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Roach Jr. Rivalry Still Burns Hot: Gervonta Davis Brushes Off

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Gervonta Davis

Roach Jr. Rivalry Still Burns Hot: Gervonta Davis Brushes Off Jake Paul Hype – Roach Jr. Rematch Still a Damn Mess

The announcement of the fight between Gervonta Davis and Jake Paul this November in Atlanta shook the boxing world, but it also highlighted an unresolved issue: the long-awaited rematch between Davis and Lamont Roach Jr.. While the matchup against the YouTuber-turned-boxer dominates headlines, within Davis’ camp there’s still the lingering sense that “Tank” hasn’t closed a crucial chapter in his career.

Unfinished Business in Davis’ Career

The first fight between Davis and Roach Jr., held in March, ended in a controversial draw that left fans unconvinced. Since then, it was widely expected that the two would meet again in the ring this year — but the confirmation of the Davis vs. Jake Paul fight changed the script.

READ MORE : World Rankings Drop a Bombshell on Anthony Joshua Ahead of

Even Paul himself admitted months ago that Davis’ rematch with Roach should happen before he got involved. However, the lucrative offer to face “The Problem Child” ultimately tipped the scales.

Anthony Joshua

Still, trainer Barry Hunter made it clear in an interview with Fight Hype that the sequel to Davis vs. Roach is not off the table: “That’s unfinished business. There wasn’t a winner in the first fight, and the fans deserve to see someone come out on top. I’m convinced that fight will happen after Jake Paul.”

Roach Jr., Between the Rematch and a New Horizon

Meanwhile, Roach Jr. voiced his frustration on social media with a sarcastic message and four duck emojis, widely interpreted as a direct jab at Davis for “ducking” him. Despite his annoyance, his camp understands that the fighter must stay active and not rely solely on Tank.

RELATED NEWS : “A Loss Could End the Hype” Ahead of Terence Crawford

In fact, Roach Jr. has already set his sights on a potential showdown with Shakur Stevenson, the current WBC lightweight champion — a fight he sees as an opportunity to cement his career in a second weight class. “The best fight for me and for the division is facing Shakur,” he stated. The message quickly earned Stevenson’s approval online.

Terence Crawford

With these developments, the super featherweight and lightweight divisions are heating up. On one side, fans are clamoring for Davis vs. Roach Jr. II, while the possibility of a Roach vs. Stevenson clash is also gaining momentum. One thing is certain: beyond the media spectacle with Jake Paul, the real sporting intrigue lies in the unfinished business Davis has with his elite-level rivals.

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BOXING

Fury Declares: “Not Every Man Is Built To Be Undefeated Only

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Tyson fury

Fury Declares: “Not Every Man Is Built To Be Undefeated Only The Special Ones” – Tyson Fury

To be a fighter, you have to have a little screw loose,” Tyson Fury says calmly in a chaotic room in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he will soon step back into the ring. His entourage are kicking up a racket but Fury is much more reflective. “Who on earth would want to go and fight against a highly trained athlete, time and time again? You have to be a little bit touched to want to do that.”

On Saturday night, Fury faces Francis Ngannou in a bout which could be the sporting definition of absurdity. Fury is the WBC world heavyweight champion and an indisputably great boxer. Ngannou, in contrast, has never boxed professionally even though he was a dangerous force in mixed martial arts as the former UFC heavyweight champion. So much money has been pumped into this dubious venture that Fury and Ngannou could be lauded as supreme businessmen were it not for the deeply troubling nature of boxing’s sudden veneration for Saudi Arabia.

“My oldest brother, John Boy,” Fury continues, “said to me yesterday: ‘You’re more at home in that ring than your front room. Why is that?’”

READ MORE : “I’ll Break Him Down” – In Explosive Rant Joshua Fires Violent

Fury wears wildly patterned green trousers and a fawn-coloured waistcoat. He is shirtless and he pushes back his green cap as he tries to explain his strange obsession. “I just love everything that comes with this game. From a little boy to being a world champion, it’s always intrigued me. I don’t think there’s anything else where you can get all these emotions in one night. Happiness, sadness, fear, nerves, excitement. Going in there on Saturday night will be, for me, as daunting as going up against Deontay Wilder.”

