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Terence Crawford defeated Israil Madrimov to achieve a title in a fourth division earlier this month. However, boxing commentator and popular YouTube star ShowBizz The Adult feels his fight could not achieve the same level of success. Crawford took on Madrimov in the Riyadh Season Card, which was His Excellency Turki Alalshikh‘s debut event in America. By all regards, the card was stacked from top to bottom.

READ MORRE:David Avanesyan Fought Both Terence Crawford And Jaron Ennis And Has No Doubt Who Hits Harder

Big names like Isaac CruzDavid Morrell and Andy Ruiz Jr., all put on blockbuster fights on the same card in Los Angeles. Not to mention, Madrimov managed to push Crawford to his limit in the headlining fight. So, the question is, why does ShowBizz feel the Crawford vs. Madrimov fight was a failure? He points at Crawford alone for the failure while sharing three reasons to justify his claim.

Madrimov on defeat to Crawford: 'I think I can be proud of myself' –  RingSide24

ShowBizz the Adult shared a clip on Instagram, as people have come to know him for, where he discussed the subject. He began by revealing, “I’m hearing through the Grapevine that it may not have cracked 100,000 pay-per-view buys”. It’s worth noting that Jed I. Goodman, a TV executive, reported this initially that the event did somewhere between 75,000 to 100,000 pay-per-view buys, including streaming buys.

In another tweet, he also suggested that the Saudis lost $10 million from the event. However, the official numbers haven’t been revealed as of the time of writing. ShowBizz compared these numbers with what Devin Haney‘s fights would often do. Regardless, the boxing commentator further added, “Terence Crawford is a temporary Champion. If Jermell Charlo comes back, he’s the Super Champ, which is diabolical”.

Jermell Charlo was the former undisputed super welterweight champion, but after he was a no show to purse bids to defend his titles, he was declared a champion in recess. Still, if he does decide to come back, he will have the option to face Crawford to become champion once again. And finally, ShowBizz presented his third point, “His performance against Madrimov lost him the bag, everybody was hyped up for Canelo and Crawford until that s**t”.

RELATED:Turki Al-Sheikh prepares millions for the most awaited fight: I want Canelo for Crawford

In fact, the potential fight will probably never happen since His Excellency has announced he is no longer interested in arranging such a bout after reaching out to Canelo Alvarez’s team with an offer. Not to forget, this has started a beef between Canelo and Alashaikh, which saw the Saudi royal accuse Canelo of avoiding Crawford and David Benavidez. Also, Terence Crawford might just have to start worrying about defending his title against Charlo.

PBC is all set for the Charlo brothers to make their big comeback in 2024. Jermall Charlo, who last fought in November after a long break, has had his share of struggles but is ready to get back into action. There’s talk of him facing off against Caleb Plant, especially after their heated incident in July 2023.

Terence Crawford takes unanimous decision over Israil Madrimov to become  four-division world champion | DAZN News US

During a conversation with Kurt Emhoff on the Boxing Esq. PodcastTim Smith from PBC, mentioned that they’re totally on board for the Charlo brothers’ returns, saying, “The welcome mat is always out when they’re ready.”

UPDATE:Do Canelo and Gervonta Davis need Turki Alalshikh?

Jermell Charlo, who hasn’t fought since his loss to Canelo Alvarez last September, is also itching to get back in the ring. Smith added, “They’vuse got to let us know when they’re ready, and then we’ll make sure that they get back in the ring.” Fans should get ready for some exciting matchups as both brothers look to make a splash in the boxing world again.

Purely from the points ShowBizz the Adult presented in his video, it’s hard to argue why that might not be the case. However, the event itself was undeniably quite entertaining, and since it was only the first of its kind from His Excellency, future events could change the narrative. Do you think the fight was a total failure?

CANELO Alvarez and Gervonta Davis are two of the biggest pound-for-pound superstars, yet neither have worked with Turki Alalshikh.

Just over two months remain until the one-year anniversary of Riyadh Season in boxing. Ever since Tyson Fury fought Francis Ngannou in the ‘Battle of the Baddest’ on October 28, 2023, Saudi’s grip on the sport has tightened like an Olympian clinging to a gold medal. To many, the involvement of his excellency has revolutionised professional boxing.

READ MORE:Bob Arum Makes Confident Gervonta Davis-Shakur Stevenson Prediction: “I Really Believe That”

The best fighting the best, undercards infused with 50-50 matchups, and some of the most popular boxers competing regularly – life was injected into a struggling niche.

