Or maybe we should just kick back and enjoy an unexpected but extremely intriguing contest between two all-time great boxers from different eras (and weight classes).
Might as well take the last option because Tyson vs. Mayweather is happening in spring 2026.
CSI Sports / Fight Sports on Thursday announced the upcoming exhibition bout without providing too many other details, such as the date or location of the event or at what weight the fight will take place.
Another detail that hasn’t been revealed is how much money each fighter will earn. No doubt it will be quite a hefty amount, a notion Mayweather may have been referencing when he posted multiple videos Thursday on his Instagram Stories featuring himself sitting in what appears to be a private jet and handling large stacks of cash.
The hype machine has already started, though.
CSI Sports / Fight Sports co-founders Richard and Craig Miele predicted in a news release that the fight would be bigger than Tyson’s record-setting bout with Jake Paul last November. That fight was the most-streamed sporting event of all time and brought in the largest gate for a U.S. boxing or MMA event held outside of Las Vegas.
“Tyson vs. Mayweather will break every broadcast, streaming and economic record set by Mike Tyson in 2024,” the Miele brothers said. “We are planning a robust promotional campaign complete with weekly premium storytelling and worldwide marketing reach. The event itself will be in a world-class venue and be presented to a global audience with new in-ring technology elements that will reshape how boxing is presented, and scoring is achieved for years to come.”
Tyson (59-7, 44 KO) was the undisputed world heavyweight champion from 1987-1990. The then-57-year-old Tyson ended nearly two decades of retirement from professional fighting last year when he fought the then-27-year-old Paul in a sanctioned bout. Paul won that match by unanimous decision.
Mayweather (50-0, 27 KO) won 15 championship belts spanning five weight classes, from super featherweight to light middleweight. He is now 48 and hasn’t fought a professional bout since his 10th-round technical knockout of Conor McGregor in 2017.
The boxers are already in hype mode as well, as evidenced by their comments in the press release announcing the event.
“I still can’t believe Floyd wants to really do this,” Tyson said. “It’s going to be detrimental to his health, but he wants to do it, so it’s signed and it’s happening!”
Mayweather said: “There hasn’t been a single fighter that can tarnish my legacy. … I’m the best in the business of boxing.”
JOEY ESSEX returns to the big screens once again TONIGHT… but not for a reality TV show!
The TOWIE legend will be making his highly anticipated boxing debut on the Misfits 22 card against Portuguese influencer Numeiro.
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Joey Essex is set to make his boxing debut on Misfits 22 on Saturday nightCredit: Getty
Joey, 35, was in line to feature on Misfits Boxing’s ‘super card’ in Qatar last November against KSI’s brother Deji.
But it fell through with Joey featuring on season 11 of Love Island instead.
Fast forward a year later, Essex is set to face Numeiro who has a little bit of experience in the ring.
However, the Portuguese star lost his only career fight – a 2023 sixth round stoppage by Kalin Simeonov.
And despite it being Joey’s first-ever boxing bout, he’ll feel confident with his uncle and legendary coach Tony Simms in his corner who is known for his incredible work with British icon Conor Benn.
SunSport can provide fans with all the details ahead of this intriguing clash.
When is Joey Essex vs Numeiro?
Joey Essex vs Numeiro will take place TONIGHT – Saturday, August 30.
Ring-walk times for this huge fight are yet to be confirmed but reports suggest that the fight could start around 9pm BST.
The main card will get underway at 7pm BST, while the main event between Darren Till and Luke Rockhold is expected at 11pm BST.
Manchester’s AO Arena is the chosen venue and it can host approximately 21,000 fans.
Misfits 22 – All the info
MISFITS boxing is back for an absolutely massive card this weekend.
The a huge event comes from the AO Arena in Manchester, with the night starring a mix of UFC legends, Misfits icons – and two TOWIE stars!
Ring of Thrones, as the night has been dubbed, is headlined by a meeting of two former UFC stars in Darren Till and Luke Rockhold.
Former UFC champ Tony Ferguson is also making his debut for the promotion and puts his legacy on the line against Salt Papi, who has impressed in the ring and won his last three fights by TKO.
A packed night sees reality TV star cousins Joey Essex and Demi Sims make their boxing debuts.
Demi’s dad Tony has trained the likes of Anthony Joshua and Conor Benn and is Matchroom Sport’s head coach.
MMA upstart Dillon Danis is also back on the card, as well as Misfits regulars such as Ty Mitchell, Chase DeMoor and Amir Anderson.
Here’s everything you need to know about the night…
What TV channel is Joey Essex vs Numeiro on and can it be live streamed?
Joey Essex vs Numeiro will be available to watch exclusively on DAZN.
There are three options for a DAZN subscription, Annual – either paying a one-off fee or monthly – and a monthly option.
An annual pass can be purchased for£119.99in the United Kingdom. That’s just £2.30 per week or 65p per fight(based on 185 fight nights per year).
A monthly flexible pass is priced at £24.99 per month, which can be cancelled at any time.
A subscription allows you to watch every live event and all on-demand programming on DAZN
A DAZN subscription costs:
Annual Super Saver: £119.99 annually
Monthly Saver (12-month deal): £14.99 per month
Monthly Flexible pass (cancel any time): £24.99 per month
Alternatively, SunSport will live blog all the action as it happens.
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Who else is on the card?
Darren Till and Luke Rockhold headline Misfits 22 for a huge MFB bridgerweight title fight.
And fans will get to see Salt Papi in action once again when he takes on Tony Ferguson.
What has been said?
Numeiro has not been impressed with Joey Essex’s sparring videos.
The Portuguese influencer said: “I saw a couple of videos of him boxing and sparring and I do not know if he was trying to look bad on purpose to like not scare me away.
“That was genuinely a question in my head because I do not know the guy. I do not know if he fought as a kid. I saw a couple of videos and they looked really bad.
“Hopefully, he was not playing me. If that was the real him, I am confident I will beat him up.”
YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul will face off against Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis in an exhibition bout at State Farm Arena on November 14.
Jake Paul will fight the unbeaten Gervonta Davis on November 14, at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, in an exhibition bout that will be streamed live on Netflix, promoters said on Wednesday.
Davis has been the WBA lightweight champion since Devin Haney vacated the belt in 2023, but the American’s title will not be on the line against YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul due to the size difference between the two boxers.
Paul, a cruiserweight, weighed in at 199.4 pounds (90.45kg) ahead of his win over Mexican Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in June, while Davis fought Lamont Roach at 133.8 pounds (60.7kg) in March.
No details have been provided on the weight limit for the fight.
“Yes, he’s one of the top pound-for-pound boxers in the world, but my motto is, anyone, anytime, anyplace, against all odds. And I like my odds,” Paul wrote on X.
