The Boxing Truth®: 2025

Thursday, May 1, 2025

BEATRIZ FERREIRA VS. MARIA INES FERREYRA FOR IBF LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD TITLE ON SATURDAY, JUNE 7 ON DAZN

Credit: Most Valuable Promotions

Press Release: May 1, 2025 By Most Valuable Promotions - ORLANDO, FL – April 30, 2025 – Most Valuable Promotions today announced Most Valuable Prospects 13, an MVP Championship Edition on Saturday, June 7 at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida, live globally on DAZN. Most Valuable Prospects 13, an MVP Event, will be a headlined by a 10-round women’s world championship fight at 135lbs as Brazil’s IBF lightweight world champion Beatriz “The Beast” Ferreira (6-0, 2 KOs) defends her title for the second time against 28-year-old Buenos Aires, Argentina challenger Maria Ines “Dinamita” Ferreyra (11-0-1, 6 KOs). In the co-main event, MVP’s newest signee, 2x Brazilian Olympian Keno Marley will make his highly-anticipated professional debut over 4 rounds at 200lbs in the cruiserweight division against Weslaco, Texas’s undefeated cruiserweight Sean Sparks (2-0, 2 KOs). Also on the main card will be an 8-round 135lb lightweight fight between Brazilian national champion Luan Almeida (5-0, 4 KOs) vs. Crescent City, Florida’s Tony Aguilar (13-1-1, 4 KOs). Tickets for Most Valuable Prospects 13 are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com.

Matchroom’s Beatriz “The Beast” Ferreira made her professional debut in Cleveland, Ohio in 2022. Prior to turning pro, Ferreira’s glittering amateur career saw her win lightweight gold at the 2019 AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships in Russia and silver in the lightweight category at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, before returning to compete for Team Brazil at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, where she earned the bronze medal. The 31-year-old Ferreira is an aggressive, come-forward fighter who put on a thoroughly impressive display against an unbeaten Taynna Cardoso in her pro debut in 2022, twice dropping her fellow Brazilian en route to a four-round shutout decision victory, which she competed over three-minute rounds. Less than a month later, Ferreira returned for her second pro bout, stopping the 7-2 Carisse Brown inside two rounds on the undercard of Estrada-Chocolatito 3 in December 2022. Ferreira made her third outing as a professional in July 2023 on the undercard of Dalton Smith vs. Sam Maxwell in Sheffield, England, taking another big step up early in her career and delivering an electric decision win over Karla Ramos Zamora. Ferreira followed the win with an eighth round stoppage of Destiny Jones on the undercard of Devin Haney vs. Regis Prograis in December 2023. In just her fifth fight, Ferreira earned her first shot at world title honors against Yanina Lescano in April 2024 in Liverpool, England. Ferreira dished out a severe, relentless beating, winning by technical decision and claiming the vacant IBF lightweight world title at 135lbs. Following the bout, Ferreira turned her attention back to her Olympic aspirations, medaling in Paris before returning to the pro ranks in December 2024 to defend her IBF title and winning a dominant 10-round unanimous decision over France's Licia Boudersa in Monte-Carlo. She now will defend her title for the second time against Argentinian challenger Maria Ines Ferreyra.

"I want to thank Matchroom and Most Valuable Promotions for this opportunity and I am very excited to return to the United States to defend my world title,” said Biatriz Ferreira. “I am expecting a very tough challenge from my opponent, I know she is no joke and is coming to take my title but these are the type of challenges I want. It's exciting times for women’s boxing and I want to be part of these big nights. I am ready for all the big names that people are talking about and I will prove this on Saturday, June 7th."

María Inés “Dinamita” Ferreyra (11-0-1, 6 KOs) is a 28-year-old undefeated Argentine professional boxer from Tres Algarrobos, Buenos Aires, currently living in Villa María, Córdoba. She made her professional debut in March 2021. Following a strong start to her pro career, Ferreyra earned her first regional title shot in September 2024, contesting for the then-vacant South American lightweight title against Johen Paola Gonzalez and earning a first-round TKO win over Gonzalez to claim the title honors. She followed the showing with a title defense in her latest bout in December 2024, winning by unanimous decision against Lizbeth Crespo. Now entering her first world title fight, she will challenge Ferreira for the IBF lightweight world title in a 10-round women’s championship bout on Saturday, June 7.

MVP’s Keno Marley is a 24-year-old 6’3” boxer born in Sapeaçu, Bahia, Brazil. He first began boxing at age 11 before moving to São Paulo alone to pursue his boxing training at age 13, joining the Brazilian national team to launch a standout amateur career. He first made a name for himself at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires, taking home the gold medal and becoming the first Brazilian boxer to achieve this feat. The next year, Marley earned silver at the 2019 Pan American championships. He earned a place on Brazil’s Olympic team, qualifying to compete in the men's light heavyweight event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and finishing as a quarter-finalist in a narrow 3-2 defeat to Britain’s Benjamin Whittaker, the eventual silver medalist. At the 2021 amateur world championships, Marley fought in the IBA cruiserweight division and earned the silver medal, before becoming the 2022 Brazilian national amateur champion. In 2023, Marley won the prestigious Strandja Tournament, the biggest championship on the European circuit, becoming the first Brazilian man to reach the final and win the title before winning silver at the 2023 Pan American Games. He continued his amateur sprint as he returned to represent Brazil again at the Paris 2024 Olympics in the men’s heavyweight division, defeating Team Great Britain powerhouse Pat Brown to reach the quarter finals. Outside boxing, Marley faced two difficult losses in 2021, losing his older brother to murder and his cousin to suicide. He now actively serves as a third sergeant in the Brazilian Army, holds a university degree in physical education, and is currently completing a law degree. He trains out of the Brazilian Olympic Training Center and is co-managed by Brazil’s biggest influencer, multi-talented superstar Whindersson Nunes, who faced MVP’s Neeraj Goyat on the main card of MVP’s record-shattering Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson in November 2024. Marley currently resides in São Paulo, Brazil. On Saturday, June 7, Marley will make his professional debut over 4 rounds at 200lbs in the cruiserweight division against Sean Sparks (2-0, 2 KOs). The 33-year-old Sparks comes to the ring from Weslaco, Texas by way of Palm Desert, California, boasting a perfect record so far in his pro career. Sparks, an orthodox fighter standing at 6’2”, most recently earned a third-round KO over Enrique Rodriguez in March 2025, following his outstanding first round KO of Edmilson Freitas in his pro debut in October 2024. He is managed by Felix Piedra.

“I’ve been boxing for 11 years now. To finally get to the point where I’m about to make my pro debut after all I’ve done so far feels surreal,” said Keno Marley. “I’m really excited and thankful that MVP is the stage where I’m starting my boxing career. I’m doing exactly what I wanted, when I wanted, and where I wanted, so I can’t be anything but thankful about my life right now! Saturday, June 7 can’t get here soon enough.”

Luan Medeiros (5-0, 4 KOs) is an undefeated professional lightweight boxer and the current CNB Super Lightweight Brazilian National Champion. As an amateur, he built an extensive career with close to 150 fights, boasting over 114 wins and becoming a Brazilian National Champion, Copa del Pacífico winner in Ecuador, and a Cheo Aponte Tournament runner-up in Puerto Rico. Domestically, he won multiple regional titles, including 4x Rio de Janeiro state champion, 3x São Paulo state champion, Paraná state champion, Sul-Sudeste champion, and Centro-Oeste champion. He also represented Brazil internationally, winning team challenges against Italy and Argentina. Outside the ring, the 30-year-old Luan is known for his relationship with Brazilian A-list actress Mel Maia, who has over 21 million followers. Facing him will be one of boxing’s most exciting up-and-coming lightweight prospects, Tony Aguilar (13-1-1, 4 KOs). The 26-year-old Aguilar, a Crescent City, FL native, returns to the ring following four thrilling fights across MVP’s Most Valuable Prospects series and Jake Paul vs. Mike Perry in July 2024 and his latest UD win over Marcello Williams in December 2024. He proudly represents his Mexican heritage in the ring and is a relentlessly hard-working fighter who will look to keep the action high over 8 rounds against Medeiros.

“On Saturday, June 7, our newest signee and two-time Brazilian Olympian Keno Marley will be making his pro debut as part of a card that uniquely celebrates the tremendous talent and achievements of Brazilian boxing,” said Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, co-founders of Most Valuable Promotions. “This event also marks the return of MVP’s Championship Edition, which first featured Amanda Serrano’s historic 12x3:00 unified women’s world championship bout against Danila Ramos in October 2023. We are proud to now spotlight two more world-class women’s fighters as Brazil’s Olympic silver medalist Beatriz Ferreira defends her IBF world title against a difficult challenger in Maria Ines Ferreyra. Most Valuable Prospects 13 continues to showcase some of the most exciting women’s fighters and rising prospects in the sport—both core tenets of our MVP mission–in partnership with DAZN and Boxlab Promotions.”

“On behalf of the entire team at Caribe Royale and Boxlab Promotions we’re proud to be partnering with MVP on what should be a great night of action,” said Amaury Piedra, President of Boxlab Promotions and Managing Director of the Caribe Royale Resort. “Central Florida’s Brazilian community will be out supporting their champion and their Olympian! This is part of Caribe Royale’s commitment of bringing world class events to Orlando. Sports fans in Central Florida should be excited about the headliners and the soon to be announced undercard!”

