Rigged underground games run by the New York mafia.
NBA figures exchanging insider information as part of illegal betting schemes.
These are some of the wild allegations filed in two criminal complaints this week by federal prosecutors in one of the most sweeping and sensational betting scandals in recent professional sports history.
At the heart of one of the cases, prosecutors charged several figures using private insider NBA information, such as when players would sit out, to help others profit in leveraged bets online.
Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, who played with the Clippers for two seasons and later was a member of Clippers coach Ty Lue’s staff before earning the Trail Blazers head coaching job, is charged with rigging underground poker games that three of New York’s Mafia families backed, authorities said.
Billups and Damon Jones, a retired NBA player, according to one of the two indictments revealed Thursday, were used to attract wealthy players to the games and were referred to as “Face Cards.” But according to the federal indictment, the two were part of the cheating teams. In exchange for taking part in the games, the “Face Cards” received part of the winnings.
The teams, according to court filings, used rigged shuffling machines that read deck cards and predicted which player on the table would have the best poker hand and relayed that information to someone, referred to as the operator. That person then relayed that information to one member of the cheating team on the table, known as the “Quarterback,” or “Driver,” according to court filings.
In some cases, the cheating teams used poker chip trays that could secretly read the cards on the table. In other cases, players used glasses that could detect special markings on the cards.
U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella of Brooklyn said at a press conference said the defendants used “special contact lenses or eyeglasses that could read pre-marked cards” and tables that “could read cards face down on the table … because of the X-ray technology.”
He cited “other cheating technologies, such as poker chip tray analyzers, which is a poker chip tray that secretly reads cards using a hidden camera,.”
“Anyone who knows Chauncey Billups knows he is a man of integrity; men of integrity do not cheat and defraud others,” Chris Heywood, Billups’ attorney, said in a statement Tuesday night. “To believe that Chauncey Billups did what the federal government is accusing him of is to believe that he would risk his Hall-of-Fame legacy, his reputation, and his freedom. He would not jeopardize those things for anything, let alone a card game.”
2. Alleged mob ties
The games in the New York area were backed by three of New York’s organized crime families: the Bonanno, Gambino and Genovese Mafia families, authorities said. According to the complaint, at least a dozen of the 31 defendants were associates or members of those three families.
Among those named in the indictment was Joseph Lanni, identified as a captain in the Gambino crime family. Known as “Joe Brooklyn,” Lanni was also named as a defendant in a 2023 racketeering, extortion and witness retaliation indictment, where members and associates of the Gambino family were accused of trying to take control of New York’s carting and demolition industries.
Last week, Lanni pleaded guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy, according to court records.
3. A tip about LeBron James
Federal prosecutors allege that between December 2022 and March 2024, the defendants , used inside information to defraud bettors, including which players would be sitting out games and when players would “pull themselves out of games early for purported injuries or illnesses.”
Damon Jones, a retired NBA player and friend of LeBron James is accused of inside information for sports betting related to the Lakers and specifically “Player 3,” a prominent NBA player.
Although the indictment does not name the player — the date referenced in 2023 when the player sat out matches when James sat out against the Milwaukee Bucks due to ankle soreness. According to the indictment, Jones, a friend of James, profited from the non-public information.
“Get a big bet on Milwaukee tonight before the information is out!” Jones texted an unnamed co-conspirator, according to the indictment. “[Player 3] is out tonight.”
On Thursday, the Lakers declined to comment on the investigation. A person close to LeBron James told The Times that the Lakers star didn’t know that Jones was allegedly selling injury information to gamblers placing bets. Neither James or the Lakers have been accused of any wrongdoing.
3. A ‘shady’ injury
According to the indictment, when Terry Rozier was playing for the Hornets, he told others he was planning to leave the game early with a “supposed injury,” allowing others to place wagers that raked in thousands of dollars, New York Police Commissioner Jennifer Tisch said.
Rozier and other defendants allegedly provided that information to other co-conspirators in exchange for either a flat fee or a share of betting profits.
Another game involving Rozier that has been in question was played a day earlier, on March 23, 2023, between the Hornets and the New Orleans Pelicans. Rozier played the first 9 minutes and 36 seconds of that game — and not only did not return that night, citing a foot issue, but also did not play again that season.
Posts still online from March 23, 2023, show that some bettors were furious with sportsbooks that evening when it became evident that Rozier was not going to return, with many turning to social media to say that something “shady” had gone on regarding the prop bets involving his stats for that night.
She has informed the WDF she will not be playing in the women’s championship, which starts on 28 November
A WDF statement said: “Although Beau will no longer be competing on the Lakeside stage, we wish her all the best in the next stage of her darting career.
“She has been a fantastic ambassador for our system since we returned from the pandemic in 2021, winning every major WDF title on the way.
“It’s been fantastic to see how her game has gone from strength to strength playing in WDF events and we know that she’ll continue to make even more history on the PDC circuit.”
A minimum of four women will compete at the PDC World Championship after a new qualifying structure was announced.
This year’s event will have an expanded field of 128 players, up from 96 in 2024-25, with the winner taking home £1m of a £5m prize pot.
Fallon Sherrock, the only woman to have won matches in the tournament – in 2019 – is the only other female player to have qualified so far.
With seeded players entering the tournament in the first round, rather than the second, Greaves and Sherrock could meet one of the top men.
Former members of the military will be able to start applying for a digital version of their identity cards from Friday.
About 1.8 million veterans are eligible to download the new digital ID to a smartphone – with ministers saying the rollout can serve as a “case study” to show the public how the technology for a planned scheme for all British citizens and residents will work.
Physical veterans’ cards will continue to be issued, but the digital version will allow holders to prove their status more easily to access to public services, the government says.
Digital government minister Ian Murray said the veterans’ digital ID could also help address “legitimate concerns around privacy and security” of the UK-wide scheme.
The digital veteran card is optional but the government says it will allow former service personnel to show their entitlement to services such as GP and mental health support, supported housing, careers advice as well as reduced entry prices at museums and money off their shopping.
Murray said the veterans ID was “probably a demonstration to the public by default… on the basis that this is the first use case for having a digital credential on your smartphone, and that digital credential is the first sort of verifiable one that government have now launched”.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said: “We are modernising our public services so they work around people’s lives and keep pace with the digital world we live in.
“The digital veterans’ card will help remove barriers, reduce red-tape and make it easier for people to access the public services they need.”
