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The Independent
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Who are the oldest active professional boxers today?
Boxing is a sport where youth is a valuable commodity. To keep your reactions and hand speed is an uphill climb as a fighter ages, which leads to fighters commonly retiring before the age of 40. But we are increasingly seeing fighters push the limits of how old a fighter can be and still be competitive. For example, Artur Beterbiev becoming the undisputed light-heavyweight champion at nearly 40, Manny Pacquiao returning to challenge for the WBC welterweight title at 46 or perhaps the most extreme example, Oliver McCall having his second fight of the year at 60 years old. In honour of McCall's incredible resurgence, being undefeated in three fights since 2024, here are the oldest active professional boxers. • Watch over 185 fights a year from the world's best promoters with a DAZN subscription. More information here. Firat Arslan Age: 54 Nationality: Germany Division: Cruiserweight Record: 56-9-3 (41 KOs) Arslan is a career cruiserweight based out of Germany, who made his professional debut in 1997, and has been active every year since, bar 2009, due to a life-threatening cycling injury. Arslan won his first version of a world title in 2008 when he converted his WBA Interim title into the Regular belt, beating Virgil Hill on points. He lost this title the next year to Guillermo Jones The German challenged unsuccessfully for full world titles three times, fighting Marco Huck twice for the WBO cruiserweight title and Yoan Pablo Hernandez for the IBF title between 2012 and 2014. Undeterred by falling short, Arslan continued to campaign and in 2020 earned himself a shot at Kevin Lerena's IBO cruiserweight title, but once again lost, getting knocked out in the sixth round. In 2023, aged 52, the German former champion fought Edin Puhalo in what was supposed to be his farewell, which he won via knockout. But Arslan couldn't be kept away and returned to the ring in 2024. Shannon Briggs Shannon Briggs is one of the heaviest hitters that the heavyweight division has ever seen, across 60 victories had a knockout ratio of 90 per cent and faced some of the best from his era. Briggs made his professional debut in 1992 and went undefeated in his first 25 fights before a defeat at the hands of Darrol Wilson in 1996. In 1997 in Atlantic City, Briggs has his first shot at a world title against Lennox Lewis, who outclassed the Brooklyn native and ended the fight in the fifth round with a technical knockout. After nearly ten years, Briggs would get another shot at a world title, against Siarhei Liakhovich in 2006. He secured the WBO belt with a twelfth-round knockout, having been behind on all three scorecards. His reign was short-lived, losing the title in his next fight against Sultan Ibragimov. There was one final chance at world title glory for Briggs, who faced Vitali Klitschko for the WBC title in 2010, but he was beaten on boxing ability over 12 rounds by one half of the Klitschko heavyweight dynasty. The former WBO champion retreated to small hall shows afterwards and retired in 2016. Briggs is now 53 and has not fought in nearly ten years but has recently announced he will be returning to the ring as a professional in July against an undecided opponent. Oliver McCall Oliver McCall holds the record as the oldest man to win a professional heavyweight fight, at 60. His career has lasted over 40 years, and he has been in 76 fights in that time. In such a long career, the Chicago-born fighter had the opportunity to share the ring with heavyweight greats such as James 'Buster' Douglas, Tony Tucker, Lennox Lewis and Larry Holmes. McCall debuted in 1985, with mixed results, losing five fights before challenging for his first world title against Lennox Lewis in 1994. In the defining moment of his career, McCall knocked out Lewis in the second round to claim the WBC title, defending once before losing it to Frank Bruno the next year. He would only compete for a world title once more in his career in a rematch with Lennox Lewis that saw him pulled out of the fight in the fifth round. The former WBC champion continued to fight until 2014 when he retired for the first time, only to return in 2018 and retire again in 2019. 2024 saw McCall return once again at 59, and since then, he has gone undefeated in three fights, with two wins and a draw.
