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Ryan Garcia and Gervonta "Tank" Davis' lightweight grudge bout is less than two weeks away. On April 22, the showdown of unbeatens will be broadcast live on Showtime pay-per-view from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Davis' chief trainer Calvin Ford is developing a strategy to punish Garcia during the bout. "Tank just needs to listen and do what he’s been doing all along. I’ve seen the journey to here a long time ago. That night is his night. We’ll walk through that fire or that desert or whatever we have to walk through," Ford said. “I’m still looking for that fighter to bring the best out of Tank. No one has seen the best out of him yet. Coaches that have been around us for years know that people haven’t seen all that he can do. I don’t train Tank for knockouts, I train him for punishment. Hector Luis Garcia got a glimpse of it in the last fight. I want him to punish Ryan." Garcia has a size and reach advantage. In June 2021, Davis increased his weight to the 140-pound junior welterweight limit and defeated the much larger Mario Barrios. Ford believes that his fighter won't use the same strategies against Garcia. “I wouldn’t say the Mario Barrios fight is the example of how Tank fights a taller fighter like Ryan Garcia, because each fighter fights differently. He was able to handle what Barrios wanted to do, but we’ll see if that’s how Ryan wants to fight. Whatever you want to bring, you better come bring it," Davis said. “He’s taking pages out from some of the greatest in the sport. We’ve got a lot of different people coaching different parts of his game and everyone is doing their part.”

Shakur Stevenson was taken aback when ESPN's Bernardo Osuna gave him a post-fight statement from Devin Haney in the ring on Saturday night. Stevenson believes Haney will easily defeat Vasiliy Lomachenko next month, but he had anticipated that Haney would give up his four lightweight titles and compete in the 140-pound weight class instead. Haney claimed that he will stay in the lightweight class following a victory over Lomachenko and would want to meet Stevenson in what would be an intriguing matchup between unbeaten American lightweights. Stevenson, 25, from Newark, wants to compete for the IBF, WBA, WBC, and WBO 135-pound titles in one fight, not just the WBC one, so he hopes Haney means what he says. In the main event of ESPN's three-bout show, Stevenson (20-0, 10 KOs) defeated Tokyo's Yoshino (16-1, 12 KOs) to become the mandatory challenger for one of Haney's four belts according to the WBC. “Tell him come on,” Stevenson told a group of reporters after he stopped Yoshino. “If that’s what he wanna do, I mean, I don’t know why would he watch [the Youshino fight] and say that? I never seen Devin Haney really even hurt anybody before. He ain’t really got the punching power, so if he watched that he could tell that I could punch. I don’t know what would make him say, ‘Let’s do it.’ Maybe he’s just a competitor. Maybe I just gotta respect that.” Haney is regarded as one of the sport's top technicians. The undisputed lightweight champion, a native of Oakland, defeated Australia's George Kambosos Jr. (20-2, 10 KOs) in both of his most recent bouts, both lasting 12 rounds. If Stevenson gets that chance later this year, he still has a sneaking suspicion that he'll shock a lot of people by soundly defeating Haney. “I think it’s gonna be easy work,” Stevenson said. “I think I’m gonna smoke him. I think I’m gonna shock everybody by smoking him, making it a real easy fight. Everybody’s gonna be like, ‘Damn, dude is who he say he is.’ ”

Logan Paul, the popular YouTube star, and social media influencer have recently announced that he has signed a new multi-year deal with WWE after continuing to impress with his natural charisma and in-ring abilities. The news has sent shockwaves through the wrestling community and has left fans eagerly anticipating what the future holds for this controversial figure in the ring. Paul went ahead and made the deal official on Instagram. The financial details of the agreement were not made public, but Paul renewed his contract with WWE for some years after first joining the company in 2022. “I feel incredibly blessed to have found something that I’m good at, at 28 years old,” Paul told ESPN about his new contract. “And the fact that the organization believes I’m good enough to continue hopefully building this WWE legacy is mind-blowing.” This is not the first time that Logan Paul has been involved with the WWE. He made his debut in the wrestling world in April 2021 when he appeared as a guest commentator on WWE's flagship show, Monday Night Raw. Paul's original agreement was meant to be a one-year engagement for several performances, including appearances at major WWE pay-per-view actions, but in the end, he was merely a part-time participant. His involvement in the WWE has been a natural fit for his larger-than-life personality. He has already been involved in several storylines, including a feud with Kevin Owens that culminated in a match at WrestleMania 37. He has also been involved in segments with Sami Zayn and other WWE superstars. Paul has just participated in WrestleMania 39, in which he wrestled in a prominent bout against Seth Rollins during the two-night show. Paul, a wrestler famed for his daredevil stunts, once smashed down his business partner KSI during his match after leaping from the top rope and out of the ring. It remains to be seen what the future holds for Logan Paul in the WWE. Will he continue to be involved in storylines and matches, or will he take on a more behind-the-scenes role? Whatever the case may be, it's clear that the WWE sees value in his larger-than-life personality and social media presence. Fans will have to stay tuned to see what happens next in this unpredictable world of professional wrestling.