The Most Valuable Prospects series is produced and marketed by MVP, promoted by MVP and Boxlab Promotions, and distributed globally by DAZN. The 13th event in the series, hosted by the Caribe Royale Resort, will continue the commitment from MVP co-founders Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian to highlight the world’s best up-and-coming boxing talent. CELSIUS Live Fit Essential Energy, maker of lifestyle energy drink, is the exclusive energy drink sponsor of MVP and the Most Valuable Prospects series. Fansly and Event Ticket Center have also joined on to sponsor the Most Valuable Prospects series.

For more information, follow on X via @MostVPromotions and @DAZNBoxing or on Instagram via @MostValuablePromotions and @DAZNBoxing.

About MVP

MVP was founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian in 2021. With the mission to provide more creative control to fighters, MVP works to identify, grow, and maximize returns for its own events and talent partners. One year into its inception, MVP was nominated as one of the prestigious Sports Breakthroughs of the Year in 2022 by Sports Business Journal. MVP has produced Jake Paul’s last six global pay-per-view events, including the recent Paul vs. Perry match. The promotion company also signed one of the most decorated Hispanic athletes of all time, Amanda Serrano in its first year. Serrano and MVP made history in April of 2022 when Serrano went head to head with Katie Taylor, marking the first female fight to headline at Madison Square Garden, earning a nomination for Event of The Year by Sports Business Journal. MVP made history again in November 2024 with Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson and Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 2, the first-ever live professional sports event on Netflix. MVP’s Paul vs. Tyson streamed live globally on Netflix and shattered records, becoming the most-streamed sporting event ever with 108 million live viewers globally. Co-founder Nakisa Bidarian was an executive producer of Paul vs. Tyson and the historic Triller Presents Mike Tyson v. Roy Jones Jr., which was the 8th most bought pay-per-view event in history.

About DAZN

DAZN is the home of European football, women’s football, boxing and MMA, and the NFL (excl. USA). We are building the ultimate sports entertainment platform, based on premium sports rights, world-leading tech, and multi-platform distribution. DAZN believes that fans from across the globe should be able to watch, read, bet, play, share, socialise, buy tickets and merchandise, all in one place, with one account, one wallet and on one app.

For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance, visit dazngroup.com.

Material and Photo Courtesy of: Most Valuable Promotions Used with permission

Wednesday, April 30, 2025

35 Years Later: Eubank And Benn Pick Up Where Their Fathers Left Off

In previewing the non-title Middleweight bout between IBO World Middleweight champion Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn, which took place on April 26th at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, much was discussed regarding the rivalry between the two famous bloodlines. A rivalry that began thirty-five years ago when their fathers Chris Eubank Sr. and Nigel Benn, two fighters who fought over two world championships in two divisions in two separate and hotly fought battles in what were two of the best fights of the 1990's as each went on to not only hold world championships, but ultimately Hall of Fame careers.

While the rivalry between the two legends indisputably was passed down to their respective sons, which made this encounter intriguing in addition to the clash of styles between the two fighters in their own right, it was still a curiosity. A curiosity not only in the sense of Conor Benn essentially moving up two divisions from the 147lb. Welterweight division to face Eubank, but also a curiosity in terms of the event. After all, part of the appeal here was the resumption of one of Boxing's great rivalries. There have been times when the offsprings of great fighters both men and women have been matched against each other. More often than not, the fights do not live up to what are often unrealistic expectations and end up not being significant in the book of Boxing history.

Yet with the rivalry going into and the occasional history of offspring of great fighters being pitted against each other, somehow there was also room for controversy before the fighters got in the ring as Eubank came in over the 160lb. Middleweight limit and was fined $500,000 by the British Boxing Board of Control, (BBBofC) adding yet another twist to things after the first attempt to get this fight in the ring three years ago ended up being cancelled days before it was to take place due to Benn testing positive for a banned substance.

Although the idea of a fighter missing a weight limit is certainly not new in combat sports, after Eubank missed weight, I frankly wondered if there would be another cancellation. It would not be surprising given how the build-up to this fight at times resembled more of a reality TV show than a fight between a world champion and a rising star, to question whether the fight would indeed move forward after the first cancellation and the already deeply rooted bad blood between the families. Fortunately, there would be no more grandstanding and the sons of legends finally squared off inside the ring.

The pace of this fight was one that was high from the outset. What stood out to this observer was, despite being the fighter who was moving up in weight, Benn seemed to be landing the harder punches of the two. Although both fighters had periods of success early, I felt Benn won three of the first four rounds based largely on whenever he landed, the punches were often landing flush and did damage.

As the fight progressed and moved into the second half, however, Eubank managed to make up ground by gaining some distance between himself and Benn, working behind his jab and seeming to outwork him during much of this period. While this description of the action might give the impression that this was a straightforward fight, many of the rounds were close and that can be attributed to the pace that did not seem to let up as the fight went on. It seemed as though fatigue would become a factor late in the bout as Eubank showed signs of exhaustion in the tenth round and appeared to be running out of steam where if Benn were able to press the action, a potential late round stoppage seemed possible.

At the conclusion of ten rounds, I had Benn ahead six rounds to four. Despite looking as though he was on the verge of going down, Eubank came on strong at the very end of the tenth round and continued the rally in rounds eleven and twelve. It was his performance in the twelfth and final round where though he did not score a knockdown of Benn, I felt he dominated it to such a degree that scoring the round 10-8, which is standard in rounds where a knockdown is scored against a fighter was justified. Frankly, Eubank did everything in that final round with the exception of scoring a knockdown.

This created a unique scorecard for this observer in that the fight was even in rounds on my scorecard at 6-6, but in points,Eubank had pulled ahead 114-112 largely on the strength of what he was able to do in the twelfth round. Although I felt Eubank had done enough to edge Benn, I felt it was a close fight and depending on how the three official judges scored rounds that were very close, the result could be subject for debate. The ultimate result, a unanimous decision for Eubank might give an impression of a lopsided fight.

In reality, this fight exceeded every possible expectation that was placed before it and offered both action and highly skilled Boxing as well. The obvious question now is when is the rematch?’Yours truly cannot answer that question, however, based on both the success in drawing over 67,000 spectators as well as a highly competitive encounter inside the ring, it would not surprise me to see a rematch sooner than later.

“And That's The Boxing Truth."

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Tuesday, April 22, 2025

35 Years Later: Sons of Legends To Resume Rivalry In The Ring

In the 1990’s in the Middleweight and Super-Middleweight divisions, there was perhaps no more bitter rivalry than the one between Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank Sr., two world champions, who would go on to become legends, Hall of Famers and in terms of the Boxing hotbed of the United Kingdom, two of the most dominating British fighters of their era. Like many great rivalries, there was demand for the two to meet and once they did, no shortage of debate as to who had the upper hand.

In their first fight in November 1990, Eubank became a world champion by stopping Benn in nine rounds to win the WBO World Middleweight championship in a fight where the fighters were separated by only one point on all three official scorecards. A classic encounter in every sense of the term. Three years later, the two would meet again in October 1993, this time in the Super-Middleweight division where the two, at the time both world champions holding the WBO and WBC world titles respectively, fought to a hotly disputed split decision draw in front of over 47,000 spectators in Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester, England.

Despite the close competition in two fights and seemingly the ideal conditions for a third encounter given the draw and the public support for a third bout between the two, it was not to be, but the rivalry has remained all these years. Fast forward thirty-five years from their first encounter and the names Eubank and Benn are as much a focal point today in 2025 as they were back then in the sport. Only now the rivalry and hostiles have spread to the offspring of those legends.

Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn. Like his father before him, Chris Eubank Jr. has become a two-division world champion in both the Middleweight and Super-Middleweight divisions. Conor Benn meanwhile appeared to be on a fast track towards a world title shot in the 147lb. Welterweight division. Originally, the two were to meet in 2022, but the fight was cancelled following Benn testing positive for a banned substance, which ultimately resulted in a lengthy legal battle between the undefeated fighter and the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC), who suspended him, which in turn led to a lengthy absence from in ring competition. All the while, both hostiles and accusations between the two fighters and their camps have only continued.

Benn was able to return to the ring in 2023 and 2024 in two fights held in the United States while he fought for his license to be reinstated in the United Kingdom. With that license officially reinstated, both fighters are now able to renew their focus as they will finally meet on Saturday, April 26th at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in a fight that can be seen globally on DAZN Pay-Per-View.

Without getting into the issue of what led to the fight between these two fighters falling apart just days before it was to take place three years ago, a subject that has been discussed seemingly everyday since throughout the sport and something which Benn has always maintained his innocence, this fight brings together a unique scenario, assuming that it will take place this time.

What makes this particular fight unique? It is not the first time that offsprings of great fighters have met in the ring, both male and female, but what makes this a bit different is unlike their fathers before them who were competing in the same divisions when they fought those two fights, Conor Benn will be moving up two weight divisions to the 160lb. Middleweight division and Chris Eubank Jr. will be coming down eight pounds from the 168lb. Super-Middleweight division to make this fight a reality.

While the undefeated Benn fought his last two bouts technically as a 154lb. Jr. Middleweight, this is a circumstance where he will be moving up again to face not only a naturally bigger opponent, but also one with more experience. Although Eubank is the current International Boxing Organization (IBO) World Middleweight champion, he has gone between both Middleweight and Super-Middleweight throughout his career and will have both natural size and height to his advantage.