Davis is undefeated in 31 fights as a professional, winning 30 and drawing one, while Paul has a record of 12 wins and one defeat.
Before Wednesday’s announcement, Paul had been tipped to fight Anthony Joshua, a former two-time unified heavyweight world champion and Olympic gold medallist, and the sides had been holding discussions.
Paul’s most famous boxing match was against former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson, which took place on November 15, 2024.
Son of a legendary former world champion boxer, Julio Cesar Chavez is deported by the US, facing charges of arms trafficking and organised crime in Mexico.
Former champion boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Jr has been detained in Mexico after being deported by the United States to face drug trafficking-related charges, Mexican authorities said.
Chavez, the son of legendary boxer Julio Cesar Chavez, was handed over at midday on Monday and transferred to a prison in Mexico’s northwest Sonora state, according to information published Tuesday on the country’s National Detention Registry.
“He was deported,” President Claudia Sheinbaum told reporters, adding that there was an arrest warrant for him in Mexico.
She previously said there was a warrant for his arrest for charges of arms trafficking and organised crime, and that prosecutors were working on the case.
The Mexican attorney general’s office declined to comment.
Chavez Jr, the son of a legendary former world champion boxer, Julio Cesar Chavez, was detained by US immigration authorities shortly after losing in a sold-out match to American influencer-turned-boxer Jake Paul.
Retired boxer Julio Cesar Chavez urges on his son Julio as he fights against Sergio Martinez during their title bout at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, the US, September 15, 2012 [Steve Marcus/Reuters]
Mexican prosecutors allege he acted as a henchman for the powerful Sinaloa Cartel, which Washington designated a “foreign terrorist organisation” earlier this year.
Chavez Jr’s lawyer and family have rejected the accusations.
Mexico’s national registry showed that the boxer was arrested at a checkpoint in the Mexican border city of Nogales at 11:53am (18:53 GMT) and transferred to a federal institution in Sonora’s capital of Hermosillo. Chavez Jr was wearing a black hoodie and red sneakers, it said.
Chavez Jr won the World Boxing Council middleweight championship in 2011, but lost the title the following year.
His career has been overshadowed by controversies, including a suspension after testing positive for a banned substance in 2009, and a fine and suspension after testing positive for cannabis in 2013.
BEIJING — Humanoid robots hip-hop danced, performed martial arts and played keyboard, guitar and drums at the opening ceremony of the first World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing on Thursday evening.
The competition begins Friday with more than 500 humanoid robots in 280 teams from 16 countries, including the U.S., Germany and Japan, competing in sports including soccer, running and boxing. It comes as China has stepped up efforts to develop humanoid robots powered by artificial intelligence.
During the opening ceremony, the robots demonstrated soccer and boxing among other sports, with some cheering and backflipping as if at a real sports day.
One robot soccer player scored a goal after a few tries, causing the goalkeeper to fall to the ground. Another player fell but stood up unassisted.
The robots also modeled fashionable hats and clothes alongside human models. One robot model sadly fell and had to be carried off the stage by two human beings.
Teams from robot companies and Chinese universities including Tsinghua University and Peking University are competing in the games. Three middle schools are also participating.
China’s official newspaper People’s Daily quoted a government officer in Beijing as saying “every robot participates is creating history.”
The event will last three days, concluding on Sunday. Tickets sold to the public range from 180 yuan ($25) to 580 ($80).
Ting writes for the Associated Press. Olivia Zhang contributed to this report from Beijing.
Boxers Shigetoshi Kotari and Hiromasa Urakawa died following fights on the same card in Tokyo last week.
Japanese boxing officials will hold an emergency meeting on Tuesday as the sport in the country faces intense scrutiny following the deaths of two fighters in separate bouts at the same event.
Super featherweight Shigetoshi Kotari and lightweight Hiromasa Urakawa, both 28, fought on the same card at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall on August 2 and died days later following brain surgery.
The Japan Boxing Commission (JBC), gym owners and other boxing officials are under pressure to act and will hold an emergency meeting on Tuesday.
They are also expected to have talks about safety next month, local media said.
“We are acutely aware of our responsibility as the manager of the sport,” Tsuyoshi Yasukochi, secretary-general of the JBC, told reporters on Sunday.
“We will take whatever measures we can.”
Japanese media highlighted the risks of fighters dehydrating to lose weight rapidly before weigh-ins.
“Dehydration makes the brain more susceptible to bleeding,” the Asahi Shimbun newspaper said.
That is one of the issues the JBC plans to discuss with trainers.
“They want to hear from gym officials who work closely with the athletes about such items as weight loss methods and pre-bout conditioning, which may be causally related (to deaths),” the Nikkan Sports newspaper said.
In one immediate measure, the commission has decided to reduce all Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation title bouts to 10 rounds from 12.
“The offensive power of Japanese boxing today is tremendous,” Yasukochi was quoted by the Asahi Shimbun as telling reporters.
“We have more and more boxers who are able to start exchanges of fierce blows from the first round. Maybe 12 rounds can be dangerous.”
Shigetoshi Kotari and Hiromasa Urakawa pass away within a day of each other after separate bouts on the same card.
Two Japanese boxers have died from brain injuries sustained in separate bouts on the same card at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall.
Shigetoshi Kotari, 28, collapsed shortly after completing a 12-round draw against Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) junior lightweight champion Yamato Hata on August 2.
He underwent emergency brain surgery for a subdural haematoma – a condition in which blood collects between the brain and skull – but died on Friday.
“Rest in peace, Shigetoshi Kotari,” the World Boxing Organization (WBO) wrote on social media. “The boxing world mourns the tragic passing of Japanese fighter Shigetoshi Kotari, who succumbed to injuries sustained during his August 2nd title fight.
“A warrior in the ring. A fighter in spirit. Gone too soon. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, team, and the entire Japanese boxing community.”
On Saturday, 28-year-old Hiromasa Urakawa died after suffering the same injury during a knockout loss to Yoji Saito. He had undergone a craniotomy in an attempt to save his life.
“This heartbreaking news comes just days after the passing of Shigetoshi Kotari, who died from injuries suffered in his fight on the same card,” the WBO said in another social media post on Saturday. “We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and the Japanese boxing community during this incredibly difficult time.”
In response, the Japanese Boxing Commission announced all OPBF title bouts will now be reduced from 12 rounds to 10.
Earlier this year, Irish boxer John Cooney died a week after being taken into intensive care following his Celtic super-featherweight title defeat to Nathan Howells in Belfast.
The BBC has signed a broadcast deal with Boxxer which will mean world-class professional boxing returns to prime-time television and BBC iPlayer.
Over the next 12 months, the BBC will air fights from selected events on BBC Two or Three as well as on iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.
Boxxer currently houses some of the biggest talents in UK boxing including Olympic and world champion Lauren Price.
