The highly-anticipated boxing match between former heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua and ex-UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou on Friday night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, didn’t produce as much action as expected. Joshua ended the fight with a second-round knock-out, recording his fourth straight win.

Ngannou entered the match on the back of a surprisingly good performance against WBC champion Tyson Fury back in October, which he lost in a split decision. However, the retired MMA fighter proved to be no match for Joshua.

Joshua was aggressive from the first bell, attacking Ngannou and sending him to the canvas in the first round. Several minutes into the second round, Ngannou was knocked down once again and seemed quite shaken.

Shortly after the second knockdown, Joshua delivered a powerful jab that knocked out Ngannou beyond the point of return.

Speaking after the fight, Joshua praised Ngannou and said that he belongs in the world of boxing.

“He’s an inspiration,” said Joshua. “He’s a great champion. This doesn’t take away anything of his capabilities because, in boxing, it’s one or the other. He can come again.”

Ngannou, on the other hand, went on X (former Twitter) to apologize to his fans.

Since losing two straight fights against Oleksandr Usyk, Joshua has bounced back with four consecutive wins, two of which came via KO. He now has his eyes set on recapturing the heavyweight championship belts he lost to Usyk, but he will have to wait his turn. Usyk is currently scheduled to face Fury in May in a fight that will likely produce an undisputed heavyweight boxing champion of the world.

The post Anthony Joshua Knocks Out Francis Ngannou in the Second Round appeared first on SportzBonanza.

In an unexpected twist, Tyson Fury entered the drama surrounding the unification of the world heavyweight boxing division.

Deontay Wilder, WBC champion, claimed that a match-up with the undefeated Briton is “close” during an interview with RingTV.

Fury spent twelve months out of the ring due to mental health issues. His return in June ended with a bizarre win over Sefer Seferi. A fight among spectators distracted Fury and saw more punches thrown than in the ring itself.

For Wilder, that, however, was enough to begin promoting the fight.

“It’s definitely going to happen, there’s no doubt,” he declared. “There’s just a little more work to be done.”

Not on the hype though.

“This is going to be better than Joshua when it all boils down to it,” he continued. “We know Tyson Fury, in many eyes, is still the champ, he hasn’t been defeated. He’s still undefeated. He’s still the lineal champion. Once I knock him off, I become that man who beat the man. I’m super excited, I can’t wait for this thing to be official and we can get the promotion going and get the fans riled up for it.”

The fight between Joshua and Wilder is some way off. Both fighters cause the ‘Sold Out’ signs to hang over stadium ticket offices.

However, viewers are not yet persuaded to part with their money. It’s a key revenue stream to making the fight happen. Until both achieve the numbers broadcasters want to see, it remains a significant barrier.

Wilder hopes that by knocking out Fury, those numbers will start to rise. The buck then passes to Anthony Joshua to improve his numbers on UK television.

The post Deontay Wilder Claims Tyson Fury Fight is Close appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Mikey Garcia demonstrated on Saturday why he is one of the best pound-for-pound boxers currently on the circuit.

Robert Easter Jr. held a five-inch height advantage that Garcia rendered irrelevant with relentless pressure coupled with accurate and jarring punches. It led to a third-round knockdown from which Easter recovered physically but not in the sense of the fight.

Garcia was the predator, stalking his prey across the ring, cutting the size of the square with sharp movements. Although Easter was 20 and 0 before the fight, the disparity between the two was obvious as the fight wore on.

Garcia won every round subsequent to the eight-count and scored a unanimous points victory, unifying the WBC and IBF lightweight titles. The margin of victory was decisive: 118 – 109, 117 – 110, and 116 – 111.

Speaking afterward, Garcia spoke of his pride at winning titles in his fourth division. “It’s a great accomplishment,” – said the Californian who was previously a champion at featherweight, super featherweight, and light welterweight.

“Now we’re back,” – he continued. “I told you guys I was coming for bigger things and now we’re one step closer to achieving that.

“I’m here for the biggest challenges. I don’t know if there is anyone that is a bigger challenge than Errol Spence. I know he’s up to fight everyone, so let’s make it happen.”

Garcia cannot be dismissed lightly, but Spence will be favorite in the event the match is made. With 39 wins, 30 by KO, he is eager to take on a fighter who is one of his few peers in the ring.

