The Week: Garcia claims Haney’s dad is “pimping” him out, and Wilder blames loss to Parker on having to travel to Saudi Arabia

Wednesday, 7 February

WHET WEDNESDAY

This week kicked off with a convincing message from undefeated world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, who urged that each one discuss of his demise, following the postponement of the preliminary Oleksandr Usyk date, have been vastly exaggerated.

“I keep hearing talk about me retiring,” he bellowed into his cellphone, from what appeared to be the within of the Wardrobe that leads to Narnia. “I ain’t retiring anywhere. I’ve got two fights with Usyk, then I’m going to fight AJ once, maybe twice… then I’m going to fight Ngannou again. And that’s just the start. There’s five little fights for you to whet your appetite with. I ain’t going nowhere. I’m 35 years old and in the prime of my life.”

Two blokes who should not fairly of their prime but, however are each being tipped for giant issues, had been nudged nearer collectively by the EBU on Wednesday as they formally ordered Adam Azim to defend his European light-welterweight title towards fellow Brit Dalton Smith and the purse bid has been set for February 28. I imply it’s a pleasant thought however let’s not maintain our breath on that one.

To shut out a really busy Wednesday, Eddie Hearn additionally revealed he could be sending out an official supply to Gervonta Davis a couple of summer season battle with Conor Benn earlier than he went to be that evening.

Thursday, 8 February 

Thursday was all concerning the 140lbers as experiences emerged within the night that Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia, former beginner rivals and two of the most important names within the sport, are ‘close to finalising’ a deal for a money-spinning Las Vegas conflict on April 20. Then, inside hours of the story, that deal was apparently executed and dusted.

Then, within the night, Teofimo Lopez put his model of the 140lb title on the road towards Jamaine Ortiz in entrance of simply over 6,000 folks in Vegas. He entered the world dressed as a ringmaster however he was something however throughout a lacklustre efficiency the place he struggled to make a dent within the elusive challenger. Even so, he nonetheless did sufficient to win on all three playing cards. Terence Crawford, who has been just lately referred to as out by Lopez, Tweeted: “He got a gift and he know it that’s why he crying.”

On the undercard, one of the crucial thrilling youngsters within the sport Abdullah Mason went 12-0 (10) by crushing Benjamin Gurment. There was additionally a press release win for Keyshawn Davis towards Jose Pedraza.

Meanwhile, the pesky EBU had been at it once more just a few divisions increased, calling for one more all-British showdown between champion Tyler Denny who they ordered to defend towards the lesser-spotted Felix Cash. The purse bid for that one is February 19.

Friday, 9 February

HOT SEAT

It was a busy outdated Friday with Haney-Garcia formally introduced, whereas a high quality home conflict between Florian Marku and Chris Kongo was additionally confirmed for March 31, on the undercard of Fabio Wardley towards Frazer Clarke, in Britain.

Up in Sheffield, in the meantime former Sky Sports stalwart Adam Smith returned to commentary obligation after practically two years out. Smith confirmed his departure from Sky late final yr and revealed he has been battling most cancers.

But he was again within the chair on Friday evening, calling the fights on the Park Community Arena on the GBM present, reside on Talksport’s Youtube channel, on which one of many matchmakers listed by Boxrec was the nice boxing journalist and broadcaster Steve Lillis.

Meanwhile, sources shut to The Week confirmed that talks are already properly underway relating to an all-British showdown between Anthony Yarde and Joshua Buatsi for this summer season. Buatsi gained final weekend towards Dan Azeez so all eyes could be on the Copper Box on Saturday to ensure Yarde retains to his aspect of the discount by beating 32-3 Marko Nikolic.

Saturday, 10 February

CHALK AND CHEESE

With nonetheless greater than two months to go, Haney and Garcia wasted no time getting the juices flowing for his or her April 20 battle with a very good, quaint push-and-pull at an impromptu face. “Your dad is pimping you out,” Garcia barked in Haney’s face. “You’re not like that. I’m going to beat the shit out of you,” Haney responded.

