<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="1715557" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="PFL">PFL</keyword> <keyword id="6403489" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="mma">MMA</keyword> has added <keyword id="3893074" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Anthony-Pettis">Anthony Pettis</keyword> to its roster for the 2021 season, the ESPN reporter Ariel Helwani said Wednesday.</li><li>The PFL and Pettis confirmed the news in different statements sent to Insider.</li><li>Pettis, a former <keyword id="992778" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="UFC">UFC</keyword> lightweight champion, will compete in the 155-pound division when the PFL restarts operations from April.</li><li>The American joins Rory MacDonald, Fabricio Werdum, and Claressa Shields as other big-name PFL signings who will make their debuts in 2021.</li></ul>The former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis has joined the Professional Fighters League (PFL).Pettis won the UFC's 155-pound championship when he submitted Benson Henderson with an armbar in 2013, and defended the belt the following year when he beat Gilbert Melendez with a guillotine choke.He last fought for the UFC four days ago, winning a decision against Alex Morono at a behind-closed-doors show in Las Vegas, and will now prepare for PFL's seasonal format when the New York-based MMA firm restarts operations in April 2021 following a coronavirus-enforced hiatus this year."I am excited to announce that the PFL has signed Anthony Pettis," the CEO of PFL Peter Murray said in a statement sent to Insider."Not only is Anthony a transcendent athlete within the sport of MMA, but he is also an innovator in the cage who is known for his charismatic fighting style and determination to win."We're very excited for him to join the PFL family," Murray said.The news was broken by the ESPN MMA reporter Ariel Helwani on Wednesday.Pettis joins Rory MacDonald, Fabricio Werdum, and Claressa Shields as other big-name PFL signings who will make their respective debuts in 2021.Pettis will compete in the lightweight division and could win a $1 million check should he win the company's high-stakes New Year's Eve championship match, after moving through the 2021 season and playoffs."I am really looking forward to this next big challenge after signing with the PFL," said Pettis in a statement sent to Insider."I'm super impressed with what the PFL has built, how they are growing the sport, and the amazing talent they have added."Pettis will be in the same division as the reigning PFL lightweight champion Natan Schulte and Clay Collard, an emergent cult hero in boxing because of his fan-friendly performances throughout the pandemic."I've been watching the Brazilian guy Schulte who is the champion and he is really good but there isn't anyone I'm scared of," Pettis said."The season format is great; I think it will be an amazing journey for me and to get to wrap it up over the course of one year will be awesome."I can't wait to get another world championship to add to my collection."The fights will take place at a Caesars Entertainment property in Las Vegas like Caesars Palace or Rio, and will be broadcast on ESPN2.Read more:<a href="https://www.insider.com/pfl-hopes-to-reimagine-combat-sports-with-new-season-2020-12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PFL MMA hopes to continue its mission of reimagining the world of combat sports when its new season begins in April 2021</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/conor-mcgregor-probably-skeptical-about-fighting-in-covid-white-said-2020-12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Conor McGregor was 'probably' skeptical about competing when the UFC said it would hold events through COVID, Dana White said</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/watch-jake-paul-drop-sweary-50-million-conor-mcgregor-offer-2020-12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jake Paul offers Conor McGregor $50 million to fight him in an insult-filled, expletive-laden video posted on social media</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/how-claressa-shields-could-master-mma-in-pfl-2020-12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Claressa Shields could master MMA at a 'rapid rate' as she's already got the mind of a warrior, PFL stablemate Clay Collard says</a><ul class="read-more-links"><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/weve-entered-a-golden-era-of-boxing-exhibitions-2020-11" target="_blank" rel="noopener">We've officially entered a golden era of showbiz boxing, and it's all down to Mike Tyson, Jake Paul, and Floyd Mayweather</a></li></ul>

Former UFC champion Anthony Pettis agrees to join the Professional Fighters League

