Vladimir Krull Boxing

Promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom encountered no hurdles in persuading his star boxer, former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, to step into the ring against MMA veteran Francis Ngannou. Initially, Joshua was set to face former WBC champion Deontay Wilder in a highly anticipated bout. However, this plan hit a snag when Joseph Parker scored an unexpected twelve-round unanimous decision victory over Wilder on December 23 in Saudi Arabia. Joshua, appearing in the main event of that card, halted Otto Wallin. Hearn shared insights, stating, “Look, we were due to announce the Deontay Wilder fight in the ring that night. Both guys had signed a contract to announce the fight, and [Turki Alalshikh] was very excited. Obviously, it was one of the most highly anticipated fights that could be made this fall. It’s four years in the making, everyone was really excited. Obviously, Deontay Wilder lost. So from that moment, the cogs are turning in [Alalshikh’s] mind, ‘What are we going to do...

Oleksandr Usyk, the IBF, WBA & WBO heavyweight champion, is gearing up for a potential upset against the towering WBC champ Tyson Fury in their undisputed championship clash on February 17th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Analyst Chris Mannix and others believe that Usyk's punching power could pose a serious threat to Fury, challenging the conventional wisdom that size will determine the outcome. Despite Fury's impressive record and stature, questions arise about his recent performances. The controversial pound-for-pound rankings added fuel to the fire, placing Canelo Alvarez above Dmitry Bivol, the man who defeated Canelo. Fans argue that Fury's wins against Deontay Wilder and others may not accurately reflect his true standing in the heavyweight division. Several factors are contributing to doubts about Fury's invincibility. His age, 35, is considered advanced for a heavyweight, and signs of decline have been noted. Usyk's superior athleticism, coupled with wear and...

  Canelo Álvarez, an undeniable modern-day legend in boxing, finds himself under scrutiny in recent times, with public opinion questioning his choice of opponents since his loss against Dmitry Bivol. The controversy escalated when DAZN shared Ring Magazine's top five pound-for-pound list, positioning Canelo in the fourth spot, while Dmitry Bivol, who defeated him, was ranked lower. This ranking decision sparked considerable debate and criticism.   Canelo's last bout saw him secure a dominant unanimous decision victory over Jermell Charlo in September of the previous year. In contrast, Bivol added another win to his record by defeating Lyndon Arthur. The inclusion of fighters on the list, which featured Terence Crawford, Naoya Inoue, Oleksandr Usyk, Canelo Álvarez, and Artur Betrbiev in that order, drew varied opinions from fans. However, the focal point of criticism was Canelo's presence on the list and Bivol's absence, perhaps intensified by Canelo being the only o...

Gervonta 'Tank' Davis has stirred the boxing world by expressing his displeasure with the Saudis and making unconventional demands. In a bold move, Tank has thrown down the gauntlet, insisting that the Saudis send him "two Ferraris" to initiate talks for a potential clash with WBC light welterweight champion Devin Haney in Saudi Arabia. This demand goes beyond the usual negotiations, signaling Tank's assertion of his status as the star in the proposed bout, while casting Haney as the lesser B-side, a weight-bully opponent lacking drawing power. The request for expensive cars is symbolic, conveying Tank's belief that he deserves special treatment as the marquee attraction. It's not merely about material possessions; it's a message to the Saudis that Tank Davis is the headliner, and Haney is merely an adversary without the same star power. This strategic demand is just the beginning, as Tank is likely to seek a substantial financial package, potentially ...

