Shields To Defend Unified World Heavyweight Crown In Homecoming

When the history of Boxing is written, one fighter who will be able to take credit for elevating the sport for female fighters to levels previously unthought of by many is undefeated five-division world champion Claressa Shields. If there is one word to describe Shields’ career up to this point in Boxing it would be “Dominant." First emerging on the mainstream scene as the only fighter in United States Boxing history female or male to have won two Olympic Gold medals in two consecutive Olympic Games in 2012 and 2016. Since turning pro late in 2016, she has continued to defeat all challengers compiling a record of 15-0, with 3 Knockouts and becoming an undisputed world champion as a Middleweight and Super-Middleweight, just part of an already Hall of 

Fame career that has thus far seen her win world titles in five weight divisions from Jr. Middleweight to Heavyweight.

It was in her last fight in July of last year where Shields became the unified World Heavyweight champion in scoring a second round knockout of WBC world champion Vanessa Joanisse in a fight where both the WBC and WBF World Heavyweight titles were on the line as well as the vacant WBO Light-Heavyweight world championship, giving Shields the added distinction of being only the second fighter behind the legendary Sugar Ray Leonard to have won world titles in multiple weight divisions in a single fight. An accomplishment that Leonard achieved in November 1988 when he scored a thrilling ninth round knockout of WBC Light-Heavyweight world champion Donny Lalonde, where the then newly created WBC Super-Middleweight championship in what was then a new division in the sport, was also on the line in what turned out to be regarded as one of the greatest fights of the 1980’s. While Shields’ accomplishment may not get the attention it should from some, primarily because, despite Women's Boxing having been active since the 1960’s, the sport is still very much growing and due largely to Shields’ stature throughout the entire sport, has finally been able to gain long overdue exposure and acceptance, which has in turn allowed for delayed growth with the introduction of new weight classes for female fighters.

While Shields has also ventured into the sport of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) where she has compiled a record of 2-1, with 1 Knockout, her legacy in Boxing has continued as the subject of the recently released film The Fire Inside, which tells her life story. Shields’ story, however, will continue as she returns to her hometown of Flint, MI on Sunday, February 2nd to defend her unified World Heavyweight championship against undefeated contender Danielle Perkins at the Dort Financial Center. A fight that can be seen worldwide on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN.

While this has the appearance of and frankly is a homecoming for the champion, there is an element of the unknown here that Shields will have to contend with in not only facing a taller and physically bigger opponent in the 6’0 Perkins, but also the question of whether Shields, who began her career in the 154lb. Jr. Middleweight division, will be able to take the punch of a Heavyweight. Although Shields was not tested in that regard when she won the unified Heavyweight crown in her last fight and frankly overwhelmed Vanessa Joanisse, at some point whether female or male, fighters who are not natural Heavyweights eventually hit a ceiling in terms of both how high or low they can go in weight as well as whether they can do so and continue to compete effectively. Though there is a significant difference between Women's and Men's Boxing in that female fighters tend to move up or down in weight more frequently due both to the sport still growing as well as for opportunities at different weight classes to fight for world titles as well as for financial incentives, much like their male counterparts, there comes a point where female fighters hit that ceiling. 

The champion will have an edge in experience over Danielle Perkins, who will enter this fight, her first challenge for a world championship, unbeaten with a record of 5-0, with 1 Knockout. Perkins turned pro during the global COVID-19 epidemic in the summer of 2020, but will be fighting for only the third time since a three year layoff began in 2021. A question the challenger will have to answer here, despite having the physical advantage over the 5’8 champion, is whether both a limited resume against relatively unknown opposition as well as only competing two times since her hiatus will be enough preparation to succeed against a fighter of Shields’ caliber. It will also be interesting to see how Perkins will deal with the combination punching of the champion, which often comes in volume and has proven challenging for previous opponents to combat even though Shields is not known for her punching power. The bottom line is Claressa Shields knows how to win rounds and with the majority of women's bouts still fought under rounds that are two minutes in length, Perkins will have to find a way to disrupt Shields and keep her from finding a rhythm if she wants to be successful in this fight.

Although there is not much more to say to build this fight up for the reader, it is the next chapter in the story of a great fighter, who through her achievements has been able to elevate her sport to new levels globally where fights featuring female combatants are not only featured regularly on Boxing cards here in the United States and around the world, but are now regularly featured in the main events on cards also featuring men's bouts. While the United States was late to the party in that regard as women's bouts had regularly main evented cards internationally for several years prior to Shields’ success in the Olympics as well as her professional achievements, the progress for women in the sport should not be ignored and this fight is another example of that progression for Women's Boxing.

“And That's The Boxing Truth." 

(* UPDATE: As this column was being prepared for publishing, it was learned that the vacant IBF, WBO, and WBA Women's World Heavyweight championships will also be on the line in addition to the WBC and WBF world titles currently held by Shields making the winner of this fight the first Undisputed Women's World Heavyweight champion in Boxing history.*)

Shields vs. Perkins takes place on Sunday, February 2nd at the Dort Financial Center in Flint, MI. The fight can be seen worldwide on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN beginning at 7:30PM ET/4:30PM PT (U.S. Times Only). For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, availability around the world, local start times in your area, and to subscribe please visit: www.DAZN.com. 

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Can Whyte Continue To Build Momentum?

December 2024 in Boxing has seen the focus firmly planted on the Heavyweight division. With the highly anticipated rematch between undefeated unified WBO/WBA/IBO/WBC Heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk and former champion Tyson Fury still to take place on December 21 in Saudi Arabia, the month of December has seen potential challengers for whomever should emerge from that fight victorious, angling for position. We have seen former two-time world title challenger Kubrat Pulev take his next step by scoring a convincing twelve round unanimous decision over longtime contender Manuel Charr. Now, another former world title challenger looks to make his argument as longtime contender Dillian Whyte will return to the ring on Sunday, December 15th in Gibraltar at the Europa Point Sports Complex to face  contender Ebenezer Tetteh. 

The scheduled ten round Heavyweight bout, which can be seen worldwide on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN, will be Whyte’s third bout since coming up short against then WBC Heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury in April 2022. Since that loss, where he was knocked out in the sixth round, Whyte has rebounded in his last two fights scoring victories over contenders Jermaine Franklin and Christian Hammer. In his previous fight in March, Whyte scored a third round stoppage of Hammer. 

While the story of this fight is a simple one to describe in a longtime top contender looking to put himself back into the Heavyweight championship picture, the subplot here will be what Whyte’s opposition will be on this occasion. Ebenezer Tetteh will come into this fight with a record of 23-1, with 20 Knockouts, is riding a four fight knockout streak. Tetteh does have power in both hands and should be viewed as a potentially dangerous opponent for the thirty-six year old Whyte. The one blemish on Tetteh’s record, however, came against the one recognizable opponent on that ledger in the form of current IBF Heavyweight world champion Daniel Dubois, who knocked him out in one round in 2019 when Dubois was a rising contender.

This could be interpreted in a few ways. Although Tetteh has bounced back since that setback, he has only fought four times since that loss in 2019. What this fight will come down to is whether or not Tetteh is ready for the step up that he was not ready for when he faced Dubois. There is also the aspect of what version of Whyte will be in the ring.

Dillian Whyte has been in many grueling battles throughout his career and like Tetteh, he is capable of ending a fight with either hand, there have been times where he has appeared sluggish, most recently in his bout with Jermaine Franklin in November 2022, where he won a twelve round majority decision in a fight that some thought Franklin deserved the victory. The question, which will likely follow Whyte for the remainder of his career is not only one regarding consistency of his performances, but also one whether the accumulation of a long career and those grueling battles will show itself.

Whether or not that will happen against  Ebenezer Tetteh remains to be seen. When a notable Heavyweight such as Whyte competes, however, it will draw attention. Especially when the goal of every Heavyweight not currently a world champion or a challenger for a world championship is to get themselves into that position. With Pulev having scored a convincing victory over Manuel Charr, it is now time to see whether Whyte can put forth a performance that might nudge him ahead in the pecking order of potential future world title challengers or if Ebenezer Tetteh will be able to score what some will view as an upset and move his own name into that discussion.

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

Whyte vs. Tetteh takes place on Sunday, December 15th at the Europa Point Sports Complex in Gibraltar. The fight can be seen worldwide on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN beginning at 2:30 PM ET/11:30 AM PT. (*U.S. Times Only.*) For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, availability around the world, local start times in your area, and to subscribe please visit: www.DAZN.com. 

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Will Charr Or Pulev Be In Position For Usyk-Fury Rematch Winner?

