Coronavirus may have played havoc with the 2020 boxing calendar for the foreseeable future but that doesn’t mean there still isn’t plenty going on.
From the return of another heavyweight icon to new trainers, here’s five stories in the world of boxing you might have missed this week…
Evander Holyfield Announces Return To The Ring At 57
Evander Holyfield, former undisputed cruiserweight and heavyweight champion, announced on Wednesday night on social media that he was making his return to the ring to aid coronavirus charities by competing in exhibition matches.
“I'd like to announce that I will be making a comeback to the ring. I will be fighting in exhibition matches for a great cause: #Unite4OurFight.”
Holyfield's post on Instagram stated: “I'm training to promote a charity that's very close to me. Our #Unite4OurFight campaign aims to fill the void the pandemic has created on access to resources our youth needs for emotional development and education.”
The Champ is back! 🥊 I'd like to announce that I will be making a comeback to the ring. I will be fighting in exhibition matches for a great cause: #Unite4OurFight. Learn more:
Just last week, Mike Tyson, whom Holyfield beat twice in 1990s, minus an ear, also suggested he’d like to return to the ring this year too and is also in training for a comeback. The two fighters have been good friends since their respective retirements but with both back in action, cries for a third fight are sadly inevitable.
Elsewhere, one such opponent for ‘Iron’ Mike’s first exhibition could be his former conqueror from Britain, Danny Williams, who has thrown his hat into the ring for a rematch.
“I’m very interested in facing Mike Tyson again,” Williams told World Boxing News.
“I can confirm that a few of my agents have put my name up to fight ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson. We are still awaiting an answer but it’s definitely a fight I want.”
Andy Ruiz Jr Hires Canelo Trainer In Bid To Return To Top
Mexico’s first heavyweight world champion was handed a lifeline in his bid to regain the world titles he lost to Anthony Joshua in December, by joining forces with trainer Eddy Reynoso, the man who leads Mexican superstar Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.
Ruiz split with former trainer Manny Roubles following his defeat to AJ. After beating Joshua in their first bout in 2019, Ruiz’ dedication to training for the rematch was noticeably absent with the fighter himself claiming he’d partied too much - alas, it was Robles who paid the price.
Being in the same camp as the uber-disciplined Canelo can only be a positive thing for the undoubtedly gifted former champion.
Daniel Dubois Confident He Would Stop Deontay Wilder
Promoter Frank Warren threw a live stick of dynamite into the heavyweight conversation this week by claiming that Daniel Dubois, whom he promotes, would beat Wilder if the two were to meet and Dubois has doubled-down on those claims.
“I’ve got more tools. I’ve got plenty of tools to use. I’ll find a way to win and break him down,” He told Seconds Out.
Dubois was also asked if he thought he could knock Wilder out like Tyson Fury did.
“Yeah. Of course," he replied.
“This is what the Heavyweight game is all about, knockouts and exciting nights… It’ll be interesting when it happens.”
Before any fight with Wilder, Dubois will need to remain focused on his July 4 showdown, which is expected to go ahead, against the dangerous Joe Joyce.
Why Manny Pacquiao Could Have Survived Devastating Marquez Knockout
When Manny Pacquiao was stopped in stunning fashion on December 8, 2012, by bitter rival Juan Manuel Marquez in their fourth meeting, it provided one of the most iconic shots inside the ring of the last decade.
Well according to promoter Bob Arum, the Filipino legend was almost spared such an unceremonious stoppage. Speaking to World Boxing News, he said: “It looked to me that Juan Manuel Marquez’s corner was contemplating stopping the fight.”
“In my eyes, he was taking a beating before Manny Pacquiao walked into that right hand.”
Floyd Mayweather vs Adrien Broner Is Absolutely NOT Happening
Once upon a time it looked like Mayweather’s protégé, Adrien Broner, was destined to take the 50-0 boxer’s mantle once he retired. Flash forward to 2020, Mayweather’s hung up his gloves (for now, at least) but Broner’s name seems to fade from relevance with each passing day.
Mayweather and Broner have traded barbs on a number of occasions since their teacher/student relationship broke down but any talk of the two settling their differences in the ring have been branded an “outright lie” by Mayweather’s advisor Leonard Ellerbe.
“Whoever is spreading this nonsense it’s an outright lie.” The Mayweather Promotions CEO also stated the reports were, “one million percent false” and “total silliness.”
Don’t rule out an inevitable Mayweather return at some point, but don’t it expect to be the “Mini-Mayweather” in the opposite corner.