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Professional Fighters League hopes to continue its mission of reimagining the world of combat <keyword id="6356028" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="sports">sports</keyword> when its new season begins in 2021.</li><li>The <keyword id="1715557" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="PFL">PFL</keyword> has been an outlier this year as the <keyword id="6403489" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="mma">MMA</keyword> firm postponed its 2020 season because of the coronavirus pandemic.</li><li>During the year it has enhanced its digital offerings and added significant names to its roster for the new season, next year.</li><li>The CEO <keyword id="5885869" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Peter-Murray">Peter Murray</keyword> told Insider this month about what's to come, and spoke about the detail of its behind-closed-doors residency in Las Vegas from April.</li></ul>The Professional Fighters League (PFL) hopes to continue its mission statement of reimagining the world of combat sports when its new season begins in April 2021.PFL MMA was the only major fight organization to postpone operations for the entire year because of the coronavirus pandemic.Other MMA companies like the UFC, Bellator MMA, and ACA use standalone matches during a fight night, with the winners and losers moving up and down divisional rankings.But the PFL is different. It integrated an NFL-style season, playoff, and championship format into its model, and so decision-makers did not hold events in 2020.Peter Murray, the CEO of PFL, told Insider earlier in the year that the company focused on its digital offerings, PFL Studios, and an OTT app, while also exploring the free agency market to enhance its roster when operations restart.With the new season five months away, Murray spoke to Insider again to look ahead at his firm's offer for the new season - its third since its founding in 2018.He told us about:<ol><li>Details of a Las Vegas residency for events in 2021</li><li>Talent management and new PFL signings</li><li>Tech innovations and market response to 2020 digital offerings</li><li>Hopes to double its audience share on the ESPN platform in the US</li></ol><h2>Creating a bubble environment at a Caesars Entertainment venue</h2><div type="image" title="Caesers Entertainment" height="600" width="1000" msid="79824355" hostid="261"></div>When Insider interviewed Murray earlier in the year, he spoke of his excitement at the potential for a vaccine arriving, which could drastically alter the live event industries.As the FDA has now approved Pfizer and Moderna as vaccine candidates for mass rollout in the US, and considering partial fan allowances are already in place for some big boxing events in the country, is there a possibility PFL could shift away from a behind-closed-doors bubble environment before or midway through the 2021 season?It is, for Murray, too early to say."We are first and foremost planning for the worst, and should the landscape change as it relates to safety for fighters, operational staff, and of course fans, then we will open up our events in 2021 to fans," he told us this month."But, at this point, we're planning a live, made-for-TV and streaming experience at a single site in Las Vegas, in partnership with Caesars [Entertainment]."<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/timcasey/2020/10/20/professional-fighters-league-returning-to-action-on-april-23-in-las-vegas/?sh=3501c3715244" target="_blank" rel="noopener">According to Forbes</a>, the site's frontrunners will be Caesars Palace - which has a rich fighting history having hosted mega-fights involving Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard - or Rio - a casino that held MMA events under the Final Fight Championship banner."We're excited," Murray told us."Las Vegas is, in my view, the pinnacle of combat events and for legacy. And we're looking forward to coming back and having Las Vegas as the home for the 2021 PFL season."<h2>PFL's talent management tested </h2><div type="image" title="Lance Palmer MMA PFL" height="1331" width="2000" msid="79824356" hostid="261"></div>The PFL's ability to manage talent was tested in October when Lance Palmer, a two-time PFL tournament winner, tweeted that fighters were suing the PFL because of how it postponed the season due to COVID-19.PFL founder and chairman <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-professional-fighters-league-wants-to-change-mma-forever-2020-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Donn Davis previously told Insider</a> that it would be paying fighters not to fight, with a monthly stipend of $1,000 paid to the athletes under contract.Murray added that the PFL has sympathized with the fighters on its roster, honored the stipend, and allowed fighters to compete in other regional MMA promotions or different disciplines outside of MMA.He added: "There's a sub-set of fighters who voiced concern and frustration, and of course, we get that."Candidly, that's in the rear-view mirror, though. There have been no lawsuits imposed on the PFL - no litigation. We'll be back in the cage with the best season ever coming in April, and that's what the conversation [with fighters] is about now."<h2>There have been significant additions to the PFL roster</h2><div type="image" title="Claressa Shields" height="1000" width="1500" msid="79824358" hostid="261"></div>The former Bellator MMA welterweight champion Rory MacDonald, the former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum, and the former two-time Olympic gold medal-winner Claressa Shields are three significant athletes who will be making their debuts in 2021 for the New York-headquartered firm.Signing Shields may have come as a surprise for some, considering she is an undefeated boxer in the prime of her career in that sport.However, it is a relationship Murray has fostered for years.Murray, a former senior executive at Under Armour, has worked with many big-name athletes in sponsorship and knew Shields well as he helped outfit the US Olympic team in 2016."I signed the USA Olympic team, we outfitted the team, and Claressa was a prominent athlete. I was inspired by her years ago."Murray said her debut in the PFL would likely be "a massive, global event" in June. She will fight twice in MMA at a minimum, but there could be scope for a third bout before she heads into the 2022 season in the 155-pound division."She's going to absolutely leave her mark in the sport of MMA," Murray said.Of course, Werdum has already made his mark as one of the best heavyweights ever to grace MMA.At 43 years old and with 34 matches under his belt, he's also a veteran. But his addition has excited the PFL's heavyweight division."He was an incredible signing by [PFL President] Ray Sefo," Murray said. "And I know our other fighters in the heavyweight division are also excited."Considering the hype surrounding Shields and the roster's interest in Werdum, it is easy to forget that 2019 addition MacDonald is still to make his first fight for PFL."Boy, Rory is chomping at the bit," said Murray. "He wants to be top dog, and he's ready to prove, in his view, that he can run through the welterweight division."There are also more signings to come."There are big, new signings in every weight class," Murray said. "We've announced some of them … but there are more to come [next 60 days]."<h2>The market response to its digital offerings has pleased PFL</h2><div type="image" title="PFL MMA app" height="500" width="1000" msid="79824359" hostid="261"></div>Integral to the PFL's content drive in 2020, during a year when its live events business was on pause, Murray launched PFL Studios, which tells audio-visual stories about MMA, the PFL, and PFL's athletes, together with the PFL MMA app, which is a platform for those PFL Studios stories, and the company's archival footage of live events."We're focused on our mission to reimagine the world of sport," he said. "And obviously, we're going to do that with our compelling live events, with our long-form storytelling distributed to our partners, including ESPN, which keeps the brand visible."For our OTT app, we're seeing excellent month-over-month usage of the app in the US and internationally. We have a full archive of the 2018 and 2019 seasons, every fight, every event. As well as the World Series of Fighting archive."Murray said that the PFL would be celebrating the Olympic year in combat sports by distributing live events through its app, together with broader combat across different, single disciplines.This will include traditional Olympic combat sports like taekwondo and judo and kickboxing, and jiu-jitsu."We've evolved from an event-driven company to a year-round content company, and now we're going to be a media company and destination for broader combat."We will feature regional MMA promotions around the world, as well as kickboxing and perhaps even wrestling."Other innovations in the new season include more extensive data pooled from its SmartCage, which will provide statistics for athletes in-camp and then fight fans watching on a live broadcast.This, Murray said, provides "invaluable data for how athletes are measuring aspects of their performance against different opponents, like speed, for example."Athletes will have real data on themselves and their opponent, for things like average punch speed and the type of damage that can do, and what you can do to avoid that damage, Murray said."And the same goes for kick speed as well as other data."<h2>Murray expects ESPN ratings to double</h2>The 2019 championship - which saw six $1 million checks awarded to the tournament winners - drew 361,000 viewers on ESPN2, <a href="https://frontofficesports.com/professional-fighters-league-ott" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to Front Office Sports</a>.The roster signings, tech innovations, and Las Vegas residency combined with the ESPN platform will see twice as many people tune in to watch the $1 million finals at the end of 2021, Murray hopes."It's going to be our most exciting season to date and we expect absolute, continued, explosive growth," he said.<ul class="read-more-links"><li>Read more:</li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/callum-smith-full-of-anguish-waiting-for-canelo-fight-contract-2020-12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Inside one of boxing's biggest bouts of the year as Callum Smith attempts to upset the odds against Canelo Alvarez - the sport's marquee attraction</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/conor-mcgregor-probably-skeptical-about-fighting-in-covid-white-said-2020-12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Conor McGregor was 'probably' skeptical about competing when the UFC said it would hold events through COVID, Dana White said</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/watch-jake-paul-drop-sweary-50-million-conor-mcgregor-offer-2020-12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jake Paul offers Conor McGregor $50 million to fight him in an insult-filled, expletive-laden video posted on social media</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/how-claressa-shields-could-master-mma-in-pfl-2020-12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Claressa Shields could master MMA at a 'rapid rate' as she's already got the mind of a warrior, PFL stablemate Clay Collard says</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/weve-entered-a-golden-era-of-boxing-exhibitions-2020-11" target="_blank" rel="noopener">We've officially entered a golden era of showbiz boxing, and it's all down to Mike Tyson, Jake Paul, and Floyd Mayweather</a></li></ul>

PFL MMA hopes to continue its mission of reimagining the world of combat sports when its new season begins in April 2021

