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Roy Jones Thinks Chris Eubank's Recent Upset Loss Might Compel Him to Become a Better Listener Following Chris Eubank Jr's recent loss to Liam Smith in January, Roy Jones, the Hall of Fame fighter and trainer of Eubank, believes the British middleweight may become a better listener. Eubank's knockout loss to Smith came as a shock to the boxing world, as he is known for his durability. Jones, who has trained Eubank for his last several fights, has suggested that Eubank's unwillingness to concede body shots in order to preserve his head might have led to his downfall. According to Jones, Eubank would rather take a punch to the head than one to the body, and that kind of thinking was what led to the disastrous result in Manchester. Jones has been trying to teach Eubank that sometimes taking a body shot can be the better option, but Eubank had expressed a preference for taking head shots instead. However, Jones believes that the loss to Smith might make Eubank more receptive to his training advice. "I know he never been hurt or ever been down before, but I felt he got an elbow before he got caught but still the elbow was to the head," Jones said on The DAZN Boxing Show. "And you never know what happens when you get hit in your head a certain way. And that’s really what I was trying to tell him. Why you gonna give a body shot up as opposed to a head shot? A head shot can cause damage. And you don’t know until after it happens. So if you take the body shot, you don’t take that risk. But he had never been hurt before so he didn’t understand that." Eubank has activated his rematch clause with Smith, but the two have not yet finalized a deal. Eubank has also been rumored to be considering a fight with Conor Benn in a middleweight bout on June 3 in Abu Dhabi. Eubank and Benn were meant to face each other in a 157-pound catchweight bout last year that capitalized on their fathers' rivalry in the 1990s. However, a few days before the fight, Benn was revealed to have failed a performance-enhancing drug test.

Raymond Ford Looks to Prove Himself Against Jessie Magdaleno More than a year ago, Raymond Ford was at a pivotal moment in his career. His hard-fought decision win over Edward Vazquez in their February 2022 battle of unbeaten prospects didn’t exactly resonate with the masses. Some observers even thought that Vazquez deserved the win. However, Ford wasn’t interested in taking a step back in his career development. Instead, the unbeaten southpaw from Camden, New Jersey, decided to take a step forward. He won more decisive victories over undefeated Richard Medina and featherweight gatekeeper Sakaria Lukas, rounding out a three-win 2023 run. Ford and his team then started seeking even bigger challenges for a 2023 campaign that he hoped would include a shot at his first major title. The search led Ford to former WBO junior featherweight titlist Jessie Magdaleno, whom he will face in a scheduled twelve-round featherweight contest. The bout is part of a four-fight DAZN show from Boeing Center at Tech Port in San Antonio, Texas. “We were looking at anyone that would represent the toughest, biggest fight of my career,” Ford said of his first bout of this year. “I’m already ranked by the sanctioning bodies. So, yeah, I believe I’m a contender now. But this fight will prove it if anyone doesn’t already believe it.” Magdaleno’s name was always in the mix, but it was a matter of which established fighter would accept the assignment. The 31-year-old Las Vegas-bred southpaw answered the call, as he seeks to extend his current four-fight win streak. All four wins come after his title reign ended in an eleventh-round knockout to then-unbeaten Isaac Dogboe in April 2018 at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia—the same venue which would host Ford’s pro debut eleven months later. Needless to say, Magdaleno represents by far the most established opponent that Ford will face as a pro. “I feel like it was a fight that could separate me from the other top prospects, that’s why I wanted it,” insisted Ford, who signed with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing following a stellar amateur career that included the 2018 National Golden Gloves championship. “We were looking at anyone that would represent the toughest fight of my career. “So, it was very important to get this fight lined up. I was excited, I was happy when we heard Jesse accepted it. I needed this fight to start my year, so that we can get that title shot for my next fight.” Headlining the show is local favorite and former WBC junior bantamweight titlist Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez and Mexico’s Cristian Gonzalez, who will vie for the vacant WBO flyweight title. This marks the third time that Ford will appear in a DAZN-aired supporting bout on a show headlined by Rodriguez. Among the names sought out by the 24-year-old southpaw and his team, which includes manager Brian Peters, were former two-division titlist Kiko Martinez. The Spaniard was strongly considered to land the assignment, but he booked another fight—an IBF title eliminator versus Japan’s Reiya Abe. Ford, who has a record of 13-0-1 with 7 KOs, is confident that his bout against Magdaleno will prove that he is a legitimate contender. If he is successful, he hopes to secure a title shot in his next fight.

