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The WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury's manager, Frank Warren, will make every effort to rearrange the bout with Oleksandr Usyk. The WBO, IBF, IBO, and WBA heavyweight champion Usyk's promoter Alexander Krassyuk recently declared that a matchup with Fury is presently in doubt. For the past few weeks, the fight has been in intense talks with a showdown scheduled for April 29 at London's Wembley Stadium. Usyk and his handlers claim that after their party agreed to accept a 70-30 financial split in the Gypsy King's favor, Fury began to make unabated demands. Krassyuk claims that the conflict is presently over and that they will look into other options. “If I start telling you the list of things [Fury] wanted, one, five, ten, or 15 minutes will not be enough. There was a list of things he wanted to get in his favor that was absolutely unacceptable, which were completely disrespectful to the unified champion and former undisputed [cruiserweight] champion," Krassyuk told Talk Sport. “I cannot disclose the negotiations, it’s part of the ethics. So, if I start to go into the details, it won’t look good. Maybe, if the other party would be willing to take the decision to disclose what were the things then we can talk about it. At this time, I cannot do this just for this reason…. With huge regret in my heart, I must admit [the fight is off]… [Usyk] will take a short break and comply with his mandatories.” However, Warren is not ready to close the book on their negotiations. The veteran promoter explains that the only big sticking point is the rematch clause. “Tyson publicly stated that we should scrap the rematch, this was to simplify the deal. Rematch clauses can be very difficult and Tyson’s been there before when a rematch blocked a fight with him and Anthony Joshua [in 2021] when Deontay Wilder took him to court. That kyboshed that fight with Joshua," Warren told Talk Sport. “Anyway, I convinced Tyson to take the rematch [with Usyk] and he did. So I told them on Sunday we’re gonna go with the rematch. Then we got into a situation with how the rematch money is gonna be split and that’s what we’ve been working on… Why can’t it be overcome if he wants the fight? We want the fight, why can’t it be overcome?… There’s no reason for this fight to be off.” “Tyson publicly stated that we should scrap the rematch, this was to simplify the deal. Rematch clauses can be very difficult and Tyson’s been there before when a rematch blocked a fight with him and Anthony Joshua [in 2021] when Deontay Wilder took him to court. That kyboshed that fight with Joshua," Warren told Talk Sport. “Anyway, I convinced Tyson to take the rematch [with Usyk] and he did. So I told them on Sunday we’re gonna go with the rematch. Then we got into a situation with how the rematch money is gonna be split and that’s what we’ve been working on… Why can’t it be overcome if he wants the fight? We want the fight, why can’t it be overcome?… There’s no reason for this fight to be off.” Because of the money at stake, Warren claims that Usyk and his handlers have been pushing to include a rematch provision. If Usyk fulfills his obligatory obligations, Daniel Dubois, the WBA's "regular" champion, will be the opponent for his mandatory defense. The obligatory defenses for the WBO against Joe Joyce and the IBF against Filip Hrgovic follow. “You know why they want the rematch clause? Because it’s two paydays. Where are they gonna earn the type of money they can earn fighting Tyson twice? They aren’t gonna get that type of money to fight Filip Hrgovic, Joe Joyce or Daniel Dubois. But Tyson brings a lot of money to the table, that’s why they want it," Warren detailed. “We are willing to take the same deal as what they did for their rematch with Anthony Joshua. I know what that deal is so we’ll go with that, no problem with that.”

