Michael Collins
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Articles by Michael Collins
Carlos Adames Accuses Aaron McKenna of Fear
Carlos Adames claims Aaron McKenna lost his enthusiasm for a middleweight unification fight once the WBC champion’s team made contact. McKenna previously referred to their 2019 sparring sessions at Robert Garcia’s gym, suggesting his success during those rounds gave him confidence that he could defeat Adames. The newly crowned IBF champion now possesses the belt needed to turn their gym history into a unification fight.
Eddie Hearn Suggests Suing Dana White Over MSG Talks
Eddie Hearn suggested taking legal action against Dana White over unauthorized Madison Square Garden negotiations, rejecting reports that Tyson Fury versus Anthony Joshua is locked in for New York. Earlier coverage identified MSG as the destination for the November 20 fight. That report jumped the gun. Netflix, Turki Alalshikh, and the American organizers favor New York, but Joshua has not agreed to abandon the contracted UK location.
Tyson Fury Anthony Joshua Leave British Fans Behind
British boxing spent more than a decade waiting for Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua to meet at Wembley. Now that the fight is finally close, the supporters who built its value face the prospect of watching from home during the early hours of Saturday morning. Madison Square Garden is targeted for Friday, November 20. That date serves the American market by separating the event from Saturday college football and Sunday NFL games. Netflix also gets a heavyweight attraction during US primetime.
Boxing Paywalls Are Hiding Tomorrow’s Potential Stars
Boxing promoters are putting the cart before the horse by trying to monetize prospects before the public knows who they are. Locking preliminary bouts onto paid subscription tiers denies developing fighters the visibility they need to build a following. Graham Houston questioned the growing practice after seeing undercard fights assigned to Wynn Records, Zeus Network, and Prime Video rather than free streaming platforms. “Undercard bouts hidden behind subscription paywalls becoming a thing.
Hearn Hypes Odel Kamara After “Terminator” Pressure Breaks Him
Eddie Hearn signed Odel Kamara with glowing praise, describing him as a powerful action fighter destined to produce major nights in Liverpool. Kamara’s final amateur fight offered Matchroom a far less convincing preview of his professional future. “This kid has got it all: he has got the looks, the personality, the power, and, above all, he can really fight,” Hearn said in Matchroom’s signing announcement.
Devin Haney Keeps Jack Catterall Alive With Cryptic Response
Devin Haney told Sam Jones not to count Jack Catterall out after the British manager wished him luck against Liam Paro. The unusual remark indicates Haney has not finalized a bout with the IBF welterweight champion. DAZN Boxing shared the exchange after Jones questioned who qualified as Britain’s last major box-office attraction outside Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. “Jack Catterall,” Haney said on X.
Conor Benn’s Ten-Year Sacrifice Claim Draws Ridicule
Conor Benn says ten years of sacrifice and relentless training carried him to his first world title opportunity. His matchmaking tells a much less heroic story. “Given my life to the game for the last 10 years. 110% every grueling camp. Sheer graft and dedication have got me to this point,” Benn stated on X. Benn puts in the work, but demanding training camps are a basic requirement in professional boxing.
Selling Yesterday: Why Joshua vs. Fury Struggles for an American Hook
Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury waited years to meet in the ring. Now that the fight holds far less sporting intrigue, a dispute between Britain and New York threatens to drag out negotiations even longer. Dana White sounded uncertain Saturday night when reporters asked about the heavyweight pairing following the UFC event in Philadelphia. “Listen, this saga, we will see how this whole thing plays out,” White said. “I mean, they either want to fight or they do not.
Rick Glaser Torches Max Kellerman Over Zuffa Boxing Comparisons
Rick Glaser believes Max Kellerman has lost the plot with some of his commentary on Zuffa Boxing broadcasts. There may be a simpler explanation. Kellerman knows who he’s working for and what these broadcasts are designed to accomplish. Glaser unloaded on Kellerman during an interview after being reminded of remarks heard during recent Zuffa events. Kellerman likened Aaron McKenna’s in-ring spite to Terence Crawford. He also placed Callum Walsh alongside names like Roy Jones Jr. and Joe Calzaghe.
