Tag: Peter Dobson

Weekend Review: Fury vs. Usyk merely delayed, Buatsi and Benn win easily

Weekend Review: The Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk fight was delayed. Meanwhile, Joshua Buatsi and Conor Benn easily won their fights.

A critical look at the past week in boxing

MOST DAMAGING CUT
Tyson Fury’s

S— happens. Fury (34-0-1, 24 KOs) was set to face fellow titleholder Oleksandr Usyk (21-0, 14 KOs) for the undisputed heavyweight championship on Feb. 17 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia when Fury suffered a deep cut over his right eye in sparring, which forced the postponement of the event on Friday. Organizers bemoaned the calamity, Fury apologized profusely and Usyk’s manager cried foul, calling Fury a coward and insisting the WBC beltholder had sought a way out of the fight. A day later the camps agreed to reschedule the event for May 18 in the same location. Problem solved. Of course, the initial news was disappointing for everyone. The fighters were primed to take part in the biggest fight of their careers only to have to slam on the brakes and begin preparations to restart their camps, probably next month. That’s an enormous letdown for them. Fans also were excited about the crowning of the first undisputed champion since Lennox Lewis and a compelling matchup, which became particularly interesting when Fury eked out a victory over an MMA star making his boxing debut (Francis Ngannou) in October. The good news is that May will roll around soon enough and we’ll have our big fight, assuming nothing else unforeseen happens.

 

BIGGEST WINNER
Joshua Buatsi

Buatsi (18-0, 13 KOs) looked sharp in his one-sided decision over previously unbeaten London-area friend Dan Azeez (20-1, 13 KOs) on Saturday night in London, bolstering his status as the top 175-pound contender. He’s the mandatory challenger for the title held by pound-for-pounder Dmitry Bivol and arguably the best light heavyweight without a belt, as he’s ranked No. 1 by two of the three major sanctioning bodies and will soon ascend to the top of a third. The problem for him is that Bivol and fellow titleholder Artur Beterbiev have agreed to fight one another for the undisputed championship on June 1 in Saudi Arabia, which could tie up the titles for a while. Buatsi would have to wait at least until the fall to face the winner if he gets that opportunity at all. And Bivol vs. Beterbiev has the feel of a rivalry that could result in multiple fights. That could push back Buatsi’s big opportunity even further, although one never knows how things will play out. Fighters move up in weight, they get stripped, they get injured, they retire. The list goes on. Buatsi (18-0, 13 KOs) must continue to focus on the one thing he can control, winning fights. If the 2016 Olympic bronze medalist can do that – particularly as convincingly as he did on Saturday – his time will come soon enough.

 

BIGGEST WINNER II
Conor Benn

Benn (23-0, 14 KOs) needed a win. The 147-pounder contender from England has had a rough year and half, after failing two drug tests, getting suspended, getting cleared of wrong doing by an independent anti-doping agency and then having British authorities appeal that decision. That leaves him without a license to box in his homeland to this day. His response? He has moved his career across the pond, where he outpointed Rodolfo Orozco in September in Orlando and Peter Dobson (16-1, 9 KOs) on Saturday in Las Vegas. He gave a solid performance against the defense-challenged Dobson in a 12-round 151-pound bout, using his overmatched foe as a punching bag en route to winning a one-sided decision. The fact he couldn’t hurt Dobson, at least not seriously, might be an indication that he should stick to fighting at 147 for the time being. The important thing is that he has gotten back to what he does best, which is to box. That’s helping him overcome the most difficult period of his life. Soon he’ll be reinstated in the U.K. and face the big-name opponents he has been calling out. Then he can leave his PED issues in the past.

 

MOST EXCITING

We learned on Saturday that Bivol and Beterbiev had reached their deal to fight in less than four months, which is exciting. The winner arguably can claim to be the top 175-pounder of his era, making it one of the biggest possible matchups in the sport. The gifted Bivol (22-0, 11 KOs) became an overnight star when he easily outpointed Canelo Alvarez in May 2022 and has dominating many more top contenders, including Sullivan Barrera, Isaac Chilemba, Jean Pascal, Joe Smith Jr. and Gilberto Ramirez. Few active fighters have had a better run. And Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs) remains a beast at 39, as he demonstrated by becoming the first to stop Callum Smith on Jan. 13. He is one of the biggest punchers pound-for-pound and an underappreciated boxer, making him as a formidable opponent for anyone. Who wins? This is a 50-50 matchup if there ever was one. Bivol is the better boxer and athlete but it’s anyone’s guess whether he can withstand Beterbiev’s pressure and power. Can’t wait.

