Unbeaten Russian cruiserweight Alexei Papin arrived in the training camp of WBO champion Alexander Usyk, where he will act as a sparring partner of the Ukrainian in his preparation for the fight on January 27 in Riga, Latvia against WBC champion Mairis Briedis. This fight will be the semifinal of the World Boxing Super Series and will be a pass to the fight for the Muhammad Ali Cup against the winner of Murat Gassiev - Yunier Dorticos.
Former world champion David Lemieux once again complained about a hand injury that he allegedly received in a fight against WBO middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders, that "prevented him from winning." Two weeks ago, Saunders won a convincing and one-sided victory over Lemieux in his native Canada.
WBO super flyweight champion 24-year-old Japanese Naoya Inoue nicknamed "Monster" is preparing for the seventh defense of his title, which he will have this Saturday, on New Year's Eve in Yokohama, against Frenchman Yoan Boyeaux. The upcoming meeting will be the main event of the evening at the Bunka Jym arena from the local promotional organization Ohashi Promotions.
According to WBO middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders, the IBF, IBO, WBA and WBC title holder Gennady Golovkin must KO Saul Alvarez in a possible rematch if he wants to win it. The first meeting of Golovkin and Alvarez this September was controversially judged as a draw.
Deontey Wilder says that he will not be very upset and just try to meet the strongest rivals possible, if Anthony Joshua for any reason refuses to fight him in a unification battle.
Promoter of Ringstar Sports Richard Schaefer shared his plans of the World Boxing Super Series for the second season. According to Schaefer, this time the organizers will try to stage the tournaments of the eight in the 118, 122 or 126 pounds.
Kathy Duva, the head of the promotion company Main Events, dealing affairs of WBO light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev, says that their plans are to try to return the lost titles of other versions, and organize fights with Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.
WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker has already compiled a list of New Year's wishes. They include fights against world champions Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder, as well as a duel with Tony Bellew. At the moment Parker's team is busy negotiating with WBA, IBF and IBO title holder Anthony Joshua about a meeting in March or April.
Last week, former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury very unexpectedly announced that he is giving up his all career coach uncle Peter, and will continue to prepare under the guidance of Ben Davidson. At the moment, Fury, who has not entered the ring since December 2015, when he got a shocking victory over Wladimir Klitschko, tries to lose weight and regain his former form.
WBO welterweight champion Jeff Horn speaks on his further career plans. The next fight the Australian intends to have in April 2018. However, the boxer has not yet decided on his opponent. The official contender for his title is the former undisputed junior welterweight champion Terence Crawford.
