Jake Paul vs. Ben Askren: date, time, how to watch, background

Jake Paul vs. Ben Askren: date, time, how to watch, background.

youtube personality jake paul is set to face an acutal fighter — former wrestler and mma star ben askren — for the first time saturday in atlanta.

***

JAKE PAUL (2-0, 2 KOs) VS.
BEN ASKREN (debut)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VZlTCLPVEY

  • Date: Saturday, April 17
  • Time: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
  • TV/Stream: PPV and FITE
  • Cost: Live stream on FITE.TV and TrillerFightClub.com, as well as traditional pay-per-view for $49.99.
  • Division: Cruiserweight (eight rounds)
  • At stake: No titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Even (BetMGM)
  • Also on the card: Regis Prograis vs. Ivan Redkach, junior welterweights; Steve Cunningham vs. Frank Mir, heavyweights
  • Prediction: Askren KO 3
  • Background: Paul, the YouTube personality who fancies himself a legitimate boxer, will take on his third consecutive opponent with no boxing experience. This one is a little different, though. Askren is a real, seasoned fighter, albeit as a mixed martial artist. The former amateur wrestler isn’t known for his striking but he has considerable experience in the octogen, where he enjoyed success. He won multiple titles and reportedly finished with a record of 19-2 (with one no-contest). To his credit, Paul seems to be taking his boxing career – such as it is – seriously. He reportedly trains hard and takes pride in his progress. We’ll see whether that’s enough to overcome a genuine warrior. In a real fight on the card, junior welterweight contender Regis Prograis (25-1, 21 KOs) will face Ivan Redkach (23-5-1, 18 KOs) in a 10-round bout. Prograis rebounded from his majority decision loss to Josh Taylor in 2019, which cost him his world title, by stopping Juan Heraldez in three rounds last October. Redkach (23-5-1, 18 KOs) last fought in January of last year, when he lost a wide decision to Danny Garcia at 147 pounds.

[lawrence-related id=17553,17333,15857] 

Jake Paul vs. Ben Askren: date, time, how to watch, background

Jake Paul vs. Ben Askren: date, time, how to watch, background.

youtube personality jake paul is set to face an acutal fighter — former wrestler and mma star ben askren — for the first time saturday in atlanta.

***

JAKE PAUL (2-0, 2 KOs) VS.
BEN ASKREN (debut)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VZlTCLPVEY

  • Date: Saturday, April 17
  • Time: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
  • TV/Stream: PPV and FITE
  • Cost: Live stream on FITE.TV and TrillerFightClub.com, as well as traditional pay-per-view for $49.99.
  • Division: Cruiserweight (eight rounds)
  • At stake: No titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Even (BetMGM)
  • Also on the card: Regis Prograis vs. Ivan Redkach, junior welterweights; Steve Cunningham vs. Frank Mir, heavyweights
  • Prediction: Askren KO 3
  • Background: Paul, the YouTube personality who fancies himself a legitimate boxer, will take on his third consecutive opponent with no boxing experience. This one is a little different, though. Askren is a real, seasoned fighter, albeit as a mixed martial artist. The former amateur wrestler isn’t known for his striking but he has considerable experience in the octogen, where he enjoyed success. He won multiple titles and reportedly finished with a record of 19-2 (with one no-contest). To his credit, Paul seems to be taking his boxing career – such as it is – seriously. He reportedly trains hard and takes pride in his progress. We’ll see whether that’s enough to overcome a genuine warrior. In a real fight on the card, junior welterweight contender Regis Prograis (25-1, 21 KOs) will face Ivan Redkach (23-5-1, 18 KOs) in a 10-round bout. Prograis rebounded from his majority decision loss to Josh Taylor in 2019, which cost him his world title, by stopping Juan Heraldez in three rounds last October. Redkach (23-5-1, 18 KOs) last fought in January of last year, when he lost a wide decision to Danny Garcia at 147 pounds.

[lawrence-related id=17553,17333,15857] 

Fight Week: Spotlight on Demetrius Andrade, Tony Harrison, Jake Paul

Fight Week: The spotlight is on Demetrius Andrade, Tony Harrison and Jake Paul this Saturday.

FIGHT WEEK

demetrius andrade, tony harrison and youtube personality jake paul all make their returns to the ring in separate locations on a busy saturday night.