It is no mystery that David Benavidez and Caleb Plant are not fond of one another. Not now and never will. Benavidez has been relatively low-key prior to the biggest fight of his career, while Plant appears to be fighting everyone on social media in the immediate run-up to the interim WBC super middleweight championship fight. That doesn't imply that the Arizonan has lost all motivation or desire to take revenge on Plant. “Emotion, especially anger, is a great motivator to train,” Benavidez said. “The people who are telling me not to be emotional, haven’t laced up the gloves before. I couldn’t be more ready. I leave all my emotions outside of the ring when it’s time to go to work.” It's a fascinating development because ever since the fight was announced, many people have held the opinion that even though Benavidez is the bigger, stronger force, someone whose power and pressure will lead him to victory, if the more technically adept Plant is to get his hand raised, it will be because he kept his composure and refused to let his emotions get the better of him on fight night. Benavidez is seemingly the one keeping his eye on the task at hand before the fight that may finally see him fulfil his potential. “This is the most important fight of my career to this date,” Benavidez said. “I feel like after this fight, I’m going to pass that threshold and get to where I want to be. Every fighter has one of these grudge matches that brings the best out of them. I don’t like Caleb at all, but I want to thank him for bringing the animal out of me. I’m more motivated than ever.” Perhaps this is what the 26-year-old needed to cross that barrier and establish himself as the star that many had predicted he would be years ago, as well as to earn the opportunity to face Mexican superstar "Canelo" Alvarez. The Benavidez family has long complained that they are being sidelined, but let's face it: Benavidez has previously failed to make weight for a world title fight, had a legal dispute with his promoters, Sampson Boxing and Top Rank, and he recently tested positive for cocaine. To put it another way, could Benavidez be allowed to oversee the entirety of a pay-per-view event, from signing to fight night? But now that he is older and presumably wiser, he is aware that each action he takes will put him one step closer to his goals. “On March 25,” Benavidez said. “I guarantee that I’m knocking Caleb Plant out before round six.”

Eddie Hearn Blames Advisers for Talent Drain From Matchroom Eddie Hearn, the head of Matchroom, has criticized the “group of people” who advised his former clients, Lawrence Okolie and Joshua Buatsi, to leave his promotional outfit for Boxxer, the content provider for Sky. Hearn did not name the individuals in question but claimed that they lacked industry knowledge and were responsible for the recent talent drain on his roster. Hearn’s comments came after Buatsi, who had been promoted by Matchroom since 2016, announced that he was joining Boxxer in search of greater exposure on national television. Hearn was critical of Buatsi’s decision and claimed that he was not confident enough to take on big fights. Meanwhile, Okolie, a cruiserweight titlist, is set to defend his WBO title against David Light on a Boxxer/Sky Sports card this weekend. Both Okolie and Buatsi had been managed by 258 MGT, a fighter-advisory company founded by former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua. Hearn’s Matchroom had been the exclusive boxing content provider to Sky before he entered into a multi-year deal with DAZN in 2021. Hearn claimed that some advisers had got in the ear of Okolie and Buatsi and convinced them to leave his promotional outfit. He was frustrated by the similarities in the way both fighters had departed and claimed that people were filling Buatsi’s head with stuff. Hearn’s criticisms come as Matchroom faces increasing competition from rival outfits, with Boxxer, in particular, seeking to expand its stable of fighters and attract more viewers. The talent drain on Matchroom’s roster is likely to be a concern for Hearn as he seeks to maintain his company’s position as one of the leading promoters in the sport.

Mauricio Lara is a name that’s becoming increasingly difficult to ignore in the world of boxing. The Mexican featherweight fighter recently landed a devastating left hook to the chin of Leigh Wood, scoring a seventh-round technical knockout win against the Brit in Nottingham. The win earned Lara the WBA featherweight crown and put him back on track for a swift return to the squared circle. Matchroom Boxing, the company behind the bout, is eager to see Lara face either Wood or former two-time foe Josh Warrington in his next fight. Eddie Hearn, the company’s promotional head, stated that Lara’s next fight could be against Wood on May 27, or against Warrington if Wood decides to pass on the opportunity for a rematch. Wood was up on all three scorecards before Lara landed the final punch of the fight, forcing coach Ben Davison to throw in the towel. Despite the loss, Wood is reportedly interested in a rematch against Lara, and the Mexican fighter is ready to oblige. “I think that Wood gave me an opportunity without being mandatory, and as a [former] champion, he deserves a rematch,” said Lara. “But whatever comes, I will take it.” If Wood decides against a rematch, Lara’s archrival Warrington is waiting in the wings. The two fighters met twice in 2021, with Lara winning the first bout by TKO and the second bout being ruled a technical draw after Lara suffered a cut to his left eye in the second round due to an accidental head clash. Warrington was ringside for the Lara-Wood fight and was on the receiving end of Lara’s anger when he walked toward him and spat on him immediately after knocking out Wood. The bad blood between the two fighters is palpable, and a rematch would undoubtedly be an explosive affair. Lara’s recent win against Wood and his previous victories against Warrington have established him as a serious contender in the featherweight division. The 25-year-old fighter has a record of 26-2-1 with 19 knockouts, and his powerful left hook has proven to be a lethal weapon in the ring. As Lara sets his sights on his next opponent, boxing fans can expect to see more of the bucking bronco that is Mauricio Lara. His explosive fighting style and impressive knockout record have made him a fighter to watch, and it’s clear that he’s not slowing down anytime soon.

