Alfie Davis reflects on one fight in particular when he points out one of the most difficult moments of his career.
Fighting Alexander Shabliy in 2021, the Londoner admits he was “outclassed” as the Russian cruised to a unanimous decision win.
The 33-year-old says that while his preparations for the bout were hampered by a bacterial infection in his foot, the main reason for his defeat was psychological.
“I just didn’t pull the trigger and I think I choked under the pressure that he is this big star I felt I shouldn’t have been in there with,” Davis tells BBC Sport.
When a person doubts their ability and achievements it is sometimes described as impostor syndrome – a psychological experience where someone fears being exposed as not competent at their profession.
Confidence and bravado play such important parts in many fighters’ mindsets that it is uncommon for them to voice doubts about their standing in the sport.
Davis says throughout his career he has performed to his exciting potential in the gym, but has sometimes struggled to replicate it during fights.
This year however, things have changed. His career has reached new heights.
Having won two fights in 2025, Davis faces Russia’s Gadzhi Rabadanov in the PFL lightweight tournament final in Charlotte, North Carolina on Friday – with the winner securing a $500,000 (£372,000) pay day.
Davis puts his change in fortunes down to two factors. The first is a swap of gym and coaches, which he says have allowed him to “express myself a bit more”.
The second is altering the way he thinks about competing. Davis appears calm and confident as he envisions the fight with 32-year-old Rabadanov.
“I think I used to put too much pressure on myself, but when I just go in there and go with the flow, not concentrating on the result too much, I get into my flow state. Before, I was overthinking,” he adds.
“I feel this guy I’m fighting now, if he was in the gym, I’d make easy work of him – I’ve just got to prove that under the big lights.”
Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano weigh in for their trilogy fight at New York’s Madison Square Garden on Friday, Irishwoman Taylor has two wins over Puerto Rico’s Serrano.
LAS VEGAS — Ilia Topuria continued his ascension up the pound-for-pound ladder with a major statement via a vicious first-round knockout of Charles Oliveira to win the vacant lightweight championship Saturday night at UFC 317.
Topuria used a sharp right hand to set up a devastating left hook that dropped Oliveira to end the bout at the 2:27 mark of the opening round, fulfilling his prediction of a first-round KO while sending the announced crowd of 19,800 into a frenzy.
“I always say I represent the new generation of mixed martial arts,” said Topuria, who closed a -400 favorite at BetMGM sportsbook.
Topuria (17-0), who now has 10 first-round finishes to his credit, moved up to the 155-pound weight class following a successful campaign in the featherweight division last year. He claimed that belt with a second-round knockout of Alexander Volkanovski and defended his title by finishing Max Holloway in the third round of an October bout in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Topuria, who came in ranked fourth on UFC’s pound-for-pound list, joined nine others who have held a UFC belt in two weight classes. He is the first undefeated fighter to become champion in two UFC divisions.
“I think tonight was his big night,” UFC CEO and president Dana White said. “We have a star on our hands.”
Oliveira (35-11), who has the most finishes in UFC history, was hoping to become the first fighter to win the lightweight belt on separate occasions.
Fellow lightweight Paddy Pimblett was in the audience and summoned to the ring, where a heated exchange led to Topuria shoving the eighth-ranked contender and igniting a rivalry from years ago.
“If you’re ready, I’m here,” Topuria shouted to Pimblett before he entered the ring.
White wasn’t happy with Pimblett getting in the ring, knowing the history of bad blood between the two.
The two have been at odds for some time, after they came to blows when Pimblett threw a bottle of hand sanitizer at Topuria’s head in 2022.
“That was a heavy knockout, I’ll give you that,” Pimblett said to Topuria. “But you will never knock me out.”
Replied Topuria: “I’m going to submit you.”
In the co-main event, flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja (30-5) successfully defended his belt by applying a rear-naked chokehold to defeat Kai Kara-France (25-12) at the 1:55 mark of the third round.
It marked the second time the fighters met, nine years after their quarterfinal clash on the reality show “The Ultimate Fighter,” also won by Pantoja, but by unanimous decision.
Pantoja, who closed a -250 favorite and extended his win streak to eight fights, won the title two years ago when he beat Brandon Moreno by decision, and has now defended his title successfully four times.
