Liam Smith has disclosed that he is in talks with Matchroom Boxing regarding a potential bout with welterweight sensation Conor Benn later this year. Smith has been out of action since his defeat to Chris Eubank Jr. in their rematch last September. He had previously defeated Eubank seven months earlier but blamed the loss on an injury that postponed the rematch from its original June date. Eubank Jr. opted to face Smith in their first encounter after his fight with Benn was canceled at the last minute due to adverse findings in Benn's drug tests. Despite maintaining his innocence, Benn is currently fighting to regain the ability to box in the UK following two lackluster performances in the United States. Speaking to IFL TV, Smith revealed, "Conor has been mentioned to me, and like I have always said, I will take that fight in a heartbeat. I’d love that fight next, if there is one in-between, then great." He added, "It got spoken about when I was in Canada [Callum Smith vs Beterbiev]. Eddie [Hearn] asked me if I would fight him, and I said, ‘Of course, I would love to’." Smith is currently a free agent after his three-fight deal with Ben Shalom’s Boxxer came to an end. He mentioned receiving another offer from a UK promoter but emphasized his desire for big names and big fights before committing to a new deal. "It’s got to be a big fight… it’s who’s going to offer me names," Smith explained. "Am I speaking to people? Yes. Have I got a few offers on the table? Yes. Have I picked one? No." He continued, "Frank and George Warren have offered me names, and Eddie [Hearn] and Frank [Smith] are in the middle of doing the same thing now. So, I’ll just see what’s the best option out of those two. But I’m coming off the back of a loss, so let’s be realistic." Smith concluded, "I’m not going to get a world title fight, and one win in a comeback fight is not going to get me a world title fight either. I’m not going to carry on boxing if I’m not going to get big fights."

Gilbert Burns is eager for a shot at redemption as he sets his sights on a rematch with Kamaru Usman in the UFC welterweight division. Reflecting on their previous encounter at UFC 258, Burns believes now is the perfect time to run it back with the former champion. In their first meeting, Burns stunned Usman early in the fight but ultimately succumbed to a third-round TKO. Despite the loss, Burns feels that he has grown as a fighter and is better equipped to face Usman again. Speaking on the "Show me the Money" podcast, Burns expressed his desire for a rematch with Usman, emphasizing the significance of the opportunity to climb back into the top rankings of the division. Despite their past tensions and emotional showdown, Burns is ready to approach a potential rematch with a different mindset and strategy. Acknowledging his emotional state during their first encounter, Burns is confident that he would handle the rematch differently, learning from his mistakes and staying composed under pressure. While Usman remains a formidable opponent, Burns believes that a second bout between them would be nothing short of spectacular. Despite recent setbacks in his career, including losses to Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena, Burns remains determined to reclaim his position among the welterweight elite. A rematch with Usman could be the perfect opportunity for Burns to prove himself and secure a shot at redemption in the Octagon. As Burns prepares for his next challenge, the prospect of a rematch with Usman looms large, offering both fighters a chance to settle the score and reignite their rivalry in one of the most competitive divisions in the UFC.

The boxing world mourns the loss of South African great Dingaan Thobela, who passed away at the age of 57. While he may be remembered in Scandinavia for a tough defeat against Mikkel Kessler in 2002, Thobela's true legacy lies in his remarkable career at lighter weights. Known as "The Rose of Soweto," Thobela captured the WBO lightweight title in 1990 by defeating Mauricio Aceves and defended it twice. Despite a setback against Tony Lopez in 1993, Thobela reclaimed victory in their rematch. However, his career took a downturn in 1994 with consecutive losses to Olzubek Nazarov. In a surprising turn of events in 2000, Thobela, visibly overweight, defeated Glenn Catley to claim the WBC super middleweight title. Despite this achievement, Thobela lost the title in his first defense, leading to a string of seven consecutive losses before retiring in 2006 with a record of 40-14-2. In Denmark, Thobela is also remembered for an incident in 2003 when he reportedly fled from a fight against Mads Larsen after the weigh-in, purportedly due to anxiety upon seeing Larsen's physical condition. Thobela's career was marked by highs and lows, but his skill and contributions to the sport will be remembered by boxing fans worldwide.

