19, Paul and Joshua met for the first time as opponents during a press conference inside the Kaseya Center at 6pm GMT on November 21.
And during the press conference, Joshua took time to address a controversial rule that has been introduced for the fight regarding his weight.
Given the clear gap in experience between Joshua, a two-time heavyweight champion, and Paul, who has just 13 professional fights in his record, fans were eager to learn about the rules for the pair’s fight.
Despite some rumours claiming it was set to be an exhibition fight, it has since been confirmed that it will be classed as a professional contest with the fighters set to use 10oz gloves across eight three-minute rounds.
It was also reported that Joshua, who stands at six feet six inches compared to Paul, who is six feet one, cannot exceed 245lbs (111.13kg) despite the bout being a heavyweight fight which typically have no weight limit.
When asked by press conference host Ariel Helwani if this is true, Joshua confirmed: “I think that is the case. 111kg (245lbs) is what I’ve got to weigh in at. That is what I am focusing on. Anything else after that is a bonus after that.”
Throughout his career, the Brit has tipped the scales above 250 pounds on several occasions, including during his loss to Daniel Dubois, but he weighed in at 240lbs and 244lbs for each of his fights with current heavyweight champion Oleksandr Uysk.
Meanwhile Paul confirmed that, although he is struggling to put weight back on having cut ahead of his scheduled bout with Davis, he expects to be between 97kg and 102kg for the fight.
He said: “I was cutting for Gervonta [Davis], so it’s been tough building my strength back up for this. But I’ll be anywhere between 215 and 225 pounds.”
Paul’s exhibition fight with Davis was set to be contested at a catchweight limit of 195 pounds (88.4kg).
Tennis legend’s Super Bowl appearance and Drake’s Instagram activity reignite speculation about their complicated relationship history
Tennis star’s Super Bowl cameo sparks speculation
Serena Williams made a surprise appearance during Kendrick Lamar’s electrifying Super Bowl halftime performance in February, stepping onto the stage during his hit song Not Like Us. The tennis legend’s brief moment crip-walking during the 12-minute show sent fans into a frenzy, but her participation may have carried deeper meaning than simple entertainment value.
The timing and context of Williams’ cameo caught particular attention because Not Like Us serves as a pointed diss track aimed squarely at Drake. The song has achieved massive success, accumulating over a billion streams and winning five Grammy awards, while simultaneously creating serious legal complications for those involved.
Drake recently filed a lawsuit against his own label, Universal Music Group, over lyrics in the track that label him with extremely serious accusations. UMG also represents Lamar, creating an unusual situation where the label finds itself caught between two of its major artists. The legal action underscores just how seriously Drake takes the ongoing rivalry.
Williams and Drake first became linked in 2011 when romance rumors began circulating in entertainment circles. The speculation intensified significantly in 2015 as the pair were frequently photographed together at various events and social gatherings.
Neither party ever publicly confirmed they were dating, leaving fans and media to piece together the nature of their relationship through circumstantial evidence and social media activity. The ambiguity surrounding their connection only fueled more intense speculation about what actually transpired between them.
Things took a decidedly awkward turn when Drake began referencing Williams in his music. His 2016 track Too Good contains lyrics that many interpreted as being about unrequited feelings. Drake later confirmed in an interview that the song referenced Williams, suggesting she may have rejected his romantic advances.
Drake’s continued musical references
The rapper didn’t stop with one song. In 2022, Drake released Middle of the Ocean, which contained explicit references to Williams and her husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. The lyrics took direct aim at Ohanian, calling him names and suggesting tension between the two men.
Ohanian responded publicly on social media with a measured but firm statement. He emphasized his dedication to being supportive of his wife and daughter, turning Drake’s intended insult into an expression of pride about his family priorities. The response earned widespread praise for its maturity and positive framing.
Williams herself addressed the speculation in an April interview with Time magazine. She firmly denied that her Super Bowl appearance was intended as mockery toward Drake, calling such interpretations sad. The tennis champion said she could understand why people might think that way but insisted the reality was different.
She emphasized maintaining respect for Drake despite their complicated history, noting they had known each other for many years. Williams portrayed their relationship as cordial rather than contentious, attempting to downplay any suggestion of ongoing animosity between them.