Hamzah Sheeraz Reacts As Janibek Threatens Canelo Plans
Hamzah Sheeraz has finally gotten something worth reacting to from the WBO. Going from a winnable fight against Jacob Bank to having Janibek Alimkhanuly dropped on his doorstep with 20 days to negotiate will do that. Sheeraz reacted to a post from Jake Donovan criticizing the WBO for passing over Bank and installing Janibek as the mandatory challenger for Sheeraz’s super middleweight title. “Second time this year where the WBO has screwed Jacob Bank out of a title shot.
Anthony Joshua Needs Jalolov Before Tyson Fury
Anthony Joshua looks comfortable getting ready for Tyson Fury. Maybe a little too comfortable. DAZN showed Joshua shadowboxing barefoot in his enormous backyard, staying ready for the long-awaited Battle of Britain clash against Fury, who recently turned 38, before the end of the year. The surroundings resemble a Gilded Age estate rather than a boxing gym. After what happened in his last outing, plenty of boxing fans would probably rather see him working toward a legitimate opponent.
Filip Hrgovic Plans To Punish Moses Itauma’s Ingrained Habits
Filip Hrgovic believes Moses Itauma’s previous opponents have allowed his physical advantages to conceal technical openings that he plans to exploit when they meet August 29 at London’s O2 Arena. While studying footage of the young southpaw, Hrgovic identified specific habits that he believes create counterpunching opportunities. “For this left hand, what if I go step back and counter him with my right hand when he’s digging like this? What’s going to happen then?” Hrgovic said to DAZN Boxing.
Janibek Alimkhanuly Ordered As Sheeraz Sheeraz Mandatory: Will Queensberry Vacate?
The WBO’s decision to make Janibek Alimkhanuly mandatory for Hamzah Sheeraz has angered plenty of fans, but the ruling may be even less popular with the champion’s team. Janibek isn’t the kind of opponent Sheeraz has been pursuing. He doesn’t bring a Canelo Alvarez-sized payday or the money that could come from a domestic fight against Chris Eubank Jr. What he does bring is dangerous power capable of wrecking those plans.
Hearn Suspects Haney Used Jack Catterall To Lower Paro Price
Eddie Hearn suspects Jack Catterall may have been brought into negotiations with Devin Haney to pressure Liam Paro into accepting less money for a welterweight unification. Catterall recently questioned Haney’s interest in fighting him. He believes his name served as leverage while talks continued with Paro, and Hearn accepts that scenario is possible. “We’re not getting too excited because there’s a chance that we could have been used as a kind of a hurry-up,” Hearn said on the Punch podcasts.
Prichard Colón’s Final Fight Still Haunts Boxing
Prichard Colón has died at 33, more than a decade after a boxing match in Virginia left the promising Puerto Rican fighter with catastrophic brain damage. His father, Richard Colón, confirmed his death Thursday on social media. For boxing fans who remember October 17, 2015, Colón’s death brings attention back to a fight that remains difficult to watch.
Radivoje Kalajdzic Power Makes Craig Richards Fight Worth Watching
Radivoje Kalajdzic is 35, but his punching power has given his career new life. He’ll try to continue that run against Craig Richards in a ten-round co-feature on Zuffa Boxing 11 on September 26 at London’s Copper Box Arena. Kalajdzic (30-3, 22 KOs) has done enough in recent fights to make himself the more interesting half of this matchup.
AJ-Fury Undercard Targeted For Teremoana Return
Teremoana Teremoana got DeAndre Savage out of there in two rounds on Wednesday in Australia, but the performance left both the heavyweight and promoter Eddie Hearn wanting more. Teremoana deliberately slowed his pace in the opening round, working off feints and searching for clean openings instead of swarming Savage early. “I was in there to take my time, and hopefully a shot showed up,” Teremoana said after the bout.
