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“Tougher than all of them”: Deontay Wilder overlooks Tyson Fury as

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Deontay Wilder Tyson Fury

Deontay Wilder overlooks Tyson Fury as he names surprise toughest opponent of career

Deontay Wilder has been made to dig deep on more than one occasion during his professional boxing career.

Artur Szpilka and Luis Ortiz were both causing ‘The Bronze Bomber’ all kinds of problems before he plucked out a punch from the Gods, while punishing defeats to Tyson Fury, Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang took significant mileage off his clock.

Johann Duhaupas against Deontay Wilder in 2015

JUST IN: “They Were Gonna Make His Life Miserable”: Why Team Canelo Under Fire as Terence Crawford’s Retirement Protects Legacy

Before he locked horns with any of the aforementioned contenders, Wilder’s handlers matched him against rugged veteran Johann Duhaupas in September 2015.

Wilder was making the second defence of his WBC heavyweight title in his home state of Alabama after snatching the green and gold strap from Bermane Stiverne six months prior.

Duhaupas had struggled against no-hope former title challengers Manuel Charr and Francesco Pianeta, and a defeat to fringe contender Erkan Teper did little to persuade fans that he could pull off an upset.

While the fight wasn’t particularly competitive, Duhaupas made Wilder work harder than he had ever done before.

With blood pouring from a cut on the bridge of his crooked nose, Duhaupas forced the heavy-handed American onto his heels as hellacious shots repeatedly bounced off his head.

After 11 punishing rounds, referee Jack Reiss stepped in and waved off the fight against the ropes, much to the dismay of the stubborn Frenchman.

11 years later, and Wilder is still in awe of how Duhaupas walked through his shots undeterred.

“It might surprise you, but my toughest opponent and the one who hit me the hardest is the Frenchman, Johann Duhaupas,” Wilder told talkSPORT.com.

“I remember he was very durable, and he brought the fight to my backyard.

“I remember he hit me with a jab and I thought, ‘Oh s*** I cannot take these punches too many times, or there is going to be an upset in my own hometown.’

Wilder says he has never been hit harder than in his fight with Duhaupas

“That’s when I started getting myself together, and I eventually stopped him, but he was still on his feet, the tough b******.

“He is the only one who has hit me, and I can still remember the after effects of the punches.

“Tougher than all of them, and that is the God’s honest truth.”

When is Deontay Wilder’s next fight?

Wilder is expected to be dragged back into deep waters by Derek Chisora on April 4.

Both men are making their 50th, and potentially final, professional outings at London’s O2 Arena.

Whoever emerges victorious could land a shot at unified champion Oleksandr Usyk, while the loser will almost certainly be frozen out of the title picture.

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“They Were Gonna Make His Life Miserable”: Why Team Canelo Under Fire as Terence Crawford’s Retirement Protects Legacy

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Canelo Alvarez Terence Crawford

It’s been exactly five months since the mega fight between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford.

The latter became a three-division undisputed champion, beating, arguably, one of the best boxers of the generation.

Three months later, however, ‘Bud’ announced his retirement from the sport, finishing his boxing career undefeated. This came at a special time, though.

Canelo Alvarez Terence Crawford

READ: “I’m Giving You Fees to Just Bankrupt My Family”: Mike Tyson Slams WBC Amid Terence Crawford, Shakur Stevenson Revolt

In the days leading up to his retirement, there was much talk about Crawford’s next fight. Many speculated whether he would move down to middleweight for another undisputed run or if a rematch was in the works. However, it all fizzled out when Bud announced his retirement. Now, a renowned boxing trainer says, “I’m glad he [retired].” Why?

Team Canelo Alvarez would have made Terence Crawford lose

“I’m gonna say [this, and] a lot of people are gonna be mad at me,” acclaimed boxing trainer Joel Diaz told Fight Hub TV’s Marcos Villegas. “The fact that [Crawford] won, working on a rematch, they [Canelo’s team] were gonna make [Crawford’s] life miserable for a rematch for [Crawford] to lose the next one.”

According to Joel Diaz, “that’s the way boxing works.” He explained that Canelo Alvarez has long been the favorite—a major draw with significant influence in the sport. And on the rematch, Canelo’s team would’ve found a way to ensure he won the next one.

