Aurelia Butler

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    Anthony Joshua in line for shock world title fight if Tyson Fury snubs £300m grudge match

    ANTHONY JOSHUA could end up fighting for a world title if a showdown with Tyson Fury fails to come to fruition.Fury, 36, seemingly killed off the long-overdue Battle of Britain in January by announcing his fifth retirement from boxing.Anthony Joshua’s hopes of fighting Tyson Fury are seemingly hanging by a threadCredit: REUTERSThe Gypsy King is retired and has shown no sign of reversing his retirement decisionCredit: PAAJ could end up fighting Agit Kabayel for the interim WBC heavyweight titleCredit: GETTYAJ and his team aren’t giving up hope of the mammoth melee coming to fruition but are willing to move on should Fury remain retired.And WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has revealed the Watford warrior is in contention to fight Agit Kabayel for the interim heavyweight title.He told Sky Sports: “We will [support an undisputed heavyweight title fight] and we will assess what is happening, what is the best scenario.”[Kabayel] has the WBC interim championship that [he] can defend.READ MORE ON FURY”There’s other big fights like Joshua, Wilder or even Fury. So many other possible great fights.”[Joshua,] he’s highly ranked in the WBC, he’s a legendary champion and we will support him, of course.”Fury, according to his cousin Andy Lee, is content with his life after boxing, which he can no longer be “f****d with”.But Joshua is still holding out hope of sharing the ring with his long-time rival later this year.Most read in BoxingCheltenham Festival betting offers and free betsDuring a recent interview with iFL TV, he said of the domestic dust-up: “I feel like it’s the best fight [for me].”People might say [Joseph] Parker, people might say – I don’t know. ‘I think he’ll return’ – Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury fight update as Saudi boxing chief reveals chat with Gypsy King”But I think Fury, commercially, is a great fight and it’s a great man’s fight as well. So I think it makes sense.”You could say it’s been years in the making. “But listen, the heavyweight division has been thriving.”And why I say it’s probably still a great fight is as I said Parker is, for me, a great story of someone that never gives up.”And the thing is, there is going to be one winner and one loser.”And there’s going to be bloodshed. And it ain’t gonna be mine.”Anthony Joshua hasn’t fought since losing his Wembley war with Daniel DuboisCredit: GETTY More

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    ‘Not behaviour I understand’ – Chris Eubank lifts lid on son’s Conor Benn egg slap after Jr explains reason in phonecall

    CHRIS EUBANK JR told his dad he smashed Conor Benn with an egg because he was outnumbered.The 35-year-old Brighton middleweight cracked at the Manchester launch of their April 26 bout when his 28-year-old foe was flanked at the face-off by legendary British fighter and father Nigel and promoter Eddie Hearn.Chris Eubank Jr slapped Conor Benn with an egg during a press conference last monthCredit: PAThe British Boxing Board of Control hit Eubank Jr with a £100,000 fineCredit: SPLASHEubank Jr explained his reasons for egging Benn in a phone call with his estranged dad, Chris Eubank SrCredit: NEWS GROUP NEWSPAPERS LTDTwo-weight world champ Eubank Sr, 58, raged against the original 2022 clash taking place – knowing Benn had failed one of two VADA drug tests in the summer – and correctly predicted it would be canned.And he is refusing to help the promoters and broadcasters tap into his iconic two-fight 1990s rivalry with Nigel, by not gracing the Spurs clash with his presence or blessing.And Jr – who as always usually conducted himself with the same decorum as his dad – revealed a lack of back-up led to boiling point.“It’s not behaviour I understand.” the retired fighter told his Call Chris Eubank channel. “Where did that come from?READ MORE SPORTS NEWS“But I spoke with him a few days ago about this egg thing, and he said, ‘Dad he is a cheat and we are promoting the fight.’“I got pulled in and yes I premeditated it because they keep telling me, ‘My dad doesn’t like me.’“’It’s me alone, dad, so that’s what I thought I would do and I have justified it.'”Eubank Jr and his dad’s relationship broke down when the second-generation fighter decided he didn’t want his dad to manage him, around 2020.Most read in BoxingCheltenham Festival betting offers and free betsThen, in 2021, son and brother Sebastian died tragically of a heart attack in Dubai, crippling the family dynamic further with grief.Jr – who was slapped with a £100,000 fine for egg-gate – has confirmed he would love his dad back in his corner for this third installment of the family feud.Chris Eubank Jr reveals relationship with dad has broken down completely He made an emotional appeal to his old man during an exclusive interview with Sun columnist Piers Morgan, saying: “I’m here. “I’m getting ready for the biggest fight of my life.“If you want to be next to me, like his father’s next to him, we can do it together. “If not, no hard feelings, I’ll get the job done for you — don’t worry about it.“He’s my old man. It doesn’t matter if I don’t talk to him until the day I die.“I’m always gonna love him. He taught me everything. As far as I know, he doesn’t want this fight to go ahead.”But infamously tough Sr seems unwilling to budge – yet. More