Anthony Joshua

His epic trilogy with Wilder saw him draw their first fight and win the two other bouts with brutal stoppages. But Fury was knocked down heavily four times across the three fights and, as he says now, “I give every man that gets in that ring 100% respect. But this is my time to shine, my time in the sun, my moment of being heavyweight champion of the world.”

I remind Fury of how, after the third Wilder fight, he leaned over the ropes and wept from the consuming and savage drama of it all. “There are two different types of fighters on this planet,” the 6ft 9in giant says quietly. “One is a man who has a go and he loses, gets chinned again. But there’s a special type that doesn’t know the meaning of losing or saying: ‘That’s enough.’”

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BOXING

“I’ll Break Him Down” – In Explosive Rant Joshua Fires Violent

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Anthony Joshua

“I’ll Break Him Down” – In Explosive Rant Joshua Fires Violent Warning at Tyson Fury

Anthony Joshua hasn’t been seen inside the squared circle since being knocked out by Daniel Dubois last September in London.

He has since been sidelined with an elbow injury that required surgery, but is now back actively training in preparation for a comeback.

His promoter, Eddie Hearn, has said that the former unified heavyweight champion will face a ‘carefully’ matched opponent at the beginning of 2026, before ‘a roll of the dice next summer.’

Joshua’s hiatus from the sport has seen him axed from the IBF heavyweight rankings, having previously held the No. 5 spot, but he is still expected to achieve big things upon his comeback.

READ MORE : “A Loss Could End the Hype” Ahead of Terence Crawford

One fight the Watford powerhouse has always wanted is an all-British clash with Fury, who seemingly reversed his retirement last month and remains Joshua’s top target.

Rumours are gathering pace again that the pair could meet again in 2026, despite Fury currently having alternative plans for his comeback next year.

Terence Crawford

‘AJ’ took to social media on Tuesday with a clear message for his fans, while revealing his stance on a bout with Fury in what is a rare online rant from the 35-year-old Englishman.

“I can’t lie, I’m proud of Joseph Parker,” Joshua’s Instagram story read.

“Even though he is a competitor. Real recognises real. He’s in the game to fight whoever, whenever, and that’s the DNA of a real general.”

RELATED NEWS : Anthony Joshua Vows To Stays Relentless, Pursuing The Fight

“Unlike his dippy mate Tyson Fury. I would dissect his career/record in minutes, but I’ll leave that for a potential gloves-off if he ever comes back and fights Big Femi.

“Fabio Wardley, respect to you as well. Bro was working in recruitment, helping your dad get a job a [couple of] years ago.

“Let that be a testament to God rooting in one’s favour and a statement to show nothing is impossible (if you can have a scrap haha).

Fury has never publicly declared his interest in facing off with ‘AJ’ in the ring, instead opting to call out Oleksandr Usyk for a trilogy, despite suffering two defeats to the Ukrainian last year.

‘The Gypsy King’ suffered a split decision defeat to Usyk in May 2024, before losing on points again in their rematch seven months later.

Anthony joshua

Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh has expressed his desire to see Usyk defend his titles against 20-year-old Brit Moses Itauma next, potentially leaving room for Fury and AJ to meet for a bout over 10 years in the making.

Tony Yoka, who won gold at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, has been named as a potential opponent for Joshua’s next fight, but no official announcement has been made yet.

‘AJ’ has, however, negotiated with YouTuber-turned-professional boxer Jake Paul over a potential crossover clash in early 2026.

Paul is set to meet WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis in November, and has made it clear that he would like to meet Joshua in a David vs Goliath-style fight after.

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BOXING

Eddie Hearn Stirs Controversy: “You Are Not Clean” After Joshua

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Eddie Earn

Eddie Hearn Stirs Controversy: “You Are Not Clean” After Joshua Fires at Fury

Joshua sent an uncharacteristically vocal message to Fury on social media on Tuesday calling for the pair to settle a more than a decade-long rivalry.