“Bringing professional boxing back to primetime BBC television, free-to-air, and to our extensive digital platforms is an exciting moment for us and hopefully for boxing fans,” said Alex Kay-Jelski, director of BBC Sport.
The first event is expected to happen by the end of the year, with dates and headliners to be announced in the coming weeks.
Boxxer, led by promoter Ben Shalom, staged an all-women’s card headlined by Price and Natasha Jonas in March as well as promoting Amir Khan v Kell Brook, Liam Smith v Chris Eubank Jr, Claressa Shields v Savannah Marshall and Fabio Wardley v Frazer Clarke in recent years.
“Partnering with the BBC to deliver big-time British boxing on Saturday night TV is a historic moment,” Shalom said.
“We’re proud to bring the most entertaining British fighters to the biggest possible audience.
“This huge platform will give our fights the exposure they deserve and helps us take the sport to huge new audiences.”
CAMDEN, N.J. — Dwight Muhammad Qawi, the Hall of Fame fighter who took up boxing in prison and became a two-weight world champion, has died. He was 72.
Qawi’s sister, Wanda King, said he died Friday following a five-year battle with dementia.
Born Dwight Braxton in Baltimore, Qawi grew up in Camden, N.J. He competed in the boxing program at Rahway State Prison while serving a sentence for armed robbery, and turned professional at age 25 soon after his release in 1978.
In December 1981, Qawi — who legally changed his name in 1982 following his conversion to Islam — stopped Matthew Saad Muhammad in the 10th round to win the WBC light heavyweight belt. Qawi stopped Saad again eight months later, in six rounds.
After a loss to Michael Spinks, the 5-foot-7 Qawi — called “The Camden Buzzsaw” — moved up in weight and took the WBA cruiserweight title from Piet Crous in July 1985. Qawi lost the title to future heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield in a 15-rounder in July 1986.
Qawi later fought as a heavyweight, with George Foreman stopping him in seven rounds.
Qawi retired in 1998 at age 46 with a 41-11-1 record and 25 knockouts. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2004.
After his retirement from the ring, he worked as a boxing trainer, youth advocate and drug and alcohol counselor.
LAS VEGAS — Manny Pacquiao pushed back against his doubters, the odds and even Father Time on Saturday night — and nearly made some history.
But Pacquiao, in the end, fell just short on the judges’ scorecards as Mario Barrios escaped with a majority draw to retain the WBC welterweight championship. Two judges scored the bout a draw, and judge Max DeLuca awarded Barrios a 115-113 victory.
The Associated Press scored the fight 115-113 in favor of Pacquiao.
“I thought I won the fight,” Pacquiao said.
Barrios landed more total punches (120-101), according to Compubox, but Pacquiao had the edge in power shots (81-75).
Pacquiao, enshrined into the International Boxing Hall of Fame last month, was trying to break his own record for oldest welterweight champion. He was 40 when he emerged victorious in a 2019 split decision over Keith Thurman. This also was the first appearance in the ring in nearly four years for the 46-year-old Filipino, following a loss by unanimous decision to Yordenis Ugás.
Barrios, a 30-year-old from San Antonio, was a -275 favorite at BetMGM Sportsbook. He hoped to bounce back from a split-decision draw on Nov. 15 against Abel Ramos, but didn’t exactly come away with an emphatic victory in improving to 29-2-2. The heavily pro-Pacquiao crowd loudly booed the decision.
“It was an honor to share the ring with him,” Barrios said. “This is by far the biggest event I’ve had to date, and we came in here and left everything in the ring. I have nothing but respect for Manny.
“His stamina is crazy. He’s still strong as hell and his timing is real. He’s still a very awkward fighter to try to figure out.”
Mario Barrios, left, and Manny Pacquiao pose for photos in the ring after fighting to a majority draw in Las Vegas on Saturday.
(John Locher / Associated Press)
Pacman (62-9-2) moved swiftly around the ring from the beginning, often looking more like the younger champion who captured 12 world titles in eight divisions. He began to be take control in the seventh, landing several big left hands to win the following three rounds on two cards and two on the other.
But Barrios was the better fighter at the end, coming out more aggressive knowing he might be in trouble with the judges. All three, in fact, awarded Barrios each of the final three rounds.
“I didn’t think the fight was getting away from me, but I knew I had to step it up to solidify a win,” Barrios said.
Both sides said they would be interested in a rematch.
“I hope this is an inspiration to boxers that if you have discipline and work hard, you can still fight at this age,” Pacquiao said.
Sebastian Fundora (23-1-1, 15 KOs) retained his WBC super welterweight title when Tim Tszyu (25-3) didn’t come out for the eighth round in the co-main event. Fundora floored Tszyu with a left hand in the first round and dominated the action with 118 power punches, according to Compubox, by repeatedly backing down the Australian.
“I’m the bigger guy,” said Fundora, who led 69-63 on all three judges’ cards. “Everyone says I’m a bully in the ring, so I thought I should start really bullying these guys. I just kept working on aggression my whole career and we’ve just been adding.”
It was a big week for Fundora, who was accepted into Harvard and then won the rematch with Tszyu. The first fight on March 30, 2024, was much closer, with Fundora emerging with a split-decision victory.
The Coachella, Calif., resident also had been the WBO champion, but that organization stripped him of his belt for not fighting mandatory challenger Xander Zayas.
The 46-year old’s comeback bid for 13th world title falls short with a draw against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios.
Manny Pacquiao’s bid to become the oldest welterweight champion in boxing history fell short as he failed to beat Mario Barrios at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
But he did not lose, either.
Instead, the 46-year-old Pacquiao and the 30-year-old Barrios fought to a majority draw on Saturday, with one judge giving Barrios a 115-113 win and the other two judges scoring it a 114-114 draw.
The result allowed Barrios (29-2-2, 18 knockouts) to retain his WBC welterweight belt.
“I thought I won the fight,” Pacquiao said afterwards.
“I mean, it was a close fight. My opponent was very tough. It was a wonderful fight. It was good.”
Pacquiao (62-8-3, 39 KOs) already holds the record for the oldest welterweight champion, winning the belt via split-decision over Keith Thurman in 2019.
The Filipino legend was enshrined in the International Boxing Hall of Fame last month. Pacquiao dominated Saturday’s fight early on, showing energy against his younger foe.
Ultimately, though, CompuBox stats had Barrios landing more punches (120-101) and more jabs (45-20), though Pacquiao landed 81 power punches to Barrios’s 75.
Barrios, right, throws a right at Pacquiao in the third round [Ethan Miller/Getty Images via AFP]
Pacquiao held the lead on all three cards after 10 rounds, but Barrios took all three rounds on all three scorecards to avoid the upset. Age and stamina were definitely on Pacquiao’s mind after the fight.