The post Garcia Unifies Lightweight Titles, Errol Spence Next? appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Boxer Vasyl Lomachenko has said that he now expects it to be easier to get opponents after he secured a victory over Jorge Linares by a tenth round knock-out at Madison Square Garden in New York.

In the process, Lomachenko also claimed the WBA World lightweight title. However, it was not an easy fight for Lomachenko, as have been the majority of his fights during his career so far. For only the second time in his career, he actually looked threatened and was hit often during the early rounds of the bout and was even knocked down during the 6^th round.

Following the result, Mikey Garcia has already said that he would like to fight Lomachenko.

A fight against Garcia really is the only one that is worth taking from Lomachenko’s point of view. If he takes on another lightweight, it will not generate much publicity and will be unlikely to be much of a contest anyway.

“After the fight, I told [Top Rank vice president of boxing operations] Carl Moretti in the ring, ‘It’s going to be much easier for you to get opponents for me because they all see I’m also a human being,’” – Lomachenko said. “What I did was make my promoter’s job easier.”

The post Vasyl Lomachenko Expects to Get Opponents More Easily Now appeared first on SportzBonanza.

It is no secret that Anthony Joshua is one of the biggest attracts on the worldwide boxing circuit at this current point in time.

No other boxer has the ability to sell out 90,000 tickets the way that Joshua does. Every major promoter has been keeping tabs on the pride of British boxing, especially considering that his current deal with Matchroom Sport and Eddie Hearn is set to expire this year (in November).

However, it does not look like Joshua will be making any changes. It has since been reported that he is set to sign a one-hundred-million pound (GB sterling) agreement and remain with Matchroom.

Joshua is understood to currently be in talks for a unification showdown against Deontay Wilder. Wilder and Joshua are both undefeated and two of the greatest heavyweight boxers of the current generation.

If the match between Wilder and Joshua ends up going ahead as expected, it promises to end up being one of the greatest of the decade.

The post Anthony Joshua isn’t changing promoters appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Khabib Nurmagomdedov has revealed that negotiations are currently underway over a possible fight against Conor McGregor.

McGregor has not fought since his professional boxing defeat against Floyd Mayweather in August last year and the world is currently waiting for the Irishman to announce who his next opponent will be.

He has been linked with a possible rematch against Mayweather (this time under MMA rules) as well as a possible third fight against Nate Diaz.

“We’re talking, but if it takes too long, I don’t want to do that,” the new UFC lightweight champion said during a Q&A in Russia when asked about a fight with McGregor.

“If he wants to fight this year, then we can fight. Otherwise, I don’t know. We won’t wait long. I want to fight Conor and if he can fight, I will fight him.”

Meanwhile, former UFC light-heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier believes that Floyd Mayweather would not stand a chance if he does end up fighting McGregor in the Octagon.

“Any MMA fighter would beat Floyd in a full-on MMA fight,” Cormier told The Herd. “When you starting kicking guys, they turn.

“Floyd would probably fall down from leg kicks.”

The post Conor McGregor fight negotiations revealed appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Veteran boxer Manny Pacquiao believes that he still has a few more fights left in him.

Pacquiao’s last fight was a controversial loss against Jeff Horn in Australia last year and he is currently preparing for his first fight in a year which will be against Argentine WBA welterweight world champion Lucas Matthysse in Kuala Lampur in July.

“Definitely this is not my last fight,” the 39-year-old Filipino said at a news conference in the Malaysian capital on Friday to promote the fight.

“I want my last fight to be in the Philippines, but I still have a couple more fights till I retire,” said the former eight-division world champion and serving senator in his homeland.

This will be the first title defence for Matthysse (39-4) and Pacquiao revealed that he is expecting a tough bout.

“Matthysse’s style is very aggressive. He’ll want to come inside and fight toe-to-toe. You won’t see running or dancing in the ring,” said Pacquiao.

The post Manny Pacquiao believes that he still has more fights left in him appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Joseph Parker’s sparring partner Malik Wilks has said that the boxer is far stronger after undergoing surgery on his elbows.

Parker will face off Britain’s Anthony Joshua this Saturday in a heavyweight unification match.