The month of December has been looked forward to by Boxing fans due in large part to the much anticipated rematch between undefeated unified WBO/IBO/WBA/WBC Heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk and former two-time World Heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. A rematch that could in some ways signal the end of an era, or perhaps potentially lead to a third chapter between the two future Hall of Famers.

While there is still much to be resolved between Usyk and Fury as well as unanswered questions as to what may follow after that fight, it is worth remembering that the politics that be in the sport is one reason why that second bout between Usyk and Fury is for a unified portion of the World Heavyweight championship and not the Undisputed championship, which was determined in their first fight earlier this year. Such political aspects also inevitably also create scenarios where others in a division are looking to maneuver themselves into position to potentially face the winner of a rematch. 

One such scenario could be taking shape as Heavyweight contenders Manuel Charr and Kubrat Pulev will meet on December 7th in Bulgaria as each look to put themselves into a position to challenge Usyk or Fury. As simple and straight-forward as that should be for anyone to understand, this fight, which will be broadcast on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN, will have an Interim/Regular championship designation in the WBA’s Heavyweight ratings, a designation held by Charr.

Although in reality this fight is simply two contenders looking to take the next step towards a shot at a world championship between one fighter in Charr, who has held an Interim/Regular label for several years, but has never fought for a world championship, and Charr, a longtime top contender who has fought for a world championship twice, the fact that there is an Interim/Regular label attached here does not mean much in the overall picture. The story, however, of this encounter should be whether either fighter will be able to make a strong argument for himself as being the next potential challenger for the winner of Usyk-Fury 2.

Both Charr and Pulev have been top contenders in the Heavyweight division for many years, but the question that should surround this fight is whether inactivity will be a factor. Specifically, the inactivity of Charr, who will be competing for the first time in two years following several legal entanglements involving himself and the WBA as well as visa issues, which has prevented him from traveling for competition.

Frankly, it would take likely several columns to go over each specific issue Charr has had to deal with in recent years, which have included fighters petitioning the WBA for fights with Charr among other issues which have led those aforementioned legal entanglements, so out of respect for the reader, this observer will move forward to simply discussing the issue of inactivity 

Charr’s last fight took place on December 21, 2022 when he scored a second round knockout of Nueri Seferi. While Charr fought three times that year, which is fairly more active by today's standards for a top contender or world champions, now he finds himself in a position where the subject of “Ring Rust" is very real simply because he has been inactive. 

In contrast, Kubrat Pulev, a former European Heavyweight champion and former two-time world title challenger is coming into this fight off of two straight wins and last fought in March of this year in scoring a twelve round unanimous decision over Ihor Shevadzutskyi. Pulev will also have two other advantages going into this fight in addition to being the more active of the two fighters.

Pulev is the naturally bigger fighter standing nearly 6’5 and has a near eighty inch reach. While Charr is only giving up two inches in reach, if Pulev can establish the tempo of the combat and keep Charr at distance with his longer reach, it could pose difficulty for Charr as the fight progresses if he cannot get inside of Pulev’s reach. 

Although the weight of the two fighters is likely to be similar as both have tipped the scales in the 240lb. range in their recent fights, it will likely come down to who is able to implement their tactics between two boxer/punchers. Some may argue, however, that whom will take the next step towards a shot at a world championship may not be necessarily determined by who wins and who loses, but rather whether the winner will be able to put on a quality performance in order to drum up the type of buzz that will support the victor as the next challenger for Usyk or Fury. We will have to wait and see if Manuel Charr or Kubrat Pulev will be able to make a strong argument for themselves.

“And That's The Boxing Truth." 

Charr vs. Pulev takes place on Saturday, December 7th in Sofia, Bulgaria. The fight can be seen worldwide on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN beginning at 1PM ET/10AM PT (*U.S. Times Only.*) For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms,Smart TVs, availability around the world, local start times in your area, and to subscribe please visit: www.DAZN.com. 

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Dubois Batters Joshua, Should Joshua Fight On?

The encounter between IBF Heavyweight world champion Daniel Dubois and former two-time Heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua on September 21st was one rhat had a bit of controversy attached to it. After all, it was one that came about in part because of the politics of the sport that be forced the recent undefeated Undisputed Heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk to decide to relinquish the IBF crown due to a contractually mandated rematch with former two-time Heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury, which will come on December 18fh in Saudi Arabia.

Often times, when such decisions are made that causes a fighter who was in position to challenge a world champion who is either stripped or relinquishes a championship where the top contender, in this case Dubois, is named world champion, the criticism and yes, vitriol of Boxing fans are aimed squarely at the new champion. All too often, the response is to try and discredit the champion even though, the fighter is not the one responsible for such decisions that are made on the business side of the sport of Boxing.

While Dubois had this scenario placed upon him, his first title defense against a proven stalwart of the Heavyweight division in Joshua offered a chance to make a statement to the cynics and the keyboard warriors that be that he should not be discredited. For Anthony Joshua, this fight not only offered an opportunity to regain a portion of the World Heavyweight championship, but if he were successful, he would add his name to a specific group in Boxing history of being part of a select group of fighters that have won the World Heavyweight championship on three separate occasions. A list that includes Muhammad Ali, Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis, Vitali Klitschko, and Wladimir Klitschko. 

A world champion seeking to make a statement and a former champion looking to add his name to a category in Boxing history. Normally, this alone would be enough to draw interest. When you throw in the legendary Wembley Stadium in London, England and a record crowd of 96,000 spectators, you have the definition of an event. The very definition of “Big Fight Atmosphere." 

What stood out to me was not what happened at the opening bell, but rather the ring walk of the champion. From the moment Daniel Dubois emerged from the locker room, he had the look of a fighter on a mission. Some may even go as far as to call him " A Man Possessed." In contrast to Dubois, Joshua emerged looking as though this was another day at the office for a fighter who has taken part in many of these types of events in sold out stadiums over the last decade. Although there was not something that appeared to be unusual, perhaps Joshua was giving a vibe of one who was comfortable, despite being in the role of the challenger.

Dubois took the initiative by immediately taking the center of the ring and putting Joshua on the defensive. It was evident quickly that Dubois, one of the Heavyweight division’s “Knockout Artists" was putting everything he had behind every punch he threw. The champion staggered Joshua with a right hand to the head that had him hurt early in round one. 

Perhaps not expecting Dubois to come out as fast as he had, Joshua did not keep his hands up and was open for the right hand. It would be a right hand thrown by the champion as Joshua was backing straight up against the ropes that would knock the former world champion down in the first round.

From this point in the fight, Joshua was on unsteady legs. When a fighter is hurt as Joshua was, normally the tactical thing to do if you are the hurt fighter is to try and hold your opponent and try to buy yourself time to recover. Joshua not only did not try to clinch Dubois, but he also kept his hands down, seemingly inviting more punishment. Joshua's inability to make tactical adjustments to not only try and give himself time to recover, but also not adjusting himself where he could try and avoid the punishment Dubois was dishing out, resulted in more knockdowns in the third and fourth rounds.

Frankly after the second knockdown in round three, this observer wondered aloud what was keeping Joshua up as he was taking a beating, but also to his credit, trying to fight back in spots. Following a third knockdown in the fourth round, I was surprised the fight was allowed to continue even though Joshua subtly was starting to land some heavy punches of his own.

Going into the fifth round, I felt that if Joshua had any chance of turning things around, he would at minimum have to try and slow the pace of the combat down, if not land something that would turn things dramatically in his favor. At the same time, though Daniel Dubois was clearly dominating the fight and showing he was a Heavyweight champion, in spite of his critics, I wondered whether there would come a point where he would punch himself out.

A problem for some fighters who are labeled as “Knockout Artists" have is they tend to fall in love with the idea that their punching power will always be the component that will lead them to victory. While it is indeed true that a fighter that can score knockdowns has a way at least in theory to dig themselves out of a hole on the scorecards if they can land cleanly due to their power, or build a lead on the scorecards with the same attribute, the danger often is they forget to pace themselves and by throwing everything they have into every punch, if an opponent can find a way to avoid most of those punches or withstand a good majority of them, the asset of having punching power can go from an asset to a detriment that can work against them. 

In this case, Daniel Dubois was clearly dominating the fight, but seemed to be starting to show slight signs of fatigue. It should also not be dismissed as to the potential psychological affect it can have on a fighter when they continue landing hard shots on their opponent round after round and despite all that effort, the opponent is still there. For a brief moment in the fifth round, it appeared as though there was a glimpse of a potential shift in the fight as Joshua connected with a flush right hook to the head of the champion that had Dubois hurt and moving backwards as Joshua pressed forward, he did so recklessly and ended up walking into a flush counter right hook, sending the former champion down for the fourth time. This time, Joshua was not able to beat the count. The fight was over. 

