boxing news | UFC Betting Sites - The Best MMA Online Bookies

Francis Ngannou uncertain of fighting return this year following recent PFL move: ‘Nothing is guaranteed’

Despite multiple links with a professional boxing debut later this year before a comeback to mixed martial arts competition in 2024, former undisputed UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou has claimed “nothing is guaranteed” regarding his fighting future this year. Ngannou, a former undisputed heavyweight champion under the banner of the UFC, has been sidelined from […]

Ngannou, a former undisputed heavyweight champion under the banner of the UFC, has been sidelined from combat sports since January of last year, successfully unifying the division titles with a unanimous decision win over then-interim champion, Ciryl Gane.

Departing the UFC back in January of this year following the completion of his contractual obligations with the organization, Ngannou recently put pen to paper on a multi-fight deal with the PFL (Professional Fighters League).

Linked with a transition to professional boxing before the close of this annum, Ngannou has been tied to a potential fight with former WBC heavyweight champion, Deontay Wilder – as well as current gold holder, Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, Dillian Whyte, and Derek Chisora.

Francis Ngannou revealed a two-fight series with Deontay Wilder was “serious”

Sharing his thoughts on Wilder’s recent appearance at PFL 4, Ngannou revealed talks of a potential two-fight series were “serious”.

“I didn’t know that he (Deontay Wilder) was supposed to be there, but that was a good come-out,” Francis Ngannou told The Schmo. “We were having a conversation earlier this year before they came out with a potential fight in December. That’s why we’re going to hold that up in order to finish his business in December. But we were serious about a two-fight deal.”

As far as a return to mixed martial arts competition next year, Ngannou described the possibility of a return as a a “definite” one, however, was unsure if he would fight this year.

“Inside the cage; definitely 2024,” Francis Ngannou explained. “Inside the ring; not quite sure yet. It’s still possible for this year, [but] nothing [is] guaranteed.” (Transcribed by MMA News)

Conor McGregor backs John Gotti after plea to join rivalry with Floyd Mayweather: ‘The war is on’

Former undisptued UFC lightweight and featherweight champion, Conor McGregor has joined forces with John Gotti III – the grandson of the late crime boss, John Gotti – with the duo appearing to back each other amid their shared rivalry with former boxing world champion, Floyd Mayweather. Gotti III, a mixed martial arts fighter himself, headlined […]

Gotti III, a mixed martial arts fighter himself, headlined a boxing card last night in an exhibition showdown with former world champion, Mayweather, fighting over the course of four rounds.

However, the pairing ended in huge controversy, with a massive brawl breaking out between both camps and teams, after Gotti III was disqualified by referee, Kenny Bayliss for excessive holding – with the fighter then targeting Mayweather and attempting to brawl with the Michigan veteran at the ropes.

With fights between both camps and entourages breaking out both in the ring, and the arena, Gotti III took to his official Instagram following the bout – branding Mayweather an enemy for life, and calling for “backup” from former two-weight UFC champion, McGregor.

Conor McGregor backs John Gotti in feud with Floyd Mayweather

McGregor, who turns 35 years old next month, appeared ready and willing to join the feud, claiming he was backing up the family as he left a voice note on his official Twitter account.

“I back the Gottis,” Conor McGregor said in a now-deleted tweet. “The war is on.”

Himself fighting Mayweather in a professional boxing match back in August 2017, McGregor suffered a tenth round standing TKO loss to the Grand Rapids veteran in a notorious professional clash between the duo.

McGregor has yet to return to active combat sports competition since he fractured his left tibia and fibula en route to an opening round doctor’s stoppage TKO loss against former interim lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier in July 2021.

Boxing star Teofimo Lopez announces retirement following title win over Josh Taylor: ‘I’m out’

Teofimo Lopez announced his retirement following his decisive unanimous decision victory over Josh Taylor on Saturday night. Lopez, 25, returned to the world’s most famous arena, Madison Square Garden, for a WBO junior welterweight title fight with Taylor. After weeks of trash-talk and bad-blood building, Lopez scored a massive victory over Taylor to become a […]

Teofimo Lopez announced his retirement following his decisive unanimous decision victory over Josh Taylor on Saturday night.