“I need to continue my training for longer going into a championship fight,” said Pacquiao, who lost his senatorial bid in the Philippines in May. “Because of the election, I started late, but it’s OK. Of course, I’d like a rematch. I want to leave a legacy and make the Filipino people proud.
“Don’t tell that to Barrios.
“His stamina is crazy,” the champion said. “He’s still strong as hell, and his timing is real. He’s still a very awkward fighter to try to figure out.”
As for a rematch, Barrios is ready.
“I’ll do the rematch. Absolutely. This was huge for boxing. I’d love to do it again.”
Barrios, left, and Pacquiao react after fighting to a majority draw in their welterweight title bout [John Locher/AP Photo]
Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk knocks out Daniel Dubois of United Kingdom to unify the heavyweight title belts in London.
Oleksandr Usyk has cemented his status as the outstanding heavyweight of his generation with an emphatic fifth-round knockout of Daniel Dubois in their undisputed world title bout at London’s Wembley Stadium.
Victory on Saturday saw Ukraine’s Usyk extend his unbeaten professional record to 24 fights as the WBA, WBC and WBO champion added his British opponent’s IBF belt to his collection.
Usyk dominated the opening four rounds and early in the fifth, dropped Dubois to the canvas.
Moments later, he finished the fight in decisive fashion after a trademark left hook left his British rival unable to beat the count one minute and 52 seconds into the round.
Oleksandr Usyk knocks down Daniel Dubois and wins the fight [Andrew Couldridge/Reuters]
It was the second time Usyk, at 38, some 11 years older than his opponent, had defeated Dubois after a ninth-round stoppage success in Krakow, Poland, in 2023, where the Briton was ruled to have landed an illegal low blow in the fifth round.
Lennox Lewis, the last British boxer to be the undisputed world champion in 1999, forecast before Saturday’s fight that Usyk would face a vastly-improved Dubois, saying: “Dubois was a baby in the sport and now he’s a man…You’re not going to see the same Daniel Dubois from 18 months ago.”
But after Usyk was roared into the ring by a huge contingent of supporters, many of them waving Ukraine’s national flag in a 90,000 capacity crowd at Wembley, best known as the London base of England’s national football team, it was largely one-way traffic as their hero conducted a ruthless masterclass against local favourite Dubois.
“Thirty-eight is a young guy, remember,” Usyk told DAZN in the ring after dropping to his knees in celebration. “Thirty-eight is only [the] start.
“I want to say thank you to Jesus Christ. I want to say thank you to my team and Wembley, thank you so much! It’s for the people.
“Nothing is next. It’s enough, next, I don’t know. I want to rest. My family, my wife, my children, I want to rest now. Two or three months, I want to just rest.”
The UK’s Daniel Dubois takes a punch from Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk towards the end of the fight [Adrian Dennis/AFP]
Asked about his next opponent, Usyk, who has already twice beaten former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, added: “Maybe it’s Tyson Fury.
“Maybe we have three choices, Derek Chisora and Anthony Joshua. Maybe Joseph Parker. Listen, I cannot now say because I want to go back home.”
Dubois insisted he would return to the ring, saying: “I have to commend him [Usyk] on the performance, I gave everything I had. Take no credit away from that man, I’ll be back.”
Daniel Dubois after being knocked down by Oleksandr Usyk [Richard Pelham/Getty Images]
Daniel Dubois is seeking revenge and to make history when he fights Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday at Wembley stadium.
The Londoner aims to add Usyk’s WBA (Super), WBO and WBC world titles to his collection and become the first British heavyweight to become undisputed heavyweight champion since 1999.
With Usyk seemingly in the dying embers of his career aged 38, can the Ukrainian prove a point against a re-energised Dubois? Or will the Englishman announce himself as the best heavyweight in the world?
BBC Sport asked the world of boxing for their predictions.
Retired world champion Tony Bellew
“Usyk to win anywhere between rounds eight to 12, but I think he may have to get off the floor for the first time in his career.
“Dubois is at an all-time high with confidence. It will take Usyk six or seven rounds to beat that out of him, but by round eight or nine he will be done and then it’s about whether he can continue to absorb what Usyk is dishing out after that.”
“Dubois has a real shot here. He has great confidence right now and sooner or later Father Time may get Usyk. Patriotism aside I think Usyk will drain him and stop him between rounds nine and 12.”
Usyk v Dubois 2
Saturday, 19 July
Wembley Stadium
Retired two-weight world champion Carl Frampton
“We all know Daniel is a better fighter than he was the first time he fought Usyk and people are talking about his run of form – but no one is talking about Usyk’s run of form. His last five victories are two against Fury, Dubois and two against Joshua.
“The guy is incredible and I’ve given up backing against him. Usyk wins a comprehensive points decision.”
Dazn broadcaster Ade Oladipo
“Dubois is coming up against a genius and an all-time great. The equaliser could be age – Usyk is now 38 and this is a young man’s game but I am going Usyk on a wide points win.”
Former undisputed heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis
“Dubois has to get that jab going, push him against the ropes and start combinations – don’t waste punches and stay eager. Remember he is the true heavyweight and needs to press him.
“Usyk is the number one guy, a great boxer and a great champion. When you come you have to come with that in mind and be first and be last with your punches.”
Heavyweight Johnny Fisher
“If Dubois lands anything similar to that body shot again and follows it up a little bit better, I think he’ll get the victory and a stoppage.”
Super-middleweight Callum Simpson
“I’m going to have to go for Usyk on points. I want Dubois to win but Usyk is a generational talent, his skill and IQ is just so special.”
Media caption,
‘I’m unstoppable and in the prime of my life’ – Dubois
Retired world champion & Dazn analyst Darren Barker
“Usyk is a master and Dubois is full of confidence. I lean towards Usyk on this one. Perhaps a late stoppage or on points, but I’m not ruling out Dubois – he’s a man on a mission.”
Olympic champion Galal Yafai
“I have to go Usyk, how can you bet against him? Dubois is a great kid who has come on leaps and bounds. He’s in form and a terrific fighter, but Usyk is just a great.”
Welterweight Harlem Eubank
“Dubois has all the tools to win but Usyk is a tricky customer, which he has shown time and time again. Dubois is a guy who potentially has the best chance to beat him but you have to go with Usyk.”
Former world champion Joe Cordina
“Usyk will beat Dubois. The last fight Dubois was very unlucky not to win. If Dubois can get on him early doors, but he’ll be very aware of that, Usyk, and I think he’ll step his game up this fight.
“He beats Dubois now, and then he’ll be in the history books. He’s in the history books anyway but what I mean is he will go down as the one of the greatest heavyweights that has ever been.”