If one were to draw up an ideal scenario for a world champion in their first title defense, this was the type of emphatic statement-making performance you would want to see if you're in the Daniel Dubois camp. Simply put, it was nearly perfect and devastating. While Dubois seemingly put himself in position to challenge the winner of the upcoming Usyk-Fury rematch, it is worth noting that there is a rematch clause here and it would seem that Anthony Joshua has every intention of invoking it.

After the second knockout loss in his career, however, the question is should Joshua continue on? Anthony Joshua is a future Hall of Famer, there is no doubt about it, but there are likely some who are at least suggesting that this could be the end of the road for him. This observer has never been one to tell a fighter when it's time because it is not my place to do so, but longtime readers should know that I have frequently voiced and written of my concerns for fighters health as obvious signs of decline and eroding skills become evident.

This does not appear as though this might be a case of a fighter’s skills eroding, but it is clear something went wrong for Joshua in this fight. Whether that was in preparation for the fight in terms of strategy or not being prepared for the pace that Dubois established, something was not there. While it's important to remember that fighters, like the rest of us, are human and are as prone to a bad night as anyone, there is one thing that I did notice. 

Some might recall Joshua's first encounter with Andy Ruiz in June 2019. A fight that ended his first reign as a World Heavyweight champion. In the third round of that fight, Joshua scored a knockdown of Ruiz with a left hook to the head. Upon the fight resuming following the knockdown, Joshua pressed forward in a manner similar to how he approached Dubois in the fifth round. Ruiz subsequently caught an over aggressive Joshua with a hook of his own and knocked the then champion down to the canvas. Joshua did get up from that knockdown, but he was never the same after he got caught and Ruiz was able to stop him in the seventh round. Although some may view the similarity as purely coincidental, the commonality between the two fights is Joshua did not approach either Ruiz or Dubois with a tactical Boxing mentality once he had his opponent hurt and both were able to exploit vulnerabilities that Joshua has in terms of defense.

If Anthony Joshua is going to continue on with his career, he will need to correct his mindset, be more tactical and wait for opportunities for potential knockdowns and knockouts to come to him rather than recklessly pursuing an opponent looking for the kill. He and his team should have the evidence to suggest that the latter approach is not one that often leads to success. In terms of if he can come back and once again regain his standing in the Heavyweight division, it will take time, but fighters through the entire sport have suffered knockout losses similar to and in some cases worse than the one he suffered here against Daniel Dubois and were eventually able to bounce back. It may be a question of whether Joshua has the commitment to retool his skillset, really focus and refine his defense, and whether he's willing to fight his way back up the ranks if a rematch with Dubois does not happen immediately. 

“And That's The Boxing Truth." 

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Joyce-Chisora: A Crossroads Heavyweight Battle

There is an old saying that this observer firmly believes in. “A Fighter Is Always One Punch Away From Revitalizing Their Career." While that can be applied to the entire sport, it is especially true with regard to the Heavyweight division. After all, if one were to go through the history of the division, no matter the era, you would find along with the various world champions that dominated a certain period, several fighters who had opportunities to fight for world titles and came up short, or others who spent their careers on the fringe or contender level that continued competing for years in search of an opportunity that for some never came.

The one thing that you will find as you research is there are some fighters whom either because of age, or issues having to do with ability to continue competing at or near the top of the sport, are written off at some point by various pundits and Boxing scribes. While such statements do not always prove to be accurate, where the fighter ends up getting the last laugh on his or her skeptics that say they should retire, it is very much a case by case scenario.

In present times, two Heavyweights that one might argue fit that description are former European Heavyweight champions and contenders Joe Joyce and former  multi-time world title challenger Derek. Two men who will meet in a crossroads Heavyweight bout on Saturday, July 27th at the O2 Arena in London, England in a fight that can be seen in the United States on digital subscription sports streaming network ESPN+. The question going into this fight could be what does either fighter have left in them?

In this case, we are discussing a scenario of one fighter, who just a few years ago, was viewed by many as potentially the next dominant Heavyweight going against a true veteran, who has worked his way back into contention on more than one occasion after suffering setbacks over the course of a seventeen year career. What makes this a crossroads battle is while Joyce was the fighter that was viewed as a potential dominant World Heavyweight champion in the making, both he and Chisora are each trying to rebuild following setbacks.

For Joyce, “Knockout Artist" with a near 94% career knockout percentage, his setback came in the form of suffering back to back knockout losses at the hands of top contender Zhilei Zhang last year. While those losses represent the only defeats in Joyce's eighteen fight professional career, the knockouts he suffered at the hands of Zhang were brutal and sometimes it is not the number of fights one has, but rather what happens in those fights that can take a lot out of a fighter. Joyce was able to take the initial step forward in trying to bounce back in March of this year when he scored a tenth round knockout of Kash Ali.

As for Derek Chisora, a career that began in 2007 and has seen numerous ups and downs including challenging former longtime Heavyweight world champion Vitali Klitschko in February 2012 for the WBC World Heavyweight crown, appeared to reach its end when Chisora after forty-five professional fights in his career got one last attempt at the WBC crown and was stopped in his third fight with then WBC champion Tyson Fury in December 2022. Chisora, however, returned to the ring in August of last year and scored a ten round unanimous decision over fellow longtime contender Gerald Washington.

If one were to look at bare statistics to compare between Joyce and Chisora, one could give an edge to the younger and theoretically fresher fighter based largely on the fact that Joyce has scored knockouts in fifteen of his sixteen career wins. The thing that will make this interesting, however, is the experience of Chisora in that he has foug\ht several fighters that were known as power punchers and, though he has suffered some knockout losses, he has shown that he can compete effectively when he is at a theoretical disadvantage. The question for him will not only be what he has left, but also, was he able to learn anything about how Zhang approached his encounters with Joyce that he might be able to use in this fight.

Derek Chisora is a fighter that applies pressure from the opening bell and tries to get on the inside of his opponents and look to gradually break them down. While Chisora is a different style of fighter than Zhilei Zhang, he is consistent and does have punching power of his own having scored twenty-three knockouts in his thirty-four wins. Whether Chisora at 6’1 ½ can get on the inside of the 6’6 Joyce remains to be seen. 

At least on paper, Joyce seems to have the advantage standing 6’6 and an eighty inch reach compared to Chisora’s seventy-four inch reach. The question for him will be whether those knockouts at the hands of Zhang have taken something out of him and how he will be able to withstand Chisora’s pressure. Although some might see this encounter as a win or go home scenario, the reality is one can never count any fighter out in the Heavyweight division and the question here might be who will take a step forward and who will wait for another opportunity down the line.

“And That's The Boxing Truth." 

Joyce vs. Chisora takes place on Saturday, July 27th at the O2 Arena in London, England. The fight can be seen in the United States on digital subscription sports streaming network ESPN+ beginning at 3:30PM ET/12:30PM PT.

For more information about ESPN+ including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, and to subscribe please visit: www.ESPNPlus.com.

(*Card and Start Time Subject To Change.*)

(*Check your local listings Internationally.*)

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Shields Attempts To Make Further History

On July 27th, the focus of the world will center on the beginning of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. It will be on day 1 of the Olympic Boxing competition that the focus will largely be dominated by Women's bouts as a field of over 120 women in various weight divisions attempt to win Olympic Gold. The strides of Women's Boxing in the Olympics and the sport overall for Women that has taken place over the last decade is something that has been long overdue and cannot be denied.

It was at the 2012 Olympics in London, England where one fighter became the focal point that in large part has helped to lead the way for such growth. This observer is referring to Claressa Shields, who not only became the first Women's Olympic Gold Medalist in United States Boxing history, but four years later would duplicate that accomplishment at the 2016 games in Brazil, not only duplicating what she had done four years earlier, but making history as the only boxer in United States Olympic history to win back to back Gold medals in Olympic competition. If Shields had decided after back to back Olympic triumphs to retire, she likely would have already cemented her place in any Boxing Hall of Fame due to the magnitude of what she had accomplished.

As most know, however, Shields’ Olympic journey was a chapter of her story rather than the end of it. Since turning professional late in 2016, Shields has been dominant becoming a world champion in three different weight classes from Jr. Middleweight, Middleweight, and Super-Middleweight, becoming an undisputed champion in the Middleweight and Super-Middleweight divisions. While her standing in Women's Boxing has remained untouched, Shields has also established herself in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) winning two of three professional bouts with the lone defeat coming via decision in October 2021 to Abigail Montes. The only loss Shields has suffered in twelve years across combat sports, with the last loss she suffered in a Boxing ring coming as an amateur in the 2012 AIBA Women's World Championships in a decision loss to Savannah Marshall. A loss that Shields would avenge in unifying the Middleweight division as a professional in October 2022.

