Latest news with #welterweight
The Independent
28 minutes ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Manny Pacquiao responds to Floyd Mayweather rematch rumours
Manny Pacquiao has addressed speculation that he could be set for a rematch with his old rival Floyd Mayweather. Pacquiao and Mayweather first faced each other 10 years ago in a clash billed as 'The Fight of the Century'. Mayweather emerged victorious via unanimous decision and would go on to have just two more bouts before hanging up his gloves. But he has been involved in exhibition fights in recent years, while Pacquiao is now set to end his four-year absence from the ring to challenge Mario Barrios for his WBC welterweight title this weekend. Rumours have emerged that Mayweather could be tempted back to take on Pacquiao if he wins on Saturday night, but the Filipino legend has claimed he is purely focused on Barrios for now. 'Not yet, I don't have that (fighting Mayweather) in my mind right now,' Pacquiao told Boxing News. 'My focus is on Saturday. 'I always say one at a time. Let's talk about it after the fight and let me focus on this coming fight because this is not an easy opponent. 'He's a champion. He's taller than me so I have to be ready 100 per cent mentally, 100 per cent physically.' Pacquiao will be aiming to become the oldest welterweight champion in history when he steps back between the ropes at the age of 46 against Barrios. But he appears to be open to extending his comeback if Mayweather agrees to a rematch. Mayweather, who turned 48 in February, has not fought professionally since beating Conor Mayweather eight years ago. However, he has stayed in the gym to remain in good condition, and boxing journalist Lance Pugmire claimed earlier this week that Mayweather has already held talks over a potential return to face Pacquiao. Upon visiting the Floyd Mayweather Boxing Club, Pugmire wrote on social media that he was told: 'Conversations are already happening… if Manny wins (this rematch) could be worth billions'. The first fight between Mayweather and Pacquiao generated 4.6million PPV buys – a record that still stands. Both fighters reportedly earned in excess of $100m from the lucrative bout. 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. A subscription includes weekly magazine shows, comprehensive fight library, exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes documentaries, and podcasts and vodcasts.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Dana, call me!': Omran Chaaban ready for UFC after 46-second TKO win at UAE Warriors 61
ABU DHABI – Omran Chaaban is UFC ready. Chaaban (9-1) has won three-straight fights since appearing on Season 32 of "The Ultimate Fighter," needing just 46 seconds to take out Wellington Madeira (7-2) with brutal calf kicks at UAE Warriors 61 on Wednesday. As he celebrated his quick finish, Chaaban put up the phone sign, sending a message to Dana White and the UFC matchmakers. "Uncle Dana, Sean Shelby, where you guys at?," Chaaban told MMA Junkie. "Mick Maynard, call me. I'm in Abu Dhabi, I'm 24 years old, I've fought very high-level guys. I'm from Finland, we don't have any UFC fighters. I'm from Lebanon, I don't think we have any Lebanese – a couple of Lebanese fighters maybe? Or one. So yeah, you guys need someone from Finland and from Lebanon so, I'm here. I'm young, welterweight." Chaaban is back to his natural weight class after taking part in "TUF 32" as a middleweight. In his first fight, he upset current LFA champion Shamidkhan Magomedov by submitting him, but then lost a unanimous decision to the eventual season winner Ryan Loder. The 24-year-old is confident he's ready to make the UFC leap, and is even willing to fill in for a short-notice fight. "Of course I would," Chaaban said. "My aim is to become the best welterweight and even my coach believes that. So, that's what I'm looking for. I'm looking to be the best, and UFC is the best promotion in the world, we all know it. And yeah, uncle Dana, call me!" Only one Arab fighter competes on Saturday's return card to the Middle East in Abu Dhabi, when UAE's own Mohammed Yahya meets Steven Nguyen in a lightweight bout on the UFC on ABC 9 prelims. Chaaban thinks there's an opening for him to debut in the promotion's first card in Qatar on Nov. 22. "They're coming to Qatar so that's perfect for me," Chaaban said. "I'm the UAE Warriors welterweight champion, I'm Lebanese, Arab. I think there's loads of Lebanese people everywhere or Arabs – we are everywhere so, yeah, that would be great to fight in the Middle East. And they're coming to Paris as well. They're doing lots with Saudi, here (UAE), Qatar so, it fits perfectly." Chaaban left a final message to the UFC brass. "Dana White, I'm 24 years old, I'm Finnish-Lebanese, I finish people," Chaaban said. "I've finished everyone in my welterweight fights. Call me brother, call me." This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Omran Chaaban ready for UFC call after TKO win at UAE Warriors 61
The Independent
2 hours ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Manny Pacquiao's opponent ready for ‘backlash' if he sends Filipino icon back into retirement
Mario Barrios enters the ring this weekend ready to put a definitive end to Manny Pacquiao 's career and defend his WBC welterweight title. Pacquiao, an eight-division world champion, has faced heavy criticism for making a comeback after a four-year retirement, now 46. If he wins against Barrios, it will make him one of boxing 's oldest world champions ever. But Barrios is not fazed by facing a legend of the sport or any 'backlash' he may receive for forcing Pacquiao back into retirement. Barrios explained to The Ring: 'I'm ready to get backlash if I retire him – it comes with it. Any fighter in my division would be more than happy to take this fight as well. It's just my job to go in there and do what I do best.' In his prime, Pacquiao was affectionately named the 'Mexecutioner' for his impressive record against some of the greatest Mexican fighters of his generation – he claimed wins over Antonio Margarito, Juan