Lopez, 25, returned to the world’s most famous arena, Madison Square Garden, for a WBO junior welterweight title fight with Taylor. After weeks of trash-talk and bad-blood building, Lopez scored a massive victory over Taylor to become a two-division world champion. During his post-fight interview, Lopez indicated that he was toying with the idea of retirement. He answered any lingering questions less than 24 hours later, revealing that he would be walking away from the sport despite being one of its brightest up-and-coming stars.

“What a relief! Retired at the Top,” Lopez posted on Instagram. “Thank you Boxing for the amazing life you’ve provided for myself and my entire loved ones! THE DOUBLE-GREATEST.”

Replying to his post, Lopez may have given some insight into why he is calling it quits at the peak of his pro boxing career. “Not here to do deals with the devil. I’m out,” Lopez added.

Teofimo Lopez explaining his retirement on Instagram… pic.twitter.com/gPGLhnC3hR

— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) June 12, 2023

Teofimo Lopez Wants a Guaranteed Contract Worth Nine Figures

In an interview on The Porter Way Podcast, Lopez revealed that he will be more than willing to step back into the squared circle, assuming Top Rank comes correct with an offer worth no less than nine figures.

“I think the only way you get Teo back is a nine-figure contract deal,” Lopez said. “Because I’ve made ESPN over a $100 million. I’m still getting paid a million dollars to fight while all these other fighters have not even done a quarter of what I’ve done and accomplished in the sport, they’re getting eight, 10, 12, 15 million dollars.

“So obviously I’m the black sheep of the industry and they’re really hurting me on that end. I really want to fix the sport of the boxing world and the corruption that’s going on.”

Top Rank currently has an exclusive deal with ESPN that has been mutually beneficial for both parties while Teofimo Lopez continues to cash checks far below his value. With the sport in desperate need of new and exciting talent, it’s hard to imagine Top Rank and ESPN allowing Lopez to go without attempting to retain his services with a fat bag of money.

If this is indeed the end for Teofimo Lopez, he will retire as a two-division world champion with a record of 19-1 with 13 wins by way of knockout. His lone loss came against George Kambosos Jr. in November 2021. He had since bounced back scoring wins over Pedro Campa and Sandor Martin en route to his title tilt with Josh Taylor.

Teofimo Lopez’s biggest win undoubtedly came in October 2020 when he bested Vasiliy Lomachenko via a unanimous decision inside the MGM Grand.

UFC star Conor McGregor praises ‘Legendary’ Teofimo Lopez following title win over Josh Taylor in New York

Former two-weight UFC champion, Conor McGregor has heaped praise on newly-minted WBO light welterweight champion, Teofiomo Lopez, after the outspoken New York native clinched division gold against Scottish gold holder, Josh Taylor over the weekend on home soil. McGregor, who has only once competed in professional boxing, made a brief, but lucrative venture into the […]

McGregor, who has only once competed in professional boxing, made a brief, but lucrative venture into the sport back in 2017 against former multiple-weight champion, Floyd Mayweather, suffering an eventual tenth standing TKO loss against the latter.

Sidelined from mixed martial arts competition since July 2021, however, Conor McGregor has yet to return to the UFC since he fractured his left tibia and fibula en route to a first round doctor’s stoppage TKO loss to Dustin Poirier in their bitter, trilogy rubber-match in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Conor McGregor heaps praise on Teofimo Lopez following title win in New York

As for Lopez, the 25-year-old, who now boasts an impressive 19-1 professional record – with his sole professional loss coming against former champion, George Kambosos Jr. – turned in a one-sided unanimous decision win over WBO light welterweight champion, Taylor at Madison Square Garden over the weekend, reclaiming gold a division higher following his lightweight title loss to Kambosos Jr.

Grabbing the attention of UFC star, McGregor as he indulged in Forged Irish Stout – a drink created by the Dubliner, Lopez was described as “legandary” by the ex-two-weight UFC gold holder to boot, who also praised his judging win and performance against Scotland native, Taylor.