Scott assisted Parker when he beat Hughie Fury last September and has been brought back into the New Zealander’s camp in order to help him prepare for the fight against WBA “super’’ and IBF  champions Joshua in Cardiff on Saturday.

“When he was getting ready for Fury, there was times in sparring where we were having to stop,” – Scott told Sky Sports.

“I don’t think that the elbow, the shoulder, none of that is an issue right now. The only thing that’s an issue, the most important thing, is there are two young lions, two great champions, and they want to rock. I cannot wait to see it. A totally different power now. I will say the last time it was like 70 percent to me. Right now it’s at 120.”

The post Parker stronger ahead of boxing match against Anthony Joshua appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Some of the biggest athletes in the world have gone through some major hurdles to get to the top. A select few of them wind up changing the lives of many people in the process. This is the tale of one of the most prolific figures to ever lace up a pair of boxing gloves.

Struggling To Live

Frederick Manligas Nacino

Born in the Philippines, Manny Pacquiao had big dreams just like any other kid. Unfortunately, he dealt with some major issues. While attending the sixth grade, his parents separated when his father’s infidelity was exposed, and he dropped out of high school because of poverty issues. In his home country, poverty is a major issue, and while he was growing up, nearly half of the population were living well below the poverty line.

Confused at what to do, Pacquiao turned to his uncle Sardo Mejia for advice. The man taught Pacquiao about boxing and what it can do for the soul. “If it wasn’t for me, there would be no world champion Manny Pacquiao,” stated Mejia.

He started training Pacquiao in boxing, and at the age of 12, the future world champion won his first fight against a 16-year-old boxer in General Santos City. “For Uncle Sardo, it was the ultimate blessing that his little nephew shared his favourite hobby,” Pacquiao stated in his autobiography. “Even though he had no formal training, we both took it seriously and knew that we were going to be champions one day.”

While the victory was grand, it didn’t give Manny the spark he needed to go forth with this newfound career. Unfortunately, that came from the death of his friend Eugene Barutag in the ring, who was aspiring to be a famous boxer just like him. “Even though he died, I thought ‘I will continue our dream, our battle,'” Pacquiao said.

The Mark Of A Champion

Pixabay

Pacquiao quickly ascended up the weight division with an astonishing 32-2 record and a run with the WBC International super bantamweight title. His big break came on June 23, 2001, when he fought Lehlo Ledwaba for the IBF super bantamweight title. This wasn’t an ordinary match for Pacquiao. This was his first match in the United States, and with it taking place at the iconic MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, the pressure was on.

That night, he showed the entire world what the Philippines already knew, and he captured the title.

It didn’t end there. During his illustrious career, Pacquiao’s popularity and skill have earned an estimated net worth of $190 million.

A Hero To His People

Malacañang Photo Bureau

In 2007, Pacquiao shifted into politics with a run for a seat in the Philippine House of Representatives. While he lost in a major blowout, he won a seat in the Sarangani province in 2010 and was re-elected in 2013. In 2015, he drew media attention when he announced plans to run for Senator.

“I will not be absent because the whole country would be my responsibility,” he said in a press release. Under the United Nationalist Alliance party, he was one of 12 new members of the Senate, and with 16 million votes, he was one of the most popular in the bunch.

Pacquiao officially retired from boxing in April 2016 to focus on being a Senator, but he came out of retirement eight months later to face Jessie Vargas for the WBO welterweight title. Eight months after winning the belt, Pacquiao would lose it to Jeff Horn in Australia.

While many people assume Pacquiao would challenge the boxer for a rematch, that would be on the backburner as violence in his home country continues to escalate. Whether he’s facing an opponent in the ring or facing another issue in his home country, Manny Pacquiao is living proof that determination and a strong mindset will bring you success.

The post How Manny Pacquiao Rose From Poverty Is Astonishing appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Evander Holyfield once said that he never had a plan. That might have been the farthest thing from the truth! In actuality, few athletes can rival Holyfield’s incredible training regimen, work ethic, or his inspiring story.

Holyfield had somewhat of a reputation as a “light heavyweight,” but he prevailed in countless bouts due to his training strategies.

A Commitment To Training

His commitment to training and preparation wasn’t always important to him, but it was something he learned to value after years of experience in the boxing world. “Life is about knowledge. Knowledge is power,” he said. “I didn’t have the knowledge when I was young… now I’m the oldest one in the game.”

