Rob Smith
- Managing Director, Lionfish Tech Advisors
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Articles by Rob Smith
My Son Will Attack Devin Haney, Not Wait
Brian Norman Sr. says his son, WBO welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr. (28-0, 22 KOs) is going to be attacking Devin Haney and not looking to time him coming in on November 22nd. He argues that Norman Jr. is the ‘bigger guy,” and he’s going to be pressing the challenger Haney (32-0, 16 KOs) throughout their fight at the ANB Arena in Riyadh. “We’re not looking to time Devin Haney. We’re the bigger guy.
Bruce Springsteen Album Opening Songs Ranked Original
Columbia SHARE TWEET Side 1, Song 1—for every album, it's the one that starts it all, the one that draws you in, the kickoff to your listening experience. The best album-opening tracks are not only quality songs; they also set an expectation of what is to follow.
Berlanga Open To Benavidez Fight Post-Canelo Clash
Edgar Berlanga says he’d be open to fighting David Benavidez if he comes back down to 168 after he faces unified super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez a month from now on September 14th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Although Berlanga (22-0, 17 KOs) views Benavidez as a bitter, envious “Crab” due to his critical comments about him being blessed by Canelo, he’d still like to fight him after he captures the three 168-lb titles.
Devin Haney's Comeback: New Weight Class, New Fighting Style?
Former two-division world champion Devin Haney hints at returning to the ring soon to resume his successful career. Riyadh Bound Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) posted on social media that the sport wasn’t the same during his four-month absence. His Excellency Turki Alalshikh responded with a favorable message on X, saying, “Deliver the job, champ.
De La Hoya: Canelo Vs. Benavidez Would Be A Reality Under Golden Boy
Promoter Oscar De La Hoya insists that if David Benavidez were promoted by his Golden Boy Promotions company, he would have already fought Canelo Alvarez by now. It’s hard to believe that De La Hoya would have changed the outcome of a fight between Benavidez and Canelo. If the superstar Canelo didn’t want that fight, it wouldn’t have mattered if De La Hoya were Benavidez’s promoter. If anything, it would make it even less likely to happen.
Raymond Ford Captures WBA Featherweight Title With Dramatic KO Of Otabek Kholmatov
Raymond Ford (15-0-1, 8 KOs), not known for his power, came on late to knock out the formerly unbeaten Otabek Kholmatov (12-1, 11 KOs) in the twelfth round to win the vacant WBA featherweight title on Saturday night at the Turning Stone Resort Casino. Kholmatov was head on two of the scorecards 106-103 and 105-104 on the third and looked to be in the driver’s seat going into the twelfth after cutting Ford under his right eye in the eleventh.
Ryan Garcia Projects Billion-Dollar Career: "Thank You, God!"
Ryan Garcia revealed today that he’s projected to earn “$1 billion” from his career. The popular boxer and influencer Ryan (24-1, 20 KOs) says he has “proof” that he’s destined to be a billionaire by the time hie ends his career, and he couldbe right. Garcia expressed gratitude for the wealth that he’ll be receiving ahead of time in the future.
ESPN+ Weights: Kholmatov Vs. Ford & Lopez Vs. Abe
Otabek Kholmatov, Raymond Ford, Luis Alberto Lopez and Reiya Abe all successfully weighed on Friday in for their featherweight doubleheader this Saturday, March 2nd at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York. The card will be shown live on ESPN+ at 5:20 p.m. ET/2:20 p.m. PT. (Courtesy: Mikey Williams/Top Rank via Getty Images) Main Event: Kholmatov vs. Ford for Vacant WBA Title Kholmatov (12-0, 11 KOs) faces Ford (14-0-1, 7 KOs) for the vacant WBA 126-lb title in the main event.