One where hardcore fans got the occasional ‘big fight’ yet were often left frustrated with the business of boxing preventing or delaying numerous super bouts from happening. Meanwhile, casual fans sometimes struggled to fully invest in shows with boxers they were not aware of, besides no compelling narratives or rivalries.

GERVONTA DAVIS CANELO ALVAREZ CAN FIGHT AT A BUS STOP AND SELLOUT TURKI  ALALSHIKH THEY DON'T NEED U - YouTube

Furthermore, despite the majority of Riyadh Season taking place in the Middle East, Turki put together a stacked card on US soil with Terence Crawford, Andy Ruiz and Jarrell Miller all featuring on August 3. Then, on September 21, Anthony Joshua faces Daniel Dubois for the IBF Heavyworld title at Wembley Stadium as part of Riyadh Season.

Indeed, some would argue the Saudi’s involvement is slowly turning boxing into the UFC. Although instead of Dana White as the sole leading figure, you have Turki along with leading promoters such as Eddie Hearn, Frank Warren, Oscar De La Hoya, and Bob Arum. And rather than all fights being shown on ESPN in the US and TNT Sports in the UK, everything is broadcast on DAZN worldwide.

But unlike the UFC, being a cash cow gives you the freedom to do whatever business you choose. Anthony Joshua is a bit of an anomaly due to having a career-long contract with Matchroom. But with his status alone he could work with any promoter or broadcaster while negotiating the exact purse for a given fight.

In fact, there’s only one person who earns more than Joshua inside a boxing ring and that’s Canelo. After leaving Golden Boy and De La Hoya in 2020 to become a free agent, Canelo has been like a monkey swinging from tree to tree, always looking for the best fruit. It doesn’t matter what branches he breaks, there’s always another route for him because of the commercial value he provides.

However, last week we saw a power struggle in the boxing kingdom. Turki was open about potentially matching Canelo against Terence Crawford until the American moved up to 154 lbs and did just enough to beat Israil Madrimov to become a four-division world champion. After announcing his newfound disinterest in Canelo-Crawford, the Mexican superstar basically told Turki he was the boss and negotiations would be done on his terms.

RELATED:Shakur Stevenson team claim they are very close to Gervonta Davis fight but it not up to him

Suddenly, the boxing fraternity saw the first signs of animosity from his excellency, who bit back by claiming Canelo is not interested in tough fights since suffering a convincing loss to Dmitry Bivol in 2022. And stated the former pound-for-pound king is scared to face Crawford and David Benavidez.

Following several successful cards featuring elite fighters, Turki has become accustomed to putting together the bouts he and the majority of fans want to see. This includes Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk which birthed the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999. Plus, one of this year’s most highly anticipated contests between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol for all the belts at 175 lbs on October 12.

Turki entered the boxing realm to bring an end to the politics, successfully uniting former arch-enemies Hearn and Warren. Yet his recent online spat with Canelo may show he doesn’t possess all the power and he might need to play second fiddle to a couple of boxers at the very top.

GERVONTA DAVIS EXPOSÉ RECEIPTS ON TURKI ALALSHIKH & TELL HIM SHAKUR WILL  GET KNOCKED OUT NEXT YEAR - YouTube

From the outside, Canelo only needs Turki for one fight – Benavidez. An opponent the Guadalajara native has openly asked for $200 million to share the ring with and a figure no other promoter can supply. Notwithstanding, if Canelo decides to try and capture a world title in a fifth-weight division like cruiserweight, it’s possible he would want some extra compensation from the Saudis.

As for Davis, he once said that Turki needed to send two Ferraris for him to compete in the Middle East. His excellency retorted back with the offer of two gloves instead. Tank is not on the same commercial level as Canelo, yet this was another example of a cash cow refusing to adhere to Turki’s suggestions.

Davis doesn’t swing from branch to branch like Canelo, yet he’s a bee with access to a lot of honey in the form of the PBC. The Baltimore puncher is one of the biggest stars in America and after being the main event in his last ten fights, Davis is making millions of dollars. The Davis-Garcia bout broke PPV records by amassing over $100 million in revenue.

UPDATE:Why Gervonta Davis: targeting alternative fight after Vasyl Lomachenko collapse

So, similar to Canelo, Davis may only need to work with his excellency if he wants additional compensation for a particularly risky fight. Shakur Stevenson is seen as the toughest available opponent for Tank. Time will tell if Davis gets the Saudis involved to make it happen.

