Latest news with #TeofimoLopez
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 Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
World champion boxer left unemployed aged 27 as he reveals he has been FIRED in brief statement
TEOFIMO LOPEZ claims he has been "fired" by promoter Turki Alalshikh - just weeks after his Riyadh Season debut. The 27-year-old lightweight had looked set to sign up for a showdown with Devin Haney in August. 3 3 3 Lopez 's team reportedly agreed to the bout in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. But the two-weight world champion took to social media last night to bizarrely call out Alalshikh. In one tweet, he wrote: "I just got fired, guys. "However, before things get better, bad things must happen first! #Resurrection." Earlier in the evening, Lopez uploaded a snap of himself pretending to beg on the street. Holding a small dog in the picture, he held up a sign that said: "$1-a-day keeps the haters away." Boxing insider Dan Rafael claims Lopez's posts have put his fight with Haney "in jeopardy". Rafael wrote on X: "Per three sources involved, Teofimo Lopez-Devin Haney was agreed to Tuesday night, but not signed, for Aug. 16 in Riyadh at 145 pounds. "But fight is now in jeopardy after Teofimo's tweet storm." Alalshish did not respond directly to Lopez's comments, instead cryptically writing on X: "Maturity is to realise, most things don't deserve a reaction." Teofimo Lopez ready to follow in his dad's footsteps by one day training his son... despite their 'rough' experiences Lopez holds an impressive pro record of 22-1 and recently dispatched the previously unbeaten Arnold Barboza Jr. He held onto his WBO junior welterweight championship after outworking Barboza, landing 127 of 574 punches. The Times Square judges gave Lopez a unanimous win 116-112, 116-112 and 118-110. Lopez called out undefeated unified welterweight champion Jaron 'Boots' Ennis after the win. He said: "You know me guys, I go after the tough challenges. "I want to see Boots. I'm Dora the Explorer and I'm looking for Boots."
The Independent
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Under the radar - are Rolando Romero, Arnold Barboza, and Jose Ramirez not being taken seriously by their big-name opponents?
Three of the biggest stars in American boxing will be in action in Times Square this Friday, with Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney, and Teofimo Lopez all duking it out live on DAZN PPV. , whilst Devin Haney takes on Jose Ramirez. . But despite all having dance partners for their date in Times Square, all three have appeared more focused on throwing barbs at each other rather than their scheduled opponents. Ryan Garcia already looking to Devin Haney rematch Although Ryan Garcia and Rolando Romero are evenly matched when it comes to trash talking, many pundits believe that 'King Ry' will prove too much for Rolly, even though his opponent is a former world champion. Romero claimed the WBA super-lightweight belt with a TKO victory over Ismael Barroso in May 2023, but his reign as a world titlist was ended in his next fight, when Isaac Cruz managed an eighth-round stoppage in March 2024. One variable that adds a layer of intrigue to the contest is the fact that both fighters will be moving up to 147lbs for the first time in their careers. Garcia and Romero had looked to fight at 140 pounds last year, before King Ry pivoted away from those negotiations to set up his fight with Devin Haney. When Garcia has not been making comments directed at Haney, he has dismissed Romero's chances in the build-up to their bout. He believes that Rolly has not improved as a boxer over the years, whilst also claiming that Romero's chin has weakened after two technical knockout defeats. Whilst it is common for boxers to diminish their upcoming opponents in the lead up to fight night, it appears that Garcia and Haney seem more focused on their proposed rematch for later this year. Garcia shared on DAZN: 'I've got a huge fight coming up next, so I've got to take him (Romero) as serious as if I was fighting Devin (Haney).' Jose Ramirez calls out media for lack of respect Devin Haney has definitely been drawn into continuing his war of words with Ryan Garcia throughout the lead up, repeatedly calling out King Ry for his positive test for ostarine. However, Haney appears to respect his opponent on Friday, a fact that has not gone unnoticed by Jose Ramirez. The 32-year-old believes that Haney is more aware of Ramirez's chances of winning than the media, claiming that he has been written off by the press. During a recent press conference moderated by DAZN's Todd Grisham, Ramirez explained: 'It's crazy how Devin Haney has more respect for me than the media. You know, calling [for] Ryan Garcia-Devin Haney 2, and the fight hasn't even happened between me and Devin Haney. "And he's over here saying, 'I have to go past Ramirez first,' before you guys even say it. You guys said it at the press conference a couple times. You know, I just hope if, God willing, everything goes my way May 2nd, we'll see if Ryan Garcia fights me next. You know, we'll see about that.' Teofimo Lopez still focused on super lightweight division On paper, Teofimo Lopez has the hardest opponent out of the three A-side fighters. 