Wikipedia

In a 1988 interview, Holyfield’s training regimen for going from cruiserweight to heavyweight was revealed. The strategy included three weekly two-hour strength training sessions that focused on free weights.

His regimen also included four to five meals a day with high-protein foods as well as complex carbs. Then, after a few hours of rest, Holyfield would do his boxing drills, eat another big meal, rest some more, and end the day with cardio and conditioning work.

Started From A Tough Upbringing

Holyfield is an inspiring story, as he came from a poor upbringing in a crime-ridden neighborhood of Atlanta. His mother told him that when you’re poor, you have to have something to show people—something you can prove yourself with.

With those words in mind, Holyfield went on to become a boxing legend and win multiple cruiserweight and heavyweight titles, as well as a bronze medal in the 1984 Olympic Games.

“I have to have faith, faith in my abilities,” said Holyfield. “This is how I win.”

Flickr

Holyfield takes it personally when people say that athletes have an early expiration date. While many commentators say an athlete hits their prime at 30 years old, he continued boxing until he officially retired at 52. He took great pride that he maintained his abilities for so long.

He also believes that if you really take care of yourself, you can have a much longer career. His mother was a treasure trove of good advice, and she told him that they key to longevity was to avoid burning the candle at both ends. Ample rest and recovery were crucial to Holyfield’s lengthy career.

The Mike Tyson Incident

Holyfield had just returned from a professional hiatus due to health concerns when he was scheduled to fight Mike Tyson. It was a highly anticipated fight, but the tone of the story changed when Tyson unexpectedly bit Holyfield’s ear twice during the fight. The second time Tyson bit him, he actually took a piece of Holyfield’s ear off.

YouTube

Tyson was removed from the fight and lost due to disqualification, and the incident went on to spread through global news like wildfire.

Holyfield handled that infamous incident professionally and courteously. As a man widely known for his faith, he claims that it was an inspirational experience and that it gave him an opportunity to better practice forgiveness.

The post Evander Holyfield On Faith, Fighting, And The Mike Tyson Incident appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The highly-anticipated boxing match between former heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua and ex-UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou on Friday night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, didn’t produce as much action as expected. Joshua ended the fight with a second-round knock-out, recording his fourth straight win.

Ngannou entered the match on the back of a surprisingly good performance against WBC champion Tyson Fury back in October, which he lost in a split decision. However, the retired MMA fighter proved to be no match for Joshua.

Joshua was aggressive from the first bell, attacking Ngannou and sending him to the canvas in the first round. Several minutes into the second round, Ngannou was knocked down once again and seemed quite shaken.

Shortly after the second knockdown, Joshua delivered a powerful jab that knocked out Ngannou beyond the point of return.

Speaking after the fight, Joshua praised Ngannou and said that he belongs in the world of boxing.

“He’s an inspiration,” said Joshua. “He’s a great champion. This doesn’t take away anything of his capabilities because, in boxing, it’s one or the other. He can come again.”

Ngannou, on the other hand, went on X (former Twitter) to apologize to his fans.

Since losing two straight fights against Oleksandr Usyk, Joshua has bounced back with four consecutive wins, two of which came via KO. He now has his eyes set on recapturing the heavyweight championship belts he lost to Usyk, but he will have to wait his turn. Usyk is currently scheduled to face Fury in May in a fight that will likely produce an undisputed heavyweight boxing champion of the world.

The post Anthony Joshua Knocks Out Francis Ngannou in the Second Round appeared first on SportzBonanza.

In an unexpected twist, Tyson Fury entered the drama surrounding the unification of the world heavyweight boxing division.

Deontay Wilder, WBC champion, claimed that a match-up with the undefeated Briton is “close” during an interview with RingTV.

Fury spent twelve months out of the ring due to mental health issues. His return in June ended with a bizarre win over Sefer Seferi. A fight among spectators distracted Fury and saw more punches thrown than in the ring itself.

For Wilder, that, however, was enough to begin promoting the fight.

“It’s definitely going to happen, there’s no doubt,” he declared. “There’s just a little more work to be done.”

Not on the hype though.

