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Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Boxing's biggest winners and losers of May: Canelo Alvarez, Ryan Garcia, Dana White lead lowlight-filled month
Saul "Canelo" Alvarez won this past month ... but did he really? (REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed) After an eventful month both inside and outside of the boxing ring, let's take a look at the mixed fortunes of some of the sport's stars for May 2025. WINNERS Rolando Romero and Teofimo Lopez Yes, I have lumped these two in together as to make room for another entry on the list — shoot me down! — but as a pair, "Rolly" Romero and Teofimo Lopez were the only two positives coming out of a lackluster Times Square Ring Magazine card at the start of the month. Advertisement Romero dropped and upset Ryan Garcia and Teofimo Lopez looked pretty decent in outpointing the dangerous Arnold Barboza Jr. in a fight that, at least on paper, he would typically struggle to get up for or impress with in the past. Sure, Garcia was flatter than some of Carl Froch's flat-Earth conspirator pals, but Romero beat what was put in front of him and now has plenty of options in the 147-pound division. These two are winners by definition, but the bar was set pretty low on a rotten night in the Big Apple. Anthony Cacace In a domestic battle of 36-year-olds, Anthony Cacace came out on top in the backyard of hometown hero Leigh Wood, underlining his positioning as the man to beat — in the United Kingdom — at super featherweight. Advertisement And if the IBO title wasn't enough for 'The Apache,' he can now add a spot in Uncrowned's monthly Winners and Losers list to his career achievements. Both Wood and Cacace have found something later on in their careers than most, and in what would've been billed in pro wrestling as a 'loser retires' match, the Northern Irishman benefits from the winner stays on stipulation, licking his lips at the broad spectrum of recognized world champions at 130-pounds. Cacace is as strong and physical at the weight as they come, and may well be able to lure a champion into a contest thanks to his humbling knockout record. Dave Allen Who'd have thunk it — writing about a career-best Dave Allen win in *checks calender* 2025. For the record, Allen denies that his fifth-round stoppage of Johnny Fisher was the best on his ledger — saving that for his demolition of Lucas Browne in 2019 — but this is the win that could well open the most doors for the 'White Rhino.' Advertisement Allen is no spring chicken, and after a career littered with losses and tough spars, he should be advised carefully and compassionately as he starts calling out a who's who of the heavyweight division. But for now, enjoy it, Dave. Nice guys often finish last in this sport. This isn't to say he will finish anywhere near first, but he's managed to carve a fruitful career out of very humble beginnings. Angelo Leo This is where, ideally, I'd insert that meme of Angelo Leo and a wheelbarrow for his testicles. The IBF featherweight champion travelled to Japan to outpoint a resurgent Tomoki Kameda, extending his unbeaten run to six fights in the process. Advertisement This 26th win of Leo's career came nine months after upsetting Luis Alberto Lopez with a monstrous left hook, continuing the massive spike in his stock as a fighter following years of anonymity. The likes of Nick Ball, Steph Fulton and Rafael Espinoza await as fellow champions at 126 pounds, and surely Leo will be knocking on the door for a unification fight next. Women's boxing The proof may well have to be in the pudding on this one, but Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions are baking something quite large in the women's division. The Youtuber-turned-boxer-turned-entrepreneur has made it his mission to elevate women's boxing, signing a plethora of talent to his stable, and July 11 inside Madison Square Garden will provide the opportunity for him to showcase eight (and counting) fights involving some of the best fighters in the women's code. Advertisement With the influx of Saudi money in the sport getting more visceral, the health of women's boxing has been a concern for many female fighters looking for opportunities. 'We've seen such a positive growth of women's boxing over the past couple of years, it would be a shame for that bubble to burst,' Norfolk featherweight Raven Chapman told Uncrowned in the buildup to Saudi Arabia's last boxing bonanza, headlined by Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev. 