Anthony Smith is gearing up for UFC 301 with a fresh mindset, one that prioritizes mental well-being over chasing titles. After more than 16 years in the fight game and a turbulent journey in the UFC, Smith has learned the value of effective mental prioritization. Following his unsuccessful title challenge against Jon Jones in 2019, Smith has faced a string of setbacks, both in and out of the octagon. However, instead of being consumed by the pursuit of championship glory, Smith has chosen to focus on the present moment and his upcoming bout against Vitor Petrino. In a recent interview, Smith opened up about his mental evolution, acknowledging the detrimental effects of being "blinded" by his title aspirations. He emphasized the importance of living in the moment and pouring all his energy into each fight, without being weighed down by future expectations. Smith's opponent, Vitor Petrino, has specifically targeted him, viewing him as a declining force in the division. However, Smith is unfazed by the challenge, determined to prove his worth and silence his critics. As he prepares to step into the octagon at UFC 301, Smith's primary focus is on the present moment. While his ultimate goal of reclaiming the top contender spot remains unchanged, he understands the importance of taking one step at a time and staying grounded in the journey. With a newfound perspective and a refreshed mindset, Anthony Smith is ready to face whatever challenges come his way, starting with his upcoming bout at UFC 301.

Canelo Alvarez and Oscar De La Hoya's once symbiotic partnership has devolved into a heated exchange at a press conference ahead of Alvarez's bout against Jamie Manguia for the undisputed super middleweight title at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas this Saturday. In a fiery exchange, De La Hoya, Alvarez's former promoter, responded to Alvarez's verbal jabs, prompting a passionate outburst from the boxer himself. De La Hoya, addressing Alvarez's comments, emphasized his role in shaping Alvarez's career while acknowledging personal struggles, stating, “So I’ll make it a little bit easier for him: Yes, I have faced a lot of challenges in my life. Yes, I’ve been to rehab several times. Yes, there were some really low points in my life, and yes, there were times that work was not my priority based on my mental health, which I had neglected for so long. But that doesn’t change the fact that Golden Boy built Canelo Alvarez, period. The company you fought under for decades has always had one name, and it’s mine. So put some f*cking respect on it.” Alvarez, released from his contract with Golden Boy in 2020, didn't hold back in his response, accusing De La Hoya of trying to steal money and labeling him a "f*cking asshole" and a "motherf*cker" in a heated retort. “He tried to steal money, and he’s a f*cking asshole,” Alvarez said. “That’s what I said. He’s a f*cking asshole. He tried to [bring] attention to him, not for Munguia. He’s a f*cking asshole. He steals from his fighter. That what he [does]. The exchange, captured in videos circulating online, underscores the deteriorating relationship between the two boxing figures and adds an extra layer of intensity to an already highly anticipated fight. As tensions rise and emotions flare, the clash between Alvarez and De La Hoya promises to inject additional drama into the lead-up to Saturday's showdown, captivating boxing fans worldwide.

Ryan Garcia’s recent victory over Devin Haney has been overshadowed by controversy after the revelation of his positive drug tests for ostarine, a banned substance. The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) confirmed Garcia's positive results from both pre and post-fight tests, sparking a heated response from the boxer. In response to the news, Garcia vehemently denied any use of performance-enhancing drugs, labeling the reports as "fake news." He questioned the timing of the revelation, suggesting that it was suspicious to release the information after his victory. Garcia expressed his confidence in his innocence, stating, "I know in my heart of hearts I didn’t cheat." Despite Garcia's denial, the positive tests raise serious questions about the integrity of the fight and its outcome. Garcia's victory over Haney could potentially be overturned into a no-contest, pending further investigation and analysis of his B samples. The presence of ostarine, a banned selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM), is particularly concerning given its association with tainted supplement cases in the past. Additionally, Garcia's pending analysis for 19-Norandrosterone further complicates the situation. Garcia's response, both verbally and on social media, underscores the seriousness of the allegations and his determination to prove his innocence. However, the implications of the positive drug tests extend beyond his reputation, potentially affecting his career with fines, suspensions, and the reversal of his recent victory. As the boxing world awaits the outcome of Garcia's B sample testing and the subsequent decisions from regulatory bodies, the controversy surrounding Garcia vs. Haney serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges of doping in sports and the importance of rigorous testing protocols to ensure fair competition.

UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja has revisited his past sparring session with Sean O’Malley, claiming he dominated the current bantamweight champion years ago. The two fighters have previously discussed their sparring session, with conflicting accounts of what transpired. However, as Pantoja prepares for his flyweight title defense at UFC 301, he asserts that he decisively outperformed O’Malley, to the extent that O’Malley refused to share the sparring footage. "In the past, I sparred with him like six years ago for my first UFC fight, and he said some bad things about that," Pantoja shared with the New York Post. "That’s crazy because he recorded the sparring, and at the end of the training, I said, ‘Send me the video, so I can see your training.’ He never passed the training to me. And I asked his friend, 'Can you talk with your friend to send the video?' And he said to me, 'Hey, he’s not gonna send it to you, bro. You smashed him.' He’s not going to send it to you, that’s okay." Despite Pantoja's assertion of his dominance over O’Malley, he has no current plans to move up to the bantamweight division. He believes there are still significant challenges for him at flyweight, including his upcoming bout against Steve Erceg at UFC 301. "I never thought to go up to the bantamweight division because it doesn’t make sense for me," Pantoja explained. "I have huge opponents to fight at flyweight… I’m the flyweight champion, he’s the bantamweight champion. That’s good history. But, like I said, I have a huge line to fight in the flyweight division." Should Pantoja emerge victorious against Erceg, he has his sights set on facing Muhammad Mokaev in his next fight. With a record of 27-5 and riding a five-fight winning streak, Pantoja is looking to continue his dominance in the flyweight division. He most recently defended his title with a decision win over Brandon Royval.

Fabian Maidana is gearing up to step out from his brother's shadow as he prepares to face Mario Barrios on Saturday. The welterweight bout will take place on the undercard of the highly anticipated undisputed super-middleweight title fight between Saul Alvarez and Jaime Munguia at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Maidana, 31, is well aware that he has long been defined by his older brother, Marcos Maidana, who retired in 2014 as one of Argentina’s most successful fighters. Marcos Maidana made a name for himself by giving Floyd Mayweather two tough fights, defeating Adrien Broner, and narrowly losing to Amir Khan in 2010. While Fabian's fight with Barrios may be lower-profile, he sees it as an opportunity to make his own mark in the boxing world. "My brother has left an indelible mark in boxing, no doubt about that, and like you said, I’ve come here to leave my own mark," Fabian said. "To win; to give the fans a great fight; and start my own chapter." Barrios, on the other hand, is coming off two wins against Yordenis Ugas and Jovanie Santiago after defeats to Keith Thurman and Gervonta “Tank” Davis. He sees those losses as learning experiences that have helped him improve as a fighter. "Those fights taught me a lot," Barrios said. "I’m still going in there with bad intentions. Still going in there a smart fighter." When asked about his prediction for the main event between Alvarez and Munguia, Barrios gave the edge to Alvarez. "You got the two Mexican warriors in there; I’m gonna give it to Canelo off of experience," he said. "I wouldn’t be surprised if it went early, but I’m gonna go with Canelo." The stage is set for an exciting night of boxing on Saturday, with Maidana and Barrios looking to make their mark in their respective fights.

Jack Johnson was born in 1878 in Galveston, Texas, during a time of intense racial segregation in America. Despite the challenges he faced, Johnson pursued a career in boxing, quickly rising through the ranks and establishing himself as a formidable fighter. Breaking Barriers In 1908, Johnson achieved a historic victory by defeating Tommy Burns in Sydney, Australia, to become the first African American world heavyweight boxing champion. This groundbreaking achievement challenged racial prejudices and made Johnson a symbol of defiance against societal norms. A Controversial Figure Johnson's success in the ring was accompanied by a flamboyant lifestyle that defied the expectations placed upon him as a black man in America. He flaunted his wealth, enjoyed relationships with white women, and refused to conform to societal expectations. Persecution and Exile Despite his achievements, Johnson faced relentless persecution from the authorities. In 1913, he was convicted of violating the Mann Act, a racially motivated charge related to his relationships with white women. Facing imprisonment, Johnson fled the country and spent several years in exile, continuing to fight and perform around the world. Legacy and Impact Jack Johnson's legacy as a trailblazer in the fight against racial discrimination endures to this day. He paved the way for future generations of African American athletes, showing them that greatness was achievable regardless of their skin color. Johnson's story serves as a reminder of the power of resilience and the importance of challenging injustice. Later Years and Tragic End In 1920, Johnson returned to the United States and served his prison sentence. He continued to box, but his best years were behind him. Johnson's life came to a tragic end in 1946 when he was killed in a car accident. Despite his passing, his legacy as a pioneer in the world of boxing and a symbol of defiance against racial injustice lives on.

UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria is setting ambitious goals for his future, aiming to become one of the world's highest-paid athletes by 2025. Currently enjoying his status as the featherweight king and a rising star in Spain, Topuria's popularity is on the rise. While discussions about a rematch with Alexander Volkanovski have quieted down, the champion's next move is eagerly anticipated. Topuria recognizes the significance of his championship in attracting new fans and opportunities. In a recent interview, he confidently stated, "I have no doubt that in 2025, I will be the highest-paid athlete in the world." When compared to Cristiano Ronaldo's projected earnings of $130 million for the year, Topuria expressed his determination, saying, "I'll be there. I'd be surprised if I didn't do it," adding, "I have no doubt, really." However, achieving this ambitious goal will require significant effort. While Topuria's UFC earnings are substantial, breaking seven figures in his next fight would be considered a success. The champion remains optimistic about securing endorsements and sponsorships, but his immediate focus is on returning to the Octagon and continuing his winning streak.

Mexican boxing superstar Saul “Canelo” Alvarez has confidently predicted a victory inside eight rounds in his upcoming undisputed super-middleweight title fight against Jaime Munguia. The highly anticipated bout is set to take place at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, coinciding with Cinco de Mayo weekend. Despite being the favorite, Alvarez recognizes Munguia, 27, as a formidable opponent, describing him as a fresher, younger, and improving fighter who has yet to taste defeat. Munguia faces what is widely considered his toughest and most significant fight to date against Alvarez, a four-division world champion. Alvarez, 33, who has notched impressive victories in his career, including over Gennady Golovkin and Callum Smith, is aiming for a knockout victory to make a statement. Despite recent criticism of his inability to stop his past four opponents, Alvarez remains confident in his abilities, stating, “Canelo in the end is different.” “Winning by knockout is always wonderful, right?” the 33 year old said. “So I think I’m going to win by knockout before the eighth round. “I’m really happy to be here. Thank you to all the fans here. I’m looking forward to what’s going to be an outstanding week with you all. I thank you for it, and I’m really excited to be here.” Reflecting on the significance of the fight, Alvarez highlighted its historic nature, as it marks the first time two Mexicans will fight for all four belts. He expressed his pride in representing his country and vowed to leave his mark on the sport. The atmosphere leading up to the fight has been intense, with fans showing support for David Benavidez, who many consider a more appealing challenger than Munguia. Responding to the fan support for Benavidez, Alvarez emphasized his focus on the upcoming fight with Munguia, acknowledging Munguia's deserving of respect and anticipating a great fight.

Combate Global has secured the future of one of its rising stars as Ramiro Jimenez, the undefeated featherweight prospect and winner of the 2023 Copa Combate, has signed a new multi-fight deal with the promotion. Jimenez's dominance in the featherweight division has been undeniable, boasting a flawless 10-0 record with all eight of his victories under the Combate Global banner. His impressive track record includes seven stoppage wins, showcasing his prowess inside the cage. The 25-year-old fighter's standout moment came in the 2023 Copa Combate tournament, where he emerged victorious after a grueling night of competition. Jimenez displayed his resilience and skill by securing a majority decision in the first round before clinching the tournament title with consecutive first-round finishes. Having made his professional debut with Combate Global at just 20 years old, Jimenez has consistently delivered thrilling performances, earning him a reputation as one of the promotion's top prospects. With his new multi-fight, multi-year agreement, Jimenez is poised to continue his ascent in the featherweight division. Fans can anticipate Jimenez's return to action in late July, where he will undoubtedly look to further solidify his status as a force to be reckoned with in the MMA world. As Combate Global invests in the future of its talent, Jimenez's commitment underscores the promotion's dedication to nurturing and showcasing the best fighters in the sport.