Nine months after Williams’ Time interview attempting to smooth over any perceived tension, new developments suggested the relationship remains far from repaired. On Nov. 19, observant fans noticed Drake publicly liked an Instagram comment that took a shot at Williams.
The rapper had posted several photos from a tennis-themed photoshoot with fellow artist Sexyy Red. He captioned the images with a playful reference to tennis lessons and jewelry. However, the comment section became the real story when Drake engaged with remarks comparing the situation to Williams.
One commenter wrote that the photoshoot represented a Serena Williams upgrade, adding fire emojis for emphasis. Drake’s decision to like this specific comment didn’t go unnoticed by his millions of followers, who quickly screenshot and shared the interaction across social media platforms.
Fans immediately called out the move as messy and petty, questioning why Drake would publicly endorse a comment disparaging Williams. The action seemed to contradict Williams’ earlier statements about their relationship being respectful and free of negative feelings.
The Instagram like generated substantial discussion across social media platforms as users debated Drake’s motivations and the state of his relationship with Williams. Many characterized the action as unnecessarily petty, particularly given Williams’ attempts to downplay any feud earlier in the year.
Others defended Drake, suggesting he was simply engaging with his fans and may not have intended the like as a serious statement about Williams. Some pointed out that celebrities often like comments without fully considering how their actions might be interpreted by millions of observers.
The incident highlighted the challenges public figures face navigating social media interactions, where even simple gestures like liking a comment can spark widespread speculation and controversy. Drake’s Instagram activity remains closely monitored by fans eager to decode any hints about his relationships and rivalries.
Context of ongoing Drake tensions
Drake’s apparent willingness to engage with negative comments about Williams fits into a broader pattern of the rapper finding himself embroiled in various public disputes. His legal action against Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar’s lyrics represents just one front in what appears to be an increasingly complicated public image situation.
The lawsuit itself has raised eyebrows throughout the music industry, with some questioning the wisdom of suing his own label. The legal strategy puts Universal Music Group in an extremely awkward position, potentially damaging relationships that typically benefit both artist and label.
Meanwhile, Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime performance cemented Not Like Us as a cultural phenomenon beyond just hip hop circles. Having Williams appear during that specific song amplified the moment’s impact, whether or not she intended any message toward Drake.
Williams maintains focus on tennis legacy
Throughout the various Drake-related controversies, Williams has largely maintained her focus on tennis legacy matters and business ventures. The retired champion continues building her brand and spending time with her family, seemingly unbothered by ongoing speculation about past relationships.
Her appearance at the Super Bowl represented a celebration of hip hop culture and support for Lamar’s historic performance rather than any calculated statement about Drake. However, the interpretation of her cameo remains subject to individual perspective and the complicated history between all parties involved.
The situation demonstrates how past relationships and unresolved tensions can continue generating headlines years after the original connections faded, particularly when all parties involved maintain high public profiles across entertainment and sports.
Charlie Woods faces a crucial decision that could steer him away from following in Tiger’s footsteps
Charlie Woods spent much of this year reminding the junior golf world why his name carries so much weight, posting career milestones and anchoring Benjamin High School to a state championship.
Yet even as his achievements grow, the question following him from tournament to tournament is what comes next.
His rapid rise through the AJGA ranks, where he currently sits at number nine nationally, has positioned him as one of the most sought after prospects in the 2027 recruiting class.
But instead of the familiar path many expected, the next step in his journey may lead somewhere entirely different.
Woods’ father, Tiger, famously spent his college years at Stanford, where he became an All American and one of the most dominant young players in the country.
His sister, Sam, is enrolled there now after stepping away from competitive soccer. For years, observers treated Stanford as a natural destination for Charlie. Recent signals, however, suggest he may be eyeing a new direction, one rooted not in family legacy but in fit.
Those hints surfaced most clearly during last weekend’s Florida Class 1A State Championship in Howey in the Hills. As Charlie put together a team best 68 that helped secure a title for Benjamin, Florida State head coach Trey Jones was seen in conversation with Tiger Woods.
Their discussion, combined with the setting, sparked immediate speculation that the Seminoles have become a real contender for Charlie’s commitment.
A Southeastern shift
Florida State’s interest comes at a time when the program is gaining momentum on the national stage. The Seminoles finished as runners up at the 2024 NCAA Championship and recently added AJGA number one Miles Russell to their roster.