About three months have passed since Francis Ngannou formally became an independent free agent. The move saw him relinquish the UFC heavyweight title and leave MMA's top organization due to a long-running contractual issue that could not be resolved. Several organizations have shown interest in obtaining the Cameroonian's signature since then. The first promotion to do so in the immediate aftermath was the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. BKFC's social media account hinted at a pursuit of the free agent, and its president David Feldman acknowledged that his company was "extremely interested" in signing Ngannou, calling him a "perfect fit" for the bare-knuckle organization. Feldman spoke during the press conference for BKFC 41 on Tuesday, which will feature former UFC champion Luke Rockhold vs. Mike Perry and lightweight great Eddie Alvarez vs. Chad Mendes. During the press conference, Feldman was asked about the latest developments in his talks with Ngannou. While the founder and president of BKFC stated that he has spoken with "The Predator," he labeled the former UFC fighter's financial demands as "unrealistic." "Francis Ngannou, he’s somebody we’ve certainly reached out to," Feldman said. "We’ve reached out to him, we’ve reached out to his team, and we just feel like he’s asking for unrealistic money. We’re not willing to pay that kind of money for him." "I do think he needs to make his mind up pretty soon,” Feldman asserted. “As the days go on, his value is starting to drop a little bit." Although Ngannou has expressed a desire to return to MMA, among other things, it appears that his immediate priorities are in the ring.

George “El Yuyu” Acosta Set to Face Blas Ezequiel Caro in Thompson Boxing’s “New Blood” Main Event Whittier, CA – Super featherweight rising prospect George “El Yuyu” Acosta (14-1, 2 KO) will return to the ring on Friday, April 21, against Blas Ezequiel Caro (9-5, 4 KOs) of Rosario, Argentina. The eight-round bout will serve as the main event on Thompson Boxing’s “New Blood” card, taking place at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, CA. Acosta, who is on a seven-fight winning streak, is excited to continue his momentum with another victory. “Staying busy is a blessing and I’m happy to be returning to the ring for the second time this year,” said Acosta. “I have big plans to make a nice run this year, and I know a win will keep me on track. I’m going to put on a great show for all my hometown fans who will be in attendance.” However, Caro is equally motivated and confident, stating from his training camp in Argentina, “I’ve seen Acosta fight and I see a lot of flaws in his style. He is not as strong as I am, and I’ll be coming into this fight in great shape. I’m going to stop him if I get him hurt, that you can bet on.” In the co-main event, Rigoberto Hermosillo (12-4-1, 9 KOs) of Los Angeles, CA, will take on Walter Santibanes (11-2, 2 KOs) of Phoenix, AZ, in an eight-round featherweight bout. The undercard will feature a lightweight six-round battle between Ruben Islas (6-1, 5 KOs) of Rialto, CA, and Francisco Duque (1-2) of Guadalupe, Mexico. Super featherweight Anthony Chavez (9-3-1, 3 KOs) of Redlands, CA, will face battle-tested veteran Dihul Olguin (15-30-5, 10 KOs) of Guadalupe, Mexico, in another six-round bout. The card will open with a four-round welterweight bout between Kevin Sagado (1-1) of Murrieta, CA, and Steven Walker (pro debut) of Lancaster, CA. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the first bout starts at 8:00 p.m. Tickets for “New Blood” are priced at $40, $60, and $100 and are available for purchase online at ThompsonBoxing.com or by calling 714-935-0900.