Despite Eubank’s status as a current world champion, the twelve round Middleweight bout will not be for the IBO world championship as of this writing. What are we likely to see on fight night? The question here will center on whether Benn will be able to compete effectively as a Middleweight having now jumped up two divisions from where all signs of him challenging for a world championship as a Welterweight. It was as a Welterweight that Benn scored several highlight reel type of knockouts as he gradually climbed the ranks. While that reputation now has some skepticism attached to it due to the circumstances, which led to the cancellation of this fight the first time it was made three years ago, Benn, like his father before him, has the ability to end a fight with either hand, often in sudden and brutal fashion. Skepticism aside, nearly every non-Heavyweight that is known for their punching power, will eventually have to answer whether that punching power will be as effective and devastating as they move up in weight as it was at a lighter weight. He will be facing a naturally bigger opponent in Chris Eubank Jr. and it will be interesting to see what impact the punching power Benn has will have if he can connect both cleanly and , more than occasionally.

This certainly could prove to be easier said than done given Eubank’s ability to be elusive, attack at varying angles, and his attribute of being able to throw in volume. While a style that may not always be entertaining to watch, it has won Eubank two world championships in his career.

Given the long history of animosity between the two fighters that goes back to their fathers, the possibility exists that styles of the two fighters will not be part of the equation here and that animosity will lead to both fighters being willing to stand and trade shot for shot with each other. If that were indeed to happen, it could be a toss up as to who will emerge victorious. While such a scenario would be ideal for those who want to see an all-action fight, there is a lot on the line for both Eubank and Benn and it would be wise for both fighters to approach things strategically rather than looking to go toe to toe. Who will win is anyone's guess, but for a fierce rivalry between two Hall of Fame fighters, who were among the best of their era to now see that rivalry continue through their offspring, this observer is looking forward to seeing how this chapter will be written.

“And That's The Boxing Truth.”

Eubank Jr. vs. Benn takes place on Saturday, April 26th at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England. The fight as well as it's full undercard can be seen globally on DAZN Pay-Per-View for $24.99 beginning at 12PM ET/9AM PT (*U.S. Pricing and Times only.*)

For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, availability around the world, to subscribe, local start times in your area, and for region-specific pricing and to order this pay-per-view event please visit: www.DAZN.com.

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Friday, April 18, 2025

Jake Paul-Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Set For June 28th On DAZN PPV

Press Release: April 18, 2025 By DAZN and Most Valuable Promotions - Golden Boy’s Mexican WBO and WBA unified cruiserweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez vs. Cuba’s former IBF and WBA cruiserweight world champion and WBA mandatory challenger Yuniel Dorticós join Paul vs. Chávez Jr. in the co-main event

Fans can sign up for presale for Paul vs. Chávez Jr. HERE

ATLANTA, GA – April 18, 2025 – Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) today announced that boxing’s biggest disruptor, international superstar Jake “El Gallo” Paul (11-1, 7 KOs) takes his next step towards world champion against Mexico’s former champion Julio César Chávez Jr. (54-6-1, 34 KOs) on Saturday, June 28, at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. Paul vs. Chávez Jr. will be a standard 10-round men’s professional bout with three-minute rounds and 10oz gloves, contested at 200lbs. The historic fight, an MVP Event, will air live globally on DAZN pay-per-view and is presented by CELSIUS Live Fit Essential Energy. Golden Boy Promotions will serve as the official licensed promoter. Fans can sign up for presale HERE. The event will also feature an array of high-end VIP packages, including the return of the one-of-a-kind MVP Owner’s Experience.

In the co-main event, Golden Boy’s 33-year-old WBO cruiserweight world champion and WBA Cruiserweight Super Champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (47-1, 30 KOs)—ESPN’s #2 cruiserweight in the world—will make a title defense against Cuba’s former WBA and IBF Cruiserweight World Champion, one of the best punchers in boxing and current WBA mandatory challenger Yuniel Dorticós (27-2, 25 KOs) in a men’s world championship bout contested at 200lbs with 12, three-minute rounds.

The American pride of Puerto Rico, Jake “El Gallo de Dorado” Paul (11-1, 7 KOs), has shown tremendous growth as a boxer on his path to becoming a world champion, and now will look to prove he has what it takes against a former world champion in Julio César Chávez Jr. In just five years since turning pro, Paul has made his impact in the ring, earning high-profile victories over names like Tyron Woodley, Anderson Silva, and Nate Diaz. His viral knockouts and headline-grabbing performances have breathed new life into boxing, drawing millions of fans and setting records. In his latest blockbuster fight in November 2024, Jake Paul defeated the Baddest Man on the Planet, Mike Tyson in a heavyweight bout in the first-ever live professional sporting event on Netflix. MVP’s Paul vs. Tyson shattered records, becoming the most-streamed sporting event ever with 108 million live viewers globally. Paul has collected multiple accolades for his commitment to the sport of boxing, including ESPNRingside’s 2021 Knockout of the Year, Sports Illustrated’s 2021 Breakout Boxer of the Year, ESPNRingside’s 2022 Viral Moment of the Year, and was the cover of Sports Illustrated’s “The 50 Most Influential Figures in Sports” issue, awarded specifically for his groundbreaking work to revolutionize the sport through equitable pay, providing a platform for young fighters, and his support of female boxers. Paul also partnered with USA Boxing ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, continuing his mission to elevate the sport and its future champions.

“Five years ago, I stepped into the ring for my pro debut after a single amateur fight, and every fight since has been a step towards becoming world champion. I just defeated the baddest man on the planet, and now I’m going against a former champion who conman Canelo couldn’t finish,” said Jake Paul. “Chávez Jr. is Mexican, but I, El Gallo De Dorado, have the will and heart of the great Mexican fighters. On Saturday, June 28, live on DAZN pay-per-view, I will knock out Julio and make Chávez Sr. proud in ways Jr. never has. Another massive event from Most Valuable Promotions, with some Oscar De La Hoya seasoning added to the show. Viva La Puerto Rico.”

Julio César Chávez Jr. (54-6-1, 34 KOs) is a Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico native and son of former three-division world boxing champion Julio César Chávez, “El Gran Campeón Mexicano,” the greatest Mexican fighter of all time. Chávez Jr. began his professional career with an impressive undefeated streak across his first 47 fights. Chávez Jr. climbed the rankings and became the WBC middleweight world champion in 2011, before being defeated by Sergio Martinez in Chávez’s fourth title defense in 2012. Chávez Jr. went on to reclaim regional titles and later won the WBC Continental Americas Super Middleweight title, recently fighting in his hometown of Culiacan to a UD win over David Zegarra. In June 2021, Chávez squared off with MMA star Anderson Silva, suffering a narrow split decision defeat. He most recently returned to the ring to defeat MMA icon Uriah Hall by unanimous decision on the undercard of Jake Paul vs. Mike Perry in July 2024. Now, Chávez Jr. will have the opportunity to grow his legacy further within the cruiserweight division as he faces Jake Paul on Saturday, June 28.

“First of all, I will show what I can do now that everything is in the right place in my life—mentally and physically,” said Julio César Chávez Jr. “I feel rejuvenated and 10 years younger. Second, I want to thank MVP for taking the risk of fighting me. Unfortunately for their Problem Child, they’re going to have a big problem this June—one they won’t know how to resolve. Hopefully when I beat him, people won’t underestimate this win.”

“Saturday, June 28 marks a defining moment in Jake Paul’s ascent to the top of the boxing world as he aims to show the 125 million people that watched him fight Mike Tyson that he is a real contender in the sport,” said Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions. “Julio César Chávez Jr., a former world champion and the heir to Mexico’s most iconic boxing legacy, will be looking to cement his legacy by definitively defeating Jake, something no opponent has been able to do. Add to that the co-main event, which has the return of Mexican Zurdo Ramirez, the WBA and WBO champion, defending his titles against the dangerous Cuban Yuniel Dorticós, and you have the ingredients for a night full of fireworks. Most Valuable Promotions is honored to present this momentous card in partnership with Golden Boy Promotions, live from Honda Center in Anaheim, and we are proud to continue delivering groundbreaking moments for the sport on DAZN pay-per-view.”

Golden Boy’s Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (47-1, 30 KOs) has over a decade of experience under his belt, debuting as a professional in 2009 and embarking on a career that would see him make boxing history multiple times. In 2016, Ramirez won the WBO Super Middleweight title, defeating “King” Arthur Abraham by unanimous decision in a dominant performance. This victory cemented his status as one of the top fighters, and he became the first Mexican-born fighter to win a world title in the division. Ramirez successfully defended his belt multiple times, defeating tough opponents such as Jesse “Hard Work” Hart and Roamer Alexis Angulo. After five defenses of his title, Ramirez moved up to light heavyweight, where he went on a five-fight winning streak before facing Dmitry Bivol in a unification bout in November 2022. Although Ramirez’s undefeated streak ended in this contest, the fight showcased his resilience, heart, and determination to the sport. Turning that loss into a lesson, Ramirez returned to the ring 11 months later as a cruiserweight this time around. In November 2024, Ramirez made boxing history once again, becoming the first Mexican-born unified cruiserweight champion in an all-action-packed war against Chris Billam-Smith in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Ramirez’s legacy as one of the most skilled and dangerous fighters of his era continues to grow, and he is widely regarded as one of Mexico’s best current champions.