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    Leigh Wood opponent and former world champion Mauricio Lara slapped with two-year boxing ban after failing drugs test

    BOXER Mauricio Lara has been handed a two-year ban after failing a drugs test before his loss to Leigh Wood. Lara brutally knocked out Wood in February 2023 and they rematched just three months later. Mauricio Lara has been handed a two-year ban after failing a drugs testCredit: GettyBut the Mexican was this time beaten on points – losing his WBA featherweight title. Lara has fought just once more since – drawing to Daniel Lugo in Mexico in February of last year. But it has now emerged that Lara failed a UK Anti-Doping test before his rematch loss to Wood – landing himself a two-year ban. His suspension is backdated to the start date of his provisional suspension and so will expire on March 6th, 2026.READ MORE IN BOXINGUKAD posted: “Mexican professional boxer Mauricio Lara has been banned from all World Anti-Doping Code-compliant sport for two years, following Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) for the Presence and Use of a Prohibited Substance.”Lara tested positive for betamethasone – known to treat inflammation and pain. The 27-year-old claimed the positive test was caused by an injection into his shoulder on 12 May in the build-up to the Wood fight. But Ukad said that did not explain how betamethasone entered his system.Most read in BoxingLara shot to notoriety overnight when he knocked out Josh Warrington in 2021. There rematch then ended in a no-contest due to a cut in round two to Lara’s eye. Lara beat Wood, 36, for the WBA title but lost it in the immediate rematch. Lara knocked Wood out in their first fightCredit: Richard Pelham / The SunLara lost the rematch on pointsCredit: Reuters More

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    I cried after announcing my MMA retirement and got job on railway tracks… now I’ve got a second chance through boxing

