More stories

  • in

    Anthony Joshua brutally told his career is ‘OVER’ as boxing promoter suggests final ‘good’ fight after Dubois KO

    BOB ARUM has brutally told Anthony Joshua his boxing career is all-but “OVER” after defeat to Daniel Dubois.AJ hit the canvas FOUR times on the way to his fifth-round knockout loss against Dubois in front of a British-record 98,000 fans.Anthony Joshua following defeat to Daniel DuboisCredit: GettyJoshua suffered a devastating knockout defeat against DuboisCredit: GettyJoshua has talked down retirement in the aftermath and is already being lined up for a rematch. But Hall of Famer Arum – a promoter across seven decades – sees no way back for AJ other than a fight with Deontay Wilder. He told FightHub: “No, you don’t have an off night getting the s*** kicked out of you that way. “I just think AJ has been through a lot of wars. And I think it’s over for him as well as over for Wilder.READ MORE IN BOXING“Maybe they can fight each other, that’d be good.”Wilder is coming off two defeats against Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang.The American, 38, has not officially hung up the gloves and his coach Malik Scott spoke out to talk down retirement. Joshua, 34, meanwhile met with promoter Eddie Hearn and Saudi boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh just days after his loss to Dubois.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAnd Hearn revealed all parties are on board for a potential rematch – targeted for February. He said talkSPORT: “Rematch clauses come in many different forms.Why Anthony Joshua having an immediate rematch against Daniel Dubois is ‘the end of his career’ after brutal KO loss”We have a fight with Riyadh Season. One of our options is to fight Daniel Dubois again, and our contract is with them.”His Excellency [Turki Alalshikh] will deal with Frank and Daniel and make that fight happen. The terms will have to be agreed with them.”We have already agreed our terms, we have the option to rematch with Dubois.”Our meetings with His Excellency, he wants the rematch. AJ will always want the rematch.”Daniel wants the rematch too it’s the biggest fight for him and they will fancy it.”It is a case of going away and talking about, do we go straight into the rematch? And when will it be?”It was a heavy night at the office, we aren’t going back to fight in 10-12 weeks, he needs his rest and time to recover.”Round by round: How Dubois demolished JoshuaANTHONY JOSHUA bravely picked himself up from the floor against Daniel Dubois – until he could no more.AJ was floored four times in five rounds by Dubois before a thudding counter right closed the show in dramatic fashion.Here, SunSport’s Jack Figg takes you round-by-round from the Wembley war.ROUND 1Dubois comes out sharp with the jab as Joshua bounces around struggling to deal with the piston-like left.Huge right hand from Dubois has AJ staggering backwards with his hands far too low from the opening bell.Joshua made to pay for the mistake as he circles out with his hands down and gets dropped by an overhand right.ROUND 2Joshua – saved only by the bell after being floored – struggles to get going as he takes shots to the face.AJ is tottering and teetering around the ring with his guard again dangerously low and inviting pressure on.Joshua is attempting to get back into the bout but his jab looks far too lazy – he doesn’t look to have recovered from the knockdown.ROUND 3AJ comes out with more intent but swings wildly with a right and connects with only thin air.Dubois pours on the pressure and hammers Joshua into the corner scoring another knockdown.The bell sounds but Dubois lands one or two afterwards – again AJ is saved by the clock as the writing looks on the wall.ROUND 4Disaster strikes again with Joshua floored once more – losing his balance as he touches the canvas.The referee gives AJ another fighting chance and Dubois lands a low blow – giving the challenger some valuable respite.Dubois slows down as four rounds come to a close with Joshua showing sensational resilience to hang in there.ROUND 5Joshua lands a huge right hand and Dubois legs buckle – an astonishing turnaround looks to be on the cards.AJ pins Dubois onto the ropes and attempts one of his signature uppercuts but the countering right hand gets there first.Joshua is caught flush on the chin, dropped once more and this time out for good. Dubois scores a stunning KO win. More

  • in

    Anthony Joshua plummets down Ring Magazine rankings after Daniel Dubois KO but fans slam ‘disrespectful’ fall