Landing Charlie Woods would elevate their 2027 class even further and set up a compelling rivalry with the University of Florida, which already has two top five AJGA prospects in Giuseppe Puebla and Jessy Huebner headed to Gainesville.
Charlie’s place in that landscape is unique. He is the only top ten junior who has not yet committed, making his decision one of the most closely watched storylines in amateur golf.
His visit schedule and the programs appearing courtside at his tournaments suggest he is considering multiple Southern schools, with Florida State now firmly in the mix.
What has become increasingly clear is that Charlie is not simply following the blueprint laid out by his father.
Toby Harbeck, who has worked closely with him, has emphasized that carving out an individual identity is a priority. Harbeck noted that they want “Charlie to be Charlie,” adding, “We don’t want Charlie to be Tiger,” a reminder that the expectations surrounding him can often overshadow his desire to build his own path.
Harbeck also revealed that Charlie had said “no” to the Stanford idea as early as 2023, expressing a stronger pull toward programs in the Southeast.
Canelo Alvarez‘s career suffered a major setback in September when he lost to Terence Crawford in their super-middleweight encounter.
Entering their contest as the undisputed champion at 168lbs, many felt that Canelo’s physical advantages would prove too significant for his naturally smaller opponent to cope with.
It soon became clear that ‘Bud’ was not only in possession of the more calculated strategy, but also had the right temperament and technical advantages to put his gameplan into action.
It came as no surprise when Crawford was announced as the unanimous decision winner and in turn cemented his legacy by becoming a three-division undisputed champion.
That achievement is remarkable in itself, but even more impressive was the optics of a 38-year-old, seemingly coming towards the end of his career, being able to clinically dismantle his much bigger rival.
It would appear that there is not so much a particular attribute for Crawford, but rather a well-rounded approach, that almost makes him the full package. That much, at least, was expressed by Canelo during their post-fight press conference. When asked why he fell short on the night, Canelo simply put it down to not being able to figure out his opponent’s style.
“We knew Crawford is a great fighter. I did what I was supposed to do I tried every way.
I tried very hard. He deserves all the credit. I tried my best. I just couldn’t figure out his style.
He has everything.”
Crawford’s skills could be about to be put to the test again, with a potential move down to middleweight on the cards as he sets his sights on one man in particular.
Tyson Fury’s chances of fighting Oleksandr Usyk have been boosted by the Ukrainian’s decision to give up one of his belts.
Former two-time heavyweight champion Fury announced his shock retirement from the sport back in January following back-to-back defeats to the Ukrainian. Just weeks after hanging up the gloves, the ‘Gypsy King’ posted clips of him returning to training – hinting at a potential comeback.
Fury’s sabbatical seemingly ended back in July after he confirmed he would be making a sensational return to the squared-circle next year. That said, he has since sent out rather mixed signals after he recently stated that not even a £1billion pay day would tempt him into a comeback.
Warren said: “The fight he really wants is another go with Mr. Usyk, he really wants that. And they were great fights, really close fights, to watch. I’d watch that again. That’s the fight he wants. That’s the one he talks about all the time.” And the ‘Gypsy King’ could find himself in a position where he could walk into an immediate fight with his rival.
Earlier this week, Fabio Wardley was crowned the new WBO heavyweight champion after Usyk gave up his belt. The Brit stopped Joseph Parker in the 11th round of their epic dust-up last month to become interim WBO champion. The Ukrainian behemoth had already been ordered to defend his four belts against the Ipswich native, but Wardley has now been elevated to full champion.
Following the news, Usyk now seemingly has no obligations he must fulfil in the near future – which frees up a potential third fight with Fury should he decide to perform a major U-turn. Earlier this year, the 37-year-old was quick to throw his hat in the ring to fight the two-time undisputed heavyweight champion.
Reacting to Usyk’s win over Daniel Dubois back in July, Fury said: “Massive shout out to Oleksandr Usyk. He did a fantastic performance tonight over Daniel Dubois, a good, young, game lad who came for a good tear, so congratulations to both men but Oleksandr Usyk knows there is only one man who can beat him.
“I did it twice before and the world knows it. I have been f***** good and proper. I took it like a man and here is me, not f****** around at some boxing match, I am out on the road running. I am running tonight. I came home, I did my job and I got myself back and I am the man. I am the f****** spartan and no matter what anyone wants to say, I won those fights. Guaranteed, 100 per cent. There is only one man. GK (Gypsy King) all day every day. Get up!”
