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Oleksandr Usyk makes dramatic U-turn as he names final three fight opponents before retirement

Oleksandr Usyk now wants to face Fabio Wardley if he beats Daniel Dubois as part of his final three fights.

Heavyweight great Usyk is now at the back end of his stellar career at the age of 39.

But his next fight has caused quite the stir, announcing he will avoid interest from the traditional ranks to face kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven.

Oleksandr Usyk holding his world titles

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Usyk will face him in Egypt in May, after originally snubbing a showdown with Wardley and vacating the title.

The Ipswich native will now face Daniel Dubois in the same month, and the Ukrainian is keen to face the winner as part of his three-fight farewell tour.

He told The Ring: ” “Rico is first, second is whoever wins between Wardley and Dubois and the third fight is my friend ‘Greedy Belly’, Tyson Fury.”

Usyk had previously suggested he is not open to facing Wardley as he believed the bout wouldn’t present a big enough commercial opportunity.

But he has now changed his mind and is clearly open to facing the champion.

Although he could be banking on a third showdown with Dubois, whom he comprehensively beat last July.

As talkSPORT.com revealed, Dubois’ camp are open to the trilogy and believe he still can become the first fighter to beat ‘The Cat’.

A trilogy with Fury almost seems certain in the future, given the ‘Gypsy King’ has decided to return after losing twice to Usyk.

The pair have made regular public exchanges over a third clash, but will hope more belts can be on the line first.

Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois facing off

Fury could be renewed opposition for Usyk again

Is Usyk’s fight plan actually going to happen?

Fury is also looking to force his way into a title shot, and Wardley has already agreed a clash if he beats Arslanbek Makhmudov.

This could present an untimely obstacle.

In truth it may also be a challenge for Usyk to enforce the clashes unless he sacrifices his title belts along the way.

And for Usyk to face Wardley or Dubois next, he may be forced to vacate his WBC or WBA belt with pressure from title holders Murat Gassiev and Agit Kabayel.

Gassiev’s camp are already putting pressure on Usyk to be stripped of the title.

And Kabayel has demanded after a long wait that he is next in line as soon as Usyk defends his title.

Promoter Kalle Sauerland has also put pressure on the third belt, the IBF, demanding it is on the line when Derek Chisora and Deontay Wilder face off on April 4.

Claressa Shields Reignites Glove Tampering Claim After Sparring Knockdown

Claressa Shields has reignited her long-running glove tampering allegation while responding to criticism from NFL Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe.

Sharpe questioned the idea that the undisputed heavyweight champion could defeat male fighters, saying the physical divide between men’s and women’s boxing exists for a reason.

“Claressa, we love you, but stop the nonsense. You’re not beating a man,” Sharpe said during a discussion about Shields claiming she could defeat WBA welterweight champion Rolly Romero.

JUST IN: Why Gervonta Davis was Called an underachiever by Haney questi

The remarks prompted a fresh response from Shields, who again referenced the controversial 2018 sparring session in which she was dropped by Latvian fighter Arturs Ahmetovs.

Glove Tampering Claim
Shields has long insisted the knockdown happened because she believes the gloves used in the session had little or no padding.

“That guy (Ahmetovs) is a cheat. He didn’t have no padding in his gloves,” Shields said while revisiting the incident.

“If it’s not true, why him and the coach haven’t sued me yet?”

The American star also repeated her belief that the situation stemmed from tensions earlier in the week.

“I whooped him the week before. He was mad and didn’t like it,” she added.

According to Shields, she realized something was wrong only after touching the gloves at the end of the session.

“When I hit the glove, I could tell there was no padding in there,” she explained.

Shields also admitted the moment left her furious.

“I literally ran to my car and everybody knows what I went to my car to do,” she said, referring to a knife she has previously acknowledged grabbing in anger.

Male Comparison Debate
Shields’ decision to revisit the sparring incident while responding to Sharpe’s comments again highlights how sensitive the subject remains for the champion.

The self-proclaimed “GWOAT” has repeatedly defended her standing when comparisons between male and female fighters arise.

A similar debate unfolded when Vasyl Lomachenko was widely praised for becoming a three-division champion in twelve fights.

Shields argued her own achievements should receive more recognition, pointing out that she became an undisputed triple-weight champion in only ten bouts.

Critics often cite the difference in talent pools between men’s and women’s boxing when those comparisons are made.

Shields, however, has consistently maintained that her accomplishments deserve to be discussed alongside the sport’s leading names regardless of gender.