Jermell Charlo Stripped Of WBA Title, Future Uncertain
Jermell Charlo will be stripped of his WBA title and given the ‘Champion in Recess’ tag by the sanctioning body. With Jermell being stripped, the former undisputed 154-lb champion is down to just his WBC belt, and who knows how long he’ll hold onto that last remaining belt? Vacant WBA Title up for Grabs Israil Madrimov and Magomed Kurbanov will fight over the vacant WBA 154-lb title on the Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou card on March 8th at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Benavidez Faces Gvozdyk For WBC Title Shot At Light Heavyweight In June
David Benavidez will fight former WBC light heavyweight champion Oleksandr Gvozyk for the interim and mandatory position at 175 in June. It’s a move that Benavidez (28-0, 24 KOs) had hinted about recently when he said that if he couldn’t get a title shot against undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez, he would go up to 175. Canelo revealed last week that he won’t be fighting Benavidez in 2024, leaving him with no other option but to move to 175.
Canelo's May 4th Opponent: From Jermall Charlo To Wasted Potential
Jermall Charlo is still believed to be the one that Canelo Alvarez faces next on May 4th on PPV. Canelo (60-2-2, 39 KOs) tipped his hand last week when he revealed that his next opponent would be an American, and it wouldn’t be David Benavidez or Terence Crawford. With those guys off the table, there’s only one option available to Canelo, and that’s Jermall (33-0, 22 KOs). This isn’t the fight that the fans wanted to see from Canelo, but it’s a winnable one for him.
Hearn Warns Of Career Crossroads For Taylor And Catterall
Eddie Hearn warns that the careers will be on the line for the Josh Taylor vs. Jack Catterall rematch on April 27th live on DAZN at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, England. Hearn glosses over the harsh truth: even the winner of the fight isn’t expected to be more than a B-side opponent for one of the world champions at 140 or 147. Are Both Fighters Past Their Prime?
Paulie Malignaggi Exposes Canelo's 'Gimmick': "You Deserve To Get Ripped Off"
Paulie Malignaggi came out guns blazing this week, blasting Canelo Alvarez for what he suspects will be a cherry-pick opponent on May 4th when he fights on PPV against a still-to-be-determined opponent. Malignaggi feels that Canelo (60-2-2, 39 KOs) has been ripping off the fans by fighting weak opposition and then putting the matches on pay-per-view. He thinks that he’s been avoiding the top fighters from the 168-lb division, David Benavidez and David Morrell.
De La Hoya Fires Back At Rolly Romero: "I'd Have Knocked You Out Easy"
Oscar De La Hoya came out firing today, reacting to Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero’s venomous remarks about DAZN, him, and Ryan Garcia about the offer that he was given. Rolly didn’t like the offer and said Golden Boy fighters would be bringing in a few PPV buys on DAZN. The Mayweather-promoted Rolly saved most of his criticism towards De La Hoya, trashing the promoter, even though it was he who walked away from the ongoing negotiations.
Haney Vs. Garcia: No Rehydration Clause Creates Risk For Ray
Bill Haney has revealed that Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia’s April 20th clash will take place in the 140-lb weight class without a catchweight or rehydration clause. Haney is getting a free pass to rehydrate as much as possible without there being a rehydration limit to keep his weight in check, making him bigger and stronger than Ryan on the night of the fight.
LIVE: Haney Vs. Garcia New York Kick-Off Presser @ 1 Am ET
The press conferences kicking off the Haney vs. Garcia saga take center stage in the heart of the Big Apple today. The first face-to-face is set for February 27 at the illustrious Palladium Times Square, starting at 1:00 p.m. ET, which corresponds to 6:00 p.m. UK time. The spectacle then unfolds in the City of Angels, landing on February 29 at the iconic AVALON Hollywood, with the curtain rising at 1:00 PT, or 9:00 p.m. for our friends in the UK.
Tszyu Ignores Thurman's Bluster: "I Want To Hear Him Squeal"
Tim Tszyu says not bothered by trash talking that Keith Thurman did during their kick-off press conference this week for their fight at 154 on March 30th on Amazon Prime PPV. Tszyu (24-0, 17 KOs) wants to hear Thurman (30-1, 22 KOs) “squeal” when he gets him inside the ring and begins to thrash him at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Thurman hasn’t seen action in two years, and his experience at 154 is limited to lower-level opposition in the first two years of his career.
