ANTHONY JOSHUA’S undisputed title clash against Tyson Fury has a major obstacle to overcome in the form of Oleksandr Usyk.
And it could lead to Joshua vacating the WBO heavyweight belt in order to get the Fury deal done.

Oleksandr Usyk is the WBO’s mandatory challenger for Anthony Joshua’s beltCredit: Mark Robinson

Usyk is the WBO’s mandatory challenger, and according to his promoter the Ukrainian has ‘not given his consent’ for the two Brits to fight for all the belts.
This is despite SunSport recently reporting that Usyk himself said he would consider stepping aside to allow the ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’.
And Usyk fighting next in a non-title bout has ‘never been under discussion’, according to Alexander Krassyuk.
The promoter told Sky Sports: “According to now the deadline is more for Fury and AJ not for Usyk.

“There were talks about an interim title or the AJ vs Fury winner relinquishing the WBO title the next day [after they fight].
“But as for today Usyk is the WBO mandatory and never gave his consent for the [Joshua vs Fury] bout to happen without him.
“Usyk is in good conditions now, he successfully recovered from his last fight and looks forward to fight challenge the title this spring.
“A non-title fight has never been under discussion and I really hope it will never be.”

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Tyson Fury has predicted an easy night’s work against JoshuaCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Joshua holds all the heavyweight belts except the WBC versionCredit: PA:Press Association

In only his second fight at heavyweight after being crowned undisputed cruiser champ, Usyk outpointed Brit bruiser Derek Chisora on October 31.
But he is now out of contract with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom stable ‘unless he is delivered the Joshua fight’.
But AJ seems to be focusing on one man and one man only – Fury.
The WBA, IBF and WBO king uploaded a picture on Snapchat, which revealed him dissecting the Gypsy King’s win over Wilder.

That night last February earned Fury the WBC belt, the only crown missing for Joshua’s collection.
With the two agreeing a 50/50 split, they are on the verge of fighting for all four of the heavyweight marbles for the first time in history.
But, Wilder, 35, still believes he is contracted to a trilogy bout with Fury, and has launched a legal case to salvage his shot at revenge.

Watch Anthony Joshua shout ‘I’m coming Usyk’ as footage emerges of heavyweight rivals’ exchange after Chisora fight More

GENNADY GOLOVKIN’S former trainer claimed there are only three fighters who can beat Canelo Alvarez. Sanchez twice cornered GGG against the Mexican superstar, with the first ending in a controversial draw in 2017 that many felt Golovkin deserved to win, before losing the rematch a year later.
Canelo Alvarez is set for a trilogy bout against Gennady GolovkinCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Boxing manager Tom Loeffler, trainer Abel Sanchez and Gennady GolovkinCredit: Getty
Golovkin has since left the esteemed coach but is in line for a trilogy bout with Canelo this September.
Sanchez still believes the Kazakh, along with David Benavidez and Artur Beterbiev, potentially have the beating of boxing’s pound-for-pound best.
He told FightHype: “The only people who can be a tough fight for Canelo are Beterbiev, Benavidez, and a well-trained Golovkin.
“Those are the only people who can beat Canelo. The ones who walk him down. These are the only ones who can threaten him.” 
Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions offered Canelo the chance to fight Jermall Charlo, 31, and Benavidez, 25.
But he opted for Eddie Hearn’s two-bout deal against Dmitry Bivol, 31, on May 7 and then Golovkin, 39, in September.
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Benavidez has campaigned to fight Canelo but is now set to face David Lemieux, 33, the Canadian GGG beat in 2015.
Light-heavyweight Beterbiev, 37, is the sport’s only champ with a 100 per cent knockout ratio, standing at 17-0.
But Canelo opted to fight Russian Bivol instead, returning to 175lb for the first time since knocking out Sergey Kovalev, 38, in 2019.
Golovkin returns in a middleweight unification on April 9 in Japan against Ryota Murata, 36.
Wins for both Triple-G and Canelo will then see them renew their rivalry.
Canelo Alvarez won his 2018 rematch with Gennady Golovkin after a controversial draw in the first fightCredit: AP:Associated Press More

