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Muhammad Ali feared dying in the ring after coach refused to cut off his gloves after 14 round war

The late Muhammad Ali revealed he once feared death in the ring — even when prevailing in one of the most iconic fights to ever grace the squared circle.

Engaged in a three-fight series with the great Joe Frazier during their respective pomp atop the heavyweight division, Muhammad Ali closed out the pair’s trilogy with a supreme victory.

Max Boxing - Sub Lead - 54 years ago the world stopped: Joe Frazier versus Muhammad  Ali 1

JUST IN: How Canelo Alvarez’s Elbow Surgery Casts Shadows of Doubts on Terence Crawford’s Historic Win in Boxing World

Having competed in The Fight of the Century as well as Super Fight II with the South Carolina star, Ali would take bragging rights in a trip to the Philippines.

And despite forcing an eventual penultimate round stoppage over Frazier, Ali revealed he was more than concerned for his health — leading him to make a quite unique request.

Muhammad Ali’s Thrilla in Manila fear against Joe Frazier

Making waves pre-fight ahead of his decider against Frazier, the late Louisville icon Ali made quite the bold prediction, leading to the event’s eventual billing: “A killa and a thrilla and a chilla, when I get that gorilla in Manila.”

Drawing an incredible billion global viewers come fight night on this day in 1975, Ali delivered on his promise to take supremacy against Frazier — scoring a corner stoppage win in the fourteenth round of their fifteen-round showdown.

However, proving far from plain sailing, Ali admitted in the same round as Frazier was pulled from the clash by his trainer, he urged his legendary trainer Angelo Dundee, to cut off his glove, effectively retiring on his stool.

Following the pairing, Ali insisted, “(Joe) Frazier quit just before I did. I didn’t think I could fight anymore.”

Muhammad Ali’s final trilogy win

Involved in another high-profile trilogy during his iconic career in the ring, Ali would thrice face off with the late Ken Norton, having suffered a defeat to the former world champion in their first pairing.

Dropping a contentious split decision loss to Norton, Ali would avenge the defeat in an immediate rematch in 1973.

And following his win over Frazier, Ali would be afforded the chance to once more take bragging rights.

Doing just that, ‘The Louisville Lip’ would take a unanimous decision win over Norton in a heralded performance at a packed Yankee Stadium in New York.

It’s been over two weeks since Terence Crawford made history.

So much happened during that time period. To honor his epic victory over Canelo Alvarez, a parade was organized in his hometown of Omaha. Controversy erupted when police stopped him, alleging reckless driving. Still, the overall mood is that of celebration. Crawford is now rightfully hailed as an all-time great.

But his biggest career victory continues to face scrutiny. Reports have emerged that Canelo Alvarez will undergo surgery to treat his elbow injury. The procedure will likely put him out of the ring for the next 5-6 months. However, as the news circulated, many fans couldn’t restrain their emotions. A few promptly connected it to his recent loss.

Canelo Alvarez Terence Crawford

READ: Canelo Alvarez set for surgery after Terence Crawford loss as return date is revealed

Canelo set for elbow surgery; comeback timeline unclear

Canelo Alvarez is undergoing elbow surgery and will not return to the ring until mid-to-late 2026,” a post from Happy Punch read. He still has two more fights to fulfill under the Riyadh Season contract. So per the earlier schedule, the Mexican superstar was supposed to fight in February.

To set the record straight, hand injuries had been troubling Canelo for some time. They emerged after the Caleb Plant fight of 2021. Finally, a year later, following the trilogy bout against Gennady Golovkin, he underwent surgery to treat his wrist. Still, he returned for his regular Cinco de Mayo fixture opposite John Ryder.

What may trouble a few diehards is how the report could be misused by a scrupulous few to downplay Terence Crawford‘s achievement. Though matching Canelo physically, he moved across divisions to chase his dream of becoming an undisputed champion for the third time. And he achieved it with a superb performance where he outboxed Canelo in the pocket, long regarded as the Mexican’s strong point.

Let’s check what some of the users had to say.