Oleksandr Usyk gave up a world title, now there is only one fight left
At the age of 38, Oleksandr Usyk has already assured himself of a place in boxing’s Hall of Fame.
The brilliant Ukrainian (24-0) has been peerless at every level during a career which has showcased his staggering brilliance at every turn.
A 335-15 amateur record, topped off by Olympic gold at London 2012, undisputed world champion at cruiserweight after turning professional and now undisputed twice at heavyweight.
So when Usyk vacated his WBO world title on Monday, passing it on to Britain’s fairytale fighter Fabio Wardley, he did so having earned the right to plot his next move. One which could be his last as an active fighter.
There are those who still say Usyk is not proven at heavyweight, yet he has defeated Tyson Fury twice, Anthony Joshua twice and Daniel Dubois twice. Among others. He has been the ultimate road warrior, repelling not just elite fighters but also hostile home crowds.
So with time surely running out on an incredible career, what summits are left for Usyk to scale? In our opinion, only one.
Mercifully the talk of Oleksandr facing Jake Paul in a crossover fight (this was a thing back in the summer) appear to have gone away, with the aforementioned Joshua taking on that assignment in Miami next month..
Next fight for Usyk
What about a trilogy fight against Fury? Not for us, we remember the rematch in December 2024 where Usyk was a more clear-cut winner than he had been in their first meeting. Whatever size and ring savvy Fury had, it was not enough. Usyk was just better.
The rest of the heavyweight division right now is comprised of fighters just below that elite box office level, and these guys are called prizefighters for a reason. Usyk surely decided against a mandatory defence of that WBO title because Joseph Parker and then Wardley will not produce the PPV blockbuster that his stature now demands.
Usyk deserves the right to call the shots from here on in, and there is only one which would really set the pulses racing, one which would surely demand that Oleksandr rocks up with maximum focus and in perfect shape. Enter Moses Itauma.
Why it has to be Moses Itauma
The 20-year-old Itauma is the one heavyweight feared by all in the sport’s marquee weight class right now – even if his rivals won’t all publicly admit it.
The young sensation from Chatham in Kent has raced to 13-0 with 11 wins inside two rounds – a resume packed with highlight-reel finishes. None better than his last outing, that one-round demolition job on former world title challenger Dillian Whyte.
Itauma’s breathtaking cocktail of speed, power and ring savvy are incredible for one so young – and right now they appear to be the only true threat to the mighty Usyk.
Saudi power broker Turki Alalshikh summed it up in July, when in the immediate aftermath of Usyk’s win over Dubois, he said: “I want to see Usyk against Itauma. This is the fight”. And so say all of us.
A Usyk vs Itauma fight would be a global spectacular – the brilliant established grand master against the devastating young challenger. Experience vs youth, balletic brilliance vs devastating power. A match for both the connoisseur and the casual.
It is our firm belief that Itauma right now would start favourite against any heavyweight who is not named Usyk or Fury, and a showdown with Fury appears unlikely with ‘The Gypsy King’ holding no world titles right now.
So Usyk vs Itauma is the dream, the one fight that Oleksandr can now take on which would arguably lift his reputation even higher. Beating Fury or Joshua again, or any of those other pretenders, not so much.
The fact Fury and Joshua appear to be getting in position to settle their all-British rivalry at long last at some stage in 2026 just makes the way forward for Usyk even more clear. Not only does it make sense on every level, the pathway is open.
The only reason not to do this for Usyk is danger – any other heavyweight aside from Itauma carries a lower risk. A lower risk of defeat, and a lower risk of getting hurt.
But Usyk is the ultimate fighting man, a boxing great who has ducked no challenges, instead accepted every one sent his way. In any land, at any weight, in front of any crowd.
As Oleksandr prepares to sail off into the boxing sunset to deservedly enjoy the spoils of his success with his family, there is just one mountain left which is worthy of his ascent. One summit to reach, one rival to repel.
Usyk vs Itauma, in 2026. As Turki Alalshikh so rightly said, “this is the fight”.
Serena Williams Serves Power and Drama in a Daring Black Lace Ensemble
Serena Williams turned heads on Thursday, November 20, after posting a striking new set of photos to Instagram, showing off her bold fashion sense and confident energy.