With a a record of 14-0, with 2 Knockouts, Shields, still an undisputed world champion in the Middleweight division, now attempts to further her legacy by moving up in weight to challenge WBC Heavyweight world champion Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse on July 27th in Detroit, MI in a bout that can be seen globally on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN. The fight, which will take place at the Little Caesars Arena, will essentially be one fought on Shields’ home turf being from Flint, MI. It will also be a bout that has further historical significance as the vacant WBO Light-Heavyweight world championship will also be on the line making it one of the rare fights in Boxing history, make or female where world titles in multiple divisions will be at stake in a single fight.

Although it is something that was criticized when Sugar Ray Leonard knocked out WBC Light-Heavyweight world champion Donny Lalonde im November 1988 to win not only the Light-Heavyweight crown Lalonde held, but also the at that point newly created WBC Super-Middleweight world championship as the Super-Middleweight division was in its beginning stages at that time, it is nevertheless rare when such a concept is implemented.

Like Leonard thirty-six years ago, this is an opportunity for Shields to become a five-division world champion by winning world titles in two divisions in one fight. The similarity does not end there as much like Leonard faced against Lalonde, Shields will be facing an opponent in Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse that is used to fighting at heavier weights than Shields has fought at before.

This is likely where the comparison ends because Shields is two inches taller than Lepage-Joanisse at 5’8 and Shields, now the challenger, has a significant edge in terms of overall experience compared to the champion, who will enter the fight with a record of 7-1, with 2 Knockouts Lepage-Joanisse won the WBC World Heavyweight championship in her last fight in March in scoring a ten round split decision over Abril Vidal in her native Canada.

Normally when discussing a fight where one fighter is making a significant jump in weight, the onus would be on the fighter moving up in weight to show they can compete effectively against fighters that are theoretically bigger and stronger on paper. While the issue of weight is still there and Shields will have to show that it will not be an issue for her, Lepage-Joanisse needs to show that she can compete against someone of Shields caliber due to the significant disadvantage she has in terms of experience. In her fight against Abril Vidal, Lepage-Joanisse was able to get the win by being more active and being first with her punches, which gave her the edge in a very close fight. Whether she will be able to do that against Shields, a fighter who is very compact with her offense and tend to throw her punches in variations of combinations may indeed prove to be easier said than done if the adjustment to fighting at a higher weight turns out to be a non-issue for the challenger.

Regardless of what the outcome of this fight will be when all is said and done, Lepage-Joanisse-Shields represents another in an increasing long line of steps forward for Women's Boxing as well as the more broad issue of equality. It is something that should be celebrated.

“And That's The Boxing Truth." 

Lepage-Joanisse-Shields takes place on Saturday, July 27th at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, MI. The fight can be seen globally on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN beginning at 9PM ET/6PM PT. 

(*U.S. Start Times Only.*)

(*Card and Start Times Subject To Change.*

For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, availability around the world, local start times in your area, and to subscribe please visit: www.DAZN.com. 

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Ajagba Makes His Case

There are many constants in the sport of Boxing. Constants such as rival promoters who seemingly at any cost will avoid working with each other even if it were not only to their benefit, but of the sport itself. Fighters for whatever reason choosing to sit on the sidelines rather than compete on a regular basis. Despite the detriment to their careers, the lure of sitting out for one significant payday more often than not, proves to be too great. The numerous sanctioning organizations in the sport that due to their own individual policies, at times end up standing in the way of fights that not only the public wants to see, but bouts that are held in such regard that many believe it will elevate Boxing to a higher level.

These constants for better or worse are among the things that many associate with the sport. Perhaps one constant that does not always get the attention that it deserves is the constant pursuit of the next contender for a world championship. In regard to Boxing's Heavyweight division, it is a pursuit that seemingly goes hand and hand with a contender being able to make the transition to world champion. After all, whenever a fighter wins a world championship, inevitably the first question that follows any questions regarding the fight they just fought is either What's next for you? or Who's next for you?

The recent years in the division has seen two undefeated world champions Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury emerge as the two central figures in the Heavyweight division. with Usyk and Fury continuing to do circles around each other as an encounter between the two for the Undisputed Heavyweight championship of the world remains ever elusive. With a fight between the two at least signed on paper to take place sometime in 2024, the scrambling of potential challengers to either face the winner of the potential Usyk-Fury fight or to potentially step in to face either champion, in the event of that potential fight falling through, is in full n

swing. One such fighter who is looking to emerge as a potential challenger is current WBC number seven rated Heavyweight contender Efe Ajagba. 

Ajagba, a native of Ughelli, Nigeria, had worked his way to a record of 18-1, with 13 Knockouts. The lone blemish on his record came in October 2021 when he lost a ten round decision to fellow rising contender Frank Sanchez. Since the loss to Sanchez, Ajagba rebounded to win three straight bouts. This culminated in his fight against Joe Goodall on November 4th at the Tahoe Blue Event Center in Lake Tahoe, NV. Goodall, a native of Brisbane, Australia, emerged on the scene earlier this year by scoring an unexpected sixth round stoppage of Stephen Shaw, a fighter that Ajagba had also scored a victory over earlier this year. In that fight, Goodall showed impressive punching power in being able to drop and ultimately stop Shaw. 

The unexpected, but impressive win for Goodall, opened the door for an opportunity for him to face Ajagba with the WBC's Silver Heavyweight championship at stake. In the overall picture however, the fight more importantly represented a chance to move into the top ten in the WBC's Heavyweight ratings for Goodall and for Efe Ajagba, the holder of the silver title, a chance to make a statement to try and drum up support for a potential title shot down the line.

What stood out to this observer was the sharp and consistent jab that Ajagba quickly established as a focal point of his offense. It was sharp, crisp, and used to create openings for his right hand and for hooks with either hand. For a short time, Goodall seemed to hold his own, did attempt to back Ajagba up, and did land some solid hooks to the head.

Goodall however, was unable to nullify Ajagba's ability to throw and land his jab, seemingly at will as he re-established distance between himself and Goodall and gradually began to break his opponent down. Ajagba's harder punches, and commitment to using a fundamental approach in his attack of Goodall created a barrage of unanswered punches in the fourth round, which forced the fight to be stopped.

Summed up simply, Goodall just did not have an answer to avoid Ajagba's jab, which served to set up effective combinations that only increased as the fight progressed. For Efe Ajagba, this proved to be the type of performance that a contender looks for as they aim to try and get an opportunity to fight for a world championship.

The obvious question is what is next? Obviously, the key for ant fighter that is looking to generate buzz for a potential challenge for a world title, the key is to try and stay active, but also do so strategically, which can prove to be a delicate balancing act between looking for opposition that will generate both interest and should the fighter be successful, only increase calls for that fighter to get that opportunity to fight for a world title, and the perceived element of what might be viewed specifically by a fighter's handlers as a fight that might be too risky. It certainly is not an exact science and the way a fighter is guided towards an opportunity at a world title will vary based on the fighter.

For now, Ajagba may look to fighter such as top contender Jonathan Guidry, who coincidentally also picked up a victory on November 4th in Miami, FL in scoring a second round knockout over previously undefeated Jesus Escalera, as a potential next opponent. Truth be told, anyone who is a top ten to top fifteen contender could be a potential opponent for a world champion based on their most recent performance. The question for Ajagba and Guidry, both top ten Heavyweight contenders, is if they see a potential fight between each other as potentially the quickest path to a potential title shot. Amongst the field of potential contenders that Ajagba could fight next, Guidry, a boxer/puncher with a good mix of hand speed and punching power, who narrowly lost a decision to former WBA number one contender Trevor Bryan in January 2022, his only career loss, might be the type of style challenge for Efe Ajagba to show he is ready for his shot at what could be at that time, the Undisputed Heavyweight championship of the world.

"And That's The Boxing Truth."

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Zhang Makes A Statement With Brutal KO

When it comes to rematches where there was a conclusive outcome in the previous meeting, more often than not, the subject going into the return encounter will be whether it will be repeat or revenge. Often such a subplot is centered on the fighter who was defeated and whether or not they can change the outcome the next time around. Perhaps those of us in the media should start approaching rematches from a slightly new perspective.