Ilia Topuria celebrates after defeating Charles Oliveira in a lightweight title fight at UFC 317 Saturday in Las Vegas.
(John Locher / Associated Press)
The 35-year-old Brazilian was joined in the ring after his victory by No. 12 Joshua Van, who put on a show of his own.
Van (15-2-0) defeated No. 1 contender Brandon Royval (17-8-0) in a slugfest in which both fighters displayed incredible boxing skills. Van, who closed a -120 favorite, used an overhand right to drop Royval before closing out the bout with a severe ground-and-pound to secure the unanimous decision.
The 419 combined significant strikes landed were the third most in a UFC fight, and the most in both a three-round bout and a featherweight clash.
Moments after Pantoja’s win, Van challenged Pantoja with both standing nose to nose before exiting the octagon.
Other matches from the main card:
In a lightweight bout, No. 9 Beneil Dariush (23-6-1) survived a first-round knockdown to defeat No. 11 Renato Moicano (20-7-1) via unanimous decision.
In a bantamweight battle, Payton Talbott (10-1-0) used a much-improved ground game to register a unanimous decision over Felipe Lima (14-2-0).
While Julio César Chávez Jr.’s name and lineage evoke history, discipline and glory, Jake Paul’s name is linked to a modern phenomenon that has challenged the traditional codes of boxing.
Paul’s arrival in the boxing spotlight was not by conventional means and although his bout with Chávez may appear to be a marketing spectacle, both fighters could benefit from a win.
At age 39 with 61 professional fights (54-6-1, 34 KOs), Chávez returns to the to the Honda Center in Anaheim Saturday to face Paul, offering pre-fight speeches that mix confidence, maturity and a sense of duty. Away from the show, the Mexican says he focused on serious and deep preparation.
“We are preparing to the fullest, thoroughly, to arrive better than ever physically, well-focused. We have to be 100% for the fight,” Chávez told L.A. Times en Español, making it clear that this is not just another adventure, but a fight that could open up more opportunities.
Jake Paul, left, and Julio César Chávez Jr. will face off at the Honda Center in Anaheim on Saturday.
(Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy/Getty Images)
The son of Mexican boxing legend Julio César Chávez Sr., he knows that many see him as the last stepping stone to catapult Paul into boxing legitimacy, but he doesn’t share that view.
“He’s not going to beat me. I’m a better boxer than him,” Julio César Chávez Jr. said.
The endorsement he received from Mexican boxing star Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez was interpreted as a vote of confidence in his ability.
“It’s important to listen to him,” Chávez said. “I think Canelo knows I’m the better boxer than Jake Paul. … We’re going to hit him hard.”
Paul said if he defeats Chávez, it will close the door on the Mexican fighter’s comeback after a stint in rehab.
“He’s going to retire,” Paul said.
He dismissed Álvarez’s endorsement of his opponent.
“It’s definitely a sign of respect from Canelo, but he showed me the utmost respect by turning down $100 million not to fight me,” Paul said, alluding to a potential fight against Álvarez that was being negotiated as recently as May before the Mexican star chose another opponent. “He knows it’s not an easy fight.”
With a dozen fights under his belt, Paul (11-1, 7 KOs) has been consistently criticized for facing weaker opponents, with the latest one raising strong suspicions that opponents accept limitations that favor Paul.
In November 2024, Paul faced aging legend Mike Tyson, whom he defeated by unanimous decision. Critics on social media immediately took issue with both fighters. There were moments it appeared Tyson could have finished Paul, but then seemed to back off and avoid throwing crucial punches.
Chávez made it clear that this fight is not part of a setup nor does it have an agreed script.
“I don’t lend myself to that kind of thing,” Chávez said. “The fight is normal and that’s all I can tell you.”
For the Mexican fighter, this bout represents something more than a purse or a chance to gain viral fame.
Jake Paul, left, and Julio César Chávez Jr. taunt each other following a weigh-in ahead of their cruiserweight boxing match Friday in Anaheim.
(Chris Pizzello / Associated Press)
“It’s like an activation,” he said. “There is the opportunity to fight for the world championship, even a rematch with Canelo.”