'It [women's boxing] has certainly slowed down over the last six months,' Chapman continued. 'Whether that is due to more control over the fight schedule from the Saudis, it is hard to comment. There will be so much excitement and attention on this card in Riyadh, it's just a shame that there will be no eyes on a women's fight. I guess it's down to us, as women, to keep fighting for these opportunities.' Perhaps Paul's desire for a monopoly of women's boxing will see fighters, like Chapman, receive career-high paydays and opportunities that can't be funded elsewhere. LOSERS Ryan Garcia & Devin Haney One guy lost and the other guy threw fewer punches than I've seen inside a London boozer on a Saturday afternoon. Which is more damaging? It's hard to say… Advertisement Devin Haney's coach and father, Bill, will tell you that 'a win is a win,' but Haney will find opportunities and paydays harder and harder to come by if he repeats his performance against Jose Ramirez any time soon. Haney was lousy, ineffective and gun-shy as he moved to a record of 32-0, one that would struggle to fill a three-minute video of highlights. And Garcia? He is still as marketable as they come, but these inconsistent performances are beginning the grow the target on his back bigger and bigger. For now, the Garcia vs. Haney rematch should be dead in the water — but it won't be long until fight fans are gaslit into believing that the Times Square card was simply a chapter in their evolving story. Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia in simpler times. (for Empire State Realty Trust) (Roy Rochlin via Getty Images) Canelo Alvarez Simply put: Saul "Canelo" Alvarez is no longer an exciting fighter. Advertisement Beating William Scull by throwing the fewest number of punches by a champion in a world title fight is going to get you nowhere the winners list, and his unwillingness to engage with the overmatched Cuban underlines the decline of the Mexican great. A younger, more spiteful "Canelo" would have solved the puzzle of Scull somewhere along the snooze-fest 36 minutes, but now, aged 34, the former 'Face of Boxing' seems utterly disinterested in adding to his legacy inside the ring. If anything, Terence Crawford was the biggest winner from that forgettable night in Riyadh, as 'Bud' will now see his odds of beating Alvarez shorten drastically. Josh Taylor and Scottish boxing The King of Scotland is dead, long live the … oh, wait. That could well be the problem for the proud fight fans of Scotland going forward, as Josh Taylor suffered the third straight loss of his career, edging him closer to retirement. Advertisement The 'Tartan Tornado' was out-everything'd by Ekow Essuman in his Glasgow homecoming, looking like a shadow of the fighter who went undisputed at super lightweight in 2019. Scotland have only had Ricky Burns and Taylor to hang their hats on in recent years, so the hunt for a new star is now needed more than ever. Step forward, Nathaniel Collins? The WBC Get used to a position in the Losers list being occupied by a sanctioning body. This month, it's the turn of Mauricio Sulaiman and the WBC for throwing the retired Manny Pacquiao back into their top-10 rankings and into a world title shot with Mario Barrios. Advertisement 'PacMan' is 46 years old, hasn't won a fight since 2019, yet is being treated like the active Hall of Famer that scaled eight divisions in his heyday. Age waits for no man or woman in boxing — and many need protecting from their own ego. WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman has enabled Manny Pacquiao's return at every turn. (Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images) (Nick Potts - PA Images via Getty Images) Dana White Is there trouble in paradise? UFC's supremo Dana White was widely expected to make his big boxing debut splash in promoting September's superfight between "Canelo" Alvarez and Terence Crawford, but the brash American has been left high and dry at the alter by Saudi Arabia's boxing overlord, Turki Alalshikh. Alalshikh announced via his media mouthpiece, Ring Magazine, that Saudi-firm Sela would now get the gig for this super middleweight contest, raising questions on the future of White and TKO Boxing. White's personality comes fresh out of the Trumpian playbook, so it'll be interesting to see how this story develops and how willing he is to bend the knee in the future to the man that his disciples call 'His Excellency."
