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The major attraction at Bellator 293 was undoubtedly English light heavyweight Luke Trainer. 'The Gent' topped off his night by proposing to his fiancée inside the cage after a stunning first-round submission win against the unbeaten Sullivan Cauley. An ecstatic Trainer went above and beyond by delivering a sweet-yet-NSFW line to blow his better half off her feet. She answered yes, and the two finished the touching moment with a kiss. During his post-fight interview with Big John McCarthy, his girlfriend was invited up to the cage, and the MMA fighter proposed, saying: "Baby girl, I love you so much, you are everything to me. I can’t wait to put babies inside of you. Will you do me the honor of being my wife?" Luke Trainer is a 7-1 professional MMA fighter with a 4-1 record inside the Bellator cage. He is currently on a two-fight winning streak, with both victories coming by rear-naked choke submissions in the first round. The 27-year-old has previously competed in the Rise of Champions, Fightstar Championship, and Euro Fight Night promotions. He previously won the Euro Fight Night light heavyweight competition.

Luis Nunez Eyeing Future Clash with Brandon Figueroa Highly-ranked featherweight contender, Luis Nunez, has set his sights on a future showdown with newly crowned WBC featherweight interim champion, Brandon Figueroa. After a career-defining 2022 with three consecutive victories, Nunez believes his championship moment is forthcoming. Impressed by Figueroa's recent victory over Mark Magsayo, Nunez tipped his cap to the former titlist's work rate and pressure tactics. Despite Figueroa's belief that he was given the short end of the stick in his 2021 fight against Stephen Fulton, he is attempting to adjust to life with a target on his back. Looking ahead, Nunez is convinced that a matchup between himself and Figueroa will come to fruition sooner rather than later. However, he first needs to focus on his upcoming fight against Christian Olivo on April 8th, as part of a Showtime televised opener at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. As Nunez continues to lay the groundwork for his title aspirations, he is hopeful that his future will include a clash with Figueroa. For now, both fighters will need to stay focused on their upcoming bouts, but a potential showdown between them could be on the horizon.

Former WBO junior middleweight champion Jaime Munguia will not be facing off against WBA 175-pound champion Dmitry Bivol anytime soon, according to Munguia's promoter Fernando Beltran of Zanfer. Instead, Beltran is working to secure a fight between Munguia and former middleweight champion Gennadiy Golovkin on June 10th. Last week, promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom revealed that he was exploring a possible fight between Munguia and Bivol at 175 pounds, but Beltran quickly shut down that possibility, stating that Munguia already had a date with DAZN for June 10th. "It was our side who looked for Bivol, but we couldn't make a deal," Beltran told Izquierdazo. "Unfortunately, Bivol is not very popular. He has been effective in the ring, but he is not very popular. We would love to fight with him in the future, but we are talking about the two weight classes above (Munguia's division). We would fight with him (Bivol) if nobody else wants to. If someone runs away from him (Bivol), we will face him." Beltran expressed his hope that a deal could be reached to get Golovkin into the ring for the June date, stating that there have been actual discussions about the fight. "Yes, we have been talking to Tom Loeffler (GGG's promoter)," Beltran said. "The truth is that there have been actual discussions, and we want to close it soon. We would love to fight Golovkin. We have looked for that fight for a long time, since the beginning of Jaime's career, and we couldn't make it. But we are trying again." Golovkin vs. Munguia had been scheduled to take place in 2018, but the Nevada State Athletic Commission rejected the contest, citing Munguia's lack of experience. It remains to be seen whether a fight between Munguia and Golovkin will come to fruition this time around, but the possibility is certainly an exciting one for boxing fans. Munguia has been making a name for himself in the sport, and a win over a veteran like Golovkin could propel him even further into the spotlight. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.

Gervonta Davis Prepares to Face Ryan Garcia, Trainer Calvin Ford Believes Best is Yet to Come Gervonta Davis has established himself as one of the most exciting fighters in boxing with his explosive knockouts and star power. His trainer, Calvin Ford, has been with him from the beginning and has seen him evolve into the fighter he is today. However, Ford believes that Davis is far from reaching his potential. “Nowhere close yet,” said Ford to YSM Sports Media when asked if Davis is at his best. Davis, with a record of 28-0 and 26 knockouts, is preparing for his next fight against Ryan Garcia on April 22nd at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Garcia has been targeting Davis for a while and the two have finally signed a deal to face off in the ring. Garcia (23-0, 19 KOs) made certain concessions to get the fight over the finish line, including a 136-pound catchweight and a next-day rehydration clause of 10 pounds. However, Team Davis is not paying much attention to Garcia's complaints and is focused on getting Davis ready for the fight. With Davis being a sizable favorite, Ford is putting him through another arduous training camp. As Davis trains and works on his skills, Ford is amazed at the fighter he has become. While Davis appears to be nearing his prime, Ford believes that he still has room for improvement. Davis has been a force in the ring since he turned pro over a decade ago, but Ford insists that he still has untapped potential. “His ceiling is where he wants it to be,” said Ford. Davis vs. Garcia is expected to be an explosive fight between two of the best young fighters in the sport. While Garcia will be looking to make a name for himself by taking down one of the biggest stars in boxing, Davis will be looking to continue his impressive run of knockouts and cement his place as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world.