    WITH his eyes full of tears and admittedly harbouring regret, Darren Stewart announced his retirement from MMA. And after getting a job on the railway tracks to support his family – the father-of-two might have thought his fighting days were over. Darren Stewart retired from MMACredit: GettyBut an opportunity Stewart had been waiting for finally arised – offering his career a second chance. Stewart had fought professionally in MMA since 2014 – spending five years in the UFC until a losing streak saw him demoted to the domestic scene. And after six Cage Warriors bouts – the Londoner’s fight offers had dried up – prompting him to announce a heartbreaking retirement. Stewart, 34, told SunSport: “That day I was asking like, ‘What’s happening any more fights?’ READ MORE IN BOXING”And I was getting told that there might not be no more fights until the end of the year.”And I fought at the beginning of the year, so how am I gonna survive? “Remember, I got no job, how am I gonna survive from the beginning of the year to end of the year? No sponsorships, I mean, nothing”And then when I got that message, I started breaking down into tears. I was crying, I said, ‘You know what I’m done.’Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”My missus came and said, ‘What’s wrong?’ I said, ‘I’m gonna call it a day.’ I think she said something like, ‘Yeah, but you always say this.’ “I was like, ‘I’m done now.’ That’s a hard thing to do and I had to do it.” Chris Eubank Jr reveals relationship with dad has broken down completely Stewart was fighting full-time, relying only on his purses to get by and the cost of his fight camp expenses also piled up. He said: “I was getting loads of messages and saying, why, why, why? “I said, ‘What do you mean why?’ I’m not getting no help as a fighter, people just see us fight – it’s more than that.”What happens after the fight? What happens after three, five minutes (rounds). You gotta pay this, you pay that.”I didn’t have no sponsorship either, so you gotta pay this and pay that. It’s just too much, man.”And then what you’re left with that’s gotta cover your rent until so and so and when’s the next fight? You don’t know.” Stewart got a job working on a railway tracks and clocked in every evening as a retired fighter. I started breaking down into tears. I was crying, I said, ‘You know what I’m done.’Darren Stewart on retiring But everything changed when he got the call from Misfits Boxing – an avenue he had his eyes on for a while. Misfits – headed up by YouTuber-turned-boxer KSI – homes to celebrity-style crossover bouts. And Stewart will fight ex-UFC star Darren Till, 32, in Manchester on March 29 having never lost faith in a getting another break. He said: “It was a struggle, man.”I started working on the railway, so going to work every night when everyone’s sleeping. Working on the tracks, lifting heavy stuff. It’s not me.”I mean, my body wasn’t recovering, it was a big struggle, I just kept praying and saying, ‘You know what, something will come around, something will come around.'”I had good people around me and my coach I was still training with, not only do I box with him, I do rehab with him. ‘It’s sad that I’m saying it'”So I do my rehab, get my mobility back for all the years and trauma that my body took from MMA.” Stewart admits to regretting putting all his chips into the MMA basket without having a back-up plan to turn to. And he would advise his eldest so Tyler – who has just started judo – against doing the same. Stewart said in rare honesty: “I will support him, but I’ll say to him, ‘Do something else, just learn it for self defence.'”And depending what he goes into as well. If he’s really good at it, I can’t say nothing I’ve gotta support him, but if you’re just doing it for fun, no, it’s not a fun game.”Fighting’s a real thing, just do it for self defence and go do something else. It’s sad that I’m saying it. “I know people don’t wanna hear this, but I’m the only guy I tell you the truth.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I should write a book after this, honestly. A lot of people ain’t telling you this. When I speak to people, they’re like, ‘Wow, really?’ Yeah, really.”I’ll tell my son, ‘You know what, if you really want to, I’ll support you, but honestly, just learn their self defence and just keep it moving’.”Stewart with his eldest son TylerCredit: @darren_mma More

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    Daniel Dubois in talks for undisputed heavyweight rematch with Oleksandr Usyk at Wembley after controversial first fight

    DANIEL DUBOIS is in talks to rematch Oleksandr Usyk at Wembley for the undisputed heavyweight titles. Dubois was beaten by Usyk in nine rounds in August 2023 – but only after controversy struck following a low-blow. Daniel Dubois’ infamous low-blowCredit: TNT SportThe British star has since become IBF champion while Usyk owns the other three WBC, WBA and WBO versions of the gold. And the Ukrainian’s promoter Alex Krassyuk revealed talks are underway for all four belts to go on the line in the capital. Krassyuk told Sky Sports:  “We are now working on this fight, Wembley as one of the options.”Usyk, 38, went down in round five after Dubois, 27, landed a shot below the belt line. READ MORE IN BOXINGBut it caused huge uproar as Dubois and his team insisted the punch was legal and even launched an appeal with the WBA. The result stood and Usyk retained his titles and unbeaten record – setting up two fights in 2024 with Tyson Fury. He won the first via split-decision in May to be crowned the first four-belt heavyweight undisputed champion. But to proceed with the December 21 rematch, Usyk was forced to vacate the IBF title, which Dubois inherited after being elevated from interim champ. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSDubois knocked out Anthony Joshua, 35, in his first defence in September while Usyk beat Fury, 36, on points once more. In the ring afterwards in Riyadh, Dubois stormed in and called out Usyk as part of his plot for redemption. Joseph Parker has theory about Daniel Dubois’ last-minute fight withdrawalHe roared: “Usyk I want my revenge! I want my revenge. I want my revenge for last time. Let’s go. Where is Frank [Warren], let it happen?”Dubois was scheduled to return on February 22 in Saudi against Joseph Parker in a defence of his title. But with just two days to go, he fell ill and Martin Bakole flew in from Congo to replace Dubois on just over 24 hours notice. Parker, 33, knocked out Bakole, 31, in round one and called out both Dubois and Usyk in the aftermath. Usyk and Dubois are in talks for a rematchCredit: Getty More