BBC Radio 5 Live boxing analyst Steve Bunce
“Usyk wins because he’s just that much smarter. I don’t rule out Dubois hitting him on the chin but he’d have to do that repeatedly and I don’t sense signs of decay yet in Usyk.
“Usyk isn’t dependent on being strong and fast – he’s a smart fighter – I think he could hide the decline for a few fights and get away with it.
“He doesn’t get hit on the chin often enough to be in trouble and that won’t happen in this fight. I think he wins after eight or nine rounds.”
Olympic medallist Taylor Bevan
“Dubois has shown big improvements in his last few fights, But I’d say Usyk’s skills and experience will be too much for him, I think Usyk wins that one on points.”
Super-featherweight Ryan Garner
“I have to go with Usyk, he’s class isn’t he? Dubois has come on leaps and bounds, he’s on a roll but you have to favour Usyk. But who knows with the way Dubois has been going recently.
“I saw the low blow and I have to say it was borderline, I think Usyk milked it a bit but it was close and who knows what could have happened on another day.”
“I’m going against the grain but I think Dubois wins. He has looked incredible in his last couple of fights, he’s fearless, technically a very good boxer and his power is exceptional.
“I love Usyk and his legacy but from the moment this fight was announced I thought it was going to be Dubois.”
Media caption,
Usyk has so much ‘respect for UK fans’
Boxing coach Dave Coldwell
“It all depends if Usyk has anything left and the Fury fights haven’t taken too much out of him. The question mark for me is Father Time. If time hasn’t caught up with him then he beats Dubois again. If not, we could see a changing of the guard.”
Dazn broadcaster Adam Smith
“Logic says it will be repeat for the pound-for-pound king Usyk who still looked at his supreme best in the return with Fury – and is brilliant in rematches – but Dubois will never have a better chance and is in the form of his life – mentally and physically at 27.”
Four years after his last fight ended in a disappointing loss, the legendary Manny Pacquiao is back in the ring and challenging for another world title.
The 46-year-old will face WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on Saturday – but questions remain as to whether Pacquiao, widely regarded as one of the best boxers in history, can mount a serious challenge at such an advanced age.
Here’s what you need to know about the living legend’s boxing comeback against Barrios:
Why is Pacquiao making a comeback?
Pacquiao, a Hall of Famer boxer, shrugged off concerns about his comeback and says he understands the risks of reentering the ring against a competitor like Barrios: A man 16 years his junior, 16cm (6.3in) taller, and the two-time reigning WBC welterweight title holder at the peak of his powers.
“I’m coming back because boxing is my passion,” Pacquiao said in an interview with ESPN. “It’s all I think about, and I really like to make history.”
The Filipino icon says this is not a one-off fight but rather a first step in an extended return to boxing. Pacquiao claims his motivation to fight again is primarily about preserving his competitive legacy rather than money.
“I’m worried for my reputation,” Pacquiao said in an interview with the BBC. “But I’m making sure that I’m not a kind of fighter like other fighters that come back but they are not showing what they did before.”
What’s at stake for Pacquiao
A loss for Pacquiao against Barrios would likely be the final nail in the coffin of a superlative boxing career.
A win would be a 13th world championship for the charismatic fighter and add to his already stellar boxing resume.
Broader medical concerns over middle-aged boxers reentering the ring, especially after a long lay-off, have been raised, although medical checks were made on the fighters in the lead-up to the bout.
What is the date and start time for Pacquiao vs Barrios?
The fight is scheduled for Saturday, July 19.
Pacquiao and Barrios are expected to undertake their ring walks at 8pm (03:00 GMT on Sunday). The fight will begin shortly thereafter.
The main undercard begins at 5pm (00:00 GMT on Sunday).
Where is the fight being held?
Pacquiao vs Barrios will take place at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
The venue can host more than 16,000 spectators, making it one of the largest boxing venues in the United States.
Who is the favourite?
The American is the clear bookmakers’ favourite to retain his world championship title.
“In so many of my fights I was the underdog, and I surprised them… Manny always brings surprises,” Pacquiao said.
Actress Sydney Sweeney and 2025 Inductee Manny Pacquiao, right, pose for a photo during the Boxing Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the International Boxing Hall of Fame on June 8, 2025 in Canastota, New York [Ed Mulholland/Getty Images via AFP]
Career record: Pacquiao
The Filipino living legend has won 12 major world championships.
He is the only competitor to win world titles in eight different weight divisions, more than any other boxer in history.
His longevity in the sport is equally legendary as the only fighter to capture or retain world titles across four different decades: The 1990s, 2000s, 2010s and 2020s.
In June, Pacquiao was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, becoming the third Filipino boxer to receive the honour.
What is Pacquiao’s fight record?
Pacquiao’s last professional fight was a decision loss against Cuban boxer Yordenis Ugas in 2021 for the WBA world welterweight championship.
His last professional win was six years ago against Keith Thurman, when he became the oldest welterweight champion in history.
Fights: 72
Wins: 62
Wins by KO: 39
Losses: 8
Draws: 2
What is Barrios’ fight record?
The 30-year-old American will be defending the WBC title for the second time.
His last fight was a split draw decision against Abel Ramos on November 15.
Fights: 32
Wins: 29
Wins by KO: 18
Losses: 2
Draws: 1
Mario Barrios, right, unleashes a punch against Abel Ramos during their WBC world welterweight championship fight at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, USA, on November 15, 2024 [Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
What has Pacquiao said about the fight?
Pacquiao, who turns 47 in December, feels rejuvenated after four years away from the ring and said he was returning for another opportunity to make history.
“I’m enjoying training camp as much as I did when I was 26 or 29 years old. The motivation to train hard and the discipline are the same,” Pacquiao said at Wednesday’s news conference.
“I mean, it’s because I’ve been away from boxing why I’m still interested and passionate about fighting.
“I cannot imagine that I am still fighting here in the Grand Arena after 24 years. It’s a blessing, a favour from God, and I’m so thankful to be here, still fighting and putting on a good show for the fans,” he said.
Manny Pacquiao trains at Wild Card Boxing Club on June 25, 2025 in Los Angeles, California, US [Melina Pizano/Getty Images via AFP]
What has Barrios said about the fight?
“Manny has been doing this his whole life and understands what it takes to go in there,” Barrios said. “And he’s trying to be great. He’s trying to do something, fighting for a title at his age – and as a fighter, I have nothing but respect for that.
“You know, Manny is a very likeable person. I can’t think of anything bad to say about him other than, you know, he’s facing me for my title.
“At the end of the day, he’s just another man in there. He’s another opponent trying to take my title, regardless of everything he’s accomplished and given to the sport,” Barrios added on Wednesday.
What is the fight prize money?
The prize money has not been disclosed.
It has been reported that Pacquiao will make up to $5m for this bout – in line with similar payments in his last two fights – with Barrios earning up to $1m.