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Local boxer targets IBO Super Welterweight title
Primrose's Shervantaigh 'Silent Killer' Koopman faced his toughest challenge to date when he took on Portugal's Uisma Lima for the latter's IBO Super Welterweight title. Lima and Koopman met at Emperors Palace on May 27 for a pre-fight press conference, preparing to face off in the headline bout of the Coronation Box and Dine Tournament at the Palace of Dreams' Centre Court on May 31. ALSO READ: Germiston fighter wins gold in kickboxing tournament The 'Silent Killer' was a fan favourite at the East Rand resort and casino, where he had won various titles, including the WBA Inter-Continental Junior Middleweight and IBO Inter-Continental Junior Middleweight titles. All eyes were on Koopman, who came into the battle undefeated at 16-0. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Chart-topping UK rock star announces surprise intimate Scots gig
It's not the venue you'd have expected. Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) YUNGBLUD has announced a massive show in Scotland this summer. The chart-topping rock star, 27, is heading to Dundee Livehouse on July 10 to celebrate the release of his new album. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 1 Yungblud is coming to Scotland for a special gig. Credit: Getty It's part of a run of 'Up Close & Personal' record store dates across the UK to mark IDOLS which comes out on June 20. He will be playing songs off the album that are stripped back and sharing stories about how the songs were made. Tickets will be on sale from tomorrow at 11am. Yungblud's last two albums went to number one in the UK and broke into the Billboard Hot 100. His back catalogue has accumulated an astonishing six billion streams globally. The 12-track new album, recorded in Leeds, is Yungblud's most ambitious yet. 'Idols' makes up the first part of a double album, with the release date of part two yet to be announced. He recently told how he was in tip top condition after hitting the gym to get fit ahead of summer shows. His new muscles have given him some fighting spirit, with the punk rocker revealing he wants to bring back celebrity sparring matches after training with former IBO welterweight champ Chris Van Heerden. While he also convinced an Oscar-nominated actress to star in his new music video. NYPD forced to shut down Times Square after rapper Yungblud tweets his location and HUNDREDS of fans turn up to meet him Florence Pugh plays a nurse in the vid for new track Zombie. Yungblud got the inspiration for her character when his grandma was in hospital and he saw firsthand the amazing work that nurses do. Actress Florence, who starred alongside Harry Styles in 2022 film Don't Worry Darling, was filming for the music video in London last month.
The Independent
27-05-2025
- General
- The Independent
Anthony Cacace speaks on family and his journey in boxing
Anthony Cacace will travel to enemy territory to defend his IBO super featherweigh t at Motorpoint Arena tomorrow. The Belfast man has seen a late career revival, capturing the IBF super featherweight title last year at 36 years old, which he has since vacated. Speaking to Queensberry Promotions, Cacace (23-1) reflected on his journey in boxing and what it means for his family. Four years ago, Cacace captured his unrecognised IBO world title against Michael Magnesi and believes this was the turning point for his career in terms of recognition. He said: 'Four years IBO champion now, so I'm proud of that. From then, the opportunities kind of unfolded and from Simon [ Legg, his manager ] and whatever else coming on board. Things have worked out well. And now I am in the position that all these young kids around my estate. I love them to be watching and say, 'If he can do it, I can do it.'' The IBO champ recently posted a video to his Instagram showing him with some young fans after a run, and he explained what he felt when confronted with the support he has from his community. Cacace explained: 'I felt emotional. I was like wow, my name, my fathers name, Cacace. My father's Italian you know, he's from Sorrento. It's like I've done something for him and for us – our name is cemented.' He continued: 'It makes me happy, and it's not even because people know me. It's just that I am genuinely inspiring the next generation, and I feel it. I feel like I am too.' Family legacy is of great importance to Cacace. He said that taking this fight with Wood is evidence of his focus on wanting to make his family proud and to be remembered in the sport. Enjoy 185+ fights a year on DAZN, the Global Home of Boxing Never miss a fight from top promoters. Watch on your devices anywhere, anytime. See Schedule ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. 'I've made him super proud,' he said. 'I could get emotional now talking about it. It's like my mum, my dad, they've been along the journey with me. All these hard times, and there's been plenty of them.' He added: 'I have accomplished something that's going to live forever. I'm the first Irish, super featherweight champion ever. Anthony Cacace will never be erased from those [history] books and there's nothing that makes me more happy.' Cacace credited his parents with supporting him through financial hardship and making sure that he had what he needed to pursue his dreams and become a champion. Despite insisting this is not the end of the line for him, he admitted he does have one eye on future and being able to spend more time with his family. Cacace said: 'I'm not aiming for a finishing line. It's like, 'Beat Leigh Wood and move on.' Maybe fight for another work title, defend it, and we'll talk then. But I've got three children, and I would love to be able to spend some time with [ them ]. Sign up to a DAZN subscription to watch the very best boxing DAZN is the home of combat sports, broadcasting over 185 fights a year from the world's best promoters, including Matchroom, Queensberry, Golden Boy, Misfits, PFL, BKFC, GLORY and more. An Annual Saver subscription is a one-off cost of £119.99 / $224.99 (for 12 months access), that's just 64p / $1.21 per fight. There is also a Monthly Flex Pass option (cancel any time) at £24.99 / $29.99 per month. It is not just about fight night, a DAZN membership also includes access to documentaries and features, weekly magazine shows, live fight watchalongs, press conferences, weight-ins, open workouts, exclusive interviews and access to training camps, and podcasts and vodcasts.