To sum up, Turki Alalshikh has undoubtedly made a positive impact on boxing. Nevertheless, those benefiting the most from his excellency’s involvement are arguably boxers who weren’t previously getting the life-changing purses and career-defining opportunities. One example is Martin Bakole, who captured his best win against Jared Anderson and is likely to feature on more Riyadh Season cards.

Yet for Canelo and Davis, who have the luxury of picking any opponent they want while still generating huge purses, Riyadh season might remain separate from them. However, the more everyone works together in boxing, the more memorable nights there will be for fans.

If there was one word to describe the exhibition match between Floyd Mayweather and John Gotti III that took place last year, it would be chaos. Tension started building up from the get-go as the two fighters started trading blows inside the ring since the first bell. As expected, Floyd Mayweather was cruising through the rounds, toying with Gotti III, interspersing his showboating with stinging verbal insults. The situation came to a head when referee Kenny Bayless disqualified the 2-0 professional boxer, midway through round 6 for clinching Mayweather repeatedly.

READ MORE:John Gotti III seeks vengeance against Floyd Mayweather in Mexico City rematch

Gotti, angered by the decision, shoved the referee and charged at Mayweather, winging punches at him. Soon, the entourages of both camps rushed the squared circle and wreaked havoc.

John Gotti III Warns Mayweather: You Signed To Fight Me - It's Kill or Be  Killed! - Boxing News

Ever since the ill-famed fight, there has been a long-running beef that was quashed as soon as Mayweather accepted Gotti III’s request for a rematch on Aug. 24 in Mexico City. Interestingly, if you were a bystander at the fight with no knowledge of combat sports, you would never have believed that John Gotti III adored Floyd Mayweather since he was a child. In an interview with TMZ, the grandson of former mobster John Gotti revealed what it was like fighting his idol ‘Money Mayweather’ in June 2023.

In his candid confession, Gotti III revealed that he was caught “off-guard” during the momentous occasion of fighting the legendary boxer Floyd Mayweather. Ever since the New York-born native started his fighting career as a mixed martial artist, he never thought he would come face-to-face with the 50-0 fighter.

As we soon got in the ring, you know I was like this is surreal. If you would have told me when I first started my mixed martial arts journey 11 years ago, I would be fighting Floyd Mayweather… I say you’re crazy” Gotti III revealed.

RELATED:Who is Floyd Mayweather girlfriend? What do we know about Gallienne Nabila

Gotti further stated that the entire experience felt like a “video game”, as Mayweather is someone who he looked up to since he was a child.“It’s a guy who I grew up you know idolizing as a fighter my whole life, you know I was a huge fan of Floyd my whole life uh so it was really surreal,”  he said.

Starstruck by Floyd, he couldn’t let his hands go as he wanted to, and a “determined” Mayweather who came on the night intending to hurt him, got the upper hand.

However, the grandson of the former head of the Gambino crime family expects a different outcome in the rematch.

Boxing: Floyd Mayweather Jr. to take on John Gotti III in historic  exhibition match | Marca

Gotti III here to win!

This time John will not let the big occasion of fighting Mayweather in the rematch ruin his composure. He stated that he has learned a lot from his last fight, and the “improvements” he has made since their last encounter will help him get the victory against the legendary undefeated fighter.

UPDATE:Floyd Mayweather, 47, could face Manny Pacquiao, 45, in rematch of £500m fight – but with a twist as rivals make returns

“I really do [believe I can win]. The improvements I made from last year up until now, as far as even mentally, I’m a whole new fighter,” Gotti asserted in his exclusive interview with TMZ. Notably, the undefeated retired professional fighter, Mayweather, has fought six exhibition matches thus far and won all of them comprehensively.

Additionally, he revealed that he knows “what to expect” from the rematch, and is “mentally prepared” for the boxing prowess that an elite fighter like Mayweather would bring.

Would the rematch be another cakewalk for Mayweather? Or, will Gotti III  cause a major upset in the rematch? Let us know in the comment section below.