    ANTHONY JOSHUA has plummeted down the Ring Magazine’s heavyweight rankings following defeat to Daniel Dubois.AJ was knocked out by a brutal right hand in round five in front of a British-record 98,000 fans at Wembley. Anthony Joshua was knocked out by Daniel DuboisCredit: GettyIt leaves Joshua’s career hanging in the balance meanwhile Dubois has never looked better – with their Ring rankings a reflection. AJ has shot down to SEVENTH while Dubois is up at second behind No1 challenger Tyson Fury and champion Oleksandr Usyk.Joshua, 34, has shunned retirement talk in the aftermath of his loss and is already being lined up with a rematch against Dubois, 27.Usyk, 37, meanwhile faces Fury, 36, for the second time on December 21 following his undisputed title victory in May. READ MORE IN BOXINGBut to proceed with the Riyadh rematch he was forced to vacate the IBF belt which Dubois inherited after being elevated from interim champ.Reacting to the updated list, Fury posted: “Back to number1 on dec21 been repping 22 years and counting.” Joseph Parker is third in the Ring rankings following a run of five wins, including one against Deontay Wilder.In his last fight, the New Zealander beat Zhilei Zhang, who is one place below in fourth.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAgit Kabayel breaks into the top five after a good run of wins with his last coming in May against Frank Sanchez.Martin Bakole is one place above Joshua off the back of his victory over American prospect Jared Anderson.Below AJ is Filip Hrgovic who was beaten by Dubois in an IBF title fight.Efe Ajagba comes in at ninth while Justis Huni breaks into the top ten after going 9-0.’Are you not entertained? I’m a gladiator’ – What Dubois and Joshua said after brutal fightDANIEL DUBOIS annihilated Anthony Joshua’s dream of becoming a three-time world heavyweight champion, writes Wally Downes Jr.Joshua was floored FOUR times as Dubois landed an astonishing fifth-round knockout in front of a record 96,000 Wembley crowd and millions of TV viewers to retain his IBF belt.AJ, 34, never recovered after being downed in the first round of last night’s Battle of Britain showdown as a huge Dubois right-hand haymaker caught him flush on the chin.Here’s what they said after the fight:DANIEL DUBOIS“Are you not entertained? I’m a gladiator, a warrior to the bitter end. This is the biggest win of my career. I couldn’t let this opportunity go and now I want to go to the top level of this game.“I’ve been on a roller-coaster ride and this is my time. I’m not gonna stop until I reach my full potential.”ANTHONY JOSHUA“As p***ed off as I am, it is what it is.“I had a sharp, fast opponent and there were a lot of mistakes from me. Credit to my opponent and his team.“We rolled the dice and came up short. You know I’m p***ed but I’m going to keep cool and give respect to my opponent.”FRANK WARREN (DUBOIS’ PROMOTER)“It was a phenomenal fight, like  Hagler v Hearns.“A brilliant fight and everybody has seen a champion’s performance tonight.“Daniel has shown his courage, his skills.“AJ caught him with a shot towards the end and I was worried, but what a fabulous, fantastic fight.”EDDIE HEARN (AJ’S PROMOTER)“AJ shipped a huge right hand  in the first round and  was fighting on heart.“He hurt Daniel at the end of the fourth and then again in the fifth, but got greedy and walked on to a right hand and that’s all she wrote.“I’m sure Anthony will exercise the rematch clause.”Anthony Joshua warned not to repeat tactic that ‘didn’t do s*** for him’ as he’s told to rematch Dubois straight away More

  • in

    Oleksandr Usyk accused of CHEATING in blistering attack by Daniel Dubois’ trainer who says champ ‘deserves Oscar’