All eyes on Stoic Canelo

To this fan, Canelo’s conduct deserved full respect. “Buddy fought Bivol and the 3rd fight with GGG with a bad wrist, got surgery after then fought Crawford with a bad elbow and didn’t complain. “Respect,” they said. While one may consider a fighter’s injury, timing it with a fight demands a hard look.

The next, however, brought home an emerging narrative: “Dude is a legend of this sport. People disregarding his entire career cause he lost to Crawford. Crazy…” Few would dispute that Terence Crawford stands at the center of boxing today. But to downplay Canelo’s contributions on the basis of a loss?

Another user connected the dots. “Well, that explains a lot as to why he wasn’t throwing any punches,” they said. To many fans, it may appear like hiding behind a bitter truth. Terence Crawford won the fight fair and square. Canelo Alvarez simply failed to reply when the Nebraskan raised some tough questions.

This fan echoed a sentiment that has been gaining traction. “Time to retire, my boi, and everyone knows Prime Canelo KOs Bud 🔥. “Easy work,” they said. Many have now started saying it openly. Considering the years he’s spent in boxing — the big fights and his achievements — there’s nothing much left for Canelo to prove.

Still, admiration for Canelo continued. This user said, “The fact that Canelo didn’t even bring this up and gave Crawford all the credit after the loss shows why he’s a legend. Most other guys would’ve instantly brought up an injury in the post-fight interviews. Canelo didn’t even mention or hint at it.

But is it justified?

Barring a few rounds, Terence Crawford dominated the headliner at Allegiant Stadium. Canelo was the younger fighter facing a 38-year-old veteran who climbed up two weight classes. There’s no denying what Canelo has achieved and what he did for boxing over the years. But to associate his injury with his loss remains uncalled-for.

On September 29, news broke that Canelo Alvarez will need elbow surgery.

This news arrived a bit over two weeks after his iconic fight against Terence Crawford, in which Canelo lost his undisputed super middleweight belts to Crawford due to a unanimous decision defeat.

It’s currently unclear whether Canelo was dealing with this elbow injury heading into the fight or whether it was the result of something that happened during the 12 rounds. But typically, injuries occur during training camp leading up to the fight, so one would probably assume this elbow issue was something Canelo had been dealing with before he stepped into the ring.

Turki Alalshikh Terence Crawford Canelo Alvarez

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Mike Coppinger of The Ring provided an update on how this injury impacts Canelo’s future on September 29, saying, “Canelo was set to return in February, in Riyadh, for the third fight of [his four-fight deal with Turki Alalshikh]. That fight is not going to be delayed until Q2 or Q3 of 2026, so Canelo is going to have the surgery, and then he’ll come back.”

Does Canelo’s Injury Impact Potential Terence Crawford Rematch?

There was no indication about who Canelo was supposed to be fighting in February, as this apparently hasn’t been figured out yet (or at least not publicly disclosed). However, most believe that the most likely fight for him right now is to rematch Crawford, if only because of how successful and lucrative their first bout was.

The good news is that Crawford is probably in no rush to return to the ring. His trainer, Brian “BoMac” McIntyre, said that Crawford is going to take the rest of the year off to recover and spend time with his family when speaking with Fight Hub TV during Crawford’s victory parade in Omaha, Nebraska, on September 27.

What’s more, Crawford has only fought once in a calendar year for every year since 2019. And every single one of those fights each year has taken place in August or later, with the majority being in November or December.

All of this is to say that Canelo’s injury and ensuing surgery will have no impact on him rematching Crawford. If anything, it’s going to make it so their timelines are more in sync with each other if they decide to run it back.

While no fighter ever enters a bout fully healthy, perhaps this elbow injury suggests Canelo wasn’t at full strength against Crawford. Regardless, the time off to rest and recover would do both guys well if they were to rematch in 2026.

Jake Paul mocks Floyd Mayweather as he ignites $40 million private jet battle

Jake Paul has sparked a new feud with Floyd Mayweather – simply over the size of their respective private jets.

Both Paul and Mayweather are known to take great pride in their wealth, and regularly flaunt it online.

JUST IN: Gervonta Davis’ Real Reason for Announcing Retirement Resur

Paul has certainly taken home some hefty paycheques, since he turned his hand to professional boxing in 2020.