And while some have suggested that a Chávez loss would mean the end of his career, he dismisses that emphatically,
“It hasn’t crossed my mind, I’m not going to lose,” he said. “I’m thinking about winning and having a few fights after that.”
Paul, for his part, has made controversy a promotional tool, but he has also sought, in his words, to make it clear that his ambition is serious.
In response to rumors potential opponents canceled before the fight with Chávez was finalized, Paul explained that “a cowardly Mexican was afraid to fight me. … Another great boxer did not deliver. We talked to [influencer and boxer] KSI, Tommy Fury… That led us to Chávez and to keep on the path of facing real opponents, former world champions and remain active on my way to becoming world champion.”
Paul, as is his custom, did not miss the opportunity to psychologically attack his rival. This time, he pointed to the symbolic weight of the Chávez surname.
“It’s added pressure for Chávez Jr., he doesn’t handle pressure well,” Paul said. “… His dad wants this for his son, more than his son wants it. That can create a lot of problems and insecurities that I’m going to expose.”
Paul defends his history as a self-taught boxer who came to change the rules of the game.
“I never wanted the respect. It’s about proving myself, creating one of the best sports stories to inspire the next generation,” he said. “Without me, boxing would be dead.”
For Paul, the bout is another step in his attempt to silence the purists and reassert himself as more than a YouTube celebrity with gloves. For Chávez, it represents a chance to reclaim his lost place, to prove that his lineage is not just a family name but legitimate talent.
Boxers Jake Paul and Julio César Chávez Jr. attend a news conference at the Avalon Hollywood Theatre in Los Angeles on May 14.
(Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press)
“I’m not worried, I’m preparing to win … I grabbed the fight because I’m going to win it,” Chávez insisted, downplaying any risks.
In the face of the doubts surrounding the showdowns, both fighters assured fans will see a real fight on Saturday.
“At the end of the day, above the ring, we are all the same,” Chávez said.
Paul is not worried about what people think of him.
“I don’t pay attention to what the boxing world says,” he said. “Naturally, this world loves to shoot themselves in the foot and wants to keep criticizing me, but what we’ve realized is that they obviously have no power, no control, no weight because I’m still involved in the biggest events.”
South Korea’s Ko Seok-hyeon beat Welshman Oban Elliott via a unanimous 30-27 decision at the UFC Fight Night in Baku, Azerbaijan on Saturday.
Ko – making his UFC debut – produced a dominant display featuring several submissions throughout the three rounds, with the 31-year keeping Elliott grounded for long periods.
Elliott, nicknamed ‘The Welsh Gangster’, has now suffered his first defeat since making his UFC debut in February 2024.
He was originally set to fight on 31 May at UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas against Ramiz Brahimaj.
That bout was cancelled because of visa issues, but the UFC moved swiftly to keep the 27-year-old active, rescheduling him for this weekend’s card.
The Welshman entered the contest with a 3-0 UFC record thanks to a knockout win over Bassil Hafez at UFC 309 in November and unanimous decision victories over Preston Parsons and Val Woodburn.
Elliott trained across Europe with some of the sport’s elite fighters to prepare for the bout.
But it was not sufficient against the opponent known as ‘The Korean Tyson’, who came into his UFC debut with an impressive 11-2 record.
Mike “The Body Snatcher” McCallum was so feared for his impeccable technique that the “four kings” of the 1980s declined to fight him. Nevertheless, McCallum won world titles at super welterweight, middleweight and light heavyweight and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2003.
McCallum, the first Jamaican-born champion, died Saturday in Las Vegas at 68. The Jamaica Observer reported that McCallum fell ill while driving to a gym and pulled off the road. He was found to be unresponsive, and was later pronounced dead.
In the ring, his attention to detail and faultless technique enabled him to post a 49-5-1 record. McCallum earned his nickname by repeatedly punching the body and head. More often than not, bouts ended in knockouts — he recorded 36 KOs and was never knocked out.
The Ring magazine ranked him in 2011 as eighth on its list of the “10 best middleweight title holders of the last 50 years.”
Not that his inability to secure a bout with the “kings,” Thomas Hearns, Roberto Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard or Marvin Hagler, spoiled his mood. It was particularly telling that Hearns wouldn’t fight McCallum, because they were longtime sparring partners before becoming champions.