Dustin Poirier has responded to former opponent Justin Gaethje's latest request for a rematch following UFC 286. After defeating Michael Chandler in their "Fight of the Year" candidate last November, Poirier is awaiting his next UFC duty. Poirier occupies an odd position at the top of the UFC lightweight division. At 155 pounds, he has lost two title fights, although against former champions Khabib Nurmagomedov and Oliveira. Poirier is still one of the best fighters in the world and is well-known in the UFC despite his defeats in title fights. He may have an opponent that matches his passion for an explosive collision inside the Octagon as he seeks to continue his third attempt at winning the UFC championship. Gaethje demanded a rematch with Poirier following his victory over Rafael Fiziev at UFC286. He also suggested other potential opponents. Poirier recently showed interest in a rematch with Gaethje in an interview with FanSided MMA. "It's a fight that makes me nervous," Poirier said. "When I hear a name, and I get nervous, it's motivation. Those are the kind of fights that I want. Same thing with Chandler, when I heard Chandler's name, I was nervous because I knew the dangers of those kinds of fights, and that's what motivates me." "Same thing with Justin. If they do call me, and he's the name that they say, maybe it happens. We'll see."

The boxing world has been no stranger to Irish boxers over the years, and one of the most revered fighters in Ireland’s history is Stevie Collins. Collins, who beat British legends Chris Eubank and Nigel Benn twice apiece during a remarkable run in 1995 and 1996, was the last Irish fighter trained by Freddie Roach who boxed in Boston during his rise as a prospect. Now, Roach has comparable hopes for another rising Irish star, Callum Walsh, who will headline a card at Boston University’s Agganis Arena. Walsh, a 22-year-old junior middleweight from Cork, has an impressive record of 6-0 with five knockouts. He will face Wesley Tucker, a southpaw from Toledo, Ohio, in a 10-round main event that will be streamed by UFC Fight Pass. Roach, who has been training Walsh since he arrived unannounced at Roach’s famed Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, California two years ago, believes that Walsh has what it takes to become a special fighter. “I put him in with guys who come to fight,” Roach said. “The thing is, I don’t want my guy chasing a guy for 10 rounds. I want a fight. I want my guy to show that he can punch. I know our opponent can punch, also, so we’ve gotta be careful about that. But I want him to go out there and fight the best fighters he can fight.” Walsh, who wanted to represent Ireland at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted his plans, has been sparring with some of the best fighters at Wild Card Boxing Club, and Roach believes that training in that competitive environment has accelerated his development as a fighter. “He comes to work every day, works hard. The only problem I had with him so far is that he didn’t really believe in roadwork. And I said, ‘Don’t you do roadwork?’ The kid said, ‘No,’ so I said, ‘Well, you do now.’ Since he started doing roadwork, he’s a whole different person. I changed that with him, so that’s been a great improvement. I think this kid can be something special.” With his dangerous left hand and growing confidence, Walsh has the potential to make a big splash in the boxing world, and Roach is excited to show him off to the fans in Boston. “It’s gonna be a lotta fun,” Roach said. “He’s an Irish fighter, so it reminds me of back when Stevie Collins was back there and made a big splash at that time. Now he’s the new Irish kid and I can’t wait to show him off, because he’s a very good prospect.”