 

RABBIT PUNCHES

Manny Pacquiao, 45, evidently is no longer retired. That’s the word from his longtime advisor Sean Gibbons, who told BoxingScene.com that his client is interested in facing Gervonta Davis or Ryan Garcia in a sanctioned bout. Please, no. The last thing we want to see is Pacquiao take the kind of beating he delivered against Oscar De La Hoya in 2008. And that’s what would happen if he faces a titleholder or top contender. He has an exhibition against muay thai fighter Buakaw Banchamek scheduled for April 20 in Thailand, he has expressed interest in facing old rival Floyd Mayweather in an exhibition and a bout with Conor McGregor has been discussed. Those are reasonable options. Davis or Garcia? That could be a mistake. … News item: unbeaten 135-pound titleholder Shakur Stevenson last week announced his retirement from boxing at 26 years old, which evidently was prompted by his inability to get the fights he wants. I understand Stevenson’s frustration, which is common to many top fighters. Ask Terence Crawford. But does anyone really believe Stevenson is going to walk away from the millions of dollars he stands to earn over the next several years? Of course not. He’ll be back soon. And he’ll eventually get the biggest fights that have been elusive. … Japanese boxer Kazuki Anaguchi died Friday, the result of a subdural hematoma suffered in a decision loss against Seiya Tsutsumi on Dec. 26 in Tokyo. Anaguchi, who went down four times in the fight, lost consciousness afterward and never awakened. He was only 23. … And so long to actor Carl Weathers, who has died at 76. Weathers played Apollo Creed, the rival of Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) and one of the great characters in any boxing movie.

[lawrence-related id=40646,40642,40640,40637,40626]

Weekend Review: Fury vs. Usyk merely delayed, Buatsi and Benn win easily

Weekend Review: The Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk fight was delayed. Meanwhile, Joshua Buatsi and Conor Benn easily won their fights.

A critical look at the past week in boxing

MOST DAMAGING CUT
Tyson Fury’s

S— happens. Fury (34-0-1, 24 KOs) was set to face fellow titleholder Oleksandr Usyk (21-0, 14 KOs) for the undisputed heavyweight championship on Feb. 17 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia when Fury suffered a deep cut over his right eye in sparring, which forced the postponement of the event on Friday. Organizers bemoaned the calamity, Fury apologized profusely and Usyk’s manager cried foul, calling Fury a coward and insisting the WBC beltholder had sought a way out of the fight. A day later the camps agreed to reschedule the event for May 18 in the same location. Problem solved. Of course, the initial news was disappointing for everyone. The fighters were primed to take part in the biggest fight of their careers only to have to slam on the brakes and begin preparations to restart their camps, probably next month. That’s an enormous letdown for them. Fans also were excited about the crowning of the first undisputed champion since Lennox Lewis and a compelling matchup, which became particularly interesting when Fury eked out a victory over an MMA star making his boxing debut (Francis Ngannou) in October. The good news is that May will roll around soon enough and we’ll have our big fight, assuming nothing else unforeseen happens.

 

BIGGEST WINNER
Joshua Buatsi

Buatsi (18-0, 13 KOs) looked sharp in his one-sided decision over previously unbeaten London-area friend Dan Azeez (20-1, 13 KOs) on Saturday night in London, bolstering his status as the top 175-pound contender. He’s the mandatory challenger for the title held by pound-for-pounder Dmitry Bivol and arguably the best light heavyweight without a belt, as he’s ranked No. 1 by two of the three major sanctioning bodies and will soon ascend to the top of a third. The problem for him is that Bivol and fellow titleholder Artur Beterbiev have agreed to fight one another for the undisputed championship on June 1 in Saudi Arabia, which could tie up the titles for a while. Buatsi would have to wait at least until the fall to face the winner if he gets that opportunity at all. And Bivol vs. Beterbiev has the feel of a rivalry that could result in multiple fights. That could push back Buatsi’s big opportunity even further, although one never knows how things will play out. Fighters move up in weight, they get stripped, they get injured, they retire. The list goes on. Buatsi (18-0, 13 KOs) must continue to focus on the one thing he can control, winning fights. If the 2016 Olympic bronze medalist can do that – particularly as convincingly as he did on Saturday – his time will come soon enough.

