Tag: boxing

UFC star Conor McGregor provides update on boxing fight with Manny Pacquiao: ‘It could be December’

Conor McGregor reveals Manny Pacquiao fight could take place as soon as December UFCFormer two-weight UFC champion, Conor McGregor has provided an intriguing update on his potential future in professional boxing –…

Conor McGregor reveals Manny Pacquiao fight could take place as soon as December UFC

Former two-weight UFC champion, Conor McGregor has provided an intriguing update on his potential future in professional boxing – hinting that a clash with former world champion, Manny Pacquiao could take place as soon as December – with the help of Saudi Arabia.

McGregor, a former undisputed lightweight champion and featherweight gold holder under the banner of the promotion, has been sidelined from the Octagon since he fractured his left tibia and fibula in a first round doctor’s stoppage TKO loss to Dustin Poirier.

And as for Pacqiauo, the iconic former boxing world champion – who had held gold in a staggering eight separate weight classes, most recently made the trip to the squared circle back in August 2021, suffering a unanimous decision loss to Yordenis Ugas in a WBA welterweight championship fight – snapping an impressive run of three consecutive victories for the Filipino veteran. 

Long-linked with a boxing match against Pacquiao – whom his management firm have been embroiled with a legal battle with, McGregor was spotted with Saudi advisors during numerous high-profile boxing matches in the region in recent months, drawing speculation on a potential super-fight with the decorated striking icon.

Conor McGregor talks December clash with Manny Pacquiao

And providing an update on a potential sophomore outing in a return against Pacquiao following a 2017 boxing match against common-foe, Floyd Mayweather, McGregor claimed December could potential host a fight between himself and the former.

“It’s still there,” Conor McGregor said of a fight with Manny Pacquiao during an Instagram Stories session. “Could be [in] December. The Saudi’s are game changers in the market, 100 percent.” 

Furthermore, McGregor, 35, revealed he plans to close his trilogy with arch-rival, Nate Diaz in a long-anticipated rubber match trilogy as soon as September in the main event of UFC 306 at the Las Vegas Sphere during Mexican Independence Day weekend.

Do you think Conor McGregor fights Manny Pacquiao in December?

UFC veteran Michael Bisping brands boxing star Jake Paul a ‘Bully’: ‘He’s disrespecting the sport’

Michael Bisping brands boxing star Jake Paul a bully he's disrespecting the sport of boxingFormer undisputed UFC middleweight champion and Hall of Fame inductee, Michael Bisping has laid into professional boxing star, Jake…

Michael Bisping brands boxing star Jake Paul a bully he's disrespecting the sport of boxing

Former undisputed UFC middleweight champion and Hall of Fame inductee, Michael Bisping has laid into professional boxing star, Jake Paul a “bully” off the back of the Ohio native’s one-sided first round TKO win over Ryan Bourland over the course of the weekend, claiming the outspoken social media star is “disrespecting” the sport.

Bisping, a former undisputed middleweight champion and current color-commentator under the banner of the UFC, has further claimed that the 10-fight professional boxing veteran is “conning” his fans with his overmatched fight against former Golden Gloves champion, Bourland – before calling for a future fight with super middleweight kingpin, Canelo Alvarez.

“Jake Paul was always destined to win this fight [with Ryan Bourland] and you all are the suckers if you paid for this fight,” Michael Bisping said on his YouTube channel. “Now I know most people didn’t. Unfortunately, his opponent was utter dog-sh*t and couldn’t make it through one round. ‘How was he able to get it done?’ Oh, he’s just so good. He expected a second round but my God, the guy did it in round one.”

“… He (Jake Paul) is disrespecting the sport of boxing,” Bisping explained. “He is disrespecting all the people who worked their way up. But more importantly, he’s conning the fans. If Ryan Bourland is your next Uber driver, give him five stars and a good tip. Beating people you know you can beat, that’s called being a bully.” 

Jake Paul talks potential MMA debut

Weighing up a quickfire comeback to the squared circle ahead of a potential mixed martial arts debut later this year, Ohio native, Paul has, however, ruled out the prospect of a future fight with former interim UFC lightweight champion, Tony Ferguson, first and foremost. 