Keith Thurman Fires Back: "You're Junkies For My Fights, Not True Boxing Fans"
Keith Thurman fired back at the media on Wednesday in response to their questions about his two-year layoff, labeling them collectively as “Junkies for my fights.” (Photo credit: Esther Lin/Premier Boxing Champions) Instead of confronting the questions and admitting that he’d lost interest in the sport, a defiant Thurman (30-1, 22 KOs) deflected, criticizing those who dared to ask him why he’d once again been inactive.
John Ryder's Road Uncertain: Hearn Hints At Retirement After Munguía Mauling
Promoter Eddie Hearn hinted that John Ryder should consider retirement following his ninth-round technical knockout loss to the young gun Jaime Munguia (43-0, 34 KOs) last Saturday night at the Footprint Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. Hearn’s Hesitation Hearn questions whether the version of Ryder (32-7, 18 KOs) that fought Canelo Alvarez last May in Guadalajara, Mexico, would have been dropped by Munguia in the second round of their super middleweight contest.
Throne Vacant: Jermell Charlo Stripped, Fundora Vs. Bohachuk Clash For WBC Junior Middleweight Crown
Jermell Charlo has been stripped of his WBC junior middleweight title, given the ‘Champion in recess’ tag, and the belt will now be contested over by #3 Sebastian Fundora and #2 Serhii Bohachuk in their fight on March 30th on the Tim Tszyu vs. Keith Thurman card on Amazon Prime PPV at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Charlo hasn’t fought at 154 for close to two years since his unification fight with WBO junior middleweight champion Brian Castano in May 2022.
Ryder Vs. Munguia: A Fight With Stakes For Both Fighters
John Ryder (32-6, 18 KOs) and Jaime Munguia (42-0, 33 KOs) both have a lot on the line for their twelve-round super middleweight main event contest this Saturday night on DAZN at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. The 35-year-old Ryder, who is coming off a disappointing loss to Canelo Alvarez, has more at stake because of his age and six career defeats.
Bivol Backs Crawford In Potential Superfight With Canelo: "He Could Show Us Something"
Dmitry Bivol believes Terence Crawford could defeat the four-belt super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez if the fight comes off between them. If the fight comes off, Crawford would be going from 147 to 168 without the benefit of a handicap in terms of a catchweight. Crawford Aims for Undisputed Glory Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs), who is nearing the end of his career, has expressed interest in moving up to 168 to fight Canelo (60-2-2, 39 KOs) for his undisputed championship.
Benavidez Sr. Showers Beterbiev With Praise, But Chooses Bivol As David's 175 Dance Partner
Trainer Jose Benavidez Sr. sounded in awe of Artur Beterbiev when asked about his interest in letting his son, David Benavidez, move up to 175 to challenge Artur for his IBF, WBC & WBO light heavyweight titles. It would be impressive for the 27-year-old Benavidez to move up to 175 to take on Beterbiev to show that he’s courageous and willing to take on the best in the division. Interest in a fight between Benavidez & Bivol would be tremendous, especially if the Saudis got behind it.
Malignaggi Decodes Beterbiev's Tactical Masterclass Against Smith
Paulie Malignaggi was impressed with the tactical skills that Artur Beterbiev showed last Saturday night in the title defense of his three light heavyweight belts against Callum Smith in Quebec City, Canada. Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs) used tactics to take Smith (29-2, 21 KOs) apart slowly by backing him up, pounding, and then backing off to give him a sense of confidence.
De La Hoya On Canelo Vs. Munguia: "It'll Be A Huge Mega-fight"
Promoter Oscar De La Hoya hopes that Canelo Alvarez will choose to defend his undisputed super middleweight championship next against highly ranked Golden Boy fighter Jaime Munguia in May if he wins his January 27th clash against John Ryder. De La Hoya maintains that Canelo vs. Munguia will be a “huge mega-fight,” and fans aren’t interested in that match-up. If Canelo faces Munguia in May, the fans will roast him because it would be an obvious example of him cherry-picking another easy mark.