Dodger Stadium won’t be empty Sunday, even though the next time the Dodgers play at home will be Tuesday in a National League Division Series opener.
But LA Card Show will make its Dodger Stadium debut that day with a Dodger blue-tinged format that includes a watch party of the team’s regular-season finale starting at 12:10 p.m. on DodgerVision.
Most of the time, however, attendees likely will have their heads down, studying the intricacies of trading cards and memorabilia of all stripes and types. More than 350 collectibles vendors will display, buy, sell and trade wares across sports, Pokémon, Disney and other trading card games along with comics, toys and art.
“It’s the perfect blend of card show and cultural experience, and Dodger Stadium provides the ultimate backdrop for us to lean in and create an extraordinary event,” said Chris Koenig, executive director of Dodgers 365, the program that brings outside events into Chavez Ravine.
The event begins at 10 a.m. and will include live DJ sets, food vendors, brand activations, giveaways and an autograph lounge with former Dodgers Ramón Martínez, Joe Kelly and Orel Hershiser, who owns a collectibles store in Claremont called Legends’ Attic.
The company behind the wildly popular Pokémon franchise says it doesn’t want its characters used for propaganda.
The Department of Homeland Security uploaded a Pokémon-themed montage of various ICE raids to social media earlier this week.
The connection to the beloved franchise was clear, as the recognizable theme song played, the original animation appeared and even its signature blue and yellow text materialized.
The video angered many fans. The Japanese gaming company said the federal agency was not authorized to use its original content.
“We are aware of a recent video posted by the Department of Homeland Security that includes imagery and language associated with our brand,” wrote the Pokémon Company International in a statement to The Times. “Our company was not involved in the creation or distribution of this content, and permission was not granted for the use of our intellectual property.”
The posted video included the anime theme song, with the lyrics “Gotta catch ‘em all,” playing over segments of federal agents handcuffing people and imagery of a Pokémon character and the Pokéballs used to capture monsters in the game.
It concluded with several mock-ups of Pokémon playing cards with photographs of detainees, which included their full names, crimes they have committed and details about their convictions and sentencing.
The DHS’ social media feeds are full of provocative imagery and videos that borrow from popular media.
It used Jay-Z’s “Public Service Announcement” last month. It reportedly received a copyright violation complaint and had to be taken down.
In July, the DHS X account posted a video montage, which used audio from 2022’s “The Batman” and displayed a Bible verse onscreen. Paintings, from artists like Thomas Kinkade, Morgan Weistling and John Gast have also been utilized by the federal agency.
Comedian Theo Von recently complained about being used in one of these videos. DHS used a video of him saying, “Heard you got deported, dude,” as he nods his head in disappointment, in one of their video edits.
On Tuesday, he posted on X, saying, “And please take this down and please keep me out of your ‘banger’ deportation videos. When it comes to immigration my thoughts and heart are a lot more nuanced than this video allows. Bye!”
JAMES DeGALE will make his bare-knuckle fighting debut on Saturday night.
The former boxing world champion and Olympic gold medalist returns to combat sports against Australian Matt Floyd in Manchester.
1
James DeGale has been out of action since he lost to Chris Eubank Jr in 2019Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
DeGale has been out of action since he retired from boxing in 2019 following defeat to Chris Eubank Jr.
The Londoner, who became the first British boxer to win both an Olympic gold medal and a professional world title, will be looking to get back to fighting for silverware.
DeGale tops a huge Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship card with the highly anticipated bout between reality TV stars Aaron Chalmers and Jack Fincham also on the bill.
SunSport brings you all the details you need ahead of Saturday’s huge BKFC 81 event.
When is James DeGale vs Matt Floyd?
DeGale vs Floyd will take place on Saturday, September 27.
The show will begin at 6pm BST.
The main event will likely begin at approximately 10.30pm BST.
Manchester’s AO Arena will host.
What TV channel is James DeGale vs Matt Floyd on and can it be live streamed?
DeGale vs Floyd will be broadcast live on DAZN, which is available in over 200 countries with a subscription.
If you are not currently a DAZN member, monthly and annual subscriptions are available.
An Annual Super Saver subscription is a one-off payment of £119.99 for 12 months access (£14.99 per month if paying in monthly instalments).
And a Monthly Flexible pass, which can be cancelled at any time, is £24.99 per month.
Alternatively, you can follow the action as it happens via SunSport‘s LIVE blog.
A MAJOR UK supermarket has slashed the price of all its Christmas chocolate tubs – and you don’t need a loyalty card to get the bargain.
With just under 100 days to go until Christmas, shoppers are being urged to stock up early and save money on their festive favourites.
3
A tub of Quality Street or Celebrations now costs £4.42,
Asda, today cut the price on its tubs of Celebrations, Quality Street, Cadbury Heroes and Cadbury Roses – making them the cheapest on the market without signing up for any scheme.
A tub of Quality Street or Celebrations now costs £4.42, while Cadbury Heroes and Roses are just £4.92 each.
The supermarket said it wanted to give customers the best value possible ahead of the busy festive period, with no need to scan a card or download an app at the checkout.
The deals come as Asda recently unveiled its full Christmas food range for 2025.
It includes Hot Maple Pigs in Blankets, a Pigs in Duvet Wreath, a Festive Fondue Kit, Slow Cured Rack of Pork with Truffle Butter and Parmesan Crumb and a Pistachio & Milk Chocolate Flavour Cream Liqueur.
Retail experts say the price cuts could spark a supermarket price war as competitors look to match Asda’s prices in the run-up to December.
It follows a strong year for Asda, which was named one of the UK’s cheapest supermarkets by Which? earlier this month.
In August, a larger trolley shop of 190 items cost £474.86 at Asda – £11.03 cheaper than Tesco with a Clubcard.
Christmas chocolate price wars
Sweets under the tree are a big part of Christmas for British households.
Supermarkets often offer flash promotions giving shoppers a chance to get their festive favourites at a discounted price.
We all love a bit of chocolate from now and then, but you don’t have to break the bank buying your favourite bar.
Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how to cut costs…
Go own brand – if you’re not too fussed about flavour and just want to supplant your chocolate cravings, you’ll save by going for the supermarket’s own brand bars.
Shop around – if you’ve spotted your favourite variety at the supermarket, make sure you check if it’s cheaper elsewhere.
Websites like Trolley.co.uk let you compare prices on products across all the major chains to see if you’re getting the best deal.
Look out for yellow stickers – supermarket staff put yellow, and sometimes orange and red, stickers on to products to show they’ve been reduced.