ARSENAL defeated Everton 2-0 with a dominant display at the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore Maryland.Gabriel Jesus continued his goalscoring streak, which now stands at three goals in two matches, and Bukayo Saka sealed the win against a hapless Toffees side.
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That’s all from Baltimore
Arsenal beat Everton in a friendly game at the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland.
A dominant performance in the first half was enough to seal the win for Mikel Arteta’s side against a hapless Toffees side.
Gabriel Jesus opened the scoring on 33 minutes when a pinpoint corner-kick from the left by Cedric Soares found him completely unmarked in the far post from where he beat Jordan Pickford.
Jesus then drove the ball down the left flank and flicked it perfectly to the far post where a slight touch from Gabriel Martinelli set Bukayo Saka up for the Gunners’ second of the night just three minutes later
Credit: GETTY IMAGES
Stats
Arsenal dominated an impressive 60 per cent of possession against Everton.
The Gunners had full control of the first half but slowed down in the second.
The North Londoners registered 12 shots, four of which were on target.
The Toffees, on the other hand, produced seven shots, two of which were on target
FT: Arsenal 2-0 Everton
Arsenal defeated Everton in a friendly match at the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland.
A dominant performance in the first half was enough to seal the win for Mikel Arteta’s men against a hapless Toffees side.
Gabriel Jesus opened the scoring after 33 minutes when a pinpoint corner-kick from the left by Cedric Soares found him completely unmarked in the far post from where he beat Jordan Pickford.
Jesus then drove the ball down the left and flicked it perfectly to the far post where a slight touch from Gabriel Martinelli set Bukayo Saka up for the Gunners’ second of the night just three minutes later
Credit: GETTY IMAGES
Full-time!
And that’s it in Baltimore!!!
Arsenal 2-0 Everton
90 Chance
Arsenal ace Pepe comes close to a third but his effort is saved by Crellin
Arsenal 2-0 Everton
89 Yellow card
Pablo Mari becomes the first Arsenal player to be booked for a late tackle on Iwobi
Arsenal 2-0 Everton
88 Both teams are playing very conservatively.
However, Everton have really improved compared to the first half
Arsenal 2-0 Everton
85 Five more minutes to go.
An important win for Arsenal that gives them reason to feel confident ahead of the coming season
Arsenal 2-0 Everton
83 Time goes by very slowly in Baltimore…
Both teams are unable to create any threats…
Arsenal 2-0 Everton
80 Just 10 more minutes to go.
Arsenal are on course to victory as Everton have been unable to create threats
Arsenal 2-0 Everton
79 Yellow card
Everton ace Gbamin gets booked for pulling Nketiah to the ground
Arsenal 2-0 Everton
77 Everton’s defence is getting carelles with some weak passes back to Crellin.
Nketiah came just a whisker away from picking up a loose ball that would set him up against the Toffees keeper.
But the young shot-stopper just manages to clear it in front of the striker
Arsenal 2-0 Everton
75 Tempo has really slowed down as we slowly approach full-time.
Everton are still missing their big chance…
Arsenal 2-0 Everton
73 Nelson and Mari have also come on for Arsenal.
Arteta is handing out a lot of opportunities
Arsenal 2-0 Everton
70 Substitution
Arsenal manager Arteta introduces youngster Walters, who takes Gabriel’s place.
Lokonga also comes on for Xhaka
Arsenal 2-0 Everton
68 Time for a water break!
Everton are getting a lot more joy in the second half
Arsenal 2-0 Everton
68 Arsenal are struggling to find spaces to recreate the same chances they had in the first half.
Everton ace Iwobi is quite lively against his former team.
Arsenal 2-0 Everton
65 Everton are missing Richarlison’s influence, based on what we’re seeing in this match.
The Toffees will need to find a replacement as Calvert-Lewin struggled to have an effect
Arsenal 2-0 Everton
63 Everton are getting a lot more of the ball so far in the second half.
But the Toffees are lacking that big chance…
Arsenal 2-0 Everton
60 The game has really opened after all those changes from both teams.
Many players that are not favourites to be starters this coming season…
Arsenal 2-0 Everton
59 Chance
Martinelli drives the ball down the left and fires a cross that is deflected by Tarkowski, who also came on after half-time.
The Everton signing seemed to be hurting after the tackle but is thankfully able to continue
Arsenal 2-0 Everton
57 Chance
Arsenal ace Maitland-Niles tries a long-range shot but doesn’t worry Crellin
Arsenal 2-0 Everton
55 Arsenal and Everton are both wearing their home kits for the coming season.
The Gunners don their legendary red and white while the Toffees are in their signature blues
Credit: GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal 2-0 Everton
52 Arsenal enjoyed an incredible first half with goals by Jesus and Saka in the space of three minutes.
But Everton have come on stronger in the second half
Credit: GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal 2-0 Everton
50 Substitution
And Everton have made a lot of changes with Keane, Welch, Gbamin, Crellin, Rondon, Iwobi, Warrington, Mykolenko and Gordon coming on
Load more entries… More