Teremoana Teremoana vs. DeAndre Savage Live Results, Highlights And Round-By-Round Updates
Heavyweight prospect Teremoana Teremoana attempts to clear his toughest professional hurdle when he boxes DeAndre Savage tonight at The Star Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia. Follow live DAZN results and round-by-round updates from every fight on the card. The Australian has stopped all 11 opponents he has faced, though Savage presents a different problem.
Oscar De La Hoya Overrated? Look At His Opposition
Kenneth Sims Jr. thinks calling Oscar De La Hoya overrated has boxing history completely backward. Sims reacted on August 10 to a resurfaced Bleacher Report ranking that placed De La Hoya at No. 8 among the 100 most overrated athletes of all time. The list originally ran in 2018 and included Shane Mosley at No. 15 and Jack Dempsey at No. 2. “Oscar De La Hoya Overrated is crazy. Underrated actually,” Sims posted on X. Bleacher Report focused heavily on the high-profile defeats.
Daniel Dubois “All Wrong” for Moses Itauma says Duke McKenzie
Duke McKenzie believes Daniel Dubois is the wrong kind of opponent for Moses Itauma at this stage of his career. The former world champion sees Dubois’ power, experience, and conditioning as major obstacles for the 21-year-old contender. Itauma must first clear Filip Hrgovic on August 29 at The O2 in London, with the vacant IBF heavyweight title on the line. That bout should offer a clear indication of where the young heavyweight belongs among the elite.
Eddie Hearn: Zuffa Underestimated Value Of World Titles
Eddie Hearn believes Zuffa Boxing underestimated how much traditional world titles still mean to fighters, pointing to Jai Opetaia while arguing that money alone does not satisfy every champion. The Matchroom promoter discussed the topic after Aaron McKenna won the vacant IBF middleweight title on a Zuffa card. He argued that the fight showed sanctioning bodies are not automatically opposed to working with Dana White’s outfit.
Aaron McKenna Claims Carlos Adames Is Afraid Of Him
Aaron McKenna believes Carlos Adames would be afraid to fight him, but the new IBF middleweight champion still has plenty to demonstrate before that claim carries much force. McKenna (21-0, 10 KOs) captured the vacant IBF title last Saturday in Dublin with a 12-round unanimous decision over Etinosa Oliha. The Ring has since moved McKenna to No. 3 at middleweight, behind No. 1 Adames and No. 2 Yoenli Hernandez, but above No. 4 Erislandy Lara.
Kell Brook’s 168-Lb Return Is A Dangerous Gamble
Kell Brook may look in excellent condition at 40, but adding muscle and returning at 168 pounds after four years away would be a very different test. Brook revealed that his comeback will take place around middleweight or super middleweight. The upper end of that range would put the former IBF champion three divisions above welterweight, where he produced the best years of his career. “Middle. Super middle. Around them weights,” Brook said to talkSPORT Boxing when discussing his return.
Eddie Hearn: Australian Heavyweights Don’t Want Teremoana
Eddie Hearn believes Australia’s heavyweight division has plenty of potential opponents for Teremoana, but he isn’t seeing much interest from them in actually fighting him. Teremoana faces DeAndre Savage on Wednesday at The Star Gold Coast, with the 28-year-old looking for his 12th professional victory. Hearn would like to match him against local rivals as he moves toward the top of the ranks, but claims making those fights hasn’t been easy.
The Night Cassius Clay Forced 43 Sportswriters to Eat Their Words
Cassius Clay had just won the heavyweight championship, but celebrating wasn’t his primary focus. The 22-year-old wanted to settle a score with the reporters who spent weeks telling readers Sonny Liston would beat him. Clay confronted them almost immediately after Liston remained on his stool following the sixth round on February 25, 1964, in Miami Beach. “You reporters, all of you reporters made it hard on this one. Never write about me like this. Never make me no underdog.
