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      Jake Paul confirms rules for Gervonta Davis fight despite FIVE STONE weight difference with exhibition in works for 2025

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      JAKE PAUL has confirmed what the rules will be in a fight against Gervonta Davis – with talks for an exhibition underway. The two were close to announcing a shock bout despite their huge weight difference. Jake Paul has teased an exhibition fight against Gervonta DavisCredit: SportsfileDavis fights five stone lighter than Jake PaulCredit: Getty Images – GettyBut Davis controversially drew with Lamont Roach in March with the pair to rematch in the summer. And Paul told Ariel Helwani: “That was on the one-yard line as well but he has to rematch Lamont Roach. “He wants to get that back. Then we’ll be back in discussions with Mr. Gervonta. “But this is the nature of boxing, you have massive fights on the one-yard line but things just fall through.” READ MORE IN BOXINGPaul’s last fight was up at heavyweight when Mike Tyson controversially made a comeback aged 58.But a huge 100 MILLION tuned in to watch on Netflix as Paul won an eight-round decision in Texas.He was then closing in on a deal to fight Canelo Alvarez, 34, back down at cruiserweight on May 3 in Las Vegas. But Canelo walked away from the deal to instead sign with Saudi Arabia’s Turki Alalshikh, beating William Scull, 32, in Riyadh in May. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSSo after Davis’ draw with Roach in New York, Paul watched another mega-fight fall by the wayside. He said: “I never really thought Tank was that good it would just take the right fighter to pick him apart, to be honest. Tyson Fury’s DMs to Jake Paul leaked ahead of potential Tommy rematch”Someone who had high activity and wasn’t afraid of his power. So, I always saw so many holes in his game. “To me it wasn’t that surprising that someone finally gave him some good work.” Paul, 28, now returns on June 28 against ex-middleweight world champion Julio Cesar Chavez, 39, back down at cruiserweight. But the 14st 4lb limit of 200lb is still FIVE STONE above the 9st 9lb lightweight division of 135lb where Davis reigns as WBA champ. As a result, a bout with Paul would not be able to be professionally sanctioned due to the size difference. So the YouTuber-turned-boxer admitted it would be an exhibition, over ten, three minute rounds where he would weigh no more than 195lb. Paul added: “No restrictions. Just the fact that we couldn’t actually get it professionally sanctioned.” The American is now eyeing the fight for the end of the year after his return against Chavez – son of the legendary Julio Cesar Sr. Paul said: “We’re working on it behind the scenes to make that happen. “Obviously, that’s a fight where the fans are going to win, and it’s going to be the biggest event of the year.Read More on The Sun“I’ll give anybody the smoke. I am just getting warmed up in the sport.”I want big money fights and tough opponents. I want to become a world champion. You’re going to see me be very active.”Jake Paul returns against Julio Cesar Chavez JrCredit: Splash More

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      Mike Balogun is the former NFL star who knocked out the son of a heavyweight legend and now faces Brit star Moses Itauma