Joe Joyce Open to Potential Showdown with Former Teammate Anthony Joshua Joe Joyce has welcomed former GB teammate Anthony Joshua’s mention of his name as a potential future opponent, once his return fight against Jermaine Franklin has been settled on Saturday night. Joyce, who holds the WBO Interim world championship, is set to take on Chinese giant Zhilei 'Big Bang' Zhang at the Copper Box Arena on April 15. “I like the Joe Joyce fight, it’s one that interests the people and Joe Joyce is from the same country as me, so it makes sense,” Joshua said during his media activities ahead of his return to the ring this weekend. Fighting Joyce would offer Joshua a route back towards world title contention, and the potential for a direct shot at the full championship. However, Joyce is not convinced that Joshua is truly interested in facing him in the near future. “I thought he might have thrown his phone in the Hudson river after he lost in New York and stopped replying to my messages,” Joyce commented to the Sun. “I have a proper fight in two weeks against someone that he didn’t want that smoke with and backed away from - a fellow 6ft 6in Olympic silver winner. He’s fighting someone without that pedigree, who again looks about a foot shorter than him." Joyce is referencing Joshua’s infamous defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr. in June 2019, where Joyce claims that Joshua backed away from a potential bout between the two. He also notes that Joshua has opted to face Jermaine Franklin instead of his former sparring partner and fellow Olympic medalist, Dillian Whyte, who lost to Alexander Povetkin in their last bout. “I saw AJ and Eddie (Hearn) promise that the winner of Franklin and Whyte last November was going to get this AJ fight and they’ve gone with the geezer who lost! I would love that fight in the summer. Two of the best in the UK going at it. The winner fights Tyson Fury! But I’m just not sure he really wants it. It’s an easy fight to make - my management and his management know each other well; and I would imagine Frank and Eddie and BT/DAZN would combine on it no problem. British boxing needs these fights - no more messing around.” Joyce’s skepticism of Joshua’s intentions is palpable, but the potential for a high-profile showdown between the two remains intriguing. Joyce and Zhang will go toe-to-toe on April 15, while Joshua will face off against Franklin on April 9. The future of British heavyweight boxing could very well be decided in the coming months, and fight fans will be eagerly anticipating the next moves of these top contenders.

Alex Pereira suffered his first octagon defeat on Saturday in the main event of UFC 287, falling to Israel Adesanya late in the second round, giving up the UFC middleweight belt to his longtime adversary. On Sunday, Pereira issued his first reaction to the defeat, thanking his supporters and assuring fans that he is healthy following his first knockout loss in MMA. Pereira also shared a video of the two former kickboxers turned MMA champions exchanging post-fight respect backstage. I’m just here to let u know that I’m fine! I want to thank my family, my team and all the people who are supporting me during my journey. Now I just have to rest and continue with the plans that are already on motion. Thanks God. Pereira's next move is unknown. Though the MMA rivalry between him and Adesanya is deadlocked at one win apiece — and Pereira leads the kickboxing series 3-1 — UFC president Dana White hinted Saturday that a step up to 205 pounds could be next for "Poatan." Some, on the other hand, have asked for an MMA trilogy battle to end the feud between Pereira and "The Last Stylebender."

Tim Tszyu’s mandatory fight with undisputed world champion Jermell Charlo has been further delayed due to the champion’s hand injury. The fight was initially scheduled for July but it has now been pushed back to fall as Charlo is still recovering. Meanwhile, Tszyu will stay busy with a fight by early June. Tszyu expressed his frustration at the situation, saying, “The bloke hasn’t fought for 12 months. How long can you keep postponing a fight?” He also believes that Charlo is taking the fight seriously now and wants to be 120% ready, unlike before when he was taking Tszyu lightly. Despite the delay, Tszyu remains focused on improving and growing as a fighter. He wants to stay active and adapt to different styles, and is looking forward to facing someone who will give him a challenge. The Australian fighter saw action last month, when he scored a ninth round knockout of former world champion Tony Harrison. He is currently ranked number one by the WBO and number two by the WBC at junior middleweight. Tszyu’s fight with Charlo is highly anticipated, and many boxing fans are eager to see if he can dethrone the undisputed champion. However, with the delay, it remains to be seen when the two fighters will finally step into the ring together.