They usually do this if the product is coming to the end of its best-before date or the packaging is slightly damaged.
Buy bigger bars – most of the time, but not always, chocolate is cheaper per 100g the larger the bar.
So if you’ve got the appetite, and you were going to buy a hefty amount of chocolate anyway, you might as well go bigger.
3
Supermarkets often offer flash promotions giving shoppers a chance to get their festive favourites at a discounted price
3
With just under 100 days to go until Christmas, shoppers are being urged to stock up early and save money on their festive favouritesCredit: Alamy
Debit cards are convenient — but they’re not always the safest choice. Swiped in the wrong place, a debit card can expose your bank account to fraud, delays, or lost protection.
While they’re fine for grabbing cash at a trusted ATM or some transactions, there are certain situations where using a debit card just isn’t worth the risk.
Here are five places where you should think twice before swiping — and what to use instead.
1. At gas stations and convenience stores
According to the FBI, card skimming costs consumers and banks over $1 billion a year. And gas stations are one of the most common places for card skimming.
Skimmers are tiny devices attached to card readers you don’t even notice. When you swipe your card, they copy your info. If it’s your debit card, that’s real money from your checking account that can be tapped into.
Convenience stores and smaller shops can also be risky if the machines aren’t closely monitored.
It’s better to use a credit card instead. Better yet, tap to pay using your phone or contactless card — it’s harder to skim and adds another layer of protection.
2. When booking travel
Any time I book travel, I’m using a rewards credit card. Debit cards don’t get anywhere near the same perks or protections.
Most travel credit cards offer amazing reward rates — sometimes 3x, 5x, or even 10x points when booking through the issuer’s portal. I like to think of those points like a built-in discount. A $1,000 trip could earn $50 to $100 worth of points toward my next vacation.
Another big reason is that travel credit cards typically include built-in protections that debit cards don’t offer, like:
Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
Rental car coverage
Lost luggage reimbursement
These perks can save you hundreds (and a ton of hassle) if something goes wrong.
Even legit-looking sites can have poor security. And once your debit card info is compromised, the hacker isn’t stealing borrowed credit — they’re going after the real money sitting in your checking account.
While banks usually reimburse you, your account can be frozen in the meantime. And if you need your money for rent, groceries, or other bills, this can become a real hassle.
Credit cards offer fraud protection, zero-liability policies, and some even let you use virtual card numbers for added security.
4. Buying expensive electronics or gear
Just bought a new MacBook? DSLR camera? Fancy espresso machine? Don’t swipe your debit card.
Many credit cards offer purchase protection and extended warranties on eligible big-ticket items. That’s added insurance in case something breaks, gets stolen, or shows up defective.
Purchase protection can also cover theft or damage — which is especially useful when your toddler decides your new MacBook is a launchpad for their action figures.
5. Bars, restaurants, and anywhere your card disappears
The reality is, every time you hand your debit card to someone, you’re trusting a stranger with a direct line to your bank account. That’s a big risk for a plate of nachos.
Bars and restaurants are super busy places, so it’s easier for your card to get misplaced or fall into the wrong hands.
Whenever I’m out and about, I use my credit card for anything where my physical card leaves my hand. If anything seems fishy, I can lock my card in seconds. And it takes just a few clicks in my mobile app to dispute any fraud charges, without touching any of my real money.
The bottom line
There’s nothing wrong with using a debit card for the basics. Like pulling cash from an ATM or paying that pesky parking ticket online through your county’s secure site.
But credit cards offer stronger fraud protection, better perks, and even rewards on everyday purchases. Just pay your balance in full each month, and you’ll avoid interest while stacking up points or cash back.
A major update to the Platinum card franchise should enhance an already robust bull case for the premium credit card and integrated payments company.
American Express(AXP -1.15%) has quietly strung together a run of steady results while the company readies a sizable update to its flagship Platinum card in the U.S. The global payments company, which leans heavily on high-spending cardmembers, fee income, and a closed-loop network, continues to post healthy top-line growth and best-in-class credit performance. Shares have also marched higher in 2025 as investors reward that consistency.
There is no way to know how the stock will react to the Platinum card overhaul in the near term. But the underlying business numbers already point in the right direction, and a well-executed refresh could extend a multiyear trend of rising card fees and engagement. That combination makes the stock look attractive for investors with a longer horizon.
Image source: Getty Images.
Resilient growth backed by premium engagement
Recent results reinforce the strength of the business. In the second quarter of 2025, revenue rose 9% year over year to a record $17.9 billion, and earnings per share were $4.08. On an adjusted basis that excludes last year’s gain from the sale of Accertify, earnings per share increased 17% year over year.
Management also highlighted record cardmember spending and reaffirmed full-year 2025 guidance for revenue growth of 8% to 10% and earnings between $15.00 and $15.50 per share.
“We saw record Card Member spending in the quarter, demand for our premium products was strong, and our credit performance remained best in class,” said Chairman and CEO Stephen Squeri in the company’s earnings release. He also pointed to the upcoming Platinum refresh this fall as a driver to “sustain our leadership in the premium space, drawing on our competitive strengths.”
Under the hood, the company’s revenue mix continues to shift toward high-margin revenue. Net card fees — a key proxy for the strength of premium value propositions — climbed 20% year over year to about $2.48 billion in the quarter. That stream has compounded at roughly 17% annually since 2019, supported by strong acquisition, elevated renewals, and ongoing product updates.
Meanwhile, discount revenue (the fee American Express earns from merchants when a cardmember uses an Amex card to make a purchase) increased 6% and net interest income rose 12% as revolving balances grew, underscoring American Express’s broad-based growth drivers.
Importantly, credit metrics remain solid as well: Cardmember loan net write-offs held near 2% to 2.4% across recent quarters, and past-due rates stayed low, supporting the company’s confidence in its full-year outlook.
Why the Platinum refresh enhances the bull case
American Express all but confirmed this week on social media that the new U.S. consumer and business Platinum cards will debut this week, on Sep. 18.
The company’s playbook for card refreshes is well-rehearsed from previous refreshes: Add or tune benefits, boost the value for the cardmember, and attract new customers or upgrades from lower-fee products. Historically, this has translated into higher engagement and steadily rising fee revenue — exactly the trend visible in recent quarters. A fresh Platinum lineup may accelerate that trajectory by giving existing members reasons to stay and new prospects reasons to join while reinforcing the brand’s travel and lifestyle positioning.