***

JAKE PAUL (2-0, 2 KOs) VS.
BEN ASKREN (debut)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VZlTCLPVEY

  • When: Saturday, April 17
  • Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
  • TV/Stream: PPV and FITE
  • Division: Cruiserweight (eight rounds)
  • At stake: No titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Even (BetMGM)
  • Also on the card: Regis Prograis vs. Ivan Redkach, junior welterweights; Steve Cunningham vs. Frank Mir, heavyweights
  • Prediction: Askren KO 3
  • Background: Paul, the YouTube personality who fancies himself a legitimate boxer, will take on his third consecutive opponent with no boxing experience. This one is a little different, though. Askren is a real, seasoned fighter, albeit as a mixed martial artist. The former amateur wrestler isn’t known for his striking but he has considerable experience in the octogen, where he enjoyed success. He won multiple titles and reportedly finished with a record of 19-2 (with one no-contest). To his credit, Paul seems to be taking his boxing career – such as it is – seriously. He reportedly trains hard and takes pride in his progress. We’ll see whether that’s enough to overcome a genuine warrior. In a real fight on the card, junior welterweight contender Regis Prograis (25-1, 21 KOs) will face Ivan Redkach (23-5-1, 18 KOs) in a 10-round bout. Prograis rebounded from his majority decision loss to Josh Taylor in 2019, which cost him his world title, by stopping Juan Heraldez in three rounds last October. Redkach (23-5-1, 18 KOs) last fought in January of last year, when he lost a wide decision to Danny Garcia at 147 pounds.

[lawrence-related id=17553,17333,15857]

 ***

DEMETRIUS ANDRADE (29-0, 18 KOs) VS.
LIAM WILLIAMS (23-2-1, 18 KOs)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMEIKnCwt_U&t=18s

  • When: Saturday, April 17
  • Where: Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, Fla.
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Division: Middelweight
  • At stake: Andrade’s WBO title
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Andrade 2½-1 favorite
  • Also on the card: Carlos Gongora vs. Christopher Pearson, super middleweights; Mahammadrasul Majidov vs. Andrey Fedosov, heavyweights
  • Prediction: Andrade UD
  • Background: Andrade will be making the fourth defense of the 160-pound title he won by nearly shutting out Walter Kautondokwa in October 2018. However, the talented Rhode Islander has yet to face a top-tier opponent at or near his weight. It’s not for lack of trying. He has called out everyone from Canelo Alvarez to Gennadiy Golovkin to Jermall Charlo and nothing has come from it. Enter Williams. The 28-year-old Welshman doesn’t have the name recognition of the champions mentioned above but he is no pushover. He has won seven consecutive fights since losing back-to-back outings against Liam Smith in 2017, the first as a result of a cut and the second a majority decision. He last fought in October, when he stopped Andrew Robinson in one round. Perhaps just as important as notching the wins, he seems to have improved considerably since the setbacks. That said, he has never tangled with anyone at Andrade’s level. We’re going to learn a lot about Williams in this fight. Andrade is coming off a ninth-round knockout of Luke Keeler in January of last year.

[lawrence-related id=5717,14611]

***

TONY HARRISON (28-3, 21 KOs) VS.
BRYANT PERRELLA (17-3, 14 KOs)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvKpmK_-Wg4

  • When: Saturday, April 17
  • Where: Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall, Los Angeles
  • TV/Stream: Fox
  • Division: Junior middleweight
  • At stake: No titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: NA
  • Also on the card: Omar Juarez vs. Jessie Roman, junior welterweights; Vito Mielnicki Jr. vs. James Martin, welterweights
  • Prediction: Harrison UD
  • Background: Harrison and Perrella will both be trying to bounce back from devastating losses. Harrison was stopped in the 11th round of his rematch with Jermell Charlo in December 2019, which cost him the 154-pound title he won by outpointing Charlo a year earlier. Perrella suffered a heartbreaking setback against Abel Ramos in February of last year, when he was stopped with one second remaining in a fight he was winning on the cards. Harrison is the more accomplished of the two but both of them are good, experienced boxers with some pop in their punches. One possible advantage for Harrison: Perrella will be fighting for the first time as a full-fledged 154-pounder, although he has said he had a terrible time making the 147-pound limit. Perrella began working with Roy Jones Jr. after the loss to Ramos, which he says has been a tremendous learning experience. He believes fans will see a much improved fighter on Saturday. Meanwhile, Harrison will be working for the first time without his father, Ali Salaam, who died a year ago. He’s now trained by his brother, L.J. Harrison.