After last year’s explosive encounter, Gotti III returns to the ring, determined to avenge his family name against the undefeated legen

READ MORE:Who is Floyd Mayweather girlfriend? What do we know about Gallienne Nabila

It all started as just another exhibition match, but what went down in Florida last year between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and John Gotti III was anything but ordinary. After a lackluster bout with reality TV star Aaron Chalmers, Mayweather took on Gotti III on June 11, and things quickly spiraled out of control. The trash talk flew, tensions escalated, and before anyone knew it, the ring erupted into chaos, with an all-out brawl spilling into the arena. It was a spectacle that left fans questioning whether they’d witnessed a fight or a full-on melee.

Floyd Mayweather vs. John Gotti III: Live round-by-round updates - MMA  Fighting

Fast forward a year, and the buzz hasn’t died down. The fiery feud between Mayweather and Gotti III has been simmering ever since that wild night, with rumors of a rematch swirling. Well, the wait is over. Mayweather and Gotti III are officially set to throw down once again, this time on August 24 at Arena CDMX in Mexico City. The anticipation is off the charts, and Gotti III gave us an exclusive look into his mindset as he prepares for the biggest fight of his life.

Gotti III isn’t just stepping into the ring for himself-he’s fighting for his legacy. In a candid chat, he opened up about his intense training regime and how he’s spent the past year reflecting on that explosive showdown with Mayweather. Facing off against a boxing legend is no small feat, and Gotti III admits it’s taken time to process everything that happened in Florida. But now, he’s ready to channel all that experience into one goal: redemption.

RELATED:“He’ll Take It Right Back When He Gets Mad at Her”: Floyd Mayweather Buying Extravagant LV Bag for His Girlfriend Drives Fans Crazy

Gotti III channels his infamous grandfather’s fierce spirit in Mayweather rematch

As the conversation shifted, the topic of Gotti III’s notorious grandfather, the late John Gotti, inevitably came up. What would the infamous Gambino crime boss think of his grandson going toe-to-toe with one of the greatest boxers of all time? Gotti III didn’t hold back-he thinks his grandfather would’ve been all in. “He would’ve wanted to rip Floyd’s head off when things got heated,” Gotti III quipped, clearly proud of his family’s fierce spirit.

Floyd Mayweather vs. John Gotti III Stopped, Brawl Ensues - Sports  Illustrated MMA News, Analysis and More

But beneath the bravado, there’s a deeper motivation driving Gotti III. He’s not just fighting for himself-he’s fighting to uphold the Gotti name. “I’m out here to earn respect for my family and make a positive impact on our legacy,” he said, showing that this battle is personal on a whole new level.

UPDATE:Fans mock Floyd Mayweather after his workout on the bag as he prepares for August 23 fight

With the fight just weeks away, Gotti III is putting the finishing touches on his training. He’s heading to Mexico City soon, ready to face the man who pushed him to the brink last June. This time, though, Gotti III says he’s coming in stronger, both physically and mentally. The stakes are higher, the pressure is immense, but he’s laser-focused on one thing: victory.

As fight night approaches, the world will be watching. Can John Gotti III do what no one else has and hand Floyd Mayweather Jr. his first-ever loss? It’s the kind of showdown that could go down in boxing history, and with emotions running high, anything could happen. Stay tuned-this is one rematch you don’t want to miss.

Oleksandr Usyk has expressed his willingness to face Anthony Joshua for a third time, following his upcoming rematch with Tyson Fury in December.

The Ukrainian boxing star, who sat down with Mail Sport in Poland earlier this month, reflected on his recent victory over Fury and discussed potential future bouts.

Usyk secured a split-decision win over Fury on May 18, with judges scoring the fight 115-112 Usyk, 114-113 Fury, and 114-113 Usyk, making him the first undisputed heavyweight champion since 1999.

FIGHT HIGHLIGHTS | Anthony Joshua vs. Oleksandr Usyk

Fury, now with a professional record of 34-1-1, will seek redemption in their highly anticipated rematch on December 21. However, Usyk remains confident in his ability to secure another victory over the Gypsy King.

When asked about his plans following the Fury rematch, Usyk revealed to Mail Sport that he would consider a trilogy fight with Anthony Joshua.

He acknowledged the significant role Joshua played in elevating his profile.

“I don’t particularly want any rematches, but when we beat Tyson Fury for the second time and when Anthony Joshua beats Daniel Dubois, of course they will want to do a third fight,” Usyk declared.

“From my point of view, I have no right to deny Anthony a third fight because he gave me two incredible fights.

Anthony helped me become even more famous in the world. Anthony did it. And if it happens with God’s help, then I am ready for a third fight with Anthony.