“I’m excited to step back into the ring this June to defend my WBA and WBO titles. This fight marks my WBA mandatory, and I know I need to get past this opponent to stay on track in my journey toward greatness—and ultimately, to become the undisputed champion,” said Zurdo Ramirez. “I’ve been training non-stop and feel sharper than ever as I continue to grow and mature in the sport. The goal hasn’t changed. I’m locked in, and I’m proud to be featured on this card alongside Jake Paul and my good friend Julio César Chávez Jr. A big thank you to my team, Golden Boy Promotions, MVP, the WBA, the WBO, and all my fans. I can’t wait to put on a show you won’t forget.”

WBA mandatory challenger Yuniel Dorticós (27-2, 25 KOs), known as "The KO Doctor," is a Cuban professional boxer renowned for his explosive punching power and success in the cruiserweight division. Born on March 11, 1986, in Cienfuegos, Cuba, he enjoyed a strong amateur career, finishing as a national runner-up multiple times and competing in the Boxing World Cup before defecting to the United States in 2009. Turning professional the same year, Dorticós quickly gained attention by winning his first 17 fights by knockout. He captured the WBA interim cruiserweight title in 2016 and went on to become the WBA (Regular) champion in 2017, defending the title until a loss to Murat Gassiev in 2018. In 2019, he claimed the vacant IBF cruiserweight title with a knockout victory over Andrew Tabiti during the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS), ultimately reaching the WBSS final, where he lost a close decision to Mairis Briedis. Known for his aggressive style and knockout power—evidenced by a record of 27 wins (25 by KO) and just 2 losses—Dorticós remains a respected force in the ring. He resides in Miami, Florida, where he continues to train and represent the proud tradition of Cuban boxing.

“I want to thank MVP, my promoters and Golden Boy for this opportunity,” said Yuniel Dorticós. “My goal is to become a three-time world champion, and now by fighting Zurdo Ramirez I have been granted the chance to accomplish my goals on Saturday, June 28.”

“Once again, Golden Boy is proving that we’re willing to work with anyone to deliver the biggest and most exciting events in boxing. We’re thrilled to partner with Jake Paul, Nakisa Bidarian, Most Valuable Promotions, and DAZN to bring this blockbuster night to fans around the world," said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy. "Now the WBA and WBO Unified Cruiserweight Champion, Zurdo has made history not once, but twice—first as the first Mexican-born fighter to become a super middleweight world champion, and now as the first-ever Mexican to claim a cruiserweight world title, holding championships in both divisions. Ramirez is ready to light up the ring once again—this time against the dangerous Yuniel Dorticós, who’s coming in with everything he’s got to steal the spotlight in this mandatory matchup. But make no mistake: Zurdo is built for moments like this. It’s going to be an unforgettable night celebrating the best of Mexican boxing!”

“We are incredibly excited to welcome Jake Paul back to DAZN against a championship-caliber opponent in Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.” said Jared Kass, SVP North America, DAZN. “We are grateful to our partners at MVP and Golden Boy for delivering an unmissable night of action from start to finish. So tune in Saturday, June 28, only on DAZN.”

Paul vs. Chávez Jr. is produced and marketed by Most Valuable Promotions, with Golden Boy Promotions serving as the official licensed promoter, and is distributed by DAZN pay-per-view. The event is presented by CELSIUS Live Fit Essential Energy, also sponsored by Fansly and Event Ticket Center. Additional information, including additional bouts, will be announced in the coming weeks.

For more information, follow on X via @MostVPromotions, @GoldenBoyBoxing and @DAZNBoxing on Instagram via @MostValuablePromotions, @goldenboy, and @daznboxing.

About Most Valuable Promotions (MVP)

MVP was founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian in 2021. With the mission to provide more creative control to fighters, MVP works to identify, grow, and maximize return for its own events and talent partners. One year into its inception, MVP was nominated as one of the prestigious Sports Breakthroughs of the Year in 2022 by Sports Business Journal. MVP have produced Jake Paul’s last six global pay-per-view events, including the recent Paul vs. Perry match. The promotion company also signed one of the most decorated Hispanic athletes of all time, Amanda Serrano in its first year. Serrano and MVP made history in April of 2022 when Serrano went head to head with Katie Taylor, marking the first female fight to headline at Madison Square Garden, earning a nomination for Event of The Year by Sports Business Journal. MVP made history again in November 2024 with Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson and Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 2, the first-ever live professional sports event on Netflix. MVP’s Paul vs. Tyson streamed live globally on Netflix and shattered records, becoming the most-streamed sporting event ever with 108 million live viewers globally. Co-founder Nakisa Bidarian was an executive producer of Paul vs. Tyson and the historic Triller Presents Mike Tyson v. Roy Jones Jr., which was the 8th most bought pay-per-view event in history.

About DAZN

For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance, visit dazngroup.com.

About Honda Center

Located in the heart of Orange County, Honda Center has remained a premier entertainment and sports venue since its opening in 1993. Home to the 2007 Stanley Cup champion Anaheim Ducks, the arena hosts a variety of events, including sold-out concerts, family entertainment, and thrilling sports competitions. Over the past three decades, Honda Center has remained an iconic and beloved destination for live entertainment in Southern California with over 4,500 events and 45 million guests, paving the way for an even more exciting future. It will anchor the innovative OCVIBE, a 100-acre one-of-a-kind, immersive district designed to bring people together through shared experiences.

Material Courtesy of: DAZN and Most Valuable Promotions Used with permission

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Ennis Breaks Stanionis Down To Increase Welterweight Supremacy

The Welterweight unification between undefeated world champions Jaron Ennis and Eimantas Stanionis was one that represented a step forward for a division still very much in transition. A transition that began with former undisputed champion Terence Crawford choosing to move out of the 147lb. Welterweight division to seek more lucrative opportunities as he is at a stage in his career where after successfully unifying two weight divisions, the Jr. Welterweight division, followed by the Welterweight division in the last several years, where it may be more about what fights will earn him the biggest money possible as well as those mythical “Legacy Defining" bouts, which are always subject to debate, rather than necessarily choosing to stay in one division and trying to dominate against all comers.

While almost all great fighters who establish Hall of Fame resumes as Crawford has eventually reach that point, what can be a challenge that can be an at times unwinnable one at least in the court of public opinion is for the fighters who remain to establish themselves as a division's next central figure without getting the opportunity to face the previous fighter with that distinction either because of that fighter moving out of the division or because of choosing to retire. Both Ennis and Stanionis found themselves in that position.

Despite this and the fact that both fighters are still at a stage in their careers where they are developing and trying to increase their name recognition value, this fight presented something of a rarity in the sport of Boxing that should be seen as refreshing. After all, it is not really common, if nothing else due to the politics that be in the sport to see two unbeaten world champions put not only their records, but also their respective world championships on the line, without the typical grandstanding/posturing that usually occurs, and without sufficient public demand that the fight takes place. Although this fight went against that all too often used formula, the sport will benefit from it as it allowed one of these fighters to take a step forward and in doing so, allowed the Welterweight division a necessary step towards determining it's next central figure.

On April 12th Ennis and Stanionis met at the legendary Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ. Ennis, the IBF world champion, Stanionis, the WBA world champion. Only one would take a step forward, while the other would be forced to take a step back.

Ennis would quickly establish that he would be the fighter dictating how the combat would be fought by frequently getting his punches off first, often in combination, and forcing Stanionis to fight from behind a high defensive guard. What this accomplishes for fighters that are able to do this is one, it paints a clear picture as to who is dictating things, but it also significantly limits an opponent's ability to not only get their punches off consistently, but to also find a consistent offensive rhythm. In this case, Ennis was able to largely nullify one of Stanionis’ primary weapons, the jab and was able to control the fight largely by being the more active of the two fighters and keeping Stanionis defending against punches, rather than throwing his own consistently.

As the fight progressed and Stanionis was able to apply pressure in trying to push Ennis back towards the ropes, the WBA world champion would find periodic success in landing hard hooks to the head of Ennis at points when the IBF world champion would drop his hands at times, which would would allow for an opening for Stanionis to land.

Unfortunately for Stanionis, however, those moments would be sporadic at best and he was unable to quell Ennis’ offensive rhythm, as he gradually began to suffer the accumulative effects of a beating that Ennis was administering. In round six, a left hook to the body followed by some punches to the head that were partially blocked sent Stanionis down on one knee on the canvas. This was a scenario where even though he had gone down from a combination of blows, it was the hook to the body, which was the culprit in sending him down with a delayed reaction.

With his nose bloodied and seemingly looking like a fighter who was suffering a beating, but had no answer for how to combat his opponent effectively, Stanionis showed his mettle by getting up from the knockdown and finishing the round. Having seen what was occurring and looking out for their fighter’s best interests long-term, Stanionis’ corner stopped the fight at the end of round six making Jaron Ennis the winner and now the unified IBF/WBA World Welterweight champion.