“This is going to be better than Joshua when it all boils down to it,” he continued. “We know Tyson Fury, in many eyes, is still the champ, he hasn’t been defeated. He’s still undefeated. He’s still the lineal champion. Once I knock him off, I become that man who beat the man. I’m super excited, I can’t wait for this thing to be official and we can get the promotion going and get the fans riled up for it.”

The fight between Joshua and Wilder is some way off. Both fighters cause the ‘Sold Out’ signs to hang over stadium ticket offices.

However, viewers are not yet persuaded to part with their money. It’s a key revenue stream to making the fight happen. Until both achieve the numbers broadcasters want to see, it remains a significant barrier.

Wilder hopes that by knocking out Fury, those numbers will start to rise. The buck then passes to Anthony Joshua to improve his numbers on UK television.

The post Deontay Wilder Claims Tyson Fury Fight is Close appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Mikey Garcia demonstrated on Saturday why he is one of the best pound-for-pound boxers currently on the circuit.

Robert Easter Jr. held a five-inch height advantage that Garcia rendered irrelevant with relentless pressure coupled with accurate and jarring punches. It led to a third-round knockdown from which Easter recovered physically but not in the sense of the fight.

Garcia was the predator, stalking his prey across the ring, cutting the size of the square with sharp movements. Although Easter was 20 and 0 before the fight, the disparity between the two was obvious as the fight wore on.

Garcia won every round subsequent to the eight-count and scored a unanimous points victory, unifying the WBC and IBF lightweight titles. The margin of victory was decisive: 118 – 109, 117 – 110, and 116 – 111.

Speaking afterward, Garcia spoke of his pride at winning titles in his fourth division. “It’s a great accomplishment,” – said the Californian who was previously a champion at featherweight, super featherweight, and light welterweight.

“Now we’re back,” – he continued. “I told you guys I was coming for bigger things and now we’re one step closer to achieving that.

“I’m here for the biggest challenges. I don’t know if there is anyone that is a bigger challenge than Errol Spence. I know he’s up to fight everyone, so let’s make it happen.”

Garcia cannot be dismissed lightly, but Spence will be favorite in the event the match is made. With 39 wins, 30 by KO, he is eager to take on a fighter who is one of his few peers in the ring.

The post Garcia Unifies Lightweight Titles, Errol Spence Next? appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Boxer Vasyl Lomachenko has said that he now expects it to be easier to get opponents after he secured a victory over Jorge Linares by a tenth round knock-out at Madison Square Garden in New York.

In the process, Lomachenko also claimed the WBA World lightweight title. However, it was not an easy fight for Lomachenko, as have been the majority of his fights during his career so far. For only the second time in his career, he actually looked threatened and was hit often during the early rounds of the bout and was even knocked down during the 6^th round.

Following the result, Mikey Garcia has already said that he would like to fight Lomachenko.

A fight against Garcia really is the only one that is worth taking from Lomachenko’s point of view. If he takes on another lightweight, it will not generate much publicity and will be unlikely to be much of a contest anyway.

“After the fight, I told [Top Rank vice president of boxing operations] Carl Moretti in the ring, ‘It’s going to be much easier for you to get opponents for me because they all see I’m also a human being,’” – Lomachenko said. “What I did was make my promoter’s job easier.”

The post Vasyl Lomachenko Expects to Get Opponents More Easily Now appeared first on SportzBonanza.

It is no secret that Anthony Joshua is one of the biggest attracts on the worldwide boxing circuit at this current point in time.

No other boxer has the ability to sell out 90,000 tickets the way that Joshua does. Every major promoter has been keeping tabs on the pride of British boxing, especially considering that his current deal with Matchroom Sport and Eddie Hearn is set to expire this year (in November).

However, it does not look like Joshua will be making any changes. It has since been reported that he is set to sign a one-hundred-million pound (GB sterling) agreement and remain with Matchroom.

Joshua is understood to currently be in talks for a unification showdown against Deontay Wilder. Wilder and Joshua are both undefeated and two of the greatest heavyweight boxers of the current generation.

If the match between Wilder and Joshua ends up going ahead as expected, it promises to end up being one of the greatest of the decade.

The post Anthony Joshua isn’t changing promoters appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Khabib Nurmagomdedov has revealed that negotiations are currently underway over a possible fight against Conor McGregor.