Bellator MMA has announced another exciting matchup for their upcoming event, Bellator 297. Former UFC light heavyweight contender Corey Anderson is set to take on Phil Davis in what promises to be an electrifying fight between two of the best in the division. Although the main event and co-main event will undoubtedly be exciting, the remaining part of the card is also being stuffed. Former champions Corey Anderson and Phil Davis will also compete at Bellator 297, as the promotion was originally revealed in a press release earlier today. On June 16 at Wintrust Arena, two of Bellator's top light heavyweights are scheduled to face off. ESPN broke the news of the matchup first, and the promotion later made the announcement. Following his title shot with Vadim Nemkov in November of last year, "Overtime" on the other hand, has not been inside the cage. Anderson was outplayed in the contest, losing by a unanimous decision. The loss ended the UFC veteran's four-fight winning run. He defeated well-known opponents like Ryan Bader and Melvin Manhoef during that time. 'Mr. Wonderful' recently defeated Julius Anglickas via decision at Bellator 276 in March. Before the triumph, Davis had defeated former UFC star Yoel Romero in a convincing decision match. The former title holder is aiming to move up the Bellator standings while maintaining an undefeated run of two matches. A light heavyweight championship fight between Nemkov and Romero is anticipated to serve as the main event of Bellator 297. A freshly added co-main event will feature Sergio Pettis trying to defend his bantamweight title versus the featherweight champion as well as former lightweight champion Patricio Pitbull. The matchup has generated a lot of excitement among MMA fans, with many predicting a close and exciting fight between the two light heavyweight contenders. With Bellator 297 set to take place on June 16, fight fans won't have to wait long to see this epic showdown unfold.

Logan Paul, the YouTube sensation turned professional boxer, has been making waves in the combat sports world since his debut in 2019. Paul, who is already working with the WWE, last competed in the ring in a one-sided match against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2021. The sole professional bout on Paul's resume before then was a defeat to KSI in 2019. Paul eventually identified the Stockton native as his prospective adversary after making numerous other hints. Paul claimed in an interview ahead of his WrestleMania 39 showdown versus Seth Rollins this weekend that a high-paying bout had been on the board with the retired UFC fighter, however, according to Paul, Diaz's side has somewhat pulled back. “I think he’s running. This guy, I think he’s ducking,” Paul told BT Sport. “We have the sweetest deal for him and he knows the type of numbers I bring in. I’m not a quarter of a million [pay-per-view buys] type of fighter, you’re going to get 750,000 [to a] million buys, and I’m an 0-1 YouTuber. Seems like an easy fight on paper.” Paul does have a boatload on his plate right now yet has been planning his comeback to the ring for some while. The 27-year-old claims that while his team has raised the bar regarding wages, the window is still open. But, he is unsure of the reason why the Diaz administration has still not signed anything just yet. “As far as I know, it’s not dead because we had to f****** offer him more money. It’s like we’re baiting this guy into fighting me. It’s hard for me to get a fight because either you’re not worth my time and energy, or you’re not going to sell pay-per-views. I’ll do it, but I need a dance partner. And I don’t need a tune-up fight, give me the real dogs. Nate Diaz is a dog. I was looking forward to that fight, then I got a call the other day and they said they didn’t want to do it. It was almost done. I don’t know.” There is no denying that a potential matchup between Logan Paul and Nate Diaz would be a major event in the combat sports world. Diaz, a fan favorite known for his gritty fighting style and outspoken personality, would undoubtedly bring his A-game to the table. As for whether or not the fight will come to fruition, only time will tell. For now, fans can only speculate and debate over the potential outcome of this highly-anticipated matchup.