Haney calls Tank Davis an underachiever, questions Cruz rematch

Haney says the Baltimore star has not tested himself against the best fighters in the sport

Devin Haney criticized Gervonta “Tank” Davis, calling the unbeaten star an underachiever. Haney said Davis has not tested himself against the best fighters in the sport.

Haney believes Davis possesses elite ability but has not built the kind of career that should accompany that level of skill. The former undisputed lightweight champion pointed to Gervonta’s activity level and choice of opponents as reasons he believes the Baltimore fighter has fallen short of what his ability could produce. “Gervonta Davis, I think he’s a really good fighter.

Gervonta Davis Told He'll 'Never' Get The Devin Haney Fight

READ: Gervonta Davis close to securing comeback fight as opponent na

He’s an underachiever,” Haney said to InsideRingShow. “I think he has so much talent. I believe his outside of the ring issues stop him from reaching his full potential, and him not wanting to test himself against the best fighters in the world. A guy like ‘Pitbull’ Cruz is a fight that no one asked for.”

Some fans quickly came to Davis’s defense on social media by pointing to his 2023 seventh-round stoppage of Ryan Garcia. The result remains a common comparison point because Garcia later upset Haney in April 2024, dropping him three times on the way to a decision victory.

For Davis supporters, that chain of results is used to argue that Haney’s criticism carries less weight. Devin’s remarks arrive as Gervonta and Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz move closer to a second fight. Several boxing outlets have reported that the two sides are in advanced discussions for a rematch expected sometime this summer, although no date or venue has been finalized.

Their first meeting came in December 2021 at lightweight, when Tank won a close unanimous decision after twelve competitive rounds. Pitbull’s pressure made the fight one of the toughest nights of Davis’s career, and the Mexican contender has pursued a second meeting ever since.

Talks for a rematch are expected to place the fight at 140 pounds rather than the 135-pound limit used in their first meeting. Issac’s team has pushed publicly for the second bout for months, arguing that the original meeting left unfinished business between the two fighters.

Haney has long been linked to Gervonta in fan discussions about the best fights available around lightweight and light welterweight. His criticism reflects a view held by some observers who believe Davis’s power and ability have not always been matched by the level of opposition he has faced.

Tank remains one of boxing’s biggest attractions, but the list of elite opponents on his record is still thinner than many expected at this stage of his career. Devin’s point is direct: the talent has never been in question, yet the biggest tests have appeared less often than they should.

Oleksandr Usyk names the heavyweight fight he wants after Rico Verhoeven

Oleksandr Usyk is taking Rico Verhoeven seriously, perhaps because he is looking ahead to a bigger challenge afterwards.

The elite southpaw faces kickboxing icon Verhoeven in Egypt on May 23 in a fight that focuses on spectacle after years of hard-fought wins on the road. Despite straying away from his usual matchmaking, Usyk has now assured fans that they can expect a return to top level championship boxing thereafter.

Oleksandr Usyk names the heavyweight fight he wants after Rico Verhoeven

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Speaking on DAZN’s Inside the Ring show, Usyk revealed that he will target becoming undisputed champion in the heavyweight division for a third time after the fight, his sights set firmly on either Daniel Dubois or Fabio Wardley.

“For me, it’s a real fight. Yes, Rico is not a good boxer, okay fun fight, no problem, but I want my next fight [against the] winner of Daniel Dubois and Wardley.”

Wardley was promoted from interim to full WBO champion when the Ukrainian vacated the belt rather than face him as mandatory challenger. His first defence against Dubois, set for May 9 in Manchester, is a dangerous one.

It is a legacy-driven strategy Usyk has employed in the past, dropping the IBF belt to allow Dubois to be elevated, defend against Anthony Joshua, and then face him to regain the strap. Should ‘DDD’ beat Wardley, he could be looking at a trilogy, but fan interest may dwindle given how the first two fights played out.

All of this depends on Usyk keeping hold of his three titles. Though the WBC belt is, highly controversially, on the line against Verhoeven, the IBF and WBA have not yet been mentioned. Those sanctioning bodies may well decide to declare their belts vacant.

Gervonta Davis close to securing comeback fight as opponent named

Gervonta Davis appears to be on the brink of confirming his return to the ring.

Davis was last in action in March 2025 when he was held to a majority decision draw against Lamont Roach in a defence of his WBA lightweight title.

It was a controversial result, with many feeling that Roach did enough to get the nod, especially after a knockdown wasn’t awarded in his favour after ‘Tank’ voluntarily chose to take a knee in round nine.