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    Charlie Edwards has brother Sunny back in his corner for Andrew Cain bout after revealing their DAD wanted them to fight

    CHARLIE EDWARDS has brother Sunny in his corner after retirement paved the way for a full reconciliation. The two came up in the sport together, sparring each other in prepration for battle. Charlie Edwards has brother Sunny in his corner againCredit: X @CEdwardsBoxingThe two have feuded in the past but are on good terms againCredit: X @CEdwardsBoxingBut their relationship strained at times over the years – fuelling shock talk of a never-before-seen brotherly battle. And Charlie once revealed it was their dad Larry who wanted the brothers to settle the family feud in the ring. He told the Daily Mail last year: “That’s my dad’s dream. “And I don’t talk to my dad really anymore for a few years now because I’ve grown up and I’m a man now and I don’t like that energy. READ MORE IN BOXING”He always played us against each other, I see it for what it is. The sad thing is it’s his dream that we fight on the big stage, and I don’t know if that’s like a narcissistic thing, but that’s what he would try and do. “But for me, no thank you. I love my family. If I was to put 8oz gloves on and fight my brother and hurt him, I could never live with myself anymore. “I also love my nephews and that’s their dad. Why am I going to do something like that? We don’t need to fight each other.” The Edwards brothers did eventually go up against each other in opposite corners. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSCharlie fought for the European bantamweight title in September against Thomas Essomba – who is managed by Sunny. And Charlie won over 12 rounds – with Sunny standing in the opposite corner – but it ended in a hug between the two.Nick Ball is the British world champ likened to Mike Tyson tipped to fight pound-for-pound KO king Naoya InoueCharlie said after his win: “We’ve always been in competition. He’s always been a sore loser! He’s always quit on Fifa and thrown the controller! “But do you know what? I love my brother dearly, and I thank you for the opportunity as Thomas’ manager.” Sunny, 29, called time on his career in November after losing to 2024 Olympic champion Galal Yafai, 32. But he is still managing fighters and looks to have added a new feather in his boxing cap by becoming a trainer too. Sunny has been out in Portugal – where Charlie lives with his wife Kristin and daughter Sofia – helping coach his older brother. Charlie, 32, returns on Saturday night in a British and Commonwealth bantamweight title fight against Andrew Cain, 28, in Liverpool. And Sunny has been overseeing Charlie’s training alongside head coach Stephen Smith in the Algarve – bringing the two closer than ever. Sunny has been coaching brother CharlieCredit: X @CEdwardsBoxing More

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    Nick Ball is the British world champ likened to Mike Tyson and tipped to fight pound-for-pound KO king Naoya Inoue

