The Planet Sport Boxing Show: Manny Pacquiao returns at the age of 42
- Planet Sport writer
- 25 May 2021
Mark Smith and Joe Hewlett talk about the latest week of boxing news, including the collapse of Joshua-Fury, history made by the "Tartan Tornado" and Manny Pacquiao's announcement.
What a week it has been for boxing.
There have been some almighty highs but also some lows, none worse than witnessing the collapse of a summer showdown between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury.
The pair were expected to face off on August 14. That was until Deontay Wilder and Al Haymon ruined the party and won a court ruling to force a third fight with Fury.
It now appears the pair will collide on July 24 while Joshua is in talks to take on WBO mandatory challenger Oleksandr Usyk at either Wembley Stadium or the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
On a more positive note, Josh Taylor made boxing history by defeating Jose Ramirez via unanimous decision to become undisputed champion at 140 pounds.
Taylor, who knocked Ramirez to the canvas in successive rounds, has now beaten his last six opponents with a combined record of 136-1.
The "Tartan Tornado" is also the first Scotsman to achieve such an accomplishment since 1971 and is only the fifth fighter to hold all four belts simultaneously.
Terence Crawford is a potential opponent for Taylor later this year if he avoids his mandatory challenger Jack Catterall.
An opponent who Crawford wanted to take on next has finally confirmed his return to the ring after a two-year exile.
Manny Pacquiao, 42, will challenge unified welterweight titlist Errol Spence Jr. on August 21 in Las Vegas.
Boxing's eight-division ruler, who previously defeated Keith Thurman in 2019, will fight under the Premier Boxing Champions banner and American fans can watch it live and exclusive on FOX pay-per-view.
Finally, the Planet Sport Boxing Show previews Devin Haney's upcoming WBC lightweight title defence against former three-division world champion Jorge Linares.
