Tag: boxing news

For the past few months, the best heavyweight boxers in the world have been playing a game of cat and mouse that has resulted in few truly high-profile match-ups materializing. Hopefully, that’s about to change after Anthony Joshua has called out Deontay Wilder.

Current WBO, WBA, IBF, and IBO champion Joshua is set to face late replacement Andy Ruiz at Madison Square Garden on June 1. His original opponent Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller was suspended after failing multiple drug tests. The bout will serve as Joshua’s debut on US soil.

After that fight, the British champ is looking towards a truly huge title unification bout. Speaking recently to TMZ Sports, Joshua revealed he’s looking to fight WBC champion Wilder next:

“Wilder, I want Wilder,” Joshua said. “He’s got the belt… and if he’s ready and wants to prove he’s the best in the world, then come see me.”

Huge Fights Available

Joshua also offered some words of encouragement for Miller, noting that he wouldn’t hold a grudge against his formerly scheduled opponent. All told, he hoped Miller got his life back on track. Joshua also pointed out that he wouldn’t take former title contender Ruiz lightly despite him not being the most well-known. He acknowledged that any fight with the heavyweight title on the line is a huge fight.

As for Wilder, he’ll take on Dominic Breazeale on May 18 in a mandatory title defense. The boxing world has cried out for a rematch between Wilder and Tyson Fury following their classic draw late last year. However, Wilder recently re-signed with Showtime Sports. He’s reportedly aiming for Vladimir Klitschko. So it’s anyone’s guess as to whom he’ll face after Breazeale. Making matters more complicated, Fury recently signed his own exclusive multi-fight deal with ESPN.

The options for truly huge fights in the heavyweight division are many. However, the arduous task of getting each of Joshua, Wilder, and Fury to agree to mutual terms seems to be a gigantic roadblock standing in the way of each fight. Their new streaming deals certainly don’t help matters.

But Joshua appears focused on fighting Wilder soon, which can only be a good thing for boxing fans. If it actually happens remains to be seen.

The post Anthony Joshua Calls Out Deontay Wilder: If He’s Ready, Come See Me appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

Andy Ruiz Jr. plans on shocking the world when he challenges Anthony Joshua for the heavyweight titles on June 1 at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

Ruiz Jr. is stepping in on short notice after Joshua’s former opponent Jarrell Miller was pulled from the event after failing three drug tests last month.

Many are already viewing the fight as a foregone conclusion, especially when comparing the two heavyweights and their physiques.

However, Ruiz Jr. has warned “AJ” not to make that same mistake.

After all, the Mexican-American is 32-1 and only suffered a unanimous decision defeat to former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker back in 2016.

“Anthony, don’t underestimate this little fat boy,” Ruiz Jr. told Sky Sports when asked if he had a message for Joshua. “I’m coming for you, just tune in man, you’re going down.”

Pulling The Upset

Unlike Miller though, Ruiz Jr. doesn’t really have anything bad to say about Joshua. However, he still remains confident that he can inflict the Briton’s first-ever defeat and become the new heavyweight kingpin.

“He’s a champion of the world. There’s nothing that I can say bad about him, besides that he’s big but you know what, I’m big too and it doesn’t really [matter] how big you are in this game. I’m a big fighter, a combination fighter, so I’m here to win.

“A lot of people underestimate me, like I said, the way that I look, my appearance, but as soon as they see me throw punches… I’m going to pull out the upset and June 1 tune in, two big heavyweights bashing their face up, and that’s the main thing.”

First Mexican Heavyweight Champion?

Should Ruiz Jr. win, he will have the distinction of becoming the first-ever Mexican heavyweight champion. It is something he is taking very seriously after getting another opportunity at the gold.

“It means a lot,” Ruiz Jr. added. “This is my opportunity, my second chance to make history, become the first Mexican heavyweight champion.

“I’ve been training really hard, we haven’t stopped training. The main thing is to stay focused and stick to the game plan and get that win on June 1. It’s kind of overwhelming, everything that happened really fast, but I’m still excited, really happy, really blessed.

The post Anthony Joshua Warned By Ruiz: “Don’t Underestimate This Little Fat Boy” appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

Former middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin was not impressed with the Canelo Alvarez vs. Daniel Jacobs fight on Saturday night.

Alvarez defeated Jacobs via unanimous decision (115-113×2, 116-112) to retain his WBA and WBC middleweight titles. He also won the IBF title in the process.

The Mexican dominated the first part of the contest before Jacobs slowly started mounting a comeback. However, Alvarez did enough and ended the fight strong to ultimately prevail.

Golovkin was ringside during the fight and having fought both competitors, expected more from them.

Golovkin controversially lost his middleweight titles to Alvarez when they met in their rematch in September.

Their first meeting a year earlier was also controversially deemed a split decision draw, with many believing “GGG” had done enough to win both fights.

Regardless, Golovkin will return to action June 8 at New York’s Madison Square Garden when he takes on Steve Rolls. A win over the Canadian could set up a highly-lucrative trilogy fight with Alvarez soon after.

But what do you think of Golovkin’s assessment? Watch the highlights of the fight and let us know your thoughts.

The post Gennady Golovkin Unimpressed With ‘Boring’ Canelo Alvarez vs. Daniel Jacobs Fight appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.