Manuel Marquez, Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera. Coming from a proud Mexican heritage, Barrios does not plan to be next on the long list of Mexicans to fall at the hands of 'Pac-Man'. Barrios said: 'He's beaten a lot of Mexican fighters before, but he hasn't faced a Mexican fighter like me. Every time I step in the ring, I represent my Mexican roots and indigenous roots very proudly.' The WBC champion added that he is preparing for a prime Pacquiao and is not taking his age or inactivity for granted. Although his intentions are not to go in there to retire an icon like Pacquiao, but he has to defend his belt by any means necessary. Barrios said: 'I'm preparing as if I am fighting a prime Manny. He's a legend for a reason. He's still dangerous. It's my job to go in there and defend my title. I am expecting the best version of many regardless.' He concluded: 'Maybe I am going to be the one who retires him. That's not what my goal is in there. I just want to make sure I go home with my strap. A name like Manny is huge for my resume.' Watch Usyk versus Dubois 2 live and exclusive on DAZN PPV this Saturday - July 19 - for £24.99 UK; $59.99 US; $19.99/equivalent ROW. Buy the PPV now here.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Crocker-Donovan rematch confirmed for Windsor Park
The rematch between Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan, which has been upgraded to a world title fight for the vacant IBF welterweight belt, is to take place at Belfast's Windsor Park stadium on Saturday, 13 September. Promoters Matchroom Boxing confirmed on Thursday that the venue, which hosts the Northern Ireland international football team's home matches, would stage the first-ever world title fight between two boxers from the island of Ireland. The welterweight title was previously held by American Jaron 'Boots' Ennis. The first meeting between the pair on 1 March was a final eliminator for the IBF title and ended in controversial fashion with Crocker taking the win by disqualification in front of a 8,500 crowd at the SSE Arena in his native Belfast. Limerick fighter Donovan, who had twice previously been deducted points, was thrown out at the end of the eighth round for punching after the bell. An appeal from Donovan's team resulted in the IBF granting a rematch which would again serve as a final eliminator for the world title but with champion Ennis moving up to the light-middleweight, the belt became vacant. Windsor Park last hosted a boxing event in August 2018 when two-weight world champion Carl Frampton defeated Luke Jackson of Australia. 'It's going to be exceptional' Speaking to BBC Sport NI, Crocker said: "Unbelievable. As a kid all I wanted to do was to fight for a world title. To fight at Windsor Park is a dream. "I can't imagine what it's going to be like to fight for a world title there. The first all-Irish world title fight. It's history. "The controversy from the last fight makes it even bigger. It's going to be exceptional. The rematch should happen 100%. I wanted the rematch to put things right." Crocker's victory made it 21 wins from 21 fights for the Belfast boxer but the 28-year-old was not happy with his level of performance. "I underperformed massively in the first fight so to go in as an underdog and prove everyone wrong, and win a world title at Windsor Park - I'll take that all day long. "I'd be a happy man until I die if I win a world title, especially at Windsor Park. "The atmosphere is going to be electric. Obviously he [Donovan] will have his support as well but my friends and family and the people of Belfast will back me." Boxing schedule and results 2025 Watch every Born to Brawl episode More boxing from the BBC Notifications, social media and more with BBC Sport
BBC News
5 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Crocker-Donovan rematch confirmed for Windsor Park
The rematch between Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan, which has been upgraded to a world title fight for the vacant IBF welterweight belt, is to take place at Belfast's Windsor Park stadium on Saturday, 13 Matchroom Boxing confirmed on Thursday that the venue, which hosts the Northern Ireland international football team's home matches, would stage the first-ever world title fight between two boxers from the island of welterweight title was previously held by American Jaron 'Boots' first meeting between the pair on 1 March was a final eliminator for the IBF title and ended in controversial fashion with Crocker taking the win by disqualification in front of a 8,500 crowd at the SSE Arena in his native fighter Donovan, who had twice previously been deducted points, was thrown out at the end of the eighth round for punching after the appeal from Donovan's team resulted in the IBF granting a rematch which would again serve as a final eliminator for the world title but with champion Ennis moving up to the light-middleweight, the belt became Park last hosted a boxing event in August 2018 when two-weight world champion Carl Frampton defeated Luke Jackson of Australia. 'It's going to be exceptional' Speaking to BBC Sport NI, Crocker said: "Unbelievable. As a kid all I wanted to do was to fight for a world title. To fight at Windsor Park is a dream."I can't imagine what it's going to be like to fight for a world title there. The first all-Irish world title fight. It's history."The controversy from the last fight makes it even bigger. It's going to be exceptional. The rematch should happen 100%. I wanted the rematch to put things right."Crocker's victory made it 21 wins from 21 fights for the Belfast boxer but the 28-year-old was not happy with his level of performance."I underperformed massively in the first fight so to go in as an underdog and prove everyone wrong, and win a world title at Windsor Park - I'll take that all day long."I'd be a happy man until I die if I win a world title, especially at Windsor Park."The atmosphere is going to be electric. Obviously he [Donovan] will have his support as well but my friends and family and the people of Belfast will back me."