BBC News
25-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Ekow Essuman stuns Josh Taylor by unanimous decision in welterweight bout
Update: Date: 22:48 BST Title: That's all folks Content: Josh Taylor v Ekow Essuman 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. But the story of the night is The Enging Essuman. A determined and persistent performance, a terrific professional. 116-113, 116-112, 115-113, the final judge's scores - hard to argue with them. Read the report here. Update: Date: 22:44 BST Title: Will we see Taylor again? Content: Josh Taylor v Ekow Essuman Carl Frampton reckons that may be the last fight we see from Josh Taylor. "It's up to him, but I don't think so," he tells DAZN "He was the elite of the elite, a superstar, and it's clear he's not the fighter that he once was." Update: Date: 22:38 BST Title: Crestfallen Taylor Content: Josh Taylor v Ekow Essuman Update: Date: 22:35 BST Title: What now for our victor? Content: Josh Taylor v Ekow Essuman Pre-fight, the chat was dominated by questions of what is next for Taylor should he win. Well, what now for Essuman? He says it's time to "take the engine on tour on the engine tour bus". Time for an even bigger bout in America? He certainly seems open to it. Update: Date: 22:32 BST Title: Essuman won 'in the lions' den' Content: Josh Taylor v Ekow Essuman The triumphant Ekow Essuman tells DAZN: "I'd like to first of all say a big well done to Josh Taylor, I've always respected him, he's a great fighter. "I've gone into the away corner in the lions' den. Thank you so much to everyone for having me. "I remember things from a long time ago, and we sparred a lot a GB, I put a lot of those things into this fight. "I adjusted [from the early rounds] and did what I had to do". Update: Date: 22:28 BST Title: Ekow Essuman beats Josh Taylor Content: Josh Taylor v Ekow Essuman 116-113, 116-112, 115-113. A unanimous decision from the judges. Update: Date: 22:27 BST Title: Almost time for the scores Content: Josh Taylor v Ekow Essuman Before we get to scores, let's put on record how entertaining that was. Josh Taylor's early energy and Ekow Essuman's persistence throughout. A great match-up. Both fighters showed a great deal of respect as the final bell dinged, and rightly so. It was a thoroughly compelling fight to watch. Update: Date: 22:26 BST Title: We go to the scorecards Content: Josh Taylor v Ekow Essuman Andy BurkeBBC Sport Scotland at The Hydro This will be close. A draw is not out of the question here. Update: Date: 22:25 BST Title: Round 12 Content: Josh Taylor v Ekow Essuman "Take this round for yourself," Taylor's corner tells him as he gets ready for the final round. A legacy-shaping round for Taylor, regardless of what way it ends now. The home favourite is unable to reply back with the intent of the early rounds, while Essuman remains light on his feet and happy to remain coy and ready to spring. And spring he does. He takes Taylor back to the ropes multiple times, the Scot looks like he needs to hear the bell immediately. Taylor tries to muster a response and fight back into the middle of the ring, but it may be too little, too late now. It will go to the judges. Update: Date: 22:21 BST Title: Round 11 Content: Josh Taylor v Ekow Essuman Taylor spent a fair bit of that fight making sure he was simply never within Essuman's reach. Not as dominant a round from Essuman, but he probably did enough to edge it. Carl Frampton, speaking on DAZN, reckons he is probably now ahead, too. A different type of fight from the opening four or five rounds, that's for sure. It goes to the last. Update: Date: 22:17 BST Title: Taylor tiring Content: Josh Taylor v Ekow Essuman Andy BurkeBBC Sport Scotland at The Hydro Josh Taylor looks like he's tiring and Ekow Essuman is finding success with that time and again. After one failed attack, Taylor shook his head in exasperation. He's in deep waters here. Update: Date: 22:17 BST Title: Round 10 Content: Josh Taylor v Ekow Essuman Oh my. Essuman comes out looking determined and powerful. Taylor is on the ropes for a lot of the tenth round. Essuman produces a few stinging combinations into Taylor's body. But here comes Taylor. Out of nowhere, he leads Essuman into the middle of the ring and fires off a fast right hook, followed by a powerful left to the body. He shifted his feet well there to create the angle. Essuman breaks clean and bounces on his toes and lands a well-placed right as the round heads to the bell. A left hook is squeezed