His biggest, and most controversial, payday came in at a reported $40million when he faced Mike Tyson back in 2024.

Whereas Mayweather has pocketed between $1.2 and $1.5 billion across his illustrious 50-0 career, as well as his appearances in exhibition bouts.

He even faced the Youtuber-turned-boxer’s brother, Logan Paul, in 2021.

From their exhibition clash alone, Mayweather reported to have been paid $100million.

The pair often show-off their earnings on social media and in the latest brag, Paul posted a video on Instagram of their two private jets parked next to each other.

He says: “Hahaha, Floyd I thought you had a big jet?!

“Six windows? Try 14!”

The irony of the call-out is that despite Paul’s jet being bigger in size, it actually cost less than Mayweather’s.

His Bombardier Global Express private jet comes in at $40million.

Whereas Mayweather’s Gulfstream G650, nicknamed ‘Air Mayweather’ set him back $60million.

What will be the next payday for Jake Paul and Floyd Mayweather?

Both men are pencilled in for exhibition bouts in the near future.

Paul is gearing up to face WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis on November 14, in an extraordinary and bizarre bout.

Their meeting will be contested at a 195lbs catchweight, over 10 three-minute rounds.

Paul could well add another private jet to his collection after the commercial blockbuster, given he has suggested he could pocket another purse close to $50 million.

While Mayweather is set to face-off with Tyson in Spring 2026, but specifics are yet to be revealed.

The high-profile boxing legends are too set to earn big for the commercial blockbuster, which has been tipped to outsell Paul’s previous win over Tyson.

The 48-year-old has teased a potential return to the pro scene, following his clash with the heavyweight icon.

One thing that’s certain, is their retrospective earnings are set to continue skyrocketing, as neither boxer seems keen to leave the ring behind just yet.

Gervonta Davis’ Real Reason for Announcing Retirement Resurfaces Ahead of Jake Paul Clash

“Boxing definitely did a turn,” Gervonta Davis wrote on X in the middle of a rant recently. “It went from this side to that side, and this s— has no loyalty. So why would I care? I move accordingly. Boxing is dead,” he added before deactivating his account. When a user responded, asking, “Please retire then,” Davis promptly responded, adding, “I am, in eight weeks.”

This comes over a month before his exhibition boxing match against YouTube star Jake Paul. The pair is scheduled to lock horns on November 14th at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. However, the question everyone has been trying to figure out the answer to has been, why? Well, Davis had already provided one last year.

Gervonta Davis wants to live without being seen

Gervonta Davis

READ: Canelo Alvarez set for surgery after Terence Crawford loss as return date is revealed

“After next year, I’m out of it,” ‘Tank’ Davis said in the clip featuring a montage of various interviews from December 2024. “Yeah, out of this sport.” When asked why he had taken such a drastic decision despite having several more years left in his boxing career, he seemed repulsed by the idea of fighting. “S***’s trash,” he said. “This s*** is trash, garbage. Fed up. I’m fed up with the whole s***. That’s why I don’t want boxing.”

What does ‘Tank’ want to do instead? “I want to do therapy, right? It would lose the fire that I have inside of me. I want everything out of me, man,” Gervonta Davis said. “So I don’t never think about fighting again. I don’t think about even getting angry cause I have two girls, two daughters. I want to be living without being seen.” Last year, he also claimed that he would pull the plug on his career after three more fights at the end of 2025.

But it appears that the plan has changed. Now, the Jake Paul exhibition will be the last time fans get to witness Gervonta Davis perform his sweet science. Despite Davis’ clear disdain for boxing, though, there are people who hope the 30-year-old sticks around.

O’Shaquie Foster on ‘Tank’ Davis’ retirement

O’Shaquie Foster has a tough fight ahead of him as he prepares to square off against Stephen Fulton in the October 25 co-main event at the MGM Grand. However, he appears to be looking past the Fulton fight, and his prime target is Gervonta Davis. “Tank,” Foster told YSM Sports Media when asked about his future plans.