Ultimately, this fight was a step forward for Jaron Ennis, but one that arguably puts him in the position of now being able to dictate terms should either current WBC world champion Mario Barrios, WBO world champion Brian Norman, or IBO world champion Tulani Mbenge want to increase their stake in the World Welterweight championship and thus the Welterweight division as a whole. While certainly no disrespect is intended to any of these three world champions by this observer, because they are in fact world champions and deserve the respect that goes with it, neither of the three are really in a position where they could pass on a potential fight with Ennis based solely on name recognition value. Although all three fighters, Barrios, Norman, and Mbenge are world-class fighters, there still lacks the type of name recognition clout, particularly amongst casual fans that could see potential negotiations stall while the division’s four current world champions continue competing against other opposition in the normally crowded Welterweight ranks.

With the incentive that brought Jaron Ennis and Eimantas Stanionis to the table with each looking to increase their hold on the division still very much in the equation, the best both those of us who cover the sport as well as the public can hope for is that the Welterweights are once again on a path towards fully unifying the division and all the current champions should want the same goal to be Undisputed world champion and that will lead to further unification bouts taking place in a more streamlined way than the grandstanding approach, which usually results in fights taking several years to be made. Boxing as a whole will benefit greatly if that is the case.

“And That's The Boxing Truth."

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Follow-Up: DAZN's Three Upcoming Pay-Per-View Cards Now Available For Purchase

In a follow-up to the recent column discussing DAZN’s upcoming three pay-per-view Boxing cards, which will take place within a seven day period. All three events are now available to purchase on DAZN’s website. The first event, which will take place on Saturday, April 26th will be headlined by a long-awaited grudge match between sons of Hall of Fame rivals Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank, Sr., two-division world champion Chris Eubank, Jr. and Conor Benn, which will take place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England is available here in the United States for $24.99. This will be followed by back-to-back events on May 2nd and 3rd. First on May 2nd a tripleheader will take place outdoors in Times Square in New York City, NY featuring Ryan Garcia facing Rolando Romero, former two-division world champion Devin Haney facing former Jr. Welterweight world champion Jose Ramirez, and current WBO Jr. Welterweight world champion Teofimo Lopez defending his title against number one WBO contender Arnold Barboza for $59.99. On May 3rd, Super-Middleweight world champions Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and William Scull will meet in Saudi Arabia for the Undisputed Super-Middleweight championship of the world, which is also priced at $59.99. DAZN, however, is offering an option for both the May 2nd and 3rd events by offering consumers the option to either purchase both events separately at the aforementioned $59.99 per event or as a bundle for $89.99. All three events are available for purchase at DAZN.com We will have coverage of all three events in the coming weeks here on Stay tuned.

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, availability around the world, to subscribe, and for region-specific pricing for select pay-per-view events please visit: www.DAZN.com.

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Tuesday, April 15, 2025

Muhammad Waseem Returns Home for Title Fight in Quetta Against Venezuela’s Wiston Orono

Press Release: April 15, 2025 By DHA QUETTA & Falcon Sporting Promotions- Quetta, Pakistan – The wait is finally over. Pakistan’s pride, Muhammad Waseem, is bringing world-class boxing to his hometown of Quetta for the very first time.

On May 10, Waseem will face Venezuela’s Wiston Orono in a 10-round showdown for the WBA World Gold Bantamweight Title, a bout that promises fireworks, legacy, and the roar of a home crowd behind the nation’s most decorated boxer. The historic fight will take place at the Quetta Polo & Saddle Club, promoted by Falcon Sporting Promotions, setting the stage for an unforgettable night of action.

‘The Falcon’, Waseem (13-2, 9 KOs) has flown high throughout his career, representing Pakistan on some of the biggest stages in boxing. Previously fought for the IBF World Flyweight Title — not once, but twice — going toe-to-toe with elite competition and earning respect across the boxing world for his slick style and precision punching.

Most recently, Waseem reignited his title chase with a third-round knockout win in Malta over Georgia’s Jaba Memishishi — a performance that reminded fans and critics alike that the Quetta-born southpaw is far from done.

With a title in sight and a sold-out crowd expected in Quetta, Waseem’s mission is clear: win on home soil, and inspire a new generation of Pakistani fighters.

“Fighting at home is something I’ve always dreamed of,” Waseem said in a recent interview. “This fight isn’t just for me — it’s for Quetta, for Pakistan, and for everyone who’s supported me since day one.”

Standing in his way is Wiston Orono of Venezuela, an experienced operator with a reputation for toughness. Orono has battled through Latin America’s boxing circuits and comes into the fight with momentum, fresh off a strong domestic campaign back home. While Orono may not have the same international profile, he’s hungry — and dangerous.

But this moment belongs to Waseem. From his stellar amateur career, to rising to world title contention, the 37-year-old has carried the flag with honour. Now, under the lights in Quetta, with the WBA Gold Belt on the line, Muhammad Waseem looks to deliver the performance of a lifetime in front of the people who made him.

Don’t miss it: May 10 at the Quetta Polo & Saddle Club.

Material and Photo Courtesy of: DHA QUETTA & Falcon Sporting Promotions Used with permission

Saturday, April 12, 2025

Muhammad Waseem To Headline A Historic Night Of World-Class Championship Boxing In Pakistan

Press Release: April 13, 2025 By DHA QUETTA and Falcon Sporting Promotions- Historic Night of World-Class Championship Boxing Set for Quetta on May 10, 2025. Headlined by National Hero Muhammad Waseem.

Credit: DHA QUETTA and Falcon Sporting Promotions

Falcon Promotions and Defence Housing Authority (DHA) Quetta, in association with MP Promotions are proud to announce a night of world-class championship boxing, on May 10, 2025, live from the Quetta Polo and Saddle Club, Pakistan.

In the main event, local hero Muhammad Waseem (13-2, 9 KOs) will compete for the WBA World Gold Bantamweight Title against Venezuela's hard-hitting Wiston Orono (16- 5, 14 KOs) over 12 rounds.

Pakistan’s Waseem, known for his exceptional speed and skill, aims to claim the prestigious title on home soil.

The co-main event showcases a battle for the WBA South Asia Welterweight Title, as Mexico’s Jesus Saracho (14-2-2, 11 KOs) faces Filipino puncher Joepher (19- 5-2, 17 KOs).

Saracho, looks to continue his ascent in the division after a majority draw to top prospect Luis Lopez in March 2025.

Also featured is the WBA South Asia Super Lightweight Title bout, with Morocco's Tarik Zaina (14-2- 1, 9 KOs) taking on the Philippines' Marvin Esquierdo (18-4-1, 11 KOs) over 10 rounds. This matchup promises a show-stealing contest between two highly skilled operators.

The UK's Alex Dilmaghani (20-3-1, 7 KOs) returns to the ring to face Dominican Republic’s Yermi Peralta (12-1-2, 8 KOs) for the WBA South Asia Super Featherweight Title, to be disputed over 10 rounds.

The card also features a middleweight contest, with Manchester's Jimmy Kelly (28-3, 10 KOs) squaring off against Thailand's Phithak Ritkaew (7-1, 5 KOs) over eight rounds.

Additionally, Bolton's Sahir Iqbal (11-1, 1 KO) faces Mexico City's Diego Carmona (13-3, 11 KOs) in another eight-round middleweight bout.

The undercard includes a six-round super featherweight bout between Pakistan's Shujat Manzoor (1- 1) and the Dominican Republic's Heimer Rosario (3-2, 3 KOs). Rosario, with a 100% knockout ratio in his victories, presents a formidable challenge.

Also on the card, Manchester's undefeated Bobby Faulkner (10-0, 2 KOs) faces the Dominican Republic's Brayan Suero Hernandez (5-5-1, 3 KOs) in a six-round super welterweight bout.

Scotland's Ryan Carlin (5-0) takes on the Dominican Republic's Markin Quezada Nuñez (2-3, 2 KOs) in a 6-round bantamweight contest.

Rounding out the evening are two four-round bouts featuring debutants: Komal Akhlaq faces Fatima Hazara in a super featherweight clash, and Nada Zareen Parvez meets Afsheen Javed in a featherweight contest, both showcasing Pakistan's emerging female boxing talent.

Falcon Promotions director Danny Vaughan discussed the partnership with DHA Quetta and their first event on May 10. Vaughan said, “I am thrilled for Falcon Promotions to be working alongside the great people at DHA Quetta to put on a world-class championship boxing event on May 10. I want to thank all the members of the DHA Quetta, as well as Muhammad Waseem for giving us this opportunity to make history and begin developing professional boxing in Pakistan”.

“We are hoping this will be the first of many events which will hopefully see Muhammad Waseem become the first Pakistan-born World Champion. Muhammad Waseem and Falcon Promotions, with the help of the DHA Quetta, hope to create a legacy, which will create a pathway for Pakistan to develop more world champions for years to come.”

Mr. Azhar Munir, Administrator DHA Quetta, added, "We are honored to partner with Falcon Promotions to bring this historic event to Quetta, Pakistan. This event is not only a testament to Muhammad Waseem's skills, but also a celebration of Pakistan's rich

sporting heritage. We look forward to hosting a thrilling night of boxing and showcasing the best of Pakistan's talent to the world”.

Material and Photo Courtesy of: DHA QUETTA and Falcon Sporting Promotions Used with permission

Friday, April 11, 2025

DR. PHIL’S MERITTV™ PRESENTS DOUBLE-HEADER WEEKEND FOR “TCL TEAM BOXING LEAGUE” LIVE MATCHES

Press Release: By Merit TV - DALLAS (April 10, 2025) — Dr. Phil’s MeritTV, the multiplatform TV network founded by Dr. Phil McGraw, is set to air a live double-header for the TCL Team Boxing League this Friday, April 11, at 9 PM ET, followed by another bout on Sunday, April 13, at 3 PM ET, across broadcast, cable, streaming, FAST platforms, and the network’s free app, MeritTV.