Did Opetaia Sell Out His Legacy for Zuffa Money?”
Eddie Hearn believes Jai Opetaia exchanged part of his championship ambition for financial security since signing with Zuffa Boxing. The former promoter thinks the Australian cruiserweight wanted more than lucrative fights. He wanted to collect all the belts and become the undisputed champion, something Hearn now believes has become much harder. “I think Jai’s been lied to,” Hearn said to Jai McAllister Boxing.
Teremoana Teremoana Must End the Easy Fights Against DeAndre Savage
Teremoana Teremoana is approaching his 29th birthday, has been fighting professionally since 2020, and competed at the 2024 Olympics. Yet his handlers are still matching him like a young prospect who needs years of protection. What are they waiting for? Teremoana faces DeAndre Savage on Wednesday, August 12, in a 10-round heavyweight main event on the Gold Coast in Australia. Eddie Hearn described Savage at the press conference as the Australian’s first significant test.
Conor Benn May Make 147, But What Will Be Left?
Conor Benn may drop to the welterweight limit for his September 12 fight against WBC champion Ryan Garcia. The bigger concern is what the cut will leave him with once he enters the ring. He hasn’t fought in this division since 2022. He competed at 150 pounds against Regis Prograis earlier this year after fighting Chris Eubank Jr. at much higher weights. Cutting that last bit of weight presents a test Benn hasn’t dealt with in years.
Anthony Joshua Shares The Highs And Lows: ‘We Get Through’
Anthony Joshua recently shared a 95-second montage of his boxing career, choosing to highlight both his victories and some of his hardest nights. Rather than sticking purely to a highlight reel of dominance, the clip shows him giving and taking heavy hits, alongside moments of training and celebration. Accompanying the video was a short caption: “I am you, you are me & we get through.” The caption hits differently given where Joshua finds himself today.
Matchroom’s Strong Q4 Doesn’t Need An Aging Superstar
Matchroom could boast one of boxing’s strongest lineups during the final three months of 2026. Best of all, fans won’t need an aging superstar dragged back into the ring to make it interesting. Ben Whittaker faces Conor Wallace in an IBF light heavyweight final eliminator on October 3 in Birmingham. WBC light welterweight champion Dalton Smith defends against Alberto Puello on October 24 in Sheffield. The potential US schedule gets considerably stronger from there.
Berlanga Pushes Jake Paul Fight With Netflix Poster
Edgar Berlanga is attempting to drum up interest in a bout against Jake Paul, sharing a graphic on X that depicts the pair in a catchweight match on Netflix. No official agreement exists. The image lacks a date or location, while neither Most Valuable Promotions nor Netflix has announced the matchup. Berlanga captioned the graphic with a single emoji, letting the mock poster carry the message with Netflix and MVP branding. The move fits Berlanga’s past efforts.
Tim Bradley Calls Liam Paro’s Haney Demands Ducking
Tim Bradley contends that Liam Paro pricing himself out of a fight with Devin Haney amounts to another form of ducking the WBO welterweight champion. Talks involving Haney and Paro failed to produce a deal, leaving Haney searching for a challenger for his first defense of the belt. Bradley gave Paro little benefit of the doubt when discussing why negotiations collapsed. “Did Liam Paro price himself out? Is that another form of duck?” Bradley said on his channel. “Anyways, that’s a form of ducking.
Aaron McKenna Boxes Past Oliha to Claim IBF Crown
Aaron McKenna gave the Dublin crowd the homecoming it wanted Saturday night, controlling Etinosa Oliha over 12 rounds to capture the vacant IBF middleweight title at the 3Arena. Scores of 118-110, 117-111 and 116-112 reflected a fight McKenna largely dictated with his jab and movement. Oliha kept pressing, but he spent too much of the night trying to get through McKenna’s range without landing enough clean punches once he arrived.