“We got a little history there, and we right here at 130, 135.” Davis, however, clearly doesn’t appear to be in the mood to continue fighting after his exhibition with Jake Paul. Still, Foster is hoping Davis doesn’t follow through on his threats of retirement from the sport. “I been calling for him,” Foster said. “I think it’ll be a great match.”

That said, if you’ve been paying attention, Gervonta Davis’ retirement always felt inevitable — he’s hinted at it often enough. Fans only hoped he’d close this chapter by granting Lamont Roach Jr. the shot he earned. But that, it seems, won’t be happening.

The root cause of the spectacular collapse of the alliance between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Gervonta “Tank” Davis is a vicious power struggle that forced their former advisor, Leonard Ellerbe, to take sides, leading to a personal and professional schism that destroyed a 40-year relationship.

Ellerbe, the long-time CEO of Mayweather Promotions, has finally revealed the full emotional toll of the feud, detailing how the “tug of war” over Davis compelled Mayweather to issue a non-negotiable ultimatum: “Tank or Me.”

Floyd’s Ultimatum: The 40-Year Loyalty Breakdown
The actual cause of the split was not just business, but a deeply personal clash of loyalties that centered on Ellerbe’s role as a trusted mentor to both men. When Davis’s star began to eclipse the need for his promoter, the internal pressure became unbearable.

Leonard Ellerbe at Davis vs Martin

JUST IN: Canelo Alvarez set for surgery after Terence Crawford loss as return date is revealed

Ellerbe, who has advised Mayweather since the late 1990s, recounted the heartbreaking ultimatum that ended their professional and personal relationship. The advisor confirmed that Mayweather made him choose between his biggest star and his most significant project.

“This boxing s**t is deep and real,” Ellerbe stated. “Two people I know and have been knowing for 40 years that f**k with him got mad because Tank is my guy and will be forever. They said to pick a side. I said f**k you, we haven’t spoken since.”

This explosive quote confirms that Ellerbe chose his ongoing advisory role with the undisputed star, Gervonta Davis, over maintaining his four-decade alliance with the boxing legend. Ellerbe’s decision led directly to his departure as CEO of Mayweather Promotions, underscoring the severity of Mayweather’s command: If you’re with Tank, you’re against me.

The Rise and Rupture: Mayweather-Davis Relationship Timeline
The relationship between Mayweather and Davis began in 2015 when the Baltimore prodigy signed a promotional deal with Mayweather Promotions. “Tank” often credited Mayweather as a mentor who taught him not just the ropes of the ring, but the business of the world.

2017 Breakthrough: Davis exploded onto the world scene, winning the IBF super-featherweight title. Mayweather enthusiastically branded Davis as the future of boxing.

Growing Tensions (2019-2022): Despite success, tensions began to surface. Davis hinted at frustration over inactivity and feeling undervalued by the promotion. Mayweather, known for meticulous control, reportedly felt Ellerbe was granting Davis too much autonomy. Rumors of issues between Davis and members of the Mayweather family further exacerbated the growing rift.

The Final Move (2022): Following his victory over Rolando Romero in May 2022, Davis formally announced his departure from Mayweather Promotions, declaring the end of his contract. This move led to Davis taking control of his own promotional destiny, elevating Ellerbe’s advisory role and creating the direct conflict of interest that ultimately fractured the Mayweather-Ellerbe partnership.

The New Power Base: Ellerbe and Tank Go Independent
Ellerbe’s dramatic exit and his blunt confirmation of the ultimatum shed light on the intense power dynamics within the sport. While Mayweather quickly replaced Ellerbe as CEO, the personal loss is immense, particularly for Ellerbe.

The advisor’s decision confirms that his loyalty now rests firmly with “Tank,” signaling a new chapter in the boxing business, where Gervonta Davis is officially operating as his own power base, backed by the experience and conviction of the man who once steered the Mayweather Promotions ship.

With Davis going it alone with his exhibition fight against Jake Paul and subsequent retirement from boxing, Ellerbe faces an uncertain future.

Two-time undisputed champion Canelo Alvarez will be sidelined for at least two months after undergoing elbow surgery.

The Mexican superstar lost his four belts at super-middleweight earlier this month in a super-fight defeat by Terence Crawford, the new undisputed champion at 168lb.