Usyk vs. Joshua Fights: Career-defining rivalry

The first two encounters between Usyk and Joshua were pivotal moments in both fighters’ careers. The initial bout took place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, where Joshua defended his WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles against the former undisputed cruiserweight champion.

Usyk, who had moved up to heavyweight, was considered a dangerous but manageable opponent for Joshua, who had the advantages of size and power.

Frank Warren tells Anthony Joshua to let Tyson Fury fight Oleksandr Usyk  next | The Independent

From the opening bell, Usyk’s superior footwork, speed, and technical prowess were evident. Utilizing his southpaw stance effectively, Usyk outmaneuvered Joshua throughout the fight, landing clean shots and disrupting the British heavyweight’s rhythm.

As the fight progressed, it became clear that Usyk was in control, ultimately earning a unanimous decision victory and handing Joshua his second career defeat.

The rematch in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, saw a more determined Joshua, who adopted a more aggressive approach, focusing on body shots and trying to close the distance. The fight was more competitive, with Joshua finding success in the middle rounds.

However, Usyk’s adaptability and resilience allowed him to regain control in the later rounds, particularly with a strong finish. The final decision was again in Usyk’s favor, this time by split decision, leaving Joshua unable to reclaim his belts despite a spirited effort.

 

David Avanesyan is only one man who has been in the ring with both Terence Crawford and Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis.

Crawford became the undisputed welterweight champion when he defeated Errol Spence Jr in a career defining victory last year

Since then ‘Bud’ has moved up one weight division and created more history by defeating WBA title holder Israil Madrimov to become a four-weight world champion.

Terence Crawford vs Israil Madrimov: Start time, TV channel, live stream,  full card for super-welterweight title fight | The US Sun

The man filling the void at 147 after both Crawford and Spence moved up is the Philadelphia native, ‘Boots’ Ennis.

The undefeated 27-year-old boasts an impressive record of 29 knockouts from his 32 wins and is seen by many as the biggest threat to Crawford at either welterweight or super-welterweight.

Former WBA regular champion at 147lb Avanesyan fought Ennis in his last outing and previously faced Crawford two years ago. Ennis stopped the Russian in the fifth round, one earlier than Crawford managed.

Speaking to Boxing Scene, Avanesyan’s trainer Carl Greaves believes Ennis to be the busier fighter.

“Boots Ennis is the more busy, more active fighter in my opinion. He’s a bit younger and a bit fresher. On the other hand, Crawford is very, very patient. His timing is very good and he plans just the right attacks at just the right times whereas Ennis was more busy.”

TERENCE CRAWFORD vs ISRAIL MADRIMOV: Is a US invasion next up for the  Excellent Turkey? - YouTube

However, he revealed that his man had told him Crawford was the harder hitter between the two.

“I think that Crawford is a heavier handed fighter.

I was talking to David and he said that Crawford hits harder but that ‘Boots’ Ennis was a bit sharper and busier.”

Crawford’s eleven fight knockout streak was halted by Madrimov last weekend, opening up questions as to whether his power translates to the higher weight class.

 

If you are a die-hard Floyd Mayweather Jr. fan, then he has thrown a perfect jab for you. Amid the training camp for his coming exhibition fight against John Gotti III, the American boxer is taking some time off his tight schedule and has invited fans to a meet-and-greet event. So, where do you need to be and at what time?

Mayweather Jr., 47, is ready to finish what he and Gotti III started inside the squared circle on August 24 at the CDMX Arena in Mexico City. The fight, which ended in melee and chaos, deserved a second edition to settle things.

Floyd Mayweather charging $1,500 for online meet-and-greets amid claims  boxing legend is running out of money – The Sun | The Sun

The fans not only have to live in nostalgia and witness ‘Money’ turn back the clock, but also to see an end to a brewing rivalry. That’s not it. A meet-and-greet event along with a chance to win signed bottles of Good Money Whisky and Le Bon Argent Champagne sweetens the deal.

Mayweather Jr., at 50-0, turned to his Instagram handle and posted the details of the event. The caption read, “Come join me and The Money Team at Costco Wholesale in Lakewood, Ca this weekend. Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to get your bottle of @goodmoneywhisky and @lebonargent Champagne signed.”