After a minute of variation alongside that related theme, Garcia pushed Haney away and there was a minor flashpoint between the 2 20-somethings. They continued shouting and then even Bill Haney began making an attempt to get at Garcia. Something tells me the build-up to this is likely to be extra enjoyable than the battle itself.

Over in London, in the meantime, it was a really totally different story between two rivals. Yarde did the enterprise on the Copper Box and Queensberry even acquired Buatsi in attendance and introduced him in for the post-fight interview. There was numerous hugging and respect and no one acquired referred to as a punk, a bitch or anything.

“First of all, congrats on the fight bro,” Buatsi mentioned with a fist bump. “I’m here because I think the fight should be next. Let him enjoy this win or whatever but from my side I’m down with it and I’m sure him and his team feel the same way.”

Yarde added: “I’m ready whenever. It’s about making the deal and making it happen.”

Anthony Yarde and his coach, Tunde Ajayi

Sunday, 11 February

Sundays is usually a desolate place when you’ve gotten to compile a listing of each day information gadgets however TV Azteca got here up trumps for The Week this time after they revealed that Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez will maintain a press convention on Tuesday to make ‘essential bulletins about his profession.”

I do know what you’re considering: That’s simply an announcement about an announcement. There is no precise information there. But this is a Sunday we’re speaking about, let’s take it and run with it.

We know Canelo has not boxed since September when he simply outpointed light-middleweight champion Jermell Charlo, which was the primary of his take care of PBC, which is anticipated to embody two fights this yr. Most assume the primary of these will likely be May 4, Cinco de Mayo weekend, though there is nonetheless no opponent confirmed, which is what Tuesday is likely to be about. Fellow Mexicans David Benavidez and Jaime Munguia have each been urged as potential opponents for that one however most likely greatest not to maintain your breath at this stage.

Monday, 12 February

A FLYING SHAME

Deontay Wilder has opened up on his defeat to Joseph Parker in Riyadh on December 23 – citing travel to Saudi Arabia as an element.

This is a person who as soon as mentioned he misplaced to Tyson Fury as a result of his ringwalk outfit was too heavy, now the 20 hours of travel to the Kingdom has let him down. It is not confirmed whether or not or not he wore the light-up go well with on the airplane.

“In training for that I had to travel two times,” he advised Youtube’s Elie Seckbach. “That’s 20 hours of travelling. And those guys were already in Europe, they were only ⅔ hours away. I’m not complaining, I’m just saying what I had to go through.”

At welterweight, one of many sport’s most gifted males, Jarron ‘Boots’ Ennis, has filed a lawsuit towards his promoters NOW Boxing. The criticism focuses on Ennis’ lack of exercise since he signed with them in 2019.

It has been reported that mentioned deal would assure Ennis eight fights throughout the primary two years and six extra throughout years three and 4. However the 26-year-old has fought simply 10 instances within the 5 years since he signed with them and needs out – and a judgement ‘in excess of $1m’.

Deontay Wilder (Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

Tuesday, 13 February

FLIPPING HELL

On pancake day the Canelo information began to emerge and the reception was very a lot… flat.

Despite a clamour for the Mexican idol to field the Mexican Monster David Benavidez, and even Munguia, it seems that he’ll actually battle Jermall Charlo, eight months after he cruised previous his twin in a glorified mismatch. I hope you weren’t really holding your breath.

Big twin Charlo has boxed simply as soon as since June 2021 after properly documented psychological well being points which included suicidal ideas. He drew a line below the hiatus in November however didn’t essentially impress throughout his 10-round UD of Jose Benavidez Jr.

Well blow me down with a (former)  feather(weight champion) – 14 days. That’s how lengthy Shakur Stevenson’s retirement lasted. That was not even lengthy sufficient for him to transfer right into a lakeside house and smoke the aged residents at scrabble. Instead, the 26-year-old southpaw, who is at present ranked at No.3 on this planet at light-weight and is the holder of the WBC belt, will likely be again in boxing by the summer season.

“I’ll fight any and everybody this what I do,” he Tweeted. “See y’all in June. I couldn’t keep myself away from it love this shit too much lol.”