Sherdog Boxing: The Weekly Wrap

Claressa Shields Injured, Fight in Flint Pushed Back

Claressa Shields was supposed to be fighting in her hometown of Flint Michigan on Aug. 17. Instead, the fight against Ivana Habazin has been pushed back to the fall, because Shields suffered an undisclosed “minor injury.” It looks like the fight will stay in Flint, which is good because anything that can bring attention (and hopefully some money) to that city is a good thing.

Sports Illustrated Reports Canelo-GGG 3 in Jeopardy over Fight Location

It was far from shocking and had been long rumored in the boxing world, but this week Sports Illustrated confirmed that GGG-Canelo 3 is in jeopardy over the location of the fight. Unsurprisingly, GGG wants the fight in NYC or Texas, not in Las Vegas where it is believed (if not twice proven) he can’t get a fair shake from the judges because of how much money Canelo brings the city. Alvarez and his team obviously want the fight in Las Vegas and are threatening to look at other opponents if Golovkin’s team won’t accept the fight being in Las Vegas. One name to keep an eye on in terms of potential opponents is WBO middleweight champion Demetrius Andrade, assuming he beats Maciej Sulecki June 29.

One fight that isn’t in jeopardy is Spence-Porter. That fight has apparently been finalized, although no location, date or venue has been made official.

Rumors Add Jarrell Miller to Potential Tyson Fury Opponent List

While last week it was believed Kubrat Pulev was the surest stay-busy opponent for Tyson Fury while he waits for the Deontay Wilder rematch, reports this week are that Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller is also in the running to face “The Gypsy King.” Supposedly, Bob Arum would like an American opponent, and if the fight is in New York City (which is supposedly a possibility) it would be great to have a New York resident like Miller as an opponent. Getting a fight like that would be great for New York, especially because Eddie Hearn is claiming Anthony Joshua wants the Andy Ruiz rematch to take place in Madison Square Garden, to avenge the loss where it happened.

Fury once tested positive for nandrolone, so it might not be in his best interest to crack any PED jokes at Big Baby’s expense. But, he has also been on the record arguing that boxers should be allowed to use PEDs (because according to him everyone except him is taking drugs anyway), so who knows what he’ll say about the fight?

One person that likely disagrees with that hyper-libertarian PED stance is WBA “regular” Welterweight Champion of the world Brian Castano. Castano relinquished his title this week after the WBA wouldn’t hire VADA to manage the drug testing of him and his mandatory challenger Michael Soro.

Shakur Stevenson Reaches Plea Deal but Needs New Opponent for July 13 Fight

This week Shakur Stevenson reached a plea deal for his Miami Beach assault, which became a big issue after the video surfaced and was spread around social media. Facing three counts of misdemeanor battery and one count of felony battery, the charges against Stevenson were dropped after he paid the victim’s medical bills and struck a deal where he will serve one year of probation and do fifty hours of community service.

Stevenson is also going to need a new opponent for his July 13 fight in New Jersey, since Hairon Socarras pulled out of the fight due to “various issues.”

Joseph Parker Fighting Alex Leapai June 30 in Providence

Speaking of opponent changes, Joseph Parker (whose victory over Andy Ruiz now looks a whole lot better) was supposed to be fighting Eric Molina, but when Eddie Hearn couldn’t make that deal happen, the 39-year-old Australian who is 1-3-1 in his last five fights and hasn’t fought since 2017 got the spot. That’s not a great matchup, but seeing how Leapai acknowledges a quick knockout is his only shot since he doesn’t have the fitness to go the distance, it could be a fun fight for a short while.

Marcus Browne Arrested for Fourth Time in 18 Months

Marcus Browne, the undefeated light heavyweight that’s fighting Jean Pascal in August was arrested for the fourth time in eighteen months this week. He allegedly barged into his ex-girlfriend’s apartment after dropping of their daughter and wouldn’t leave, prompting her to call 911. He had pleaded guilty to misdemeanor criminal contempt after allegedly attacking the same woman last September.

Four arrests in 18 months is approaching the Jermain Taylor zone, so let’s hope he and his child’s mother can figure out a way to make this work.

Broner Wants to Fight 50 Cent, Prograis Wants to Fight Conor McGregor

In a week where MMA fighters and boxers are facing off in bareknuckle boxing matches and Justin Bieber is trying to fight Tom Cruise in the Octagon, it probably shouldn’t have been surprising that there were a couple of bizarre challenges coming from the boxing world.

In the far less surprising act of stupidity, Adrien “About Billions” Broner said he wants to fight 50 Cent, because the rapper blocked him on Instagram, supposedly because he lost money betting on him against Pacquiao which soured their friendship.

If you were looking for some indication Regis Prograis was overlooking former Olympian Josh Taylor, his opponent in the World Boxing Super Series finals, this week he gave it to you. Prograis said he wants to fight Conor McGregor in boxing and in MMA, because McGregor called out Mark Wahlberg for a fight and Wahlberg is partly Prograis’ manager. For what it’s worth, Prograis has trained MMA before so he is not ignorant of the sport, but he’s not a big enough name for McGregor to care about at this point in his life.