Who is on the undercard?
Manny Pacquiao vs Mario Barrios: WBC welterweight title
Sebastian Fundora vs Tim Tszyu: WBC super welterweight championship
Isaac Cruz vs Angel Fierro: Super lightweight
Brandon Figueroa vs Joet Gonzalez: Featherweight
Gary Russell Jr vs Hugo Castaneda: Super featherweight
Oleksandr Usyk has had a whirlwind year at the top of boxing’s heavyweight division and will face another formidable challenge when he takes on Daniel Dubois in a much-anticipated rematch.
In May 2024, Usyk became the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world when he beat Tyson Fury in a fight for the ages, but had to vacate one of his belts a month later.
The man who took that belt was his other great rival in Dubois, a fighter he defeated in a controversial bout two years ago, and who is now challenging the undefeated Ukrainian for the rest of his world titles in a spectacular unification showdown.
Here’s what you need to know about Usyk vs Dubois 2:
What is the date and start time for the Usyk vs Dubois fight?
The fight is scheduled for Saturday, July 19.
Usyk and Dubois are expected to undertake their ring walks at 9:45pm local time (20:45 GMT), which is 4:45pm ET and 1:45pm PT. The fight will begin shortly thereafter.
Where is Dubois vs Usyk being held?
The famous Wembley Stadium in London, United Kingdom will host the blockbuster fight.
For boxing matches, Wembley Stadium can hold up to 96,000 spectators.
Usyk poses in front of Wembley Stadium on July 15, 2025, in London, England, UK [Richard Pelham/Getty Images]
Where can I follow and watch the Usyk vs Dubois title fight?
Al Jazeera’s live text commentary and photo coverage will begin at 17:00 GMT on Saturday, July 19. We will bring you all the pre-fight talking points, analysis and build-up before bringing you Usyk-Dubois 2 updates live.
This whole fight card will be available live worldwide exclusively on DAZN pay-per-view.
Which titles are Usyk and Dubois fighting for?
The clash will be an undisputed championship fight, and the titles on the line will be Usyk’s WBC, WBA and WBO belts, as well the IBF title held by Dubois.
It’s just the second undisputed heavyweight championship bout of the past two decades.
What is the fight purse?
The record-breaking prize money for the rematch is reported to be $203m.
Why did Usyk lose his IBF title?
In May 2024, Usyk won the world’s first undisputed heavyweight championship in 25 years, an unprecedented feat in boxing’s four-belt era, when he beat Fury by split decision.
However, having decided not to defend the IBF crown against then-interim champion and mandatory challenger Dubois, Usyk vacated the belt in June and was left with the WBC, WBA and WBO belts.
Who is the favourite?
Usyk is widely expected to defeat Dubois a second time, according to most leading bookmakers who are quoting the Ukrainian at 1/3 on, or in metric terms, paying out $1.33 for the win.
Odds on a Dubois victory currently range from 5/2 ($2.50) to 13/5 ($2.60).
Who is Daniel Dubois?
Dubois was born in Greenwich, London, where his father began training him as a boxer at an early age. A home-schooled child, Dubois loved boxing and later joined boxing clubs in southern London.
Also known as Daniel “Dynamite” Dubois, the boxer turned pro at the age of 19.
The 6ft-4inch (1.93-metre) boxer has gained the reputation of being a giant-killer, having defeated fellow Briton Anthony Joshua and Olympic bronze medallist Filip Hrgovic of Croatia.
Dubois will be the underdog in Saturday’s fight against Usyk [Matthew Childs/Action Images via Reuters]
Who is Oleksandr Usyk?
Usyk is a 2012 Olympic gold medallist from Ukraine who had previously won the AIBA World Boxing Championship in 2011.
The 6ft-3inch (1.9-metre) tall fighter has spent time on patrol at home during Russia’s war on Ukraine.
He turned professional in 2013, aged 26 and made a steady rise in the cruiserweight division, before switching to heavyweight in 2019.
Saturday’s fight gives Usyk the opportunity to become the undisputed champion of the world for the third time, having also held the title in the cruiserweight division in 2018. The southpaw is the third man ever to have held the title in two weight divisions.
Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk looks on during an unveiling of the recreated Kestrel Mosaic, in Trafalgar Square on July 14, 2025 [Carlos Jasso/AFP]
What’s Usyk’s fight record?
The Ukrainian remains unbeaten in his professional career.
Fights: 23
Wins: 23
Wins by KO: 14
What’s Dubois’ fight record?
The 27-year-old challenger, despite being 11 years younger than Usyk, has more career professional fights than his opponent.
Fights: 24
Wins: 22
Wins by KO: 21
Losses: 2
What happened in Dubois-Usyk 1?
The pair fought for the first time in Wroclaw, Poland in August 2023, when Usyk stopped Dubois in the ninth round, but only after controversially getting time to recover from what was adjudged a low blow by Dubois in the fifth round.
It sent Usyk to the canvas, where he sat against the ropes. Replays showed the punch hitting around Usyk’s belt, and Dubois still maintains he was robbed.
“I want to get my rematch,” Dubois said of Usyk, “and put the wrong right.”
Usyk sits on the canvas in the fifth round after he received a low blow from Dubois in their first fight for the WBA, IBF & WBO Heavyweight Titles at Tarczynski Arena, Wroclaw, Poland on August 26, 2023 [Kacper Pempel/Reuters]Usyk regained the upper hand in the deciding ninth round against Dubois, knocking out the Briton to win the contest [Kacper Pempel/Reuters]
What has Usyk said about the rematch?
The 38-year-old said that he is ready to “become undisputed again,” referring to the reunification of all heavyweight titles he held after beating Fury on May 18, 2024.
“[I am still boxing] because Jesus gives me the opportunity, and I take this,” Usyk said in an interview on host broadcaster streaming platform DAZN. “Now my goal is to become a three-time undisputed. Listen, I love boxing, training hard. I guess it’s my last two fights, with Dubois and next, I don’t know who.”
“I love my British opponents,” Usyk added. “I think Daniel is a good athlete, a good boxer, and has good skills. He has had great wins in his last three fights, is a great fighter. I think Daniel deserves [the rematch].”
What has Dubois said about the rematch?
Dubois has pledged to exact revenge on the Ukrainian fighter.
“I can’t wait to put him [Usyk] to sleep,” said Dubois.
“I’m on fire now. I’m just pent up. I’m ready to go. It’s going to be a bloodbath … in the ring on the night, he’ll be doing a funny dance when I hit him.
“We don’t care about no body shots. We’re going to knock him out on July 19.”
The Brit has repeatedly stated that he’s a “10 times better” fighter than he was in his first fight against Usyk and is ready to “unleash hell”.