Belal Muhammad, the UFC welterweight contender, is not one to back down from a challenge. In a recent interview, he made it clear that he wants to face the former champion, Kamaru Usman, in his next fight. Muhammad has been on a hot streak in the division, with four wins in his last five fights, and he believes that a victory over Usman would solidify his status as one of the top fighters in the weight class. The welterweight division of the UFC is currently experiencing some wild competition. The current champion Leon Edwards has achieved his second consecutive victory over Kamaru Usman. He will now take against Colby Covington, who is rated #2, in his upcoming defense. A few candidates may have been left out in the cold due to the haste with which this matchup was made. Among them is Belal Muhammad. Given that Muhammad had won eight straight bouts with his lone loss coming in a no-contest against Edwards, many people thought he was going to be next in line for a championship challenge. Muhammad is currently without even a matchup and does not have a clear road to a championship chance as a result. But he does have a strategy for getting there. Muhammad has been steadily rising the rankings over the past few years. He is the only man other than Edwards in the top five with a winning streak of over six in the UFC. He wanted the next shot at the belt but now thinks he knows a way to be undeniably next, he wants to take out Usman. He spoke about this to Jesse on Fire on YouTube. “I’m looking at it and I’m looking at the landscape and I’m like I do think it needs to be somebody that is considered “the guy,” he said. “I think that Kamaru, ex-champion, he beat Colby twice I think that fight makes all the sense in the world. He was a guy that people considered the GOAT from the welterweight division, I go out there and like you said starch him, beat him dominantly there’s no denying me after that right?” Conor McGregor is one of the things that may get in the middle of Muhammad. Eventually this year, McGregor will compete against Michael Chandler at 170 pounds; if he wins, he will be eligible for a championship chance. Jorge Masvidal, who will be battling Gilbert Burns this week, has also requested the shot. Muhammad intends to defeat Usman and garner media attention in the process. Usman should indeed engage in combat first, though. If Muhammad does get his wish and faces Usman in his next fight, it would undoubtedly be one of the biggest matchups of the year. The welterweight division has been one of the most competitive in the UFC in recent years, with a host of top-level fighters vying for the title. A fight between Muhammad and Usman would not only be a clash between two of the best welterweights in the world but also a battle between two fighters with vastly different styles.

The welterweight superfight between Terence Crawford of the WBO and Errol Spence Jr. of the IBF, WBA, and WBC to determine an undisputed champion will eventually take place on June 17 in Las Vegas, according to sources who spoke to The Ring. The formal announcement is anticipated to be made on April 22 during the Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia fight. After Crawford's promotional contract with Top Rank ended last year, allowing Crawford to negotiate with Premier Boxing Champions, led by Al Haymon, the two had engaged in lengthy, drawn-out discussions. The parties engaged in lengthy back-and-forth talks but were unable to reach a compromise; as a result, Crawford abandoned the agreement and engaged in combat with David Avanesyan. Keith Thurman, the former unified 147-pound champion, was supposed to be Spence's opponent in late 2022, but the Texan withdrew due to a traffic incident. Early in 2023 was the scheduled time for that battle, but nothing ever came of it. In late January, Crawford met with Golden Boy executives Oscar De La Hoya and Bernard Hopkins at their headquarters in Los Angeles to discuss signing a deal. Crawford's mandatory opponent according to the WBO is Alexis Rocha, but it seems like the Puerto Rican governing body will let Crawford fight Spence first. Many of the talks last year took place in front of the public. The main players this time seem to have settled matters behind closed doors. Additionally, the fact that Spence-Thurman, Crawford-Rocha, and Crawford signing with Golden Boy are no longer being discussed favors one of the greatest and biggest bouts ever. For 413 weeks, Crawford, the third-ranked boxer in The Ring's pound-for-pound rankings, has maintained that position. While Spence, who is rated No. 4 on The Ring's pound-for-pound list, has been there for 290 weeks. The contest would also be for the vacant Ring welterweight championship and possibly for the title of top pound-for-pound boxer in the globe.