Beterbiev's Knockout Of Smith Forces Bellew To Eat Crow (and Ponder PEDs)
Former world champion Tony Bellew had to eat a bit of crow over his wrong prediction after watching Artur Beterbiev reduce Callum Smith to meteor dust last Saturday night. Still, Bellew was left wondering how the 39-year-old IBF, WBC & WBO light heavyweight champion Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs) was able to drop a fighter who had never been knocked down during his career. Bellew questions whether Beterbiev got help with PEDs to improve his power to turn back the age clock.
McGuigan Backs Smith For Upset Bid Against Beterbiev: Feet And Left Hooks The Keys To Victory
Trainer Shane McGuigan thinks Callum Smith could pull off an upset tonight of undefeated IBF, WBC & WBO light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev in their fight on ESPN in Quebec City. McGuigan feels Beterbeiv (19-0, 19 KOs) will leave his head on the line after throwing one of his right hands, leaving him open to a left hook counter from the powerful Smith (29-1, 21 KOs).
Mind Games Or Truth Bombs? Hearn's Beterbiev Taunts
Fans believe promoter Eddie Hearn is playing mind games, trying to throw unified light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev off his game this week so that his fighter Callum Smith can defeat him, snatch his three titles from him, and face WBA champion Dmitry Bivol for the undisputed championship in Saudi Arabia. Mind Games on Display Matchroom Boxing promoter Hearn talked his head off today about Beterbiev’s atypical VADA test results for his December 6th.
Ryan Garcia's Switch Goes South: De La Hoya Places Davies Into 140-lb Title Mix
Golden Boy Promotions CEO Oscar De La Hoya has thrown cold water on Ryan Garcia’s instructions for him to set a fight between him and WBA light welterweight champion Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero instead of his previous plans to fight Devin Haney for his WBC 140-lb belt. De La Hoya did not mention Ryan’s Tweet today, instructing him to begin putting together a fight with Rolly.
Mayweather's Silence Shrouds Pacquiao Rematch In Mystery: Money Grab Or Phantom Fight?
Floyd Mayweather Jr. hasn’t confirmed Manny Pacquiao’s announcement of an exhibition fight against him in 2024, making some believe that this is a phantom rematch with no chance of happening. No one in Mayweather’s camp has stepped forward to confirm that he’ll be facing Pacquiao. The 46-year-old Pacquiao surprised fans by announcing to them on New Year’s Eve during a Rizin event in Japan that he would be facing the 45-year-old Floyd in an exhibition.
David Benavidez Missing From Ring's Pound-for-pound List
Surprisingly, Ring Magazine’s pound-for-pound list doesn’t include unbeaten former two-time WBC super middleweight champion David Benavidez anywhere in the top ten. It’s a pretty glaring omission to have ‘The Mexican Monster’ Benavidez excluded from the pound-for-pound list after the year that he had. His fighting style is fan-friendly, and he should make the list soon, perhaps next year, if he can continue winning and take on better opposition than the ones he’s been facing.
Andy Ruiz Wants Anthony Joshua Next Following His Win Over Wallin
Andy Ruiz Jr. says he was happy that Deontay Wilder lost to Joseph Parker, and he feels that he could have done a better job against Anthony Joshua than Otto Wallin last Saturday night at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. There’s little chance that Ruiz would have been given the chance to fight Joshua because he’s still rebuilt mentally since his two defeats against Oleksandr Usyk.
Joshua Predicts Knockout, But Should He Play It Safe?
Anthony Joshua says he’s laser-focused for Saturday night, predicting a knockout win over his former sparring partner Otto Wallin in their headliner on the ‘Day of Reckoning’ card in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Joshua is still mentally reeling from his three losses, seeming agitated and disturbed today while talking to the press about his fight this Saturday. The four days in a darkened room didn’t quiet Joshua’s mind because he seemed just as lost as he was before.
