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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)."

UFC fighter Justin Gaethje has voiced his displeasure with the idea of Conor McGregor getting a title shot off a win against Michael Chandler. In an interview with ESPN's Brett Okamoto, Gaethje stated that he would "probably" quit if McGregor were to jump ahead of him in the rankings for a title shot. Gaethje, who is currently ranked #3 in the UFC lightweight division, has been angling for another shot for the division gold strap. Recently, Justin Gaethje had a fantastic performance at UFC 286. In the co-main event, "The Highlight" faced off against emerging fighter Rafael Fiziev. During the action-packed back-and-forth battle, Gaethje ultimately raised his hand to win. Gaethje won the fight with scores of 29–28, 29–28, and 28–28 from the three judges. In an interview with ESPN, Gaethje discussed the Irish superstar and indicated if the UFC offered Conor a title match, he could consider leaving the organization. "Would I quit if Conor won and they gave him a title shot? Probably. That's how hurt I would be by the actions of the company that I represent. But that's out of my control, so you know, I just really hope that it doesn't happen. We can imagine a lot of things but there's a possibility that that's the scenario, which I would be devastated, for sure," Gaethje's comments come in the wake of rumors that McGregor could be in line for a title shot if he can defeat Chandler in his upcoming fight after the end of TUF 31. McGregor has been inactive in the octagon for over a year after snapping his leg in a trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier but remains one of the biggest draws in the UFC due to his star power and previous accomplishments. While Gaethje's threat to retire may seem extreme, it highlights the frustration that many fighters feel about the UFC's matchmaking and how certain fighters are given preferential treatment over others. Gaethje has consistently been one of the most exciting fighters in the UFC, with his aggressive style and knockout power winning over fans and fellow fighters alike. It remains to be seen whether McGregor will indeed get a title shot if he defeats Chandler, or if Gaethje will follow through on his threat to retire. Regardless, the controversy surrounding the UFC's matchmaking and the treatment of its fighters is likely to continue, as fans and fighters alike demand more transparency and fairness from the organization.

Former UFC and WEC featherweight champion Jose Aldo is nowadays concentrated on his forthcoming battle versus Jeremy Stephens at the Gamebred Boxing 4 event in Milwaukee, amid his desire in a potential boxing bout with iconic boxer Floyd Mayweather sometime this year. Aldo disclosed that he currently got Ali Abdelaziz as his manager in the boxing business and continues to be in discussions for a potential Mayweather fight in Saudi Arabia on MMA Fighting's Trocaço Franca. He, nevertheless, avoids looking beyond their current conflict and keeps his complete attention on Stephens. “I’m only training here,” Aldo said. “I forget all that [with Mayweather] for a bit because my next step is the Jeremy match, so I can’t think of anything else. After my performance on Saturday, not only the Mayweather one, we’ll get new offers for us [to box].” Artem Lobov and Jose Aldo were supposed to fight at Gamebred Boxing 4, however, the match was scrapped. Despite Acelino Freitas' frequent challenges over the recent years, Aldo seems to have no intention of challenging him to a bout. Notwithstanding Freitas' latest exhibition bouts in Brazil versus Whindersson Nunes & José Landi-Jons, Aldo insisted that he is concentrating on what is right rather than what can occur. Aldo asserted that perhaps the prize money for his upcoming fight with Jeremy Stephens is way greater compared to what certain fighters earn in other promotions. He also said that he will not make comparisons with the money he could earn by competing in Brazil, in which the pay-per-view event and arena attendance are very different from those in the US. Aldo is currently just thinking about his next showdown against Stephens and isn't intending to take on any additional opponents. José Aldo faced Emmanuel Zambrano in his boxing introduction this past February in Rio de Janeiro and prevailed through decision after six rounds. Aldo was conscious of the stress of performing because his battle with Jeremy Stephens was already timetabled for April, although he didn't get compensated well for the contest. Although the fight wasn't originally meant to be beneficial, Aldo felt the pressure of the Stephens battle and the ambitions of his supporters and detractors. “I had to put on a good performance and have a great debut to convince everybody,” Aldo said. “I had a little fear of [the fight] not going the way I expected and frustrating the next step we had in mind, knowing we already had the next [match] booked — and [Stephens] is way tougher than the debut [opponent].” Jeremy Stephens and Jose Aldo have previously been involved in mixed martial arts action, having Aldo prevailing via first-round stoppage in the octagon in 2018. Aldo won four of his last eight UFC fights after the match, which included a contest against Petr Yan for the vacant bantamweight gold. Aldo formally ended his MMA career in 2022 to focus on his boxing career. “It’s a new story,” Aldo said of fighting Stephens a second time. “We’re facing off now and it has nothing to do with what we did for years in the UFC or any other promotion he’s fighting in right now. I think he’s not thinking of what happened before. We’re going to box, it’s completely different now.”

Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury, two heavyweights, watched the Jake Paul vs. Tommy Fury match last month in Saudi Arabia from the stands. The two adversaries eventually gathered and seemed to make small talk with one another during the occasion. In their three-part series, Wilder had repeatedly called Fury a "cheater." Following their second match in 2020, Wilder alleged, among other things, that Fury filled his gloves. Fury has strongly denied Wilder's claims. Despite what might have seemed to be a cordial meeting, Wilder makes it obvious that he still feels unfavorably towards Fury and still thinks the British fighter is a "cheater." "I know a lot of people seen me with Fury. There's a place and a time for all things. Of course... I can't stand that motherf------, they know what's up. He's a cheater, I know a lot of things," Wilder told ES News. "A lot of top people know a lot of things, so they can't be fooled bro. This is a peaceful ground. It's like 'I don't like you, but I can come and let you know I see you see. We can co-exist with each other, you stay over there and I'll stay over here, that's it.' In their 2018 clash, they battled to a contentious twelve-round split draw. In the seventh round of the rematch, Fury would knock out Wilder. In the greatest fight of the trilogy, which took place in 2021, both fighters were knocked down before Fury defeated Wilder in the final round. The final eliminator between Wilder and Andy Ruiz was mandated by the World Boxing Council. The WBC world championship of Tyson Fury would be up for grabs for the victor. There is currently no information on whether Wilder will continue working on a fight with with Ruiz or take a different path.

Aldo, who recently retired from MMA to pursue his passion for boxing, is set to make his second professional boxing appearance this Saturday against former UFC rival Jeremy Stephens. But this is just the beginning of Aldo's transition to the sport of boxing. The former UFC and WEC featherweight champion has announced that he is in negotiations with none other than the legendary Floyd Mayweather for a boxing match that could take place in Saudi Arabia in the near future. According to sources close to the fighter, he has been training extensively with a renowned boxing coach and has his sights set on making a name for himself in the boxing world. The Brazilian boxer is focused on his upcoming fight this weekend, but the thought of fighting against one of the greatest boxers of all time has got his heart racing. When asked about the potential fight with Mayweather, Aldo couldn't contain his excitement and replied in a charged tone, "Yeah, we’ve been negotiating that fight for a good while. Floyd already knows about the fight. I first need to think about my fight this Saturday, and then I can see what’s going to happen. But yeah, we’ve been in negotiations for a long time, and that fight could go down in Saudi Arabia." Related Shakur Stevenson believes Ryan Garcia lacks the IQ to beat Tank Lyndon Arthur Continues His Winning Streak and Eyes World Title Shot Israel Adesanya: “UFC 287 is my last shot” Justin Gaethje wants Dustin Poirier rematch as his next fight Since making his MMA debut in 2004, Aldo has established himself as one of the greatest featherweight fighters of all time. With a record of 31 wins and just 8 losses, he has been a dominant force in the octagon for nearly two decades. But now, at the age of 35, Aldo is taking a new direction. Jose Aldo's move to boxing is a bold and exciting new direction for the former MMA champion. Whether he will achieve the same level of success in boxing remains to be seen, but there's no doubt that he has the talent and drive to make it happen.

Fans have already started counting down the days by grabbing their diaries. Ryan Garcia and Gervonta "Tank" Davis will square off on April 22nd at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, with a catchweight of 136 pounds. Both fighters will be putting their perfect records on the line. Davis started out as the clear favourite when their tantalising match was made official. The Baltimore resident is expected to handle business, according to Shakur Stevenson. “Tank,” said Stevenson to 210 Boxing TV when asked to give a prediction. “I think Tank is on a different level.” Most of the time, Davis' destructive knockout ability has proven to be far too much for his opponents. A shot at Davis earlier this year went to Hector Luis Garcia, who was cocky in his assurance and stern in the conviction in his chin. The former Olympian sauntered into their matchup with confidence after an impressive 2022. However, only a few rounds later, the 31-year-old was stopped in the ninth round, sharing Davis' fate with the bulk of his rivals. Ryan Garcia isn't giving up despite everything. The California product has repeatedly demonstrated that, despite the 24-year-old packing a powerful punch of his own, he'll make things appear relatively simple against his opponent. Stevenson, however, isn't precisely a believer. Garcia appears to be the total deal in terms of his physical attributes. His quickness? A blur. His strength? Concussive. But according to Stevenson, none of the aforementioned characteristics will ultimately be decisive. Instead, Garcia's failure will eventually be caused by what is, or is not, going on in his head. “Ryan don’t have the IQ, the defense. I just think Tank's IQ is better than Ryan’s for sure. You gotta make him earn everything. Ryan, it don’t look like he’s the type of fighter that’s gonna make him earn anything. It’s all gonna be given to him. Once he gets that shot, it’s over with.”