Boxing fans have been clamoring for Jake Paul to get tougher competition in the ring, and, apparently, he was trying.

But after Paul and his team were "deep in negotiations" with current WBO, WBA and WBC super middleweight champion Canelo Álvarez, the reigning champ "ducked" Paul.

Álvarez's former promoter, Eddie Hearn, even said the two reached a deal to fight, but now the bout is off.

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Álvarez has instead signed a four-fight deal with Riyadh Season to fight in Saudi Arabia.

In a statement released Friday, Paul's Most Valuable Promotions said the fight would have taken place in Las Vegas on Cinco de Mayo weekend, "a massive event for the Mexican, Puerto Rican and American fans."

"It’s disappointing to see how the situation unfolded. MVP operates with integrity, transparency and respect for the sport, its athletes and the fans. Unfortunately, not everyone in the boxing world shares those values," MVP's statement said.

Paul then took to social media to discuss his side.

"Breaking news: Canelo Alvarez ducked me, Jake Paul, and is now an owned slave with no regard for the pride of the Mexican people who support him on US soil," Paul wrote. "it’s not surprising when his whole career he has done nothing for the sport of boxing outside the ring.

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"I’m the new face of boxing. You cannot have the biggest fight of 2025 without my name involved. When all of your events tank and lose money you will all realize who the king of the sport is. 28 years old. Biggest fight in boxing history. My own boss. Not owned. 5 years in. All of you felines want to see me fail, but God has other plans. It’s the era of good. The era of the elephant. It’s the era of MVP."

Paul teased a July event in New York earlier this week.

Álvarez will still fight that weekend, with an opponent to be determined. He's also scheduled for a Sept. 13 title bout against Terence Crawford.

Paul is 11-1 in his career after defeating Mike Tyson, who fell to 50-7, in November.

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American boxer Devin Haney took aim at Sylvester Stallone over the actor's recent commentary on the current state of boxing.

Stallone, a three-time Academy Award nominee, received critical acclaim for his portrayal of Philadelphia boxer Rocky Balboa in the film franchise. 

A video recently surfaced on social media showing Stallone holding the gloves he wore in the mid-1970s during the filming of the original sports drama movie. At one point during the video, Stallone suggested the gloves were identical to what professional boxers used in the '70s.

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"They don't even allow these today because they're so dangerous. But that's what they used when I did the film. They're barely six ounces, they're Reyes and they're literally lethal. I still have them because it's a time when people were tougher. I'm sorry, they were. Life is just getting a little easier and easier and easier. ... I cherish hard work, even though I hate it."

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Haney disagreed with Stallone's assertion and shared his rebuttal via X, formerly Twitter.

"Dude don't know a left hook from a fish hook, and got the nerve to speak on times being easier in boxing like he wasn't just an actor... Buddy them Rocky movies wasn't real," Haney wrote.

April's upset defeat to Ryan Garcia marked Haney's most recent appearance in a professional bout.

Haney, known as "The Dream," eventually pursued legal recourse against Garcia after learning Garcia failed multiple drug tests ahead of the bout.

Officials overturned Garcia's victory and ruled the fight a no-contest.

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Boxing star Jake Paul was among those who attended Donald Trump’s inauguration at the Capitol Rotunda on Monday.

Paul became a staunch supporter of the president as he campaigned against and defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in the election in November. The boxing star also celebrated Trump's victory in November, saying "truth and god won in America."

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As he attended Inauguration Day festivities, he fired off two posts on X.

"Today is about togetherness in every way. Fists down, unity up. Honored to be here. God Bless America," he wrote.

"Any American who isn’t in support of Trump after this speech simply hates America and doesn’t want what’s best for this country and the world," he added.

Paul was in Washington, D.C., with his brother Logan and UFC star Conor McGregor. He posted a photo of the group on X as well.

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The boxer had been adamant that God "stepped in and saved" Trump from the July 13 assassination attempt, and said it was a sign to bring him back into office.

"And I'm not even gonna say, like, it's Democrat-Republican, what does it matter? It's the people who are running the government now, the path that they were leading us to was gonna be catastrophic and terrible," he said in July. 

"And I think God really intervened, like, ‘we need this guy right now. Everyone needs to flip sides. We can't have a close election – we need a landslide. We need this guy to come back in and make America great again.’"

Dana White, Miriam Adelson and Wayne Gretzky were the other sports figures seen in the audience at the inauguration.