    OLEKSANDR USYK has been accused of CHEATING in a blistering attack by Daniel Dubois’ trainer. Usyk beat Dubois in nine rounds last year – but only after some controversy. Daniel Dubois’ infamous low blow against Oleksandr UsykCredit: TNT SportUsyk was slammed for ‘cheating’ by trainer Don CharlesCredit: Richard Pelham / The SunDubois’ head trainer Don CharlesCredit: Richard Pelham / The SunDubois floored the Ukrainian legend in the fifth with a body shot that was deemed low. Replays sparked huge debate on whether the punch was on the belt line and legal – or a low blow. Most importantly, referee Luis Pabon deemed it below the belt and no knockdown was scored with Usyk given time to recover. Still, Dubois’ coach Don Charles believes the unified heavyweight champion faked the reaction and deserves an academy award for it. READ MORE IN BOXINGCharles said on talkSPORT: “Everything was stacked up against us, we knew about it, we knew about everything. This is actually personal.”I shouldn’t make it personal, it’s always about the fighters, and it still is about the fighters. I don’t get in the ring to take punches or give punches.”Mr Usyk is fake. Exceptional boxer, masterful boxer, a genius of what he’s done and what he can do. But he’s a fake and he’s a liar and a cheat.”It’s well documented. He is a guy who says he’s a God fearing man, he’s always crossing himself.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”This is going out to Usyk – if you believe in the same God that I and the world population do, what we refer to as God, one of the ten commandments is you cannot cheat. That’s against one of the ten commandments.”Make your mind up, do you worship God or not? Because if you do, the cheating and the acting he did when Daniel dropped him, he should win an Oscar for that acting.”Why Anthony Joshua having an immediate rematch against Daniel Dubois is ‘the end of his career’ after brutal KO lossDubois launched an appeal with the WBA but it was denied – with an investigation accepting ref Pabon’s decision. Usyk, 37, went on to beat Tyson Fury, 36, in May to become the heavyweight division’s first ever four-belt undisputed champ.But to proceed with the December 21 rematch, he was forced to vacate it with Dubois, 27, being elevated from the interim belt.And in his first defence, he sensationally knocked out Anthony Joshua, 34, in front of a British-record 98,000 fans. A rematch is now on the cards while Dubois has also called out Usyk, ahead of the rematch with Fury in Riyadh.Anthony Joshua suffered a devastating knockout defeat against DuboisCredit: Getty More

  • in

    Major change set for all Matchroom Boxing shows as fans say ‘great move for supporters and the sport’

    EDDIE HEARN has confirmed a major change to his Matchroom Boxing shows that has been hailed by fans.The promoter, 45, regularly puts on fight events across the UK, as well as internationally in the US and other territories.Eddie Hearn has been praised for his latest change to Matchroom’s boxing showsCredit: GettyAnd he has now revealed he is set to address a major frustration many boxing viewers have had for years.The main events for British boxing shows have often started very late – with the first bell sometimes ringing later than 11pm.However, Hearn has confirmed to The Stomping Ground he intends for all UK shows to have a 9pm main event ring walk time moving forwards.He also wants shows to be completed by 10pm.READ MORE IN BOXINGThis will be music to the ears of fight fans who have either had to get home from venues incredibly late or stay up watching the event on TV until the early hours.Reacting to Hearn’s comments, one fan said: “I’m not a big fan of promoters, but I’ve got to hand it to Eddie…great move for fans and sport of boxing!!”Another added: “So much better this!”A third replied: “Spot on, hate having to rush out of Wembley to catch last train.”Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSWhile a fourth responded: “Great move from Eddie.”And a fifth said: “10pm main event start is the sweet spot.”Why Anthony Joshua having an immediate rematch against Daniel Dubois is ‘the end of his career’ after brutal KO lossHearn promotes a number of the biggest fighters in the world including Anthony Joshua, Dmitry Bivol, Jai Opetaia, Jesse Rodriguez, Katie Taylor and Shakur Stevenson. More

  • in

    Boxing show descends into bloody chaos as TWO bouts waved off after head clashes and boxers left with horror cuts