McCallum was disappointed but remained all smiles outside the ring, consistently carrying himself with a pleasant, if serious, disposition.
“None of ‘The Four Kings,’ wanted anything to do with that guy and I know that for a fact because I tried to make some of those fights,” Hall of Fame boxer Lou DiBella told longtime boxing writer Kevin Iole. “He was the most perfect technical fighter I’ve ever seen, and he wasn’t a pitty-pat guy.”
McCallum became the first Jamaican boxer to win a world title when he defeated Irishman Sean Mannion by unanimous decision in 1984 at Madison Square Garden for the WBA Junior Middleweight crown.
Jamaican Sport Minister Olivia Grange issued a statement upon learning of McCallum’s passing, saying, “It is with utter and complete sadness that I learned of the death of Jamaica’s three-time World Boxing Champion Michael McKenzie McCallum.
“I express my personal condolences to his mother, siblings and his children. On behalf of the Ministry of Sports I take this opportunity to extend our sympathies to the family and friends of this legendary Jamaican.”
Michael McKenzie McCallum was born Dec. 7, 1956, in Kingston, Jamaica, and began boxing as a teenager, racking up as many as 250 amateur bouts before turning pro in 1981. He represented Jamaica at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, reaching the quarterfinals.
He boxed professionally until 1997, successfully defending the WBA junior middleweight crown six times, including wins over Julian Jackson, Milton McCrory and Donald Curry before moving up a weight class to middleweight.
McCallum defeated Herol Graham in 1989 to become WBA middleweight champion and defended the belt with wins over Steve Collins, Michael Watson and Sumbu Kalambay. He won his third division title in 1994 by again stepping up in weight class and defeating Jeff Harding for the WBC light heavyweight crown.
He met his match against James Toney, fighting to a draw Dec. 13, 1991, before losing to Toney twice. McCallum also dropped a 12-round decision to Roy Jones in a 1997 light heavyweight title fight.
He retired shortly thereafter and became a successful trainer, taking great pride in teaching his body-punching technique to young boxers.
Jones expressed sadness to Kevin Iole, saying, “Man, we lost another beautiful boxing soul. May he rest in peace.”
Jones also lamented that McCallum was unable to book fights against the four kings.
“In the junior middleweight division, everyone always went around Mike McCallum, and that says a lot about him,” Jones said. “Not even Marvin [Hagler] ever talked much about fighting Mike McCallum. You don’t have to listen to what they say [about him]. You watch what they do and everyone wanted to go around him for a reason.”
In a post on X, the WBC said: “Rest in Peace to the legendary Mike ‘The Body Snatcher’ McCallum. Former WBA world champion and one of the most technically gifted fighters of his era. Thank you for the fights, the lessons, and the greatness.”
Rest in Peace to the legendary Mike “The Body Snatcher” McCallum 🌹🇯🇲
Former WBA world champion and one of the most technically gifted fighters of his era. 🥊
FABIO WARDLEY is preparing for a huge homecoming bout THIS WEEKEND!
The lifelong Ipswich Town fan will take to the ring at Portman Road as he faces Justis Huni on Saturday night.
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Fabio Wardley will return to the ring for the first time since his brutal knockout win over Frazer ClarkeCredit: Getty
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Boxing – Justis Huni v Kevin Lerena – Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – March 8, 2024 Justis Huni in action against Kevin Lerena REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge
A win for Wardley would see him move into pole position for a shot at the WBA heavyweight title.
One of Jake Paul’s nicknames is the “Problem Child,” but that nickname could just as easily fit Julio César Chávez Jr.
After becoming World Boxing Council (WBC) middleweight champion of the world in 2011, Chávez defended his crown three times and came to be considered on the same level as his contemporary Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez. But a disappointing loss to Sergio Martínez in 2012, lack of discipline needed to train properly and make weight, as well as a crushing defeat to Álvarez in 2017, sent his career into a free fall.
From 2019-21, he picked up three losses in four fights, including falling to former champion Daniel Jacobs and mixed martial arts veteran Anderson Silva.