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="2944528" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Conor-McGregor">Conor McGregor</keyword> may have been skeptical at first when it came to competing during the coronavirus pandemic.</li><li>"I think when I said I was going to go through COVID, a lot of people were skeptical and wanted to see how this thing played out. And Conor was probably one of them," the <keyword id="992778" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="UFC">UFC</keyword> boss <keyword id="1358348" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Dana-White">Dana White</keyword> said Wednesday.</li><li>McGregor returns to the Octagon on January 23 as the Irish striker fights Dustin Poirier in a lightweight match, which is likely heading to <keyword id="9060271" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="fight-island">Fight Island</keyword> in Abu Dhabi.</li><li>White expects a slobberknocker. "Conor looks damn good, and Poirier is always in shape."</li></ul>Conor McGregor was "probably" skeptical about competing when the UFC said it would hold events through the coronavirus pandemic, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0H-e_zrLtxY" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dana White told BT Sport on Wednesday</a>.McGregor returns to the Octagon on January 23, headlining the UFC's third <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/fight-island" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fight Island-branded residency</a> in Abu Dhabi.The Irishman's lightweight bout with Dustin Poirier will likely serve as a finale to a two-week and three-event stay in the Middle East, as the UFC uses a sanitized hub on Yas Island - built in conjunction with the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism - to host international events safely.Before 2020, McGregor had ambitions of fighting three times. He called it a McGregor season and wanted his 40-second victory over Donald Cerrone at the start of the year to mark a period of fierce combat activity.However, <a href="https://www.insider.com/conor-mcgregor-announced-shock-retirement-moments-after-ufc-250-2020-6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">he abruptly retired</a> before the summer, citing <a href="https://www.insider.com/conor-mcgregor-retired-because-hes-bored-and-tired-of-fighting-2020-6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">boredom, tiredness, and a lack of excitement</a> at options the UFC was presenting to him."He was frustrated with things that were beyond our control, and it gets to the point where you [just think], 'I'm not going to deal with this aggravation right now, I'm not going to let this drive me crazy when the world is shutting down and other things are going on,'" White said."Again, that's my opinion. Ask Conor, and he'd probably have a different answer. I don't know, but that's what I'm thinking."White added: "It definitely sucks not having Conor fight with fans, but that wasn't the reason [his] fights didn't happen. It just didn't work out."I think Conor originally … when it first happened, Conor was like, 'I don't know about fighting without fans,' and then he saw how the fights were going."There's always these things which happen in the sport. And everybody likes to sit and watch, see how this plays out."I think when I said I was going to go through COVID, a lot of people were skeptical and wanted to see how this thing played out. And Conor was probably one of them."<h2>White expects the Poirier bout to be a slobberknocker</h2><div type="image" title="Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor" height="624" width="1250" msid="79783206" hostid="261"></div>McGregor and Poirier fought once before - a featherweight match in which McGregor won by first-round knockout at UFC 178 in 2014.Both combatants have grown physically and technically in the six years since then, and White is envisioning "a completely different fight" next month."Obviously Conor McGregor is a much different fighter than when he was when he first faced him, and Poirier is a much better fighter, too," he said."I don't know how that plays out now in the fight, but it's definitely interesting."You can't look at the first fight, and go, 'Oh this is exactly the way it's going to go again.' Because it won't. And it's in a different weight class."Conor looks damn good and Poirier is always in shape. I expect this to be a good fight."<ul class="read-more-links"><li>Read more:</li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/watch-jake-paul-drop-sweary-50-million-conor-mcgregor-offer-2020-12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jake Paul offers Conor McGregor $50 million to fight him in an insult-filled, expletive-laden video posted on social media</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/weve-entered-a-golden-era-of-boxing-exhibitions-2020-11" target="_blank" rel="noopener">We've officially entered a golden era of showbiz boxing, and it's all down to Mike Tyson, Jake Paul, and Floyd Mayweather</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/how-claressa-shields-could-master-mma-in-pfl-2020-12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Claressa Shields could master MMA at a 'rapid rate' as she's already got the mind of a warrior, PFL stablemate Clay Collard says</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/anthony-joshua-dropped-kubrat-pulev-4-times-en-route-to-a-9th-round-ko-2020-12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Anthony Joshua dropped Kubrat Pulev 4 times en route to a 9th round knockout but there's 2 reasons the Tyson Fury mega-match might not happen for at least another year</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/the-incredible-journey-of-richardson-hitchins-floyd-mayweather-protege-2020-12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The incredible journey of 23-year-old American boxer Richardson Hitchins, one of Floyd Mayweather's most-treasured students</a></li></ul>

Conor McGregor was 'probably' skeptical about competing when the UFC said it would hold events through COVID, Dana White said