David Benavidez eyes Canelo Alvarez after Caleb Plant victory David Benavidez put on an impressive display last weekend at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, defeating Caleb Plant to claim the WBC super-middleweight title. With the win, Benavidez has set his sights on a potential showdown with pound-for-pound king Canelo Alvarez. Alvarez, who is set to defend his undisputed throne against John Ryder on May 6th, has been open to the idea of facing Benavidez in the near future. However, the Mexican superstar also has revenge on his mind, following his loss to Dmitry Bivol earlier this year. Despite Alvarez being regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder believes that Benavidez would have the upper hand in a potential matchup. "Canelo too small for him," Wilder said in an interview with ESNEWS. "That’s an easy fight for David in my opinion." Benavidez himself has also stated that he has earned his shot at Alvarez, and is eager to prove himself against the Mexican star. However, he understands that anything can happen in the ring, and remains focused on continuing to improve and stay ready for any opportunity that comes his way. A matchup between Alvarez and Benavidez would undoubtedly be a highly-anticipated event, with two of the best fighters in the sport going head-to-head. But first, Alvarez must take care of business against Ryder, while Benavidez will need to continue his impressive run and prove himself against other top contenders in the super-middleweight division.

Jorge Masvidal has influenced the careers of numerous competitors, notably Bellator middleweight champion Johnny Eblen. Masvidal is probably one of the most popular fighters to ever come from the Sunshine State, being from Miami and having a career spanning more than two decades. So it's understandable that fans and competitors alike were moved when "Gamebred" declared his retirement after losing a decision to Gilbert Burns in the co-main event of UFC 287, also held in Miami. Respect was arguably best demonstrated by fellow Floridan Bellator middleweight champion Johnny Eblen, who wrote on Twitter following UFC 287 to express his admiration for Masvidal. "@gamebredfighter you are an inspiration my man! 20 years in the game, starting from nothing, to becoming a multi million dollar man and the king of your city all while helping those around you. You are forever a legend and thank you for making such a profound impact in this sport. I’m happy I was able to be apart of your journey," Eblen wrote. "I wouldn’t be the fighter I am now without you. In many ways this is a team sport and I’m happy I was on your team. Now on to bigger better things outside of fighting! Happy for you my brother, I’ll always be rooting for you and always be in your corner 🫡 Vamanos!" He discussed the impact "Gamebred" had on his career as a fighter, claiming that he would not be where he is today if he had not been able to learn through training with Masvidal as a teammate and buddy.

Christian Rodriguez had a successful day at work as he stopped the hype train of 18-year-old Raul Rosas Jr., who ran out of gas and failed his fight at UFC 287. Since then, some UFC peers encouraged Rosas Jr. to keep pushing on following his defeat, some used the occasion to make fun of the rookie fighter. It was a heart-stopping start to the UFC 287 main card opener as Rodriguez went toe-to-toe with Rosas Jr. in a fierce battle of wills. Rodriguez faced near-defeat as Rosas Jr. locked in multiple submission attempts, including a standing rear-naked choke that left fans on the edge of their seats. But Rodriguez didn't give up, surviving the round and then coming back stronger in the following rounds. With heavy wrestling and grappling, Rodriguez began to dominate the exchanges, even attempting submissions of his own. In a thrilling conclusion, Rodriguez ended the fight on top, emerging victorious with a unanimous decision. Even Rosas Jr. acknowledged his likely defeat, giving credit to Rodriguez for his impressive performance in the octagon. Rosas Jr., who aims to go down as the youngest-ever champion in UFC history, is going to benefit from this, according to broadcast commentator Joe Rogan for the company. The 25-year-old Rodriguez expressed regret for going one pound above the bantamweight threshold on Friday before the fight. But during a post-fight interview, he praised the Mexican fighters' skills. “He’s really, really good,” Rodriguez said about Rosas. “I respect his skill set. I want to apologize for being a pound overweight. But that kid brings it. “I’ve been training with the best team. I just stopped a good hype train so I hope you guys can follow my journey.” Several fighters responded to Rosas Jr.'s defeat on Twitter. Chris Weidman, a former middleweight champion of the UFC, expressed that the DWCS alum will benefit from this fight's ego-check: While some of them poked fun at Rosas Jr. and wrote:

Mixed martial arts fans around the world are eagerly anticipating one of the most exciting matchups in UFC history. The long-awaited trilogy between Amanda Nunes and Julianna Pena is finally set to take place, with the women’s bantamweight title on the line at UFC 289. A trilogy match has been lined up for UFC 289, according to UFC president Dana White. Aaron Bronsteter of TSN broke the information ahead of them. On June 10, Amanda Nunes vs. Julianna Pena will serve as a main event on the fight card, and it will take place in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Rogers Center has been picked as the venue for the gathering. Following dropping to Cat Zingano at UFC 178 in 2014, Nunes embarked on a winning streak that included sweeping 12 straight fights, notably victory over Rousey, Miesha Tate, Cris Cyborg, and Holly Holm. Nunes had a shaky 9-4 career start. When Nunes lost to Pena at UFC 269 in 2021, it was her first defeat since 2014. In the second round of their first fight, Pena submitted her with a rear-naked choke, shocking everyone in the entire world and ending the Brazilian Powerhouse's reign of supremacy. However, she regained the title during a rematch at UFC 277 the following year. Nunes outlasted Pena to win by unanimous decision and take back the women's bantamweight title. During the past handful of years, the 34-year-old Nunes has been ruling women's MMA, conceivably surpassing Ronda Rousey's achievements during her reign as champion. For Nunes and Peña, this is the opportunity they have been waiting for. It's a chance to settle the score once and for all. Pena, with another victory against Nunes, would elevate her to a higher level and demonstrate that her first triumph was not by mistake. Considering one more victory against Pena, Nunes can dispel any doubts concerning her status as the most outstanding female MMA fighter in the history of the sport. As the countdown to UFC 289 begins, fans can't wait to see what happens next.

Anthony Joshua's evolution as a fighter is not necessarily a bad thing Anthony Joshua is not the same fighter he was when he defeated Wladimir Klitschko in 2017. While this is an uncontroversial statement, the disagreement lies in whether this indicates a decline in Joshua as a fighter, and whether it is necessarily a bad thing for Joshua to have adapted his game. Joshua's fight against Jermaine Franklin on Saturday night left some observers disappointed that he did not score a knockout. However, Joshua controlled almost every round of the fight and was never in any danger. He landed some flush right hands and big uppercuts but never put together a sustained flurry during which one got the sense that Franklin needed to "survive" it. Joshua admitted that he did not see any openings to go for a knockout, but some observers felt that there were opportunities that he could have taken. Joshua is correct that he had a tricky, defensively sound operator in front of him on Saturday. Some observers will counter that while Joshua says he didn’t see any openings to go for a knockout, that they did, or at least, ones could have appeared if he’d tried harder to create them. However, neither party is wrong in this case. A different fighter, perhaps a younger, more brash operator, very well could have stopped Franklin. Joshua’s evolution as a fighter does not necessarily mean he is declining. He has become more cautious and technique-focused, and this has allowed him to control fights without being in danger. While some fans may be disappointed that he is not the same fighter he was in 2017, this is not necessarily a bad thing. Joshua is still one of the best heavyweights in the world and his evolution as a fighter has allowed him to be more effective in the ring.

Anthony Joshua's victory against Jermaine Franklin on Saturday night was a much-needed win for the former heavyweight champion, who hadn't emerged from a fight victorious in 27 months. Although Joshua soundly out-pointed Franklin in their 12-round bout, the 33-year-old was disappointed with his performance because Franklin made it to the final bell at a sold-out O2 Arena in London. Joshua's ultimate goal was a knockout, which he was unable to achieve against Franklin, who has not been knocked out in 23 professional fights. Joshua has won only one of his six bouts by knockout since his technical knockout victory over Alexander Povetkin in 2018. After back-to-back, 12-round decision defeats to Ukrainian southpaw Oleksandr Usyk, the ex-IBF, IBO, WBA, and WBO champ won a fight for the first time since he knocked out Bulgarian contender Kubrat Pulev in the ninth round of their December 2020 bout at OVO Arena Wembley in London. Joshua believes he could have stopped Franklin inside the distance had he let his hands go more than he did. However, Franklin's sturdy chin enabled him to take Joshua's hardest punches. Franklin lost by wide distances on the scorecards of judges Steve Gray (118-111), Fabian Guggenheim (117-111), and Alex Levin (117-111). Although Joshua was not entirely satisfied with his performance, veteran trainer Derrick James appeared pleased overall with his performance in their first fight together. Joshua just wishes he would have taken advantage of the opportunities he felt he should have exploited to knock out Franklin, who stands four inches shorter than him and weighed in 20-plus pounds lighter than Joshua. In conclusion, Anthony Joshua's win against Jermaine Franklin was crucial for his career as he had not won a fight in over two years. Although he was not able to achieve his ultimate goal of a knockout, he hopes to build on this win and come back stronger in future fights. Joshua's performance shows that he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level in the heavyweight division.