Why did Dubois’ trainer accuse Usyk of ‘conning the boxing world’ in their first fight in Poland?
The British fighter’s trainer accused Usyk of “conning the boxing world” at the pre-fight news conference in April.
Referring to Usyk’s 2023 fight against Dubois, Don Charles accused the Ukrainian of being hurt by a legal body shot and said his fighter should have won the encounter.
“The actions you did that night, you’ve heard of the Oscars? You should’ve won an Oscar,” Charles said.
“You conned the referee, you conned us, and you conned the boxing world.
“You pride yourself as a God-fearing man – ‘Thou shalt not lie’ – so I question what kind of God do you worship? The God has summoned you for our son Daniel Dubois to get revenge on you.”
How did Usyk respond to the accusation?
Usyk shrugged off accusations of cheating and fakery and said he was ready to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world for a second time.
“I’m ready right now,” Usyk told a news conference at Wembley Stadium.
Usyk, smiling, said the Oscar would be coming. “You must teach your fighter to punch clean,” he added.
“It’s just talking. For me, it doesn’t matter.”
Usyk’s manager, Egis Klimas, said after that photographs of the blow were produced, with the Ukrainian’s camp accusing Dubois of up to 20 low blows, Usyk could not be accused of cheating.
“Don’t call my man a cheat,” he said. “He didn’t cheat. He had an opportunity to rest and he rested … tell it to the referee, not my man.”
Usyk, left, and Dubois go head-to-head to unify the world heavyweight championships on Saturday [Matthew Childs/Action Images via Reuters]
Who is on the undercard?
In the penultimate fight of the night, the UK’s Lawrence Okolie will defend his WBC silver heavyweight title against former world champ Kevin Lerena of South Africa.
In the light heavyweight classification, Poland’s Daniel Lapin will put his IBF intercontinental and WBA continental belts up for grabs against another local fighter, Lewis Edmondson.
The first bout is scheduled for 5:40pm local (16:40 GMT).
Lawrence Okolie vs. Kevin Lerena: (WBC silver heavyweight title)
Daniel Lapin vs. Lewis Edmondson: (IBF Intercontinental and WBA Continental light heavyweight titles)
Vladyslav Sirenko vs. Solomon Dacres: (Heavyweight division)
Aadam Hamed vs. Ezequiel Gregores: (Super lightweight division)
Lasha Guruli vs. James Francis: (Super lightweight division)
US immigration agents arrested Chavez earlier this week, with authorities alleging ties to Mexican cartel.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has announced she expects boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Jr to soon be deported from the United States to serve a sentence for arms trafficking and organised crime.
Sheinbaum explained on Friday that Mexico has had an arrest warrant for the boxer since 2023, stemming from an investigation initiated in 2019. But Chavez had not previously been arrested because he spends most of his time in the US.
““The hope is that he will be deported and serve the sentence in Mexico,” Sheinbaum said, adding: “That’s the process the attorney general’s office is working on.”
Her statement comes two days after Chavez was detained in Los Angeles by US immigration authorities, after they determined he made fraudulent statements in a 2024 application for permanent residency.
The son of a boxing legend, Chavez appeared last weekend in a sold-out match in Anaheim, California. But he lost to 28-year-old influencer-turned-boxer Jake Paul in a unanimous decision after 10 rounds.
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr throws a punch at Jake Paul during their cruiserweight boxing match in Anaheim, California [Etienne Laurent/The Associated Press]
Alleged ties to cartel
Following his arrest, the US Department of Homeland Security said that Chavez is suspected of having ties to Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel.
The US has designated the group and several other Latin American cartels as “foreign terrorist organisations” as part of a wider effort to staunch cross-border crime.
The administration has also sought to surge deportations in recent years, to make good on US President Donald Trump’s campaign promises.
Michael Goldstein, a lawyer for Chavez, said more than two dozen immigration agents arrested the boxer at his home in the Studio City area of Los Angeles on Wednesday.
“The current allegations are outrageous and appear to be designed as a headline to terrorise the community,” Goldstein said.
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr is seen in Anaheim, California [File: Etienne Laurent/The Associated Press]
Chavez’s family in Mexico said in a statement that they “fully trust his innocence”.
His wife, Frida Munoz Chavez, was previously married to the son of the former Sinaloa Cartel leader, who is serving a life sentence in a US prison, Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman. That son, Edgar, was assassinated in Culiacan, Mexico, in 2008.
Speaking on Friday, Sheinbaum said she did not know if the boxer had any ties to the cartel.
The son of Mexican world champion fighter Julio Cesar Chavez, Chavez had won the WBC middleweight championship in 2011. He lost the title the following year.
However, his career has been largely overshadowed by controversies, including a suspension after testing positive for a banned substance in 2009 and a fine and suspension after testing positive for marijuana in 2013.
‘I want tougher fighters, I want to be world champion,’ Paul said in his challenge to former and current WBC champions.
Celebrity boxer Jake Paul has defeated former middleweight boxing champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr by unanimous decision in a cruiserweight fight in California, United States.
The 28-year-old YouTube influencer-turned-boxer overcame his opponent with a judges’ score of 99-91, 97-93 and 98-92 in the 10-round fight at Honda Center in Anaheim on Saturday night.
The win marks Paul’s triumphant return to the ring seven months after his blockbuster fight against 58-year-old former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson.
Chavez Jr, 39, is a former World Boxing Council (WBC) middleweight champion who has not held a major boxing title in 13 years and has fought just once in the last three and a half years. He has also had some well-documented personal problems over the last few years.
Paul, who gained fame as a social media star on YouTube and became a boxer, now has a six-fight winning streak and a 12-1 record with seven knockouts (KOs).
Jake Paul celebrates at the end of the cruiserweight boxing bout against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr [Patrick T Fallon /AFP]
‘I want to be world champion’
Following the win, Paul challenged a number of current and former WBC champions to a fight.
“I want tougher fighters, I want to be world champion,” he told streaming service DAZN in the ring.
He called on Zurdo Ramirez, Badou Jack, Anthony Joshua, Gervonta Davis and Tommy Fury to “stop running”.
However, Chavez Jr said his conqueror was a “good fighter” but was not ready to face the list of champions he had named.
“He is strong, [he is a] good boxer [but] I don’t think he’s ready for champions,” the Mexican said.
Paul, who was set to face Canelo Alvarez until the latter signed a lucrative four-fight deal with Turki Alalshikh’s Riyadh Season, said Alvarez was “ducking” the fight.
In a video posted to his social media account, Paul showed what he said was a contract signed by himself and Alvarez for a fight to be held in Las Vegas on May 3.