The TCL Team Boxing League’s third season continues with high-energy matchups as teams composed of rising stars and veteran athletes go head-to-head in 12 different weight classes. With a team-based ownership model, every punch counts towards the team’s total performance, adding an exciting new dynamic to the world of professional boxing.

Live Matches on MeritTV:

Friday, April 11th, at the LA Elite Arena (Ukrainian Cultural Center):

9 PM ET – Las Vegas Hustle vs. Miami Assassins

Midnight ET – Phoenix Fury vs. Los Angeles Elite

Sunday, April 13th at Newton Athletic Club:

3 PM ET – Philadelphia Smoke vs. NYC Attitude

The following weekend features San Antonio vs. Houston, Dallas vs. Boston, Las Vegas vs. Nashville, and Miami vs. Atlanta. As part of a global media partnership announced earlier this year, approximately 20 weekends of TCL Boxing will air exclusively on MeritTV. The culmination of play-off rounds and final battles takes place throughout July and August.

About Dr. Phil’s MeritTV

Launched in April 2024 under the Merit Street Media banner, Dr. Phil’s MeritTV is a premier multiplatform television network spearheaded by Dr. Phil McGraw, the esteemed best-selling author and award-winning television host. MeritTV creates and distributes compelling content across diverse platforms, reaching audiences nationwide. This fully distributed cable, satellite, streaming, FAST TV (free ad-supported streaming TV channels), and free over-the-air broadcast media Network is also available via the free app MeritTV.

MeritTV boasts a rich tapestry of original and acquired programming, anchored by the nightly talk show “Dr. Phil Primetime.” Situated in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the expansive Merit studios span five acres and serve as the dynamic hub for the brand. Here, daily morning and evening live news broadcasts unfold, plus live breaking news, embodying MeritTV’s commitment to delivering engaging and informative content. Viewers can access the channel-finder link by entering ZIP codes at MeritTV.com.

Material and Video Courtesy of: Merit TV Used with permission

Thursday, April 10, 2025

Will DAZN's Three PPV Gamble Be Too Much For Boxing Fans?

Longtime readers know that one of the most consistent topics this observer has discussed over the many years that I have covered the sport of Boxing has been the pay-per-view model and more specifically, the increasing need for the sport, those who promote it, and networks that televise it to move away from a model that no longer benefits the sport and rarely offers value to consumers who support it. While I have at times been criticized for my stance that Boxing would be much better off in the long-term picture by adapting a reasonably priced subscription-based approach like what has already been established by digital streaming networks DAZN and ESPN+, my motivation has always been what will benefit the sport and help it grow and be more accessible to anyone who wants to see it regardless of economic scenarios one might find themselves in rather than any vested interests as I do not write or otherwise work for any other outlet or network outside of the one I own and operate here at The Boxing Truth®.

Even as my stance seems to have been increasingly validated as years have gone on as networks that have relied on the pay-per-view model have exited the sport since 2018, coincidentally the same year ESPN+ launched here in the United States and DAZN also entered the U.S. market, despite the sport being in the midst of a transition to being almost exclusively available via streaming, both in response to consumers looking to move away from traditional cable/satellite pay television, as well as general decline continuing in regard to pay-per-view buys, the model still remains more of an issue for the sport rather than a beneficial solution both for Boxing as well as consumers. Although I have been supportive of both DAZN and ESPN+ for each’s introduction of subscription-based alternatives to the model, I would not be objective if I said I have not also criticized both when they have ventured into pay-per-view, despite the evidence that it is not a profitable strategy for either in the now largely streaming-based era.

Many likely remember that when DAZN entered the U.S. market, the main pitch to consumers was pay-per-view quality Boxing events “Without The Pain of Pay-Per-View!" Their reasoning for eventually venturing into pay-per-view starting in 2022 was as a means to attract fighters and promoters who have insisted on the model to the negotiating table. It should also not be overlooked that at the time, much like many others businesses globally, DAZN was in the process of recovering from the effects of the global COVID-19 epidemic, so the move to what they insist is a “Selective/Sporadic" use of pay-per-view may have been seen and justified by some as a necessity.

As the pay-per-view model has continued to decline with the latest casualty being pay-per-view distributor InDemand preparing to cease operations by the end of 2025 ending 40 years as a primary pay-per-view distributor across cable/satellite providers in the United States and in recent years streaming via it's PPV.com platform, even as DAZN and platforms like Prime Video have continued doing periodic pay-per-view events, despite the evidence that it is not being embraced by consumers, one may be tempted to ask when will common sense enter the equation? More specifically, when will it no longer be ignored that things need to change as no doubt such stubbornness has to negatively impact the bottom line.

Perhaps the next example that will be used to illustrate the need to change will come in the coming weeks as DAZN will present three pay-per-view events in a span of one week. First, on April 26, DAZN will air the highly anticipated grudge match between sons of Boxing legends Chris Eubank and Nigel Benn, two-time world champion Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn, which will take place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, which will be available for $24.99 here in the United States.

While that price point on it's own is certainly budget-friendly and a throwback to a time where most Boxing pay-per-view cards were priced under $30 and were less frequent throughout the 1980’s and part of the 1990’s, one might wonder how consumer-friendly the price might be when one considers that on May 2nd and 3rd back to back pay-per-view cards will be held also on DAZN.

First on May 2nd, a card headlined by a triple header featuring Ryan Garcia facing Rolando Romero, Devin Haney facing Jose Ramirez, and WBO Jr. Welterweight world champion Teofimo Lopez defending his title against Arnold Barboza will take place outdoors in Times Square in New York City. This will be followed on May 3rd when Unified WBO/WBA/WBC Super-Middleweight world champion Saul “Canelo" Alvarez will be attempting to become a two-time Undisputed Super-Middleweight world champion when he faces undefeated IBF world champion William Scull in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Beyond the latter being the first time Alvarez has fought in the increasing hotbed of Boxing in Saudi Arabia and a significant shift in Alvarez not fighting on Cinco De Mayo weekend in Las Vegas, and the Times Square event bringing the overdue return of Hall of Fame broadcaster and longtime HBO play by play voice Jim Lampley to calling Boxing for the first time since HBO exited the sport in 2018, one would be justified in questioning if one or both of these events will be priced consumer-friendly considering that there will be a pay-per-view card just days before.

Although it should be pointed out that like any sporting event, some events will draw more eyes than others, the question here is will this gamble for DAZN be too much for Boxing fans given the state of economic conditions and whether these events will fit into one's budget. While it needs to be noted that all three of these cards are being promoted in part by the Riyadh Season group that has largely established Boxing’s footprint in Saudi Arabia and who has generally began to price their pay-per-view cards in a more consumer-friendly approach, the question that needs to be asked is how much is too much?

How much is too much not only in regard to the frequency of when these cards take place, how closely they are placed on the schedule to each other, and finally the price points to not only draw in the interest of the hardcore Boxing enthusiasts, but also the casual sports fan? For DAZN, the question should also be whether the value of a monthly or annual subscription to their network is going to be diminished by not only doing pay-per-view a bit more frequently than the pledge of “Selective/Sporadic?" Furthermore, is it a disservice to their network that is still growing to not include these events as part of a subscription to the network for existing subscribers?

While price points for the May 3rd and 4th events have not been announced as of this writing, I do believe that if pay-per-view is going to continue to be used by networks/platforms that already have established subscription-based models that it should be used as a way to draw in consumers who may not be subscribed to try these networks. For existing subscribers, it should be either included with their subscriptions, which would be the more common sense approach, or should be offered to subscribers at a reduced price that should not exceed $30 regardless of who might be on the card.

Under circumstances like this with three cards occuring within a week’s time, perhaps selling the three events as a package bundle with a budget-friendly price with a cap of under $60 should be something DAZN should consider. Unfortunately, numbers will continue to generally decline only with rare exceptions without adapting to the changing landscape. This includes folks who get on social media platforms and boast about how they will look for not so legal walk-arounds to access events that either do not fit within their budget or they simply have no interest in paying for.

Although I discourage such practices and pay the same fees as the average consumer to ply my trade, though I do sympathize with those who feel they have no other options to watch the sport they love, the way to reach those folks is not by continuing to rely on a model that consumers continue to reject and perhaps in spite of evidence continuing to resist change, which whether networks or promoters want to admit it or not will ultimately benefit them and the sport. Unfortunately until such realization occurs with networks having left the sport largely due to their over reliance on pay-per-view, with one network in ESPN perhaps either nearing an exit itself or a significant revamp in terms of their commitment to the spot by the end of 2025, it will be up to DAZN, who despite their growth, will have to make the decision as to how long they want to walk a tightrope by using a model that they were insisting on changing at the risk of alienating their subscribers not just here in the United States, but globally. At the risk of being unpopular, that is a gamble that may not be worth taking.

“And That’s The Boxing Truth."

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Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Schedule Resumption Notice

We would like to let our readers know that we will be resuming our regular schedule on Thursday, April 10th. In the interim, any content that is sent in from promoters, networks, and others involved in the sport of Boxing will be made available to readers here on the website as they are sent in. Stay tuned.