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      MIKE BALOGUN is the former NFL star-turned-heavyweight boxer daring to take out feared Brit Moses Itauma. Itauma is only 20 years old and 11 bouts into his professional career but has struck fear into the division with nine brutal knockouts. Mike Balogun is the former NFL star-turned-heavyweight boxerCredit: GettyTrey Lippe McKenzie, son of ex-champ Tommy, and BalogunCredit: GettyBalogun faces Moses ItaumaCredit: GettyHe has even been dubbed the next Mike Tyson – who became the youngest heavyweight champion of all time aged 20. Finding willing opponents to put their reputation on the line against the youngster from London has proved to be Itauma’s toughest fight so far. But stepping up this Saturday in Scotland on Josh Taylor’s undercard is southpaw Balogun. The 6ft 1in American first made his name in the NFL, playing for the likes of the San Francisco 49ers, the Buffalo Bills and the Dallas Cowboys.READ MORE IN BOXINGBut his career as a linebacker came to an end in 2012 – by that time he had already trained in boxing as part of his American football regime. It was only after being released by the Virginia Destroyers that Balogun decided to cross over to professional boxing. He made his debut in 2014 and his career transformation was underway. Balogun’s biggest win to date came in 2021 when he knocked out Trey Lippe Morrison – son of the late former world champion Tommy. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe 41-year-old suffered his first and only defeat in 2023 to Murat Gassiev – who lost his cruiserweight titles to Oleksandr Usyk five years earlier. Balogun will come to the UK with nothing to lose meanwhile Itauma is tipped for greatness. Moses Itauma, 20, lined up for sensational world title fight against Oleksandr Usyk this yearHis promoter Frank Warren has already warned not to rule out a world title fight in the future with Usyk, 38. Meanwhile Martin Bakole, 31, and Filip Hrgovic, 32, are two others on Itauma’s radar. Warren told BoxNation: “Billy Nelson (trainer of Bakole) sent me a text about him making the fight at the end of the year or next year.“Moses is not sitting around waiting for him, is he? He’s gonna get on with his business and who knows, I would expect by the end of this year for Moses to have at least another three fights. “I haven’t got to drum up Bakole in my job, I’m in the Moses Itauma business and that’s all I care about.  “I think that’s [Itauma and Hrgovic] also a good fight to make. I wouldn’t have a problem doing that sometime this year.”Itauma is tipped for greatness in the heavyweight divisionCredit: PA More

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      Josh Taylor open to exhibition with returning Manny Pacquiao, 46, having named his late DOG after boxing great

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      JOSH TAYLOR is open to sharing the ring with Manny Pacquiao – having named his late DOG after the boxing hero. The Filipino great is on the verge of announcing a shock comeback aged 46 to fight WBC welterweight world champion Mario Barrios. Josh Taylor with his his late dog MannyTaylor got his dog tattooed on him following Manny’s passingManny Pacquiao is back in training for a comebackPacquiao was once a dream bout for Taylor – who named his pet Staffordshire Bull Terrier after PacMan. Sadly, Taylor’s Staffie passed away in 2020 but he commemorated his beloved dog with a tattoo on his thigh. And he would also be ready to honour Pacquiao in the form of an exhibition bout. Taylor told The Herald: “Listen, I would absolutely give my left foot to share a ring with my hero. It would be absolutely amazing. READ MORE IN BOXING”But as a competitive fight, I don’t think I would want it. What’s in it really for me is a lose-lose. “If I go in there and I win, I’ve beaten up a 46-year-old Manny Pacquiao. Or if I go in there and I lose, I’ve lost to a 46-year-old Manny Pacquiao. “So, it’s a lose-lose situation. But in terms of just going in there and doing an exhibition, just sharing the same ring with my hero, would be absolutely fantastic.”Pacquiao retired in 2021 after defeat to Yordenis Ugas but following a failed presidential campaign in the Philippines he is returning to boxing. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAnd he was controversially slotted fifth in the WBC rankings – despite not winning a fight for six years. Taylor also now moves up to welterweight after dropping his 140lb WBO title to Teofimo Lopez in 2023 before losing his rematch to Jack Catterall last May. Josh Taylor reveals his toughest ever fight that left him peeing BLOOD for five days and unable to walkThe Scot faces former British champion Ekow Essuman, 36, up at 147lb on Saturday in Glasgow with the WBO European belt at stake. Taylor said: “It’s good because it gives me a title, which then gives me a ranking on the world scene. “But at this point in my career I’m just thinking one fight at a time. I made that mistake in the lead-up to the [first] Jack Catterall fight, looking at what was going to be after it. “And I almost paid the price for it. So I’m not making that mistake again. I know there won’t be a shortage of options moving up and moving forward at welterweight.“I’m only 34. I didn’t turn pro until I was 25, you know? So it’s not like I’ve been pro since I was 16 or 17 and been in loads and loads of wars. I’m still fresh.”Taylor steps up to welterweight to fight Ekow EssumanCredit: Queensberry Promotions More

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      Nino Benvenuti dead at 87: Two-weight undisputed world champion and Olympic gold medallist passes away