Robert Whittaker, the former UFC middleweight champion, has recently made headlines after he denied ever being offered a fight with rising star Khamzat Chimaev. The Australian fighter, who is currently ranked as the #2 contender in the division, has been the subject of much speculation about his next opponent. However, it seems that a potential bout with Chimaev is not on the cards, at least for the time being. During a recent episode of The MMA Hour, Chimaev revealed to Ariel Helwani that the former middleweight champion was the opponent in a couple of matches he was recommended after winning at UFC 279 against Kevin Holland. Whittaker provided his perspective on the matter on his podcast MMArcade. “Someone said that Chimaev said that they offered me a fight and that I turned it down,” Whittaker said. “I was never offered a fight with Chimaev, and that’s that. “I haven’t been offered any fight. I’ve been just waiting.” After his match against Marvin Vettori at UFC Paris in November of last year, "The Reaper" has not competed inside the octagon. The former champion completely controlled that match. That evening, Whittaker defeated "The Italian Dream" by unanimous decision in an overwhelming fashion. After the victory, a matchup between the previous champion and Paulo Costa was mentioned. The Eraser was undergoing contract terms troubles with the UFC at the time, thus that bout never happened. Whittaker was called out by Khamzat Chimaev after his scheduled match with the Brazilian was scrapped. He had been advised by the UFC to follow how it unfolded in the division afterward. The outcome of Saturday's middleweight title fight between Alex Pereira and Israel Adesanya, might very well influence what comes through for "The Reaper." “I’ve been talking with the UFC, and the communication has been, ‘Let’s wait and see what happens with this title shot,’” Whittaker explained. “I have not received any sort of written contract that says, ‘Do you want to fight Chimaev in x, y, or z?’ That’s not something that has been presented to me. So just clarifying that.” The potential matchup between Whittaker and the Adesanya-Pereira winner is an exciting prospect for fans of the sport. Whittaker and Adesanya have already fought twice before, with Adesanya coming out on top in a thrilling encounter both times. A trilogy between the two would undoubtedly be a huge draw for the UFC if Adesanya manages to prevail against his bitter rival Alex Pereira this weekend. Either way, Whittaker seems to be next in line for another title shot.

Even after retiring, Amir Khan still has to contend with the effects of a prior drug test result. The former unified junior welterweight champion and silver medalist at the 2004 Olympics received a backdated two-year ban from all sports for breaking UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) regulations. The suspension was a result of Khan producing a positive drug test after his knockout loss to Kell Brook on February 19 of last year. Ostarine, an anabolic substance used to promote muscle development, was found in traces in a post-fight testing sample. According to a two-year suspension that began last April when the testing organisation informed the boxer of its results, Khan will continue to be suspended through next April 5, according to a UKAD announcement. “Mr. Khan's two-year ban is deemed to have commenced on April 6, 2022 and will expire on April 5, 2024,” UKAD declared in a statement released Tuesday. When an athlete is caught with and unable to successfully defend having a banned drug found in their system, the penalty is reduced by half from what is typically imposed under its "Strict Liability" laws. In a thorough report, UKAD concluded that "the objective scientific evidence rules out any intentional or careless behaviour by [Khan]." “It is inconceivable that he would have sought to ingest a micro-dose which would have been a fraction, at least 1,000 times less of a dose intended to provide any performance enhancement or any other competitive advantage.” Bolton's Khan, who is now 40, has maintained his innocence, which actually accords with UKAD's conclusion. “I have never cheated,” Khan told Sky Sports upon learning of the ruling. "The amount that was in my system could have come from shaking peoples' hands. I don't know what the drug was in my system. I will give my views, but, like I say, I have never cheated in my life. I would never cheat. “I am a retired fighter. You can see by my performance against Kell Brook [that it] wasn't the best. I lost the fight. If I went in there and knocked Kell Brook out it is different. I have never cheated in my life. I am the one who wanted the testing done.” When the post-fight testing sample was taken and until Tuesday's decision, more than 13 months later, BOXXER, who organized the event, was reportedly unaware of what was going on. Khan's most recent victory came in July 2019, when he defeated former featherweight champion Billy Dib in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in the fourth round of their welterweight match. With the loss to Brook, the well-liked British fighter's illustrious career came to an end. During that time, he had defeated eleven major champions, including six in real championship fights.

UFC superstar Dustin Poirier will make his debut as a desk analyst for the promotion this weekend at UFC 287. Dustin Poirier is one of the most popular fighters among his competitors. He's made quite a name for himself throughout his stint with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. From interim champion to absolute warfare spanning two weight classes, 'The Diamond' never disappoints. We most recently saw him in action at Madison Square Garden, where he defeated Michael Chandler. Since then, there have been numerous speculations about his future in the Octagon. Poirier, for the time being, will make his first appearance as a desk analyst on Saturday night. The post-fight program will be hosted by Michael Eaves in Miami, Florida. Din Thomas, along with Poirier, will be on the panel. Jon Anik, Joe Rogan, and Daniel Cormier will serve as commentators. Several have questioned Dustin Poirier's ability to compete at the highest level at the age of 34. He established that he can still compete against Chandler, but one has to ask how much more he needs to prove before getting a third shot at the undisputed UFC lightweight belt. A rematch with Justin Gaethje has been mooted as one option. The two have previously clashed, with Dustin emerging victorious.