ANTONIO RUDIGER is reportedly fit and available for Chelsea’s trip to Everton on Saturday. The German centre-back, 26, has played just 45 minutes of first team football this season after his opening to the campaign was hampered by injury. Antonio Rudiger could return for Chelsea at Everton on SaturdayCredit: Getty He was expected to make […] More

EURO 2028 is set for a major change to its originally scheduled plan, after the UK government announced it would not be providing funding to one stadium.Originally, 10 stadiums across England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland were due to host matches for the next European Championships.Northern Ireland’s Casement Park will no longer host matches at Euro 2028Credit: SportsfileIt comes after the government pulled funding for a redevelopment project of the groundCredit: PacemakerThe estimated cost for the project had ‘risen dramatically’Credit: PacemakerHowever, Northern Ireland’s chances of hosting one such game now appear to be dead in the water.The plan was for the country to host four matches at a rebuilt Casement Park in Belfast.But costs “dramatically” rising by more than £220million have now seen that plan scrapped.The UK government announced on Friday night that the estimated cost of rebuilding the ground now stood at more than £400m.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLConsequently, funding for the redevelopment project has now been pulled due to there being “significant risk” it would not be built in time.In order to be ready for Euro 2028, the building project for Casement Park would need to be meet a Uefa deadline of being completed by the summer of 2027.The ground, which would have seated 34,500, has been left empty for more than a decade and is now in a state of disrepair with overgrown grass and neglected facilities.The announcement was made in a joint letter from NI secretary Hilary Benn and Sports Minister Lisa Nandy to Stormont Minister Gordon Lyons – head of sport in Northern Ireland.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSIt read: “The estimated build costs have risen dramatically – from £180m when the EURO 2028 bid was awarded in October 2023 to potentially over £400m – and there is a significant risk that it would not be built in time for the tournament.”We have therefore, regrettably, decided that it is not appropriate for the UK government to provide funding to seek to build Casement Park in time to host matches at EURO 2028.”UK and Ireland WILL host Euro 2028 after Turkey pull out of race leaving no opposing bidsThe news comes despite Primer Minister Keir Starmer’s chief of staff, Sue Gray, “pushing hard” for the Gaelic football ground to be funded.Mr Lyons said his department remains “committed to the 2011 agreement with the GAA for a GAA stadium”.He added he he will work with the government and other stakeholders to “ensure that there is a lasting legacy for football in Northern Ireland”.The Ulster GAA branded the announcement “bitterly disappointing”.Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Irish FA said it would “consider the implications of this with our bid partners and UEFA”.Even if they do not end up hosting any matches, Northern Ireland could play a role as a training base or host warm-up games at the existing Windsor Park Stadium.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Times have reported that the four matches due to be hosted in Northern Ireland will be split among the other host nations.The report adds that London’s Wembley, Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, Hampden Park in Glasgow and Cardiff’s Principality Stadium are the four set be handed an extra match.The stadium was announced alongside 10 others for Euro 2028 matchesCredit: SportsfileContingency plans have proposed that Wembley hosts one extra match along with three other stadiumsCredit: Alamy More