Boxing's Biggest Questions: Paul vs. Chavez, Teo vs. Haney, Pacquiao's Comeback, and More

Explore the latest in boxing with expert analysis on Jake Paul vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., Teofimo Lopez vs. Devin Haney, Manny Pacquiao's return, and more.

Real or Not: Jake Paul Will KO Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

Real. Chavez is not expected to be in the condition needed to threaten Paul in their cruiserweight bout, which Paul likely wins inside the distance. Chavez has been mostly inactive recently (one fight since December 2021), and Paul's work rate is likely to overwhelm him. Chavez could run out of steam after a few rounds and allow the social media star a highlight-reel finish.

Real or Not: Teofimo Lopez vs. Devin Haney Will Eventually Happen

Real. Lopez and Haney have circled each other for years, and it seemed like the fight was going to come to fruition in August. Depending on how you look at it, the hangup for Lopez was either weight, money or both. There's nothing to suggest that Lopez fears Haney. The bigger issue is the relationship between Lopez and Turki Alalshikh, Saudi Arabia's chairman of the general entertainment authority and Ring Magazine owner, who would promote the fight. Lopez said some "inappropriate words" about Alalshikh on social media, for which he later apologized. This won't be the last time Haney and Lopez are linked together for a fight, and it is too good of a fight to not eventually happen.

Real or Not: Manny Pacquiao Will Defeat Mario Barrios

Not real. Pacquiao's incredible career will make a great movie one day, but it is difficult to believe his welterweight title fight against Mario Barrios on July 19 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas will provide the classic Hollywood, happy ending. After starting his professional boxing career 30 years ago, "Pac Man" has too many miles on his body, has lost too much athleticism and is not quick enough to defeat Barrios.

Real or Not: Tyson Fury Will Return from Retirement to Finally Face Anthony Joshua This Year

Real -- but it might not be this year. If Fury vs. Joshua becomes a reality, next year is a better bet since Joshua is currently recovering from elbow surgery and Fury claims he is still happily retired. Since Fury is coming off back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk and Joshua suffered a humiliating fifth-round knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in September, it wouldn't be a surprise to see both of them in interim fights before facing each other in 2026.

Real or Not: George Kambosos Jr. Will Become a Two-Division Champion on Saturday

Not real. Figuring out how good Kambosos is can be difficult to quantify. The Australian started his professional career 20-0. His biggest victory during that run was a stunning decision in 2021 over Lopez, who after the fight was diagnosed with "pneumomediastinum" with "extensive air in the retropharyngeal space." Since then, he has gone 2-3 with all three of his losses coming in one-sided beatings at the hands of Haney (twice) and Lomachenko. The two wins? A majority decision over Maxi Hughes and a unanimous decision over unheralded and inexperienced fellow Aussie fighter Jake Wyllie.

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