in there, too. Essuman is on top now it seems. Does Taylor have enough left in the tank to reply? Update: Date: 22:14 BST Title: Round 9 Content: Josh Taylor v Ekow Essuman Again, a closely-fought. Taylor is looking leggy now, and Essuman looks sharp. Not much of note there, a bit of a breather that whole round for both fighters in all honesty. A big three-round stretch to come... unless someone decides to stop it all earlier. Update: Date: 22:11 BST Title: Post Content: Josh Taylor v Ekow Essuman 93 - 67 punches landed so far in favour of Taylor. Does not tell the whole story of the fight, mind you. Essuman has landed a fair few significant blows. Update: Date: 22:09 BST Title: Round 8 Content: Josh Taylor v Ekow Essuman Essuman has found a second wind. Wow. He has an answer for anything from Taylor, and took the fight to him. A short right jab breaks through and gives Taylor a wee wobble, nothing too troubling though. Taylor does well as the round draws to a close, a theme of this evening. Close. Very, very close. Update: Date: 22:06 BST Title: Post Content: Josh Taylor v Ekow Essuman Replays show the clash of heads was a bit more forceful than first thought. Aye, pretty sure that has caused the cut just above Taylor's left eye. Update: Date: 22:05 BST Title: Taylor cut Content: Josh Taylor v Ekow Essuman Andy BurkeBBC Sport Scotland at The Hydro Taylor has a nasty looking cut above the left eye. That will be a concern for the Scot Update: Date: 22:05 BST Title: Round 7 Content: Josh Taylor v Ekow Essuman Quite a bit slower now. The referee steps in to tell the fighters to separate as they tangle up for a few seconds too many. Taylor has a cut above his eye now. There was a clash of heads in there, so it may not even have been a punch that caused it. That was a lot closer than rounds one through six. Are they beginning to tire? Update: Date: 22:02 BST Title: The Engine not going anywhere Content: Josh Taylor v Ekow Essuman Andy BurkeBBC Sport Scotland at The Hydro The fight has tightened up a little after that frantic fourth round. Essuman looks comfortable in there though, and as his nickname "The Engine" suggests, he's happy to go the distance. Does Josh Taylor have another gear? Update: Date: 22:00 BST Title: Round 6 Content: Josh Taylor v Ekow Essuman Halfway point... if it goes the distance. A few body shots, but this round felt notably slower compared to the previous rounds. Then again, we had five explosive rounds up until now, so that's hardly a surprise. That will probably be Essuman's round. A swift right hook caught Taylor in there amidst a glut of dips and dodges.
Daily Mail
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Wallabies star Lukhan Salakaia-Loto reveals next sporting challenge once his rugby career draws to a close
Towering Wallabies forward Lukhan Salakaia-Loto has confirmed he is eyeing off a career as a professional boxer once his footy career ends. But before Salakaia-Loto, 28, potentially enters the ring, he hopes to be selected to take on the British & Irish Lions in July. He was also pumped up after meeting Aussie cruiserweight world champion Jai Opetaia on the Gold Coast this week. 'I'd 100 per cent jump in (and box),' the lock told News Corp. 'I'm not going to disrespect the sport or people that do it by saying I'm gonna be a world champion or be any good at it, but it's something that I'd love to do. 'I just love the obviously got to put in the work and train...(I also like the fact that) its not for everyone, because its so different.' The Wallabies enforcer was also pumped up after meeting cruiserweight world champion Jai Opetaia (pictured, left) on the Gold Coast this week Salakaia-Loto won't have to look far for advice if he dons some gloves - his younger brother is a boxer and his late father fought professionally in Auckland. Opetaia - who next fights Italian Claudio Squeo on June 8 - is also willing to help Salakaia-Loto prepare for any future bout. Currently sidelined with a shoulder injury, Salakaia-Loto had a message for Wallabies selectors - pick me to face the Lions. 'I feel like I'm slowly approaching that (full fitness),' said the veteran of 41 Tests for Australia. 'Getting back on the field is my main priority. It's a day-by-day process.' The likes of Will Skelton, Jeremy Williams, Nick Frost, Darcy Swain and Josh Canham also want to feature against the tourists in the second row. July 11 will see Joe Schmidt name his Wallabies squad, with the opening Test in Brisbane on July 19.