“Anyone who can get out of their [UFC] contract, I’ll fight,” Jake Paul told assembled media after his win over the weekend. “That’s easy work, as far as I am concerned. I do want to do a PFL MMA match – it just has to be the right opponent. But Nate (Diaz) did duck my $15,000,000 offer, so we’ll see who else is on the chopping block.

“Tony Ferguson? He said he wanted to fight? I don’t want to see him go out like that – that would be sad,” Jake Paul explained. “He’s a great guy. We don’t want that for Tony.”

Do you agree with Michael Bisping’s assessment of Jake Paul?

UFC star Israel Adesanya shuts down future boxing move: ‘The money’s too much to get me back’

Israel Adesanya shuts down boxing move from UFC the money's too much to get me backFormer two-time undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has shut down the possibility of another venture to the professional boxing…

Israel Adesanya shuts down boxing move from UFC the money's too much to get me back

Former two-time undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has shut down the possibility of another venture to the professional boxing ring in the future amid links to a UFC comeback later this year – claiming it would cost any promoter too much to lure him back to the squared circle.

Adesanya, a former undisputed middleweight champion twice under the banner of the Dana White-led UFC, has been sidelined since last September, on that occasion setting an unwanted record and suffering his second championship loss in the space of a calendar year.

And linked with a comeback at the middleweight limit in a title fight against South African rival, Dricus du Plessis later this annum, City Kickboxing staple, Adesanya claimed that the Pretoria native shut down an offered title grudge fight at UFC 300 in April.

Israel Adesanya talks potential boxing move

Ahead of former two-time world champion, Anthony Joshua’s return to boxing this weekend against Adesanya’s close friend, former UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou – whom the former walked to the ring for his August fight with Tyson Fury, Adesanya shut down rumors of a potential return to boxing himself.

“‘You ever thought about going in the boxing ring?’ I was like, I already did,” Israel Adesanya said on his YouTube channel. “6-1. The money’s too much for them to get me back. I just feel like I’ve already done that, and right now, the UFC’s looking after me pretty well. But I know what you mean – there’s a number, but I don’t think these guys are willing to pay it.” 

In his last venture to the Octagon, Nigerian-Kiwi striker, Adesanya dropped a one-sided decision shutout loss to former champion, Sean Strickland – a defeat he has vowed to avenge before the end of his illustrious career.

When do you expect to see Israel Adesanya fight again?

Jake Paul welcomes ‘Light work’ fight with Ryan Garcia after KO win overnight: ‘I’m a better boxer than you’

Jake Paul welcomes light work fight with Ryan Garcia I'm a better boxerOff the back of last night’s first round TKO win over Ryan Bourland in Puerto Rico, polarizing professional oxer,…

Jake Paul welcomes light work fight with Ryan Garcia I'm a better boxer

Off the back of last night’s first round TKO win over Ryan Bourland in Puerto Rico, polarizing professional oxer, Jake Paul has warned former world championship holder, Ryan Garcia from chasing a fight with him in the future – claiming it would end badly for the 25-year-old.

Paul, who made his tenth professional walk to the squared circle overnight in San Juan, turned in a dominant opening round TKO win over the above-mentioned former Golden Gloves winner, the overmatched, Bourland.

And improving his winning spree to three consecutive fights, the Ohio native added Bourland to a string of wins over Andre August, and a decision shutout success against former UFC lightweight title challenger, Nate Diaz. 

Calling for a showdown with current super middleweight champion, Canelo Alvarez in the future, Paul was hit with a warning of his own from former interim WBC lightweight titleholder, Garcia – who vowed to put an end to the social media star’s fleeting boxing career once and for all.

“Okay enough, it’s on I’m going to have to do this!” Ryan Garcia posted on his official X account. “I’m going to end this JAKE PAUL BOXING THING. BRING IT ON JAKE I’M DEAD F*CKING SERIOUS F*CK YOU! HIT MY TEAM UP.”

Replying to Garcia’s offer of a future showdown, Paul claimed was an outright better boxer than the former world championship holder, describing a pairing as “light work”.