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      BOXING great Nino Benvenuti has died at the age of 87.Benvenuti, widely considered as Italy’s greatest ever fighter, became world champion in two weight classes and won three world titles.Italian boxing legend Nino Benvenuti has died at the age of 87Benvenuti became world champion in two classes, light middleweight and middleweightBenvenuti held the undisputed super-welterweight championship from June 1965 to June 1966.He also held the undisputed middleweight championship twice, from April to September 1967, and from March 1968 to November 1970. He boasted a stunning record of 82 wins, including 35 knockouts, seven losses and one draw in his 90 professional boxing bouts.His three world title fights against Emile Griffith in 1967 and 1968 were epic battles.READ MORE BOXING NEWSBut Benvenuti’s amateur career was equally ground-breaking, losing just ONE of his 120 matches.The pinnacle of his amateur career came when he won Olympic gold at the Rome 1960 Games in the welterweight category, also receiving the prestigious Val Barker Trophy for boxing style. As an amateur, he won the Italian welterweight title from 1956 to 1960 and the European title in 1957 and 1959. Turning professional in 1961, Benvenuti eventually won the light-middleweight world championship in 1965 in front of a 40,000 crowd in Milan’s San Siro Stadium.Most read in BoxingBenvenuti lost just ONE of his 120 amateur matchesIn 1968, Benvenuti was named “Fighter of the Year” by Ring Magazine, the only Italian to receive this honour. In 1992, the Orthodox fighter became the first Italian to be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.Although never holding U.S. citizenship, he was also admitted to the National Italian-American Sports Hall of Fame for his achievements on American soil. He lost his last three fights, including two knockout defeats to Carlos Monzon.After retiring from the ring, Benvenuti’s movie star looks landed him a job in show business.He appeared in several Italian films such as “Vivi o preferibilmente morti” (1969) and “Mark il poliziotto spara per primo” (1975). He also worked as a sports commentator for RAI Italia and, since 1979, was registered with the Journalists’ Association.Benvenuti’s wife Nadì Bertorello died at the age of 75 after a short illness in January 2023. Benvenuti’s movie star looks landed him a job in show business after he retired from boxingBenvenuti’s stunning pro record in 90 fightsWins: 82Knockouts: 35Losses: SevenDraws: One More

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      Moses Itauma, 20, lined up for sensational world title fight against Oleksandr Usyk this year

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      FRANK WARREN warned not to rule out Moses Itauma fighting Oleksandr Usyk for the heavyweight title this year.Itauma has set the British boxing scene alight in just after just 11 bouts – delivering nine brutal knockouts. Moses Itauma could fight Oleksandr Usyk for the heavyweight title this yearCredit: PAUsyk only has two fights left in his careerCredit: GettyHe has even been dubbed the next Mike Tyson – who became the youngest heavyweight champion of all time aged 20. And Itauma’s promoter Warren has not ruled out the 20-year-old Londoner fighting for the world title or against Usyk in 2025.Warren told Sky Sports: “I think he could fight for a world title this year. Who knows? He may fight him [Usyk] this year. Anything’s possible. “We’ve got to see what happens but the thing is with Moses, I think within another fight or two he’s quite capable of being in exactly the same company as all these guys.READ MORE IN BOXING”He can be up there with all of them.”Usyk, 38, faces Daniel Dubois, 27, on July 19 at Wembley two years after beating him in Poland but only after low-blow controversy. The Ukrainian hopes to add to doubles over Tyson Fury, 36, and Anthony Joshua, 35, and warned he only had two fights left in his career. Itauma meanwhile knocked out Demsey McKean with a savage left hand in December and now returns on Saturday against American Mike Balogun.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSWarren said: “His last fight was a phenomenal performance. He was briefly in the ring but it’s not just the knockout, it’s how you do it.”He’s got an excellent boxing brain, he’s got a superb jab. He measures his punches. Moses Itauma ‘could beat’ Mike Tyson’s youngest heavyweight champ record after impressive first round KO of Demsey McKean”Especially young guys, when they’ve got someone in trouble they swarm them, they don’t get their distance. “He takes his time. He measures his shots before he throws them. He gets it dead on.”What is there not to like about him? He’s an exciting fighter.”Itauma knocked out Demsey McKean in his last fightCredit: Reuters More

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      Jake Paul issues update on Anthony Joshua fight and brutally reveals why he can KO former heavyweight champ