Gervonta Davis close to securing comeback fight as opponent named

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The 12 months that followed have left many questioning if Davis would ever be back in action at all. A planned exhibition with Jake Paul in November was cancelled due to the Baltimore man being named in a civil lawsuit regarding domestic allegations, just the latest in a string of issues outside of the ropes.

Further drama materialised after an arrest warrant was issued for ‘Tank’ citing similar accusations, leading to him to be stripped of his WBA lightweight title.

Despite all of that, Davis does now look set to return, after it was reported by Mike Coppinger that he is in advanced talks for a clash against Isaac Cruz, a man that ‘Tank’ named as his number one target late last year.

Davis has already secured a win over Cruz, who was last in action in December when he fought to a majority decision draw with former ‘Tank’ foe Roach – the man most feel should be getting the chance to face him again.

Mike Tyson was undoubtedly one of the scariest men on the planet during his prime as a heavyweight boxer.

The American athlete was at the peak of his powers in 1988 when he confronted now-President Donald Trump.

‘Iron Mike’ was the youngest heavyweight champion of all time (a record that still holds today) while also holding the undisputed heavyweight title. One of the greatest boxers in history, the dominant superstar held a record of 35-0 in the summer of ’88.

There Is Only One Fighter Mike Tyson Says Would Have Beaten Him In His  Prime - Seconds Out

READ: Shakur Stevenson Talks Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis and Vasiliy Lomach

While everything was going to plan inside the ring, Tyson’s marriage to actress Robin Givens lasted only one year. Givens cited spousal abuse, which came from his jealousy and temper, as one of the main reasons behind the split.

Donald Trump Confronted by Mike Tyson

President Donald J. Trump delivers the first State of the Union address

Tyson, who was 21 years old at the time, was apparently sent into a rage when he heard a rumour that his wife had an affair with Trump. Per the author of the book TrumpNation, Tim O’Brien, ‘The Baddest Man on the Planet’ didn’t take too kindly to what he was hearing.

He claims Tyson stormed into Trump’s office demanding answers, asking (per talkSPORT): “Could I ask you, are you f****** my wife?” It’s never been disclosed what else was said during that conversation, but the US President is still around to tell the tale, suggesting he de-escalated the situation.

O’Brien has quoted the now 79-year-old’s first words after the tense meeting. The politician and businessman reportedly said:

“Now, if I froze, I’m dead… you would have zero chance. Here’s the heavyweight champion of the world, and he’s a solid piece of fu***** armour.”

This all came after the pair had shared a strong working relationship. Trump had even bid an eye-watering $11million to hold Tyson’s fight against Michael Spinks at the Atlantic City Convention Hall near his New Jersey HQ that same year.

Mike Tyson Endorsed Trump as US President

Mike Tyson

It certainly appears this brief tension didn’t last, as Tyson was one of the very first celebrities to throw his backing behind Trump’s run for the US presidency in 2016.

In an interview with The Daily Caller, the boxer publicly praised the man who would go on to spend two terms in the Oval Office. “That sh** is the real deal. Listen: I’m a black mother***** from the poorest town in the country. I’ve been through a lot in life,” he said.

Tyson even claimed there’s a huge level of respect Trump shows his family, which can’t be said for other Presidents of the past. Even after the short-lived feud three decades earlier, he claimed:

“And I know him. When I see him, he shakes my hand and respects my family. None of them- Barack, whoever- nobody else does that.

“They’re gonna be who they are and disregard me, my family. So I’m voting for him. If I can get 200,000 people or more to vote for him, I’m gonna do it.”

Deontay Wilder Says Will Dispute With Ex and Her Son Left Him Fearing a Heart Attack

Deontay Wilder continues to struggle in his personal life, thanks to his relationship with his former partner, Telli Swift.

The pair began dating in 2015, got engaged in 2018, and shortly after welcomed their first child, Kaorii, together. However, by the time 2024 rolled around, Wilder’s love life had taken a toll much like his career in the boxing ring. By April 2024, Swift claimed Wilder had thrown her out of their Atlanta home shortly after a surgery.

Things got worse when she filed for a temporary restraining order in June 2024, a move that escalated the situation into a contentious custody dispute. In addition to Kaorii, Swift has a son, Kerron, from a previous relationship, whom Wilder had embraced and helped raise as his own. However, in a recent interview, Wilder revealed that a dispute involving his will and Swift’s son caused him severe stress, which left him fearing a heart attack.