Jake Paul welcomes Ryan Garcia fight in the future

“Ryan (Garcia), I love you.” Jake Paul said after last night’s win. “You know that, bro. But you’ve got to chill out. Because there’s a line and you just seem like you’re losing your mind, and acting thirsty and desperate and saying you’re a billionaire when you had one money fight.”

“I’m just saying, just chill, bro,” Jake Paul continued. “But if you do want to fight, that’s, to me, light work. You’ve got no footwork. And as long as you’ve been in the game, I’m a better boxer than you.”

Would you like to see Jake Paul fight Ryan Garcia in the future?

Jake Paul scores emphatic first round TKO against overmatched Ryan Bourland, calls out Canelo Alvarez – Highlights

Jake Paul lands first round TKO win over Ryan Bourland calls out Canelo Alvarez HighlightsImproving his professional record to 9-1 as a professional over the course of ten outings to the squared circle,…

Jake Paul lands first round TKO win over Ryan Bourland calls out Canelo Alvarez Highlights

Improving his professional record to 9-1 as a professional over the course of ten outings to the squared circle, polarizing puncher, Jake Paul made incredibly short work of the equally overmatched, Ryan Bourland tonight in San Juan, Puerto Rico — stopping the former Golden Gloves winner with a dominant opening round TKO in their co-main event clash.

Paul, who now rides a run of three consecutive victories, turned in a dominant and completely lopsided win over Noth Dakota native, Bourland in their cruiserweight pairing — with the latter returning to the ring for the first time in two years — following a four year lay-off prior to his comeback.

Fresh from a decision win over UFC alum, Nate Diaz, Ohio native, Paul had landed a first round KO win over Andre August back in December of last year, and scoring his sixth career knockout win, the social media influence overwhelmed Bourland from start to finish before the end of their first round bout.

Wobbling the veteran against the ring ropes, Jake Paul unloaded with a slew of body strikes and hooks upstairs against his compatrior, eventually forcing a stoppage and turning in a first round TKO success.

And following his victory, Paul echoed calls for a future fight with current super middleweight world champion, Canelo Alvarez.

Below, catch the highlights from Jake Paul’s first round win over Ryan Bourland

Video – Jake Paul faces off with Ryan Bourland for the first time ahead of boxing fight in Puerto Rico

Jake Paul faces off with Ryan Bourland for the first time ahead of Puerto Rico boxing match this weekendOutspoken professional boxer, Jake Paul came face-to-face with incoming foe, Ryan Bourland for the first time this weekend, as…

Jake Paul faces off with Ryan Bourland for the first time ahead of Puerto Rico boxing match this weekend

Outspoken professional boxer, Jake Paul came face-to-face with incoming foe, Ryan Bourland for the first time this weekend, as he draws the 17-2 fighter this weekend in his return to the squared circle in San Juan, Puerto Rico – as the pair meet at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico on Saturday.

Paul, 27, is slated to make his tenth professional walk to the ring this weekend, as he features in his residency in Puerto Rico, following a recent knockout win over Andre August in the first round of their December boxing match in Orlando, Florida.

Jake Paul looks to lodge his ninth professional win this weekend

Attempting to turn in his third straight win as he takes on Bourland – who has fought just once since his 2018, Paul had recorded a decision win over former UFC lightweight title challenger, Nate Diaz in The Ultimate Fighter winner’s first outing in professional boxing last summer in Texas. 

And drawing Bourland this weekend in San Juan, Paul came face-to-face with the former Golden Gloves champion this week – engaging in a rather cordial meeting posted on the Ohio native’s official YouTube channel.

Also set to feature on the card in Puerto Rico, world champion professional boxing star, Amanda Serrano takes main event honors above Paul, as she takes on German featherweight title challenger, Nina Meinke. 

Linked with a potential move to professional mixed martial arts later this year, Paul penned a multi-fight deal with the PFL (Professional Fighters Leauge) late last year – and has been the subject of multiple callouts in the last year from a slew of contenders and mixed martial arts stars. 

Who wins this weekend in San Juan: Jake Paul or Ryan Bourland?