Boxing

RYAN GARCIA called out Gervonta Davis for a blockbuster bout – and promised to ‘put him to sleep’.
And he even claimed his rival’s stunning KO of Leo Santa Cruz did not scare him at all.

Gervonta Davis landed a staggering left uppercut to knock Leo Santa Cruz out

Floyd Mayweather’s prodigy Davis, 25, landed the brutal left uppercut in the sixth round of Saturday night’s bout to reclaim the WBA super-middleweight belt and move to 24-0.
But fellow American Garcia, 22, reckons seeing the stoppage had no effect on him whatsoever.
He said: “It didn’t even make my pulse go up.”
Instead, Garcia insists he has every confidence of going toe to toe with Tank – and coming out on top.

He told TMZ: “Don’t run away from the specialness. I can hit like that too. I can hit like that too.
“I’m extremely confident I’d beat that boy down. He’s just a big bully.
“We all know we can both knock people out. We all know we can put people to sleep that don’t belong in the ring with us.
“But, one day we got to step up and go against someone who can also get slept. And, that’s what I’m trying to do.

Ryan Garcia insists he is not at all scared of Davis’ devastating powerCredit: Getty Images – Getty

“I’m trying to get in there and give fans a fight they’ll remember for the rest of their lives.”
The 20-0 Garcia faces Luke Campbell on December 5 in California for the WBC interim lightweight title.
But many boxing fans expect a mammoth showdown between The Flash and Davis to take place before too long.

Gervonta Davis says once he saw Leo Santa Cruz fall he went into a different mode and worried if he was ok More

CLARESSA SHIELDS revealed she punched Eddie Hearn “in the gut” at an airport – but insisted she will “love him forever” if he secures her a rematch with Savannah Marshall.
Shields, 25, has just a single defeat in 88 fights across both her amateur and professional careers.

Claressa Shields revealed she gave Eddie Hearn a dig at an airport but will ‘love him forever’ if he secures her a fight with Savannah MarshallCredit: Twitter / @Claressasheilds

That came against Marshall when the Brit stopped her in the second round of their bout in 2012 at the AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships in Qinhuangdao.
Marshall, 29, beat compatriot Hannah Rankin with a staggering performance on Saturday night to claim the WBO female middleweight title.
And she immediately called out Shields – the two-time Olympic champion and holder of the other three middleweight belts – for a pro rematch.
But in a video recorded in a car and posted on Twitter, Shields hit back – and ordered Matchroom chief Hearn to help out.

The American said: “Savannah Marshall this, Savannah Marshall that – come on! I’m tired of talking about it. I’ve been wanting to smoke with her, she knows that.
“Y’all know what’s up, y’all know everybody from the UK all they can do is talk s***, y’all can’t do nothing else but that.
“Y’all can’t talk about that s***… box better than me? All you can say is, ‘Oh she beat you when you were in amateurs, she beat you eight years ago.’
“That’s all y’all can say, that’s it.

Matchroom chief Hearn saw the American champion in an airport and was told to get the fight arrangedCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

“Eddie Hearn knows I told him that. ‘You give me a fight with Savannah Marshall, I’ll love you forever.’ I told him that to his face.
“He said, ‘I’m gonna take your word on it.’
“I said, ‘I’m telling you – you give me the fight with Savannah Marshall, I’ll love you forever.’
“Then I saw him at the airport and I punched him in the gut. A little tap tap, but I put a little bit on him. Not a lot but just enough to make him feel it.
“Listen, I like Eddie Hearn, he’s a cool dude with a lot of personality but in boxing he will sell away your dream and I ain’t got time for that s***.”
After a 77-1 record in amateurs, Shields has won all ten of her bouts since turning pro.
She has already racked up world titles at three different weight classes in record speed across men’s and women’s boxing.
In her most recent fight, Shields saw off Croatian Ivana Habazin in January to add the WBO and WBC light middleweight belts to her growing collection.