[lawrence-related id=19259,9247,8404,4362,6231]

Also fighting this week: Fabio Turchi (18-1, 13 KOs) of Italy faces Dylan Bregeon (11-0-1, 3 KOs) of France in a 12-round cruiserweight fight on Friday in Milan (DAZN). Also on Friday, in Monterrey, Mexico, Miami-based featherweight prospect Neslan Machado (17-0, 8 KOs) of Cuba takes on Brandon Romero (11-1-1, 6 KOs) of Mexico in a scheduled 10-round bout (ESPN+).

Fight Week: Spotlight on Demetrius Andrade, Tony Harrison, Jake Paul

Fight Week: The spotlight is on Demetrius Andrade, Tony Harrison and Jake Paul this Saturday.

FIGHT WEEK

demetrius andrade, tony harrison and youtube personality jake paul all make their returns to the ring in separate locations on a busy saturday night.

***

JAKE PAUL (2-0, 2 KOs) VS.
BEN ASKREN (debut)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VZlTCLPVEY

  • When: Saturday, April 17
  • Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
  • TV/Stream: PPV and FITE
  • Division: Cruiserweight (eight rounds)
  • At stake: No titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Even (BetMGM)
  • Also on the card: Regis Prograis vs. Ivan Redkach, junior welterweights; Steve Cunningham vs. Frank Mir, heavyweights
  • Prediction: Askren KO 3
  • Background: Paul, the YouTube personality who fancies himself a legitimate boxer, will take on his third consecutive opponent with no boxing experience. This one is a little different, though. Askren is a real, seasoned fighter, albeit as a mixed martial artist. The former amateur wrestler isn’t known for his striking but he has considerable experience in the octogen, where he enjoyed success. He won multiple titles and reportedly finished with a record of 19-2 (with one no-contest). To his credit, Paul seems to be taking his boxing career – such as it is – seriously. He reportedly trains hard and takes pride in his progress. We’ll see whether that’s enough to overcome a genuine warrior. In a real fight on the card, junior welterweight contender Regis Prograis (25-1, 21 KOs) will face Ivan Redkach (23-5-1, 18 KOs) in a 10-round bout. Prograis rebounded from his majority decision loss to Josh Taylor in 2019, which cost him his world title, by stopping Juan Heraldez in three rounds last October. Redkach (23-5-1, 18 KOs) last fought in January of last year, when he lost a wide decision to Danny Garcia at 147 pounds.

[lawrence-related id=17553,17333,15857]

 ***

DEMETRIUS ANDRADE (29-0, 18 KOs) VS.
LIAM WILLIAMS (23-2-1, 18 KOs)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMEIKnCwt_U&t=18s

  • When: Saturday, April 17
  • Where: Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, Fla.
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Division: Middelweight
  • At stake: Andrade’s WBO title
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Andrade 2½-1 favorite
  • Also on the card: Carlos Gongora vs. Christopher Pearson, super middleweights; Mahammadrasul Majidov vs. Andrey Fedosov, heavyweights
  • Prediction: Andrade UD
  • Background: Andrade will be making the fourth defense of the 160-pound title he won by nearly shutting out Walter Kautondokwa in October 2018. However, the talented Rhode Islander has yet to face a top-tier opponent at or near his weight. It’s not for lack of trying. He has called out everyone from Canelo Alvarez to Gennadiy Golovkin to Jermall Charlo and nothing has come from it. Enter Williams. The 28-year-old Welshman doesn’t have the name recognition of the champions mentioned above but he is no pushover. He has won seven consecutive fights since losing back-to-back outings against Liam Smith in 2017, the first as a result of a cut and the second a majority decision. He last fought in October, when he stopped Andrew Robinson in one round. Perhaps just as important as notching the wins, he seems to have improved considerably since the setbacks. That said, he has never tangled with anyone at Andrade’s level. We’re going to learn a lot about Williams in this fight. Andrade is coming off a ninth-round knockout of Luke Keeler in January of last year.

[lawrence-related id=5717,14611]

***

TONY HARRISON (28-3, 21 KOs) VS.
BRYANT PERRELLA (17-3, 14 KOs)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvKpmK_-Wg4