 

BIGGEST WINNER II
Conor Benn

Benn (23-0, 14 KOs) needed a win. The 147-pounder contender from England has had a rough year and half, after failing two drug tests, getting suspended, getting cleared of wrong doing by an independent anti-doping agency and then having British authorities appeal that decision. That leaves him without a license to box in his homeland to this day. His response? He has moved his career across the pond, where he outpointed Rodolfo Orozco in September in Orlando and Peter Dobson (16-1, 9 KOs) on Saturday in Las Vegas. He gave a solid performance against the defense-challenged Dobson in a 12-round 151-pound bout, using his overmatched foe as a punching bag en route to winning a one-sided decision. The fact he couldn’t hurt Dobson, at least not seriously, might be an indication that he should stick to fighting at 147 for the time being. The important thing is that he has gotten back to what he does best, which is to box. That’s helping him overcome the most difficult period of his life. Soon he’ll be reinstated in the U.K. and face the big-name opponents he has been calling out. Then he can leave his PED issues in the past.

 

MOST EXCITING

We learned on Saturday that Bivol and Beterbiev had reached their deal to fight in less than four months, which is exciting. The winner arguably can claim to be the top 175-pounder of his era, making it one of the biggest possible matchups in the sport. The gifted Bivol (22-0, 11 KOs) became an overnight star when he easily outpointed Canelo Alvarez in May 2022 and has dominating many more top contenders, including Sullivan Barrera, Isaac Chilemba, Jean Pascal, Joe Smith Jr. and Gilberto Ramirez. Few active fighters have had a better run. And Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs) remains a beast at 39, as he demonstrated by becoming the first to stop Callum Smith on Jan. 13. He is one of the biggest punchers pound-for-pound and an underappreciated boxer, making him as a formidable opponent for anyone. Who wins? This is a 50-50 matchup if there ever was one. Bivol is the better boxer and athlete but it’s anyone’s guess whether he can withstand Beterbiev’s pressure and power. Can’t wait.

 

RABBIT PUNCHES

Manny Pacquiao, 45, evidently is no longer retired. That’s the word from his longtime advisor Sean Gibbons, who told BoxingScene.com that his client is interested in facing Gervonta Davis or Ryan Garcia in a sanctioned bout. Please, no. The last thing we want to see is Pacquiao take the kind of beating he delivered against Oscar De La Hoya in 2008. And that’s what would happen if he faces a titleholder or top contender. He has an exhibition against muay thai fighter Buakaw Banchamek scheduled for April 20 in Thailand, he has expressed interest in facing old rival Floyd Mayweather in an exhibition and a bout with Conor McGregor has been discussed. Those are reasonable options. Davis or Garcia? That could be a mistake. … News item: unbeaten 135-pound titleholder Shakur Stevenson last week announced his retirement from boxing at 26 years old, which evidently was prompted by his inability to get the fights he wants. I understand Stevenson’s frustration, which is common to many top fighters. Ask Terence Crawford. But does anyone really believe Stevenson is going to walk away from the millions of dollars he stands to earn over the next several years? Of course not. He’ll be back soon. And he’ll eventually get the biggest fights that have been elusive. … Japanese boxer Kazuki Anaguchi died Friday, the result of a subdural hematoma suffered in a decision loss against Seiya Tsutsumi on Dec. 26 in Tokyo. Anaguchi, who went down four times in the fight, lost consciousness afterward and never awakened. He was only 23. … And so long to actor Carl Weathers, who has died at 76. Weathers played Apollo Creed, the rival of Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) and one of the great characters in any boxing movie.

[lawrence-related id=40646,40642,40640,40637,40626]

Conor Benn cruises to one-sided decision over tough, but overmatched Peter Dobson

Conor Benn cruised to a one-sided decision over tough, but overmatched Peter Dobson on Saturday in Las Vegas.

Conor Benn enjoyed target practice on Saturday afternoon in Las Vegas.

The 147-pound contender outworked resilient, but overmatched Peter Dobson to win a one-sided decision in a 151-pound fight, his second consecutive victory in the U.S. since he lost his license in the U.K. for failing two drug tests

The official scores were 119-109, 118-110 and 118-110. Boxing Junkie also had it 118-110, 10 rounds to two.