Hours after his former opponent Joseph Parker came face-to-face with Fabio Wardley for the first time at a launch press conference in London to announce their October 25 showdown, ‘AJ’ took to social media to praise the New Zealander whilst also taking a swipe at ‘The Gypsy King’.

“I’m proud of Joe Parker, even though he is a competitor,” the 35-year-old said on Instagram

“He’s in the game to fight whoever, whenever and that’s the DNA of a real general. 

“Unlike his dippy mate Tyson Fury.”

READ MORE : “A Loss Could End the Hype” Ahead of Terence Crawford

Fury announced his retirement in January after a second straight loss to Oleksandr Usyk in December.

Terence Crawford

The Morecambe man told media including Pro Boxing Fans in July that he would return for a third fight with the Ukrainian, who reclaimed the undisputed heavyweight crown with a fifth round knockout of Daniel Dubois in July.

However, the 37-year-old appeared to change his mind last month, insisting he would “never” return to the ring.

Joshua was in talks to face YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, but the Ohio man opted to face lightweight champion, Gervonta Davis in what is expected to be an exhibition on November 14 in Atlanta.

RELATED NEWS : Angel Reese Sparks Uproar With Explosive Take on Gervonta

In his most vocal callout to date, the 35-year-old Watford man eyed a long-awaited clash with his countryman.

“I would [discredit] his career/record in minutes, but I’ll leave that for a potential Gloves Are Off if he ever comes back and fights Big Femi [Joshua].

Gervonta Davis

“To my supporters, I’ll be back to lace up my boots and put on my gloves sooner than later, hopefully punching Fury’s head in and dancing round his flicker jab with ease.”

Commenting on Instagram on the callout, Hearn said: “Biggest fight in boxing.

“May 2026 be the year they dance.”

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BOXING

“A Loss Could End the Hype” Ahead of Terence Crawford

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Terence Crawford

“A Loss Could End the Hype” Ahead of Terence Crawford – Canelo Showdown, Says Andre Ward

Undisputed super-middleweight champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez faces Terence Crawford in Las Vegas on Saturday (Sunday 03:00 BST). Here, retired multiple-weight world champion Andre Ward analyses what could be one of the fights of the year.

Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Terence Crawford have got a lot to lose for different reasons. For both men, to lose this fight is not a good look and it’s not going to be good for their legacies.

Do I think their legacies and what they’ve done prior to this should be wiped out with a loss? No, but you know how this goes.

This is the last thing that people are going to remember and it’s the thing that they’re never going to let you forget about.

This is a bona fide once-in-a-generation super-fight.

READ MORE : Eddie Hearn’s ‘Next Anthony Joshua’ Destroys Opponent with

It’s a match-up that commands attention.

Alvarez is the face of boxing and has never been beaten down or dominated. He may have draws and losses on his record, but there are explanations – moving up in weight or nights where he felt he could have got the nod.

Anthony Joshua

He didn’t have an amateur career but learned his craft as a pro, debuting at just 15.

Now 35, he talks as if he wants to continue fighting for another five to ten years, but the signs suggest he is winding down. What’s certain is he won’t want another blemish.

Although Alvarez may be the name most casual fans know, make no mistake – this is no crossroads fight.

Alvarez has more miles on the clock, but Crawford, who turns 38 shortly after the fight, is the older man. He’s been around a long time and had a long amateur career too.

The weight disparity, and what Crawford is attempting – moving up two divisions to chase a third undisputed crown – only adds to the allure.

I’m not a betting man, but it’s hard to bet against Crawford. It’s later than it should have been, but he is finally getting recognition as an all-time great.

RELATED NEWS : “let Move Up” Manny Pacquiao challenges Gervonta Davis with

He has never lost, yet there has to be a blueprint to beat him. Can Alvarez be the one to find it?

When Crawford and Alvarez stand side-by-side, the difference isn’t huge.

Alvarez has been fighting at 168lb for years and knows how to carry it. I don’t know how big he gets when he’s not training. With his stature and frame, there’s a danger of getting too big between camps if he’s not locked in.