  • When: Saturday, April 17
  • Where: Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall, Los Angeles
  • TV/Stream: Fox
  • Division: Junior middleweight
  • At stake: No titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: NA
  • Also on the card: Omar Juarez vs. Jessie Roman, junior welterweights; Vito Mielnicki Jr. vs. James Martin, welterweights
  • Prediction: Harrison UD
  • Background: Harrison and Perrella will both be trying to bounce back from devastating losses. Harrison was stopped in the 11th round of his rematch with Jermell Charlo in December 2019, which cost him the 154-pound title he won by outpointing Charlo a year earlier. Perrella suffered a heartbreaking setback against Abel Ramos in February of last year, when he was stopped with one second remaining in a fight he was winning on the cards. Harrison is the more accomplished of the two but both of them are good, experienced boxers with some pop in their punches. One possible advantage for Harrison: Perrella will be fighting for the first time as a full-fledged 154-pounder, although he has said he had a terrible time making the 147-pound limit. Perrella began working with Roy Jones Jr. after the loss to Ramos, which he says has been a tremendous learning experience. He believes fans will see a much improved fighter on Saturday. Meanwhile, Harrison will be working for the first time without his father, Ali Salaam, who died a year ago. He’s now trained by his brother, L.J. Harrison.

[lawrence-related id=19259,9247,8404,4362,6231]

Also fighting this week: Fabio Turchi (18-1, 13 KOs) of Italy faces Dylan Bregeon (11-0-1, 3 KOs) of France in a 12-round cruiserweight fight on Friday in Milan (DAZN). Also on Friday, in Monterrey, Mexico, Miami-based featherweight prospect Neslan Machado (17-0, 8 KOs) of Cuba takes on Brandon Romero (11-1-1, 6 KOs) of Mexico in a scheduled 10-round bout (ESPN+).

Errol Spence Jr. vs. Danny Garcia moved to Dec. 5 at AT&T Stadium

The Errol Spence Jr.-Danny Garcia fight has been pushed back to Dec. 5 and will take place with fans in attendance at AT&T Stadium.

Errol Spence Jr.’s title defense against Danny Garcia will be a home game for Spence.

The pay-per-view fight has been pushed back to Dec. 5 – from the original Nov. 21 – and will take place with fans in attendance at AT&T Stadium outside Dallas, Spence’s hometown, it was announced Thursday.

Organizers didn’t say how many fans will be allowed into the venue.

Spence defeated Mikey Garcia in the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium in March of last year. Manny Pacquiao fought there twice.

Spence (26-0, 21 KOs) is coming off a split-decision title-unification victory over Shawn Porter in in September of last year. The following month he was involved in a horrific car accident but walked away without major injuries.

“Having my comeback fight be in front of my hometown fans at AT&T Stadium is added motivation and a dream come true,” Spence said. “It means even more because I’m going up against a great champion in Danny Garcia.

“I know people are looking out to see if I’ve lost a step or won’t be at my best, but I’m 100% focused and everything is on point in training camp. I just can’t wait to go out there on December 5 and put on a show.”

Garcia (36-2, 21 KOs) is a former junior welterweight and welterweight titleholder. He last fought in January, when he easily outpointed Ivan Redkach.

“I’m very excited to get back in the ring,” Garcia said. “This is going to be my second fight of 2020, even though it’s been a crazy year with the pandemic and everything. I’m glad we’re finally getting back to where we were and that we’ll be able to bring this fight to the fans.

“This matchup is a mega-fight unification bout. It’s my opportunity to reclaim my spot at the top in this division and become a five-time world champion. Training and sparring has been going really well.

“I’m extremely prepared for this already and it can’t get here soon enough. Come December 5, I will be crowned unified champion!”

Also on the card, Sebastian Fundora (15-0-1, 10 KOs) will face Jorge Cota (30-4, 27 KOs) in a junior middleweight title eliminator, Josesito Lopez (37-8, 20 KOs) will take on Francisco Santana (25-8-1, 12 KOs ) in a welterweight bout, and Julio Ceja (32-4-1, 28 KOs) will fight Eduardo Ramirez (23-2-3, 10 KOs) in a featherweight title eliminator.

AT&T Stadium is in Arlington, Texas.

[lawrence-related id=13790,12581,12397]

Errol Spence Jr. vs. Danny Garcia moved to Dec. 5 at AT&T Stadium

The Errol Spence Jr.-Danny Garcia fight has been pushed back to Dec. 5 and will take place with fans in attendance at AT&T Stadium.

Errol Spence Jr.’s title defense against Danny Garcia will be a home game for Spence.

The pay-per-view fight has been pushed back to Dec. 5 – from the original Nov. 21 – and will take place with fans in attendance at AT&T Stadium outside Dallas, Spence’s hometown, it was announced Thursday.

Organizers didn’t say how many fans will be allowed into the venue.

Spence defeated Mikey Garcia in the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium in March of last year. Manny Pacquiao fought there twice.