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      JAKE PAUL doubled down on fighting Anthony Joshua in 2026 – and says he even expects to knock out the former heavyweight champion. The YouTuber-turned-boxer brazenly called out AJ on his podcast – prompting Joshua to phone up Paul.Jake Paul doubled down on fighting Anthony Joshua in 2026Credit: SplashAJ and Jake Paul agreed to the fight over the phoneCredit: ReutersAnd the two are said to have struck a verbal agreement to fight next year – with Paul aiming a brutal dig at Joshua while vowing to KO him. He told Ariel Helwani: “Yeah, we talked on the phone for like ten minutes and we’re both down. I said 2026 and he was like, ‘Alright, let’s get it.’ “We’re gonna make it happen so I think that’s going to be a mega-fight next year and something fun to test my skills at heavyweight. “But I think his chin’s gone and especially if he fights another time or two in between the end of 2026. READ MORE IN BOXING”I love Anthony, he’s always supported me, I’ve always supported him but I just do believe I can beat him in a fight.” Paul’s last fight was up at heavyweight when Mike Tyson controversially made a comeback aged 58. But a huge 100 MILLION tuned in to watch on Netflix as Paul won an eight-round decision in Texas. He weighed 227lb (16st 2lb) which is still TWO STONE lighter than Joshua, 35, was before his September KO loss to Daniel Dubois, 27. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSNow Paul, 28, returns on June 28 back down at the 200lb cruiserweight limit of 14st 4lb against ex-middleweight champ Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, 39.It comes after Canelo Alvarez, 34, walked away from a shock deal to face Paul on May 3 in Las Vegas.Tyson Fury’s DMs to Jake Paul leaked ahead of potential Tommy rematchThe Mexican great instead signed a four-bout deal with Saudi Arabia’s Turki Alalshikh, beating William Scull, 32, to regain his undisputed throne. Now Canelo is due to take the 168lb super-middleweight title into a showdown with unbeaten American Terence Crawford, 37, in September. Paul was also linked with an exhibition bout against Gervonta Davis, 30, despite their SIX STONE weight difference. But Davis is set to rematch Lamont Roach, 29, in the summer after their controversial March draw.And Paul said: “That was on the one yard as well, but he has to rematch Lamont Roach.“He wants to get that back. Then we will be back in discussions with Mr. Gervonta.”But this is the nature of boxing, you have massive fights on the one-yard line and then they fall through.”Read More on The SunPaul revealed an exhibition – where he would weigh 195lb – over ten round is still on the table for Davis later in the year. He added: “We’re working on it behind the scenes to make that happen.” Gervonta Davis is set to rematch Lamont RoachCredit: AP More

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      ‘Deal done’ – Tyson Fury makes major announcement after business meeting with manager and dad John

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      TYSON FURY has inked a “deal” just hours after revealing he had a massive meeting on the cards.The Gypsy King revealed to his 6.4million Instagram followers on Monday that he and dad John were attending an important “business meeting”.Tyson Fury recently attended a business meeting with his dad, John.Credit: INSTAGRAM@TYSONSFURYThe Gypsy King has seemingly hammered out a deal with the help of his old man and manager Spencer BrownCredit: INSTAGRAM@TYSONSFURYIn a video story update, the former two-time heavyweight champion said: “Business meeting today, dad. En-route. Incoming, incoming.”Fury’s update sent boxing fans into a frenzy, with several of them assuming his meeting was about a ring return.The Wythenshawe warrior failed to provide clarity on the topic of the meeting, although he’s since revealed it was a fruitful one.Late on Monday, he posted a picture of himself with his dad and manager Spencer Brown to his story with “done deal” emblazoned across it.READ MORE IN BOXINGFury, 36, has yet to reveal details of the agreement he’s reached.But fight fans will be hoping it’s a deal for him to return to the ring later this year.Fury hung up his gloves for a FIFTH TIME in January in protest at his second-straight defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.But he performed an unsurprising U-turn last month when he campaigned for a trilogy fight with the undefeated Ukrainian.Most read in BoxingJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSThe fan favourite has ramped up training in recent weeks and has continued to drop hints that he will return to the ring.A long-overdue Battle of Britain with Anthony Joshua is on the cards for Fury should he decide to lace up his gloves again.AJ to have surgery this week as Hearn reveals ‘encouraging’ Fury fightThe domestic dust-up was seemingly a dead cert after Fury’s failure to exact revenge on Usyk in their rematch last December.It appeared to be dead in the water when Fury announced his fifth retirement with a bizarre reference to highway robber Dick Turpin.But it’s back on the table following his latest U-turn, which prompted long-time AJ promoter Eddie Hearn to exclusively tell SunSport: “Tyson Fury is a big tease.”Every day, I open up Instagram, like today, and he’s got his wraps on saying he’s done 12 rounds.”He looks super fit, Tyson Fury. He looks like he’s ready to go now, which is encouraging.”But, obviously, probably the delay that AJ’s got is a blessing, to be honest with you.”One, you’ve got Usyk against Dubois coming up, so that gives you a little bit of time. “Read More on The Sun”And number two, you’ve got Tyson Fury. Who could potentially come back to the ring.”So it’s gonna be interesting to see what plays out.” More