Shields won 77 of 78 amateur fights and remains undefeated in all ten since going proCredit: AP:Associated Press

Savannah Marshall (right) saw off fellow Brit Hannah Rankin to claim the WBO female middleweight title on SaturdayCredit: ©Dave Thompson/Route One Ltd

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ALEX SAUCEDO has been forced to retire from boxing after suffering brain bleeds.
The American, 26, lost on points to Arnold Barboza Jr last month on the undercard of Vasyl Lomachenko’s defeat to Teofimo Lopez.

Alex Saucedo, 26, is retiring from boxing after suffering brain bleeds in his fight last monthCredit: Getty Images – Getty

The American lost his one title fight, to Maurice Hooker in 2018Credit: Getty Images – Getty

But a ferocious contest, which featured a clash of heads in the first round, led to Saucedo suffering severe injuries.
Having spent three nights in hospital in Las Vegas, the junior welterweight fighter has been forced to call it a day.
Speaking to ESPN, quoted by BoxingScene, he stated: “My career is done.
“But I’m glad to be alive.

“I’ve never seen another fighter come out alive after one of these.
“But if I get hit again, I might not be able to talk about it.”

Saucedo said he felt off after the first round clash of heads – although it is not known for certain exactly what caused the injuries.
Two bleeds on the brain, said to measure six millimetres and ten millimetres, were discovered after the fight.

And Saucedo, who has two children, calls time on a ring career that included 30 victories, 19 knockouts and just two defeats.
His single world title fight came in November 2018, losing to Maurice Hooker in his hometown of Oklahoma City with the WBO junior welterweight belt on the line.

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DEREK CHISORA has sensationally offered to step in for coronavirus-stricken Alexander Povetkin and face Dillian Whyte in a trilogy bout.
The astonishing turnaround would come just three weeks after his loss against Oleksandr Usyk.

Derek Chisora recently lost to Oleksandr UsykCredit: ©Dave Thompson/Route One Ltd

Dillian Whyte is seeking a new opponent after Alexander Povetkin pulled out of their clash later this monthCredit: Mark Robinson

Chisora told promoter Eddie Hearn on Instagram: “Do you want to give me that fight? I’ll take that.
“Want to give it to me? I have no bruises, I’m ready to rock and roll.
“It’s all about making history, think about it, let me know and I’ll take it.”
Chisora was narrowly beaten by split-decision against Whyte in 2016, but suffered a knockout defeat two years later in the rematch.

His manager David Haye had already called for a third fight, but wanted the 36-year-old to enjoy a good rest after taking Usyk, 33, all 12 rounds.
Haye told  Sky Sports: “He called me this morning and said he’s ready to get back in. ‘I can do better next time.’
“I told him, ‘You need to chill. Take some time off. Put your feet up. Don’t think about boxing for a while.”
But the Haymaker then posted a video online to confirm Chisora is willing to slot in for Povetkin.

‘Del Boy’, now known as ‘War’, is eligible to box whenever he pleases despite going the distance with Usyk.
Had he suffered a stoppage defeat, he may well have been place under a 28 or 45 day medical suspension.
Whyte, 32, was set to rematch Povetkin 41, on November 28, having been KO’d in August.
But the fight is now set to be rescheduled after the Russian tested positive for Covid-19.
Despite Chisora’s replacement offer, Hearn would seemingly be more interested in seeing Whyte fight Tyson Fury.
Fury is due to return to the ring on December 5 in his UK homecoming, in a tune-up before an undisputed title decider with Anthony Joshua, 31, next year.
But Hearn revealed Whyte is prepared to shelve revenge on Povetkin to instead jump in and face the Gypsy King, 32.

Dillian Whyte v Tyson Fury anyone? 🤔
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) November 3, 2020

He said: “Fury is looking for an opponent, Whyte is ready to go. Why not? We would jump into that.
“Honestly, from our side, we wouldn’t be difficult in making that fight at all.
“I know Fury and his team are looking for an easy fight in December. I don’t blame them.
“They are just coming off the Deontay Wilder fight and are looking to fight Anthony Joshua next year.
“But Whyte is more than ready and willing to jump into that fight on December 5. It’s a phone call away.
“If Fury wants a real fight, [Whyte] is there. We would definitely be willing to have a discussion about that fight.
“Obviously if Fury wants a more straightforward fight, we understand that as well. Certainly we are looking to step in and take that fight.”