  Daniel Jacobs has not only maintained an enduring career but has also experienced financial success, particularly in lucrative bouts against Gennadiy Golovkin, Peter Quillin, and, notably, Canelo Alvarez. Despite facing setbacks in some of these encounters, Jacobs persisted. His triumph includes a fifth-round stoppage win over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in 2019, followed by a lackluster performance against Gabriel Rosado. In his most recent appearance, disappointment ensued as two of three ringside judges awarded John Ryder a split-decision victory. Since then, Jacobs has remained off the radar, enjoying a break from the sport. However, Andre Rozier, his longstanding trainer, is confident that Jacobs is prepared to make a comeback. "We wanna get back in shape," disclosed Rozier in an interview with BoxingScene.com. "He has had a break and has been tending to some business matters." Competing at 168 pounds, Jacobs (37-4, 30 KOs) is poised to be a contender. With name ...

  Artur Beterbiev is setting his sights on a bout for the undisputed light-heavyweight championship against Dmitry Bivol, expressing the need for a fourth belt. Following a commanding defense of his WBC, IBF, and WBO titles in Canada against Callum Smith, Beterbiev remains undefeated and is determined to pursue the WBA champion Dmitry Bivol for the undisputed light-heavyweight world title. In declaring his ambition, Beterbiev emphatically stated, 'I need a fourth belt!' Artur Beterbiev is eyeing Dmitry Bivol and the undisputed light-heavyweight world title as his next challenge. Following a successful defense of his unified WBC, IBF, and WBO 175lb titles with a seventh-round stoppage of Callum Smith in Quebec City over the weekend, Beterbiev is eager to face Bivol, the WBA champion, who holds the only other major belt in the division. Expressing his determination, Beterbiev stated, "Yes, of course, I need a fourth belt. It would mean a lot to me. It's the top; it would...

The updated rule book of the national governing body for Olympic-style boxing in the United States, USA Boxing, reveals a policy allowing trans-identified males to compete against female athletes. USA Boxing, responsible for overseeing "all Olympic and international boxing in the United States of America," disclosed the new rules set to be effective at the beginning of the upcoming year. The 2024 rule book revisions introduced a "Transgender definition and link to Transgender Policy." According to USA Boxing policy, boxers under the age of 18 must compete based on their biological sex, while adult trans-identified male athletes can participate in the female category, subject to specific criteria. The "Transgender Policy," initiated on Aug. 25, 2022, outlines conditions for trans-identified males to compete as females, including declaring gender identity as female, completing gender reassignment surgery, and undergoing quarterly hormone testing for a minimu...

  The mammoth WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, standing at 6'9", is predicted by Eddie Hearn to be 'too big' for IBF/WBA/WBO champ Oleksandr Usyk in their upcoming undisputed championship fight on February 17th.  Hearn's prediction aligns with the consensus among most experts who believe that Fury, weighing over 270 lbs with his colossal brontosaurus-like frame, holds a significant size advantage over the former undisputed cruiserweight champion Usyk (21-0, 14 KOs) as they clash in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. While size is a crucial factor, Hearn raises a pertinent question about Fury's recent performance against boxing novice Francis Ngannou in October, pondering if it indicates a decline or inadequate preparation on the 35-year-old Fury's part. Fury is at an age where many fighters start exhibiting signs of being past their prime, and his appearance suggests an older demeanor than his chronological age. Fury's tendency to let his weight fluctuate signif...

  Two months ago, in a crossover fight against Fury, the former UFC champion Ngannou put on an amazing performance. Fury was expected to comfortably defeat Ngannou to set up an undisputed bout with Oleksandr Usyk before the year ended, but he had to push himself up off the ground after Ngannou dropped him and only won by a single point on the judges' scorecards. Francis Ngannou (17-3-0, 12KOs) was told by one of Tyson Fury's co-promoters that he ought to go fight the heavyweight champion once more. Many supporters of Ngannou felt that he ought to have prevailed, while many others heavily denounced Fury (34-0-1, 24KOs) for getting the decision. “That's an earned ability to get the rematch. He earned that. His performance dictated that, people think 'Woah, he has a chance. We never thought he had a chance' and in that situation I think absolutely,” said Todd DuBoef Top Rank president. "I think Tyson is regretful. He blamed himself. He thought he had an off night....