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="255134" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Callum-Smith">Callum Smith</keyword> fights one of <keyword id="6362171" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Boxing">boxing</keyword>'s biggest matches of the year Saturday when he takes on Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez.</li><li>Though Alvarez is a multi-weight world champion and arguably possesses the sport's best active resume, Smith is used to the big stage.</li><li>The British fighter told Insider all about the behind-the-scenes anguish he felt when it came to whether the mega-fight would even materialize.</li><li>And he also told us about the valuable intel he received as one of his older brothers boxed Alvarez four years ago.</li><li>Against Alvarez, the occasions in boxing do not come any bigger.</li></ul>Callum Smith didn't fight for an entire year because he was waiting for one specific phone call.It's not how he wanted to spend 2020. Fighters fight, and Smith - the WBA super middleweight world champion - is no different.Smith is at his happiest when he's got a fight date booked and an opponent to train for. It's what gets him out of his warm bed and into the cold as he goes for an early run on Liverpool's rain-soaked streets.Combat negotiations take their toll on Smith, who was training unhappily as he had no fight date booked and no contracted opponent for most of the year. It left him low on motivation, wondering to himself why he was bothering.Even Smith's wife, Kimberly, noticed a difference in her man. She asked him why he constantly had his nose in his phone and why he was so miserable.He would say he was waiting on the biggest fight of his career to materialize. But he was waiting, and waiting, and waiting.Smith is one of Britain's best boxers, a World Boxing Super Series champion, and the No.1 fighter in the 168-pound weight class.Throughout the year, there were negotiations behind-the-scenes for a mega-match involving the sport's biggest attraction - Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez.It could have happened around the Mexican holiday Cinco de Mayo, which is one of boxing's most lucrative fight dates, but the coronavirus pandemic had shuttered <keyword id="6356028" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="sports">sports</keyword> - there was to be no boxing at that time.Then there were rumors Alvarez may not fight in 2020 after disagreements with his then-representatives Golden Boy Promotions and his broadcaster, DAZN. There was a multi-million dollar lawsuit, and <a href="https://www.boxingscene.com/canelo-lawsuit-contracts-statement-arbitration-ordered-by-court--152710" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a district courtroom was involved</a>.So when Smith's phone finally buzzed a few months ago at 10 p.m. to ask if he would agree to terms for a deal to fight Alvarez on December 19, he was so drained from the process he told Insider that he could hardly smile."I was knackered, and it got to the point where it was like, just do it or leave me alone," Smith said.It was night-time, and he was lying in bed next to Kim. She told him the bout agreement was here and that he should feel happy to train with a purpose once again.But Smith was tired and agitated because he couldn't sleep. Then his phone buzzed once more. It was his promoter Eddie Hearn, the group managing director of <keyword id="8858150" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Matchroom-Sport">Matchroom Sport</keyword>.Hearn had sent Smith the fight poster - Smith's name was right beside Canelo's. It was a Matchroom-promoted event, broadcast on DAZN, and heading to Texas. The fight was actually happening.And so Smith, one of four famous boxing brothers, sent messages to his siblings and his father to say the Alvarez fight was here.Replies came flooding back from his family.<ul><li>"We're excited for you. We know how hard you've worked."</li><li>"We believe in your ability."</li><li>"If anyone can beat him, it's you."</li></ul>Callum Smith was smiling again.<h2>Canelo vs. Smith is one of boxing's biggest bouts</h2><div type="image" title="Callum Smith boxing" height="1401" width="2000" msid="79805475" hostid="261"></div>Smith told us it was a lot easier to get up and train the next morning for a fight against Alvarez, rather than getting up and training while there was ambiguity over whether he'd fight Alvarez, someone else, or nobody at all."It's exciting as it's what all us fighters want," Smith said. "We speak about the journey … you have four-round fights at the start of your career, then six-rounders, and so on as you build yourself up, and you obviously enjoy that at the time, but for every fighter, that's not the dream. The dream is to get to the very top."You've got to do that to get to where you are. And now I'm finally here, to be in the biggest fights I've always dreamed about being in is nice, but I don't just want to be involved in the fight - I want to win it. That's where my heart is."In camp, it's tough, but these are the fights I've dreamed about being involved in. It's easier to get out of bed and do a tough session when you know what it's for, and this is the biggest fight possible against Canelo."The thought of not being at my best and losing is what motivates me and makes me get out of bed when I don't feel like it, to do the tough sessions, and make sure I am at my best. And I believe that my best does win this fight."<h2>Smith has family intel on what Alvarez is like in the ring</h2><div type="image" title="Saul Canelo Alvarez boxing Liam Smith" height="1217" width="2000" msid="79805483" hostid="261"></div>Four years ago, Alvarez scored a ninth-round knockout win over Liam Smith, one of Callum's older brothers.Callum told us Liam was devastated after the loss. But added that as the years went on, the defeat has looked better because of all that Alvarez has gone on to achieve.It has also provided Callum with insider intel on what it's actually like to fight Alvarez. It's one thing studying footage of how he moves, plants his feet, and throws his shots, but it's something entirely different to be the one defending those blows.As Smith is 6-foot-3 with a 78-inch reach while Alvarez is 5-foot-9 with a 70.5-inch reach, Liam told Callum that he could make his physical advantages count. He also said he thinks his kid brother can win."I remember Liam saying that Canelo's a smart fighter," Smith said."But to get at the world-level … everyone can punch a bit, everyone can take a shot, and everyone is strong. Everyone's got a bit of speed. But it's your brain which wins you the fights at the highest levels, and he's a very intelligent fighter."Liam said he finds gaps which you don't really know you're leaving, and he's very accurate."But Liam also said he believes my physical attributes can beat him. So he's always wanted me to get this fight. He's always believed I'd be the winner."I think he's more pleased than anyone that I did get the fight and the chance to prove what he said - that if anyone can beat him, it's me."<h2>Smith is used to the big events</h2><div type="image" title="Callum Smith boxing" height="1331" width="2000" msid="79805490" hostid="261"></div>Though the Alvarez match in San Antonio is the biggest fight of Smith's life, it is not his first rodeo on the grandest of stages.He has been here before - boxing in far-flung places, away from home comforts, and with championships on the line.Victory tees up bigger fights, turns him into more of a household name, and brings in more revenue down the line.Defeat puts him back a year or two.Smith knows all about high-stakes bouts and has fond memories of his last - the World Boxing Super Series final at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.It was a match that had two major championships on the line and the Muhammad Ali trophy.Smith exploded into action in the seventh round, bloodying Groves with a brutal body-shot and right-hand uppercut. They were punches that ended Groves' reign as champion and ushered in the Smith era from 2018 to the present day."Everything about Jeddah was unbelievable," Smith told us. "Look, if I went there and lost, I'd probably have hated everything about it!"But to win the world title was something I wanted to do since I was a little boy, and to beat the No.1 in the division when I was the betting underdog was great."I didn't get a vacant title or beat a weak champion, I boxed the No.1, and I beat him, and I beat him well."I'd finally done it, chased it for so long, and worked so hard. I'd won the British title, but I was never satisfied. I'd always wanted the world."Smith remembers the mood in the locker room well. There wasn't as great a fan atmosphere as if he'd been boxing in Liverpool's M&amp;S Bank Arena, but when he was sat backstage with those who mattered the most to him - his brothers, his team, and Eddie Hearn - they "all got high on life" because of the result."Even speaking about it now brings back fond memories and makes me appreciate how much I've enjoyed boxing over the years," he told us.He then reflected on the sacrifices he made over the years. There's no going out and getting wasted on whatever substance you crave most, there are no night-club visits, and there are no late nights when you live the life of an athlete."I missed out by not going out with my friends and heading into training camps instead," he said. "But it was all worth it."If I'd have retired without fighting and beating Groves, I'd have felt I'd underachieved. So to do that was a big weight off my shoulders. But it also made me set new goals and want more again."As a fighter, an athlete, you always want more. You're greedy. You want that bit extra."So though I won the world title, it didn't satisfy me as I had new goals and wanted to achieve even more. Maybe be a two-weight world champion. Maybe beat Canelo … hopefully, that will satisfy me."<h2>Alvarez is not invincible, Smith says</h2><div type="image" title="Saul Canelo Alvarez and Callum Smith boxing" height="1334" width="2000" msid="79805495" hostid="261"></div>Alvarez arguably owns the best resume out of all active boxers today.The 30-year-old has only ever lost to Floyd Mayweather but has wins over Shane Mosley, Miguel Cotto, Gennadiy Golovkin, Daniel Jacobs, and Sergey Kovalev.He's got a record of 53 wins (36 knockouts) against one loss and two draws, <a href="https://www.insider.com/who-are-the-best-pound-for-pound-boxers-in-the-world" target="_blank" rel="noopener">is Insider's No.1 boxer on the planet</a>, and could remain a pound-for-pound mainstay for another five years.But he's not invincible, Smith told us."I think if you look into his results, they're great, but some people had him losing the Kovalev fight [before the knockout]."If Kovalev wasn't 37, would he have faded the way he did? With the Jacobs fight, Canelo lost a lot of rounds. And the GGG fights were close, too. So he's not invincible."Do I believe I'm as good as Daniel Jacobs? Yes. Do I believe I'm as good as Kovalev? Yes. So why can't I go in there, win rounds, and win enough rounds to win the fight?"We see gaps, and we feel we can work on that, and it will pay off. It's all different when you're in there because you've got to be good enough to adapt, but I believe I'm good enough to adapt."In the coronavirus-era, Smith, as he found in Jeddah, will not have the raucous support he enjoys when he's fighting in front of his hometown fans in Liverpool, England.But, like always, he has something he values even more."I'm the fighter I am today because of my brothers. The fight of my life isn't just for me. This is a big occasion for the family."Against Alvarez, the occasions in boxing do not come any bigger.The Canelo vs. Smith event is being streamed live on DAZN in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. The main card begins at 8.00 p.m. ET / 5.00 p.m. PT.Read more:<a href="https://www.insider.com/ufc-super-prospect-khaos-williams-has-eyes-on-the-championship-2020-12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">America's 'most vicious' KO artist said he'd be honored to be named MMA's prospect of the year, but is focused on the UFC title</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/conor-mcgregor-probably-skeptical-about-fighting-in-covid-white-said-2020-12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Conor McGregor was 'probably' skeptical about competing when the UFC said it would hold events through COVID, Dana White said</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/watch-jake-paul-drop-sweary-50-million-conor-mcgregor-offer-2020-12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jake Paul offers Conor McGregor $50 million to fight him in an insult-filled, expletive-laden video posted on social media</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/how-claressa-shields-could-master-mma-in-pfl-2020-12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Claressa Shields could master MMA at a 'rapid rate' as she's already got the mind of a warrior, PFL stablemate Clay Collard says</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/weve-entered-a-golden-era-of-boxing-exhibitions-2020-11" target="_blank" rel="noopener">We've officially entered a golden era of showbiz boxing, and it's all down to Mike Tyson, Jake Paul, and Floyd Mayweather</a>