The tennis legend and entrepreneur, 44, posed against a black-and-white striped wall while dressed in a sheer black lace dress paired with a structured black blazer draped over her shoulders.
The daring ensemble highlighted her sculpted figure and sophisticated taste, while the contrasting patterns of the backdrop made the look pop even more. She completed the outfit with pointed black heels and voluminous golden curls that framed her face in soft waves.
In the carousel, Williams struck a mix of poised and playful poses — one showed her flashing a bright smile, another with her head tilted back and hand rested on her neck, exuding power and glamour. A close-up shot revealed her sultry makeup look with glossy lips and smoky eyes, as a phone camera captured her mid-pose.
Her caption, “Lace me up and lead the way ♠️,” perfectly tied into the theme, adding a cheeky nod to the lace fabric of her dress.
Williams, who retired from professional tennis in 2022, has since focused on her business empire, including her fashion brand S by Serena and multiple investment ventures.
This latest post served as a reminder that the 23-time Grand Slam champion still knows how to command attention both on and off the court.
Tiger Woods’ good friend Notah Begay III says the 15-time major champion is still very much eyeing up a record-breaking 83rd PGA Tour victory.
Woods, 49, has not played in a professional golf event since the 2024 Open Championship at Royal Troon.
He missed all four major championships this year after rupturing his left achilles tendon in March and his comeback was delayed even further with his seventh back procedure of the past decade.
Woods had disc replacement surgery in September after experiencing pain and discomfort in his lower back.
He has not revealed if and when he will attempt to return to competitive action.
Woods turns 50 next month and there is hope among his fans that he will jump in a golf cart and tee it up on the senior US circuit where the events are played over 54 holes.
The senior majors are played over the traditional 72.
His good friend, Begay III, told the most recent edition of the Straight Facts Homie podcast that he still believes Woods harbours a deep desire to win again and overtake Sam Snead.
Both Woods and Snead have won 82 official PGA Tour events during their careers.
“I never take anything away from the guy,” Begay III said. “I think in his heart of hearts, 83 is a big number. It’s an important number.
“And I think there’s a couple venues that I think could accommodate his current physical condition.
“I think the biggest problem, in the conversations that I’ve had with him, is the walking. That’s it.
“He hits it great, he’s in tremendous physical condition. His ball speeds are fast enough, they’re 175-180 which is adequate for the PGA Tour.”
Begay III said there is a possibility that if Woods returns then he will attempt to play in the RBC Heritage or the Charles Schwab Challenge as Hilton Head and Colonial have flatter terrain that is easier on his back.
“And those are venues that he’s never typically played at,” he said. “He’s played Colonial once and never went back. And I don’t think he’s ever been to Hilton Head.
“Those are two things that you may see at some point.”
At one stage in his hall of fame career, Woods no doubt believed that he would leapfrog Jack Nicklaus with the most major championship victories.
His former caddie Steve Williams previously revealed Woods was obsessed with breaking the record and the original target was 20, until they changed it to 21 because it was the looper’s favourite number.
Nicklaus won 18 major championships and also finished runner-up on 19 occasions.
Begay III said achieving 83 PGA Tour titles is the “more tangible” goal at this stage.
“I think because the majors, there’s only four of them, and Augusta’s one of the top three hilliest courses players walk all year,” he said.
“Maybe The Open Championship where distance is less of a consideration when you look at guys like Francesco Molinari, Brian Harman – not high ball or long ball hitters that have both walked away there with the Claret Jug.
“In one of the best shotmakers in the world in Tiger Woods, that might be the best fit that he would be looking for in terms of winning another major.
“The cherry on top would be if it was another major and it would be 83.
“He still wouldn’t get to 18, I think that’s out of reach, but I still do think, in a perfect world, Ben Hogan did it on one leg, maybe Tiger can do it too.”
The announcement this week that Jake Paul would be facing off against Anthony Joshua next month live on Netflix in a professionally sanctioned eight-round heavyweight fight shocked the boxing world.
While Paul has had a series of professional fights, none have been close to the level of opponent that he will come face-to-face with at the Kaseya Center in Miami. The 6ft 6in frame of Joshua will be unlike anything that The Problem Child has faced during his career and many have raised concerns about the safety of the YouTube sensation.