Now at 39, Chávez will face Youtuber turned boxer Jake Paul in a cruiserweight contest scheduled for June 28 at the Honda Center in Anaheim. Chávez (54-6-1, 34 KOs) has fought 61 professional bouts since his debut in 2003 and could be the toughest test of Paul’s (11-1, 7 KOs) career to date, although it all depends on the level of the Mexican’s fitness for the matchup.
Boxers Jake Paul, left, and Julio César Chávez Jr. point at each other during a news conference while promoter Oscar De La Hoya watches at the Avalon Hollywood Theatre in Los Angeles on Wednesday. Paul and Chávez will fight in June in Anaheim.
(Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press)
During a press event held at The Avalon in Hollywood on Wednesday, Paul strongly criticized Chávez while mentioning the addiction problems Chávez has faced as well as his “lack of mentality.”
“I’m going to embarrass him and run him down like he always does,” Paul said. “I’m going to expose him. He will be the embarrassment of Mexico. There are two things you can’t beat — me and your drug addiction.”
Outside the ring, Chávez’s personal life has not been free of problems. The Culiacan native was arrested in January of last year in Los Angeles and charged with illegal possession of weapons, specifically an assault rifle, which was found in his home. He eventually pleaded not guilty and committed to entering a rehabilitation program.
On Wednesday, the legendary Julio César Chávez Sr. stood by his son’s side to support him in the face of Paul’s verbal attacks. For Chávez Sr., if his son continues to train the way he has seen him lately, the American doesn’t stand a chance. Chávez Jr. will be looking to be the second opponent to beat Paul after Tommy Fury scored a win in 2023.
“He’s an overrated fighter. He hasn’t fought anybody. He only fights old guys,” said Chávez Jr., who added he will arrive in Anaheim as the best version of himself and that the first five rounds will be difficult, but that he will tip the scales in his favor from the seventh round on.
Chávez Sr., as on many occasions, has mentioned that his son is training like never before.
“There is no way Jake Paul can beat my son, the way he is training,” Chávez Sr. said.
Paul responded he could beat Chávez Jr. and his legendary father, criticizing Chávez Jr.’s lack of discipline.
Boxer Jake Paul insulted Julio César Chávez Jr. during a news conference at the Avalon Hollywood Theatre in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
(Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press)
“It’s not a champion’s mentality to only train hard when you have a big fight. I train hard every time I have a fight, no matter who I’m facing. That teaches you the type of person he is,” Paul said.
After the news conference, Chávez Jr. noted that he expected Paul to pick on his dad, but understood it was a mental tactic by his opponent.
“In boxing you learn step by step, and he is missing several,” Chávez Jr. said.
Paul, a 28-year-old from Cleveland, will return to the ring since he last fought in November, when he outpointed heavyweight legend Mike Tyson in an eight-round bout in Arlington, Texas. The event disappointed many due to a lack of competitiveness from 58-year-old “Iron Mike.”
During this fight, Paul will likely have much of the crowd against him by choosing to fight a Mexican star in Southern California, although he believes there are many who will support him.
“Mexicans love me. People love me more than they love him. Mexico doesn’t even love him. I’m going to show him who the real Mexican warrior is,” Paul said.
Boxers Julio César Chávez Jr., left, and his father, Julio César Chávez Sr., sit beside each other during a news conference Wednesday.
(Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press)
The showdown between Paul and Chávez Jr. comes after a proposed showdown between the Youtuber and Álvarez fell apart earlier this year.
Paul could be close to a fight against Álvarez, although before that he could consider a matchup against Mexico’s Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramírez, who will be defending his cruiserweight crown against Cuban Yuniel Dorticos (27-2, 25 KOs) on the Anaheim card.
“He has done a good job. Maybe someday we can fight for titles. Now I’m the champion,” Ramírez, 33, said about facing Paul.
Ramírez (47-1, 30 KOs) said he would prefer to unify the Boxing Assn. title against Jai Opetaia, the International Boxing Federation champion. But before that, he will have to dispatch Dorticos, who is known for his powerful punch.
“Los Angeles is going to shake. The knockout doctor is back,” said Dorticos, 39.
The card is promoted by Most Valuable Promotions in conjunction with Golden Boy Promotions, and will air on pay-per-view via DAZN.