Thanks to Canelo’s massive purses, everyone involved stands to earn a bigger cut if he wins, which incentivizes them to root for him to win and remain on top. However, with his loss, that popularity and pulling power may begin to fade. And with Canelo approaching retirement, the window to capitalize on his star power is shrinking, making the financial stakes even higher.

The trainer, who coached Crawford’s opponent before Canelo, Israil Madrimov, also suggested that Terence Crawford’s decision to step away from the sport protects his legacy from being tarnished. “In the books of boxing, forever in history, look at this guy,” he explained. “He came from 54 to 68, beat the king of boxing and took all the belts and retired.

“I know there’s a lot of temptations. There [are] millions of dollars… Yes, it’s tempting, but you know what? Money comes and goes, and at the end of the day, money is not going to last forever. What’s going to last forever? A legacy.”

Diaz also trained Dmitry Bivol for the latter’s fight against Canelo in May 2022. And Bivol is one of only three fighters who have managed to beat ‘Cinnamon,’ including Floyd Mayweather. Coming back to the point, though, Canelo hasn’t fought since his loss to Crawford last year.

However, that hasn’t stopped the Mexican boxing legend from continuing to pursue Crawford anyway.

Alvarez blames ‘leg cramps’ for Crawford loss; wants rematch

After getting dominated, Canelo believes physical issues may have played a part in his diminished performance. “I tried, but my body didn’t respond,” Alvarez said. “I had cramps in my legs, so it didn’t respond the way I wanted.”

He admitted mistakes in both training camp and execution. “We learn from that and move forward… I know what mistakes I made in the fight and in the camp, too,” he added. Alvarez believes a second fight would look very different and argues Crawford owes him that opportunity. “After the fight,” he said. “I said we need to run this fight back because I didn’t really feel the way I wanted.

“For him to deserve all the credit, he needs to give me the rematch.”

Whether the rematch actually materializes remains uncertain. But Joel Diaz’s comments have cast a troubling shadow over the situation, hinting at a darker possibility that could reflect poorly on Canelo Alvarez. If the fight does happen, will Diaz’s claims prove justified—or will they be put to rest once and for all?

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BOXING

“I’m Giving You Fees to Just Bankrupt My Family”: Mike Tyson Slams WBC Amid Terence Crawford, Shakur Stevenson Revolt

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Mike Tyson Terence Crawford

It’s not looking good for WBC. Last year, after Terence Crawford defeated Canelo Alvarez to become the undisputed super middleweight champion, ‘Bud’ refused to bend to the sanctioning fees demands made by the World Boxing Council.

He accused them of riding the coattails of boxers without providing any real value. Crawford was subsequently stripped of his WBC title. It didn’t matter much since the three-division undisputed great announced his retirement anyway.

When the same demand was made to Shakur Stevenson after his recent bout with Teofimo Lopez, he too joined the cause and vacated the WBC belt rather than pay the exorbitant fees demanded by the sanctioning body. Now, the entire fiasco has Mike Tyson worked up over it all.

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JUST IN: Risk, Reward, And Reputation: Why This Is the Fight Gervonta Davis Cannot Ignore

Currently, ‘Iron Mike’ is launching the Mike Tyson Invitational, an amateur boxing showcase/tournament aimed at developing and reviving American boxing talent. The three-day invitational event is scheduled for March 12–14 in Las Vegas at the Radiant Brand Complex. So, ahead of the tournament, he appeared in an interview with TMZ Sports where he was asked about the debacle.

Mike Tyson urges others to follow Terence Crawford and Shakur

Despite being extremely close to WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman, the heavyweight legend has made his stance on the issue. “Listen, I like the WBC. I respect [them], but no one needs a ranking body,” Tyson told TMZ Sports’ Mike Babcock. “Fighters fight fighters. And that’s how [they] hold the belt. You don’t need a belt to define [that] you’re the best. Your skills define if you’re the best. You don’t need [any] organizations.”