Canelo Alvarez Has Right To Dictate Who He Wants To Fight
David Benavidez hasn’t earned the fight with the superstar Canelo Alvarez yet, and the trash-talking that he’s been doing is making it less likely that he’ll get the opportunity, says trainer Abel Sanchez. Coach Sanchez states that undisputed super middleweight Canelo (60-2-2, 39 KOs) is the one calling the shots, and Benavidez needs to back off and focus on calling out Jermall Charlo.
Canelo Alvarez Reacts To Benavidez's Demands, Will Meet With Al Haymon On Monday To Discuss Next Opponent For May
Mexican star Canelo Alvarez met with the media, saying that he’ll meet with Al Haymon of PBC on Monday to discuss his next fight in May. Right now, Canelo (60-2-2, 39 KOs) isn’t sure who he’ll fight next, but he says the three names that have been floated as options for May, he doesn’t know where those came from. When told that David Benavidez says he should vacate his WBC super middleweight title if he doesn’t fight him next May, Canelo said he’s “The King” and he’ll do as he pleases.
Jose Benavidez Sr. Hoping Jermall Charlo Comes In On Weight
Jose Benavidez Sr. says he’s praying that Jermall Charlo makes weight or the 163-lb catchweight clash against his son, Jose Benavidez Jr. this Saturday night at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas. Benavidez Sr. states that Jermall (32-0, 22 KOs) looked big this week, and he feels that might come in over the limit this Friday at the weigh-in. If that’s the case, he says there’s a stiff weight penalty that Jermall will need to pay.
Demetrius Andrade Says He'll Be Elusive Against David Benavidez On Saturday
Demetrius Andrade says he’s going to make it difficult for the ‘Mexican Monster’ David Benavidez to use his high-volume offense against him on Saturday night. (Photo credit: Ryan Hafey/Premier Boxing Champions) Benavidez has got to know that Andrade isn’t going to be stationary on Saturday night like the 27 guys he’s fought in the past.
Jermall Charlo & Jose Benavidez Go At It During Virtual Press Conference
Jose Benavidez Jr. & Jermall Charlo exchanged trash talk today during their virtual press conference to discuss their chief support bout on November 25th on Showtime pay-per-view. Jermall was initially calm & quiet during the beginning of the press conference, but Benavidez Jr. got him angry to the point where he going for the throat with his remarks by the end, promising to do damage to him on November 25th.
Dmitriy Bivol Hoping To Fight Before January, Wants Beterbiev Vs. Smith Winner
WBA light welterweight champion Dmitry Bivol says his management is looking at a couple of names for his next fight, which he hopes will be in December, to get him ready to take on the winner of the Artur Beterbiev vs. Callum Smith fight in January. Bivol has been out of action for almost an entire year due to a hand problem, and he wants to get back in action and face whoever emerges the winner of the Beterbiev-Smith fight on the January 13th match in Quebec City.
Oscar Duarte Confident Of Beating Ryan Garcia On December 2nd In Houston, Texas On DAZN
Oscar Duarte says he will neutralize Ryan Garcia’s left hook and defeat him on December 2nd for their light welterweight contest on DAZN at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. (Photo credit: Golden Boy / Cris Esqueda) Ryan is the favorite in this fight, but Duarte has a real shot at winning if he can land his big power shots to his weak midsection. That’s an area that Gervonta Davis exposed last April when he caused Ryan to quit on one knee in their mega-fight.
Tim Bradley Says Tyson Fury Flawed, Oleksandr Usyk Can Win
Tim Bradley thinks IBF, WBA & WBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk can win his fight with WBC champion Tyson Fury because he has a habit of backing up in straight lines, leaving his ample midsection open for punches. Fury (33-0-1, 24 KOs) leans his long torso backward to make it difficult to hit him to the head and ride with the shots that do get through. However, he leaves his midsection wide and unprotected at all times.