Spence (26-0, 21 KOs) is coming off a split-decision title-unification victory over Shawn Porter in in September of last year. The following month he was involved in a horrific car accident but walked away without major injuries.

“Having my comeback fight be in front of my hometown fans at AT&T Stadium is added motivation and a dream come true,” Spence said. “It means even more because I’m going up against a great champion in Danny Garcia.

“I know people are looking out to see if I’ve lost a step or won’t be at my best, but I’m 100% focused and everything is on point in training camp. I just can’t wait to go out there on December 5 and put on a show.”

Garcia (36-2, 21 KOs) is a former junior welterweight and welterweight titleholder. He last fought in January, when he easily outpointed Ivan Redkach.

“I’m very excited to get back in the ring,” Garcia said. “This is going to be my second fight of 2020, even though it’s been a crazy year with the pandemic and everything. I’m glad we’re finally getting back to where we were and that we’ll be able to bring this fight to the fans.

“This matchup is a mega-fight unification bout. It’s my opportunity to reclaim my spot at the top in this division and become a five-time world champion. Training and sparring has been going really well.

“I’m extremely prepared for this already and it can’t get here soon enough. Come December 5, I will be crowned unified champion!”

Also on the card, Sebastian Fundora (15-0-1, 10 KOs) will face Jorge Cota (30-4, 27 KOs) in a junior middleweight title eliminator, Josesito Lopez (37-8, 20 KOs) will take on Francisco Santana (25-8-1, 12 KOs ) in a welterweight bout, and Julio Ceja (32-4-1, 28 KOs) will fight Eduardo Ramirez (23-2-3, 10 KOs) in a featherweight title eliminator.

AT&T Stadium is in Arlington, Texas.

[lawrence-related id=13790,12581,12397]

Report: Errol Spence Jr. vs. Danny Garcia set for this fall

Errol Spence Jr. will defend his welterweight title this fall against former two-division beltholder Danny Garcia, The Athletic reported.

Well, Errol Spence Jr. isn’t taking a tune-up fight following his horrific car accident this past October.

Spence will defend his welterweight title this fall against former two-division beltholder Danny Garcia, the fighter he was expected to face in January, according to The Athletic. The original date became moot after the single-car crash in Dallas.

The fight this fall would be televised on Fox Pay-Per-View. No specific date or site was mentioned.

Spence (26-0, 21 KOs) has said he’s fully recovered and back in training, which is miraculous given the severity of the crash. The only thing he hasn’t been able to do is spar as a result of losing teeth in the accident.

Spence is coming off a sensational split-decision victory over Shawn Porter in September.

“I have no restrictions in my training except sparring,” Spence said on the “All The Smoke” podcast, which is available on Showtime Sports’ YouTube channel. “I can’t spar yet because I got my teeth knocked out. And they put two posts in my mouth, well, three posts in my mouth. And I’m waiting on them to heal.

“And once they heal, then I’ll get my permanent teeth. And then I’ll be able to spar.”

He added: “In all actuality, this pandemic has really been helping me out a lot, yeah, basically [with] recovery and just taking my time to get back. But I’m already back. I’m 100 percent. I went to a facility in Cleveland, where they checked me out, checked my brain, gave me MRIs and things like that, and everything went well.

“So everything’s been going good. I think I’m 100 percent healthy and in shape.”

Spence obviously has respect for Garcia, who has held titles at both junior welterweight and welterweight.

“Danny Garcia, he’s a very tough fighter,” he said on the Premier Boxing Champions Instagram account. “He’s a guy that’s accomplished a lot in the sport of boxing. And that’s a fight that really makes sense … it’s a fight that can definitely happen next.”

Garcia (36-2, 21 KOs) hasn’t held a title since he lost his 147-pound belt to Keith Thurman by a split decision in March 2017. He then lost a close decision to Shawn Porter for a vacant title in September 2018. The 32-year-old Philadelphian has since beaten Adrian Granados and Ivan Redkach.

Garcia likes his chances against Spence.

“I feel it’s a great style for me,” Garcia said on The PBC Podcast. “Porter hit him a lot. I’ve seen things in the Mikey Garcia fight that I could definitely take advantage of and defeat him.”

Manny Pacquiao plans to return to ring in June or July

Manny Pacquiao representative Sean Gibbons told ESPN that the titleholder plans to fight in the summer, against three potential opponents.