Jake Paul Sydney Sweeney Gervonta Davis

Depending on which tale of the tape you look at, Crawford might even have a slight edge in height.

The more significant disparity is reach – Crawford has it by four inches, and it could be crucial. Alvarez will need to work to get inside without being caught by a shot that changes everything.

Even if the size difference isn’t obvious, Crawford will feel the weight on fight night.

Alvarez has been in with natural super-middleweights and that experience matters.

When I moved up to face Sergey Kovalev at light-heavyweight, I didn’t jump straight from 168lb (12st) to 175lb (12st 7lb) – I settled in first, carried that weight in real fights, with ten-ounce gloves, against bigger men.

Crawford doesn’t have that luxury. You’ve got to commend him for stepping straight up.

So yes, the weight will matter. Crawford will have to adjust. But I don’t think it will be the deciding factor if Alvarez does win.

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CELEB NEWS

Amanda Balionis asks Rory McIlroy about happiness and his respo

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Amanda Balionis Rory McIlroy

Amanda Balionis has picked up on a shift in Rory McIlroy’s mental game following his Masters triumph.

All eyes were on McIlroy at the start of the season, with many wondering if he could redeem himself after falling short to Bryson DeChambeau at the U.S. Open and what his overall performance would be like this year. The 35-year-old golfer kicked off the year with a bang, clinching victories in three tournaments, including the prestigious Players Championship and the Masters, joining an elite group of only six players to achieve the career Grand Slam.

McIlroy’s early victories and his apparent conquering of past struggles have led to a noticeable change in his demeanor, something that Balionis observed. In a conversation with the Northern Irishman and his Zurich Classic partner Shane Lowry, the CBS Sports journalist inquired about McIlroy’s current mindset given his impressive start to the season.

Amanda Balionis' Rory McIlroy decision in goodbye to golf post says it all - The Mirror US

JUST IN: Ex-US Open finalist was engaged to Rory McIlroy before he called

“Trevor Immelman said this is the most relaxed and the happiest he’s maybe ever seen you in your career,” she started. Initially, McIlroy responded with a touch of evasion, while Lowry chimed in humorously, suggesting that if McIlroy wasn’t content now, he “never will be.”

But upon reflection, McIlroy acknowledged: “Yeah, look, I mean, after the last couple of weeks and what happened at Augusta, I think coming here, you know, Shane asked me right after the Masters whether I wanted to still play here this week.

“I said, absolutely. It’s such a perfect way to sort of, you know, get back into the swing of things and, you know, being here with my man and trying to defend a title is pretty cool. But yeah, no, we have a lot of fun out there and obviously that was a great way to finish.

As it stands, Lowry and McIlroy are in the thick of it, vying for a top spot as they head into Sunday’s final round in New Orleans. McIlroy has been open about altering his tournament mindset, thanks to guidance from sports psychologist Dr. Bob Rotella.

Before his Masters victory, McIlroy shared insights on his work with Rotella, particularly during last year’s tough times. “The one thing I feel like would help me to get over the line at Augusta was really trying to focus on – we both work with [sports psychologist Dr] Bob Rotella,” he explained.

“But basically, the one thing I try to do after the end of every round is look myself in the mirror and say, ‘That’s how I want to feel when I play golf.’ If that’s my goal for the rest of my career and I can go after every round and I can look in the mirror and I can say that to myself, then the results will take care of themselves.”

With triumphs at the Players Championship and the Masters already in his pocket, it’s evident that McIlroy’s perspective has shifted significantly, a transformation that hasn’t gone unnoticed by Balionis and other golf aficionados who see him playing with a newfound ease.

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CELEB NEWS

Ex-US Open finalist was engaged to Rory McIlroy before he called

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Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy cancelled his wedding to former US Open finalist Caroline Wozniacki just days after sending out invitations. 

McIlroy had been in a relationship with the Danish tennis star for three years before brutally ending things via a phonecall in 2014.