The Independent
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
This weekend's boxing action on DAZN
Friday 9 May Starting at 01.00 UK time (Saturday morning), Andreas Katzourakis will meet Roberto Cruz for a fight from the famous Red Owl Boxing Arena in Houston, Texas. Both undefeated, Katzourakis, 15-0 (10), and Cruz, 11-0 (7), will face each other in a super-welterweight bout. Also on the Houston card is a super-lightweight bout between Breyon Gorham, 18-0 (15), and Luis Feliciano, 17-2 (8); a lightweight fight between Oscar Alan Perez, 12-0-2 (7), and Cesar Juarez, 31-18 (24); and another super-lightweight fight between Giovanni Marquez, 12-0 (6), and Esteban Munoz, 10-4 (5). With a broadcast beginning half an hour later, this time from Orlando, Florida, will be a heavyweight fight between the Cuban Dainier Pero, 10-0 (8), and the Mexican Cesar Navarro, 13-2 (11). The pair will be meeting at the luxurious Caribe Royale Orlando hotel in the centre of Florida. Supporting the scheduled ten-round heavyweight fight will be a ten-round bout between lightweights Corey Marksman, 10-0-1 (7), and Tayden Beltran, 10-0-1 (5); another ten-round lightweight fight, this time between Kaipo Gallegos, 8-0-1 (6), and Pedro Castaneda Castro, 8-0-1 (5). Saturday 10 May This weekend's main action, however, remains between Cacace, 23-1 (8), and Wood, 28-3 (17), who meet at Motorpoint Arena in a fight for Cacace's IBO super-featherweight title. Hometown hero Wood is coming into the bout after a technical knockout win over former world champion Josh Warrington and a revenge victory over Mauricio Lara. Cacace, meanwhile, also moves into this weekend's action with a victory over Josh Warrington at Wembley Stadium when he defeated the Leeds man over twelve rounds. Cacace is undefeated in nearly eight years following a unanimous decision loss to Martin J Ward in 2017. Joining Cacace and Wood on the Nottingham card will be Liam Davies, 16-1 (8), who faces Kurt Walker, 12-0 (2), for the vacant IBF international featherweight title. More undercard action will be seen between light-heavyweights Ezra Taylor, 11-0 (8), and Troy Jones, 12-0 (6), who meet over ten rounds in a non-title fight. Nottingham's card on Saturday night will also be notable for the debuts of Harris Akbar, Joe Tyers, Charlie Senior, and Huey Malone, all successful amateurs who officially turn over to the professional side on Saturday night. DAZN is the home of combat sports, broadcasting over 185 fights a year from the world's best promoters, including Matchroom, Queensberry, Golden Boy, Misfits, PFL, BKFC, GLORY and more. An Annual Saver subscription is a one-off cost of £119.99 / $224.99 (for 12 months access), that's just 64p / $1.21 per fight. There is also a Monthly Flex Pass option (cancel any time) at £24.99 / $29.99 per month. It is not just about fight night, a DAZN membership also includes access to documentaries and features, weekly magazine shows, live fight watchalongs, press conferences, weight-ins, open workouts, exclusive interviews and access to training camps, and podcasts and vodcasts. Sign up right now to watch the biggest stars and best fights.