Even before management has data on the overhauled card’s performance, the company is upbeat. Guidance implies another year of healthy growth, and the franchise has room to keep compounding via several levers: premium customer acquisition (including younger cohorts), resilient spend among affluent consumers, continued build-out of travel experiences and dining (including Centurion Lounges and restaurant initiatives), and disciplined risk management.
On valuation, shares at around $325 trade at roughly 21 times the midpoint of 2025 earnings guidance. That’s a reasonable price-to-earnings ratio for a payments and premium lifestyle platform with double-digit card-fee growth, record spend, and a long runway to add value to membership.
Of course, there are some risks to bear in mind. A slower macro backdrop could temper spending growth, and a poorly received value and pricing change for the U.S. consumer and business Platinum card could spur churn. But taken together — reaffirmed guidance, strong fee momentum, stable credit, and a clear catalyst in the Platinum rollout — the return profile looks compelling.
There is no guarantee that the stock will react positively on launch day. Over a multiyear horizon, though, this looks like a great entry point for investors seeking a high-quality compounding business at a reasonable price.
American Express is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Daniel Sparks and his clients have positions in American Express. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
What seemed like an impossible matchup a few years ago is now a reality: Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez and Terence “Bud” Crawford will face off in a fight that promises to break audience records.
The highly anticipated duel will take place on Saturday at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., where the Mexican will put his WBC, WBA, WBO, and IBF world titles on the line in the super middleweight division (168 pounds).
Álvarez (63-2-2, 39 KOs), 35, comes off a comfortable victory over William Scull in May, during which Álvarez successfully defended his belts. Now he faces the challenge of an undefeated opponent considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters today.
Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) will look to make history by moving up from welterweight to try to dethrone the Jalisco champion. With titles in four different divisions, the American is aiming to conquer a fifth crown in a completely new category for him.
How to watch:
The fight will be broadcast exclusively on Netflix, with no fee beyond the streaming service’s standard subscription fee. In the U.S., Netflix subscriptions start at $7.99, a massively reduced figure from typical boxing pay-per-view fees.
The main event is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. PDT.
Clash of the undefeated in the co-main event
Undefeated Callum Walsh (14-0, 11 KOs, from Cork, Ireland) and Fernando Vargas Jr. (17-0, 15 KOs, from Las Vegas, Nev.) will face off in a super welterweight co-main event.
On the same card, WBC interim super middleweight champion Christian Mbilli (29-0, 24 KOs, from Quebec, Canada, born in France) will take on WBA No. 3 and WBC No. 7 Lester Martinez (19-0, 16 KOs, from San Benito Petén, Guatemala) in a super middleweight battle.
Also, Mohammed Alakel (4-0, 0 KOs, from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) will face John Ornelas (5-2-1, 2 KOs, from San Diego) in a lightweight bout.
Preliminary fights
Streaming on Tudum.com, YouTube via the TKO channel and YouTube on the WWE channel):
Middleweight: Serhii Bohachuk (26-2, 24 KOs, a Los Angeles resident born in Vinnytsia, Ukraine) vs. Brandon Adams (25-4, 16 KOs, from Watts).
Heavyweight: Ivan Dychko (15-0, 14 KOs, from Pittsburgh, Penn., originally from Kazakhstan) vs. Jermaine Franklin (23-2, 15 KOs, from Saginaw, Mich.).
Super featherweight: Reito Tsutsumi (2-0, 1 KO, from Narashino, Chiba, Japan) vs. Javier Martinez (7-2, 4 KOs, from Dallas).
Super lightweight: Sultan Almohammed (0-0, from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) vs. Martin Caraballo (0-0-1, from Hollywood, Fla.).
Light heavyweight: Steven Nelson (20-1, 16 KOs, from Omaha, Neb.) vs. Raiko Santana (12-4, 6 KOs, from Pinar del Río, Cuba).
Super middleweight: Marco Verde (2-0, 2 KOs, from Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico) will open the evening against Marcos Osorio Betancourt (11-2-1, 8 KOs, from Canóvanas, Puerto Rico).
Two of boxing’s greatest fighters, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Terence “Bud” Crawford, will put their legacies on the line when they meet in a contest being called the “Fight of the Century”.
The pair will clash in a fascinating unified super middleweight title matchup in the United States that sees Alvarez, the reigning super middleweight champion at 76kg (168lb), defend his titles against Crawford, an American who has won 10 world titles boxing at lighter weight classifications but has never fought in excess of 70kg (154lb) and is jumping up two weight classes to fight his Mexican opponent.
Recommended Stories
list of 4 itemsend of list
Here’s what you need to know before the fight:
When is the Alvarez-Crawford fight?
The ring walk for Saturday’s main fight in Las Vegas, Nevada, is scheduled for 8pm (03:00 GMT Sunday), and the bout will begin a short time later.
Where is the Alvarez-Crawford fight taking place?
The venue for the match is the 65,000-seat Allegiant Stadium, home to the Las Vegas Raiders NFL team.
The venue is being used because it has a much larger capacity than other indoor boxing venues typically used, namely T-Mobile Arena, which holds 20,000 people for boxing and UFC contests.
Alvarez, far left, and Crawford, far right, face off next to boxing promoter Turki Al-Sheikh, second from left, and UFC CEO Dana White at The Fountains of Bellagio on September 8, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada, US [David Becker/Getty Images via AFP]
Where can I follow and watch the fight live?
You can follow Al Jazeera’s build-up and live fight text and photo coverage here.
The bout will be streamed live globally on Netflix. A subscription is required to watch the event.
What are the pre-fight events?
Building up to the fight, the main news conference will occur at 3pm (22:00 GMT) on Thursday at T-Mobile Arena.
The official weigh-in will take place on Friday at 3pm (22:00 GMT), also at T-Mobile Arena.
What titles are Alvarez and Crawford fighting for?
Alvarez and Crawford are fighting for the Mexican’s WBO, WBA, IBF and WBC super middleweight world titles as well as the Ring Magazine title.
If Crawford beats Alvarez, he will become the first male boxer to be a three-weight-class undisputed champion in the four-belt era.
How much weight does Crawford have to gain to fight Alvarez?
Crawford, the current WBA super welterweight champion, will jump up about 6kg (14lb) to reach the 76kg (168lb) weight limit for the super middleweight bout against Alvarez.