A perspective such as whether the fighter who emerged victorious in the previous encounter can produce the same outcome in a rematch being a victory, and could they do so in an even more convincing fashion. When top Heavyweight contender Zhilei Zhang scored a convincing sixth round stoppage of undefeated top contender and former Olympic Gold medalist Joe Joyce earlier this year, it was a convincing stoppage as the effects of the punishment he was able to dish out was such that it caused significant swelling to Joyce's right eye to the point where he could not see, thus forcing the stoppage. Despite the clear victory, Joyce, a fighter known for both his punching power and his ability to absorb punishment, was never knocked off his feet. This in addition to Zhang being the first fighter to defeat Joyce as a professional, fueled demand for a rematch.

A rematch that would take place on September 23rd at the historic Wembley Arena in London, England. As was the case the first time around and perhaps in spite of his dominant performance in April of this year when these two fighters met, Zhang was viewed as a significant underdog. While no one should ever diminish the enthusiasm and fandom of a Boxing fan, it was hard to gloss over what Zhang was able to do in the first fight even though there were some who were of the opinion that Joyce may have been able to turn things around in that fight as it progressed into the middle and late rounds, had it not been for the condition of his eye. It is certainly possible for a fighter to have what this observer often refers to as "A Bad Night At The Office" because fighters, like the rest of us, are only human. For yours truly however, I could not simply dismiss Zhang as a favorite going into the rematch based simply on a "What Might Have Been" possibility. It is also worth noting in taking nothing away from Joyce's reputation, Zhang had a lot of the same attributes going into the first fight including punching power and Olympic pedigree as a former Silver medalist in the 2008 games as a Super Heavyweight.

Nevertheless, with a lot of the buzz going into the rematch centered on Joyce and some merely dismissing what he had done in the first encounter, I was interested to see what Zhang would try to do to attempt to improve on an impressive performance. From the opening bell, it was clear that there was only one fighter in the ring that was prepared in all aspects for the second meeting and that fighter was Zhilei Zhang. 

If one were to ask yours truly to describe Zhang's approach to someone who was only a casual observer of the sport, the best words I could use are"Patient" and "Surgical." Perhaps because he came in twenty pounds heavier than he was in the first fight, Joyce hardly threw any punches, was hesitant and did not appear willing to engage. Zhang simply took his time and took advantage of whatever openings Joyce gave him. Rather than being overly aggressive, which might have been a strategy of Joyce's corner, Zhang simply bided his time. He also was able to do something in the first two rounds that had not been done to Joyce before, he staggered him with both his left and right hands. 

After seeing that Joyce did not want to let his hands go and the reaction his body showed to being hit, my immediate thought was the fight would not last long and that clearly Joyce made a bad decision to invoke a rematch so soon after taking a significant beating five months earlier. No sooner did that thought cross my mind, the fight ended in brutal fashion. Late in the third round, Zhang connected with a perfectly timed right hook to the jaw that sent Joyce down hard face first on the canvas. If Zhilei Zhang's victory in the first fight was convincing, his one punch knockout over a previously iron-chinned Joyce should be viewed as an emphatic statement-making performance in proving that the outcome of the first fight was not a fluke.

While Zhilei Zhang is one step from fighting for a world championship as the WBO's number one Heavyweight contender, this second loss for Joe Joyce should probably serve as a cautionary tale for fighters and more specifically those who are tasked with the responsibility of looking out for the long-term well-being for those fighters to not rush into a rematch even if you might be contractually entitled to one as Joyce was here.

Clearly Joyce was not recovered from what he suffered physically from in the first fight and now there may be cause for concern as to whether he should continue on with his career. There have been countless fighters who have lost back to back fights or even more than that and have been able to rebound throughout the history of Boxing, but when a fighter shows obvious signs of not having punch resistance, nor the ability to throw punches consistently, it is time to seriously consider the fighter's health and what the goal might be for life after Boxing.

"And That's The Boxing Truth."

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Can Joyce Even The Score?

An old saying that any Boxing fan is likely to hear at some point is anything can happen in Boxing and that especially holds true for the Heavyweight division. At this time last year, Joe Joyce was an undefeated Heavyweight contender, who was riding high following the biggest win of his career in becoming the first fighter to stop former Heavyweight world champion Joseph Parker inside the distance. Just as it appeared that Joyce was on the verge of fighting for a world championship within a short time, he ran into a wall that brought his road to a world title to a halt.

The wall came in the form of 6'6 Heavyweight contender Zhilei Zhang. When the two Heated giants met in April of this year, it would be Zhang who would emerge victorious stopping the previously unbeaten "Knockout Artist" Joyce in six rounds. In a rare simple instance in the sport, Joyce exercised his rematch clause, which will take place without much delay or bucket between the two fighters or their camps on Saturday, September 23rd at the historic Wembley Arena in London, England. A rematch that can be seen in the United States on digital subscription sports streaming network ESPN+.

There are two questions that surround this rematch. The first question is one that could be asked in two parts. Is Joyce coming back too soon from a loss where frankly he suffered significant punishment before being stopped and whether there is wisdom in seeking an immediate rematch against Zhang. Question two is one that could be both simple or complex to answer. Will the outcome of the rematch be different than the first fight?

Prior to the first encounter, Joyce had firmly established himself as not only one of the Heavyweight division's feared "Knockout Artists," but as someone with a granite chin. One need look no further than his fight with Joseph Parker nearly one year to the day coincidentally of this rematch with Zhang for an illustration of Joyce's ability to take a punch as Parker regularly connected with hard punches, in particular with his right hand that often landed flush on the jaw and chin of Joyce. Punches that would have ended the night for most Heavyweights that Joyce was somehow able to walk through and keep coming forward. 

One could argue however, that it is that very ability, the ability to take a punch that led to his downfall against Zhang in April. Zang was able to frequently land his left hand and right hook from the southpaw stance throughout the first fight. Although Joyce showed an often granite chin as he had done throughout his career, this was the first time in his career where he would be staggered by an opponent and, despite having some moments throughout and seemingly being able to out throw Zhang, he did not have an answer to avoid what Zhang was throwing at him and to be more specific, he had no way to defend and protect himself against what Zhang was able to land. The effects of the punishment dished out by Zhang became apparent as Joyce's right eye became cut and badly swollen resulting in the fight being stopped in round six.

As this rematch approaches Joyce must show some improvement in his ability to evade punches this time around. It is possible that Joyce's right eye may not be fully healed with only five months between the first fight and the second encounter. With this in mind, it may be likely that Zhang will look to target the right eye of Joyce early on, knowing what damage he was able to cause as well as the narrow period of time Joyce has had to heal from the first fight.

Although Joyce was heavily favored going into fight one, Zhang had only suffered one defeat, a narrow twelve round unanimous decision to Filip Hrgovic in August of last year. A fight that many, including this observer, felt Zhang deserved the decision. Even though it may have been possible that some, including perhaps even Joyce himself, underestimated Zhang back in April, it would be a mistake to write off what occurred the first time these two fighters were in the ring as merely a bad night at the office for Joyce.

Going into fight two, it is Zhang with the theoretical advantages and it is Joyce in the position of trying to avenge the only loss of his professional career. Nevertheless, one of the appeals of the sport of Boxing is indeed anything can happen and with much on the line for both fighters as well as the potential future of the division, this fight is truly must see. Whether Joe Joyce can even the score is a question that will be answered on September 23rd.

"And That's The Boxing Truth." 

Zhang vs. Joyce 2 takes place on Saturday, September 23rd at the Wembley Arena in London, England. The fight can be seen here in the United States on digital subscription sports streaming network ESPN+ beginning at 5PM ET/2PM PT.

ESPN+ is available through the ESPN app on mobile, tablet, and connected streaming devices, and Smart TVs. For more information about ESPN+ including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, and to subscribe please visit: www.ESPNPlus.com. 

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Belated August 26, 2023 Heavyweight Saturday Thoughts

Introduction: The following column was originally scheduled for release on August 28, 2023. Due to circumstances beyond our control, which necessitated evacuating due to Hurricane Idalia, the release was delayed until Monday, September 4, 2023. Coverage up to this point, which has yet to be made up to this point will be aimed for an upcoming edition of the feature Jabs And Observations. We thank our readers for their continued patience and we hope you enjoy the column below. 

The spotlight of the sport of Boxing focused on the Heavyweight division on Saturday, August 26, 2023 as one might argue it provided a look at both the present in terms of the top of the division as well as what could be the future of it. First, undefeated unified WBA/WBO/IBF/IBO Heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk defended his crown against WBA number one Heavyweight contender and “Knockout Artist” Daniel Dubois at  Wroclaw Stadium in Wroclaw, Poland. While this title defense was not the defense that many Boxing fans wanted to see Usyk make, in that the wish of many was to see an encounter with undefeated WBC world champion Tyson Fury, for what would be the Undisputed Heavyweight championship of the world, a mandatory defense for Usyk provided some intrigue by facing one of the division’s feared power punchers, who had only one of his victories that had gone the distance.