Alexa Grasso, newly crowned champion in the UFC's women's flyweight division, has her sights set on a rematch with champion Valentina Shevchenko. Grasso is hoping to face Shevchenko in September, ideally in her home country of Mexico. Grasso and Shevchenko first faced off in March of 2023 at UFC 285, with Grasso emerging as the clear winner surprisingly via submission due to a rear-naked choke in the 4th round of impressive performance. However, Grasso believes that she has learned from that loss, and is ready to give another chance to the former champion. Shevchenko suffered his first defeat in his illustrious flyweight career at the end, and after the fight, the former champion demanded a rematch right away. Shevchenko, who had made seven successful defenses preceding UFC 285, will probably receive that chance, and she is more than willing to accept. Alexa Grasso hinted at a showdown with former flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko for the upcoming September event on the MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani. Mexico's Independence Day, which also falls on a Saturday this year, is celebrated on September 16. In some kind of a perfect scenario, the UFC would indeed come to host its first pay-per-view in Mexico since UFC 188 in 2015. “I don’t know the chances, but I would love, I would love, I truly would love for this second fight to be in Mexico,” Grasso said. “And I would love that this fight could happen in Guadalajara. Imagine that. Canelo’s going to fight here in Guadalajara. Imagine to bring the UFC to my city, that would be huge. But if it’s Mexico City, that would be great too.” "September sounds like a great [time to come back]. September sounds amazing, you know? But yeah, let's see. Of course, before the end of this year, I would like to fight. Like I said - two fights every year sounds good. And yeah, I truly hope that this [can be done] in Mexico." The conditions of the battle and the intention for a quick rematch only increase this ambition. Shevchenko appeared to be in a strong position to keep her championship even though the battle remained close the entire time. However, Grasso reversed a mistimed spinning kick by grabbing Shevchenko's back, which resulted in the fight-ending submission. She is now preparing to repeat it to solidify her position as champion. “I’m truly excited for the second fight and I also know that people will love to see it because a lot of people say it was a mistake from her and it was a fluke,” Grasso said. “Of course, I don’t think it was a fluke because I trained so much for that [move], but I think it’s going to be important to show everyone that I’m the champion.” Fans of the UFC will surely be keeping an eye on Grasso's progress and if a rematch with Shevchenko does happen, it is sure to be one of the most anticipated fights of the year considering the sharpness of the Mexican champion.

Eddie Hearn Believes Callum Smith’s Left Hook Could Be the Key to Victory over Beterbiev Eddie Hearn, promoter of former super middleweight world champion Callum Smith, believes his fighter’s sneaky left hook could prove to be the difference-maker in a potential clash with Artur Beterbiev, the current IBF, WBC, and WBO light heavyweight champion. Beterbiev, the Russian powerhouse, has been unbeatable in his professional career, having knocked out all 19 of his opponents. However, Hearn feels that the 38-year-old champion may be showing some signs of wear and tear and could be susceptible to Smith’s counter left hook. Despite acknowledging that Smith would be the clear underdog in the matchup, Hearn expressed confidence that the 32-year-old Liverpudlian has the power and skillset to pull off the upset. “I think Callum Smith is going to knock Beterbiev out,” Hearn told FightHubTV. “I really do. Yeah, I’m very confident he’ll win that fight.” Hearn pointed out that Smith is a huge puncher at light heavyweight and that his weight cut down to 168 pounds may have hampered his performance in the past. Smith’s only loss came in a unification bout against Canelo Alvarez at super middleweight. “If he hits him on the chin with a left hook he’s going to knock him clean out,” Hearn said. Hearn also referenced Beterbiev’s recent bout against British fighter Anthony Yarde, where he felt the champion was taking his time in the fight and showed some signs of age. Hearn believes Smith is a much better fighter than Yarde at light heavyweight and could use his clever catch-and-counter left hook to score a knockout victory over Beterbiev. While no official announcement has been made for a potential Beterbiev-Smith fight, Hearn stated that he expects the matchup to be mandated by the WBC and hopes to stage the fight in Smith’s hometown of Liverpool or possibly in the Middle East in late summer.

