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Chris Eubank Jr looks likely to return to the ring later this year, and his two-division world champion father, Eubank Sr, has now shared his thoughts on his son’s decision to continue to fight.

Eubank Jr defeated Conor Benn in a middleweight affair last April, overcoming a strenuous weight cut and rehydration clause to claim a unanimous-decision win over his fierce rival; following in his father’s footsteps by scoring a victory over a Benn.

However, when they rematched seven months later, it was a completely different story, and the weight cut looked to have a more severe impact on Eubank, who was defeated with relative ease as Benn avenged his first career loss to even the score.

Now, reflecting on that performance, Eubank Sr told Playbook Boxing that his son is a ‘shot fighter’, clearly of the belief that the 36-year-old should hang up the gloves. 

“He is shot. If he was a horse, they would [put him down]. He is shot, he is spent. Now, the boxing authorities, the boxing experts, everyone can see it but no one is paying attention to it – and I want to be party to that? I’m going to stand [by his side]? No. I have got to stay alone.” 

“I have given my life to this. I only can wish Junior luck and mercy.”

It is the latest swing in the public relationship between the pair. Eubank Sr was strongly against the Benn fight, saying that the weight was dangerous for both men. He did, however, turn up on the night and celebrated the win with his son. He was not present for the rematch, once again criticising the match-up and the promoters behind it.

Despite his father’s criticism, Eubank Jr could be set to return to action Down Under, linked to a scrap against Australia’s Michael Zerafa on away soil.

Ben Whittaker’s move into the American market is becoming one of Matchroom’s bigger bets, and Eddie Hearn says fans still are not fully recognizing how quickly the Olympic silver medalist is improving.

“I think one thing that people aren’t necessarily really sort of absorbing is how good Ben Whittaker is and how much he’s improving, because I think people just think he’s rolling through people. But the Suarez win was a really good win, especially in that fashion,” said Hearn to Boxingscene.

“And this fight against [Richard] Rivera, not an easy fight. He’s a decent, decent fighter. I think that whole week, that whole build up, the ring walk, the swag, everything, it’s going to grab everyone’s attention.”

Hearn made the comments while discussing Whittaker’s upcoming U.S. appearance and what Matchroom expects the unbeaten light heavyweight to gain from fighting in front of an American audience.

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Last Updated on 2026/05/19 at 9:04 AM

Most Valuable Promotions says Claressa Shields is no longer welcome at its events after an altercation with Alycia Baumgardner during the MVP MMA 1 show over the weekend.

The incident reportedly happened inside a VIP area during the event headlined by Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano. MVP later released a public statement announcing that Shields had been banned from all future company events until further notice.

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Last Updated on 2026/05/19 at 8:05 AM

Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has made his prediction for the possible contest between Moses Itauma and Filip Hrgovic.

Itauma had been rumoured to next fight on Saturday, July 25, but the announcement of Anthony Joshua’s outing on the same date has caused Frank Warren to rescheduled the youngster’s event, pushing it back to August 8.

Now, after Hrgovic breezed past Dave Allen on Saturday night, it seems as though the Croatian could be the man in the opposing corner, as Itauma looks to prove that he is ready to compete for a heavyweight world title at the age of just 21 years old.

Speaking to Pro Boxing Fans, Hearn labelled Hrgovic as a ‘world-class heavyweight’, but believes that Itauma will be ‘too sharp for him’.

“I think that Hrgovic is a world-class heavyweight. Is he elite? I think that he is close to it. There was one stage where I think that he was really close to it. 

“He is going to fight Itauma now and I think that it is a good fight. I think that Moses will be much too sharp for him but I think that it is a proper challenge. It’s Moses’ first real test.” 

Hrgovic’s team are also keen on a rematch with newly crowned WBO world champion Daniel Dubois, who is set to rematch Fabio Wardley after the latter activated his rematch clause.

Itauma is currently the WBO mandatory challenger, meaning a shock win over the Brit could see Hrgovic tee up a title shot, where he will attempt to avenge his lone career defeat with a second showdown against ‘Triple D’.