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Deontay Wilder reveals what triggered him to run to his lawyer

Deontay Wilder made a series of explosive allegations against his ex-partner, Telli Swift, during an appearance on Cigar Talk with host Naji. Speaking candidly about their fallout, the former heavyweight champion claimed financial betrayal played a major role in their split. “My ex stole over $400,000 from me,” Wilder told Naji, discussing his ex-partner. He also alleged that Swift wanted to relocate to California to increase potential child support payments.

“See that where all the girls go to California because them lawyers out there waiting on them and the laws is a woman is innocent until proven guilty. A man is guilty until proven innocent.” Wilder also accused Swift of misrepresenting her professional background. According to him, she claimed to be a CPA but was actually a CNA. “That’s the lowest of the low in the hospital if I’m not mistaken,” Wilder added.

“But you want to tell people certain things because you want to look a certain part that you really [don’t].” He further claimed he took Swift in after she lost her job and helped prevent her from becoming homeless. The former champion went on to detail how deeply he had invested in her family. “And helped her out and all this stuff, and this is how you repay me. I took the role of being your son’s father, not just a daddy, but a father. I went in so hard, bro,” Wilder said.

“I put them on my will… I moved a little space over and added her son on my will. You ain’t even my son for real. I put her in my will as well, too. You [were] just my girlfriend. You ain’t even my wife.” Wilder, who reportedly has eight children with different women, then described an incident that prompted him to remove Swift’s son from his will.

“One time the son said, ‘You ain’t my daddy.’ Now, that’s one thing you don’t say to a man that ain’t your daddy. I fed you, took you on all these trips, gave you a beautiful life… Bro, when he did that, I ran to my lawyer to try to get that. Because I felt like I was going to have a heart attack. Seriously,” Wilder told Naji during the interview.

Despite Wilder’s frustration, things haven’t been going well for the former heavyweight champion.

Wilder was denied custody of his 6-year-old daughter

When Swift filed for a temporary restraining order, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge granted her request after she alleged that Wilder had physically assaulted her. As part of the ruling, the court also ordered that Wilder’s visits with their daughter be supervised. By June 2025, Wilder was seeking joint custody of his daughter, pointing to concerns about Swift’s living situation.

He cited her relationship with NFL safety John Johnson III, claiming that Swift’s move to Southern California to live with her new boyfriend had led to 18 unexpected school absences. These allegations were among several issues raised in a 266-page court filing in which Wilder argued that his daughter’s life had “not been stable” under Swift’s sole custody. Despite those claims, the court ruled against Wilder.

That being said, it appears Deontay Wilder continues to struggle in his efforts to gain custody of his daughter. In the process, his relationship with his ex-partner—and her son—has deteriorated beyond repair.

Shakur Stevenson Talks Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis and Vasiliy Lomachenko, With Joe Rogan

During a recent guest appearance on the popular podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience, Shakur Stevenson talked about long-rumored fights against American rival Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis and all-time great amateur fighter Vasiliy Lomachenko.

Stevenson had previously indicated publicly that he would no longer speak about a prospective fight against Davis, the pound-for-pound talent who is renowned for his extraordinary exploits inside the ring as he is for controversies outside of it, too, with ongoing legal issues seemingly scuppering any shot of activity within boxing.

Shakur Stevenson Talks ‘Tank’ Davis, & Lomachenko, With Joe Rogan

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Arrested in January, 2026, Davis is accused of assaulting a woman at a strip club in Miami Gardens in an alleged incident from three months prior. In the time before and after this, Shakur has established himself as one of the sport’s premier talents, thanks to back-to-back wins over William Zepeda and Teofimo Lopez — both statements.

If ‘Tank’ were to return to the ring this year, it remains something Stevenson would, at least, consider.

“I would love for it to happen.”

However, that does not mean any pathway toward a successful negotiation would be smooth. “The way he went on social media, bashed me, like I need him. I just feel disrespected about it,” Stevenson said. “I’m a grown man, I make my own money, and living a spectacular life. I don’t need nobody.”

There was, perhaps, a time in which ‘Tank’s’ standing within the sport suggested he was a more popular fighter as proven by ticket sales across numerous critical American boxing markets (Las Vegas and New York City among more regional hotbeds) as well as pay-per-view sales.

However, that pendulum of power may now have swung toward Stevenson because of the run he’s in the middle of, thwarting a level of competition that Davis has not matched.

“If he feels as though I need him, then it’s like, whatever,” Stevenson told Rogan. “I’m not in need of that fight.”

Shakur Stevenson Praised Vasiliy Lomachenko

There was also enough time on the podcast to talk about a fight that could have been, but never was — one that would pit the present at the time in Lomachenko against Stevenson, then considered the future, at a time in which they both operated under the Top Rank promotional banner.