He went on to argue that most boxers simply don’t earn enough to justify paying sanctioning fees to organizations like the WBC. “A guy like me, I should pay some fees. I don’t mind paying fees. If you [are] making the money I make. But the money these guys [are] making, a million bucks, they’ve got to pay some fees? No, no, no,” Tyson asserted.

There is a widespread misconception about fighter pay in boxing. Many assume boxers earn purses comparable to stars like Canelo Alvarez, Ryan Garcia, or Gervonta Davis. In reality, only a small percentage of fighters reach that level of financial success. The vast majority struggle to make a stable living throughout their careers. And when those fighters finally win a title or get a place in the rankings and begin expecting better paydays, Tyson believes sanctioning fees feel excessive and unfair.

“What are we paying the fees for? What protection are we getting by paying these fees? Am I going to have a retirement fund? No. I’m not going to do that,” Tyson stated. “I’m giving you fees to just bankrupt my family.” For him, only the most gullible would agree to pay such sanctioning fees.

Mike Tyson stated that promoters take advantage of fighters anyway before sanctioning bodies step in to claim their share of the revenue generated by the boxers’ hard work. So that makes it all the more harder to earn a living as a boxer.

When asked about Terence Crawford and Shakur Stevenson pushing back against the WBC, Tyson quickly voiced his support for the duo. “Oh, you[‘ve] got to fight back. When they fight back, all the other fighters will fight back,” Tyson said.

As for Stevenson’s dispute with the WBC, the Newark native reportedly raised serious allegations—claims that only reinforce Tyson’s criticism of the sanctioning body.

Shakur Stevenson calls the WBC ‘crooks’

It happened just days after he defeated Teofimo Lopez to win the WBO junior welterweight title at Madison Square Garden. The former lightweight champion blasted the WBC on social media after they made their demand for fees apparent to him. The WBC cited its rules regarding champions who win titles in new weight classes in order to justify their fees. Rather than pay up, Shakur decided to simply vacate his WBC lightweight title.

Taking to X, he alleged the organization stripped him due to a $100,000 sanctioning fee he refused to pay. “100k to some crooks who don’t deserve it?” Stevenson wrote. He added, “The WBC didn’t even have [anything] to do with this fight, and it’s eating them alive. Take your belt, it [doesn’t] make me.”

Stevenson also questioned the timing of the decision, writing, “What the hell am I giving y’all 100k right now for?” He claimed it was personally motivated because of his close friendship with Terence Crawford.

Regardless, there appears to be a growing pushback against the WBC and other sanctioning bodies over the entire fallout. And at a time when Zuffa Boxing is entering the sport, this might not bode well for the three-letter organizations.

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BOXING

Risk, Reward, And Reputation: Why This Is the Fight Gervonta Davis Cannot Ignore

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Gervonta Davis

Gervonta Davis does not lack options. But if he wants a return fight that carries instant meaning, Isaac Cruz still stands above the rest.

As Davis deals with ongoing legal matters and the weight class picture shifts around him, the usual speculation has followed: who’s next, and how soon?

There are marketable names and fresh matchups available. But only one opponent comes with a story that never fully settled the first time.

Gervonta Davis

JUST IN: Gervonta Davis: World title fight ‘set for April’ for Gervonta ‘Tank’ Da

The Chapter That Never Fully Closed
Their December 2021 meeting ended in a unanimous decision win for Davis.

On paper, it was clear. In the ring, it was competitive.

Cruz’s pressure forced Davis to adjust in ways few opponents have managed. For long stretches, Davis boxed with caution, relying on timing and control rather than imposing himself.

It was not controversy. It was discomfort for the champion.

And that kind of night tends to follow a fighter until he answers it.

Timing Changes The Choice
Cruz is no longer a short-notice replacement stepping into the spotlight. He has stayed active, improved, and kept calling for the sequel.

Davis, meanwhile, faces uncertainty on his timeline while legal proceedings continue. That makes the opponent selection more important than usual.

If Davis wants a comeback that quiets questions instead of creating new ones, Cruz is the cleanest answer. The history is already there, and the stakes don’t need manufacturing.

Clarity From Cruz’s Side
Advisor Sean Gibbons confirmed to World Boxing News that Cruz has identified Davis as his primary target.