Benn (23-0, 14 KOs) has been through a lot the past year and half and still can’t fight at home. He tested positive for a banned drug but was cleared of wrongdoing by an independent anti-doping panel only to have British authorities appeal that decision.

His goal amid the turmoil was to prove that he remains a formidable welterweight, which he did on Saturday.

Benn appeared as if he would run away with the victory, landing at will against the reticent, seemingly overwhelmed Dobson in the first three rounds.

However, Dobson (16-1, 9 KOs) came to life in Round 4, responding to Benn’s attacks with hard shots of his own at times to remain competitive the rest of the way.

The American’s problem is that he couldn’t match his British counterpart’s work rate and accuracy overall, which accounted for the one-sided scoring.

Dobson’s greatest accomplishment was his ability to remain on his feet for 12 rounds after absorbing so much punishment from a far superior opponent.

Benn had never gone 12 rounds before Saturday.

“You can always do better,” he said afterward. “I’ll go back and assess it. No doubt I’ll be disappointed with things that I’ve done, silly right hands I got caught with.

“But overall this was about me getting back to where I was mentally.”

Now it’s on to bigger and better things for Benn, who hopes British officials will reinstate him soon. The resident of Essex wants to fight at home.

And he has called out a number of top fighters on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, including 147-pound champion and pound-for-pound king Terence Crawford.

“The dream is for me to fight at home,” he said. “… That’s the plan once all this is cleared up. I feel (his uncertain status) is still lingering, still in the back of my head. I want to get back to be able to fully focus on destroying people.”

Conor Benn cruises to one-sided decision over tough, but overmatched Peter Dobson

Conor Benn cruised to a one-sided decision over tough, but overmatched Peter Dobson on Saturday in Las Vegas.

Conor Benn enjoyed target practice on Saturday afternoon in Las Vegas.

The 147-pound contender outworked resilient, but overmatched Peter Dobson to win a one-sided decision in a 151-pound fight, his second consecutive victory in the U.S. since he lost his license in the U.K. for failing two drug tests

The official scores were 119-109, 118-110 and 118-110. Boxing Junkie also had it 118-110, 10 rounds to two.

Benn (23-0, 14 KOs) has been through a lot the past year and half and still can’t fight at home. He tested positive for a banned drug but was cleared of wrongdoing by an independent anti-doping panel only to have British authorities appeal that decision.

His goal amid the turmoil was to prove that he remains a formidable welterweight, which he did on Saturday.

Benn appeared as if he would run away with the victory, landing at will against the reticent, seemingly overwhelmed Dobson in the first three rounds.

However, Dobson (16-1, 9 KOs) came to life in Round 4, responding to Benn’s attacks with hard shots of his own at times to remain competitive the rest of the way.

The American’s problem is that he couldn’t match his British counterpart’s work rate and accuracy overall, which accounted for the one-sided scoring.

Dobson’s greatest accomplishment was his ability to remain on his feet for 12 rounds after absorbing so much punishment from a far superior opponent.

Benn had never gone 12 rounds before Saturday.

“You can always do better,” he said afterward. “I’ll go back and assess it. No doubt I’ll be disappointed with things that I’ve done, silly right hands I got caught with.

“But overall this was about me getting back to where I was mentally.”

Now it’s on to bigger and better things for Benn, who hopes British officials will reinstate him soon. The resident of Essex wants to fight at home.

And he has called out a number of top fighters on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, including 147-pound champion and pound-for-pound king Terence Crawford.

“The dream is for me to fight at home,” he said. “… That’s the plan once all this is cleared up. I feel (his uncertain status) is still lingering, still in the back of my head. I want to get back to be able to fully focus on destroying people.”

Conor Benn vs. Peter Dobson: Date, time, how to watch, background

Conor Benn vs. Peter Dobson: Date, time, how to watch, background.

Welterweight contender Conor Benn returns to the ring against Peter Dobson on Saturday afternoon in Las Vegas.