The post also mentioned the time of the event, which is scheduled from 2 PM to 4 PM. Mayweather Jr. shared the post to his story also, again stressing the details of the event, which read, “Saturday, August 10th, Lakewood, Ca” and the venue being ‘Costco Wholesale’. This might turn out to be the last such event for a couple of weeks before the Michigan native faces Gotti III in the ring. It seems his opponent is eyeing payback.

Before the referee jumped in and called off the fight, Gotti III was trailing on the scorecards and facing the brunt of Mayweather Jr.’s punches. But he will come prepared this time and has promised to be aggressive in his approach. He told GIVEMESPORTS.COM, “We’re gonna bring the heat this fight.

Floyd Mayweather says he's gonna make a 's--- ton of money' from an initial  coin offering

 

I’m coming for an absolute war, I trained very hard, and the mentality is different. I’m treating it as an absolute war. That first fight I didn’t, it’s my fault. But like I said, the mental part is different for this fight, so we’re gonna be ready.”

It remains to be seen how much Gotti III improved his boxing skills and whether he can withstand the onslaught of Mayweather Jr. Fans won’t have to wait long to witness that. Are you excited about Mayweather Jr.’s invitation to the fans? Who do you believe will win the fight between him and John Gotti III? Let us know in the comments below.

Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has recently voiced doubts about the true extent of Floyd Mayweather’s wealth, despite the retired boxer’s claims of financial supremacy. Known as the most financially successful fighter in boxing history, Mayweather, now 47, retired with a perfect 50-0 record and has since engaged in numerous exhibition bouts.

However, Hearn, in a candid interview, questioned whether Mayweather still possesses the vast sums of money he once flaunted.

Floyd Mayweather Gifts Homeless Men $30K Before Clippers-Mavs Game

Hearn’s skepticism centers around Mayweather’s lavish lifestyle, which includes extravagant spending on luxury cars, private jets, and high-stakes gambling. Despite Mayweather’s assertions that he has made smart investments, including ventures in real estate and gold mines in Dubai, Hearn isn’t convinced. In an interview with GRM Daily, Hearn believes Mayweather’s lifestyle as diminished his net worth.

“I don’t think he’s got the money he says. I don’t think he needs the money, but when you’ve got that lifestyle, when he’s spending what he’s spending, you start to wonder,”

Mayweather, who topped Forbes’ list of highest-paid athletes with a reported $700 million earnings in 2019, has been adamant that his continued participation in exhibition fights is not driven by financial need but by his love for the sport. “I was born to be a fighter, I’m gonna die a fighter,” Mayweather has said, dismissing claims that he’s fighting for money​.

Earlier this year, his former protege, Gervonta Davis claimed that Mayweather was being detained in Dubai over unpaid debts.

Floyd Mayweather And John Gotti III's Boxing Match Ends In Brawl

Floyd Mayweather Set To Rematch John Gotti III

The First Fight Ended In A Brawl

Nonetheless, the ongoing exhibition bouts, including a forthcoming rematch with John Gotti III on August 24 in Mexico, have fueled speculation about Mayweather’s financial situation. The rematch comes after their first fight in June 2023 ended in chaos, with a mass brawl breaking out after the referee stopped the fight due to excessive trash-talking.

Despite these doubts, Mayweather continues to assert that he is not fighting for money, pointing to his investments and business acumen. However, Hearn’s remarks add to the growing debate about whether “Money” Mayweather’s wealth is as secure as it once was, or if his lavish spending has taken a toll on his financial empire. As Mayweather prepares for his eighth exhibition match later this month, the questions surrounding his financial health remain at the forefront of boxing discussions. Despite the speculation, Mayweather continues to flaunt his wealth on social media.

Claressa Shields entered the ring at her heaviest fighting weight and left with the quickest win of her career.

The self-proclaimed GWOAT (Greatest Woman of All Time) won her fourth divisional with a second-round, technical knockout of Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse. Three knockdowns forced a stoppage at 1:09 of round two Saturday at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan.

With the win, Shields claimed the WBC heavyweight (though technically light heavyweight) and WBO 175-pound titles in the DAZN main event. She is now a four-division champ after a stellar amateur career where she won back-to-back Olympic Gold medals.

Claressa Shields knocks out Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse in 2nd round, winning  4th and 5th titles – Orange County Register

 

“I shocked myself, I’m not gonna lie,” Shields told DAZN’s Al Bernstein.