    SHOCKING injuries forced TWO fights on the same bill to be waved off following head clashes.The gruesome finales marred the undercard of Terri Harper’s long-awaited world title bout with Rhiannon Dixon.Brandon Scott was the first to suffer a nasty head woundCredit: X/ MatchroomBoxingIbraheem Sulaimaan, like Scott, was given a TD win after injuryCredit: X/ MatchroomBoxingBrandon Scott was left reeling from an accidental collision in his super bantamweight contest with Calum Turnbull.Then super featherweight Ibraheem Sulaimaan suffered a huge cut around his eye against Kevin Trana.The two gory incidents happened in the space of an hour at Sheffield’s Canon Medical Arena.Both Scott and Sulaimaan were handed victory via a Technical Decision (TD).READ MORE TOP STORIESWelshman Scott, 21, and 25-year-old Scot Turnbull each landed heavy blows before a brutal collision of heads.Blood poured from the forehead of the younger man, who walked backwards, peering at the floor dazed.Referee Mark Lyson immediately signalled a head injury and called the fight off.Sulaimaan, aka Spider, then finished with damage that appeared even nastier after clashing heads with Nicaraguan Trana.Most read in BoxingScott immediately looked down as blood poured off himCredit: X/ MatchroomBoxingThe Birmingham boxer, 23, appeared to have a deep cut around his right eye – with blood streaming down onto his neck and chest.Once again Lyson intervened – asking a doctor to check out the 23-year-old’s eye.I’m nicknamed ‘farm boy’ for very specific reason… but now I’m set to make my professional boxing debutHowever, there was little doubt that the bout would be called off – which it promptly was.The unfortunate moments came on the night two-belt world champ Harper was taking on lightweight queen Dixon in an all-English showpiece. More

  • in

    Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson ‘could be over in one minute’ as YouTuber warned ‘he will make you pay’

    JAKE PAUL’S long-awaited clash with Mike Tyson could be over in 60 seconds, claims the legend’s former trainer.The YouTuber-turned-boxer was set to fight Kid Dynamite on July 20 – but the pair will now get in the ring on November 15.Mike Tyson fights Jake Paul on November 15Credit: GettyJeff Fenech trained Mike Tyson for his last two fightsCredit: ReutersTyson had the fight postponed due to health issues after he suffered a medical emergency on board a flight as a result of an ulcer flare up.Ahead of the clash, Tyson’s ex-trainer Jeff Fenech reckons he will wipe the floor with the man 31 years his junior.Fenech, who trained the ex-world champion in his 2004 and 2005 defeats to Danny Williams and Kevin McBride, said it will take just one minute for him to win.He told World Boxing News: “I do not doubt Mike takes it easy and doesn’t try to punch at the same time [he will win]. READ MORE IN BOXING”If he makes Jake Paul miss, Mike will knock him out in a couple of rounds – one hundred percent.“I spoke to Mike. I told him what I felt. Hopefully, he’ll listen to me. We said the same thing anyway. “If he does what he said, then I have no doubt he will knock him out. He’ll have no problem.”If Mike lands one clean punch, and if he makes him miss, he will make him pay. If he doesn’t try and strike at the same time and is patient, the fight could be over in one minute.”Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSOn getting back in the ring aged 58, Iron Mike said: “I want to change biology. I want to change the way people think about age. “People think that as you get older, you become weaker and less physically active at a high level. It’s all psychological.” Tyson and Paul’s fight will be shown on Netflix.Mike Tyson sends chilling warning that Jake Paul ‘has to go’ as he claims ‘I started his career, now I’ll finish him’ Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson’s lifestyles comparedONE is a notorious YouTuber-turned-boxer who has taken the sport by storm.The other terrorised all in the ring in the 1980s and 1990s, famously biting the ear off an opponent in one fight.Iron Mike has rebuilt his life after squandering a £300m fortune with a cannabis empire, and is a huge advocate of the drug.And as Paul has continued to rise up the ranks, he has splashed the cash on a fleet of amazing cars.Whereas Tyson had more money than sense until a £15m debt saw him part with his cherished car collection.Paul now lives in a plush mansion worth £13m in Puerto Rico, after escaping his hectic life in LA.But these days, Tyson lounges in his Vegas property he paid £2.5m for with wife Lakiha, who he married in 2009. Paul is not yet married but is smitten with his speed skater girlfriend  Jutta Leerdam. She will be by his side when her man puts his 9-1 boxing record on the line against two-time heavyweight champ Tyson on July 20.Read more: Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson’s lifestyles compared, from The Problem Child’s £13m mansion to Iron Mike’s huge cannabis empire. More

