All of the talk in the boxing world might be focused on the collapse of Dillian Whyte’s heavyweight showdown with Otto Wallin but there’s been plenty of other happenings in the sweet science that might have gone under the radar this week. Here are five boxing stories you might have missed...
Teofimo Lopez vs George Kambosos Jr Given New Date
In a ‘Will they? Won’t they?’ comparable to Ross and Rachel in Friends, Teofimo Lopez and George Kambosos Jr look finally set to do battle after numerous postponements.
Unified lightweight champion López, 16-0, will at long last make the maiden title defence of his WBA, IBF, WBO, and The Ring belts against Australia’s Kambosos Jr, 19-0, at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden on November 27th, live worldwide and exclusively on DAZN.
“I am delighted to be bringing Lopez vs. Kambosos to DAZN and Madison Square Garden,” said Matchroom Sport chairman Eddie Hearn.
“This rivalry has been cooking for a long time and now we finally get to see them put it to bed in the Big Apple. Teofimo is one of the big young stars in the sport but George is a hungry proud Aussie who knows that this is the chance to put his name amongst the elite of the game.”
Anthony Joshua Searches US For Potential New Trainer
Former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is on the search for a potential new trainer following his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk last month and has met with at least four US-based coaches whilst in America.
This week AJ, 24-2, met with Canelo’s coach Eddy Reynoso in San Diego, former Amir Khan and Andre Ward tutor Virgil Hunter in Hayward, Jermall Charlo’s chief Ronnie Shields in Texas and Robert Garcia, older brother of four-weight world champion Mikey Garcia, in Oxnard.
Questions were raised over Joshua’s trainer Rob McCracken, who has guided the Watford native throughout his professional career, following the defeat to Usyk.
Speaking about Joshua’s visit, Shields told Tha Boxing Voice, “He told me, 'Listen, I know people don't think I'm a dog. I'm gonna be a dog in this next fight.' And that's his words. He told me, 'I just need you to show me how to be the best dog you can teach me to be."
When asked if he'd be working alongside McCracken should he get the job as his new trainer, Shields added that AJ only mentioned Angel Fernandez as a current coach who he wants to remain on his team.
Jake Paul vs Tommy Fury Heading For December 18th?
YouTuber Jake Paul is finally going to face an actual boxer in the ring it seems, as the long-mooted bout between the American and Tommy Fury, younger brother of heavyweight champion Tyson, has reportedly been pencilled in for December 18th. Though neither fighter has officially confirmed the fight, an official announcement is expected soon.
Fury’s promoter Frank Warren had earlier this month told Manchester Evening News that a deal was close to being done, saying: “It’s a great fight for Tommy. It’s a very lucrative fight for him. Financially, how can you not turn that down?
“It’s captured everyone’s imagination, it’s all they were talking about out in the States. Hopefully, we will finish it off this week and we can move forward. It’ll be in late November, December.”
Gervonta Davis Title Defence Set For December
Three-weight world champion Gervonta Davis will be defending his WBA ‘regular’ lightweight strap against the undefeated Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on December 5th.
This will be Davis’ second fight of 2021, having beaten Mario Barrios by TKO in June, while for the hard-hitting Romero, the Baltimore fighter represents by far the sternest test of his 14-fight pro career so far. That hasn’t put a dent in the 26-year-old’s confidence though, and Romero is more than confident that he will pull off an upset.
Speaking to TMZ Sports ahead of the bout, Romero said: “Man, I’ma say it like this, Tank’s gonna get knocked the f**k out.”
“And like I said, whoever believes otherwise can go fuck themselves. The best thing about Tank is he’s a puncher, and I’m a bigger puncher and I’m a bigger person! What the f**k does he have?
“I punch way harder than him. Ask anyone that knows us both, they’ll tell you straight up, I’ma knock him the f**k out. One round. He gonna run right into something, ‘cause he’s stupid!”
Robert Helenius In Line For AJ vs Usyk Rematch Winner
Finnish heavyweight Robert Helenius has emerged as a contender to become the first opponent for the winner of the Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua rematch.
Joshua activated the rematch clause following defeat last month and will be given the chance to win back his WBA, WBO and IBF belts when the two face each other again next year, likely in spring.
The winner of that bout will likely be forced to fulfill a mandatory defence and following Helenius’ victory over Adam Kownacki in a WBA final eliminator earlier this month, the Scandinavian has put himself in a good position to challenge for a world title
"Right now we are focused on the WBA mandatory position," Helenius' manager Markus Sundman told Sky Sports.
"Robert fought a WBA elimination bout in March 2020 against Adam Kownacki, and he placed a stamp on that victory in the rematch on October 9.
"Usyk should really be Robert's next bout.”