Dave Allen completed his dream of headlining at Doncaster Rovers’ Eco-Power Stadium on Saturday night, but it did not go to plan. Now, ‘The White Rhino’ has provided an update on his future in the sport of boxing.

Allen dared to be great, accepting an almighty challenge against well-ranked, world title hopeful, Filip Hrgovic, atop a card that was suitably billed as ‘Dave vs. Goliath’, where the ending did not match that of the biblical tale. 

Instead, Hrgovic proved that he was multiple levels above the home fighter, dominating proceedings for three rounds before Allen’s trainer Jamie Moore decided that enough was enough and threw in the towel.

Speaking to his YouTube channel, ‘The White Rhino’ admitted that it is ‘the most sad that he has ever been’, but revealed plans to continue for four more bouts, hoping to challenge for the British and Commonwealth titles before retirement.

“I am going to have a few days off now. I’m f***ing knackered, man. Sore as f**k, actually. I am sore and I am sad about it, actually, it is probably the most sad that I have been. 

“I have had 36 fights now, I would like another four more. Another three and then maybe the last one, [I can fight for the] British, Commonwealth, it would be nice, but you have to earn that crack and that will be hard because there are some very good heavyweights about it Britain.

“It will be very, very hard to get a crack at it, never mind fight and win it, I am not delusional.”

Richard Riakporhe currently holds the British heavyweight title, but the 36-year-old is eyeing up world honours and could opt to vacate the Lonsdale Belt in order to pursue fighters at the world level. 

Allen has never fought for that belt, but twice unsuccessfully challenged Lenroy Thomas for the Commonwealth crown in 2017 and 2018.

Ryan Garcia says his September 12 fight against Conor Benn became personal long before the contracts were signed.

“He’s talking a lot. He’s talking crazy.

“He actually confronted me at an awards show two years ago. And my wife was there, and he just pressed up on me, grabbed me.

“So it’s a little personal, so we’ll be ready to go get him, trust me, guys. Show him how it’s done,” Ryan said about him being a guest on Monday night on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. He officially announced his welterweight title defense against Benn in Las Vegas.

Garcia (25-2, 20 KOs) confirmed the fight will take place September 12 and hinted at the matchup before revealing Benn’s name during the interview. Jimmy Fallon initially looked confused when Ryan described the opponent as being “from the other side” before clarifying that Benn was “across the pond.”

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Last Updated on 2026/05/19 at 6:40 AM

Oleksandr Usyk has beaten both Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury twice, giving him a unique insight into how the all-British mega fight will play out should it happen this year.

Joshua now trains alongside Usyk and will have his first proper assignment under the new set-up – excluding a bout with Jake Paul last year – on July 25 when he faces Kristan Prenga.

It is very much considered a warm-up fight for the Olympic gold medallist, who has signed to face Fury towards the end of the year, assuming both win beforehand and are not injured.

Speaking to BBC Sport, Usyk backed his new training partner to win but had equal praise for Fury, who he calls ‘dangerous.’

“We will help AJ in training. My opinion is AJ [beats] Tyson Fury. Fury is an unbelievable fighter. A very dangerous guy. But, I look at how Anthony works and how he has changed. I like Fury, this is my greedy belly best friend … he’s an amazing fighter, but I want more Anthony to win. I think he deserves it.”

After returning with a win over Arslanbek Makhmudov in April, Fury has made it clear that he intends to fight in August to further prepare himself for the Joshua clash.

As all three men close in on retirement, ‘The Gypsy King’ still wants a trilogy with Usyk following two points losses. He has, however, stated that he will only sign to fight the Ukrainian if it takes place in the UK or the US, believing he will not get a fair rub of the green if they return to Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, Usyk takes on kickboxing icon Rico Verhoeven this weekend in Egypt. Should he win as expected, he will be ordered to face WBC mandatory challenger, Agit Kabayel.

Claressa Shields has been ‘banned’ from all future Most Valuable Promotions events following an altercation with Alycia Baumgardner at last weekend’s Rousey vs Carano show in California.