Despite coming into the fight with only one loss and his position as the WBA’s top contender, Dubois was treated by many as a significant underdog. This observer believes that was due in part to Usyk having a significantly higher quality in terms of his career resume as well as the stylistic difference between the two fighters as the champion has provided a puzzle that many fighters ranging from the amateurs, to the pro ranks in both the Cruiserweight and Heavyweight divisions, have found difficult to solve. The one wrinkle that had followed Usyk as a Heavyweight was however, despite his domination since moving up in weight from the Cruiserweight division and becoming a two-division world champion, he had not shown the ability to hurt or stop a Heavyweight inside the distance.

Before a crowd of over 40,000 spectators, Usyk and Dubois engaged in a surprisingly tactical fight that did not reflect the significant odds that were against the challenger. An addition that was also not expected to the equation of this fight was that mother nature also played a role in that the bout took place during significant rainfall, which found its way onto the ring canvas. Several of the rounds were a battle of jabs between the two fighters, but the pace at which the fight was being fought was tailor made for the champion, who likes to fight at a measured pace where he can dictate the ebb and flow of the combat.

Although the weather conditions created a great visual for those watching the bout, it did not seem to create much of a problem for the fighters beyond an occasional slip of footing. While the rain would seem to create an ideal scenario for potential controversy, it would be a ruled low blow against the challenger that would create controversy. It would be an uppercut that appearer to land on the beltline of Usyk that sent the champion crumbling down to the canvas in pain. Despite what appeared to be a legal shot to the body, Referee Luis Pabon ruled it a low blow. Adding to what appeared to be a blown call by a world class referee, Pabon also appeared to instruct Usyk who appeared ready to resume the combat to take the full five minutes that are allowed to a fighter who suffers a foul to recover.

At minimum, the call and the apparent instruction by Pabon was a strange occurrence if not a possible instance of a language barrier between the two after Pabon ruled the punch a foul where Pabon may not have understood clearly that Usyk was indicating he was ready to continue. From my perspective, I felt that the punch was right on the beltline and should have been called a knockdown. Based on how Usyk went down, it is debatable as to if Usyk would have been able to beat a ten count if it had been ruled a knockdown. What is indisputable is that the call by Pabon created a controversy that will be the subject of debate for some time.

Despite what appeared to give him a clear advantage moving forward, Dubois was only able to throw single punches to the body after action resumed. Although things remained competitive, Usyk was able to recover and the champion's timing as well as his ability to counter punch eventually turned the ebb and flow in his favor. Usyk dropped Dubois with a two punch combination that landed on the temple and dropped the challenger in round eight. This was followed by the champion being able to drop the challenger for a second time in the ninth round to score a knockout victory as Dubois was unable to beat the count.

At the end of the day, this fight answered one question for Usyk, but also asked a question of the champion coming out of it. Oleksandr Usyk does have the ability to knockout a Heavyweight, but did Usyk benefit from human error of a referee resulting in a blown call, which allowed him to recover when if the call of Referee Luis Pabon had been different, would it have changed the outcome of this Heavyweight championship fight?

Shortly after Usyk retained his championship, the focus shifted to Tulsa, OK where fast rising Heavyweight contender Jered Anderson returned to the ring just one month after scoring a ten round unanimous decision over former IBF Heavyweight world champion Charles Martin to face veteran Andrii Rudenko at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. While it is rare in present times to see a fighter approaching top contender status to be competing as often as Anderson got back in the ring, it does have more benefits than sitting out in terms of sharpening a fighter's skills and timing. This was a fight where Anderson showed those benefits as he systematically broke Rudenko down with a consistent body attack. Not just by throwing single punches to the body frequently, but throwing them in combination.

Anderson's commitment to going to Rudenko's body ultimately led to a referee's stoppage in the fifth round. Despite Rudenko's reputation as being durable, the stoppage was an appropriate one as he was taking the type of beating that could have long lasting effects. Although there was not much to this fight for Anderson other than the consistency he showed in breaking down a "Game" opponent that was simply out gunned, the fact that he is trying to stay as active as he can will have benefits for him in the long-term, which is something that many top contenders and world champions do not always take advantage of due to the economics of the sport among other factors. There may be a  risk for fighters being more active in terms of both economics as well as a fighter's standing in rankings or as a world champion, the benefits of staying active is something that should not be ignored and that is something that Anderson is showing with each fight.

Perhaps the takeaway from this Heavyweight Saturday should be both the benefits of staying active, but also potentially the groundwork for a potential rematch depending on one's perspective of the low blow ruling in the Usyk-Dubois bout. Nevertheless, these two fights did succeed in keeping the Heavyweight division as a focal point for many Boxing fans and experts alike. The Boxing world will simply wait to see what's to follow in the weeks and months ahead.

"And That's The Boxing Truth."

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August 26, 2023: A Big Day For The Heavyweight Division

August 2023 in the sport of Boxing will come to a close on Saturday, August 26th with the spotlight firmly focused on the Heavyweight division. In some ways, this day will look at both the present and what could well be the future, which can all be seen here in the United States on digital subscription sports streaming network ESPN+.

The marquee attraction of the day will take place in Wroclaw, Poland as undefeated unified WBO/IBF/IBO/WBA Heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk will make the second defense of his crown against WBA number one Heavyweight contender Daniel Dubois in Wrocław Stadium. This fight is the first for Usyk following two decision wins over Anthony Joshua in 2021 and 2022 where he won and then successfully retained the unified Heavyweight crown. While many had expected that Usyk's next fight following his rematch against Joshua in August of last year would be a unification bout with undefeated WBC world champion Tyson Fury for what would be the Undisputed Heavyweight championship of the world, unfortunately due to elements involving the business of Boxing, that fight did not materialize.

Instead, Usyk will be turning his attention to fulfilling one of his mandatory defense obligations of one of the four world championships he currently holds by facing the WBA's mandatory challenger Daniel Dubois. Although some may dismiss this fight as a mere mandatory, in that sometimes those who earn opportunities to fight for a world championship by being mandated by a sanctioning organization as it's top contender in a given weight class, does not always have significant public interest, this could be a dangerous fight for the undefeated champion.

It was not long ago when Daniel Dubois was considered one of the sport's feared rising "Knockout Artists." Dubois carried a record of 15-0, with 14 Knockouts into what was a highly anticipated clash with then fellow undefeated "Knockout Artist" and former Olympic Silver medalist Joe Joyce in November of 2020. Dubois would suffer the lone defeat of his career by being knocked out by Joyce in the tenth round in a fight where he suffered a broken left eye socket. Since that setback, Dubois has won four straight fights, all by knockout including a fourth round knockout of previously unbeaten Trevor Bryan in June of last year where he earned Interim/Regular champion status in the WBA's Heavyweight ratings, which in short made him the number one contender.

The question going into this fight will be whether Dubois will be able to deal with the angles and overall skill of Usyk. While Oleksandr Usyk is the favorite going into this title defense, he has had some difficulty in some bouts since moving to Heavyweight after becoming undisputed champion as a Cruiserweight. Usyk's fight with longtime Heavyweight contender Dereck Chisora in October 2020 can serve as an example of Usyk having trouble against a Heavyweight that was able to apply consistent pressure on him, which is something that Anthony Joshua was not able to do in two fights and given Dubois' punching power, it will be interesting to see if he has studied Usyk's fight against Chisora that he could try to implement a similar strategy. It is also important to keep in mind that Usyk has not scored a knockout since moving to Heavyweight and, despite remaining unbeaten and becoming unified world champion in the division, questions do remain in regard to his punching power as a Heavyweight.

With a possible unification bout to become Undisputed Heavyweight champion of the world still no closer to becoming a reality, Usyk must remain focused on the task at hand even if some are dismissing this fight as a mere mandatory or "Stay Busy" fight. If he is not focused, Daniel Dubois does have the power to pull off what would be considered an upset, despite being the natural Heavyweight and bigger fighter.

As Usyk-Dubois will focus on the current landscape of the Heavyweight division in terms of the world championship picture, August 26th will also provide a look at a Heavyweight contender that could well be the future of the division. This observer is referring to the undefeated "Knockout Artist" Jared Anderson.