The American has already posted a video to his channel, titled ‘This is what you wanted’ which alludes to the fight with Anthony Joshua. Not only that, though, he also addresses the fight cancellation with Gervonta Davis and also the list of opponents he considered before settling on the Brit. It also shows his family reacting to the news, with his mother, father, and brother, Logan Paul, all seemingly shocked at his decision.
At the beginning of the video, the 28-year-old can be seen laying on a sun lounger. As part of a comedic skit, Paul reads aloud a list of his potential opponents from pieces of paper, before landing on AJ and then addressing the camera face on to explain how the opportunity came about.
Unlike some of his opponents in the past, Jake was very respectful of the former two-time heavyweight champion in this video. He mentioned the Brit’s amazing knockout record and also talked about his Olympic triumph. When doing so, Paul said: “While he was winning Olympic gold, I was filming Vines in high school.”
He joked about how different his life looked back then and how much Joshua had already achieved in his career. He also mentioned Eddie Hearn not believing in him that he would never take this fight. The pair have had history with Hearn attempting to sue Paul after the YouTube star claimed in a 2022 interview with iFL TV that Hearn’s company, Matchroom Boxing, were paying veteran judge Glenn Feldman to score fights in favour of his fighters. The pair also clashed during the trilogy of fights between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano, having been representatives of the opposing fighters.
Also in the video, Paul made reference to Gevonta ‘Tank’ Davis, who he was supposed to fight before new serious allegations came out against the current lightweight champion. The American said: “He had a past of many arrests and accusations, but everyone has a past. When you bring the past into the present with domestic violence, you’re out period.”
Video: Jake Paul Addresses Everything
It is clear that it would be wrong to entertain such a fight, with Paul’s focus now firmly on Joshua, who is near on twice the size of Tank.
Paul also stated that he’s doing something that ‘no one else has done before’ and claimed that he is ‘entering the lion’s den’ to fight the 6ft 6in frame of Anthony Joshua. While most don’t give Jake Paul a chance in this fight, the fact he is even capable of getting this opportunity to fight such a high-profile heavyweight is testament to his business acumen. Whichever way that the fight plays out, it will definitely attract one of the highest viewing figures of any boxing event in 2025.
There were questions as to whether Mayweather avoided certain fighters altogether or waited until the odds were in his favor before taking on significant challenges.
This became a talking point after he stepped in the ring with a veteran that he beat in convincing fashion despite being linked with some big names.
Floyd Mayweather fought Sharmba Mitchell in 2005 after being linked with huge fights
Long before Floyd Mayweather would make fortunes in one-sided exhibition bouts, he made it look easy when stepping in the ring on November 19 of 2005.
The 34-0 fighter had been linked to bouts with the likes of Ronald ‘Winky’ Wright, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, Zab Judah, Shane Mosley, and Antonio Margarito but didn’t face off with any of them at this stage.
Instead, he received criticism for taking on 35-year-old veteran Sharmba Mitchell, who he dispatched in six rounds in unsurprising fashion.
Immediately after the bout, HBO’s Larry Merchant questioned whether Mayweather’s demands were preventing him from competing against other top names.
“I know you say this but it appears that when you get below that, what you’re saying is, ‘I’ll fight him if I get 2/3 or 3/4 of the money and they’re not going to give you that,” Merchant said in the post-fight interview.”
“I’m not here to talk about money,” Mayweather responded. “I’m here to talk about fighting the best guys out there and right now, Zab is a good fighter. That’s a good fight for me. ‘Winky’ Wright is a good fight for me. There’s a lot of big names. Oscar De La Hoya this summer. So there’s a lot of fights out there.”
As Mayweather left the ring, Merchant went on to summarize what had just taken place.
“Just a final thought, Floyd’s probably going to have to come down a little bit in his expectations of what it’s going to take to make some of those fights. He does want the money as well as the fights and that ain’t going to work.”
Floyd Mayweather’s potential drawback is what made him the most financially successful boxer of all time
While he never did fight Ronald Wright or Antonio Margarito, Mayweather did go on to tick the other names off his list in the coming years.
His very next outing came against Zab Judah before he went on to beat Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton in 2007, Shane Moseley in 2010, and Miguel Cotto in 2012.
By the time that he’d beaten a few of those names, Mayweather pricing himself out of big matchups was no longer considered to be an issue because he often held more bargaining power, meaning he could make financial demands.
The approach that could have hindered his career ended up being the reason why he’s earned more money from boxing than any other fighter.
