Aurelia Butler

ZHILEI ZHANG claims everyone will be a winner if he fights Anthony Joshua next – except the Brit in the ring.The 6ft 6ins Chinese heavyweight known as “Big Bang” has now called out AJ TWICE since the ex-world champ’s weekend walloping of Otto Wallin.
Anthony Joshua outclassed Otto Wallin in Riyadh in SaturdayCredit: Getty
Joshua is back in the big time after his third straight win of 2023Credit: Reuters
Zhilei Zhang hailed his second victory over Brit Joe Joyce in SeptemberCredit: Getty
Joshua is tipped to take on Croatia’s Filip Hrgovic instead of Deontay Wilder as Joseph Parker stunned the American on the same Saudi bill as AJ.
But Zhang believes that bout would be boring – in contrast to the “fireworks” and “commercial sense” of him challenging the Londoner.
The 40-year-old boxing pride of Asia KO’d Joe Joyce in both of his last two contests but has previously lost to Hrgovic.
However, Zhang insists fans would love to see a revenge bid on Joshua, who beat him on the way to 2012 Olympics gold.
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He posted on Instagram: “I lost to a better man 11 years.
“I’m happy we have both come a long way, gone through ups and downs in life.
“Now it’s time to do this for the sport of boxing and give it to the fans around the world. Let’s get it on!”
But Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed Hrgovic is his likeliest opponent – ahead of a possible title blockbuster against the winner of Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk.
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AJ is back in the big time following three victories in 2023, with the third and by far the best coming after seven dominant rounds against Wallin.
However, Zhang said: ” When you look at Joshua’s potential fight with Hrgovic, I just don’t think it makes that much commercial sense.
“If he comes to me, the whole of England will be watching, and the whole of China, and the whole Middle East. Everybody will be watching.
“It’s not only going to be fireworks. It’s going to be explosive. You’re going to see dynamite because we had history, and I want to make it right.”
He added: “Joshua’s past opponents are Usyk, southpaw, Otto Wallin, southpaw, and I think he’s very comfortable and he’s been really good at fighting southpaws, and I’m a southpaw.
“So, let’s get it. Credit to Parker, but I want to get Joshua next.” More

MIKE TYSON has been spotted enjoying some sunshine during a festive trip to St Barts.The boxing legend soaked in the glorious weather as he holidayed in the Caribbean for Christmas.
Mike Tyson enjoyed some festive sunshineCredit: The Mega Agency
The 57-year-old headed to St Barts in the CaribbeanCredit: The Mega Agency
He enjoyed some down time at the luxurious Nikki Beach resortCredit: The Mega Agency
Tyson stopped for a snap with a fanCredit: The Mega Agency
He wore a white Givenchy T-shirt and black shortsCredit: The Mega Agency
Tyson, 57, had been rumuored to be going to Saturday night’s Day of Reckoning event in Saudi Arabia, where Anthony Joshua destroyed Otto Wallin.
He wasn’t spotted in attendance alongside the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Conor McGregor, however.
But he has since surfaced at the Nikki Beach resort in St Barts.
The luxurious spot is a celebrity favourite, with the likes of Jay-Z, Beyonce, Mariah Carey and Bono having stayed there in the past.
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Iron Mike cut a relaxed figure as he strolled along the sandy beach.
The former heavyweight champion wore a white Givenchy T-shirt and black shorts as he enjoyed the warm weather.
He completed his look with white socks and seemingly box-fresh white trainers.
While he didn’t appear to attend Saturday’s Day of Reckoning in Riyadh, Tyson has offered his opinion on the upcoming Saudi bout between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury.
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The heavyweight duo are set to meet in a historic unification clash on February 17.
Ahead of the much-anticipated fight, Tyson told Fight Hub TV: “I look forward to Fury vs Usyk. That is going to be an interesting fight.
“I’m going towards Fury because I think he’s just going to overpower him. He’s going to catch up with him and overpower him.
“I got to go with Fury. I think he’s the best fighter in the world, especially in the heavyweight division.
“Great fighters lose, great fighters look bad, that doesn’t stop them from being great fighters.”

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DEONTAY WILDER has accused Anthony Joshua of avoiding him.The former heavyweight champions had been due to meet on March 9, had they both won their respective fights on Saturday night.
Deontay Wilder was stunned by Joseph Parker on Saturday nightCredit: Getty
Wilder still wants to face Anthony Joshua despite losing to ParkerCredit: Getty
Joshua, 34, held up his end of the bargain, looking impressive as he dismantled Otto Wallin.
But Wilder, 38, fell to Joseph Parker in a shock loss – leaving his bout with AJ in tatters.
Immediately after his defeat, the Bronze Bomber hinted that he could retire from the sport.
He has since clarified that he’ll be continuing, however, and has even accused Joshua of ducking him.
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Speaking to 78SPORTSTV, Wilder said: “They really don’t want that fight. When I lost, did you see how happy he was coming out?
“He was like, ‘I ain’t gotta fight Wilder’. The rumour was he was talking about retiring if I won… March 9th, the fight still can go on.
“But this is a perfect way for them to get out.”
On his defeat, Wilder added: “My timing was off because of inactivity. I’m disappointed because I know I’m a way better fighter than him.
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“I hurt him a few times, but certain shots I didn’t take. It was hesitation and I couldn’t understand why… He has no business beating me at all, not even on a magnificent day for him.
“He didn’t do nothing, neither of us really did anything.”
Joshua, meanwhile, is targeting becoming a three-time world champion on March 9.
Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk meet for the undisputed WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO heavyweight crown in Saudi on February 17, with AJ set to be in attendance.
The IBF will then order the winner to face mandatory challenger Filip Hrgovic.
Both men could relinquish that belt in favour of a rematch, opening the door for Joshua to fight Hrgovic for the vacant title.
On the prospect, Joshua declared: “If it’s a fight for the heavyweight championship of the world or fight a big-name opponent, I will always choose the former because that’s the creme de la creme.
“It’s the most prestigious title you can win.
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“I will try to come out again for Fury and Usyk, I tend not to go to fights, but that’s an iconic one.
“Once that fight is out of the way, then the heavyweight division opens up again and we can start leaning toward becoming champions.”
Anthony Joshua celebrates beating Otto WallinCredit: Getty More