Anderson, who is coming off of the first decision win in his career in July where he was forced to go ten full rounds in his fifthteenth professional fight against former IBF Heavyweight world champion Charles Martin, who had taken the fight on short notice. A fight that ended Anderson's fourteen fight knockout streak, which began his career, he was still impressive in scoring a convincing ten round unanimous decision in his hometown of Toledo, OH.

Now, a little more than one month after that fight, Anderson is getting back in the ring to face veteran Andrii Rudenko in a scheduled ten round bout at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tulsa, OK. Although some may view a fighter competing so soon after a fight in which they had to go ten competitive rounds as too soon to be back in the ring, in actuality, it is a method that many fighters used to do on a regular basis from rising contenders as Anderson is to even world champions in decades past. 

The biggest detriment to any fighter in any combat sport on any level is inactivity and while a fighter will obviously risk their standing every other they compete, there is an old adage that yours truly believes in that the more active a fighter is, the more theoretically they will be prepared and in condition when all significant fight such as one for a world championship does come along. In this case, Anderson is trying to continue his progression as well as stay active. 

Currently rated number seven in the world in the World Boxing Council (WBC) Heavyweight ratings, Anderson while now risking a top ten ranking with each subsequent time that he competes, in addition to being active, it will also increase his name recognition value towards a potential world championship bout should he continue to win.  In Andrii Rudenko, Anderson will face a veteran of forty-two professional fights, who has a respectable record of 35-6, with 21 Knockouts. A possible red flag that some might point to however, is all of Rudenko's six defeats came when he has stepped up in the caliber of his competition having lost to several top contenders in his career, most notably among them, former world title challenger Alexander Povetkin in July of 2017.

The one bright spot for Rudenko is he has only been stopped once in his career and it will obviously be interesting to see if he will be able to stand up to the power of Anderson. Although this has the appearance of a "Stay Busy" fight for Anderson, his position in the WBC ratings likely means that he potentially could be on a short list of possible contenders who might get an opportunity to either fight in a world championship elimination bout, if not potentially an opportunity to face Tyson Fury sometime within the next year. Thus, it is an important fight for the young undefeated American contender as he continues his rise up the ranks.

While this day spotlighting the Heavyweight division offers a look at two different levels of the division, one should not dismiss the possibility of Anderson potentially being in line to face the winner of Usyk-Dubois down the line as well, especially if no further progress is made towards further unification of the division going into 2024. Stranger things have happened in the sport before and if Anderson beats Rudenko, the idea of him facing either Usyk or Dubois is something to discuss. We will see who emerges victorious in these two Heavyweight bouts on Saturday, August 26th.

"And That's The Boxing Truth."

Usyk vs Dubois takes place on Saturday, August 26 at Wrocław Stadium in Wrocław, Poland. The fight can be seen in the United States on digital subscription sports streaming network ESPN+ beginning at 5PM ET/2PM PT.

Anderson vs. Rudenko takes place on Saturday, August 26 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tulsa, OK. The fight as well as it's full undercard can be seen in the United States on digital subscription sports streaming network ESPN+ beginning at 6:45PM ET/3:45PM PT.

ESPN+ is available through the ESPN app on mobile, tablet, and connected streaming devices/Smart TVs. For more information about ESPN+ including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, and to subscribe please visit: www.ESPNPlus.com. 

(*Card and Start Times Subject to Change.*)

(*Check your local listings internationally.*)

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Will Anderson Get A Tougher Test From Martin?

It seems as though in recent weeks in the sport of Boxing, the trend has become "Homecomings." In that a fighter who has achieved notoriety in the sport coming back to their respective hometowns to compete before a crowd of enthusiastic supporters. While most of the time such scenarios are usually designed as a showcase for said fighter before a significant fight down the line, there are times when a "Homecoming Fight" turns out to be more competitive than some may have anticipated. One needs to look no further than WBC Jr. Welterweight world champion Regis Prograis' recent return to his hometown of New Orleans, LA to defend his title against Danielito Zorrilla for an example of a fight with the design of a showcase, which ultimately turned out to be a close call for the champion, who retained his title via twelve round split decision.

The next "Homecoming Fight" of significance will take place on Saturday, July 1st in Toledo, OH as undefeated Heavyweight prospect and "Knockout Artist" Jared Anderson will return to his hometown at the Huntington Center. An event that can be seen here in the United States on digital subscription sports streaming network ESPN+. A slight wrinkle emerged however, when Anderson's scheduled opponent, the undefeated Zhan Kossobutskiy was forced to withdraw from the bout due to visa issues. While Kossobutskiy, much like Anderson, is an unbeaten "Knockout Artist," the opponent who has emerged to step in to face Anderson, one might argue now could potentially be a more significant test for the young unbeaten prospect. Charles Martin.

Martin, a one time IBF Heavyweight champion of the world, is by far the most experienced opponent that Anderson, who has scored knockouts in all fourteen of his professional fights, will have faced in addition to being the first former world champion he has been in the ring with. Although Martin has taken this fight on little more than a week's notice, he has remained a top contender for several years since losing the IBF championship to Anthony Joshua in April 2016. In thirty-three professional fights, Martin has a record of 29-3-1, with 26 Knockouts.

What this fight will come down to in this observer's eyes will obviously center on how prepared Martin is in taking this fight on a narrow timeframe. Martin does have some punching power, but he is a crafty boxer/puncher, who when he is at his best, has proven to be a difficult fighter to combat for many opponents. The red flag that some might see with Martin is there are times where he has been caught and in fact, two of his three losses did come by stoppage against Joshua and Luis Ortiz.

Some may recall that in his fight against Ortiz on New Year's Day in 2022, Martin was seemingly in control of that fight, having scored two knockdowns of Ortiz during the course of that fight before being caught and stopped by Ortiz in the sixth round. The reason yours truly brings this up is much like Ortiz, Anderson has the type of punching power that can turn a fight around and end a fight suddenly. If Charles Martin is to have success in this fight he needs to be aware at all times and be wary of getting caught as the possibility of getting caught by the explosive power of Anderson should be taken seriously.

What Martin does have going for him going into this fight is his experience. As devastating as Anderson has been throughout his career up to this point, he has yet to be extended beyond four rounds in his career. The strategy for Martin though obviously easier said than done, should be to try to extend Anderson into the middle and late rounds of this scheduled ten round Heavyweight bout. Martin must not only find a way to survive Anderson's power early, but must find a way to make him uncomfortable where he will be tested for the first time. It is something that Martin is capable of doing, but it will be interesting to see if it truly is easier said than done. Especially, if under the circumstances in which this fight was made, Anderson attempts to end the fight quickly in thinking that Martin may not be at his best with the limited time to prepare for the fight.

Nevertheless, it is often when a prospect meets a former world champion that often serves as an indicator as to whether or not the prospect is ready for either a top contender or even an opportunity at a world championship. This observer has quietly watched Anderson's progression and while he has been impressive up to this point, I am not quite ready to say that he is ready for such a fight. If however, he performs well in this fight and to be more specific, if he does so after being tested by the crafty veteran and former world champion in Martin, it might be time to think about that possibility.

"And That's The Boxing Truth."

Anderson vs. Martin takes place on Saturday, July 1st at the Huntington Center in Toledo, OH. The fight as well as its full undercard can be seen in the United States on digital subscription sports streaming network ESPN+ beginning at 6:10PM ET/3:10PM PT. For more information about ESPN+ including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, and to subscribe please visit: www.ESPNPlus.com. 

*Check your local listings internationally.*

*Card and start time subject to change.*

The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

Follow Beau Denison on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison 

Zhilei Zhang Shoes Why Anything Can Happen In Boxing

It is a mantra that has come out of this observer's mouth perhaps more often than others. "Anything Can Happen In The Sport Of Boxing, And That Is What Makes The Sport Great." It is a mantra that is rooted in the fact that regardless of all the statistics that are available, odds that might be placed on a fight, and, despite all the analysis that those who cover the sport, like yours truly, can off, ultimately the appeal of Boxing is not knowing what will really happen when two fighters enter a ring to do battle. While it is something that was instilled in me from an early age dating back to the time before I began my writing journey covering Boxing and other combat sports, it does at times still surprise me how some are surprised when something unexpected happens inside the ring.

The Heavyweight encounter between undefeated WBO number one Heavyweight contender Joe Joyce and Heavyweight contender Zhilei Zhang on April 15th in London, England serves as the latest example. Despite Zhang only having one loss in his career, he was viewed by some as a significant underdog against Joyce, who had earned his number one ranking in the World Boxing Organization's (WBO) rankings off of a string of impressive knockouts including in his last fight in being the first to stop former WBO Heavyweight world champion Joseph Parker last September.