“And That's The Boxing Truth."

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Monday, March 31, 2025

DR. PHIL’S MERITTV™ LAUNCHES PREMIERE WEEKEND FOR“TCL TEAM BOXING LEAGUE” LIVE MATCHES

Press Release: March 31, 2025 By Merit TV - DALLAS (Mar. 31, 2025) — Dr. Phil’s MeritTV™, the multiplatform TV network founded by Dr. Phil McGraw, will exclusively air the season’s first live matches of “TCL Team Boxing League” on April 4 at 9 PM ET and Sunday, April 6 at 3 PM ET across broadcast, cable, streaming, FAST platforms, and the network’s free app, MeritTV.

TCL’s 2025 season—its third—will launch with the Boston vs. New York battle (from Foxwoods Casino), featuring teams composed of rising male and female talent alongside seasoned veterans. Competitors in the first and only professional boxing league with a team-based ownership model will face off across 12 different weight classes in 24 action-packed, three-minute rounds, with team performance determining the overall winner.

“TCL Team Boxing League” live matches on MeritTV:

Friday, April 4 at 9 PM ET – Boston Butchers Vs. NYC Attitude live from Foxwoods Casino, CT

Sunday, April 6 at 3 PM ET – Atlanta Attack Vs. Nashville Smash live from Nashville Fairgrounds, TN

The following weekend features Los Angeles Vs. Miami, Phoenix Vs. Las Vegas, and Philadelphia Vs. New York City. Approximately 20 weekends of TCL Boxing will air exclusively on MeritTV as part of a global media partnership announced earlier this year. The culmination of play-off rounds and final battles take place throughout July and August.

About Dr. Phil’s MeritTV

Viewers can access the channel-finder link by entering ZIP codes at MeritTV.com. The broad multiplatform scaled distribution partnerships – with a mix of broadcast, basic cable, national satellites, and FAST TV – include the free streaming app MeritTV, available to download via iPhone and Android mobile devices, Apple TV, Android TV, Fire TV, and Roku.

The network boasts a rich tapestry of original and acquired programming, anchored by the nightly talk show “Dr. Phil Primetime.” Situated in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the expansive Merit studios span five acres and serve as the dynamic hub for the brand. Here, daily morning and evening live news broadcasts unfold, plus live breaking news, embodying MeritTV’s commitment to delivering engaging and informative content. Visit MeritTV.com

Material Courtesy of: Merit TV Used with permission

Schedule Pause

We would like to let our readers know that we are currently between rounds and will update readers on when our normal schedule will resume during the second week of April. In the interim, any content that is sent in from promoters, networks, and other entities in the sport of Boxing will be made available to readers as normal as they come in. Stay Tuned.

“And That's The Boxing Truth."

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Friday, March 28, 2025

Reflecting And Remembering "Big" George Foreman

There are points where those of us who cover the sport, who follow their passion and love for Boxing, often referred to as “The Fight Game," where one reflects on those who helped build that love for the sport. Unfortunately, such reflections often come upon sad news that as time goes on, one knows the time will come where it will be time to pay tribute to legends as they unfortunately leave us. Although this observer does not look forward to penning such pieces, if one is a true Boxing lifer, which I am proud to be one, and takes the vocation of covering the sport seriously, it unfortunately comes with the territory.

The Boxing world was hit with a massive blow on March 21, 2025 when news emerged that former Olympic Gold Medalist, two-time World Heavyweight champion, ordained minister, preacher, entrepreneur, pitchman, one-time actor, author, Boxing commentator, and Hall of Famer “Big" George Foreman passed away in his native Houston, TX at the age of 76. Frankly, even though I obviously knew that Foreman was in his 70’s, and had not fought in a Boxing ring in nearly 28 years, the news of his passing still hit me hard.

Perhaps the reason for that is because Foreman along with several others all influenced me to not only follow the sport to the point where the term “Boxing Lifer” is more than appropriate, but to ultimately enter Boxing as well as other combat sports as a writer. Obviously, there will be scribes throughout the sport that will talk a great deal about Foreman winning the Gold medal in the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, and the reign of terror he inflicted upon the Heavyweight division upon turning professional and throughout the 1970’s highlighted by his destruction of Joe Frazier to win the World Heavyweight championship in 1973, his equally brutal knockout of Ken Norton in 1974 in a title defense, his losing the title to Muhammad Ali as the victim of Ali’s “Rope A Dope" strategy that saw Ali take a brutal beating at the hands of Foreman for seven rounds before turning the tables on an exhausted champion and knocking him out in the eighth round to take the title from him, to the time when he once fought five men in one night in a sideshow exhibition, to his legendary battle against Ron Lyle, to his loss to Jimmy Young, which led to his embarking on a path that saw him become an ordained minister. All of which are important to Foreman's story and deserve to be discussed as I am doing here, but yours truly has a bit of a different perspective on Foreman's career.

While I studied all of the above and all of Foreman's career, I did not enter the world until the 1980’s and as such, my exposure to George Foreman began during his comeback period, which started in 1987. A comeback that would go down as probably one of the greatest in all of sports was initially viewed by many as skeptical and treated by some as an outright joke. The reason for this is Foreman was not only returning to the ring ten years after retiring following his loss to Jimmy Young in 1977, at the age of 38, which was unheard of at the time, but also Foreman returned not as a scary, physically imposing monster he had been back in his prime, but as a pudgy pitchman, who was a master at drawing interest in his fights as well as being a much more outwardly publicly engaging, friendly individual than had been the case in his prime.

At the time as a young kid, one of my favorite things to do was watch Boxing with my father. In the late 1980’s, there were weekly series on cable television dedicated to Boxing here in the United States, which aired on both USA Network and ESPN. Along with Heavyweights like Ray Mercer and future Foreman opponent Tommy Morrison, who were just starting their professional careers, both networks served as platforms for Foreman's comeback in its early stages. While frankly most of Foreman's opposition from 1987 to 1990 were overmatched opponents designed to help Foreman work off what is often referred to as “Ring Rust," every time Foreman fought, my father and I were watching. It did not take long for me to become a fan and part of that was aided by my father telling me stories about Foreman in the 1970’s as well as helping me gain access to footage of classic fight films whenever he could.

In 1990, however, Foreman's comeback was turned serious by those who initially scoffed at his attempt to return to the ring to reclaim the World Heavyweight championship. First in January of that year and in an attempt to test the waters of his marketability over age 40, Foreman headlined a pay-per-view card where he scored a brutal second round knockout of longtime Heavyweight contender and former world title challenger Gerry Cooney, sending him into retirement. Although some remained skeptical given that Cooney was attempting a comeback himself following a three year hiatus when he fought Foreman, the skepticism began to quiet down when in June of that year, Foreman took on South American Heavyweight champion Addilson Rodrigues, who had recently fought Evander Holyfield, who at the time was the number one Heavyweight contender, and, despite losing to Holyfield, still maintained a top ten ranking amongst the sport’s respective sanctioning organizations.

As he had done to Cooney, Foreman made quick work of Rodrigues, knocking him out in the second round. Following a one round knockout of veteran Terry Anderson in September of that year, Foreman found himself in position to face the new Undisputed World Heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield in April 1991 in an attempt to regain the title.

Known as “The Battle of the Ages," many did not give Foreman a chance outside of a possible quick knockout citing both his age 42 at the time, as well as a superbly conditioned Holyfield, who was just entering his athletic prime and had introduced methods into his training regime that had never been seen in the sport before. To the surprise of some, Foreman proved to be competitive, engaging in a twelve round toe to toe classic battle with Holyfield including somehow being able to withstand a brutal barrage of punches from Holyfield in the seventh round, where the champion fired off twenty-six unanswered punches, many of which landed flush, but could not knock Foreman down.

Despite his ability to stand up to that assault, which to this day, this observer still cannot figure out how he was able to, and putting up a great fight, Foreman did not succeed in taking the title from Holyfield in losing a twelve round unanimous decision. Although at this point, Foreman had proven to be just as legitimate a fighter as he had been in the 1970’s when he was champion and arguably the most feared fighter in the sport, as well as being a better fighter in terms of technique and ability to be both patient and relaxed in the midst of battle during his comeback rather than the physically imposing figure that frankly steamrolled most of his opponents, following the loss to Holyfield, almost instinctively, speculation started as to whether Foreman would continue fighting.

In some ways, it was understandable given his age, but again such speculation was largely rooted in the fact that Foreman was doing something that had not been seen before in Boxing in coming back after a long retirement and doing so at an advanced age. Even though the inspiration for such an attempt was likely at least in part due to the legendary former Light-Heavyweight world champion Archie Moore, who pioneered the concept of fighting to an advanced age retiring at age 49 in 1963 and who assisted in Foreman's training going as far back as the 1970’s, who was also still in his corner for many of his fights along the comeback trail, even Moore had not done what Foreman had in taking a lengthy absence from the sport to come back much further down the line.

The speculation of what Foreman would do after the Holyfield fight did not last long as he went back to the drawing board and began working his way back towards another opportunity at a world championship. While today it is unfortunately common to see fighters at times use their name recognition value as a means of trying to get opportunities to fight for world titles rather than fighting their way into that position, Foreman chose to fight three times between his return in December 1991 following his loss to Holyfield and 1993, going 3-0 with 2 Knockouts during that stretch.