The American will have a slight height advantage over Alvarez, standing 1.73 metres (5ft, 8 inches) vs his opponent’s 1.71 metres (5ft, 7.5 inches).
Crawford also has a 10cm (4-inch) reach advantage over the Mexican fighter (188cm/74 inches vs 178cm/70 inches).
Is Crawford carrying a shoulder injury?
There has been constant speculation in recent days that Crawford is struggling with a shoulder injury heading into Saturday’s huge fight.
In a Fight Hub TV interview broadcast on Tuesday, he denied the injury rumours.
“Where I got the shoulder injury from, I don’t know. I see people coming up with all their own antics, you know ‘Terrence Crawford got a shoulder injury,’ ‘Terrence Crawford is out of shape,’ ‘Terrence Crawford’s slow.’ They coming up with all kinds of stuff,” he said.
Who is Canelo Alvarez?
Alvarez (61-2-2, 39 KOs), is Mexico’s biggest boxing star and a winner of 11 boxing world titles over an illustrious 20-year career.
The orthodox fighter never enjoyed a sterling amateur career, having turned professional at just 15 years old.
The 35-year-old is a four-division world champion: light middleweight, middleweight, super middleweight and light heavyweight.
In 2021, Alvarez became the first and only boxer in history to become the undisputed super middleweight champion when he knocked out Caleb Plant.
His two career losses have come against fellow legends Floyd Mayweather Jr and Dmitry Bivol but did little to dent Alvarez’s enormous popularity with boxing fans across the world.
Alvarez attends Netflix’s Canelo vs Crawford Grand Arrivals at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas hotel and casino on September 9, 2025 [Candice Ward/Getty Images via AFP]
Who is Terence Crawford?
Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs) from Omaha, Nebraska, began his boxing career in 2008 and is undefeated as a professional.
The 37-year-old southpaw, who has won 10-world titles in total, is a former lightweight champion, junior welterweight undisputed champion and welterweight undisputed champion. Crawford is the current unified welterweight champion and WBA junior middleweight champion.
For his career, he is a four-division world champion and has held undisputed titles in two weight classes: super lightweight and welterweight.
Crawford attends Netflix’s Canelo vs Crawford Grand Arrivals at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas on September 9, 2025 [Candice Ward/Getty Images via AFP]
Who is on the undercard?
The preliminary card is scheduled to begin at 3:30pm (22:30 GMT) and the main card at 6pm (01:00 GMT on Sunday).
Main event:
Alvarez vs Crawford (super middleweight)
Callum Walsh vs Fernando Vargas Jr (super welterweight – co-main event)
Christian Mbilli vs Lester Martinez (super middleweight)
Mohammed Alakel vs John Ornelas (lightweight)
Preliminary card:
Serhii Bohachuk vs Brandon Adams (middleweight)
Ivan Dychko vs Jermaine Franklin (heavyweight)
Reito Tsutsumi vs Javier Martinez (super featherweight)
Sultan Almohammed vs Martin Caraballo (super lightweight)
Steven Nelson vs Raiko Santana (light heavyweight)
Marco Verde vs Marcos Osorio Betancourt (super middleweight)
What is the fight purse?
The total prize money has not been revealed, but it has been calculated as high as $150m, according to multiple media reports.
Alvarez will have a career-high payday with the Mexican earning a minimum of $100m for this fight thanks to signing one of the most lucrative boxing contracts in history: an astronomical five-fight, $400m deal with Saudi promoter Turki Al-Sheikh’s Riyadh Season.
Crawford is guaranteed a minimum of $10m although his final figure is likely to be substantially higher with bonuses and other payments.
Crawford, when asked about rumours of a $50m payday during a recent interview on the Ring Champs podcast, rejected the figure.
“I got $10m for that fight [with Alvarez],” Crawford said of his guaranteed prize purse.
Alvarez, left, and Crawford in Las Vegas before what is likely to be the highest profile fight of their superlative careers [David Becker/Getty Images via AFP]
What has Alvarez said about the fight?
Alvarez, speaking at the Grand Arrivals event in Las Vegas on Tuesday, asked whether Crawford’s team have underestimated moving up two weight classes.
“No, they don’t [underestimate the weight class]. Maybe they know, but if not, then I’m going to remind them September 13 I can do a lot of things in the ring, and I’m going to put everything there on Saturday night,” he said.
When asked about Crawford’s recent social post that appears to reveal extra muscle mass on the American fighter, Alvarez commented that he thought that bodes well for a competitive contest.
“I feel happy because you know that you realise it’s going to be a good fight. So we expect a good fight.”
What has Crawford said about the fight?
Crawford is calling the matchup the biggest fight in boxing in “probably a decade” as he bids to become the first male boxer to be undisputed in three weight classes.
“Canelo don’t want to lose to a guy moving up two weight classes,” Crawford said. “You know, he don’t want a smaller guy dethroning him from his undisputed status. Terence Crawford wants to move up and do all those things.
“He’s got a lot to lose. I got a lot to win. I got a lot to lose. He’s got a lot to win.”
The American praised Alvarez’s experience and career while backing his own tools to carry the night.
“Canelo is very experienced. I’m very experienced as well. You got two experienced fighters going head-to-head. The best man is going to win,” he said, adding that his footwork and speed could be decisive.
“I admire his whole career. He and his team have done a tremendous job,” Crawford said, adding that after he wins the battle, he will wish Alvarez “nothing but the best”.
Crawford predicted how the bout would end: “Victory. A good victory… They’re going to be saying that I’m the greatest of this generation and this era.”
Who is the favourite to win the match?
Multiple betting agencies around the world have Alvarez as the favourite to win the fight – but not by a wide margin.
On average, the Mexican pays out $1.60 for the victory vs Crawford’s $2.60 across several well-known betting pools.
As Europe’s leading low-cost airline Ryanair plans to do away with printed boarding passes in the next few months, we’ve rounded up the boarding pass rules for other budget airlines
Ryanair plans to scrap paper boarding passes by November 2025(Image: Nick Ansell/PA)
While digital boarding passes are a popular option for passengers already, Ryanair – Europe’s largest budget airline – has become the first to completely do away with paper boarding passes as part of a move towards sustainability and a simpler boarding process.
However, with the upcoming change raising questions for many passengers around what kind of boarding passes they can travel with, The Mirror has put together a list of rules for some of the UK’s most popular low-cost carriers.