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      Ekow Essuman is the former basketball hopeful turned boxing champ looking to spoil Josh Taylor’s big comeback

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      EKOW ESSUMAN has had a slam dunk boxing career after leaving behind his hopes of being a basketball star. Essuman came to the UK from Botswana aged 11 and immigrated with a passion for sports. Ekow Essuman swapped basketball for footballCredit: GettyHe started playing basketball while at school and only began boxing in a bid to better his chances on the court. Essuman told Fight Post: “When I eventually moved to the UK, I got into football and then basketball and I was doing really well at basketball. “One season I went to some try-outs for a big team locally and I didn’t get in because I wasn’t fit enough. “They wanted me to be more ambidextrous. It really got to me and I wanted to better myself, get fitter and come back stronger for the next season. READ MORE IN BOXINGI gave it a go and my first session, I had two left feet and struggled with the bag.”I slowly got into it and it got to the point where I thought ‘I’ll have one bout’ and I just caught the bug.”Before long, Essuman was competing in national finals after only starting boxing at 17 and even earned himself a place on the GB squad. That was all while studying for a Marketing, Design and Communications degree at Nottingham Trent University.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHe said: “It was initially just juggling the two. I’d take my uni work with me to camp and do it while between the training sessions and at night when we were meant to be resting. “Shortly after uni, I became a junior web developer for the A.G.A group. Josh Taylor reveals his toughest ever fight that left him peeing BLOOD for five days and unable to walk”I was working on up to 40 websites for them at the time, in different countries, in different languages as well. I was doing that whilst at GB. “But eventually when I got offered the podium spot, I had to put that to one side, as I was spending a lot of time with GB on camp, so I wouldn’t have been able to work from home in regards to web design.”Essuman eventually turned professional in 2016 with Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren. And over nine years and 22 bouts, he has become one of the best welterweights in the country with British and Commonwealth titles to his name. Essuman suffered defeat for the first time in 2023 – losing a decision to Harry Scarff – but he has since returned with two wins since. Now he welcomes former undisputed light-welterweight world champion Josh Taylor to the 147lb division this Saturday in Scotland. I gave it a go and my first session, I had two left feet and struggled with the bag. I slowly got into it and it got to the point where I thought ‘I’ll have one bout’ and I just caught the bug.Ekow EssumanAnd the two know each other well from their time in the GB set up in Sheffield.Essuman told Ring Magazine: “To be honest, I personally touted him as one of the higher talents on GB whilst I was there so I always had respect for him.”I was always just shooting from the hip of him, just being really honest and whatnot. “We’ve talked a few times as pros, just about matches we’d had and stuff like that, and the respect was always there. “He knows I respect him. I’ve been training hard for it because I know he’s going to pose a hard puzzle to solve but I am going to solve it.” Taylor was beaten by Teofimo Lopez in 2023 and then suffered defeat in his rematch with Jack Catterall last May. Read More on The SunAnd his career could be on the line when he returns up in weight. Essuman said: “Regardless of if he has the answers or not, he will come apart because I’m not going to let anything else happen but that.”Josh Taylor steps up to welterweight to fight EssumanCredit: Queensberry Promotions More