'The Takeover' is currently set on defending his WBO title at super lightweight before stepping up and joining his contemporaries Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia at welterweight. Make no mistake – Lopez is very keen on facing Garcia or Haney in the near future, but the Olympian is acutely aware that he must first contend with the challenge of Arnold Barboza Jr. Barboza enters the bout with an impressive 32 wins without a defeat, making him more experienced as a professional than any fighter on Friday's card. There is clearly a bit of needle between the pair, with Lopez slapping Barboza at a face-off earlier this year.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Shock Essuman win casts doubt over Taylor future
Josh Taylor's first foray into the welterweight division ended in a shock defeat by Ekow Essuman in Glasgow, leaving serious questions surrounding the former undisputed world champion's future in the sport. Taylor started brightly and had the Englishman hurt early on, but Essuman grew into the fight and finished the stronger to earn the decision on all three judges' scorecards. It's a career-best victory for the Nottingham fighter, but one that poses questions about what is next for the 34-year-old Scot. Four years on from his crowning glory when he defeated Jose Ramirez in Las Vegas to become the UK's first – and still only – undisputed champion of the four-belt era, Taylor was looking to reinject some momentum back into a career that had stalled. Back-to-back defeats by Teofimo Lopez and Jack Catterall meant Taylor desperately needed to step up into the welterweight division with a victory. Essuman stuns Taylor by unanimous decision - as it happened Will Taylor reboot career with win over Essuman? Taylor 'back to drawing board' for step up in weight He emerged to a tremendous ovation from the crowd in Glasgow, a city where so many of his greatest nights have taken place, and had the fans off their seats with an aggressive start, catching his 36-year-old opponent with some good shots. Essuman took those well and came out fast in the third round, connecting with a big right hand that snapped Taylor's head back and sent a message he was here to fight. Then came the explosive fourth. Taylor sent Essuman back-pedalling towards the ropes with a peach of a shot, only for Essuman to respond in kind and wobble Taylor with a straight right hand. The middle rounds saw the pace slow significantly, though a nasty cut opened around Taylor's left eye in the seventh, possibly from a clash of heads. Encouraged by the sight of blood running down his opponent's face, Essuman came on strong in the eighth, backing Taylor up and finding gaps in his defence. The underdog was picking his moments to strike well, though Taylor's greater output perhaps just edged the ninth. Essuman's right hand found the bullseye again several times in the 10th as Taylor looked to be tiring. The final round looked like it could be vital on the scorecards, and while the home crowd looked to rouse their hero for one last effort, neither fighter could land the decisive blow. The scorecards of 116-113, 116-112, and 115-113 were met with dismay - though not disbelief - by the fans in the Hydro, who are now left to wonder if they will see the Tartan Tornado in a ring again. Heavyweight prospect Moses Itauma continued his rapid rise with another demonstration of his extraordinary power. The 20-year-old floored the American Mike Balogun three times en route to a second-round stoppage. There was plenty of Scottish interest on the undercard, not least the highly-anticipated featherweight clash between Lee McGregor and Nathaniel Collins. Most expected a tight affair, but Glasgow fighter Collins produced a scintillating performance to drop his Edinburgh rival three times, with McGregor's corner throwing in the towel in round four. Welterweight Reese Lynch, a gold medallist for Scotland at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, stepped into the pro ranks in impressive style with a second-round stoppage of Jonatas de Oliveira. Aston Brown became the new Scottish middleweight champion with a devastating first-round knockout of Reece Porter. Former world champion Alex Arthur was ringside to see his son, also Alex, mark his professional debut with a dominant points win over Robbie Chapman in a four-round contest. Drew Limond, son of the late Willie Limond, also prevailed on points. The 19-year-old controlled the four rounds against Argentine fighter Ezequiel Gregores. East Kilbride cruiserweight David Jamieson was taken out in three rounds by the heavy-handed Aloys Junior.