Vasiliy Lomachenko, 35, is conscious that he might never again have the chance to compete for the undisputed lightweight title against Devin Haney at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on May 20. The fight will be broadcast live on ESPN+ pay-per-view. “This chance, this fight, is the biggest moment of my professional career. This is my last chance [to win an undisputed title]. I don't want to talk about the future. We don't know the result [yet against Haney],” Lomachenko said in an interview with BoxingScene.com and other reporters. “Yes [this is the most excited I've been for a fight]. Because it's too close. I'll be honest, this is my last chance to be an undisputed world champion. That's why it's very important.” Lomachenko (17-2, 11 KOs) is a three-division champion who has won titles at 126, 130, and 135 pounds. He has earned gold for Ukraine at the Olympics twice. According to Lomachenko, being declared the undisputed champion would be equivalent to earning a gold medal. "I have big motivation, and that's my goal, to win the undisputed title,” said Lomachenko. In order to prevail over Haney (29-0, 15 KOs), Lomachenko will have to surmount significant size disadvantages in order to further enhance his resume and advance his quest for the Hall of Fame. Lomachenko defeated Jamaine Ortiz by unanimous decision in October despite obviously losing several rounds. The scores were 117-111, 116-112, and 115-113. “Look, everybody forgets about preparation, and that Jamaine was [previously was] my sparring partner. We had a lot of rounds with him,” said Lomachenko. “He absolutely knew me very well. But it is what it is. I agreed to fight him. He's a very talented and fast boxer. I think Jamaine Ortiz will be a big problem for any fighter in our weight classes.”

Anthony Joshua's propensity and willingness to compete against the best in the heavyweight category are readily apparent from a glance at his résumé. But Joshua will return to the ring in what is being seen as a significant drop-down in competition after losing to Oleksandr Usyk twice in a row. This Saturday at the O2 Arena in London, Joshua (24-3, 22 KOs) will try to brutally put an end to Jermaine Franklin's night. Joshua will have recently hired trainer Derrick James in his corner. Franklin is seeking to rebuild himself after dropping a contentious decision to Dillian Whyte just a few months ago, much like Joshua is doing for Joshua. However, the 29-year-old is currently listed as a giant underdog. Deontay Wilder is unsure whether the former Olympic gold winner will return to winning ways despite popular opinion. Joshua, who is typically outgoing and simple to spot, has maintained a relatively low profile over the past few months. Although he has tried to keep his most recent training regimen a secret, brief glimpses of his exercises have been made public. Overall, Wilder (43-2-1, 42 KOs) continues to have his reservations despite ramping up his work ethic. But the Alabama native believes that the 33-year-old has a laser-like focus. “If Joshua ain’t on his sh!t, he’ll get beat,” said Wilder to ESNEWS. “We’ll see how it goes.” While this is going on, Wilder is starting a pre-camp and getting ready to return to the arena. In addition to a long roster of potential opponents, Wilder has expressed interest in facing Francis Ngannou, a recent promotional free agent and former UFC heavyweight champion, as well as Andy Ruiz Jr. and Oleksandr Usyk.

Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin: The Battle of the Heavyweights Anthony Joshua is set to return to the ring this weekend in a highly anticipated bout against American fighter Jermaine Franklin. This will be Joshua’s first fight since his back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk, and the former heavyweight champion will be looking to make a statement and get back to winning ways. Franklin, on the other hand, will be looking to build on his impressive performance against Dillian Whyte and stake his claim in the heavyweight division. The fight will take place at the O2 Arena in London on Saturday, April 1, 2023. Fans can watch the fight on DAZN, with the undercard set to begin at 6 pm UK time and ring walks for the main fight expected at 10:30 pm. Joshua, who has a record of 24-3 (22 KOs), is known for his powerful punches and impressive physique. He stands at 6’6’’ with an 82’’ reach and fights in an orthodox stance. Franklin, who goes by the nickname “989 Assassin,” has a record of 21-1 (14 KOs) and stands at 6’2’’ with a 77’’ reach. He also fights in an orthodox stance. Both fighters have expressed confidence leading up to the fight. Joshua stated that he feels mentally and physically ready and wants to put on a show for his coach. Franklin, meanwhile, has vowed to shock the world and prove that it is his time to take his place at the top of the heavyweight division. In addition to the main event, the fight card also includes some exciting matchups. Matteo Signani will face off against Felix Cash for the EBU European middleweight title, while Fabio Wardley will take on Michael Polite Coffie in a heavyweight bout. Other fights include Austin Williams vs River Wilson-Bent, Campbell Hatton vs Louis Fielding, John Hedges vs Daniel Bocianski, Ziyad Almaayouf vs TBA, Peter Kadiru vs TBA, and Juergen Uldedaj vs TBA. The Betfred odds currently have Joshua as the overwhelming favorite, with odds of 1/12. Franklin is seen as the underdog, with odds of 6/1, while the draw has odds of 25/1. Overall, the stage is set for an exciting night of boxing at the O2 Arena. Will Joshua make a triumphant return to the ring, or will Franklin pull off an upset and shock the world? Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain – this is a battle of the heavyweights that you won’t want to miss.