“The truth is, you [ Alvarez ] could be bought,” Paul said at the time. “You’re a money-hungry squirrel chasing your next nut. The truth is, these sports-washing, shady characters are paying you hundreds of millions of dollars to stop our fight from happening because they couldn’t fathom the fact that they can’t create a bigger fight than me and you.”
Alvarez, a Mexican boxing superstar, unified boxing’s super-middleweight world titles after a pedestrian but unanimous points win over IBF champion William Scull in Riyadh on May 3 .
Paul celebrates his win [Patrick T Fallon/AFP]
Paul vs Chavez Jr: Contrasting fortunes
The 28-year-old is one of the sport’s top attractions despite not having a traditional fighting pedigree through a boxing association. Paul has made at least $60m since starting his boxing career, according to multiple sources.
His fight last November with Tyson, which Paul won in an eight-round decision, peaked at a staggering 64 million concurrent streams on Netflix.
Meanwhile, Chavez Jr – with a record of (54-7-1, 34 KOs) – last held a major boxing world title in 2012 and has had a difficult time inside and outside the ring in recent years.
In November 2021, his shock defeat by a split decision to 46-year-old former UFC fighter Anderson Silva in a crossover boxing match was undoubtedly the lowest – and most embarrassing – point of his professional boxing career. Coincidentally, Paul beat Silva in a fight last year.
The Mexican’s personal issues have included a lack of motivation, a repeated failure to make weight for fights, alcohol and drug addiction, an arrest for illegal possession of a firearm in his Los Angeles home and a failed drug test. At the launch of the Paul-Chavez fight in May at The Avalon in Hollywood, Paul mocked Chavez’s addiction problems as well as his “lack of mentality”.
Reports say that Paul has a chance of entering the WBC’s rankings with the win.
“The WBC ratings committee has been following Jake Paul’s career,” ESPN reported WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman as saying before the fight.
“If he defeats Chavez, and depending on how the fight plays out, the committee will make the decision. It’s very likely [Paul will be ranked] if he wins convincingly.”
Paul, right, punches Chavez Jr during their cruiserweight boxing match [Etienne Laurent/AP]
Seven months after his blockbuster fight against 58-year-old former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, YouTube celebrity boxer Jake Paul will return to the ring to face off against another former world champ, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
Chavez Jr, 39, is a former World Boxing Council (WBC) middleweight champion who hasn’t held a major boxing title in 13 years and has fought just once in the last three and a half years. He’s also had some well-documented personal problems over the last few years.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Paul-Chavez bout:
What is the date and start time for the Paul-Chavez fight?
The fight night is on Saturday, June 28, with six undercard bouts before the main fight.
The ring walk for Paul-Chavez Jr is set for 8pm Pacific Standard Time (PST) on Saturday (03:00 GMT on Sunday) and the fight will begin shortly thereafter.
Where is Paul-Chavez being held?
The Honda Center in Anaheim, California, is the venue for the fight.
It has a seating capacity of about 7,000 for boxing events.
Wasn’t Paul supposed to fight Canelo Alvarez?
In February, Paul claimed Canelo Alvarez “ducked” a fight with him to sign a lucrative four-fight deal with Turki Alalshikh’s Riyadh Season, based out of Saudi Arabia.
In a video posted to his social media account, Paul showed what he said was a contract signed by himself and Alvarez for a fight to be held in Las Vegas on May 3.
“The truth is, you (Alvarez) could be bought,” Paul said at the time. “You’re a money-hungry squirrel chasing your next nut. The truth is, these sports-washing, shady characters are paying you hundreds of millions of dollars to stop our fight from happening because they couldn’t fathom the fact that they can’t create a bigger fight than me and you.”
Canelo Alvarez celebrates after defeating Edgar Berlanga in a super middleweight title bout on September 14, 2024, in Las Vegas, US [John Locher/AP]
What problems has Chavez Jr had since becoming WBC world champion?
Chavez Jr, who last held a major boxing world title in 2012, has had a difficult time inside and outside the ring in recent years.
In November 2021, his shock defeat by split decision to 46-year-old former UFC fighter Anderson Silva in a crossover boxing match was undoubtedly the lowest – and most embarrassing – point of his professional boxing career. Coincidentally, Paul beat Silva in a fight last year.
The Mexican’s personal issues have included a lack of motivation, a repeated failure to make weight for fights, alcohol and drug addiction, an arrest for illegal possession of a firearm in his Los Angeles home and a failed drug test. At the launch of the Paul-Chavez fight in May at The Avalon in Hollywood, Paul mocked Chavez’s addiction problems 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.”
Who is Jake Paul?
Paul gained fame as a social media star on YouTube who turned into a boxer, and has an 11-1 record.
The 28-year-old is one of the sport’s top attractions despite not having a traditional fighting pedigree through a boxing association.
His fight last November with Tyson, which Paul won in an eight-round decision, peaked at a staggering 64 million concurrent streams on Netflix.
Jake Paul has made at least $60m since starting his boxing career, according to multiple sources.
Jake Paul, left, fights Mike Tyson during their heavyweight boxing match on November 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas, US [Julio Cortez/AP]
Who is Julio Cesar Chavez Jr?
The son of Julio Cesar Chavez, a legendary three-division world champion, Chavez Jr has amassed a professional boxing record of 53 wins (34 KOs), six losses, and one draw over a 17-year career.
Chavez was crowned the WBC middleweight champion in 2011 after defeating Sebastian Zbik of Germany. He defended the title three times and was considered to be in the upper tier of middleweight boxers alongside fellow Mexican, Canelo Alvarez.
But a series of disappointing results, beginning with a loss to Sergio Martinez in 2012 through to a one-sided defeat to Alvarez in 2017, sent his career off the rails.
Chavez’s professional record is a mediocre 8-6 since 2012. Despite his many personal issues, Chavez Jr is still considered to be armed with an advanced boxing skillset that will be a step up in competition for the novice fighter Paul.
Chavez Jr, left, unleashes a ferocious left jab en route to winning the WBC Middleweight Championship against Sebastian Zbik on June 4, 2011 [Mark J Terrill/AP]
What has Paul said about the fight?
“I would say Chavez is most likely going to be the toughest opponent (I have faced yet), the most experienced, literally the most amount of fights out of all of my opponents,” Paul said during an interview with DAZN Boxing.
What has Chavez Jr said about the fight?
“Yes [I’m motivated to end Paul’s career],” Chavez Jr said on The Ariel Helwani podcast on June 18. “[I still think] that I’m better than Jake Paul, so I think after this fight maybe Jake continues to fight [and tries] to be a [better] boxer, but I don’t think he has [the] skills and everything [necessary to] win [against me]. I want to end Jake Paul’s career.”
Paul stats:
Nationality: American Age: 28 Height: 6′ 1″ (1.85m) Reach: 76″ (1.93m) Total fights: 12 Record: 11-1 (7 KOs)