The two were aware of one another’s skills have sparred each other, when Stevenson was much younger.

“On Lomachenko: “Skillfully, I thought I was the better fighter — my range, distance, and speed was better than his but a standpoint of being in shape, throwing more punches, I feel he was – he was getting ready for his fight,” he said.

When Rogan asked if he thinks this was the reason Lomachenko was seemingly loathe to engage him in a real fight, Stevenson said yes.

Canelo Alvarez has outlined how much longer he could remain in the sport, before hanging up his gloves and calling time on a decorated career.

The 35-year-old is already destined for a place in the Hall of Fame, having become a four-division world champion, but remains eager to compete at the highest level.

Since making his professional debut in 2005, the Mexican has amassed 68 outings and become a two-time undisputed king at 168lbs, claiming notable victories over the likes of Callum Smith and Caleb Plant.

Canelo Alvarez addresses his retirement plan

READ: Why Ryan Garcia says no to Shakur Stevenson’s excessive deman

His most significant win, however, arrived at middleweight, where Alvarez edged a highly-contentious majority decision in his 2018 rematch with Gennady Golovkin.

More controversial was their first encounter, the previous year, when many believed that Golovkin had done enough to claim a convincing victory, only for the Kazakh to instead come away with a draw.

But still, Canelo received ample credit for emerging triumphant in their sequel, before dethroning Sergey Kovalev for the WBO light-heavyweight title over a year later.

Alvarez’s second undisputed title reign at super-middleweight then came to an end last September, with Terence Crawford moving up two weight divisions to claim a unanimous decision victory.

But despite this, Canelo has explained to Froch On Fighting that he could still compete for another two years, or perhaps even longer, depending on how frequently his opportunities materialise.

“I don’t know. I’m thinking maybe two years. I don’t need it, [but] I still enjoy it. If I [fight] once a year, maybe [I can go on] a little bit [longer].

“Once a year, for me to rest my body, I think I can fight more [than two years].”

While an official announcement is yet to emerge, Canelo is set to fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this September, with Turki Alalshikh having promised a world title shot.

Ryan Garcia says no to Shakur Stevenson’s excessive demands

To prove that someone is the best in the world of boxing, a fighter must step into the ring with excellent preparation to be ready for any situation that may arise, especially when entering as the challenger.

This appears to be something Shakur Stevenson has not fully understood, as he continues to keep the potential fight against Ryan Garcia hanging in uncertainty. In the bout that both sides are attempting to finalize, Stevenson seems determined for his opponent to accept all of his conditions, but Garcia has delivered a firm and categorical refusal.

Shakur Stevenson & Ryan Garcia

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The origin of the disagreement between Ryan Garcia and Shakur Stevenson

This entire dispute between the two pugilists began on social media, where nowadays it seems that if matters are not discussed publicly, they do not exist. Modern times often dictate that everything unfold in that arena, whether in sports, politics, or any other aspect of life.

Through those platforms, Stevenson accused Garcia of being a weight bully. Shakur argued that in any fight contested at 147 pounds, there must be a rehydration clause that limits Ryan’s weight on the night of the event.

The challenger suggested that Garcia could come into the fight weighing around 160 pounds, or that they could establish a fixed limit of 170 pounds. Garcia immediately rejected that proposal and made it clear that he would never accept such a condition.

I will never be on a rehydration clause again, and I don’t need 20-30 pounds to beat you,” Garcia wrote on X. “I’ll beat your ass straight up.

Shakur Stevenson

Faced with this scenario, Garcia has pointed to the fight he had in 2023 against Gervonta Davis, in which weight stipulations were included that limited how much he could weigh on the night of the bout. Later, he stated that those conditions ended up affecting him and believed that the defeat may have come partly because of that situation.

Now that it appears the same type of demand is being placed in front of him once again, Garcia has issued a definitive refusal. In a social media post, he explained that any progress toward finalizing the fight will depend on eliminating the restrictions that Stevenson’s camp wants to impose.

As long as there’s no rehydration clause, things will be going forward.

Ryan Garcia

These kinds of restrictions exist in boxing because between the official weigh-in and the night of the fight, fighters can gain a significant amount of weight that could benefit them inside the ring. That is precisely the point of tension currently holding up negotiations.

For now, the disagreement remains unresolved and continues to cloud what many fans believe could become one of the most exciting bouts in recent years. Both fighters have the talent and popularity to create a major event, but unless the contractual terms are settled, the fight will remain uncertain, and the anticipation surrounding it will continue to grow without a definitive answer about whether it will actually take place.