American boxer, influencer and former actor.
The UFC has confirmed Connor McGregor’s return fight ended in a knee injury that required surgery. He has torn ACL and meniscus, ending his planned comeback for now. A year-long sidelining is anticipated as he eyes a 2027 return and a possible rematch with Holloway.
Most Valuable Promotions has merged with the Professional Fighters League to create a single combat-sports company led by MVP founders Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, with PFL CEO John Martin on the board. The combined group will bring together nearly 300–400 fighters, combine boxing and MMA rosters, and keep broad global media partnerships including Netflix and ESPN.
British heavyweight Moses Itauma will headline London’s O2 Arena on Aug. 29 for the vacant IBF heavyweight title, facing Filip Hrgovic. The title win would crown Itauma as the youngest world heavyweight champion since Mike Tyson. The bout is part of a broader heavyweight landscape shaped by Usyk’s vacating of belts and ongoing negotiations for future super-fights.
Au Vodka, the Swansea-based RTD vodka brand, is nearing a sale to Sazerac, the Kentucky-based owner of brands like Buffalo Trace and Fireball. Founders Charlie Morgan and Jackson Quinn are expected to net over £100m each, with a deal potentially valued up to £500m including future payments. Legal and advisory teams are said to be involved, and the move would expand Sazerac’s UK footprint amid industry turbulence.
Meta is rolling out Pocket, a mobile app that turns prompts into interactive gizmos, a test born from Gizmo and Muse Spark AI. The feature lets users craft interactive mini-games from prompts and remix others, with plans to refine prompts and visuals. Divining the broader strategy, Pocket sits alongside other live Meta experiments aimed at making AI creation mainstream.
The Fury vs. Joshua heavyweight showdown remains unresolved as promoters signalled the fight will occur, with UK hosting under Contract, and the Saudis pushing for a US venue. Addenda address tax implications and logistics, while Netflix eyes a US broadcast.
Katie Taylor is set to bid farewell to boxing in a final, high-stakes title bout in Dublin, aiming to become a three‑time undisputed world champion against Flora Pili. The 40‑year‑old Olympic gold medallist faces a young, undefeated challenger in an 80,000‑seat sell‑out at Croke Park, with the event marketed as one of Ireland’s greatest sporting nights.
LeBron James has teased a collaboration with Polymarket, with a 14-second video showing the NBA star at Polymarket HQ. CNBC reports the partnership focuses on football, with more details expected next week. The deal marks James’ latest step into prediction markets, joining a cadre of athletes and leagues expanding in this space.
Fury and Joshua have agreed to meet at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on 11 December, with Netflix streaming globally. After years of delays and negotiator standoffs, Britain hosts one of boxing’s biggest events as both fighters push to settle a decade-long rivalry.
Amanda Serrano will defend her unified featherweight titles in San Juan on January 9, aiming to break the all-time women’s knockout record. The seven-division undisputed former champion has said this will be her final fight, a night she describes as a celebration of her career and a milestone for women’s boxing.
Jake Paul has announced an eight-round cruiserweight bout against Cedric Doumbé on December 24 in Dubai, described by MVP as a professionally sanctioned event. Paul has historically fought at cruiserweight and has 12 wins from 14 pro fights, including a win over Mike Tyson in 2024. Doumbé, a former kickboxing world champion, has shifted to MMA.