Callum Walsh Struggles Past Tyler Denny In Dublin
Callum Walsh kept his perfect record intact tonight in Dublin, but his 10-round decision over Tyler Denny did little to suggest he is ready for the leading middleweights. Walsh (17-0, 11 KOs) won by scores of 98-91, 98-91 and 96-90 at the 3Arena. Those numbers made the fight look far easier than it was. Denny (21-5-3, 1 KO) gave the 25-year-old problems throughout with his awkward southpaw style and pressure.
Jack Catterall Accepts October 3 Haney Fight, Awaits Contracts
Jack Catterall’s side has accepted a proposed October 3 fight with WBO welterweight champion Devin Haney. The next step is getting the contracts completed and signed. Manager Sam Jones confirmed Catterall wants the fight and has agreed to the proposed date after Julius Julianis reported that negotiations were advanced. Jones disputed that description but made clear there is no resistance from his side. “Wouldn’t say advanced, but we’ve accepted the fight and the date proposed.
Devin Haney vs. Jack Catterall In Talks For October 3
Devin Haney may have his October opponent after talks with Liam Paro broke down over financial demands. Jack Catterall is now in advanced negotiations to challenge Haney for the WBO welterweight title on October 3, Julius Julianis reported Friday. Catterall presents a completely different look. The 32-year-old British southpaw moved up to 147 pounds last year after spending most of his career at light welterweight.
Liam Paro’s Relentless Pressure Made Richardson Hitchins Scorecards Closer Than He Claims
Richardson Hitchins does not believe his December 2024 fight with Liam Paro deserved to be called a split decision, but that view discounts the work the Australian put in over 12 rounds. Hitchins reacted Friday to a fan who brought up his IBF light welterweight title victory over Paro being a divided verdict. “No, it was not a split decision. Anyone that knows boxing knows that one judge that had Liam winning needs to be fired.
No Hugs Or Handshakes For Filip Hrgovic, Says Moses Itauma
Moses Itauma has ruled out the traditional post-fight handshake with Filip Hrgovic if their relationship continues to deteriorate before they meet on August 29 at The O2 in London. The 21-year-old boxer made it clear that he does not consider everything said during the promotion automatically forgiven once the fight is over. Itauma believes there are lines that Hrgovic can cross before they compete for the vacant IBF crown.
Malignaggi Questions Wardley’s Rush Into Dubois Rematch
Paulie Malignaggi questions Fabio Wardley’s decision to go directly into a rematch with Daniel Dubois after the punishment he took in their first fight. Wardley gets another shot at Dubois after losing by 11th-round stoppage on May 9. Malignaggi believes Wardley possesses enough power to change the result with one punch, but he sees Dubois as the more versatile boxer. “I think Wardley is determined to get the title back, so he’s hungry. I think a fighter always wants that immediate get back.
Conor Benn Lays Groundwork For Built-In Excuse Ahead Of Ryan Garcia Battle
Conor Benn is already making it clear how difficult his return to 147 pounds will be for his September 12 fight against WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia in Las Vegas. A loss on fight night leaves him with a ready-made explanation. Benn has not fought at the welterweight limit in four years and admits getting back down after campaigning at much higher weights has been grueling. He also confirmed Ryan will be his final fight in the division before he moves up. “Yeah, it’s hard. It’s brutal.
Fabio Wardley Skips Tune-Up Before Daniel Dubois Rematch
Fabio Wardley quickly activated his rematch option following his eleventh-round knockout loss to Daniel Dubois on May 9. Promoter Frank Warren says the second fight is close to becoming official, with an announcement expected within the next couple of weeks. Wardley deserves credit for his self-belief, yet jumping straight back into the ring with Dubois carries genuine danger.
Tim Bradley Ranks William Zepeda No. 1 At Lightweight
William Zepeda is the top lightweight in boxing, at least in the view of former two-division world champion Tim Bradley. Following Zepeda’s unanimous decision victory over Lamont Roach, Bradley ranked the WBC champion No. 1 at 135 pounds ahead of every other active contender. Gervonta Davis was left out of Bradley’s rankings because of his inactivity, while Shakur Stevenson no longer qualified after moving to 140 pounds.
Canelo Wants $100 Million For Crawford Rematch
Saul Alvarez is open to a rematch with Terence Crawford, though negotiations would have to begin at a nine-figure payday. Asked during a recent interview whether $75 million apiece could lure Crawford out of retirement, Alvarez laughed before raising his asking price to $100 million. The Mexican star also admitted he wants another opportunity after one of the few defeats of his career. “They need a little bit more for me,” Alvarez said to CBS Mornings. “We can start with that and negotiate.
Teremoana Calls For Justis Huni Fight After Savage
Australian heavyweight Teremoana has no shortage of ambition as he prepares for the toughest fight of his professional career against DeAndre Savage on August 12 at The Star Gold Coast. The unbeaten Brisbane puncher (11-0, 11 KOs) meets the American knockout artist in the main event on DAZN, Kayo Sports and Fox Sports. Teremoana made it clear his focus remains on Savage before naming several of boxing’s biggest heavyweights as future opponents.
Joshua-Fury Nears Madison Square Garden Landing
Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury are closing in on a blockbuster heavyweight clash, with Madison Square Garden emerging as the leading destination for the long-awaited bout. While the fight was previously linked to several locations, including Wembley Stadium, momentum has shifted across the Atlantic as negotiations continue. “Joshua-Fury almost certain to land in the U.S., with Madison Square Garden the frontrunner.
Liam Paro Emerges As Devin Haney’s Best Available Option
Devin Haney’s next fight may come together far sooner than expected. Fox Sports Australia reports No Limit Boxing has begun discussions with Haney’s team regarding an October welterweight title unification against IBF champion Liam Paro in the United States. Negotiations remain in the early stages, but the matchup has quickly become one of the strongest fights available at 147 pounds. Haney’s plans changed dramatically over the past several days.
Joseph Parker Returns After UKAD Lifts Provisional Suspension
Joseph Parker is back in the heavyweight picture after UK Anti-Doping lifted the provisional suspension that sidelined the former WBO champion for more than seven months. The New Zealander confirmed Wednesday that he expects to return to the ring soon while the remaining details of the case are finalized. “I’m pleased to confirm my provisional suspension is lifted and I’ll be back in the ring soon,” Parker said to The Post. “I’ve been advised to say no more for now while details are finalized.
Etinosa Oliha Vows To Hurt Aaron McKenna
Etinosa Oliha believes Aaron McKenna will not present anything he has not already seen as the Italian contender prepares to challenge the Irish favorite for the vacant IBF middleweight title on August 8 at Dublin’s 3Arena. McKenna will have a partisan crowd behind him as he attempts to become Ireland’s newest world champion. Oliha dismissed the idea that the setting or his opponent will change the result.
Naoya Inoue Sets March Deadline For Jesse Rodriguez Fight
Naoya Inoue set a March deadline for a fight with Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez. If an agreement is not reached by then, the undisputed super bantamweight champion plans to move up to featherweight instead. That leaves a narrow window for both camps. Mike Coppinger said on the Inside Ring Show that early next year remains the target period, with Inoue prepared to leave the division if negotiations are not completed. The challenge lies with Rodriguez’s schedule.
Ryan Garcia Says Conor Benn Doesn’t Know What’s Coming
Ryan Garcia believes Conor Benn enters their September 12 bout completely unaware of what awaits him inside the ring. While the British contender built his reputation on non-stop pressure and physicality, Garcia insists raw strength alone will not be enough. Instead, he expects Benn to encounter a level of speed and timing he has never experienced.
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