Gabriel Silva, son of UFC legend Anderson Silva, is set to make his professional boxing debut on Friday, April 14 at the Commerce Casino in Los Angeles, CA. The event is promoted by Tom Loeffler’s 360 Promotions and will be broadcast live internationally on UFC Fight Pass. Silva, a 25-year-old native of Hawthorne, CA, will fight in a four-round middleweight bout. He has an impressive 8-1 record in professional kickboxing and has been training under the renowned Manny Robles. “I am very excited to be making my professional debut on April 14 at the Commerce Casino,” said Silva. “My trainer Manny Robles and I have been working very hard to put on a great show. Big thanks to my Dad for his support and to Tom Loeffler and 360 Promotions for this opportunity.” Anderson Silva is one of the most successful fighters in UFC history, and his son Gabriel is following in his footsteps. The elder Silva will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame this summer, and his son’s professional debut is sure to draw attention from fans all over the world. “We’re very excited to announce the addition of Gabriel Silva’s pro debut to this almost sold-out event on April 14,” said Loeffler. “Gabriel has been training diligently with Manny Robles, and we’re looking forward to a great performance for the fans in attendance and those watching on UFC FIGHT PASS.” The event on April 14 is expected to be a huge success, with only 100 tickets remaining for sale. The main event features a cross-town rivalry featherweight showdown between popular, hard-hitting Omar Cande Trinidad and Adan Ochoa, scheduled for eight rounds. Boxing fans won’t want to miss this exciting night of fights, and the opportunity to see Gabriel Silva make his professional debut.

Frazer Clarke Withdraws from Next Rumored Fight Date Due to Injury British Olympic bronze medallist Frazer Clarke has ruled himself out of his next rumored fight date due to an injury he sustained during his last bout. Clarke had been hoping to box on Boxxer’s May 6 show in Birmingham, which is headlined by his former amateur team-mate Joshua Buatsi, but he suffered a deep cut on his forehead after an early clash of heads against Bogdan Dinu. Clarke secured another stoppage victory against Dinu, needing only two rounds to dispose of him. But after the injury, the 31-year-old boxer has opted to prioritize his health and recovery, despite promoter Ben Shalom’s optimism that he would still be able to fight. “As a promoter, he’s very optimistic,” Clarke said in a recent interview with the BBC 5 Live Boxing podcast with Steve Bunce, “but I’m the captain of this ship and my priority is to have a healthy head. I don’t want to get any more cuts and we’re looking to the future and to longevity. If it’s right, I’ll box, but if it’s not –– and it’s probably not going to be –– it’s a no-go.” Clarke’s withdrawal from the May 6 show means he will have to wait for his next chance to step into the ring. Nonetheless, his undefeated record and impressive performances in his last six fights have solidified his status as one of the most promising prospects in British boxing.

Gervonta Davis Unimpressed with Ryan Garcia's Skillset The highly anticipated fight between two undefeated boxing stars, Gervonta "Tank" Davis and Ryan Garcia, is set to take place on April 22nd at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. At the kickoff press conference at The Beverly Hilton, Davis and Garcia exchanged heated words, with Davis expressing his lack of concern for Garcia's skillset. Davis, known for his knockout power, declared that Garcia is a one-dimensional fighter who relies solely on his left hook. He challenged Garcia, asking what else he had to offer besides the one punch. Davis emphasized the importance of being a complete fighter and having multiple tools in one's arsenal, rather than depending on a single punch. Garcia has stopped four out of his last five opponents with his left hook, but Davis remains unimpressed with his resume. Despite this, Davis acknowledged that Garcia will be his toughest test yet in his 10-year career. He emphasized that the fight is about him getting over the hump and solidifying his status as a top fighter in the sport. The Baltimore-bred knockout artist also pointed out Garcia's vulnerability, referencing his knockdown by Luke Campbell. Davis confidently stated that he hits harder than Campbell and will be able to put Garcia to sleep in their upcoming bout. Davis concluded by urging fans to tune in for what he predicts will be an explosive fight. He encouraged those who cannot attend in person to purchase the pay-per-view, emphasizing that this is a fight that no boxing fan should miss. The stage is set for an intense showdown between Davis and Garcia, with both fighters putting their undefeated records on the line. Boxing enthusiasts around the world are eagerly anticipating the outcome of this highly anticipated matchup.