Daily Mail
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Tartan Tornado Josh Taylor a shadow of his former self as Scot is stunned on home soil by Essuman
ON what was supposed to be the start of a new chapter, Josh Taylor's career hit a new low last night as he lost a unanimous points decision against Ekow Essuman at The Hydro in Glasgow. Moving up for his first fight at welterweight, Taylor, who was the red-hot favourite, crashed to a disastrous defeat that will now prompt serious questions about his future as an elite fighter. Now 34 years old, and having lost three fights in succession, the former undisputed world champion at light-welterweight is now in the boxing wilderness. This was a hugely damaging night where Taylor started brightly before totally losing his way in the second half of the fight against the 36-year-old Englishman. Indeed, there was a plausible argument that Taylor lost the whole second half of the fight, starting from round seven and going all the way until the final bell at the end of round 12. As far as comebacks go, this really couldn't have gone any worse for the man who was one of the pound-for-pound best boxers on the planet four years ago. At the end, when the scorecards were read out, Taylor bowed his head. It was a look of resignation from a fighter whose best days look like they are behind him. He will, of course, dispute that verdict. But the body of work against him is now too strong to ignore, going all the way back to his first fight against Jack Catterall three years ago. Subsequent defeats to Teofimo Lopez and in the rematch with Catterall in Leeds last year meant this was a must-win for the Prestonpans puncher if he was to reignite his career. But, in the end, it was a performance which brought the end of his career and possible retirement even more sharply into focus. Taylor's ring walk began with a mocked-up version of the Trainspotting speech made famous by Irvine Welsh and Renton, the character played in the movie by Ewan McGregor. Choose life. Choose boxing. Choose undisputed. Choose leaving it all behind and moving up to a new division. Choose winning another four belts all over again and becoming a two-weight world champion. That was the general idea. The home fans roared their approval as the Lust for Life by Iggy Pop faded and was replaced by the bagpipes for Flower of Scotland. Taylor was on the front foot and looking to be the aggressor over the opening couple of rounds and caught Essuman with a couple of powerful shots which snapped the Englishman's head back. The move up in weight certainly didn't seem to be slowing Taylor down in terms of his ability to beat an opponent to the punch. Another powerful left hook to the body landed flush on Essuman and it was clear that Taylor had taken both of the opening two rounds. But Essuman came out swinging at the start of the third and had Taylor on the ropes buried under a flurry of punches. It was clear that this would be no formality for Taylor against an opponent whom many others have dodged over the past few years. Both fighters landed powerful punches in round four and both were rocked back on to the ropes at different points. The pace eventually began to slow down slightly and Taylor's bright start began to fade, with Essuman refusing to take a backward step. Given that he is nicknamed The Engine, Essuman was only going to grow stronger as the fight wore on. Taylor, meanwhile, was in uncharted territory at welterweight. By the time we reached round seven, Taylor had a nasty cut above his left eye following a clash of heads. A silence had fallen around The Hydro. As was the case here three years ago in his first fight against Catterall, this was proving to be another awkward night for the Tartan Tornado. Heading into round ten, Taylor could only claim to be a round or two ahead, and even that felt slightly generous. The explosive punch power and raw aggression which typified Taylor's rise to the top a few years ago just wasn't there. He was guilty of walking into some big shots at times. Although still landing a few of his own, he was slowing down noticeably towards the end of the fight. Another solid right hand from Essuman in round 11 stopped Taylor in his tracks and it was now undeniable that was looking second best in all departments. How much of an advantage would those good early rounds give him on the judges' scorecards? That was the burning question. There would be no repeat of the reprieve he was given against Catterall in 2022. The scorecards — 116-113, 116-112, 115-113 — were conclusive. As he walked away from the ring, you wondered when we might see Taylor back at the top level of boxing. If ever. Elsewhere on the undercard, Lee McGregor and Nathaniel Collins clashed in a battle of the Scots in the featherweight division. With a possible world title shot on the horizon for the winner, it was the unbeaten Collins who took the victory after stopping McGregor in round four. Nicknamed The Nightmare, it was a clinical finish from Collins. He floored his opponent three times before McGregor's corner eventually threw in the towel. 'That was the best performance of my career,' said Collins. 'I showed tonight that I'm a world-class boxer and I can punch. I'm here to be a world champion.'
