Fights
Former UFC champion Cormier: “Ankalaev received injections before the fight against Pereira”
Former UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier confirmed previously reported information that Russian Magomed Ankalaev was injured while preparing for his championship fight against Alex Pereira.
On Saturday, Ankalaev lost to Brazilian Pereira by technical knockout in the first round of a fight in which the light heavyweight championship belt was at stake. This was Ankalaev’s first defense and at the same time a rematch with Pereira. The first fight between the fighters took place in March, when the Russian defeated the Brazilian and won the UFC champion title.
— Before the fight, I saw a video where Ankalaev was given injections in the ribs. This is not a lie about injury. This is not an excuse. “Basically, he was able to hit the pads in training and do cardio for a month and a half before the fight,” Cormier was quoted as saying by Championship Rounds on social media.
Ankalaev is 33 years old, during his MMA career he won 21 victories, suffered two defeats and finished one fight in a draw.
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Source: Sportbox
International Boxing Federation (IBF) updated the rankings in the super heavyweight (over 90.7 kg) category; Compared to the previous month, only three boxers managed to retain their positions.
The official leader of the ranking is British Derek Chisora (36-13, 23 KOs) is ranked second and is claiming the top seed, which would allow him to fight for the world title.
Cuban Frank Sanchez came in third, while American Richard Torres maintained his fourth place. Another US representative, Jared Anderson, completed the top five.
Invincible Briton Moses Ithauma (13-0, 11 KOs) continues his slide and is now down to #14. He had previously refused to fight in a boxer candidate’s match and was punished by the organization.
Itauma plans to follow the WBO line, so there is a possibility he will be removed from the International Boxing Federation rankings in January.
The Ukrainian player has held the IBF championship since July. Alexander Usik (24-0, 15 KOs) won the belt in the match against Briton Daniel Dubois (TKO 5).
Rating of the strongest heavyweight boxers in the world (according to IBF):
(place in previous version is indicated in parentheses)
- Empty
- (2) Dereck Chisora (Great Britain)
- (3) Frank Sanchez (Cuba)
- (4) Richard Torres (USA)
- (6) Jared Anderson (USA)
- (8) Martin Bakole (DR Congo)
- (9) Bakhodir Jalolov (Uzbekistan)
- (10) Guido Vianello (Italy)
- (-) Richard Riakpore (England)
- (15) Lawrence Okolie (Great Britain)
- (7) Michael Hunter (USA)
- (5) Daniel Dubois (Great Britain)
- (11) Filip Hrgovic (Croatia)
- (12) Moses Ithauma (Great Britain)
- (13)Efe Ajagba (Nigeria)
Source: Sport UA
I am a sports writer and journalist who has written for various online publications including Sportish. I’m originally from the UK but currently live in Toronto, Canada. I’m also an author on Sportish and have written several articles on a variety of sports-related topics.
Former World Heavyweight Champion Anthony Joshua The next opponent is clear and his choice may surprise the fans.
According to Ad.nl, the Briton is considering fighting the legendary kickboxer Rico Verhoeven. Although the details of the possible fight have not yet been announced, the parties are already negotiating. Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn also confirmed his interest in this confrontation and stated that the final decision has not been made yet.
Verhoeven, 36, recently left the Glory promotion, where he was champion for 12 years and had only one boxing match.
A big boxing show took place in Miami, USA, on the night of December 19-20, 2025. In the main fight, American entertainer Jake Paul and former world champion Anthony Joshua entered the ring. The fight ended in the sixth round – AJ brutally knocked out his opponent.
Source: Sport UA
I am a sports writer and journalist who has written for various online publications including Sportish. I’m originally from the UK but currently live in Toronto, Canada. I’m also an author on Sportish and have written several articles on a variety of sports-related topics.
American boxer and internet celebrity jake paul after defeat Anthony Joshua He announced that he is ready to fight former UFC champion Francis Ngannou.
“I told everyone I was going to be better than Francis. It’s like he doesn’t have any character. Francis is soft… I’m going to fight him. I think he can take on that fight now,” Jake said in a video for the IMPAULSIVE YouTube channel.
Recall that on December 20, Jake Paul lost to Anthony Joshua by knockout in the sixth round. The fight between Ngannou and Joshua took place on the night of March 9, 2024 and ended with Anthony winning by knockout in the second round.
In the first round, Joshua knocked out Francis for the first time, repeated this in the second round, and then finished the fight with a knockout against the best representative of mixed martial arts.
Source: Sport UA
I am a sports writer and journalist who has written for various online publications including Sportish. I’m originally from the UK but currently live in Toronto, Canada. I’m also an author on Sportish and have written several articles on a variety of sports-related topics.
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