By Olu Allen
The unbeaten Nigerian, Raphael Akpejiori, has his eyes set on the Brits after stopping Steven Lyons in the opening round in Miami on Saturday night. He has admitted that Tyson Fury would represent a dream fight for him.
The Nigerian moved to 12-0 after stopping Steven Lyons at the weekend. The 30-year-old has finished all 12 of his opponents inside two rounds and has previously offered to spar with Fury earlier this year.
But Akpejiori is now seeking a fight with WBC heavyweight champion Fury or top contender Dillian Whyte. The 6′ 8″ Akpejiori – who has called out Anthony Joshua before – wanted to help Fury prep for an undisputed title decider with AJ. Yet he has now admitted he agrees with the WBA, IBF and WBO champ’s view on the art of boxing.
Another delay is the news that Manny Pacquiao won’t be reinstated as WBA champion before Errol Spence Jr fight after being stripped for inactivity. The WBA in January announced PacMan, 42, was stripped due to inactivity, with Cuban Ugas, 34, upgraded.
The governing body announced per their ruling, when a champ is unable to defend the belt for medical, legal or other reasons beyond his control, he may be named champion in recess. Spence will put his WBC and IBF belts on the line against the Filipino legend on August 21 in Las Vegas.
The Ring Magazine also voted to have their title on the line, despite usually having the vacant belt contested only between their top two ranked fighters. A fourth strap could have been involved too, after the WBA’s board of governors voted on the potential reinstatement of Pacquiao as their champ.
But they ultimately decided against it, with Yordenis Ugas keeping his status having been elevated from the WBA’s secondary ‘Regular’ champion.
Pacquiao has not returned to the ring since he won the title against Keith Thurman, 32, in July 2019. But due to the coronavirus pandemic, he was not able to make a comeback – falling into the ‘other reasons beyond his control’ section.
Pacquiao, who has won titles in 8 divisions, is now in Los Angeles training with long-time coach Freddie Roach ahead of his return. Roach revealed his star pupil is still motivated by proving bookmakers wrong as he bids to become the first man to ever beat southpaw Spence. Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao looks electric in training for Spence fight.
Tommy Welch has felt the stinging pain of heavyweight boxing from blows that were self-inflicted and even delivered by his father. Now he is here to cause hell.
Scott Welch, the imposing former world title challenger, had gloved up in the opposite corner for his one and only sparring session with his son.
The burly 15-year-old with a powerful 16 stone frame was soon pushing the boundaries of patience with ‘The Brighton Rock’.