Inside one of boxing's biggest bouts of the year as Callum Smith attempts to upset the odds against the sport's marquee attraction, Canelo Alvarez

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="10278402" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="khaos-williams">Khaos Williams</keyword>, one of MMA's top prospects, returns to the <keyword id="992778" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="UFC">UFC</keyword> Octagon on Saturday.</li><li>The American made his UFC debut at the start of the year, won a $50,000 performance bonus because he knocked his opponent out so stunningly, and then won another check last month for another quick-fire KO.</li><li>His rise has attracted the attention of two of MMA's most influential people — the UFC commentator Joe Rogan and the UFC President Dana White.</li><li>Williams told Insider about the year he's had, another welterweight super prospect called Khamzat Chimaev, and his goal of winning the UFC championship.</li></ul>America's "most vicious" knockout artist, Khaos Williams, said he'd be honored to be named MMA's prospect of the year but is only focused on the UFC championship.Williams talked to Insider this week before returning to the Octagon against Michel Pereira at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Saturday.It will be the fighter's third match of the year, having annihilated Alex Morono 27 seconds into his UFC debut, ahead of a 30-second win against Abdul Razak Alhassan last month.In those two bouts, Williams has been hit just three times."It's been the best for me, career-wise," Williams said of his breakout year in combat <keyword id="6356028" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="sports">sports</keyword>. "That's for real, man, and this is only the beginning because I never admire my work, and it's only going to get better and better."Williams' rise in the UFC means victory this weekend, against an experienced opponent like Pereira, could see the 26-year-old become MMA's prospect of the year - beating unbeaten phenom Khamzat Chimaev to that status.It's been quite a journey for Williams, who got his first taste of knockouts in 2008 when he floored another teenager in a street-fight and shook hands afterward."I think I was 14 the first time I knocked somebody out. It was out on the street. I knew the dude, somebody I was having little problems with, but there was no trouble after that - it was just mutual respect."<h2>Respect is something Williams has a lot of now</h2><div type="image" title="joe rogan debate" height="1363" width="1817" msid="79785808" hostid="261"></div>Though Williams had fought nine times before signing a deal with the UFC, it was not until this year when he attracted praise from some of the most influential people in the business.After bulldozing through Morono at the UFC 247 event in Texas, February, <a href="https://www.insider.com/video-khaos-williams-kod-opponent-27-seconds-into-ufc-debut-2020-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the UFC commentator Joe Rogan said</a>: "That's how you make a UFC debut, ladies and gentlemen," saying the win was "outstanding."Then, after sleeping Alhassan with one punch, <a href="https://www.insider.com/watch-khaos-williams-score-30-second-knockout-in-ufc-2020-11" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the UFC President Dana White said the knockout</a> was "one of the most vicious KOs" he'd ever seen in his life."Man, between both of those GOATs in the game, you know, being around 20+ years … it's just amazing to hear that praise," Williams told Insider."I've been telling people what kind of fighter I am, and now I'm finally making a name for myself in the business."I got the attention and the right people watching me now, I got the world watching me now, and I've got to continue to be great from Saturday."After his most recent win, <a href="https://www.insider.com/khaos-williams-warns-his-division-nobody-is-bulletproof-2020-11" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Williams warned the welterweight division that nobody is "bulletproof"</a> and that he'll knock everybody out in his weight class."My power is God-given talent," he told us. "When I say nobody's bullet-proof, I mean in general, in human beings."If you hit somebody hard enough on the chin, they're going to sleep. And what I mean by bullet-proof is we all bleed the same."<h2>Williams could become MMA's prospect of the year</h2><div type="image" title="Khaos Williams UFC striker" height="1403" width="2000" msid="79785809" hostid="261"></div>"I've seen that possibility," Williams said when Insider asked if he was aware a third win this weekend could see him surpass Chimaev as the favorite to be MMA's prospect of the year."I look it like this, we're in the major leagues [in the UFC]," he said."It's definitely a great accomplishment and a blessing. That's like the defensive player of the year or an MVP - that's great. I don't want to downplay that."But it's like going for the NBA championship. We want the UFC championship one day - that's what's most important."We're looking at the small things, but also looking at that big thing. And hey, if they want to give me some extra money, a $50,000 bonus, I'm all for that, too."Williams and Chimaev both compete in the same 170-pound weight class. So could we see a battle of super welterweight prospects in 2021?"This is the thing," Williams said. "I'm not really looking at nobody, I'm not looking past anybody, but I'm looking through everybody."I'm focused on me being the best me I can be, and whatever happens, happens. If that's what's supposed to happen, that's what happens."I'm not taking the time to focus on anybody but perfecting my craft. They've got to focus on me."On what aspects of his fighting style he wants to perfect the most in upcoming training camps, Williams said: "Just to continue chiseling at my craft, continuing to progress every day."Every day's a potential day for progress, and I just want to keep getting better as far as my striking, strength, speed, IQ, my jiu-jitsu, wrestling, and everything goes."I'm a well-rounded fighter and want to keep honing all those things so I can not only get to that championship level but win a championship and keep that championship."<h2>Williams is confident he beats everybody at 170-pounds</h2><div type="image" title="Khaos Williams UFC debut" height="1334" width="2000" msid="79785810" hostid="261"></div>"I feel confident against anybody," Williams told us. "If you get in there with me, you feel you can beat me, and I'm going to show you otherwise."I'm just so excited to keep chiseling away at my destiny and making history because I'm just getting started, for real. Michel Pereira is just another man in the way," he said of his UFC Fight Night 183 bout in Vegas.Williams has earned additional $50,000 performance-related bonus checks in both UFC outings to date, and a third check for a knockout win this weekend "would be a great Christmas" in his household."But I just want to go in there and get the W [win]. If I do it in extraordinary fashion and knock him out, that's what happens."But I've got to go in there, be technical, and take my time - that's the way it's going to be. I adapt to anybody, adapt to the fight, and feed off his energy."Williams mentioned his ultimate ambition in ultimate fighting is the UFC title but was reluctant to give a precise timeframe of when he hopes to secure a title fight."It all depends on how I beat this guy Saturday," he said. "I just take it one win at a time. I never want to downplay nothing."It might be a year, two years, three - I ain't rushing. I'm just getting better, so when the time comes, I take advantage of the opportunity which is presented."My hunger is different [to everyone else]," he added."I'm extraordinary, gifted, and different to these other dudes mentally."I feel like nobody is going to be stronger than me because my work-rate is outrageous, and we're just going to keep testing those chins [with knockout punches]."They're all in the way of me and my ambition."