The golfer, who is currently tied for third at the Irish Open, had popped the question to Wozniacki on New Year’s Eve in 2013. The duo were regarded as a sporting power couple, with McIlroy’s golfing triumphs matched by future Australian Open champion Wozniacki, who also made it to the 2009 and 2014 US Open finals. Yet as their big day got closer, McIlroy realised he wasn’t ready to marry Wozniacki. The Times reported that McIlroy had ended their engagement during a brief three-minute conversation, with the golfer later explaining what had triggered his abrupt change of mind.

Rory McIlroy defends brutal way he dumped ex Caroline Wozniacki with 'three-minute call' - The Mirror

READ: Charlie Woods undergoes drastic body transformation as son of gol

“There is no right way to end a relationship that has been so important to two people,” McIlroy said in May 2014, as per the Daily Mail. “The problem is mine.

“The wedding invitations issued at the weekend made me realise that I wasn’t ready for all that marriage entails. I wish Caroline all the happiness she deserves and thank her for the great times we’ve had. I will not be saying anything more about our relationship in any setting.”

Ahead of facing Williams in the 2014 US Open final, Wozniacki gave her version of events: “I was shocked. I thought at least it would be face to face or something but there was nothing. It was a phone call and I didn’t hear from him again,” she told the In Depth with Graham Bensinger show.

“It was very hard because he made it very public from the start. He put out a press release and all of that so it just got put in my face.”

In 2015, McIlroy started dating Erica Stoll, a PGA employee he had met during the 2012 Ryder Cup. The pair became engaged later that year and wed in a ceremony at Ashford Castle in County Mayo in 2017. They welcomed their daughter Poppy in 2020.

Looking back on his previous relationship with Wozniacki, McIlroy revealed why he felt they wouldn’t have been compatible long-term. “I thought at the time that being with someone that was in a similar position to you was the obvious answer,” he told the Irish Independent in 2017.

“But it isn’t, because you can never get away from it. You can never detach yourself and try to come back to the real world.”

The split ultimately proved beneficial for both sporting legends. Wozniacki is now married to former NBA star David Lee, having wed in 2019, and they share three children together.

Last year, McIlroy and Stoll filed for divorce. However, they reconciled in June 2024, with McIlroy telling The Guardian: “Over the past weeks, Erica and I have realised that our best future was as a family together. Thankfully, we have resolved our differences and look forward to a new beginning.”

This year, McIlroy celebrated a career Grand Slam after finally clinching the Masters in April, an event Wozniacki also attended. After initially struggling post-victory, the 36-year-old has shown signs of a return to form at the Irish Open.

On Friday, McIlroy scored six-under-par at the K Club, putting him in contention on seven-under. The Masters champion is currently trailing five shots behind leader Joakim Lagergren, with two rounds left in County Kildare.

Meanwhile, Wozniacki will likely be watching the US Open finals this weekend. Reigning champion Aryna Sabalenka is set to face American Amanda Anisimova for the women’s title tonight, while Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner will vie for the men’s championship on Sunday.

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Why Novak Djokovic set to change retirement plan after private meetings

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Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic will reportedly flee to Greece in his retirement after a falling out with the Serbian government.

The 24-time Grand Slam winner’s father, Srdjan, revealed last year that Djokovic was initially planning on living in Belgrade when he finally calls time on an incredible tennis career.

That’s despite Djokovic owning luxury properties in New York, Monaco and Marbella. Srdjan claimed: “When Novak finishes his tennis career, he will live in his city, Belgrade, his country Serbia. I think there is no greater satisfaction, pride and success than your child spreading the glory of his people and his country all over the world.”

Novak Djokovic Says He Has an 'Up and Down' Relationship with Federer and Nadal

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Djokovic secured a three-bedroom penthouse in New Belgrade in 2018 for a modest $685,000, which overlooks the scenic Lake Pavlova. However, it now appears as though the 38-year-old may opt to relocate to Greece in his retirement after a reported fall-out with the Serbian government. It comes after John McEnroe praised Djokovic’s response to exiting the US Open.

The tennis great has received a wealth of criticism as a result of supporting student-led protests against Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic in December. The protests came about after the collapse of a railway station in Novi Sad a month prior, in which, 16 people tragically lost their lives.

Writing on social media in support of the demonstrations, Djokovic said: “As someone who deeply believes in the power of youth and their desire for a better future, I believe it’s important that their voices are heard. Serbia has enormous potential, and its educated youth is its greatest strength. What we all need is understanding and respect. With you, Novak.”

While Djokovic has not explicitly spoken out against Vucic or the administration, reports from German newspaper NZZ suggest that his actions have led to the Serbian government “setting their sights” on him, while also accusing him of “fleeing to Greece.”

It comes amid claims that Djokovic is considering moving his family to Greece through a Golden Visa programme, with the tennis ace meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis twice as of late. But Djokovic himself has downplayed any confirmation of a permanent move to the country coming to fruition.

Speaking at Wimbledon this summer, Djokovic said: “Obviously, there’s a lot of speculation, but no, at the moment. But who knows what could happen in the future. Yeah, it could happen.”

Meanwhile, Vucic has insisted that there is no ill will toward Djokovic, despite his support of last year’s protests. He told Informer: “I will never say a bad word against him. He can support my opponents, but to say anything bad about him. I never will. It would be bad, stupid. We will defeat that policy in the elections, but I will always cheer for him with all my heart.”

It comes as Djokovic crashed out of the US Open in the semi-finals on Friday at the hands of ATP No. 2, Carlos Alcaraz. While the Serbian has won four of his 24 total Grand Slams stateside, his Spanish opponent proved too hot to handle by emerging victorious in a 6-4 7-6 6-2 clinic.

Sunday’s final was an instant classic between the Spaniard and world No. 1, Jannik Sinner, with Alcaraz clinching the sixth major title of his own career after beating the Italian 6-2 3-6 6-1 6-4.

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Serena Williams showed her true colors with behavior to rival on

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Serena Williams

Taylor Townsend savored a career-defining US Open campaign, advancing to the second week of singles competition and claiming the doubles runner-up spot alongside Katerina Siniakova.

The world No. 1 doubles player shut down critics following a heated exchange with former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko, who accused Townsend of having “no class” and “no education” after their second-round battle.

The journey to the top has been challenging for Townsend, who endured body-shaming from the USTA during her junior years before stepping away from tennis temporarily to welcome her first child, son Adyn Aubrey, in 2021. The American tennis sensation has now disclosed that Serena Williams became an unexpected source of support during her pregnancy, despite the pair not being close friends.

Not How This S**T Works' – Taylor Townsend's Aim to Emulate Serena Williams' Tennis Mom Transformation Comes With a Heavy Price - EssentiallySports

READ: Maria Sharapova gets real on her ‘full-circle moment’ with Serena Williams

The two-time doubles Grand Slam winner shared with The Pivot Podcast, “I got the closest with Serena when I was pregnant.

“I went over to her house and she put a whole Amazon list together for me of all the things that I needed to get for the baby, and like those times were, that was the most conversation I had ever had with her.”

However, Townsend, who battled Williams across both singles and doubles courts during her career, acknowledges that their competitive relationship prevented a genuine friendship from developing.

“It’s honestly surreal for me. It was really cool, especially being able to experience that here. Venus and Serena, you know, I’ve looked up to them for years,” she explained.

“But even for so many years on tour, it was never like a friendship. It was, ‘I’m out here and you’re another piece of competition. If I got to take you, I gotta take you out’.

“There’s an aura where it’s like, when we in this arena, we ain’t friends with buddies, and it’s no faking the funk, you know what I’m saying.”

Townsend has also battled Venus Williams twice during recent weeks. The 45-year-old staged a triumphant comeback in Washington this past July, advancing to the second round in both singles and doubles competition.

Venus teamed up with Hailey Baptiste in doubles, where they fell to eventual champions Townsend and Zhang Shuai. Subsequently, at the recent US Open, top seeds Townsend and Katerina Siniakova defeated Venus and Leylah Fernandez in the quarter-finals.

The elder Williams sister also openly expressed her backing for Townsend following her clash with Ostapenko.

