Let’s get one thing straight: just because you’ve conquered the amateur ranks, draped yourself in gold medals, and been hailed as the next big thing, doesn’t mean you’re destined for professional glory. Boxing history is littered with amateur stars who failed to transition into successful pros. But why? What is it about crossing over to the professional ranks that separates the hype from the hope, the contenders from the pretenders?

Once upon a time, boxing was America’s game. The US held the keys to the kingdom, dominating world champions, fight nights, and pay-per-view numbers. But as we sit in 2025, the global landscape of professional boxing has shifted dramatically. A sport once ruled by American icons is now showcasing its international flair, with fighters from Europe, Asia, and beyond claiming titles across weight classes.

The walkout. It’s the moment a fighter steps into the spotlight, leaving the comfort of the dressing room and entering the cauldron of noise, expectation, and pressure. More than just an entrance, it’s a spectacle, a psychological statement, and a chance to seize control before the first punch is thrown.

In the electrifying world of boxing, few phrases are as polarising as “lucky punch.” It’s the ultimate insult to a knockout artist, dismissing their victory as the result of random chance rather than skill, timing, or preparation. But is the lucky punch a real phenomenon? Or is it a convenient excuse, wielded by fans and fighters alike to discredit a defeat or diminish a victory? Let’s explore whether luck truly has a place in a sport built on precision, discipline, and strategy.

There’s something undeniably electric about today’s heavyweight boxing scene. From the towering charisma of Tyson Fury to the explosive power of Deontay Wilder, the gritty resilience of Oleksandr Usyk, and the redemption-seeking spirit of Anthony Joshua—we’re living in an era that feels like it’s on the edge of something legendary. But as these giants contemplate hanging up their gloves, the big question looms: Is this the last golden age of heavyweight boxing?

In the high-stakes world of boxing, we focus so much on the fighter—their grit, power, and discipline—that we often forget about the constellation of people orbiting them: the entourage. An entourage can be many things: a lifeline, a fortress, a support system. But it can also be a source of distraction, indulgence, and ego. The question is: Do entourages truly keep fighters grounded, or are they just a circus of “yes men” who can derail a career as fast as a right hook?

In the world of boxing, few things ignite debate quite like the rematch clause. Initially intended to ensure deserving fighters a fair shot at redemption, rematch clauses have evolved into one of the sport’s most controversial mechanisms. Today, they’ve become a staple in boxing contracts—a tool to guarantee another shot, another payday, another chance to reclaim glory. But here’s the question: Is this truly about fairness, or are fighters and promoters gaming the system to secure lucrative returns?

In boxing, fighters are celebrated for their toughness, resilience, and the grit to withstand anything thrown their way. But what happens when the battles extend beyond the ring, into their minds and hearts? Boxing is one of the loneliest sports, and its pressures are staggering. Fighters don’t just face their opponents in the ring; they face themselves. The question is: are we doing enough to support these warriors beyond the ropes, or are they left to fight their demons alone?

Netflix’s foray into live boxing with the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson exhibition fight has sparked debate across the sport. With 60 million reported streams, it was undeniably a massive event, but does it signal the start of a new era for boxing, or has it exposed critical flaws in the streaming model? From the PPV dilemma to piracy, technical reliability, and the sustainability of multimillion-dollar fight purses, Netflix’s big night has raised more questions than it answered.

In boxing, the decision to retire is as much about the heart as it is about the head. Fighters are wired differently—unwavering in their belief that there’s always one more fight, one more shot at glory. But as careers stretch into their twilight years, the question becomes: are boxers holding on too long, risking their health and legacy for dreams that might never materialise? And who, if anyone, has the right to tell a fighter when to hang up their gloves?

Boxing is a sport defined by discipline, grit, and meticulous preparation. But look closer, and you’ll see another side to it—a world of quirky superstitions, pre-fight rituals, and deeply held beliefs that shape a fighter’s mindset long before they step into the ring. Are these rituals essential psychological armour, or are they simply comforting habits in a chaotic sport? For some fighters, superstitions and routines have become as indispensable as their gloves.

IFL TV, the premier boxing YouTube channel renowned for bringing fight fans behind-the-scenes action and boasting over 1.3 billion lifetime video views and a an average of 36 million monthly video views across it’s platforms, is thrilled to announce an exciting long-term sponsorship with That Prize Guy, a leading competition platform that turns dreams into reality with its array of dream holidays and life-changing cash prizes.

All eyes will be on Saudi Arabia this weekend as Anthony Joshua takes on Francis Ngannou in one of the biggest crossover fights in history.

He may be only 5ft2, but Nick Ball has been making a big impression on the world of boxing in the past couple of years and this Saturday, he gets his shot at becoming world champion against Mexico’s Rey Vargas.

Whilst all eyes are on Anthony Joshua, and understandably so, there are four other Brits who are raring to go in Riyadh, as the biggest night of their careers draws ever closer.

Zhilei Zhang and Joseph Parker are a blend of heavyweight that should well deliver us a first-rate fight. So, with the pair colliding just a few days from now, let’s talk.

Having already given you our 10 British and Irish prospects to keep an eye on in 2024, now it’s time for us to select 10 international prospects to follow over the next 12 months.

IFL TV has been nominated in two separate categories at this year's Sports Podcast Awards following a fantastic 2023 in terms of content output.

It’s no exaggeration to say 2023 was another incredible year for British boxing at both domestic and world level, with some future stars of the sport staking their claim as future global stars.

To say the weekend’s big bout didn’t go as expected may well be the understatement of the year.