McGregor has not fought since his professional boxing defeat against Floyd Mayweather in August last year and the world is currently waiting for the Irishman to announce who his next opponent will be.

He has been linked with a possible rematch against Mayweather (this time under MMA rules) as well as a possible third fight against Nate Diaz.

“We’re talking, but if it takes too long, I don’t want to do that,” the new UFC lightweight champion said during a Q&A in Russia when asked about a fight with McGregor.

“If he wants to fight this year, then we can fight. Otherwise, I don’t know. We won’t wait long. I want to fight Conor and if he can fight, I will fight him.”

Meanwhile, former UFC light-heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier believes that Floyd Mayweather would not stand a chance if he does end up fighting McGregor in the Octagon.

“Any MMA fighter would beat Floyd in a full-on MMA fight,” Cormier told The Herd. “When you starting kicking guys, they turn.

“Floyd would probably fall down from leg kicks.”

The post Conor McGregor fight negotiations revealed appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Veteran boxer Manny Pacquiao believes that he still has a few more fights left in him.

Pacquiao’s last fight was a controversial loss against Jeff Horn in Australia last year and he is currently preparing for his first fight in a year which will be against Argentine WBA welterweight world champion Lucas Matthysse in Kuala Lampur in July.

“Definitely this is not my last fight,” the 39-year-old Filipino said at a news conference in the Malaysian capital on Friday to promote the fight.

“I want my last fight to be in the Philippines, but I still have a couple more fights till I retire,” said the former eight-division world champion and serving senator in his homeland.

This will be the first title defence for Matthysse (39-4) and Pacquiao revealed that he is expecting a tough bout.

“Matthysse’s style is very aggressive. He’ll want to come inside and fight toe-to-toe. You won’t see running or dancing in the ring,” said Pacquiao.

The post Manny Pacquiao believes that he still has more fights left in him appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Joseph Parker’s sparring partner Malik Wilks has said that the boxer is far stronger after undergoing surgery on his elbows.

Parker will face off Britain’s Anthony Joshua this Saturday in a heavyweight unification match.

Scott assisted Parker when he beat Hughie Fury last September and has been brought back into the New Zealander’s camp in order to help him prepare for the fight against WBA “super’’ and IBF  champions Joshua in Cardiff on Saturday.

“When he was getting ready for Fury, there was times in sparring where we were having to stop,” – Scott told Sky Sports.

“I don’t think that the elbow, the shoulder, none of that is an issue right now. The only thing that’s an issue, the most important thing, is there are two young lions, two great champions, and they want to rock. I cannot wait to see it. A totally different power now. I will say the last time it was like 70 percent to me. Right now it’s at 120.”

The post Parker stronger ahead of boxing match against Anthony Joshua appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Some of the biggest athletes in the world have gone through some major hurdles to get to the top. A select few of them wind up changing the lives of many people in the process. This is the tale of one of the most prolific figures to ever lace up a pair of boxing gloves.

Struggling To Live

Frederick Manligas Nacino

Born in the Philippines, Manny Pacquiao had big dreams just like any other kid. Unfortunately, he dealt with some major issues. While attending the sixth grade, his parents separated when his father’s infidelity was exposed, and he dropped out of high school because of poverty issues. In his home country, poverty is a major issue, and while he was growing up, nearly half of the population were living well below the poverty line.

Confused at what to do, Pacquiao turned to his uncle Sardo Mejia for advice. The man taught Pacquiao about boxing and what it can do for the soul. “If it wasn’t for me, there would be no world champion Manny Pacquiao,” stated Mejia.

He started training Pacquiao in boxing, and at the age of 12, the future world champion won his first fight against a 16-year-old boxer in General Santos City. “For Uncle Sardo, it was the ultimate blessing that his little nephew shared his favourite hobby,” Pacquiao stated in his autobiography. “Even though he had no formal training, we both took it seriously and knew that we were going to be champions one day.”

While the victory was grand, it didn’t give Manny the spark he needed to go forth with this newfound career. Unfortunately, that came from the death of his friend Eugene Barutag in the ring, who was aspiring to be a famous boxer just like him. “Even though he died, I thought ‘I will continue our dream, our battle,'” Pacquiao said.