Davis vs Garcia: Undefeated Americans Ready for Epic Battle in Las Vegas The highly-anticipated fight between Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia is finally happening on April 22 in Las Vegas. This 12-round catchweight clash promises to be one of the most exciting boxing matches of the year, as both fighters bring their unbeaten records to the ring. Davis, also known as 'Tank', has won all 28 of his professional fights to date, and most recently defeated Hector Garcia in January. Garcia, nicknamed 'KingRy', has won 23 straight bouts and beat Javier Fortuna last summer. The two Americans have been eager to face off against each other for several months, and after plenty of back and forth, the fight is now signed and ready to go. The T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas will host the event, and the times for the fight will be confirmed in due course. The Davis vs Garcia match is up there with the biggest fights that can be made in the sport of boxing, and there is a lot on the line besides their undefeated records. The catchweight bout promises to be an intense and highly competitive encounter, with both fighters bringing different strengths to the ring. Boxing legend Mike Tyson has already given his prediction, favoring Davis to come out on top, while undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney thinks it's a close call. Regardless of the outcome, this fight is sure to be a spectacular event that boxing fans won't want to miss. The undercard for the Davis vs Garcia fight is yet to be announced, but DAZN will broadcast the event live, and talkSPORT will have all the latest news from both camps throughout fight week. The stage is set for a historic match between two of America's most talented young boxers, and fans will be eagerly anticipating the moment they finally step into the ring.

Lawrence Okolie Receives Backing from Sparring Partner Daniel Dubois for Impact on Heavyweight Division Current WBO cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie has been tipped by his long-time sparring partner and WBA "regular" heavyweight champ Daniel Dubois to make a major impact on the heavyweight division. Okolie retained his belt with a unanimous decision against mandatory challenger David Light in Manchester last Saturday. Although there are several unification options for the 30-year-old later this year, he has made it clear that he aspires to move up to the heavyweight division at some point. And Dubois believes that Okolie has the right attributes for heavyweight success, thanks to his dimensions and punching power which the pair honed in sparring at the Peacock Gym in east London. While Okolie has since moved on to his fourth trainer, SugarHill Steward, Dubois feels that the two fighters' paths may cross again in the future. "He’s left Shane so he’s the enemy now," Dubois told BoxingScene.com with a smile. "But this is boxing, fighters change trainers all the time. You have to do what’s best for you and make sure you come out on top with what you want. I’m licking my lips though, this is interesting for the division." Dubois is eager to see Okolie make the step up to heavyweight and join the likes of Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, describing him as "near enough a heavyweight already." The prospect of facing Okolie in the ring also excites Dubois, who believes that the sparring sessions between the two have prepared them both for the challenge. "We’ve had great spars, he’s a tricky guy, and I did a lot of learning in them," said Dubois. "One day, who knows, maybe we can get it on for real at heavyweight.” With both fighters currently holding world titles in their respective weight classes, a potential showdown between Okolie and Dubois could be a fascinating prospect for boxing fans.

Pereira earned a title opportunity against then-dominant champ Israel Adesanya at UFC 281 last November after only three fights inside the Octagon. And, as he had done in 2016 and 2017, the Brazilian proved to have the New Zealander's number. "Poatan" is poised to defend his title against "The Last Stylebender" at UFC 287 next weekend after dethroning him with a late knockout at Madison Square Garden. Nonetheless, much speculation has surrounded Pereira's next actions, with many speculating that his rematch with Adesanya will be his final bout at 185 pounds due to the severe weight cut he undergoes to reach the limit. During a recent episode of the MMArcade Podcast, former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker discussed the possibility of a heavyweight move for the man who presently rules his class. While too much focus is often made on some fighters moving weight classes, the matter is more than warranted when it comes to Pereira. "I think the talk (of moving up) for him, in particular, is very warranted because he's a huge dude," Whittaker said. "He is monstrously big and he struggles with the cuts. I think he's 35 now as well, so the cuts aren't getting easier... I think the talk about him going to heavyweight is definitely warranted. I think he has to move up in weight." "His striking is world caliber... I think he'd have a lot of success in the heavier weight divisions," Whittaker assessed. "(But) I'd stay well away from Jon Jones. I've seen Pereira's wrestling. I'm not gonna say it's terrible, but you stay well away from Jon Jones (laughs)."