First reported by The Ring, the 35-year-old is expected to return to full training in 12 to 15 weeks’ time, with his next fight likely to take place in the second or third quarter of 2026.

Canelo Alvarez

JUST IN: Canelo Alvarez got hit so hard during a fight that he felt he had no

That would potentially scupper boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh’s plans.

Alvarez is halfway through a four-fight deal with Riyadh Season, having previously reunified the super-middleweight division with a victory over William Scull in May before losing to Crawford in September.

Alalshikh had hoped Canelo would return to the ring in February of next year, but it seems unlikely that the four-division champion will be fully fit in time.

Instead, The Ring reports that Alalshikh is looking for new headliners for his planned card in Saudi Arabia, with light heavyweight David Benavidez and welterweight Devin Haney eyed up for co-main bouts.

Fighting in February would have marked a departure from Canelo’s usual schedule, with the fighter often staging bouts around Cinco de Mayo weekend in May, and Mexican Independence Day in September.

Canelo has followed that pattern of two fights every 12 months for the past four years. It is the third time that Alvarez has opted for surgery during the course of his 20-year professional career. He previously took time out of the ring to have surgery on his right knee in 2018, with another break for an operation on his left wrist in 2022.

Defeat by Crawford was just the third of Canelo’s 68-fight long career. His record now stands at 63 wins, three losses, and three draws, with 39 of his victories coming by way of stoppage.

In the aftermath of his recent loss, Alvarez insisted that he has no plans to retire any time soon. Since losing his champion status, Canelo has been installed as the number one super middleweight contender by the WBC, WBA, and WBO. The IBF are yet to update their rankings for September.

Details on the reason for the recent traffic stop for boxing champion Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford have been released.

Crawford, who recently defeated Canelo Alvarez to become the undisputed super middleweight world champion, was pulled over in his native Omaha, Nebraska over the weekend.

While initial details on his arrest were not made public, TMZ revealed that he was pulled over for traveling at a high rate of speed. Terence Crawford

READ: ‘He deserves it’ – Terence Crawford told the one fight he needs to t

Documents obtained by the outlet say he sped past a cop in his blue Lucid four-door sedan just before 1:30am on Sunday. The rate of speed was not listed on his citation, but his offense has been noted as ‘reckless driving’.

After he was pulled over, Crawford and the passengers in his vehicle were ordered to get out of the car after a firearm was allegedly seen on the floorboard on the driver’s side.

Police drew their weapons and opened Crawford’s door. The boxer came out of the vehicle with his hands raised and he was later placed in handcuffs.

Video of police drawing their weapons on Crawford went viral, sparking an investigation

Crawford was then released with a citation and was not arrested by police.

Video of the interaction – including the police drawing their weapons and cuffing Crawford – went viral after the incident.

After the video spread, Omaha mayor John Ewing and police chief Todd Schmaderer announced they were going to conduct an internal affairs investigation into the matter.

‘We will gather all the facts and be transparent with the public about our findings,’ Ewing said in a statement.

‘Understand that my heart dropped in learning of this end to an otherwise wonderful day and evening celebrating our city’s world boxing champion.’

‘We held a great parade and great event at Heartland of America park. The evening birthday party at Steelhouse, which I and members of my team attended, was a showing of joy and pride.

‘Omaha needs to remember this important day as a good one while we seek answers to how it ended.’

‘Meanwhile, we must ensure that every resident, no matter who they are, feels safe and respected in Omaha.’

Crawford, who is set to appear in court on December 2, has not publicly addressed the situation.

‘He deserves it’ – Terence Crawford told the one fight he needs to take before boxing retirement

Roy Jones Jr has urged Terence Crawford to give unbeaten MMA star Ilia Topuria a chance inside the squared circle.

Crawford’s last outing saw him claim the undisputed super middleweight crown from Canelo Alvarez in the ‘fight of the century’.

Canelo Alvarez Terence Crawford

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As ‘Bud’ became the first male three-weight undisputed champion in the four-belt era, he also extended his unbeaten record to 42-0.

Attention immediately turned to what Crawford would do next, as the 37-year-old was anticipated to be retiring after his super-fight with Canelo.