With Joyce unfortunately not being close to getting his title shot, which was covered by yours truly in previewing this bout, it facilitated the need for him to fight to maintain his number one ranking. Although Joyce had an arena full of supporters at London's Copper Box Arena, it would become clear rather quickly that this fight would not be a mere "Tune Up" while he was waiting for his shot at the WBO title currently held by undefeated WBO/IBF/WBA/IBO world champion Oleksandr Usyk. While Joyce's path to a world title had stalled through no fault of his own, Zhilei Zhang only saw opportunity.

From the opening bell the southpaw Zhang found a home for his punches working behind his right jab and following it up with flush right hands to the face of Joyce. Although Joyce had also earned a reputation prior to this fight for his ability to take a punch, otherwise referred to as having a solid or "Granite Chin,"' his defensive liabilities emerged in this fight. Most notably his inability to move his head as Zhang was able to land frequently to his head and at times, through his defensive guard. This in addition to peroidic effective work Zhang was also ablecto do to Joyce's body made it clear that the unbeaten Heavyweight was facing an uphill battle.

Despite doing his best to return offense, which did work sporadically, it was not long before the effects of accumulated punishment began to show as Zhang's steady flow of solid left hands resulted in Joyce's right eye rapidly closing. By round six, Joyce's right eye was swollen shut and with no way to defend against the offense of Zhang, appearing as though he could not see out of his right eye, Referee Howard Foster consulted with a ringside physician two times both prior to the start of round six and after halting the action during the round before they collectively made the decision to stop the fight.

For Zhilei Zhang, his win in getting a stoppage over the previously unbeaten former Olympic Gold medalist Joe Joyce not only now catapults him into a mandatory position as far as being a mandatory challenger in the WBO Heavyweight ratings, not only serves as the biggest win of his career, but also in some way likely seems like redemption for him after he suffered a controversial loss in the eyes of some in losing s twelve round split decision to undefeated contender Filip Hrgovic in his last fight prior to facing Joyce where he lost the fight and with it his undefeated record. A lesson that can be learned here for fighters is that a loss does not signal the end of one's career, but those setbacks that in all honesty most fighters suffer at some point throughout their careers can be used as motivation for a fighter to bounce back as Zhang has done here. 

As many fighters have done before him, Joe Joyce must first recover from the beating that was administered at the hands of Zhilei Zhang. Once he has recovered, the process of resuming his career can begin. One defeat does not signal the end of a fighter's career, but it is how that fighter deals with defeat that often shows the mark of a great fighter as those who are able to bounce back and go on to win world titles and gain greater recognition in the process are often referred to when their careers are over. The loss to Zhilei Zhang is the end of a chapter in the story of the career of Joe Joyce, it is not the end of the story itself.

The primary lesson to take from this fight if you are a fan is never approach any fight with the mentality that what you are about to watch is a forgone conclusion. As we have seen time and time again, decade after decade, "Anything Can Happen At Any Given Time In The Sport Of Boxing, And That Is What Makes The Sport So Great."

"And That's The Boxing Truth."

The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

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Can Joyce Or Zhang Make A Statement To Earn A Shot At A World Heavyweight Championship?

There is little doubt that one of the biggest stories occurring outside the ring in the world of Boxing in 2023 has been the on again, off again, back on again,  and finally stalled negotiations for a fight for what would be the Undisputed Heavyweight Championship of the world between undefeated world champions Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk. While that subject will certainly remain a topic of discussion, the longer both champions are idle also creates a ripple effect for others in the Heavyweight division that are all looking to get into position to challenge either champion. Such is the case with undefeated WBO number one contender Joe Joyce. 

Joyce,  a former Olympic Gold medalist, has boxed his way to an undefeated record of 15-0, with 14 Knockouts and has successfully moved into the mandatory position in the World Boxing Organization's (WBO) Heavyweight ratings, which in theory puts him next in line to face the unified IBF/WBA/IBO/WBO world champion Oleksandr Usyk. Despite this and an impressive knockout win of former WBO Heavyweight world champion Joseph Parker in his last fight in September of last year in becoming the first fighter to stop Parker, Joyce is unfortunately no closer as Mid-April 2023 now comes to facing Usyk. While unfortunately that is likely the result of the stalled negotiations between Usyk and Fury, which if that fight had happened, Joyce would theoretically be in line to face the winner, it now creates a scenario where Joyce needs to fight both as a means of staying active, but also to try and maintain his number one ranking.

Although it has to be frustrating for a fighter in Joyce's position in the politics that be in the sport more or less for the time being maneuvering him out of the equation for a shot at the title, there is a way that this could turn out to be a positive for him. A brief dive into Boxing history by this observer for the reader provides some precedent as to how. 

Many of us of a certain age who have followed the sport for most of, if not all of our lives likely remember the circumstances that the legendary Evander Holyfield found himself in during his initial rise as a Heavyweight contender in the 1980"s after an unbeaten run where he successfully unified the Cruiserweight division. As a Heavyweight contender,  Holyfield fought his way to a number one ranking in the WBC,WBA, and IBF during the period where those were the three recognized world sanctioning organizations in the days that predated the inception of both the WBO and the International Boxing Organization (IBO). The Undisputed Heavyweight champion in those days was a young and unbeaten Mike Tyson,  who in addition to getting into troubles outside of the ring, was facing other opposition in the ring and for circumstances that can be explained simply as the politics of the sport,  Holyfield was denied his opportunity to face Tyson. 

Holyfield responded to those circumstances by fighting more frequently than the champion, facing both top contenders and former world champions in the process. By doing so, it not only kept him active against the best available competition at the time, but it also kept Holyfield in the public eye. This served to his benefit as he built public support in the process and eventually used that to secure a fight with James "Buster" Douglas, who had defeated Tyson in February 1990, to fight for the undisputed championship in October of that year. Holyfield made quick work of Douglas knocking out the champion in three rounds to win the championship and in the process, ushered in a new era of the division, which was largely dominated by him as its central figure. 

While obviously Holyfield had to wait longer than he should have to get his shot, his patience and persistence paid off in the long run and today he is a Hall of Famer and regarded as one of the all-time great Heavyweights. The point of this brief background into a fighter that found himself in similar circumstances as Joyce is now in is simple. Though it has to be frustrating,  it can work for him by turning a negative into a positive.

The next step in the career of Joe Joyce will take place on April at the Copper Box Arena in London, England when the unbeaten "Knockout Artist" will face number thirteen ranked WBO Heavyweight contender Zhilei Zhang in a fight that can be seen here in the United States on digital subscription sports streaming network ESPN+. Zhang is the first Heavyweight that this observer can remember to hail from China and will enter this fight with a 24-1-1, with 19 Knockouts. 

Zhang will also come into this fight however,  coming off of his first loss in his career in dropping a twelve round unanimous decision to undefeated Heavyweight contender Filip Hrgovic in August of last year.  While Zang, much like Joyce, has punching power and has shown the ability to score quick knockouts in his career, an argument could be made that the two times he has stepped up his caliber of opposition up to this point, it resulted in a draw with veteran Jerry Forrest and the loss against Hrgovic.

With this in mind, Zhang might be looking to not only win this fight, but do so by making a statement against clearly another opponent that is a step up for him. What this could mean is potentially a short, but explosive fight where it may simply come down to which fighter is able to land flush on the other. In terms of each fighter's ability to take a punch, Joyce took the best of what Joseph Parker threw at him including several flush punches that would have likely dropped most Heavyweights and he kept coming forward. The question is how will Zhang respond to Joyce's power if the unbeaten contender lands flush.

Although much of the attention on the current state of the Heavyweight division has centered on the Usyk-Fury saga as well as the recent return of former two-time Heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua, who scored a twelve round unanimous decision over Jermaine Franklin at the beginning of April, it is now time for Joe Joyce and Zhilei Zhang to take center stage to see if either can maneuver their way into a possible opportunity to fight for a world championship, which unfortunately due to the business and political elements of the sport,could prove to be an easier fight to make for either Oleksandr Usyk or Tyson Fury, than a fight between each other for the Undisputed Heavyweight championship of the world appears to be.

"And That's The Boxing Truth."

Joyce vs. Zhang takes place on Saturday, April 15th at Copper Box Arena in London, England. The fight can be seen here in the United States on digital subscription sports streaming network ESPN+  beginning at 2PM ET/11AM PT.

ESPN+ is available through the ESPN app on mobile, tablet, and connected streaming devices and Smart TVs. For more information about ESPN+ including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, and to subscribe please visit: www.ESPNPlus.com. 

*Card and start times subject to change.

"Check your local listings internationally.*

The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

Follow Beau Denison on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison