Eddie Hearn names the FIVE fighters who Anthony Joshua could face in comeback fight – after British star was ‘snubbed for Saudi showdown’

Unrivaled did bring a lot for Angel Reese—a lot of attention, an improved game, a mentor in Lisa Leslie, and, well, some unexpected friendships. And now, those friendships are bringing up some interesting stories from the past for us fans. Another one just dropped in the latest episode of Unapologetically Angel, and let’s just say it had a bit of a confession from Lexie Hull—one that also included Cameron Brink and DiJonai Carrington.

A few months ago, who would’ve thought that Reese and Carrington—who seemed like on-court rivals—would be experimenting with makeup together? Or that, Caitlin Clark’s teammate, Hull would be chatting about her Stanford days with Reese, going from teammates to full-on friends? But here we are.

And when Reese recently sat down with Carrington on her podcast, the conversation took an interesting turn. The Sky forward got straight to it, asking Carrington about her college experience. And in a way that only Angel Reese can, she had some thoughts about Stanford’s vibe.

“How was your college experience, though?” she asked. “Like, Stanford—that seems like you just go to school, you go home, and you go to basketball practice, then you go home.”

That’s when Reese dropped that Lexie had already told her what Stanford life was really about. “Lexi told me, like, you basically go there and find your sweetheart,” Reese said. “Cam found hers, Lex found hers…” The Wings star, though? “I didn’t find mine,” she admitted.

But she did find love later. After four years at Stanford, Carrington transferred to Baylor for her final year, where she met WNBA star NaLyssa Smith. The two have been dating since then. Meanwhile, Hull and Brink spent their whole collegiate careers at Stanford.

Hull, who graduated in 2022, met Will Matthiessen—a former player who now works as an analyst. As for Brink, she’s been with Ben Felter since 2021, and the couple just got engaged in September. Felter, also a Stanford alumnus, was a starboard on the Stanford Rowing Team.

But Stanford wasn’t just about finding love for these athletes. It was the foundation of their successful careers in the WNBA. Brink went pro with an NCAA championship, a Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award, and more accolades under her belt. Hull was at her peak in her senior year and it was the time when she received the maximum number of accolades

Carrington helped Stanford win two Pac-12 tournament titles before making her own name in the W. And now, all three—Hull, Carrington, and Brink—are part of Unrivaled. Brink isn’t on the court just yet as she recovers from an ACL injury, but she’s still there, supporting her squad from the sidelines.

Carrington is with Breanna Stewart’s Mist, while Hull and Reese are out there hooping for Rose Club. And what we’ve seen from Angel Reese so far? Yes, we didn’t see that coming.

CELEB NEWS

Simone Biles hints at new adventures after dreamy honeymoon with Jonathan Owens

Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens are proving that their love story is just getting started. After an unforgettable honeymoon in South Africa, the gymnastics icon dropped a mysterious six-word message that has fans buzzing: “Never in one place too long .”

Just weeks after finally embarking on their long-awaited honeymoon on February 15, Biles and Owens treated their followers to a glimpse of their luxurious getaway. From breathtaking landscapes to romantic wine toasts, their honeymoon was nothing short of spectacular. Biles even shared a stunning Instagram photo of herself poolside, captioning it, “What day is it?”-because when you’re in paradise, who needs a calendar?

The couple explored the beauty of South Africa, immersing themselves in luxury and adventure. However, their trip wasn’t just about indulgence. They also visited a regional daycare center founded by Obert, which supports 87 children in need. Biles expressed admiration for the initiative, highlighting their commitment to giving back even while on vacation.

A spontaneous dream of a new home?

With their honeymoon now behind them, Biles and Owens seem eager for their next chapter. The power couple has been inseparable, and it’s clear that their adventure is far from over. Fans are left wondering: where will they go next? One thing is certain-wherever they land, they’ll do it in style and with love.

BOXING

Five incredible fights featuring the likes of Katie Taylor and Claressa Shields for International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day will take place on March 8 and to recognise the incredible contribution made by women in boxing, News has taken a closer look at some of the best women’s fights in recent years.

Headlining huge arenas in marquee battles, the women of boxing have delivered impeccably in the modern era.

There will be more to come in a gripping 2025, as Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano meet in a trilogy fight in July, while Australia star and WBC world featherweight Skye Nicolson battles American Tiara Brown on March 22, Before these contests, we look back at some of the incredible moments we’ve already witnessed in women’s boxing.

he first female fight to headline Madison Square Garden, Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano made history in 2022 as their fight attracted a sellout audience at the home of boxing.

The famous arena, home to some of boxing’s biggest ever nights, was a grand fitting for such an occasion as the two rivals, both evenly matched, provided spectators with one of the best fights of the year.

Taylor overcame a horrific crisis when she appeared to be out on her feet, but she recovered brilliantly to take the verdict on the scorecards via split decision.

The fight won Sports Illustrated’s Fight of the Year and The Ring’s Event of the Year for 2022 and was also nominated for Sports Business Journal’s Event of the Year, a testament to the global reach and power of the event.

With the world still very much gripped by the COVID-19 pandemic, Eddie Hearn’s decision to stage boxing in Matchroom HQ back garden was designed to provide a unique setting staging big fights.

One of those contests was filled with bad blood as Terri Harper and Natasha Jonas, following months of verbal exchanges between them and their respective teams, put on a cracker.

Harper began the bout a huge favourite, but it was clear that Jonas was able to match her all the way from the opening bell. Many believed the Liverpool fighter had done enough to have her arm raised, but the pair could not be separated as the bout was scored a draw.

BOXING

Netflix ‘aggressively’ targeting huge fight between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua after Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson success

THE long-overdue Battle of Britain between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua could end up on Netflix, if The Gypsy King comes out of retirement.

Fury seemingly put the final nail in the coffin of the domestic dust-up in January when he announced his fifth retirement, which came on the back of consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk.

Saud boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh, however, is expected to dangle a gargantuan purse in front of the Wythenshawe warrior to coax him out of retirement.

And if he’s successful, Netflix will make a play to land the broadcast rights for the mammoth melee.

That’s according to Sports Illustrated, who claim the streaming platform is “aggressively moving into boxing’s big event space” and is eager to land Fury vs Joshua.

Netflix dipped their toes into the boxing world last November for Mike Tyson’s controversial comeback fight against Jake Paul.

And they’ve landed the rights for the eagerly anticipated trilogy fight between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano on July 11.

Netflix could part-fund Alalshikh’s financial proposal to Fury in order to land the biggest fight in the history of British boxing.

It will likely take a jaw-dropping figure to convince Fury to lace up his gloves again.

The former WBC heavyweight champion is seemingly content with his latest retirement, with Andy Lee recently saying of his recent chats with his cousin: “He seems very happy.

“[He said], ‘Andy I’m not f****d.’ That’s what he said. ‘I couldn’t be f****d. with it.’ He’s very happy.”

AJ, however, refusing to give up hope of settling his decade-long score with Fury, telling IFL TV: “I feel like it’s the best fight [for me].

“People might say [Joseph] Parker, people might say – I don’t know.

“But I think Fury, commercially, is a great fight and it’s a great man’s fight as well. So I think it makes sense.

“You could say it’s been years in the making. But listen, the heavyweight division has been thriving.

“And why I say it’s probably still a great fight is as I said Parker is, for me, a great story of someone that never gives up.

“And the thing is, there is going to be one winner and one loser.

“And there’s going to be bloodshed. And it ain’t gonna be mine.”

BOXING

Gervonta Davis vs Lamont Roach referee caught in frosty exchange on controversial knockdown

A video has emerged of referee Steve Willis being asked about his controversial call during Gervonta Davis and Lamont Roach’s draw last weekend.

Willis came under fire after failing to score a clear knockdown in the ninth stanza.

Midway through the round, Roach caught Davis with a grazing jab that appeared to compromise his vision.

After eating the shot, Davis dropped down to one knee before making his way over to his corner to have debris wiped from his eye.

By the letter of the law, Willis should have scored a knockdown but after initially administering a count he broke it off and let the action resume.

It was a strange decision from a referee who has an excellent track record in the sport.

Willis has remained silent on the incident since it happened, however, one fan quizzed him on the call while he was going about his day.

“What were you thinking when Tank took the knee,” the man holding the phone asked Willis, who was standing behind a desk at the time of the ambush.

Willis replied: “I can’t speak on that.”

The fan pressed further: “Can’t speak on that? He did some b***** though.”

Willis then reiterated: “I can’t speak on it. I can’t.”

Willis’ decision cost Roach the fight and the WBA lightweight title

In the end, the bout was declared a majority draw, with one judge scoring it 115-113 for Davis, while the other two had it 114-114 even.

A 10-8 round in the ninth would have been enough to edge the decision in Roach’s favour, leading to calls for the result to be overturned.

The New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) declared that a “technical issue” prevented the use of instant replay within the “usual allotted time for review”, so they relied on the referee’s in-ring decision.

Davis revealed that grease from his hair was dripping into his eyes and that is why he took a knee.

The commission did not say that they were looking into changing the outcome of the fight, but the incident is now subject to an official enquiry from the NYSAC.

Roach was understandably frustrated by the call.

“Honestly, I felt like I should’ve won without that being counted a knockdown,” said Roach at his post-fight press conference.

“Look, I ain’t the ref. If he had to wipe sweat out of his eye, he had to wipe sweat out of his eye, but the rules do state if you voluntarily take a knee then that’s an automatic eight count…

“Did ya’ll see me in the ring tell him to keep counting? He started counting, I was like ‘Why you stop?’

“Like, keep counting. But I honestly don’t know. I don’t know, but I can’t go back and change it.”

A rematch will now be pursued to re-write the wrong while Roach’s lawyer has sent the NYSAC a letter requesting the draw be overturned to a win for his client.

BOXING

Claressa Shields Didn’t Hesitate When Asked Is Gervonta Davis ‘Overrated’ After Lamont Roach Draw

Claressa Shields has made her stance on Gervonta Davis clear following his draw with Lamont Roach Jr.

Davis was defending his WBA lightweight title against Roach at the Barclays Center in New York, with ‘Tank’ a huge favourite heading into the bout.

Roach surprised many boxing fans with an impressive performance, giving as good as he got and pushing Davis all the way throughout 12 hard-fought rounds.

Controversy arose in the ninth round when out of nowhere ‘Tank’ voluntarily took a knee, but the referee decided not to give him a count. Davis later revealed it was due to hair grease being in his eyes.

At the end of the fight the scorecards read 115-113 Davis and 114-114 twice, meaning that if a 10-8 round for Roach had been scored in the ninth, it would have been enough to see him crowned the new WBA champion.

Some of boxing’s biggest names have already weighed in on the matter, with multi-weight world champion Claressa Shields now offering her thoughts.

Shields is often regarded as being the best female fighter to ever lace up a pair of gloves, and the ‘GWOAT’ revealed on social media that she disagrees with those claiming that ‘Tank’ is overrated after his performance.

“Not y’all saying Tank is overrated…. We not gonna do that. I believe he had an off night vs a great fighter in Roach. And the arguing with corner and grease in his hair didn’t help. Draw or not, Tank still a bad man. Be smooth though.”

The drama surrounding the Davis and Roach fight may not be over yet, after it was announced that the New York State Athletic Commission is investigating how the ninth round unfolded, with a potential change of result not ruled out but an immediate rematch more likely.

BOXING

Rebeca Andrade Chosen Over Simone Biles as Brazilian Rival Is Named for Prestigious Global Honor

Not once or twice, Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade tore her ACL thrice. The first of those happened in 2015 when Rebeca had to miss the World Championships that year. She came back in 2016 and helped Brazil to qualify for the Olympics. 2017 was supposed to be her year when she came to the World Championships as one of the main contenders for an all-around medal. However, she re-injured the same ACL while in Montreal and had to withdraw from the competition.

In 2018, she was still recovering from that injury and could not compete in the all-around at Worlds. She came back to the all-around in the beginning of 2019 and earned a massive 56.932 score at the DTB-Pokal Team Challenge. However, the season was cut short after she sustained another ACL injury (to the same knee) during her floor routine in qualification at the Brazilian Nationals. She needed another surgery to repair the ligament and was scheduled to return to training in about six months, which took her out of Worlds, jeopardizing Brazil’s chances of qualifying in the Tokyo Olympics.

But Rebeca was not the one to back out. The qualification eventually came at a do-or-die Pan American Championships in June 2021. “I’ve overcome a lot of things and each time I overcame something tough, I was more determined to come back, I wanted to win even more. And I believe it won’t be different,” Rebeca had said about coming back repeatedly. The valiant effort did not go in vain as she picked up the vault gold in Tokyo. But there was a little something that probably remained unattained there.

Simone Biles had withdrawn from the competition for her ‘twisties.’ So Rebeca had that so-called unfinished business at her hand in Paris. This time, she held off the GOAT, picking up the gold medal in the floor exercise routine. Now, seven months after her heroics in Paris, Rebeca stands on the verge of having a huge recognition for all she has done make her way through the debacles.

BOXING

World Boxing Chief calls out Mike Tyson and Jake Paul raising concerns Over Safety in Influencer Boxing Events

World Boxing (WB) President Boris van der Vorst has expressed concerns about the safety of participants in influencer boxing events, such as the high-profile bout between YouTube star Jake Paul and former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson. While acknowledging the appeal of such events to new audiences, Van Der Vorst emphasized the need for stricter safety measures to protect fighters.

Van Der Vorst highlighted the risks associated with influencer boxing matches, particularly when proper precautions are not taken. “Such fights are nice for newer audiences, but the safety of the boxers is a big question,” he told The Indian Express. He pointed to his own experience organizing a smaller influencer boxing event in the Netherlands, where thicker gloves and headgear were used to ensure safety.

The comments come in the wake of the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson fight, which took place in November 2024 after being postponed due to Tyson’s health issues. The 58-year-old boxing legend had suffered an ulcer ailment, raising further questions about the safety protocols in such events.

BOXING

Claressa Shields suspended pending investigation into positive marijuana test after victory over Danielle Perkins

Claressa Shields, one of the biggest stars of women’s boxing, has been handed a suspension by the Michigan Unarmed Combat Commission pending an investigation into a positive marijuana test following her February victory over Danielle Perkins. Shields said on social media: “I’m not SUSPENDED from boxing, I’m not stripped of my titles. I’m just waiting. Also I can’t defend a lie!”

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Claressa Shields has been suspended by the Michigan Unarmed Combat Commission following a positive marijuana test.

Shields, who historically became the only boxer to hold undisputed status in three weight classes, has been placed under investigation for the positive test which followed her victory over heavyweight Danielle Perkins in Michigan on February 3.

“Ms. Shields’ conduct as a licensed professional boxer constitutes an immediate threat to the integrity of professional boxing, the public interest and the welfare and safety of professional athletes,” the Michigan Commission said on Thursday.

Marijuana is banned in-competition by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The World Boxing Organization (WBO), meanwhile, does not have the power to suspend boxers, but has requested a “show notice” from Shields, asking the 29-year-old to explain the positive test.

Shields took to social media to respond to the news, saying on X: “On my soul can’t nobody tarnish my image. It’s a temporary suspension til I go to trial for this very small amount of marijuana.

“I’m not SUSPENDED from boxing, I’m not stripped of my titles. I’m just waiting. Also I can’t defend a lie! Do your research!”

Shields and Perkins would have been subject to drug tests conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (VADA) for their February bout, and the positive returned test was from an “oral fluid sample”.

The Michigan Commission’s investigation has opened an investigation to consider whether Shields should face disciplinary action.

The American, who became an Olympic champion at the age of just 17, is widely considered the biggest star of women’s boxing, after bursting onto the scene with her stunning middleweight gold at London 2012.

She went on to claim every major world title in three different weight classes, and is currently undefeated in 16 fights.

BOXING

Eddie Hearn names the FIVE fighters who Anthony Joshua could face in comeback fight – after

Eddie Hearn names the FIVE fighters who Anthony Joshua could face in comeback fight – after British star was ‘snubbed for Saudi showdown’

Eddie Hearn has revealed the five fighters who could face Anthony Joshua as the heavyweight star looks to return to the boxing ring later this year.

The 35-year-old has not fought since his comprehensive loss to Daniel Dubois last year, where was knocked out by his compatriot in front of 96,000 fans at Wembley.

In a turn of events, last month, he was tipped to step in and replace Dubois after he fell ill and was forced to pull out of his bout against Joseph Parker in Riyadh.

Reports claimed at the time that Joshua was not considered as a late replacement option for Dubois, despite being in Riyadh at the time.

Perhaps that’s because he already has his sights on another bout after promoter Hearn revealed the five-name shortlist of boxers who could face Joshua.

Speaking ‘Daniel Dubois still [is the frontrunner]. In an ideal world, he will fight [Tyson] Fury, if not Dubois.

‘There is also Joseph Parker, who I think would be a great fight, there is Agit Kabayel and Deontay Wilder, obviously [Turki Alalshikh] has stated he would love to see that fight.

‘I guess the [Martin] Bakole fight is still there, but he would probably get criticised if he fought Bakole, so less likely.’

The potential fight that would generate the most interest among British fans is undoubtedly Joshua vs Fury.

But Fury announced his retirement last month with immediate effect on the heels of his second defeat by Usyk in December of last year.

Last month, Joshua gave an intriguing reply when asked about his future in the ring when he was interviewed ringside at the Beterviev vs Bivol II card.

When questioned on his future, Joshua said: ‘More fights, this is my life, this is what I do. Right now I sit outside and I watch and then I’ll make my return one day.

‘I sit back as a fan and watch the great people in the sport I love.’

Joshua, 35, won the first 22 fights of his professional career, before losing his WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight titles in a shock defeat by Andy Ruiz Junior in June 2019.

The Watford-born fighter bounced back by beating Ruiz in a rematch six months later but he has since lost twice to Oleksandr Usyk, before being knocked out by Daniel Dubois in his most recent fight in September last year.

Joshua won four fights against relatively easier opposition between his rematch defeat by Usyk and last year’s loss to Dubois.