“Legendary!” Conor McGregor posted on his Instagram Stories, accompanied by a picture of Teofimo Lopez and his cutman. “Congrats on an amazing performance @teofimolopez.” (H/T TalkSPORT)

Landing 13 career knockouts to go with his 19 professional boxing wins, Lopez added Taylor to a list of wins over the likes of Richard Commey, Sandor Martin, and Olympic gold medalist, former world champion, Vasily Lomachenko.

Video – Floyd Mayweather, John Gotti III fight erupts into ugly brawl between camps after controversial finish

Former undisputed boxing world champion, Floyd Mayweather saw last night’s exhibition boxing match return against mixed martial artist, John Gotti III – the grandson of the late ex-crime boxx, John Gotti – erupt into chaos in the ring, as both camps stormed the squared circle, with a full-scale brawl breaking out. Mayweather, a former undisputed […]

Mayweather, a former undisputed world champion across a host of weight classes in professional boxing, toyed with mixed martial arts fighter, Gotti across the four-round limit of their fight, landing at will and mocking the former on occasion.

Ultimately, the bout was then called off by veteran referee, Kenny Bayliss, who accused Gotti of holding, leading to an angry response from the latter.

Floyd Mayweather continued to antagonize John Gotti III throughout the bout

Attempting to get by Bayliss in pursuit of Floyd Mayweather, who was still mocking him, Gotti forced the former world champion to the ropes as the bout was already over, with the duo trading punches as the ring began to fill up.

With members of both Mayweather’s camp and entourage now entering the ring, Gotti was held in his opposition corner as both camps began to trade punches and a full-blown brawl ensued.

Furthermore, footage has emerged showing a slew of arguments and brawls between the camps and security outside the ring and in the actual lobby of the reception itself with the scheduled exhibition fight descending into chaos.

Mayweather was making his return to the squared circle for the first time since he featured in a non-scored bout with former reality television feature, Aaron Chalmers at The O2 Arena in London, England earlier this year.

In his most recent professional boxing match, Floyd Mayweather improved to 50-0 as a professional, lodging an infamous tenth round standing TKO win over former undisputed UFC featherweight and lightweight champion, Conor McGregor.

Jon Jones welcomes future fight with fellow champion Tyson Fury: ‘I’d even be willing to box him’

Undisputed heavyweight champion, Jon Jones has welcomed a much-rumored fight with current WBC heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury, urging UFC president, Dana White to pursue a potential clash – even if he means a transition to the squared circle for the former. Jones, a former light heavyweight champion to boot, returned to the Octagon in triumphant […]

Jones, a former light heavyweight champion to boot, returned to the Octagon in triumphant fashion following a 3-year Octagon hiatus back in March, submitting former interim heavyweight champion, Ciryl Gane with an opening round guillotine choke to win vacant division spoils.

Expected to make his Octagon return at UFC 295 in November at Madison Square Garden, Jones, who reclaimed the spot as the number one ranked pound-for-pound, has been linked with a heavyweight title defense against former champion, Stipe Miocic, as well as surging Russian knockout artist, Sergei Pavlovich.

Jon Jones welcomes future boxing match with Tyson Fury

Linked with a potential fight with WBC heavyweight champion, Fury in recent weeks following a verbal squabble on social media, Jones recently touched on a potential future fight with with the Morecambe native – urging the above-mentioned, White to book a clash.

“I would love it if Dana (White) could make that fight happen,” Jon Jones said of a clash with Tyson Fury during an interview with MMA Fighting. “ That’s one thing about the UFC, we always give the fans what they want to see.”

“Tyson Fury is just such a magnificent opponent,” Jon Jones explained. “And it would be awesome to make that fight happen. I’m up for it, and I’d even be willing to box him. Let’s see what happens.”

Boasting an undefeated 33-0-1 professional record, Fury most recently landed a a tenth round standing TKO win over veteran former oppnent, Derek Chisora in the pair’s championship clash in December of last year in London, England – successfully defending his WBC heavyweight championship.