“My thoughts about it? It was a lot of drama. It was a lot of drama. I thought Taylor handled it amazing. I really did,” she said.

“I just thought with her as a mom, how she handled it, her son will be watching. Her son is watching. She handled it with class, a situation that was not so classy. Just moved on and won again.

“So she’s handling it amazing. I’m rooting for her. She’s a wonderful person, a great mum. I hope she can keep going.”

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BOXING

How Jake Paul Drags Sydney Sweeney Into Gervonta Davis Feud

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Jake Paul Sydney Sweeney Gervonta Davis

A whopping 8-inch (20-centimeter) height difference. And the weight? Just forget it.

When he fought Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., Jake Paul tipped the scales at 199.4 pounds. Gervonta Davis, on the other hand, weighed 133.8 pounds when he faced Lamont Roach Jr. on March 1. Yet, the YouTuber-turned-boxer and the lightweight champion are all set for a clash on November 14. At the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, they will headline a Netflix card. It’s a catchweight bout. Still, even for an exhibition, it has attracted considerable attention. Almost verging on skepticism.

But as Queen’s iconic lead singer Freddy Mercury sang, “The Show Must Go On!” Lest the chartbuster’s opening lines, “Empty spaces, what are we living for?” reverberate before even they exchanged jabs, Jake Paul and his team cranked up the hype. And to that end, they roped in a well-known face – 27-year-old Hollywood star Sydney Sweeney.

Sydney Sweeney gained over 30 pounds to play boxer Christy Martin in biopic: 'I was so strong, like crazy strong' | MMA Fighting

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A star-studded voice for Jake Paul vs. Gervonta Davis

“Guys only want one thing… Jake vs. Tank 🍿,” the Instagram post from Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) read. A few details about the upcoming pressers: ” Press conference tour is going down. ⬇️
📍 NYC – Wednesday, Sept 17 | 6PM ET Palladium Theatre 📍 ATL – Thursday, Sept 18 | 6PM ET State Farm Arena.”

So the video has Sydney Sweeney showing up like a genie. “Let’s face it, guys only want one thing,” she says. A collage of Jake Paul and Gervonta Davis‘ clips follows. So far, so good. Only, the video was edited. To begin with, Sweeney’s dialogue and footage actually pertain to the ‘Dr. Squatch Natural Body Wash’ promotional video that was released last October.

It’s an exhibition, a spectacle. Still, the sheer physical mismatch has attracted scathing criticism across the board. ‘USA Today‘ shared the reaction of a top official from the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission (GAEC). “This is the dumbest (expletive) I’ve ever heard. It’s a money grabber, and I’m not OK with that,” he’s reported to have said.

Hence, considering the widespread backlash, it’s understandable that Jake Paul and Tank’s team are taking up the cudgels to hype the duel.

It may be big, but it’s still an exhibition

One only needs to listen to Terence Crawford. The world champion is days short of the momentous clash with Canelo Alvarez. Yet, the noise of the Jake Paul-Gervonta Davis exhibition echoed in his ears as well. Speaking about the matchup, the former undisputed champion said, “I don’t think it’s a real fight. They’re going in to make money. Jake is too big, and if he connects, it could be over quickly.”

“If they’re really going to fight, Jake is too big. Tank won’t be able to get past that jab. This could be over in seconds,” he told the ‘Full Send‘ podcast. Days before, similar thoughts were shared by Tank’s team as well. Comparing the November 14 match with the 1976 mixed fight between Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki, coach Barry Hunter shared how fans love these types of bouts.

Stressing that it’s going to be a ‘good exhibition,’ co-trainer Boog Williams added, “I don’t think it’s going to be what you saw in Tyson and Jake Paul. You know what I’m saying? You know, man, Tyson is a little old in age now, but you know, like, I’ve been seeing Tank spar with bigger guys. So, I think it’ll be—it’s going to be a good one.”

So fans should expect more publicity in the days to come. Even for a non-professional fight, they shouldn’t miss the tussle between a cruiserweight contender and a lightweight title holder.

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