Fox News
23-05-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Boxing world mourns loss of Georgia O'Connor after miscarriage, cancer battle: 'Loved, respected, and admired'
Professional boxer Georgia O'Connor, 25, has died after a bout with cancer, the professional boxer's promoter, Boxxer, said. The promoter described the late young fighter as "a true warrior inside and outside the ring." "Georgia was loved, respected and admired by her friends here at Boxxer. Our thoughts are with her loved ones at this difficult time," a statement from Boxxer obtained by The Guardian read. In a January Instagram post, O'Connor revealed that she had learned of her cancer diagnosis. She said she suffered through debilitating pain for weeks leading up to the diagnosis. "For 17 weeks since the start of October, I've been in constant pain, going back and forth between Durham and Newcastle RVI A&E knowing deep down something was seriously wrong," O'Connor captioned a photo of her in a hospital bed. "I said from the start I felt it was cancer. I KNEW the risks. I have colitis and PSC, two diseases that dramatically increase the chances of getting it. I KNOW how high my risk is and they do too. They always did." O'Connor added that doctors refused to take her concerns "seriously." "But not one doctor f---ing listened to me. Not one doctor took me seriously. Not one doctor did the scans or blood tests I begged for whilst crying on the floor in agony," the Instagram post continued. "Instead, they dismissed me. They gaslit me, told me it was nothing, made me feel like I was overreacting. They refused to scan me. They refused to investigate. They REFUSED to listen. One even told me that it's 'all in my head.' And now? Now the cancer has spread." In February, O'Connor spoke out about another devastating personal circumstance. "The last few months have been a rollercoaster," O'Connor wrote. "I've been pregnant with a beautiful baby, suffered a miscarriage, then got diagnosed with 'incurable' cancer. But I still feel on top of the world!" More recently, O'Connor celebrated a milestone. She announced that she had "married that love of" her life on May 9. O'Connor was able to maintain her undefeated boxing record despite her battle with ulcerative colitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis. She went pro in 2021. She earned medals at the 2017 and 2018 Youth World Championships during her amateur career. O'Connor was born in Durham, England. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
CNA
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CNA
Paul aims to 'embarrass' former world champion Chavez Jr
LOS ANGELES : Jake Paul acknowledged his upcoming fight against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. will be a step up from his previous opponents but the former Disney star said on Wednesday he would embarrass the Mexican in the ring and make him quit. Paul (11-1, 7 KOs) has mainly boxed mixed martial arts fighters and a 58-year-old over Mike Tyson since making the switch from YouTube influencer to professional boxing. His fight with former heavyweight champion Tyson last November was streamed live on Netflix and while it was a huge letdown for fans it drew an audience of some 60 million households worldwide, according to the company. "This is his toughest fight to date, and I'm going to embarrass him and make him quit like he always does," Paul said of Chavez Jr. (54-6-1, 34 KOs), who last held a major world title in 2012. "This guy is a great fighter, and I want to test myself against the best in the world." Chavez Jr. said he feels "refreshed and renewed" heading into the June 28 bout at Honda Center in Anaheim, California and aimed a dig at Paul's record. "Jake is crazy. I think he's overrated. He hasn't fought anybody in his life. On June 28th, he's going to see what's up," he added at the press conference at Avalon in Hollywood. The 39-year-old's father, Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., said he had never seen his son train as hard or be as focused for the upcoming fight. "With all due respect to Jake Paul, there is no way that Jake Paul can beat my son," said Chavez Sr., who won world titles at three different weights and is one of Mexico's most revered boxers. Paul is likely to face his most hostile environment yet in the ring, with many at the press conference confident that fans of Chavez Jr. would be out in full force to support the Mexican. Mark Solis of San Dimas, California said he wanted to see Chavez Jr. knock out the American. "I am not a fan of Jake Paul. I think he's fake," said Solis. "True boxing is, you're warriors. You're going to go out there to battle. And that is what Julio Jr. is going to do." Gabriel Northway described Paul as a "disruptor" and anticipates another victory for the 'Problem Child'. "Not that it'll maybe easy, but I think Jake has what it takes to get the win," he added. Sports marketing analyst Bob Dorfman said Paul's love-him-or-hate-him quality is part of his appeal. "People still love boxing, and they still love him," he said. "And a lot of people may watch just to hope he loses. You've got people who are fans and people who are kind of anti-fans and want to see him get his comeuppance. "So in that sense, it'll be a big draw."