All Star Boxing Kicks off 2023 Season with High-Stakes Triple Crown International Card All Star Boxing has announced the launch of their 2023 season with an exciting triple header set to take place in Panama City on April 14th. The event will feature three title fights, including a main event clash between world ranked contenders Gerardo Zapata and Carlos Ortega. Zapata, currently ranked WBO #13, will be facing local fan favorite Ortega, who is ranked #12 in both the WBA and WBO. The 10-round bout is set to take place at the Coliseo de Combates Pandeportes and will air live on ESPN+ (USA/Canada) & ESPN Knockout (LatAm). Felix “Tuto” Zabala, President of All Star Boxing, expressed his excitement about returning to Panama City after 18 years. “It’s only right to celebrate the anniversary of the show with a high-stakes, triple crown international card," he said. In addition to the main event, the co-feature will be a 10-round WBA FEDECENTRO welterweight fight between Derrieck Cuevas of Puerto Rico and Damien Rodriguez, a Cuban residing in Panama City. Cuevas, a former WBA Fedelatin champion, recently signed with All Star Boxing and will be defending the belt he won in December of 2022. The third title fight of the night will be an 8-round tilt for the vacant WBC Fecarbox light heavyweight title. Cuban prospect Yunior “Bronco Man” Menendez, who boasts a record of 6-0 with 5 KO’s, will take on Juan Carlos Chavarria of Costa Rica, who also has an impressive record of 6-1 with 6 KO’s. This high-stakes, triple crown international card promises to be an exciting start to All Star Boxing’s 2023 season. Fans around the world will be tuning in to watch these top-ranked contenders battle it out in the ring.

Tyson Fury’s trainer, SugarHill Steward, has confirmed that the heavyweight champion is capable of getting ready for a potential fight with Oleksandr Usyk on April 29, but will have to train extra hard to be ready for the challenge. Fury’s handlers have been in talks for weeks to secure an undisputed showdown with the WBO, IBF, IBO, and WBA champion, but negotiations are still ongoing, and there are details that need to be worked out. The World Boxing Association has now ordered both sides to present signed contracts by April 1, or they will order Usyk to make a mandatory defense against WAB ‘regular’ champion Daneil Dubois. This makes the April date less likely to come off as planned. However, Steward believes Fury is capable of getting ready in time. “It’s a short bit of time, but I believe Tyson has the ability and the physical attributes to handle the situation,” he said in an interview with Sky Sports. Fury has indicated that his strategy will be to knock Usyk out. Steward confirms that a knockout win will be their overall goal in the fight. “Absolutely. The gameplan is always a knockout. It’s setting it up, using certain punches, certain movements to make your opponent move into that knockout punch,” he said. Steward further explained that setting up knockouts requires watching the opponent and making adjustments. “Every fight is adjustments and watching what your opponent does and making adjustments. It’s not just one gameplan ever. It’s seven, eight, nine, 10, 11, 12, 13. We’re only doing 12 rounds but you’ve got an extra one in the bag always,” he said. Fury’s potential bout against Usyk has generated a lot of excitement in the boxing world, with many eagerly waiting to see who will come out on top. Fury is known for his exceptional boxing skills, while Usyk has a reputation for being a tough opponent. If Fury is able to get ready in time, fans will be treated to what promises to be a thrilling fight. And with Steward in his corner, Fury will have the support of one of the best trainers in the business, who will be working tirelessly to help him achieve his goal of knocking out Usyk.