<ul class="read-more-links"><li>Read more:</li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/conor-mcgregor-probably-skeptical-about-fighting-in-covid-white-said-2020-12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Conor McGregor was 'probably' skeptical about competing when the UFC said it would hold events through COVID, Dana White said</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/watch-jake-paul-drop-sweary-50-million-conor-mcgregor-offer-2020-12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jake Paul offers Conor McGregor $50 million to fight him in an insult-filled, expletive-laden video posted on social media</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/weve-entered-a-golden-era-of-boxing-exhibitions-2020-11" target="_blank" rel="noopener">We've officially entered a golden era of showbiz boxing, and it's all down to Mike Tyson, Jake Paul, and Floyd Mayweather</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/how-claressa-shields-could-master-mma-in-pfl-2020-12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Claressa Shields could master MMA at a 'rapid rate' as she's already got the mind of a warrior, PFL stablemate Clay Collard says</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/anthony-joshua-dropped-kubrat-pulev-4-times-en-route-to-a-9th-round-ko-2020-12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Anthony Joshua dropped Kubrat Pulev 4 times en route to a 9th round knockout but there's 2 reasons the Tyson Fury mega-match might not happen for at least another year</a></li></ul>

America's 'most vicious' KO artist said he'd be honored to be named MMA's prospect of the year, but is focused on the UFC title

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="6130340" type="DEFINITION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Jake-Paul">Jake Paul</keyword> on Monday dropped a sweary, insulting callout video in which he said he had a $50 million fight offer for <keyword id="2944528" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Conor-McGregor">Conor McGregor</keyword>.</li><li>In the 58-second clip, the YouTube creator insulted McGregor's fiancée, his opponent next month, and his <keyword id="992778" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="UFC">UFC</keyword> boss, Dana White.</li><li>An apparent bout proposal suggests the fight should take place using <keyword id="6362171" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Boxing">boxing</keyword> rules and 10-ounce gloves and fought at 185 pounds for eight three-minute rounds.</li><li>McGregor hasn't responded.</li></ul>In an insulting and expletive-filled callout video on Monday, Jake Paul offered $50 million to entice Conor McGregor back into a boxing ring.The YouTube creator released a 58-second video in which he insulted McGregor's fiancée, Dee Devlin; his next opponent, Dustin Poirier; and his UFC promoter, Dana White.Perched on the edge of his $350,000 Lamborghini Huracan, Paul began his video by saying, "What the f--- is up, you Irish c---?"Smoking a cigar with an Irish flag wrapped around his shoulders, Paul added: "Good morning, Conor McGregor. I know you're probably beating up old dudes in a bar right now, or maybe you're j---ing off because you're sick of f---ing your wife. I mean, she's a four, Conor, you could do a lot better. But happy Monday."My team sent you a $50 million offer this morning: $50 million cash, proof of funds. The biggest fight offer you've ever been offered. But you're scared to fight me, Conor. You're ducking me because you don't want to lose to a f---ing YouTuber. You're 0-1 as a boxer. I'm 2-0 as a boxer."He described the success of the pay-per-view event he recently competed in: Paul <a href="https://www.insider.com/jake-paul-scored-a-highlight-reel-ko-for-the-ages-2020-11" target="_blank" rel="noopener">brutally knocked out the former NBA player Nate Robinson</a> in the second round of the Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. exhibition.Paul also falsely claimed in the video that his dog had more Instagram followers than <a href="https://www.instagram.com/dustinpoirier/?hl=en">Poirier</a>, McGregor's opponent on January 23, whom Paul called "Dustin Prober."The 23-year-old then turned to White. "Dana White, you're a f---ing p---- too, you ugly f---ing bald b----," he said. "You said there's 0% chance of this fight happening, but there's 0% chance of you getting some f---ing p----."Conor, you're scared. Dana, you're scared. Sign the f---ing contract, you idiots. Jesus f---ing Christ. Irish b----. F--- these guys."Watch the video here. (WARNING: The video contains extremely foul language.)Paul also called out McGregor in <a href="https://www.insider.com/jake-paul-says-hes-confident-he-can-beat-conor-mcgregor-2020-11">an interview with Insider in November</a>, saying he planned to stay in combat <keyword id="6356028" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="sports">sports</keyword> and would love to fight McGregor and other MMA stars in boxing matches."I'm bigger than Conor, I weigh more than Conor, and he's out of his prime, sort of washed-up," Paul said."He wants to fight Manny Pacquiao in the ring? He would get worked by Manny Pacquiao. He'd be an 0-2 boxer."But me and Conor would be a more even fight. And when the fight happens, everyone will read this back and say, 'Damn, that kid's out of his mind, but he called this. Predicted this.'"Paul <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CIy-JuRBUTv/">posted a statement on Instagram</a> on Monday that said his offer to McGregor was for a boxing-rules contest over eight three-minute rounds.It would take place at a catchweight limit of 185 pounds - 30 pounds heavier than McGregor's fight with Poirier next month - and the men would be permitted to use 10-ounce boxing gloves.The statement said that Paul had "acquired backing for this event" and that the backer was "willing to guarantee a purse of Fifty Million Dollars" for McGregor to participate. It said McGregor would also receive an upside from the event's pay-per-view sales.McGregor had not responded as of Tuesday morning.<ul class="read-more-links"><li>Read more:</li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/weve-entered-a-golden-era-of-boxing-exhibitions-2020-11" target="_blank" rel="noopener">We've officially entered a golden era of showbiz boxing, and it's all down to Mike Tyson, Jake Paul, and Floyd Mayweather</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/jake-paul-says-hes-confident-he-can-beat-conor-mcgregor-2020-11" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jake Paul, a YouTube star who has fought once, is confident he can defeat 'washed-up' Conor McGregor, a former two-weight UFC champion</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/how-claressa-shields-could-master-mma-in-pfl-2020-12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Claressa Shields could master MMA at a 'rapid rate' as she's already got the mind of a warrior, PFL stablemate Clay Collard says</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/anthony-joshua-dropped-kubrat-pulev-4-times-en-route-to-a-9th-round-ko-2020-12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Anthony Joshua dropped Kubrat Pulev 4 times en route to a 9th round knockout but there's 2 reasons the Tyson Fury mega-match might not happen for at least another year</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/the-incredible-journey-of-richardson-hitchins-floyd-mayweather-protege-2020-12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The incredible journey of 23-year-old American boxer Richardson Hitchins, one of Floyd Mayweather's most-treasured students</a></li></ul>