Shields (15-0, 3 knockouts) hadn’t enjoyed a knockout finish in seven years, almost to the day. Her last one came in her first title win, an Aug. 2017 5th round stoppage of Nikki Adler also in Detroit. Shields won the WBC and IBF super middleweight titles that evening to begin her pound-for-pound run.

Championship wins followed at middleweight, junior middleweight and back to middleweight. Shields fully unified the divisions (twice at 160) but has already run out of challenges at those weights. Evidence of that was in her inactive stretch of nearly 14 months.

With that came the decision to climb further up the scale.

Lepage-Joanisse (7-2, 2 KOs) attempted the first defense of the title she won earlier this year. The 29-year-old Quebec native edged Abril Argentina Vidal (10-2, 4 KOs) via split decision on March 7 in Montreal. It was her fourth straight win following a stoppage defeat to Alejandra Jimenez in their Aug. 2017 WBC heavyweight title fight.

Shields proceeded with caution in the opening round. Primarily a boxer (and a gifted one at that), the intent was to feel out the naturally heavier Lepage-Joanisse and test her own power in a new weight.

The returns were a pleasant surprise.

“I went in there real slow in the first round,” acknowledged Shields, who was a career heaviest 174.8 pounds. “I’m no dummy. Vanessa is a heavyweight and she was punching.

Claressa Shields destroys Vanessa Lepage

“When the hook hit her, I was like damn. I knew I was strong in camp and I was super strong [on Saturday]. Maybe I can stay at heavyweight.”

Lepage-Joanisse was visibly rocked near the end of the first round. Shields kept throwing punches until the bell. Despite the defending titlist remaining on her feet, the confidence was there that the stoppage was on its way.

Shields delivered in a big way.

A clean right hand floored Lepage-Joanisse early in the second round. Referee Ben Rodriguez issued a count while Lepage-Joanisse’s corner appeared ready to stop the fight. Shields was summoned to continue and sent her down twice more before the fight was brought to a halt.

“I guess the ref wanted me to throw one more right hand to put her down,” noted Shields. “The GWOAT stays.”

The question now is whether Shields will stay at this weight.

The fight was billed as a heavyweight title fight, only because of how the

Claressa Shields ("T-Rex") | Boxer Page | Tapology

 

BC brands anything above 168 pounds. Shields believes she can still fight as low as 154 for the right opportunity, or back to 160 where she remains the undisputed champion.

The feeling of not having to cut weight also has her considering a future in her most recently conquered division.

“I’m the cash cow, the girls who got the belts at 168 gotta come up to fight me,” insisted Shields. “It’s just 175. It wouldn’t be that big of a leap.”

Shields is now 12-0 (2 KOs) in title fight spanning four weight division and The Ring’s reigning pound-for-pound queen.

The “GWOAT” also picked up the WBO light heavyweight world title.

If there were any questions about how Claressa Shields would fare at heavyweight Saturday night, she crushed them just as she did Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse.

The “GWOAT” (Greatest Woman of All Time) dropped Lepage-Joanisse three times in the second round toward a sensational second-round TKO to become the new WBC heavyweight world champion at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan, and live on DAZN. Shields (15-0, 3 knockouts) also picked up the vacant WBO light heavyweight title in the process.

With the victory, Shields adds the heavyweight and light heavyweight titles to her previously won undisputed crowns at middleweight and junior middleweight, and unified titles at super middleweight, now making her a five-division world champion.

Claressa Shields knocks out Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse in 2nd round, winning  4th and 5th titles | Sports | bozemandailychronicle.com

 

After establishing the jab to start piecing together combinations in the first round, Shields produced a ferocious second round. The fireworks started when Lepage-Joanisse made the costly mistake of rushing Shields against the ropes. Shields responded by ducking and dodging everything Lepage-Joanisse threw at her only to catch the Canadian with a right hand to the temple for the first knockdown.

Lepage-Joanisse would slowly get up off the canvas only for Shields to rush her this time and absolutely sit on an overhand right across the jaw to leave the Canadian in a heap for the second knockdown.

That vicious knockdown prompted Lepage-Joanisse’s trainer to get up on the ring apron in preparation to throw in the towel but Shields saved him the trouble by knocking her down for the third time, forcing the referee to stop the fight.

Following the win, Shields was in awe of her own performance, telling DAZN: “I shocked myself” and “I put her down three times, so hey, the GWOAT stays.”

She added that “maybe I can stay at heavyweight if I’m going to be this strong inside the ring.”

Here’s how the entire main card went.

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