Ryanair is doing away with printed boarding passes as a move towards sustainability(Image: Alphotographic via Getty Images)
Ryanair
At present, Ryanair accepts both printed boarding passes and those on a mobile phone. Passengers can download digital passes on its website or app, or print off paper passes at home on a single page of A4.
You can also get your boarding card printed at the desk for a fee of £55. However, this will change on November 3, after the airline announced that printed passes will no longer be accepted. Instead, passengers will have to download a digital boarding pass on the Ryanair app.
It is also important to note that there are some exceptions to the digital-only rule. Passengers flying out of airports in Morocco or Turkey (with the exception of Dalaman) will continue to require a printed pass.
Meanwhile, Tirana airport in Albania will also require paper boarding cards after November 3 – but this is set to change in March 2026.
easyJet
EasyJet accepts both digital and physical boarding passes and has not announced any plans to ban printed passengers. Passengers can arrive at the airport with their boarding cards already printed or have these printed at the check-in desk at no extra cost.
If opting for a digital boarding pass, note that these should be downloaded from the mobile app. You cannot use a PDF scan of your boarding pass on your mobile device as these won’t scan properly.
Jet2 is another budget carrier that allows both mobile and printed boarding passes. Passengers are able to check in on the Jet2 app to download their boarding pass up to six hours before departure time.
If you miss this window, you will have to check in at the desk, a service Jet2 offers free of charge. It’s important to note that Jet2 also flies out of locations in Turkey and Morocco which require physical boarding passes.
Wizz Air
The low cost airline will generally accept printed and mobile boarding passes. However, it also flies from some airports that require printed documents. If you’re unsure, their website has a tool to help check which airports will require a physical boarding card.
If you are unable to print your boarding pass yourself, Wizz Air can do it for you at the check-in desk for a fee of €40 (around £35). Otherwise, you can pre-book the printing service online for €13 (around £11).
However, the two exceptions are if you are travelling Agadir in Morocco or Zaragoza in Spain. Online check-in is not available for these airports, so they offer full desk check-in which includes printing boarding passes for free.
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.
2
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.
2
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.”
Darren Till (L) is looking to make it three from three in Misfits boxing with a win over Luke Rockhold.
2
Luke Rockhold (L) is set to make his boxing debut against Darren Till on August 30.
Till boasted a UFC record of 18-5-1 and has since transferred his skill to the Misfits ring.
The Liverpool born fighter, 32, has won his first two fights since making his Misfits boxing debut, convincingly defeating Anthony Taylor by TKO and Darren Stewart by unaminous decision.
“The Gorilla” will be eager to continue his form with a win over Rockhold and is favourite for the bout.
American retired MMA star Rockhold makes his much anticipated boxing debut on August 30.
The 40-year-old star is most remembered for becoming the seventh UFC Middleweight champion in UFC history just over a decade ago.
It will be a tough challenge for Rockhold as he makes the transition into boxing, but he will be hoping for a strong underdog victory against the in-form Till.
When is Till vs Rockhold?
Till vs Rockhold will take place on Saturday, August 30.
Streaming for the event begins at 7pm BST.
The ring-walks for the main event will be approximately at 10pm BST.
The bout will take place in Manchester at the AO Arena.
What TV channel is Till vs Rockhold on and can it be live streamed?
The whole fight card will stream live on DAZN in over 200 countries across the globe via a DAZN subscription.
If you are not currently a DAZN member, then monthly and annual subscription options are available to watch over 185 fights a year across boxing, bare knuckle boxing, MMA and kickboxing.
An Annual Super Saver subscription is a one-off payment of £119.99 / $224.99 for 12-months access (£14.99 / $19.99 per month if paying in monthly instalments).
A Monthly Flexible pass, which can be cancelled at any time, is £24.99 / $29.99 per month.
Alternatively, SunSport’s live blog will bring you round-by-round updates from the huge card.
Who else is on the card?
Here are all the bouts taking place in Manchester:
The record for the amount paid for a basketball card is about to be broken by Kobe Bryant on what would have been his 47th birthday … with some help from his “big brother,” Michael Jordan.
The 2007-08 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Dual Logoman Autographs card featuring Bryant and Jordan is up for bid online at Heritage Auctions. Bidding closes Saturday at 8 p.m. PDT, with extended bidding available at that time.
As of early Friday afternoon, bidding for the one-of-one card had reached $7.015 million, including the 22% buyer’s premium added to the successful bid. That already shatters the current record price garnered by a basketball card — the $5.9 million paid for the 2009-10 Panini National Treasures Stephen Curry Logoman Autograph card in a 2021 private estate sale.
With more than a day still remaining for bids, it’s still tough to tell what the new record might end up being.
“Most likely, it’ll end up somewhere in the $8-million range,” Heritage director of sports collectibles Chris Ivy told The Times late Friday morning, although he added that he “wouldn’t be shocked” if it went for $10 million or more.
The most anyone has paid for any sports card is $12.6 million for a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card in a 2022 Heritage auction. The Curry card currently sits at No. 4 among all sports cards.
The Dual Logoman Autographs series of cards features the images and signatures of two iconic players, as well as NBA logo patches from a game-worn jersey from each player. Jordan appeared on eight such cards and Bryant was on 11, but this is the only one that paired the two of them.
“It’s the only one that has Kobe and Jordan on it, and it has both their Logoman logos, and it’s signed by both,” Ivy said, “and so kind of all those factors combined together to make this the top card for modern card collectors. And we’re seeing that in the price that it’s generating right now.”
Chicago Bulls’ Michael Jordan eyes the basket as he is guarded by the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant on Feb. 1, 1998, at the Forum.
(Vince Bucci / AFP via Getty Images)
Cards featuring Jordan and Bryant individually haven’t brought in nearly as much cash, with Jordan’s top seller going for $2.93 million in 2024 and Bryant’s going for $2.3 million earlier this month.
Ivy said it is a coincidence that the auction is ending on Bryant’s birthday.
The beloved Los Angeles icon and daughter Gianna were among the nine people who died in a Jan. 26, 2020, helicopter crash in Calabasas. Jordan was one of the speakers at the father and daughter’s public memorial held on Feb. 24, 2020, at Staples Center.
“Maybe it surprised people that Kobe and I were very close friends,” Jordan said. “But we were very close friends. Kobe was my dear friend, he was like a little brother.”
He added: “What Kobe Bryant was to me was the inspiration that someone truly cared about the way that I played the game or the way that he wanted to play the game.
