WEEKLY BOXING NEWS ROUND UP - 22ND APRIL
It’s been another completely bats*it mental week in the world of boxing. From two-weight champions failing drug tests to legends of the sport calling out footballers, it’s really had it all.
We’ll be taking a look through the hottest topics of the past week, starting with Ben Whittaker’s impressive win on Saturday night.
WHITTAKER BLASTS OUT SUAREZ INSIDE A ROUND
Light-heavyweight contender and Olympic silver medallist Ben Whittaker returned to action on Saturday night against the hard-hitting Argentine, Braian Suarez.
In a fight that was meant to get Whittaker some rounds, it took him less than three minutes to blow Suarez away with a devastating first-round stoppage — Whittaker’s third stoppage win in a row, with all three coming inside two rounds.
In the aftermath, it was confirmed that Whittaker will be making his US debut on the Zayas vs Boots undercard in June against an opponent to be confirmed, before fighting in the UK later in the year in what will be a big step up.
Anthony Yarde’s name has been mentioned for that fight, with Whittaker’s trainer Andy Lee stating that he would certainly like it — but only time will tell.
PIMBLETT LABELS HEARN/WHITE BEEF AS “TEENAGE GIRLISH”
Molly McCann picked up her fourth win as a professional boxer on the Whittaker undercard on Saturday night, but it was her close pal and UFC star Paddy Pimblett who stole a lot of the headlines on social media.
When we asked him about the ongoing beef between Eddie Hearn and Pimblett’s promoter Dana White, Pimblett labelled it “teenage girlish” before discussing how, if a fight did get made, Hearn and White could probably make more money than the majority of the fighters they promote.
Scary, but true.
ROY JONES JR CALLS OUT THIERRY HENRY
As if the crazy world of boxing couldn’t get any crazier, one of the greatest fighters of all time, Roy Jones Jr, called out former Barcelona and Arsenal star Thierry Henry for an exhibition.
The call-out came after Malik Scott, the husband of Henry’s colleague Kate Scott, revealed he’d be willing to train Henry if he ever decided to give boxing a go.
Henry has yet to respond to Jones Jr’s call-out, but in this day and age, you couldn’t confidently rule it out.
OKOLIE RETURNS ADVERSE FINDING — YOKA FIGHT AND CARD CANCELLED
The news that rocked the boxing world on Tuesday morning was that former two-weight world champion Lawrence Okolie had returned an adverse finding following a VADA test ahead of his clash with Tony Yoka.
The drug in question is GHRP-2, a well-known growth hormone. Following the news, Okolie quickly released a statement on social media claiming it was related to treatment he had received for an injured bicep.
Queensberry had hoped to find a replacement for the former cruiserweight and bridgerweight world champion; however, on Tuesday night it was confirmed that the entire card was off due to the main event falling through.
TILL TO FIGHT CHALMERS ON BARE KNUCKLE DEBUT
After announcing earlier this month that he had left Misfits Boxing to sign for Bare Knuckle FC, it was confirmed this week that Darren Till will fight former reality TV star and now Bare Knuckle boxer Aaron Chalmers on his Bare Knuckle debut in Birmingham on 30 May.
After turning his hand to professional MMA, Chalmers built up a record of five wins and two losses from seven fights. He’s 1–1 as a boxer and 2–0 with two stoppages in Bare Knuckle, so it’ll be a decent enough test for Till on his debut — but one he should look fairly good in, as he appears to be fast-tracked into a world title shot against Lorenzo Hunt or a potential mega fight against long-term rival Mike Perry.
The fight has been matched at light-heavyweight, which in Bare Knuckle FC is 185lbs, so it will be over a stone lighter than what Till weighed in at for his clash with Luke Rockhold back in August.
PRINCE NASEEM HAMED SPEAKS OUT IN SUPPORT OF CONOR BENN
In a fiery conversation with the outspoken Simon Jordan on talkSPORT this week, boxing legend Prince Naseem Hamed has come out in support of Conor Benn following the announcement of his new deal with Zuffa Boxing.
“Conor has got to that position where all of a sudden, because of what he’s created, his dad’s legacy and how good he is, he’s worth millions. And you know what, everybody is jealous of him. Why are they jealous? Why are they envious?” Naz questioned following intense criticism of Benn across the boxing world.
In the same interview, Naz also hit out at former teammate Johnny Nelson, labelling him a “snake” following recent comments about Brendan Ingle.
MATCHROOM RELEASE NEW PROMO FOR SMITH VS PUELLO
Following on from their iconic Ben Whittaker announcement, Matchroom have somehow gone one better with their promo for Dalton Smith’s WBC World Super-Lightweight title clash with Alberto Puello on 6 June.
Labelled ‘The Belt Collector’, the promo sees Smith go to various locations to pick up belts he has already won so far in his professional career.
Just watch and enjoy.
MILLER AND PERO FACE OFF AHEAD OF SATURDAY’S BANGER
Jarrell Miller and Lenier Pero came face-to-face for the first time on fight week ahead of their heavyweight banger this Saturday night.
Miller (27–1–2) will be looking to build on his points victory over Kingsley Ibeh earlier this year, while the talented Cuban Pero (13–0) will be hoping to put himself into world title contention with what would be a career-best win if he emerges victorious.
It’s an intriguing contest, so expect plenty of violence.