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Boxing star Tyson Fury said Monday he is retiring from the sport following a loss to Oleksandr Usyk in their rematch last month.

Fury, 36, made the announcement in a video posted to his Instagram.

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"Hi everybody, I'm going to make this short and sweet. I'd like to announce my retirement from boxing," Fury said. "It's been a blast, I've loved every single minute of it, and I'm going to end with this: Dick Turpin wore a mask. God bless everybody, see you on the other side."

It was not clear why Fury mentioned Turpin. The Englishman was an 18th century highway robber and horse thief.

"The Gypsy King" suffered back-to-back defeats against Usyk. He lost via split decision back on May 18 and then lost via unanimous decision on Dec. 21. Both fights took place in Saudi Arabia. Fury lost multiple heavyweight championships in his initial loss to Usyk.

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Fury’s last win came against Francis Ngannou via split decision.

If this is truly it for Fury, he will retire with a 34-2-1 record with 24 knockouts. The Usyk losses were the only two blemishes on his record. The draw came against Deontay Wilder in 2018.

He previously announced his retirement before his 34th birthday in August 2022 and was back in the ring two months later. 

Frank Warren, a boxing promoter who worked with Fury, told BBC he did not speak with Fury before his retirement.

"If that's what he wants to do, that’s great. He’s done everything he can do. Probably been the best British heavyweight of his generation by far," Warren told BBC radio. "Two-time world champion, two closely fought fights against Usyk. He’s got plenty of money, got his wits about him, got a lovely family."

Boxing fans were hoping Fury would be able to finally fight Anthony Joshua in a battle of two of Britain’s best fighters of this generation. However, at least for now, that will not happen.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Sydney Thomas rocketed to social media fame toward the end of 2024 when she went viral as a ring girl during Jake Paul’s fight against Mike Tyson.

With an increase in popularity, Thomas also had to deal with some strangeness. She revealed in a recent podcast interview that a college football coach from the SEC slid into her direct messages.

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"It was from another SEC football team coach. And they just DM’d me, ‘Roll Tide,’" she said on the "Like a Farmer Podcast" when asked about the "craziest DM" she received.

"So I'm not going to say what coach it was, but they’re an Alabama fan, now at least. We’ll let everyone else figure that out for themselves, who it was."

She never revealed who the coach was, so, for now, the secret is safe with the University of Alabama student.

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Thomas gained thousands of followers on social media since she was seen at the Tyson-Paul fight back in November. To cap off the year, she wrote a "love letter" to 2024 in a post on Instagram.

"A love letter to 2024… a year of love, growth, discovery, and change. going into 2025 here is my little reminder to you- count your blessings and hold your people tight," she wrote.

"We are so blessed to be here today. love hard, hug harder, and appreciate everything and everyone. life is such a beautiful thing, and it’s most valuable parts are free."

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Professional boxer Paul Bamba unexpectedly died just days after being crowned WBA Gold Cruiserweight champion, his manager and family announced on social media. He was 35. 

R&B singer and songwriter Ne-Yo issued a joint statement with Bamba’s family on social media Friday confirming the news of his passing. A cause of death was not revealed. 

"It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of beloved son, brother, friend and boxing champion Paul Bamba, whose light and love touched countless lives," the statement posted on Instagram read. 

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"He was a fierce yet confident competitor with an unrelenting ambition to achieve greatness. But more than anything, he was a tremendous individual that inspired many with his exceptional drive and determination. We are heartbroken by his passing and kindly ask for privacy and understanding during this difficult time as we collectively navigate our grief." 

Bamba signed with Ne-Yo’s management company this year. He broke Mike Tyson’s record just six days prior to his death when he won the WBA Gold Cruiserweight championship to win 14 fights – all knockouts – in a single year. 

"This year I set out with a goal. I did just that," Bamba said in a post on Instagram after the fight. 

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"Wasn’t easy, there were many obstacles that I adapted to, overcame and kept on the path we set regardless of extenuating circumstances. 14 fights. 14 knockouts ending with the WBA GOLD cruiserweight world title," he continued. 

"Blessed to have my family, my team and all my supporters along the way. That being said if you got what some might call an ‘outlandish goal’ GO chase it. Anyone who thinks that isn’t as brave as you, prove people wrong!"

According to Reuters, Bamba had a 19-3 record with 18 knockouts, 14 of which came in 2024. 

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