“He wanted to be the best basketball player that he could be. And as I got to know him, I wanted to be the best big brother that I could be. To do that you have to put up with the aggravation, the late-night calls or the dumb questions. I took great pride as I got to know Kobe Bryant that he was just trying to be a better person, a better basketball player.”
BAD Bunny fans were left gobsmacked after spotting an A-List movie star at the singer’s latest gig.
Fellow concert-goers at the vocalist’s home-town gig in Puerto Rico did a double take after the Mad Men alum was seen in the crowd.
8
An A List movie star has been spotted at singer Bad Bunny’s residency in Puerto RicoCredit: AFP
8
They donned a white bucket hat and trainers as they attended the gigCredit: TikTok/@ariannagdavis
8
Jon Hamm was seen boogying around in scenes which left fans shockedCredit: TikTok/@ariannagdavis
8
Bad Bunny was performing at the Jose Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San JuanCredit: TikTok/@ariannagdavis
Golden Globe award winner Jon Hamm donned a white and blue patterned shirt paired with a white bucket hat and trainers for the lengthy show at the Jose Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan.
Part of his No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí residency, Bad Bunny‘s VIP guest was seen boogying with a glass of drink in hand.
The Baby Driver actor, 54, then busted out a series of energetic dance moves, throwing his right arm in the air, as he embraced the tunes.
His appearance was captured on TikTok where one user confessed: “Seeing Jon Hamm vibing out at the Bad Bunny concert in Puerto Rico was not on my 2025 bingo card.”
They added: “A whole vibe” before hailing him “an icon.”
Another TikTok user confessed: “I can’t stop watching this video.”
One put: “He’s living his best life” as a fan added: “This man is everything I expected him to be.”
A fan then surmised: “Just another reason to love him.”
SUPER FAN
Jon has previously gushed over the Monaco hitmaker and his talents – and spoken publicly about his plans to head to the gigs.
The Morning Show’s Victoria Tate reveals filming secrets for upcoming fourth season including if Jon Hamm is returning
The Morning Show star told Today ahead of the August show: “We’re hoping to go to Puerto Rico.
“I’m excited because he’s doing this residency where he’s doing a month and a half of shows in Puerto Rico.
“First of all, I think it’s really cool that he’s going back to his home, to really give back to the fans.
“He’s reserving the first four, five or 10 shows, or whatever it is, for only residents of Puerto Rico, which is so cool.”
Meanwhile, on a previous Saturday Night Live episode, he added of the chart star: “He’s a really nice guy.
“And he’s funny. And he’s fun and his music is awesome.
“You can’t listen to his music and not smile. I just love his story.
“He’s a really nice guy. He’s funny.”
He then told how the music icon had given him the nickame Jon Jamón which is the Spanish translation of his name.
Meanwhile, Jon isn’t Bad Bunny’s sole famous fan.
Recently, he sparked a bromance with LeBron James as they headed to a party after another of his home town gigs.
At the time, a source told the US Sun of Bad Bunny’s aims for the shows and said: “It’s an elaborate thing where he is making the tickets available at a low price, you have to prove you’re a fan and a Puerto Rican resident, like people have to get the tickets at the supermarket he worked at when he was a kid.”
They added: “LeBron was at the concert, there were a bunch of videos of them together, but before that, they had hung out and played golf together all day.”
The insider added that the NBA star is still a newbie at golfing and has been enjoying the sport lately.
They added: “After all that they partied their a**es off at the St Regis property nearby with a lot of beautiful women.”
“They have this fun new bromance energy going on.”
BUNNY CAREER
Bad Bunny has collaborated with artists including J Balvin, Ozuna, Farruko, El Alfa, Arcángel, and Daddy Yankee.
He’s also made guest appearances on songs by Drake, Dua Lipa, Cardi B, Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, and Will Smith.
He rose to fame almost immediately after he released “Soy Peor” (“I’m Worse”) in 2016.
While speaking to Rolling Stone, the musician described himself as being a wallflower, though he developed a reputation at school for coming up with creative raps.
8
Jon was hailed as ‘living his best life’ at the event after being captured on TikTokCredit: TikTok/@ariannagdavis
8
JON has previously spoken of his appreciation for the chart starCredit: AFP
8
He played Don Draper in Mad MenCredit: Lionsgate
8
He is on stage for his No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí residencyCredit: AFP
Jon Jones announced his retirement from MMA in late JuneCredit: GETTY
4
But he performed a U-turn after learning of the UFC’s plans to host a card at the White HouseCredit: GETTY
4
UFC supremo Dana White has brutally shut down the prospect of Jones fighting on the cardCredit: GETTY
White was initially open to having ‘Bones’ top the bill, but has since performed a public U-turn.
The veteran promoter claimed he couldn’t “trust” Jones enough to give him the honour of headlining the historic card after he pulled the plug on fighting Brit Tom Aspinall.
And he brutally doubled down on his claim during the UFC 319 post-fight press conference on Sunday morning.
He asked a reporter: “What do you think Jon would do in the next couple of months that would make me trust putting him on the White House card?”
“I already said I don’t trust him, and you’re asking me, ‘What could he do for me to trust him in the next three months?’
“You don’t trust him!
“I haven’t talked to him at all. I would not bet on it.
“If I have to make odds, it’s a BILLION TO ONE [that] I put Jon Jones on the White House card.”
Jones, 38, was set to unify the heavyweight belts against interim titleholder Aspinall in a historic showdown at Madison Square Garden in November.
But despite the UFC brass meeting his demands to be paid “f**k you money“, he opted NOT to go through with the fight.
The former pound-for-pound king insisted a bout with Wigan warrior Aspinall did nothing for his legacy.
But he believes a fight at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue will add to it.
He said: “In a recent interview, I shared that the opportunity to fight at the White House gave me something deeper to fight for, a ‘why’ that goes beyond paychecks or belts.
If I have to make odds, it’s a billion to one I put Jon Jones on the White House card.”
Dana White on Jon Jones fighting at the White House
“Fighting for my country gives me a greater purpose!
“The silver lining in all this is knowing the fans see my heart.
“They see, I am ready and willing to take on anyone, to represent my country on a historic stage.
“For me, it’s never been just about the opponent. I’m chasing legacy, something timeless, something bigger than the moment.
“So for now, I’ll keep grinding, stay patient, and stay faithful. I’m ready to fight on July 4th.”
While there are no confirmed reports – it appears as though there will NOT be a rematch clause in the contract between Itauma and Whyte.
With Itauma aged 20 and Whyte 17 years older, they are at opposite ends of their careers.