    NICK BALL is Britain’s miniature Mike Tyson tipped to fight pound-for-pound KO king Naoya Inoue. The Wrecking Ball – as he is perfectly nicknamed – is the WBA featherweight champion with 21 wins. Promoter Frank Warren with Nick BallCredit: GettyBall won his world title against Ray FordCredit: GettyTyson pictured during his 1986 heydayCredit: GettyOnly 5ft 2in, the Liverpudlian has earned comparisons to Iron Mike due to their squat figure and aggressive boxing styles.Ball won the title against American Ray Ford last June – and revealed his admiration for heavyweight great Tyson in the build up. He told the Daily Mail: “I’ve always looked up to Mike Tyson. “I appreciate his style of boxing and wanted to incorporate that into my own style.READ MORE IN BOXING”No messing about, looking to get the job done against his opponents. It’s all action and I think that is what everyone wants to watch as well.”You get your money’s worth when you are watching people like me and Mike Tyson because it is edge of your seat stuff.”Ball, 28, defended his title against Ronny Rios, 35, with a tenth-round stoppage in October. He now returns on Saturday at the M&S Bank Arena against Irishman TJ Doheny, 38, who is moving up from super-bantamweight. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSDoheny fell victim to an Inoue knockout defeat in September – pulling himself out in round seven with a back injury. Inoue, 31, is considered one of the world’s best with a frightening 29-0 record with 26 KOs. Tyson Fury teases spectacular boxing comeback at Old Trafford as fans say ‘it’d better be Anthony Joshua’He has titles in FOUR divisions, from light-flyweight to super-bantamweight. And a move to the 126lb featherweight limit has been teased – where Ball is waiting in the wings. Promoter Frank Warren told BoxingScene: “I love Nick Ball. You know that. He’s a magnificent fighter. “He’s brilliant at what he’s done, the way he’s come through, showing the world what he’s about. “He’s just been fabulous at what he’s done, how he’s taken advantage of the opportunities that he’s had and showing the world what he’s all about. “The fight with him and Inoue, and Inoue coming up in weight, if that happens in December, I would love it to happen. “They’ve all got to keep winning, obviously, but I would love that fight.”Naoya Inoue is linked with a fight against BallCredit: AFP More

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    KSI called out by footballer who infamously knocked out Premier League legend for Misfits Boxing fight

    KSI has been called out to a fight by football hardman Phil Bardsley. Bardsley infamously knocked out Wayne Rooney in a drunken kitchen sparring session in 2015. Football hardman Phil Bardsley has called out KSICredit: PABardsley infamously knocked out Wayne Rooney in a drunken kitchen sparring session in 2015KSI is the founder of Misfits BoxingCredit: PAHe only retired from playing in 2023 and moved into coaching – but now he fancies a switch to the boxing ring. Bardsley, 39, told BoyleSports, who offer Premier League odds: “I would step in there with anyone, including KSI.“I had an operation recently but it won’t take me long to get my fitness up when I’m back in the gym. “I’d love to give it a go and I think I’d really enjoy the routine of it, it’s something I’d really look forward to.READ MORE IN BOXING“I’d never turn down a fight on one of the Misfits cards, but it’s not in my nature to go out there promoting myself. Let’s see what happens.”Bardsley came through Manchester United’s academy and was signed with the Red Devils from 2003-2008. During that period, he also had loan spells with Royal Antwerp, Burnley, Rangers, Aston Villa and Sheffield United. The right-back later played for Sunderland, Stoke, Burnley again and finally Stockport County – where he retired. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBardsley is an avid boxing fan watched on as former United team-mate Danny Simpson also made his boxing debut. Simpson, 38, drew against YouTuber Danny Aarons, 22, last August and continues training for another bout. KSI’s sparring partner says he snubbed Love Island return to focus on Misfits Boxing and reveals how hard YouTuber hits Misfits is the home to celebrity-style crossover bouts headed up by YouTuber-turned-boxer KSI. KSI, 31, returns against MMA star Dillon Danis, also 31, in Manchester on March 29. But Danis replaced Wayne Bridge, 44, after the ex-Chelsea player pulled out when KSI referenced his infamous feud with John Terry. Danny Aarons and Danny Simpson drewCredit: GettyKSI facing off with Wayne BridgeCredit: misfits boxing More