ANTHONY JOSHUA is targeting becoming a three-time world heavyweight champion in Saudi Arabia on March 9.Joshua’s planned £100million superfight with Deontay Wilder has been KO’d following the American’s shock Saturday defeat to New Zealand’s Joseph Parker.
Anthony Joshua is lining up his next fight and wants a big oneCredit: AFP
Joshua demolished Wallin in Saudi Arabia on Saturday nightCredit: Reuters
But AJ is now eyeing a “creme de la creme” crunch with Croatian Filip Hrgovic back in Riyadh for the IBF belt.
Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk meet for the undisputed WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO heavyweight crown in Saudi on February 17.
However, the winner will be ordered to face the IBF’s mandatory challenger Hrgovic and both boxers are ready to relinquish that belt in favour of a rematch.
That would then set up a Joshua-Hrgovic IBF title fight on the same March 9 date that the Brit was supposed to face Wilder.
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And Joshua declared: “If it’s a fight for the heavyweight championship of the world or fight a big-name opponent, I will always choose the former because that’s the creme de la creme.
“It’s the most prestigious title you can win.
“I will try to come out again for Fury and Usyk, I tend not to go to fights, but that’s an iconic one.
“Once that fight is out of the way, then the heavyweight division opens up again and we can start leaning toward becoming champions.”
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Filip Hrgovic could be next in line for AJ, in what might be a world title fightCredit: Getty
Joshua, 34, proved he is back to his best with a five-round demolition of Swede Otto Wallin in Riyadh — just minutes after Wilder’s shock loss on the same bill.
AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn admitted he wanted “to vomit” after Wilder’s defeat wrecked the mega two-fight deal which had just been signed.
But asked if a hat-trick of heavyweight reigns is his priority over big-money fights, Joshua added: “Every fight leads toward the final destination.
“I have bigger ambitions, I don’t celebrate when I win these fights, I celebrate when I win world championships.”
“I have bigger ambitions, I don’t celebrate when I win these fights, I celebrate when I win world championships.”Anthony Joshua
The ruthless IBF have stripped champs for long-waiting mandatory challengers before.
Fury lost his red belt just nine days after he dethroned Wladimir Klitschko in 2015, because he signed up for a doomed rematch.
The same fate befell welterweight don Terence Crawford two months after he dominated Errol Spence for all four belts last August.
 Hrgovic has been waiting 18 months for a crack at the IBF crown, so the super-strict New Jersey-based organisation could take action as soon as Fury and Usyk finish.
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And the  Saudis have scheduled March 9 to host a Joshua-Hrgovic showdown.
Hearn added: “AJ wants to become a three-time world heavyweight champion. There is a lot to play out with the IBF, but maybe that belt does come vacant.” More

TYSON and Paris Fury heaped praise on pal Joseph Parker after his stunning Saudi upset of Deontay Wilder.The former WBO heavyweight champion pulled off a shock points win over The Bronze Bomber in their ‘Day of Reckoning’ clash on Saturday night.
Joseph Parker pulled off a shock win over former WBC champ Deontay WilderCredit: GETTY
The Kiwi was cheered on by pals Tyson and Paris FuryCredit: INSTAGRAM@PARISFURY1
Paris hailed the former WBO champ for his huge win on her Instagram storyCredit: INSTAGRAM@PARISFURY1
Parker dominated the American from the opening bell to score a unanimous decision victory in the Riyadh rumble.
And he was cheered on by the Furys, who tuned in to watch the bout from their Morecambe mansion.
Paris shared a clip of Michael Buffer reading out the scorecards to her Instagram story with the accompanying caption: “@JoeBoxerParker.
“Congratulations our good friend.”
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Before the scorecards were read out, she said: “Come on Joe.”
And she broke out into cheers of joy after the Kiwi’s biggest victory was confirmed.
WBC heavyweight king Fury reacted to Parker’s win by posting a graphic of his training partner being hoisted in the air to his Instagram story.
Victory over Wilder was Parker’s fourth on the bounce since he was brutally knocked out by Joe Joyce.
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After having his hand raised, he said: “It was a dangerous and tough fight but everyone had other plans but this is God’s plan.
“The strategy was: I got really fit and stayed calm and focused.
“Today we got the win and can have a Merry Christmas.
“I just want to get back to Samoa to see my wife and family.
“He caught me a few times, only on the guard, and even that really hurt.
“This win is massive because I have my whole team here, apart from Tyson Fury, Tyson thank you for all the help.”
Wilder, 38, is in a career no man’s land after blowing his £100million two-fight series with Anthony Joshua but insists his fighting days are far from over.
He said: “Sorry if I let anyone down. This is not the end, we’ll be back.” More