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MANNY PACQUIAO had a ‘multi-million dollar’ offer from the Middle East to rematch Floyd Mayweather, reports say.
But Pacquiao’s chance to avenge the 2015 points defeat was scrapped amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Manny Pacquiao had a ‘multi-million dollar’ offer from the Middle East to rematch Floyd MayweatherCredit: AFP – Getty

Mayweather beat Pacquiao on points in 2015 Credit: AP:Associated Press

According to World Boxing News, Middle Eastern money men had an ‘interest’ in throwing millions of dollars at a rematch between the legends.
But the Covid-19 crisis is said to have prevented any proposals from moving forward.
And Mayweather, 43, recently confirmed he has no interest in returning to fight active boxers anyway.
But he is instead interested in facing MMA stars in exhibition bouts, like he did against featherweight kickboxer Tenshin Naswukawa in 2018.

Mayweather last fought as a pro in 2017 after stopping ex-UFC champion Conor McGregor in ten rounds.
He did announce last November that he was ‘coming out of retirement’ and would work with UFC boss Dana White on a comeback.
The two are still in talks, and Mayweather has teased a return to the ring all year having posted training clips and photos online.
But his chances of rematching McGregor, 32, took a hit after the Irishman revealed he was negotiating a fight with Pacquiao, 41.

Mayweather stopped Conor McGregor in round ten in 2017Credit: Reuters

The southpaw is instead now focussing his efforts on coming back to the UFC, having been offered a rematch against Dustin Poirier, who he beat in 2014.
He did, however, confirm fighting Poirier, 31, would provide him with preparation to face fellow left-hander PacMan next year.
McGregor tweeted last month: “Correct. Southpaw box style.
“Continue to sharpen my MMA skills with some tough competition, while leading into my Manny bout preparation.
“It’s not easy going between both sports and then coming back to the one sport again.
“Just want to keep sharp guys, that’s all. It’s only fair.”

Correct. Southpaw box style. Continue to sharpen my MMA skills with some tough competition, while leading into my Manny bout preparation.It’s not easy going between both sports and then coming back to the one sport again.Just want to keep sharp guys, that’s all. It’s only fair. https://t.co/PnjHb4VP9j
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) October 13, 2020

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FORMER NHL star Georges Laraque has called out Mike Tyson and claimed a deal is ’75 per cent done’.
Tyson is three weeks away from his first fight in 15 years, as he faces Roy Jones Jr in an eight-round exhibition.

Ex-NHL star Georges Laraque has called out Mike TysonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Tyson faces Roy Jones Jr in an eight-round exhibitionCredit: Instagram / @miketyson

But according to Laraque, an ex-hockey enforcer who had several brawls in his playing days, he will be the next man to fight Iron Mike.
He told 91.9 Sports: “Things are moving forward, things are moving forward very well, on Wednesday I will be able to provide more details.
“We are at about 75 per cent of the way there.”
Canadian Laraque, who stands 6ft 3in, starred in the NHL from 1996–2010 before retiring.

He did make a return in 2015 but it only lasted for two games before he left the sport again.
The 43-year-old has never fought professionally before, but did once grapple with countryman Georges St-Pierre in the UFC legend’s gym.
After Tyson announced shock plans to fight again, he was confronted with several wildcard options ahead of his comeback.
Australian rugby stars, Tyson Fury’s dad and MMA legends were all wanting to fight him.

But Iron Mike insisted he wanted to box a real challenger and chose American great Jones, 51.
They headline on November 28, which comes 17 years after talks for Jones – who had just won the heavyweight belt – to face Tyson collapsed.
Iron Mike, who retired in 2005, has dramatically transformed his body after announcing shock plans to return to the ring.
And Tyson’s Brazilian trainer Rafael Cordeiro revealed the pay-per-view spectacle will not be a one off.
Cordeiro said: “He is very happy to do three more fights next year and suddenly fight for great things.”

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