The pair were in attendance for Most Valuable Promotions’ first MMA event, and Netflix’s first foray into the combat sport. The card was topped by Ronda Rousey’s 17-second win over Gina Carano, and also featured the return of Francis Ngannou as well as a veteran clash between Nate Diaz and Mike Perry.

On the boxing side of things, Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian’s MVP has built the strongest stable of female fighters in the sport, of which Baumgardner is emerging as a leading star.

The unified super-featherweight champion has been embroiled in a beef with five-division titlist Shields, with plenty of back and forth on social media. When the pair came face-to-face in a VIP area at the event, Shields appeared to slap Baumgardner.

Days later, MVP has announced that ‘The GWOAT’ will no longer be permitted to attend any of its events.

“Most Valuable Promotions is aware of the incident during MVP’s Rousey vs. Carano event on Saturday night involving physical contact by Claressa Shields toward Alycia Baumgardner.

“MVP maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy for hostile, threatening, or aggressive behavior toward fighters, staff, media, or guests at any of our events. Physical altercations outside the ring or cage are unacceptable in any MVP environment. MVP does not condone, tolerate, or accept Claressa Shields’ behavior in that setting and it reflects poorly on MVP and women’s sports, which we have worked tirelessly to uplift.

“Effective immediately, Claressa Shields is banned from all MVP events until further notice. There is a time and a place for fighter tension and banter, but to physically attack a fellow athlete while there as a guest inside a private VIP area is unacceptable.

“MVP would like to thank venue security for their swift response in addressing and de-escalating the situation and appreciate Alycia Baumgardner not retaliating and further amplifying the situation. We remain committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and professional environment for all participants and attendees at our events and will continue to enforce these standards without exception.”

Shields is yet to respond.

Conor Benn looks set to deliver on a promise that he will fight for the WBC welterweight world title later this year.

Benn hasn’t fought at 147lbs in four years, having been out of action through two failed doping tests before returning at super-welterweight and, when permitted to fight in the UK, facing Chris Eubank Jr twice at middleweight.

His last outing in February came against Regis Prograis at a 150lbs catchweight, and the Brit now clearly feels he can cut back down to welterweight to enforce his mandatory position with the WBC.

Benn has made no secret that new champion Ryan Garcia, who beat Mario Barrios for the belt earlier this year, is his target. Now, speaking on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Garcia announced that the Benn fight made.

“I can say that we are fighting September 12th. It will be in Vegas, and the opponent, let’s just say he’s from the other side… Across the pond, I’m sorry. I’ll just say his name cause I love this show. His name is Conor Benn, and he’s talking crazy. He actually confronted me at an award show two years ago. My wife was there, and he grabbed me, pressed up on me. So it’s a little personal. We’ll be ready to go get him.”

It is worth noting for fans that it is the second time Garcia has publicly spoken of this date and match-up, yet no official word from the promotion – likely Ring Magazine – has arrived.

In fact, an update from Benn’s manager at the weekend painted a less secure picture, with Keith Connolly saying the fight was his top target but that it still ‘could fall apart.’

Garcia seems confident, however, and, since Benn is his mandatory challenger, there is little to stand in the way of it being his first world title defence.

Jack Catterall says his upcoming welterweight title fight against Shakhram Giyasov was not something he expected to land this quickly, even with the division opening up around him after his move to 147.

“This fight can have come out of the blue, really. But what an opportunity for just one focus to get this title. Camp’s been good. Good sparring, good work in the gym, strength, track, everything. We puzzled it together good,” said Catterall to Matchroom Boxing, discussing his call to fight Shakhram Giyasov on the May 23rd card.

“It’s a little over a week and a half now before we fly over to Egypt. This is a big opportunity for me in the WBA regular world title. Very grateful for the opportunity, but also super confident going out there and securing it.”

Catterall and Giyasov will fight for the vacant WBA ‘regular’ welterweight title this Saturday at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt on the Oleksandr Usyk-Rico Verhoeven card.

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Last Updated on 2026/05/19 at 1:11 AM