Welterweight titleholder Manny Pacquiao will return to the ring later this summer, and it won’t involve Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Sean Gibbons, Pacquiao’s chief representative, told ESPN on Wednesday that the plan is for the Filipino star to fight in “June or July.” The current shortlist of opponents Pacquiao is considering includes titleholder Errol Spence Jr., Shawn Porter and Danny Garcia.

Spence might be a long shot given that the Texan is coming off a gruesome car crash last October. He stated in December that he expects to fight again in the summer. Porter’s last fight was title-unification loss to Spence last September. And Garcia outpointed Ivan Redkach in January. Garcia’s father and trainer told Boxing Junkie that they would move on from a Pacquiao fight if they aren’t given a concrete answer by the end of this month.

As for Mayweather, Gibbons shot down that possibility. “’Mayweather told us, ‘I’m retired, I’m not fighting,’” Gibbons sai

Mayweather has repeatedly hinted that he plans to return to the ring in 2020, most likely in some kind of crossover bout in collaboration with the UFC’s Dana White.

Gibbons added that Pacquiao expects to fight more than once in 2020, even with the potential late start.

Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs) had a late-career banner year in 2019, in which he defeated Adrien Broner and Keith Thurman, both of whom are considered elite welterweights in their prime.

NYSAC comes down hard on Ivan Redkach for biting Danny Garcia: report

The NYSAC has come down hard on Ivan Redkach for biting Danny Garcia on the shoulder in their welterweight fight last Saturday in Brooklyn.

The New York State Athletic Commission reportedly has bitten back.

The NYSAC has come down hard on Ivan Redkach for biting Danny Garcia on the shoulder in the eighth round of their welterweight fight last Saturday at Barclay’s Center on Showtime, according to SB Nation.

A spokesperson said Redkach has been fined $10,000, suspended for one year and forfeited his purse. The California-based Ukrainian can appeal at a formal hearing if he chooses.

Redkach was behind on the cards when, according to Garcia, he said “Mike Tyson” and then bit Garcia’s shoulder. Garcia immediately told referee Benjy Esteves what happened but later seemed to take Redkach’s strange behavior in stride.

In fact, Garcia hugged Redkach after the fight – which Garcia won by a unanimous decision – as if nothing had happened.

“He bit me. He said, ‘Mike Tyson,’ when he bit me,” Garcia said in a post-fight interview, chuckling. “That’s the first time ever getting bit in a fight. Things happen, though.”

Redkach also behaved afterward as if he hadn’t crossed a line. When Garcia was being interviewed, he simply walked over to Garcia and cordially thanked him for the fight.

Danny Garcia wants Spence or Pacquiao but won’t wait forever

Danny Garcia’s father and trainer Angel Garcia wants an answer from Errol Spence or Manny Pacquiao by the end of February.

After a dominating 12-round victory over Ivan Redkach, Danny Garcia can set his sights on a big fight later this year, ideally with either Manny Pacquiao or Errol Spence Jr. But he is not willing to wait around forever for his welterweight cohorts.

Father and trainer Angel Garcia told Boxing Junkie that he wants a decision from Pacquiao or Spence sooner rather than later.

“I want an answer from whoever [wants to fight] by the end of February,” said the elder Garcia, who noted that they want the potential pay-per-view fight to take place in July.

Angel Garcia wants to force a deadline so that his son’s career isn’t waylaid.

“We’re not waiting,” he said. “We’re not going to do like last year. We waited for no reason.”

Last year, Garcia fought only once, a quick knockout of Adrian Granados. Angel Garcia believed they were in line for a second fight, a pay-per-view level event, in the latter of the 2019, but the opponents had other plans.

“We wasted a date,” Angel Garcia said. “We wasted a day last year for no reason. So we need to know by the end of February, then we can move on.

“If they want to do it, sign the contract.”

The goal is to fight at least twice — possibly three times — this year, he added. Danny Garcia after his victory Saturday that he would also be interested in a rematch with Keith Thurman or a fight with Mikey Garcia.

Several caveats are at play. Pacquiao has repeatedly hinted that he wants to face Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a rematch of their 2015 meeting. Recently, he has also expressed interest in a crossover bout with UFC’s Conor McGregor.

Spence is coming off a devastating car crash last October. It’s not clear when he will return, although he mentioned he could fight again as soon as summer. Returning against a foe of Garcia’s caliber seems unlikely.

Angel Garcia hinted that if options begin to look limited, he could see his son moving up to the 154-pound division.

“We gotta do what we gotta do,” he said. “It’s up to Danny.”

 

Danny Garcia outpoints Ivan Redkach in forgettable bout

Line between boxing, MMA i$ getting thinner every day