Jake Paul offers Conor McGregor $50 million to fight him in an insult-filled, expletive-laden video posted on social media

<a href="https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/floyd-mayweather-jr-talks-with-leonard-ellerbe-ceo-of-news-photo/1096831426">Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Getty Images</a>Floyd Mayweather and Leonard Ellerbe.<ul class="summary-list"><li>Mayweather Promotions is already scouting amateur athletes who could make an impact at the upcoming 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.</li><li>The company CEO, Leonard Ellerbe, has long been a trusted advisor to Floyd Mayweather. He has also been responsible for the soaring popularity of the American lightweight Gervonta Davis.</li><li>Ellerbe told Business Insider in Las Vegas last week that "character" is one of the top traits a young man or woman can have when it comes to transitioning from an amateur into a professional.</li><li>Ellerbe intends on promoting many shows throughout the year, and has an event on Friday where he is matching his young prospects in tough fights.</li><li>Whoever can thrive in such tough environments stands a good chance of becoming the next Davis or Mayweather, Ellerbe said.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories</a>.</li></ul>LAS VEGAS - Leonard Ellerbe said he's already scouting US Olympic hopefuls as he looks to sign young talent which he can develop into the next Floyd Mayweather or Gervonta Davis.As the CEO of Mayweather Promotions, Ellerbe, 54, appears to have the upper hand when it comes to talent identification. He was, after all, by Mayweather's side when the boxer grew from a boxing prospect to a five-weight world champion and, finally, into <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/floyd-mayweather-now-a-billionaire-2017-10?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">one of sport's few billion dollar athletes</a>.Ellerbe first met Mayweather when the fighter was a teenager, training in Las Vegas. After Mayweather won a bronze medal at the 1996 Olympic Games, he turned pro, and, before long, Ellerbe provided security detail, became a trusted advisor, and then his right hand man and CEO of a company Mayweather founded in 2007 to heighten his own earning capabilities.Though Mayweather has retired from boxing after a flawless 50-0 pro career, Mayweather Promotions continues to polish boxing diamonds. None is as tough right now as "Tank" Davis, a two-weight world champion southpaw who has proven to be a bona fide ticket-seller in Baltimore, as well as Atlanta, and is a fighter who will soon be headlining his own pay-per-view shows on the Viacom-CBS owned broadcaster Showtime.<a href="https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/gervonta-davis-punches-ricardo-nunez-during-the-second-news-photo/1158190200?adppopup=true">Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images</a>Gervonta Davis.Speaking to Business Insider at the VIP Lounge in the MGM Grand last week, Ellerbe told us about the characteristics a teenage amateur athlete must possess to catch his eye, about his Las Vegas show on Friday, February 28, and the future of Mayweather Promotions.Ellerbe said he'll "definitely" be attending the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo so that he can scout the top athletes competing in boxing. When asked who he's got his eye on, he said, "there's several [Americans]."USA Boxing recently <a href="https://www.olympicchannel.com/en/stories/news/detail/usa-boxing-roster-tokyo-2020-americas-qualifiers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced its 13-strong team</a> for the upcoming Olympics, which features promising names like the 2019 World Amateur Championship silver medalist Keyshawn Davis, the 2019 Pan American Games champion Oshae Jones, and the Las Vegas native Rahim Gonzales, who trains out of the local City Athletic Boxing club.An Olympic medal tends to provide a solid foundation for success should that athlete turn professional. Of the three US medalists at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro two are already world champion pros - Claressa Shields and Shakur Stevenson - while the third, Nico Hernandez, fought seven pro bouts before joining the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, which we previously dubbed <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/paulie-malignaggi-artem-lobov-bareknuckle-fc-safety-2019-6?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">"the bloodiest show in town."</a>On potential American medalists at this summer's tournament, Ellerbe said: "There's always opportunities every time you step up in there, you just have to continue to work hard. There's a number of excellent young fighters who are moving forward and competing for the same thing [a medal]."Ellerbe will looking at one personality trait in particular in the months ahead.<h2>You've got to have 'character'</h2>Mayweather Promotions"Times have changed now," Ellerbe said. "Character plays a big role, it's a big part of it. Obviously, the talent-level [needs to be high]."There's a number of factors that are involved when it comes to evaluating how you are going to obtain young fighters."On character, Ellerbe said it's how you are "as a man or a woman."Any novice athlete Ellerbe signs could end up competing on regional shows like his upcoming event "Sin City Showdown" on Friday at Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall in Vegas.Fellow promoter Michelle Rosado said on Twitter this week that Friday's event is "a Mayweather Promo card … they match their guys tough."Should be a good one."Those who continue to win in tough match-ups and thrive on these shows could end up on a fast-track to success, joining the likes of Mayweather Promotions stand-out Davis, who is unbeaten in 23 fights (22 KOs) and is one of the top 15 boxers on the planet right now, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-boxers-in-the-world-right-now-pound-for-pound-2019-12?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to this Business Insider list</a>."Our show on Friday, a ShoBox show, is a showcase for a couple of our young, rising stars and top prospects," Ellerbe said.Ellerbe originally had Malik Hawkins in the main event, a 6-foot welterweight Mayweather Promotions signed last year. A medical issue prevented Hawkins from competing this weekend and he has been replaced by Sanjarbek Rakhmanov who fights Keith "The Bounty" Hunter in a 10-round rematch at super lightweight."In the co-main event we have Richardson Hitchins who was on the Haitian Olympic team in 2016. Then in the opening bout we have Kevin Newman, a young rising super middleweight who is very flashy."Both Hitchins and Newman have world title aspirations. Ellerbe said: "We're looking forward to the progress these young prospects are making."As for the future, Mayweather Promotions intends on putting on many shows this year, Ellerbe said. "It's just a question of putting together the strategy, what we're doing now. We're consistently building [more shows each year] and we're always open to working with new fighters."I'm not looking at working with an overabundance of fighters, but enough of a stable to manage fighters effectively - their careers, and staying very hands-on.""We're a top tier promotional company," he said.Read more:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nobody-beats-canelo-alvarez-at-super-middleweight-mikey-garcia-says-2020-2?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez is unbeatable at super middleweight, DAZN stablemate Mikey Garcia says</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/eddie-hearn-would-love-to-sign-saul-canelo-alvarez-2019-12?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Canelo Alvarez could become boxing's greatest free agent since Floyd Mayweather, and Eddie Hearn says he would work with him 'in an absolute heartbeat'</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/conor-mcgregor-would-get-knocked-out-quick-by-manny-pacquiao-2020-2?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Conor McGregor would get 'knocked out pretty quick' by Manny Pacquiao, the boxer's former promoter says</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/shakur-stevenson-young-champ-is-a-mirror-floyd-mayweather-2020-2?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A 22-year-old from New Jersey is the mirror-image of Floyd Mayweather, and could 'exceed' the boxing legend's achievements, his promoter claims</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/bob-arum-would-sell-top-rank-for-the-right-price-2020-1?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">One of boxing's most powerful executives says he is open to selling a stake in Top Rank, and 3 heavyweight companies have talked to him about buying</a> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/fighting-nhl-hockey-violence-sports-code-referee-2017-2">Why fighting is allowed in pro hockey - and why the NHL has no plans to ban it</a></h3>

