Aurelia Butler

ANTHONY JOSHUA has been backed by Frank Warren to walk straight into a mega-fight – despite his latest injury setback.AJ is yet to return since suffering a knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois in September – snubbing a rematch to focus on Tyson Fury. Anthony Joshua will ‘walk back in’ to a major fight after recovering from injuryCredit: GettyBut Fury announced a shock retirement in January and appears no closer to reversing his decision. Joshua was left in the lurch but his promoter Eddie Hearn recently revealed the heavyweight faces two months out with injury. And Warren, who promotes Fury and Dubois, told Sky Sports: “We’re making these fights happen.”All I know is whatever they advise him, the majority of the heavyweights are with us.READ MORE IN BOXING”That door has been taken off the hinges, just walk straight in and we’ll make it.”I understand something was going on [with an injury].”For him there’s no rush, he’s there and he’ll decide in his own time what he wants to do.”I’m sure his team will support him wholeheartedly whatever his decision is.”Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHearn has claimed Joshua, 35, likely has no more than two fights left in his career before retirement.And Warren said: “That’s his choice.Jake Paul brutally warned against fighting Anthony Joshua by ex-world champions “He’s been a great servant for British boxing, two-time world champion, filling venues up, was on the crest of a wave for a long time and in fact looked on the crest of a wave until he fought Daniel.”He had three good wins under his belt.” More

EDDIE HEARN has revealed details of his conversation with Anthony Joshua about fighting Jake Paul.YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul shocked the world last week by revealing his intention to throw down with the former two-time unified heavyweight champion.Jake Paul sensationally called out Anthony Joshua earlier this monthCredit: GETTYThe social media sensation is adamant he’d KO the former two-time heavyweight champEddie Hearn has revealed AJ is very much open to fighting the YouTuberCredit: GETTYBoxing fans worldwide were left stunned by the social media star’s sensational call-out, which AJ has appeared to entertain.And Hearn has revealed the Watford warrior is very much down to teach The Problem Child a lesson.The Matchroom Boxing Chief told DAZN: “AJ would fight Jake Paul. He would fight anyone, to be honest with you.”And if Jake Paul wants to step up and fight Anthony Joshua, he will need the relevant insurance.READ MORE BOXING NEWS”But the only thing that was disappointing is that he said 2026. Do it in 2025 if you really want to do it.”But those two have spoken, I spoke to AJ this morning and he went, ‘Of course, I’ll fight him’.”Jake creates massive events, unbelievable viewership and no disrespect to Jake Paul but it’s a straightforward night’s work.”I like this calling out of Canelo [Alvarez] and others. AJ is another chance. But if they are game, why not?”Most read in BoxingWhen asked what AJ told him in response to Paul’s provocation, Hearn replied: “He said, ‘Why not? Tell everyone I’ll fight anyone. It is not a problem for me.’”AJ hasn’t set foot in the ring since suffering a brutal fifth-round KO defeat to Daniel Dubois in their Wembley bout last September.A long-overdue showdown with Tyson Fury was seemingly on the cards for the London 2012 gold medallist before The Gypsy King announced his fifth retirement in January.But AJ is refusing to write off the Battle of Britain, telling iFL TV: “I feel like it’s the best fight [for me].”People might say [Joseph] Parker, people might say – I don’t know.”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.READ MORE SUN STORIES”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.” More

SOMETIMES in life, when your back is against the ropes, and you feel like the whole world is mugging you off, you need people you can reach out to for help who you can trust.Colin Hart was – without a doubt – always one of those people.Colin Hart covered Frank Bruno during the 1990sCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdHart was ringside through Bruno’s highs and lowsCredit: GettyI was just a teenager, a kid really, when our paths crossed for the first time.I was an upcoming amateur fighter making a name for myself. Colin – or Mr Hart as I called him the first time we met – was a top boxing journalist who had covered boxing’s great and good for decades.So I knew when he kept coming back to watch my fights I must have been doing something right.In the end, he was there at ringside, covering every moment: all the highs and all the lows.READ SOME HART CLASSICSRecently, he very kindly picked my fight against Lennox Lewis as one of his top five British bouts of all time.I quite liked the fight as well. Well, apart from the ending if you know what I mean.But it’s the moments outside the ring that I spent with Colin that I’ll remember the most fondly.Boxing now is nothing like it used to be. These days, those press conferences are like mini-fights. The hype, the drama, the aggro – I wouldn’t be surprised if they start putting some of those press conferences on pay-per-view.Most read in BoxingBack in the 80s and 90s it was totally different. Boxers and newspaper journalists would spend time mixing in and around training camps.There was no social media. No 24 hour sports news. Instead, I’d spend hours talking to Colin and his colleagues.COLIN HART: 50th anniversary of Joe Bugner’s first fight with Muhammad Ali, at the Las Vegas Convention Center in 1973These guys knew everything about boxing and Colin had the biggest brain of all. I used to joke that he was a walking encyclopedia.But I secretly soaked up so much of what he said and the advice he gave me.To me, Colin was a serious hombre. When he had something to say it was worth paying attention. . I knew I could trust him too.I’ve not always had a great relationship with the media, especially some of the news-boys over the years. But Colin was as straight as they came – and he quickly became a really firm friend.Maybe that’s why when I hit rock-bottom and started suffering with mental ill health it was Colin I turned to for advice.I remember one phone call, shortly before I was sectioned, where I spoke to Colin on the phone for an hour.Truth be told I was crying out for help and Colin, as ever, advised me the best I could.In the end, like we all have to, I had to find my own way out of my troubles.But Colin was always supporting me, sending me letters and notes. And once I was out of hospital he was one of the first on the phone to wish me well.Colin Hart was The Sun’s ‘Voice of Boxing’ for more than 50 yearsCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdBruno’s rival Lennox Lewis also revered Colin HartCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdSince retiring I regularly saw Colin at various boxing events, sportsmans dinners, and charity galas.If I knew he was there I’d always ask to be on his table, and we’d swap stories about the good old days.I last saw Colin in October, at a tribute dinner in London to celebrate my old mate John Conteh, and he was as sharp and as smart as he’d always been.READ MORE SUN STORIESAs ever it was a privilege to spend some time with him and to share a laugh and a joke. It’s hard to believe I’ll never see him again.When it comes to the kings of boxing reporters, Colin was the undisputed Champion. No-one else will ever lay a glove on him. RIP, my friend.Sporting world pays tribute…THE sporting world has paid emotional tributes to The Sun’s legendary Voice of Boxing.Ricky Hatton said: “I am so sad to hear of the passing of Colin Hart. Colin followed my career from the start all the way through to the big fights in Vegas. Colin is one of the last great boxing journalists and he will be sadly missed. RIP old mate.”Michael Buffer said: “I was honoured to know the legendary Boxing Hall of Fame journalist, Colin Hart, for almost all of my career in the sport. His writings and passion for boxing are universally recognised as among the best ever.”Joe Calzaghe said: “Colin was a real giant of boxing writers and there will never be another like him. He will be sorely missed and my deepest condolences go to his family, friends and colleagues.”Read more tributes including from Lennox Lewis and Frank Bruno. More