No conditions have been floated publicly. No demands. No pre-fight theater. From Cruz’s side, the message is simple: if Davis wants it, the door is open.

That matters in a division where talks often stall before they begin.

Risk, Reward, And Reputation
Davis remains one of boxing’s biggest draws. He can sell fights against multiple opponents.

But few matchups offer what Cruz does: a chance to settle the one result that still sparks fan debate.

A decisive Davis win ends the debate. A tighter fight — or a reversal — changes the lightweight conversation immediately.

That is the risk. It is also why the rematch carries real weight.

The Choice People Will Judge
When Davis returns, the opponent will be read as a statement.

Cruz is the most direct route back into meaningful competition because the first fight already proved he is not a formality.

If the rematch happens, the story gets its ending. If it does not, the question will linger every time Davis is linked to someone else.

Because for all the names at 135 to 140, few come with a lingering question that still demands an answer. – If you use these WBN quotes, please link back to the source: https://www.worldboxingnews.com/isaac-cruz-gervonta-davis-cannot-ignore/

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Gervonta Davis: World title fight ‘set for April’ for Gervonta ‘Tank’ Da

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Gervonta Davis

World title fight ‘set for April’ for Gervonta Davis’ old belt

Last month, Gervonta Davis was stripped of his WBA lightweight world title and a date for a clash for the now vacant belt has been confirmed, with one of boxing’s most exciting prospects involved in the bout.

Davis was winless since June 2024 prior to being stripped, with his lone outing since being a debatable draw against Lamont Roach Jr last March, that almost cost him his undefeated record.

World title fight ‘set for April’ for Gervonta Davis’ old belt

Since then, a number of external issues have been behind the inactivity of ‘Tank’, who was issued with an arrest warrant issues based on charges of battery, false imprisonment and attempted kidnapping.

As a result, the WBA have decided to demote Davis to champion-in-recess, meaning that their lightweight title is now vacant, but that Davis will be well poised to challenge the new champion upon his return.

On Instagram, the WBA’s number one contender, 23-year-old Floyd Schofield, has revealed that he will be fighting for the vacant title in April.

“We been through the fire to get to this point in our life.

“We have so much more to do and so much more life to live. Stay tuned and continue to watch the growth of both me and my son.

“Tune in April for our @wbaboxingofficial World Title fight. Thank you to all our sponsors, fans and friends.”

It is believed that ‘Kid Austin’ will collide with Canada’s Lucas Bahdi, despite the latter being ordered for an IBF final eliminator against Albert Bell earlier this week, with Saturday, April 11, the anticipated fight date.

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BOXING

Why Anthony Joshua’s Comeback Depends On Whether He Can St

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Anthony Joshua Turki Alalshikh

Anthony Joshua’s Comeback Depends On Whether He Can Still Pull The Trigger

Anthony Joshua’s return is no longer about dates, opponents, or even Tyson Fury. It comes down to something far less visible: whether he can still switch off the part of the mind that calculates danger before stepping into it.

In December, Joshua survived a car crash in Nigeria that killed two of his closest friends, Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele. He was reported to have suffered only minor physical injuries, but that is not the part that decides heavyweight fights.

The Instinct That Decides Heavyweight Fights

The part that decides fights lives in the split-second between seeing an opening and committing to it. Since the crash, Joshua has kept a low profile, limited to some gym footage, a brief video message, and later comments from Eddie Hearn.

Boxer Anthony Joshua 'mildly' hurt in fatal car crash in Nigeria | Daily Sabah

JUST IN: PHOTOS: How Anthony Joshua pays fresh tribute to late friends

Speaking to First Round TV, Hearn said, “I don’t think there are any guarantees he fights again, but at the same time I expect him to, because it is something that he loves.” He added that Joshua has been training but is “not ready yet, and won’t be for a while, to return to boxing training.” Heavyweight champions survive because they operate with a degree of insulation.

At his best, Joshua stepped into range without visible hesitation, accepted the risk of counters, and trusted his right hand to settle exchanges.

That kind of commitment requires a narrowing of focus that shuts out anything beyond the ropes. We have already seen Joshua deal with defeat inside the sport. He rebuilt after Andy Ruiz stopped him and attempted to adjust after two losses to Oleksandr Usyk.