This set him up for another title shot, this time the WBO World Heavyweight championship, which was vacant at the time. The shot would come against fellow “Knockout Artist" Tommy Morrison on June 7, 1993. Although the WBO was not viewed by some as a legitimate sanctioning organization at the time, it was still for a version of the World Heavyweight championship and thus, offered Foreman a chance to achieve his goal of regaining a world title.

Unlike in his previous title shot two years earlier, Foreman, 44 at the time, was considered the favorite over Morrison, who himself was making a second attempt at a world title after being on the receiving end of a brutal knockout at the hands of then unbeaten WBO world champion Ray Mercer in 1991. Perhaps because of what happened in that fight as well as Morrison's come forward style, which while exciting, also left him vulnerable to being caught and hurt by an opponent's offense, was the reason why many including yours truly felt Foreman's experience, his own punching power, and technique would be too much for the always “Game," but seemingly limited Morrison.

Despite every metric that one could use as a comparable breakdown with the exception of age seeming to tip in the favor of Foreman and the expectation of most of a short, but explosive fight for as long as it would last, Morrison went against his come forward, aggressive nature in producing what would turn out to be the performance of his career, a tactical Boxing strategy that resulted in a not so entertaining fight to defeat Foreman and win the title via twelve round unanimous decision.

As was the case following his loss to Holyfield, instinctively, many felt that this for Foreman, who had already begun to establish what would be an outstanding and respected career as a commentator working for HBO Sports two years before the Morrison fight, would be the end for him as a fighter. Although Foreman never made any official announcement, it appeared more or less confirmed when advertisements for various products including Meineke began populating both television and radio featuring “Big" George the pitchman. Foreman would also be featured in several video games as well. This would be followed by Foreman starring in his own sitcom “George" in which he played George Foster a retired boxer and former World Heavyweight champion who ran an after school program for troubled students, which ran on ABC television here in the United States from November 1993 to January 1994. While in many ways obviously inspired by Foreman’s own work as a minister in also running the George Foreman Youth and Community Center in his native Texas, which ultimately led to his returning to the ring in 1987 looking in part to keep that center open, the series, which this observer thoroughly enjoyed and looked forward to watching on Tuesday nights at the time, shortly before flipping to USA Network to watch the weekly Tuesday Night Fights series, did not last long.

Perhaps the reason for that was, despite having a successful career as a broadcaster, what would eventually become a very lucrative career as a pitchman and entrepreneur including the now world famous George Foreman Grill line of products, and seemingly venturing into the general entertainment space, Foreman still had unfinished business in the Boxing ring.

In November 1994, Foreman would return once more, this time opting to use his name recognition clout to secure an opportunity for another title shot, this time against unbeaten two-time Heavyweight world champion Michael Moorer, who held the IBF/WBA unified world championship at the time. Although Foreman was criticized heavily for receiving this opportunity given what had not been a good performance against Tommy Morrison a year earlier and attempts by the World Boxing Association to prevent the fight from happening, which saw Foreman successfully defeat the WBA legally, the fight would happen on November 5th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

At this point in my life, I was about a year away from stumbling upon the journey that I am still on covering the sport. I was, however, very much looking forward to the fight as I do for mostly any fight that I cover or watch to this day with rare exceptions. My father was also looking forward to seeing Foreman getting one more chance to regain the title, but we both felt that after what happened against Morrison that if it were going to happen, Foreman would have to catch Moorer early.

There had been evidence in the years prior that the possibility of Foreman catching Moorer early existed, despite the champion being younger, unbeaten, and just entering his prime at the time of the bout. Both Bert Cooper, who Moorer defeated in 1992 for the vacant WBO world title and Alex Stewart, who Moorer had knocked out in one of the best fights of 1991, coincidentally two former Foreman opponents that he had defeated during his comeback period, had each come close to knocking Moorer out, and in Cooper’s case, had knocked Moorer down in their fight, before both ultimately were stopped by Moorer. Despite these facts, conventional wisdom of Moorer defeating Foreman, much like Holyfield had done three years earlier, seemed to be the opinion of most fans and experts.

For most of the fight, it appeared as though that would be the case as Moorer put forth a superb Boxing performance, using his movement and combination punching to keep Foreman off balance and unable to get his punches off consistently. As this fight was going on, my father casually told me that he felt Foreman was setting a trap and was setting Moorer up. What would follow is a memory I cherish and a memory for the Denison family that is still talked about by yours truly whenever I talk about this fight, which has also become emotional for me since losing my father any time I watch this fight back to this day.

For a significant period of my youth my family and I had a floor television that my father referred to as “The Old Girl" because it was a television encased in a large wooden cabinet that would take my father using a hand truck and someone who was physically able to spot him whenever the television had to be moved so he would not drop it or otherwise damage it. The reason I bring up that story, particularly for those who may not be old enough to remember floor televisions, is it was not uncommon to lay on the floor and watch TV during those days. Some of my favorite memories as a child were spent in front of that television with my father and my sisters.

On the night of Moorer-Foreman, as the fight became increasingly one-sided in favor of Moorer, I began to nod off on our living room floor in front of the TV. Not because I lost interest, but likely because I got comfortable. In any event, as the fight progressed and I continued to nod off as Moorer was frankly dominating with each passing round, my father, who was sitting on the couch continued to say with conviction, “Beau, I'm telling you Foreman is setting him (Moorer) up." I did not disagree with him, but I told him that it looked like Foreman was having trouble getting his punches off. A sentiment that was echoed by the late great trainer and broadcaster Gil Clancy, who was serving as a commentator for HBO Sports in the role usually filled by Foreman. Clancy, who was empathic in the pre-fight discussions prior to the bout in saying he did not see a way Foreman could win. As the fight went on Clancy continued to drive his point home saying Foreman was a 45 year old man in a young man’s game and alluding to Foreman's inability to get his punches off consistently as attributable to slowed reflexes, which is a common issue for fighters as they age.

As this was going on the legendary Teddy Atlas, who was Moorer’s trainer, told his charge that though he was proud of what he was seeing, to not stay in front of Foreman for too long because Atlas felt that Foreman was looking to set him up for one shot, appearing to see the same thing my father had seen from very early in the fight. By the ninth round, I was going in and out of consciousness, but I had no idea that history was looming and about to be made.

Towards that point in the fight, Moorer though still in control, had stopped using as much movement and seemed more comfortable to stand in front of Foreman, appearing to give the impression that whatever punching power Foreman had did not concern him. In round ten, Foreman gradually took control landing punches that moved Moorer into position for two one, two combinations, the second of which put Moorer flat on his back on the canvas.

When this sequence happened initially, I had nodded off and did not see it initially. My father, who was a big and imposing figure in his own right proceeded to jump over our coffee table and in a scene that likely resembled the late professional wrestler King Kong Bundy going for his finishing maneuver a big splash, my father came down onto me and roused me up screaming as loud as he could, “Beau It's Over, Foreman Won!" After having the living hell scared out of me, I turned and looked at the television and saw Moorer stretched out on the canvas and Referee Joe Cortez counting him out. Amidst the pandemonium both in the arena in Las Vegas echoed by Jim Lampley’s legendary and emotional call “It Happened, IT HAPPENED!" as well as what was occuring in the Denison household, my father grabbed and hugged me. It was one of the few times I ever saw my father cry. He was genuinely happy to see Foreman regain the title he had lost to Muhammad Ali twenty years and one month earlier in October 1974. While all the excitement was going on, Foreman did not celebrate his triumph, instead when Cortez officially waved his arms over the fallen champion, Foreman knelt in prayer. Clearly, his achievement had a much deeper meaning than simply regaining the Heavyweight championship of the world.

The moment for my father and I would be something he would talk about for the rest of his life and called it one of his favorite nights with his son. Subsequently upon my beginning my writing journey in November 1995, I was able to cover Foreman's last three fights against Crawford Grimsley, Lou Savareese, and Shannon Briggs between 1996 and 1997 when I was a teenager, the latter a controversial decision loss to Briggs for the then 48 year old Foreman, a fight I will always believe he won, ultimately was a sour end to a great career that should serve as a testament to anyone to never give up.

As I reflect on this incredible man and what was a journey for me as well as I experienced this inspirational story unfold in real time as Foreman went on this comeback, which he also called a private quest, I think about not only the memories it provided me with my father, which I think of more now and appreciate than I can ever put into words, but also the lesson Foreman taught of never give up. For someone who was born with cerebral palsy and has gone through his own ups and downs along the way admittedly, it's a lesson that I have had to remind myself of from time to time, but it is a lesson everyone should learn.

One of the things I am proud to be noted for is as a Boxing historian, I spend just as much time in the present day watching fight films as I did in my youth and that includes continuing to watch many of Foreman's bouts both from his first chapter and from the comeback period, all of which I recommend watching. When I was informed of Foreman's passing, it did as I said hit me hard, but at the same time, it instantly brought back all those fond memories. Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to meet George Foreman in person as I have continued covering the sport I love, which he is one of the people who inspired me. It is something that I will always regret for the simple reason that I will be unable to say thank you in person for both the inspiration and for providing me with memories with my father that I will forever cherish. Mr. Foreman, thank you for the inspiration you provided me, for giving my father and I so many memories, and for your endless contributions to the sport of Boxing, but to humanity as well. Your legacy will live forever. God bless you. Rest well.

“And That's The Boxing Truth."

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