In another exclusive talkSPORT.com column, Ben Shalom gives his take on Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson and previews a massive night in Wales.
The Paul-Tyson fight has had everyone up in arms since it was announced at the start of March.
Ultimately, it is an exhibition bout and shouldn’t be taken seriously by purists.
However, there are worrying reports floating around that it could be sanctioned as a pro bout.
If that is the case then it will step over the line but until then it must be taken with a pinch of salt.
I can understand everyone’s frustration with the fight and I have seen the reaction online.
But it isn’t all doom and gloom for boxing fans.
There are plenty of big fights to look forward to coming up.
A hardcore boxing fans delight
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McCaskill vs Price goes down on May 11
One bout in particular, Lauren Price vs Jessica McCaskill, is making a real splash in Wales.
For Price to be taking this fight against a seasoned multi-weight world champion in just her seventh professional outing is everything that should be celebrated about boxing.
On paper, it is a very high-risk fight for her to take. She could have waited until the end of her career for these sorts of challenges but she wants them right now.
McCaskill, as hardcore boxing fans will know, has fought all the big names around her weight.
She’s gone the distance with Chantelle Cameron and Katie Taylor, beaten Cecilia Braekhus twice – and comes into this fight fresh off a draw with surging British contender Sandy Ryan.
On May 11 at the Utilita Arena in Cardiff, McCaskill puts her WBA welterweight title on the line against Britain’s most decorated female amateur boxer of all time.
Price has won Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth gold in the unpaid ranks and looks destined to be a future undisputed champion.
But she will have to perform on nights like these if she hopes to stamp her name in the annuals of boxing history.
A blockbuster return to Wales
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Eubank Jr vs Williams was BOXXER’s last big night in WalesCredit: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER
It’s great to finally be making a return to Wales. There have been so many big nights there in the past and we are expecting a massive turnout for Price.
We got a taste of how loud the Welsh fans can be when we hosted Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Williams in 2022.
Since then, we have been desperate to come back and now we can finally put on a blockbuster event on for them again.
We haven’t announced the undercard just yet but I can assure you it is filled to the brim with Welsh talent.
Punters won’t go home disappointed.