CONOR BENN (22-0, 14 KOs)
VS. PETER DOBSON (16-0, 9 KOS)

  • Date: Saturday, Feb. 3
  • Time: 3 p.m. ET / noon PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Las Vegas
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Division: Junior middleweight (151-pound catchweight)
  • Weights: Benn 150.6, Dobson 150.6
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Pound-for-pound: None
  • Odds: Benn 8-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Austin Williams vs. Connor Coyle, middleweights; Johnny Fisher vs. Dmytro Bezus, heavyweights
  • Background: Benn, a 147-pound contender, will be fighting for the second time since he tested positive for a banned substance and was suspended in the lead up to his now-canceled showdown with rival Chris Eubank Jr. last year. The 27-year-old from Essex has yet to regain his boxing license in the U.K. He returned in September from a 17-month layoff, easily outpointing Rodolfo Orozco in Florida. Dobson, 33, is an unbeaten New Yorker who will be stepping up in class when he faces Benn. And he is returning from a long layoff. Dobson last fought in June 2022, when he outpointed journeyman Rodrigo Damian Coria in an eight-round 154-pound fight.
  • Prediction: Benn UD

[lawrence-related id=40629]

Conor Benn vs. Peter Dobson: Date, time, how to watch, background

Conor Benn vs. Peter Dobson: Date, time, how to watch, background.

Welterweight contender Conor Benn returns to the ring against Peter Dobson on Saturday afternoon in Las Vegas.

CONOR BENN (22-0, 14 KOs)
VS. PETER DOBSON (16-0, 9 KOS)

  • Date: Saturday, Feb. 3
  • Time: 3 p.m. ET / noon PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Las Vegas
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Division: Junior middleweight (151-pound catchweight)
  • Weights: Benn 150.6, Dobson 150.6
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Pound-for-pound: None
  • Odds: Benn 8-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Austin Williams vs. Connor Coyle, middleweights; Johnny Fisher vs. Dmytro Bezus, heavyweights
  • Background: Benn, a 147-pound contender, will be fighting for the second time since he tested positive for a banned substance and was suspended in the lead up to his now-canceled showdown with rival Chris Eubank Jr. last year. The 27-year-old from Essex has yet to regain his boxing license in the U.K. He returned in September from a 17-month layoff, easily outpointing Rodolfo Orozco in Florida. Dobson, 33, is an unbeaten New Yorker who will be stepping up in class when he faces Benn. And he is returning from a long layoff. Dobson last fought in June 2022, when he outpointed journeyman Rodrigo Damian Coria in an eight-round 154-pound fight.
  • Prediction: Benn UD

[lawrence-related id=40629]

Conor Benn: ‘I will remind everyone why I am one of the most dangerous fighters at 147 pounds’

Conor Benn: “I will remind everyone why I am one of the most dangerous fighters at 147 pounds.”

 Conor Benn hopes to fight in his homeland of Great Britain again soon.

That prospect remains in limbo after Benn failed two drug tests ahead of a scheduled fight with Chris Eubank Jr. in October 2022, was cleared of wrongdoing by the independent National Anti-Doping Panel, and was disappointed when British officials appealed that decision.

Benn’s case remains up in the air as he prepares to face Peter Dobson in a 10-round 151-pound-catchweight fight Saturday in Las Vegas (DAZN), his second consecutive fight in the U.S. He outpointed Rodolfo Orozco at 154 in September, his first outing in 17 months.

He said he would like to fight at home in April or May.

“I’m 27 going on 40,” he said. “I feel the last 18 months has aged me 10 years. I’ve changed a lot. Things that used to worry me don’t worry me anymore. It’s true when they say that when you go through adversity, it gives you nothing but resilience and strength.

“Would I choose to go through it again? Probably not. Has it taught me a lot about who Conor Benn is as a man? It’s tested me, my character, what I stand for, what I believe in. I’m proud of the way I have handled it at such a young age, and still deal with being a dad, a husband, a son, a role model, it’s a lot.

“Some days I was dragging myself to the gym and it was hard, I was breaking down in the gym, saying ‘I don’t know if I can do this’. So, overcoming all of that, I’m proud of myself and I’m thankful, whatever God’s plan is, I’m trusting the process.”

Benn (22-0, 14 KOs) evidently plans to take out his frustration on Dobson (16-0, 9 KOs), a relative unknown from New York.

The son of former champion Nigel Benn is determined to remind fans that he remains one of the best fighter at and near his weight in spite of his out-of-the-ring trials. He’s ranked No. 5 by the WBC.

“I’ve been on the tip of everyone’s tongue and heavily spoken about,” he said. “Talk is cheap, and actions speak louder than words. I’ve proven time and time again I am what I say I am. Whether it goes the distance or two rounds, every department I do what I say I am going to do.

“You want to get outboxed for 10 rounds? No problem. You want to get beat up for 10 rounds, 12 rounds? No problem. You want to get knocked out early? Come and try me. That’s what this fight is, a reminder that I am what I say I am.