The Mark Of A Champion

Pixabay

Pacquiao quickly ascended up the weight division with an astonishing 32-2 record and a run with the WBC International super bantamweight title. His big break came on June 23, 2001, when he fought Lehlo Ledwaba for the IBF super bantamweight title. This wasn’t an ordinary match for Pacquiao. This was his first match in the United States, and with it taking place at the iconic MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, the pressure was on.

That night, he showed the entire world what the Philippines already knew, and he captured the title.

It didn’t end there. During his illustrious career, Pacquiao’s popularity and skill have earned an estimated net worth of $190 million.

A Hero To His People

Malacañang Photo Bureau

In 2007, Pacquiao shifted into politics with a run for a seat in the Philippine House of Representatives. While he lost in a major blowout, he won a seat in the Sarangani province in 2010 and was re-elected in 2013. In 2015, he drew media attention when he announced plans to run for Senator.

“I will not be absent because the whole country would be my responsibility,” he said in a press release. Under the United Nationalist Alliance party, he was one of 12 new members of the Senate, and with 16 million votes, he was one of the most popular in the bunch.

Pacquiao officially retired from boxing in April 2016 to focus on being a Senator, but he came out of retirement eight months later to face Jessie Vargas for the WBO welterweight title. Eight months after winning the belt, Pacquiao would lose it to Jeff Horn in Australia.

While many people assume Pacquiao would challenge the boxer for a rematch, that would be on the backburner as violence in his home country continues to escalate. Whether he’s facing an opponent in the ring or facing another issue in his home country, Manny Pacquiao is living proof that determination and a strong mindset will bring you success.

The post How Manny Pacquiao Rose From Poverty Is Astonishing appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Evander Holyfield once said that he never had a plan. That might have been the farthest thing from the truth! In actuality, few athletes can rival Holyfield’s incredible training regimen, work ethic, or his inspiring story.

Holyfield had somewhat of a reputation as a “light heavyweight,” but he prevailed in countless bouts due to his training strategies.

A Commitment To Training

His commitment to training and preparation wasn’t always important to him, but it was something he learned to value after years of experience in the boxing world. “Life is about knowledge. Knowledge is power,” he said. “I didn’t have the knowledge when I was young… now I’m the oldest one in the game.”

Wikipedia

In a 1988 interview, Holyfield’s training regimen for going from cruiserweight to heavyweight was revealed. The strategy included three weekly two-hour strength training sessions that focused on free weights.

His regimen also included four to five meals a day with high-protein foods as well as complex carbs. Then, after a few hours of rest, Holyfield would do his boxing drills, eat another big meal, rest some more, and end the day with cardio and conditioning work.

Started From A Tough Upbringing

Holyfield is an inspiring story, as he came from a poor upbringing in a crime-ridden neighborhood of Atlanta. His mother told him that when you’re poor, you have to have something to show people—something you can prove yourself with.

With those words in mind, Holyfield went on to become a boxing legend and win multiple cruiserweight and heavyweight titles, as well as a bronze medal in the 1984 Olympic Games.

“I have to have faith, faith in my abilities,” said Holyfield. “This is how I win.”

Flickr

Holyfield takes it personally when people say that athletes have an early expiration date. While many commentators say an athlete hits their prime at 30 years old, he continued boxing until he officially retired at 52. He took great pride that he maintained his abilities for so long.

He also believes that if you really take care of yourself, you can have a much longer career. His mother was a treasure trove of good advice, and she told him that they key to longevity was to avoid burning the candle at both ends. Ample rest and recovery were crucial to Holyfield’s lengthy career.

The Mike Tyson Incident

Holyfield had just returned from a professional hiatus due to health concerns when he was scheduled to fight Mike Tyson. It was a highly anticipated fight, but the tone of the story changed when Tyson unexpectedly bit Holyfield’s ear twice during the fight. The second time Tyson bit him, he actually took a piece of Holyfield’s ear off.

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Tyson was removed from the fight and lost due to disqualification, and the incident went on to spread through global news like wildfire.

Holyfield handled that infamous incident professionally and courteously. As a man widely known for his faith, he claims that it was an inspirational experience and that it gave him an opportunity to better practice forgiveness.

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