Itauma will be hoping to push forwards into the title scene with a victory, and Whyte will be looking to prove he still belongs at the top, so a rematch may not be on the agenda for either fighter.
SunSport will keep you updated if and when a rematch clause is confirmed in the contract between the pair.
What’s the Dill?
Dillian Whyte rocked up to Riyadh 17lb lighter than his last bout and 1lb lighter than the rival almost half his age.
But he vowed to unload the heavy artillery inside the ring, after a very tame build-up from the reformed Brixton bad boy.
“Things have gone good,” he said about his dramatic weight loss. “That’s it. He was saying stuff at the press conference and I just him told him to relax, take it easy and chill out.
“He asked me to take my glasses off and today I came in with no glasses. I’m a chilled guy until people mess me about.
“I don’t need to be a bully. I can just switch like that, when I need to.”
Whyte a ‘wounded animal’?
Moses Itauma saw a ‘wounded animal’ in the eyes of super-skinny Dillian Whyte.
Whyte stunned the crowd with a six pack and 244lb of muscle, Itauma got to see his pupils and he reckons he spotted prey.
At 245lb he growled: “I saw a wounded animal. I’m not looking for the knockout but if it happens, it happens.”
Frankly speaking
Frank Warren reckons Moses Itauma is so calm and calculated that even the Planet’s Baddest Man might struggle to scare him.
The 73-year-old Hall-of-Famer told SunSport: “Mike Tyson, in the early days, won 90 per cent of his fights outside the ring.
“The intimidation was unbelievable. I mean, he really intimidated people.
“Most of the American heavyweight guys back then were from the streets but that’s what he managed to do with a lot of them.
“There were a rare couple of fighters he couldn’t intimidate, like Buster Douglas.
“And he couldn’t intimidate Evander Holyfield in any way, shape or form.
“And I think, with Moses, I think you have a hard job to intimidate him.”
The exciting youngster is ranked No1 by the WBO after he knocked out Mike Balogun in May to take his flawless record to 12-0.
Itauma is the big favourite to beat veteran Whyte, who is almost double his age.
The Bodysnatcher is looking to pull off a huge upset as he looks to revive his career after underwhelming wins against Christian Hammer and Ebenezer Tetteh in 2024.
A win for Whyte could potentially set up a blockbuster rematch with Anthony Joshua or a trilogy bout against Derek Chisora.
But defeat may see the 37-year-old’s time as a top heavyweight come to an end.
SunSport brings you all the details you need ahead of Itamua vs Whyte.
Moses Itauma vs Dillian Whyte – all the info
One of the biggest fights of the year has arrived
The highly-touted Moses Itauma faces the biggest test of his fledgling career as he steps into the ring with Dillian Whyte on Saturday night.
Itauma, 20, has great expectations on his shoulders – he has been compared to Mike Tyson and is expected by many to dominate boxing’s heavyweight division over the next decade.
But the Slovakian-born star – who sits at 12-0 (10KOs) is yet to face a test anywhere close to what Whyte can offer.
The Body Snatcher is now 37 and has not looked great in his last couple of fights, but the former world title challenger knows an upset win would catapult him right back to the top table.
The whole fight card will stream live on DAZN in over 200 countries across the globe via a DAZN subscription.
If you are not currently a DAZN member, then monthly and annual subscription options are available to watch over 185 fights a year across boxing, bare knuckle boxing, MMA and kickboxing.
An Annual Super Saver subscription is a one-off payment of £119.99 / $224.99 for 12-months access (£14.99 / $19.99 per month if paying in monthly instalments).
A Monthly Flexible pass, which can be cancelled at any time, is £24.99 / $29.99 per month.
Alternatively, SunSport’s live blog will bring you round-by-round updates from the huge card.
Who else is on the card?
Here are all the bouts taking place in Saudi Arabia:
Subject to change
Moses Itauma vs Dillian Whyte; Heavyweight
Nick Ball vs Sam Goodman; Featherweight, for the WBA title
Ray Ford vs Abraham Nova; Super featherweight
Filip Hrgovic vs David Adeleye; Heavyweight
Hayato Tsutsumi vs Qais Ashfaq; Super featherweight
The exciting youngster is ranked No1 by the WBO after he knocked out Mike Balogun in May to take his flawless record to 12-0.
Itauma is the big favourite to beat veteran Whyte, who is almost double his age.
The Bodysnatcher is looking to pull off a huge upset as he looks to revive his career after underwhelming wins against Christian Hammer and Ebenezer Tetteh in 2024.
A win for Whyte could potentially set up a blockbuster rematch with Anthony Joshua or a trilogy bout against Derek Chisora.
But defeat may see the 37-year-old’s time as a top heavyweight come to an end.
SunSport brings you all the details you need ahead of Itamua vs Whyte.
Moses Itauma vs Dillian Whyte – all the info
One of the biggest fights of the year has arrived
The highly-touted Moses Itauma faces the biggest test of his fledgling career as he steps into the ring with Dillian Whyte on Saturday night.
Itauma, 20, has great expectations on his shoulders – he has been compared to Mike Tyson and is expected by many to dominate boxing’s heavyweight division over the next decade.
But the Slovakian-born star – who sits at 12-0 (10KOs) is yet to face a test anywhere close to what Whyte can offer.
The Body Snatcher is now 37 and has not looked great in his last couple of fights, but the former world title challenger knows an upset win would catapult him right back to the top table.
The whole fight card will stream live on DAZN in over 200 countries across the globe via a DAZN subscription.
If you are not currently a DAZN member, then monthly and annual subscription options are available to watch over 185 fights a year across boxing, bare knuckle boxing, MMA and kickboxing.
An Annual Super Saver subscription is a one-off payment of £119.99 / $224.99 for 12-months access (£14.99 / $19.99 per month if paying in monthly instalments).
A Monthly Flexible pass, which can be cancelled at any time, is £24.99 / $29.99 per month.
Alternatively, SunSport’s live blog will bring you round-by-round updates from the huge card.
Who else is on the card?
Here are all the bouts taking place in Saudi Arabia:
Subject to change
Moses Itauma vs Dillian Whyte; Heavyweight
Nick Ball vs Sam Goodman; Featherweight, for the WBA title
Ray Ford vs Abraham Nova; Super featherweight
Filip Hrgovic vs David Adeleye; Heavyweight
Hayato Tsutsumi vs Qais Ashfaq; Super featherweight