Those were boxing setbacks that demanded tactical correction and emotional control. Real-world trauma carries a different weight because it alters how a man processes risk in everyday life, and that processing does not automatically switch off under bright lights.

A heavyweight who pauses to measure every danger is vulnerable. If the jab retracts a fraction slower or the back foot lingers before planting, the other man will step in and take ground.

The difference between firing instinctively and calculating first can be a single beat, and at this level, that beat is enough for the opponent to seize control.

We’ll Know Early Joshua is 36 and has already travelled the full arc of champion, dethroned champion, and rebuild. The long-discussed Fury fight now feels secondary to a more immediate concern, which is whether Joshua even wants to stand in that space where violence is accepted without reflection. Belts and rivalries can wait; the psychological adjustment cannot be rushed.

No fighter returns unchanged after a shock of this scale. Some come back sharpened by it, channeling grief into focus. Others fight like men who have seen the cost of risk too clearly to ignore.

The public will not need months to work out which version appears. The answer will surface early, in the first committed exchange, when he has to decide whether to let his hands go without thinking about what might come back. Joshua does not need a payday or a legacy boost. He has already secured both.

The real test of this comeback is whether he can still narrow his world to the ring for twelve rounds and accept danger without flinching. If that instinct remains intact, he stays relevant at the top level. If it does not, no amount of training will disguise it for long.

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BOXING

PHOTOS: How Anthony Joshua pays fresh tribute to late friends

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Anthony Joshua

PHOTOS: Joshua pays fresh tribute to late friends with new tattoo

Anthony Joshua has gotten a fresh tattoo of the names of his two friends who died in the car crash he survived in Nigeria.

Joshua’s close friends — Kevin Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami — lost their lives in a fatal accident that happened along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on December 29.

The former heavyweight boxing champion was also in the Lexus SUV that rammed into a stationary truck on the expressway, but he survived with minor injuries.

Anthony Joshua shows off new tattoos in tribute to friends killed in car crash - Mirror Online

JUST IN: “He’s top of my list”: The man Gervonta Davis wants next respo

The 35-year-old has now etched his late friends’ names on his right biceps.
He tattooed the names underneath the map of Africa inked on his upper arm.
In a post on its Instagram page on Thursday, Fulham Tattoos said the boxer got the new ink “a few weeks ago”.
A couple of weeks ago, Joshua said he no longer feared death since he already had two “brothers” on the other side,
In the lengthy video, the fighter struggled to hold back tears as he promised to do what is right by his friends’ families.
Photos of Joshua getting his latest tattoo:
 
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BOXING

“He’s top of my list”: The man Gervonta Davis wants next respo

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Gervonta Davis

The man Gervonta Davis wants next responds to call out

Whilst Gervonta Davis’ comeback date is unknown, his opponent may become obvious in the coming weeks, as his targeted dance partner has shared his willingness to accept a fight with the Baltimore-born knockout artist.

Davis has not won a fight since June 2024, with his lone outing since being a controversial draw against Lamont Roach Jr – which many fans felt should have cost him both his WBA lightweight world title and his undefeated record.

However, whilst Roach couldn’t capture Davis’ 135lb belt, the WBA have since demoted ‘Tank’ to champion-in-recess, after he was issued with an arrest warrant regarding allegations of domestic violence.

The man Gervonta Davis wants next responds to call out: “He’s top of my list”

READ: Eddie Hearn Provides Update On Anthony Joshua’s Fighting Future

Although, when discussing his eventual return on social media, Davis admitted his intentions of rematching Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz, whom he defeated by unanimous-decision in December 2021.

“I’m taking him [Cruz] next, soon as my knee gets better.”

In response, Cruz’s advisor, Sean Gibbons, has now told BoxingScene that Davis sits at the top of Cruz’s hit-list, describing their meeting as ‘unfinished business’ after their enthralling encounter over four years ago.

“He called me and has put together a little hit-list of three guys. At the top of the list is Gervonta Davis. It marks unfinished business for ‘Pitbull’, and Gervonta has lots of unfinished business.

