It’s been another busy week in the world of boxing which has seen lawsuits, new signings and some mouth-watering showdowns being discussed for later in the year. Here are five stories you might have missed.
Terence Crawford Files Lawsuit With Bob Arum
Welterweight champion Terence Crawford has filed a lawsuit against Bob Arum and Top Rank, seeking nearly $10 million in damages. Crawford, one of the best boxers on the planet right now, alleges that ‘revolting racial bias’ is the reason he was prevented from booking big fights under Arum.
The lawsuit, filed in Nevada, alleges that Arum, "Simply does not care about, support, or know how to promote black fighters." It also accuses Arum's stepson, Todd DuBoeuf, and Top Rank of failing to promote black fighters.
“For years, professional boxers and others in the sports world have called out Top Rank’s owner Bob Arum for his disparate treatment of black boxers, including those very same black boxers that Top Rank is contractually obligated to promote."
Arum, 90, has dismissed the claims as nonsense, telling the New York Times, “We have promoted a number of pay-per-view fights for Terence, all of which have lost money, a lot of money, then to claim we purposely and deliberately lost money because we are racist is nonsense. It is part of what is wrong with our culture.”
“I am flabbergasted. If he believes I didn’t do a good job he [Crawford] can plead that [in his suit], but don’t call a man a racist when really this is because of your own failures."
Crawford and Arum had worked together for a decade before parting ways in the aftermath of Crawford’s win over Shawn Porter in November, 2021.
Eddie Hearn Finalising Conor Benn’s Next Fight
After solid wins over Samuel Vargas, Adrian Granados and Chris Algieri last year, Eddie Hearn is anticipating a huge 2022 for British welterweight star Conor Benn. The promoter told DAZN that he already has some big names in mind for The Destroyer’s next bout in spring.
“He’ll be out in April and we’re just finalising his fight now. We’d love the [Adrien] Broner fight but we’ll have to see. I like Robert Guerrero, I like Maurice Hooker. I like all these kinds of fights because they give us names with profile and they’re the right tests.”
Canelo Alvarez vs Jermall Charlo In May?
Mexican superstar Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez is much more likely to face unbeaten middleweight champion Jermall Charlo than he is to step up to face cruiserweight champion Ilunga Makabu, according to ESPN’s Mike Coppinger. It had looked like Canelo was targeting the WBC cruiserweight title-holder in a quest to become a five-weight world champion, although it now seems the 31-year-old has his attention set elsewhere.
Speaking on ESPN, Coppinger said, “I’m hearing it’s much more likely he’ll fight Jermall Charlo on Cinco de Mayo. There are talks right now for that fight."
Charlo, twin brother of light-middleweight champion Jermell Charlo, last fought in June, outpointing Juan Macias Montiel in Houston, Texas.
Mairis Briedis Gets Jake Paul Tattoo Then Calls Out YouTuber
Three-time cruiserweight king Mairis Briedis sensationally called out Jake Paul this week, even getting a tattoo on his leg to mock the YouTuber.
Arguably the best cruiserweight fighter in the world right now, the current IBF and Ring Magazine title-holder posted a video to Instagram in which he showed himself getting a tattoo to call out the Problem Child, reading, “Jake’s bad karma.”
The Latvian, whose only career defeat came at the hands of Oleksandr Usyk, a fight that proved to be the unbeaten Ukrainian’s toughest test to date, said on the video, “Hey Jake, I've got something for you. Now it's your turn.”
Jake Paul is yet to face a professional boxer in the ring, despite compiling a 5-0 record. The 24-year-old’s next fight is the subject of great debate, but we can’t imagine he’ll be scrapping one of boxing’s best champions any time soon.
Frazer Clarke To Make Pro Debut On Khan vs Brook Undercard
Frazer Clarke will make his professional, Sky Sports and Boxxer debut on the undercard to the highly-anticipated Amir Khan vs Kell Brook fight in Manchester on February 19. The 30-year-old captained Team GB at the delayed Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021, securing a bronze medal in the super-heavyweight division.
“Signing with BOXXER is massive for me,” Clarke said after signing the deal. “Since I got back from the Olympics there’s been a lot of interest in where I was going to go. After weighing up all the options and speaking to the guys at BOXXER and Sky Sports, I came to this decision and here we are, ready to take the first step."