Prograis Expects Haney To Better Than His Last Fight
WBC light welterweight champion Devin Haney thinks that Devin Haney will perform a lot better against him than he did in his last fight against Vasily Lomachenko. Haney (30-0, 15 KOs) faded in the later round, perhaps struggling due to the weight he’d dropped to get down to 135. That problem should go away for Devin now that he’s moving up to 140 to face Prograis, but it might not.
Demetrius Andrade: "Benavidez Is Just Going To Come Forward" Original
Demetrius Andrade believes that WBC interim super middleweight champion David Benavidez is going to be plodding forward all night, walking straight at him, and will be vulnerable to his pinpoint shots on November 25th at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas.
Tim Tszyu Dominates Brian Mendoza In Punishing Victory
Tim Tszyu (24-0, 17 KOs) held onto his WBO junior middleweight title on Saturday night, beating Brian Mendoza (22-3, 16 KOs) by a twelve-round unanimous decision in an entertaining contest throughout. What a chin on Tszyu & Mendoza, as both guys took shots that would have knocked out anyone in the 154-lb division. In the twelfth round, Mendoza hit Tszyu with two right hands that should have put him to sleep, but he took them.
Jermell Charlo Ordered By IBF To Face Bakhram Murtazaliev Next
IBF/WBA/WBC junior middleweight champion Jermell Charlo got some really bad news on Tuesday, with the IBF ordering him to defend against his unbeaten mandatory Bakhram Murtazaliev (21-0, 15 KOs), and he has until November 9th to bang out a deal before a purse bid is order. If Jermell chooses to vacate the IBF belt, Murtazaliev would then fight the next highest-ranked available contender, which in this case would be 38-year-old Jack Culcay.
Leigh Wood Stops Josh Warrington In Seventh Round TKO
The punching power of the bloody & battered & very average-performing WBA featherweight champion Leigh Wood (28-3, 17 KOs) bailed him out on Saturday night, allowing him to come back to TKO challenger Josh Warrington (31-3-1,8 KOs) in round seven at the Sheffield Arena in Sheffield, England.
Hopkins Gives Crawford Bad News: Canelo Fight "ain't Happening"
Bernard Hopkins says Terence Crawford will NOT be getting a fight against Canelo Alvarez because the Mexican star has nothing to gain from fighting him. Crawford would rather fight Canelo for his four belts at 168 rather than defend his newly won undisputed welterweight championship against his IBF mandatory Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, which suggests that he’s looking for a payday. As Hopkins states, the 36-year-old Crawford isn’t 26, and he understands that he wants to get a bag.
Jermell Charlo Didn't Help Canelo Alvarez Prepare For Top Guys
Chris Algieri doesn’t think Jermell Charlo helped Canelo Alvarez at all prepare for the lineup of top guys that are waiting for him at super middleweight. Algieri feels that the lack of resistance that Jermell (35-2-1,19 KOs) made him basically useless to prepare for the top guys that await him at 168, like David Benavidez, Demetrius Andrade, David Morrell Jr., and Caleb Plant.
Jim Lampley Wants Canelo To Fight David Benavidez & Terence Crawford
Jim Lampley wants Canelo Alvarez to fight David Benavidez & Terence Crawford to put himself among the greatest Mexican boxers of all time. The undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo’s impressive victory over Jermell Charlo (35-2-1,19 KOs) last Saturday night makes the former HBO commentator Lampley believe that he’s as good as ever, and he wants to see him take on his WBC mandatory Benavidez and 147-lb undisputed champion Crawford.
Terence Crawford Will Be "more Competitive" With Canelo Than Jermell
Terence Crawford will be “more competitive” against Canelo Alvarez than Jermell Charlo turned out to be last Saturday night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, says Antonio Tarver, Crawford is one of the options for Canelo’s next fight along with David Benavidez, Demetrius Andrade & Jermall Charlo.
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