“I think that can come together in this timeframe. Gervonta beat him already; is backed in a corner; doesn’t want to fight Shakur or Roach. He needs a guy who’ll bring him money. ‘Pitbull’ earned the right for that signature fight.

“The big, big one that captivates audiences, and with Gervonta or Ryan [Garcia], he would capture that. The guy’s itching to do something in a big way.”

It remains to be seen whether Davis will return to the ring anytime soon, but if he does, a second showdown with Cruz could be in store.

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Eddie Hearn Provides Update On Anthony Joshua’s Fighting Future

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Anthony Joshua

Eddie Hearn has given insight into where Anthony Joshua is at right now following the devastating car crash in Nigeria.

After Joshua beat Jake Paul with a one-punch knockout that broke the American’s jaw, he headed to Nigeria to visit family. Tragedy struck when the car he was in collided a parked vehicle and his two close friends and camp members Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele lost their lives.

That put paid to Joshua’s immediate boxing plans but, speaking to First Round TV, his lifelong promoter Eddie Hearn has suggested he is starting to get back into the gym.

Eddie Hearn Anthony Joshua

“I don’t think there is any guarantees he fights again, but at the same time I expect him to because it’s something that he loves. It’s something he can carry those guys with him, though as well and it’s something he wants to do.

“From a boxing sense, physically it wasn’t easy what he went through either. People probably don’t realise the extent of what he’s been through. He’s been training, but he’s not ready yet and he won’t be for a while to return to boxing training.

“We were gearing up for him to fight in March and then fight Tyson Fury. Obviously, that’s not going to happen now. I don’t know if it will ever happen. In the next few months, he will turn up the dial on training and see where he is at on that.”

Fury, too, is making a return after more than a year out when he takes on Arslanbek Makmuhdov in April, but only time will tell whether he and Joshua finally get it on in the ring, and ‘AJ’s decision will be respected by fans, analysts and fellow fighters either way.

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How Gervonta Davis escapes new arrest warrant after Baltimore ju

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Gervonta Davis

Gervonta Davis escapes new arrest warrant after Baltimore judge recalls it, legal troubles cost him WBA title status

Gervonta Davis is once again in the headlines, but not for his boxing performances. The Baltimore lightweight star recently avoided a second arrest warrant after a judge agreed to recall it.

The development comes months after he was accused of assaulting his former girlfriend in Miami, an incident that forced the cancellation of a planned exhibition bout with Jake Paul. Police arrested Davis with the help of a U.S. Marshals fugitive task force before he was later released on bond.

His legal problems did not end there. Soon after his release, another warrant was issued because he allegedly violated probation linked to a 2020 hit-and-run case that injured four people, including a pregnant woman. Now the court has changed course and allowed Davis to appear under supervision instead. While the decision gives him temporary relief, it arrives as his career faces uncertainty and his championship status has already been affected.

Court decision offers relief for Gervonta Davis as the impact on career grows

JUST IN: Why Oleksandr Usyk was handed world title ultimatum by WBC afte

As reported by Baltimore Banner, on February 2, Circuit Judge Althea Handy issued a warrant after prosecutors argued Davis broke probation conditions. His lawyer Hunter Pruette asked the court to withdraw it and instead require the boxer to attend hearings under GPS monitoring. Prosecutors did not object to the request, and the judge recalled the warrant.

“We’re thankful the court recalled the warrant. Mr. Davis remains compliant and will continue to appear as required”, Pruette said.

In simpler terms, his lawyer indicated relief over the court’s decision and stressed that the boxer is cooperating with legal requirements and will attend hearings when asked.

This is not Davis’ first issue with the same case. In 2023, Judge Handy sentenced him to 90 days of home detention and three years of probation. He later served jail time after authorities discovered he was staying at a luxury hotel and penthouse instead of the approved address.

The World Boxing Association has also reacted. Davis has been moved to “champion in recess,” ending his four-year run as the primary lightweight titleholder. WBA officials will now decide whether to order a vacant title fight. Possible matchups include top contender Floyd Schofield Jr. facing Lucas Bahdi or Lamont Roach Jr.

Davis still has a chance to defend himself in future hearings, but his legal situation continues to overshadow his boxing career.

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