In the world of mixed martial arts (MMA), trash talking, and callouts are commonplace. However, when Colby Covington, a former interim welterweight champion in UFC, issued an ultimatum to Leon Edwards, it was clear that the stakes had been raised. Covington has been very vocal in his desire to fight Edwards, who is currently ranked #1 in the welterweight division, ever since Dana White publicly announced that the American is next to face Leon Edwards in his second title defense bout. Whereas Edwards has his plans. He has accused Colby Covington of being privileged as he doesn’t stand next in line for the title statistically. With a potential fight between Burns and Masvidal scheduled, the Englishman must be looking at the winner for his next fight. Now, Covington has threatened to have Edwards stripped of his title if he continues to refuse to fight him. He said that the welterweight champion has no power to make any changes to the situation. "He gets stripped, he gets stripped of the title. He will get stripped. He's not the draw in this division, Mike, I'm the draw. Look at the numbers over the weekend, I didn't even fight, and my numbers towered over the main event." Chaos again mentioned that in his opinion, Rocky is not appealing and fails to offer the same or more entertainment factor in comparison to him. The 35-year-old said that the winner has no opportunity to make decisions and cited Conor McGregor, a former two-division fighter, as an example, saying: "There's no personality, no charisma. Same thing with Marty [Kamaru Usman], you know. Marty needs a belt to be relevant, he's not relevant either. Neither one of them are relevant, so for Leon to sit there and act like he's Conor McGregor. You're not Conor McGregor, bro. You don't get to call the shots, dude, like, you're a nobody." This is not the first time that Covington has used aggressive tactics to secure a fight. In 2019, he called out Usman after winning his interim title, and the two eventually faced off in one of the most highly anticipated fights of the year. While Covington lost that fight, he has continued to be a major player in the welterweight division and has been looking for his next big challenge. The question now is whether Covington's ultimatum will have any effect on Edwards. If Edwards does agree to the fight, it could be a major opportunity for him to prove that he is among the best welterweights in UFC. Whatever he decides, however, one thing is clear: the drama and excitement in the welterweight division of the UFC are far from over.

In one of the most interesting super middleweight matches on the boxing calendar, Jermell Charlo is clear about his allegiance. On March 25 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Showtime Pay-Per-View, two of the sport's top super middleweights, Caleb Plant of Ashland, Tennessee, and David Benavidez of Phoenix, Arizona, will square off in the arena for a 12-round, 168-pound fight. The fight pits two of the finest fighters in the division against one another in what should be an entertaining clash of styles: Plant's technical skill against Benavidez's volume-punching, come-forward approach. The undisputed 154-pound champion Charlo recently chimed in on the contest, giving Plant the advantage and calling Benavidez "one-dimensional." “Y’all already know, look, I’m rockin’ with Plant,” Charlo said in a video posted by StageFrontVIP. “Plant’s got the boxing skills, Benavidez [is] just one-dimensional. “He gonna come forward and he gonna put a lot of pressure, but y’all know—hey, styles make fights, and so it’s gonna be a good one. But y’all know I’m rockin’ with Plant.” Last month's press conference to announce Plant-Benavidez set the tone for their battle, with both competitors attempting to irritate one another. The 26-year-old Benavidez was much more outspoken and wasted no time in voicing his dislike for Plant, 30. Plant (22-1, 13 KOs) recently defeated Anthony Dirrell with a single punch at Barclays Arena in Brooklyn, New York. This was his first fight since being stopped by Canelo Alvarez in the 11th round of their 168-pound undisputed title bout in November 2021 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. In his most recent fight, Benavidez (26-0, 23 KOs) defeated David Lemieux at Glendale, Arizona's Gila River Arena in three rounds. After breaking his hand, Houston boxer Charlo (35-1-1, 19 KOs) had to cancel his battle with Tim Tszyu of Australia. Later this year, the two are anticipated to square off. Tszyu's performance last weekend, a ninth-round stoppage of Tony Harrison inside nine rounds in his hometown of Sydney, gave him more impetus for that fight. The only combatant to have defeated Charlo is Harrison.