Although, he has since hinted at the possibility of dropping down to into the 160lbs division.

While Crawford’s next move is unknown, UFC lightweight champion Topuria is chasing a sensational a crossover bout with Crawford.

In an interview with Titan Play, legendary boxer Jones Jr has revealed that he thinks Crawford should give the 28-year-old a chance if he opts to remain active.

The four-weight world champion said: “I think he will retire.

“If he retires next, it’d be the best thing.

“Had I retired after I beat Antonio Tarver the first time, we wouldn’t be having conversations about the greatest of all time. And we still shouldn’t, because facts are facts.

“But if Crawford does anything more, that’s what he should do [fight Ilia Topuria].

“He deserves the reward at this time.

“Look how long he waited before he got the attention he has now. He deserves one more of those. If anything, that’s what he should do.”

Is Terence Crawford likely to fight Ilia Topuria?

At the start of the month, Topuria made the bold statement that he would put Crawford ‘to sleep in the first contact’ if they were to meet in the boxing ring.

The American responded to the knockout claim from the UFC champ with some choice words, saying he must be ‘drunk’ to believe he could beat him.

Since then, the pair have been embroiled in a verbal back-and-forth.

Although should a formal offer to fight materialise, it seems that a bout between the two champs is unlikely to get over the line.

Crawford appeared to reiterate that he has no intention of facing off with him, and simultaneously left himself open to other offers.

Gervonta Davis Declares Boxing Dead, Dumps Fans for YouTuber Paydays

Once hailed as one of boxing’s brightest stars, Gervonta “Tank” Davis has made a shocking declaration: boxing is dead. In a candid statement, Davis told fans, using the exact phrasing that sent shockwaves through the community:

“Boxing definitely did a turn, it went from this side to that side, and this s*** has no loyalty, so why would I care? I move accordingly, boxing is dead.”

The words are blunt, but the action speaks louder. After years of climbing the ranks, thrilling fight fans, and cementing his reputation as a feared and respected champion, Davis is now pivoting away from the sport that made him. His next bout will be an exhibition against the “YouTuber” Jake Paul on Netflix, a move that signals a complete shift in priorities from legacy to entertainment.

Jake Paul Gervonta Davis handshake

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From Champion to Casual Spectacle
Davis’ pivot is more than a single fight; it is a statement about his relationship with professional boxing. The sport that once tested him against elite competition, demanded discipline, and rewarded hard-earned victories is now, in his eyes, expendable. By choosing exhibitions over traditional bouts, he is trading the loyalty of hardcore fans for a broader audience and quicker paydays.

Hardcore supporters who followed his career from the early belts to the top of the pound-for-pound lists are being left behind. Tank’s shift to a casual and YouTube audience risks alienating the very fan base that cheered every punch, celebrated every championship, and helped elevate him to stardom.

The Fallout Among Fans
If Davis ever attempts a return to serious professional boxing, he will face a skeptical and angry community. The sport’s core supporters do not forget. They remember the fighter who had the skill, the power, and the opportunity to define a generation — and now they see him trading that promise for entertainment money.

Boxing thrives on heart, ambition, and respect for the sport. By openly stating that boxing is dead, Davis has signaled that those values no longer guide his career. The man who once sought the most formidable opponents is now chasing exposure, clicks, and Netflix hype. The very essence of professional competition is secondary to personal gain.

A Legacy at Risk
At just 30 years old, Davis is still in his prime. Yet this pivot raises complex questions about his legacy. Talent alone will not protect him from the scrutiny of fans and the sport’s insiders. Once a symbol of modern boxing excellence, Davis now risks being remembered more for his willingness to abandon the sport than for his titles or victories.

The sport has lost a champion who could have continued to elevate boxing, but the business of boxing may have lost him entirely. By chasing casual audiences over competitive legitimacy, Davis has drawn a line between himself and the sport’s core. For some, this is the moment the star truly fell from the heights he once occupied.

Boxing may survive, but for Gervonta Davis, his reputation, credibility, and connection with the fans who built him have all been put on pause — and the world is watching to see if, or when, he will return to the sport that made him a star.