The CEO of Mayweather Promotions is scouting boxers on the US Olympic team to try and find the next Floyd Mayweather

<ul class="summary-list"><li>An American boxer danced to Beyonce, wore a crown to the ring, then dominated her opponent with ease on Friday.</li><li>That boxer is Claressa Shields, a fighter fast-developing as a top tier attraction in combat sport after beating her overmatched opponent Ivana Habazin in every minute of every round in Atlantic City.</li><li>Shields said before the fight that she was going to "f--- her up" and she did so with ease, punctuating her status as one of women's boxing's elite athletes.</li><li>The 10-round victory saw Shields win two world championships in the super welterweight division, adding to world titles previously won in middleweight and super middleweight.</li><li>She is now the fastest male or female boxer to win championships in three weight classes, having done so in just 10 bouts.</li><li>This betters the achievements of Vasily Lomachenkop and Kosei Tanaka who won three titles in different weight classes after a dozen fights.</li><li>After the Habazin win, <a href="https://twitter.com/Claressashields/status/1216064671830159360" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shields tweeted</a>: Legendary Beyonce, "Who run the world - Girls!"</li><li>She then called herself the greatest woman of all time.</li><li>Watch Shields' entertaining ring-walk, as well as highlight clips, below</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories</a>.</li></ul>Watch a highlight clip here:Here's her post-fight reaction:Read more:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/bob-arum-says-he-might-die-before-prospects-become-champions-2019-12?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">One of boxing's most powerful men, 88, says he might die before his prospects become champions</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/eddie-hearn-would-love-to-sign-saul-canelo-alvarez-2019-12?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Canelo Alvarez could become boxing's greatest free agent since Floyd Mayweather, and Eddie Hearn says he would work with him 'in an absolute heartbeat'</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/terence-crawford-manny-pacquiao-fight-a-non-starter-bob-arun-2019-12?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Manny Pacquiao's people want no part in a fight with Terence Crawford, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum says</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/wladimir-klitschko-plotting-boxing-comeback-2019-10?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wladimir Klitschko is plotting a spectacular boxing comeback, and he wants to break an old heavyweight record</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-the-tyson-fury-english-traveller-boxing-style-2019-8?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">English travellers like Tyson Fury are taking over boxing, but fight nothing like Brad Pitt's character in 'Snatch'</a>

You Searched For "Claressa Shields" and got 8 results

Former UFC champion Anthony Pettis agrees to join the Professional Fighters League

Alan Dawson

PFL MMA hopes to continue its mission of reimagining the world of combat sports when its new season begins in April 2021

Alan Dawson

Conor McGregor was 'probably' skeptical about competing when the UFC said it would hold events through COVID, Dana White said

Alan Dawson

Inside one of boxing's biggest bouts of the year as Callum Smith attempts to upset the odds against the sport's marquee attraction, Canelo Alvarez

Alan Dawson

America's 'most vicious' KO artist said he'd be honored to be named MMA's prospect of the year, but is focused on the UFC title

Alan Dawson

Jake Paul offers Conor McGregor $50 million to fight him in an insult-filled, expletive-laden video posted on social media

Alan Dawson

The CEO of Mayweather Promotions is scouting boxers on the US Olympic team to try and find the next Floyd Mayweather

Alan Dawson

An American boxer danced to Beyonce, wore a crown to the ring, then dominated her opponent to become the fastest 3-weight champion in history

Alan Dawson