“You will see progress. Even with what’s gone on, you’ll see what I’ve learned and that I’ve been in the gym and stayed disciplined, where many would have fallen off. It’s hard to stay motivated when you are being taken off course, but I have stayed disciplined, and you will see that on Saturday.”

Then, if British authorities ultimately reinstate him, his goal is to face higher-profile opponents at 147 pounds or heavier.

Among those who have been linked with him: experienced countrymen Eubank, Kell Brook and Liam Smith, and top Americans Devin Haney and Jaron Ennis.

“Any Welterweight is not a concern for me, any top American fighter, anyone, no problem,” he said. “I don’t get involved in negotiations; I leave that to my team. This whole period, my team has just allowed me to stay disciplined and work in the gym. …

“I just stay dedicated to what I do. The money isn’t the motivating factor for me, winning is. I love winning, that’s what is important. … I will stay the course and remind everyone why I am one of the most dangerous fighters at 147 pounds.”

[lawrence-related id=40604]

Conor Benn: ‘I will remind everyone why I am one of the most dangerous fighters at 147 pounds’

Conor Benn: “I will remind everyone why I am one of the most dangerous fighters at 147 pounds.”

 Conor Benn hopes to fight in his homeland of Great Britain again soon.

That prospect remains in limbo after Benn failed two drug tests ahead of a scheduled fight with Chris Eubank Jr. in October 2022, was cleared of wrongdoing by the independent National Anti-Doping Panel, and was disappointed when British officials appealed that decision.

Benn’s case remains up in the air as he prepares to face Peter Dobson in a 10-round 151-pound-catchweight fight Saturday in Las Vegas (DAZN), his second consecutive fight in the U.S. He outpointed Rodolfo Orozco at 154 in September, his first outing in 17 months.

He said he would like to fight at home in April or May.

“I’m 27 going on 40,” he said. “I feel the last 18 months has aged me 10 years. I’ve changed a lot. Things that used to worry me don’t worry me anymore. It’s true when they say that when you go through adversity, it gives you nothing but resilience and strength.

“Would I choose to go through it again? Probably not. Has it taught me a lot about who Conor Benn is as a man? It’s tested me, my character, what I stand for, what I believe in. I’m proud of the way I have handled it at such a young age, and still deal with being a dad, a husband, a son, a role model, it’s a lot.

“Some days I was dragging myself to the gym and it was hard, I was breaking down in the gym, saying ‘I don’t know if I can do this’. So, overcoming all of that, I’m proud of myself and I’m thankful, whatever God’s plan is, I’m trusting the process.”

Benn (22-0, 14 KOs) evidently plans to take out his frustration on Dobson (16-0, 9 KOs), a relative unknown from New York.

The son of former champion Nigel Benn is determined to remind fans that he remains one of the best fighter at and near his weight in spite of his out-of-the-ring trials. He’s ranked No. 5 by the WBC.

“I’ve been on the tip of everyone’s tongue and heavily spoken about,” he said. “Talk is cheap, and actions speak louder than words. I’ve proven time and time again I am what I say I am. Whether it goes the distance or two rounds, every department I do what I say I am going to do.

“You want to get outboxed for 10 rounds? No problem. You want to get beat up for 10 rounds, 12 rounds? No problem. You want to get knocked out early? Come and try me. That’s what this fight is, a reminder that I am what I say I am.

“You will see progress. Even with what’s gone on, you’ll see what I’ve learned and that I’ve been in the gym and stayed disciplined, where many would have fallen off. It’s hard to stay motivated when you are being taken off course, but I have stayed disciplined, and you will see that on Saturday.”

Then, if British authorities ultimately reinstate him, his goal is to face higher-profile opponents at 147 pounds or heavier.

Among those who have been linked with him: experienced countrymen Eubank, Kell Brook and Liam Smith, and top Americans Devin Haney and Jaron Ennis.

“Any Welterweight is not a concern for me, any top American fighter, anyone, no problem,” he said. “I don’t get involved in negotiations; I leave that to my team. This whole period, my team has just allowed me to stay disciplined and work in the gym. …

“I just stay dedicated to what I do. The money isn’t the motivating factor for me, winning is. I love winning, that’s what is important. … I will stay the course and remind everyone why I am one of the most dangerous fighters at 147 pounds.”

[lawrence-related id=40604]