  • in

    Anthony Joshua suspended from boxing after brutal KO defeat to Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium

    ANTHONY JOSHUA has been suspended from boxing for 28 days following his knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois.The two-time world heavyweight champion, 34, was destroyed by his British rival in front of a record crowd at Wembley last weekend.Anthony Joshua is banned from boxing until October 19Credit: ReutersDaniel Dubois dropped Anthony Joshua four times on his way to a knockout winCredit: GettyAJ was dropped three times before the decisive punch in the fifth round saw him hit the canvas for the final time.Now he has been handed a standard 28-day suspension by the British Boxing Board of Control.This is always dished out to British fighters when they suffer a stoppage loss.But the suspension will not impact Joshua as he has no plans to fight before the suspension expires on October 19.He is expected to return in 2025 after the fourth professional defeat of his career.And Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh has revealed he plans to make the rematch between Joshua and Dubois.The Olympic gold medallist’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, confirmed earlier this week the three opponents Joshua could face next.It comes after AJ insisted on social media that he will not retire.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHis options will largely depend on the outcome of Oleksandr Usyk’s rematch against Tyson Fury on December 21.Speaking to iFL TV, Hearn said: “If Fury was to lose maybe they [AJ and Fury] both say ‘Right, let’s give the public one last hurrah, two big fights, done’.Antony Joshua has ‘gone backwards’ and ‘hasn’t got right team around him’ says Brit boxing legend “Or, if Fury wins, he could defend against AJ for the unified world heavyweight title and AJ could beat him and become a three-time heavyweight champion. Anything’s possible.”Or we could rematch Daniel Dubois.”Or [he] could fight someone else. Deontay Wilder. I dunno, it’s not something that’s been discussed yet but two guys coming off defeats, big punchers, someone’s got to go from the sport.”But for me the options are rematch Daniel Dubois or wait and see what happens in Fury against Usyk.”‘Are you not entertained? I’m a gladiator’ – What Dubois and Joshua said after brutal fightDANIEL DUBOIS annihilated Anthony Joshua’s dream of becoming a three-time world heavyweight champion, writes Wally Downes Jr.Joshua was floored FOUR times as Dubois landed an astonishing fifth-round knockout in front of a record 96,000 Wembley crowd and millions of TV viewers to retain his IBF belt.AJ, 34, never recovered after being downed in the first round of last night’s Battle of Britain showdown as a huge Dubois right-hand haymaker caught him flush on the chin.Here’s what they said after the fight:DANIEL DUBOIS“Are you not entertained? I’m a gladiator, a warrior to the bitter end. This is the biggest win of my career. I couldn’t let this opportunity go and now I want to go to the top level of this game.“I’ve been on a roller-coaster ride and this is my time. I’m not gonna stop until I reach my full potential.”ANTHONY JOSHUA“As p***ed off as I am, it is what it is.“I had a sharp, fast opponent and there were a lot of mistakes from me. Credit to my opponent and his team.“We rolled the dice and came up short. You know I’m p***ed but I’m going to keep cool and give respect to my opponent.”FRANK WARREN (DUBOIS’ PROMOTER)“It was a phenomenal fight, like  Hagler v Hearns.“A brilliant fight and everybody has seen a champion’s performance tonight.“Daniel has shown his courage, his skills.“AJ caught him with a shot towards the end and I was worried, but what a fabulous, fantastic fight.”EDDIE HEARN (AJ’S PROMOTER)“AJ shipped a huge right hand  in the first round and  was fighting on heart.“He hurt Daniel at the end of the fourth and then again in the fifth, but got greedy and walked on to a right hand and that’s all she wrote.“I’m sure Anthony will exercise the rematch clause.” More

  • in

    Usain Bolt spotted in WIGAN celebrating Premier League cult hero’s 46th birthday at swanky restaurant

    USAIN BOLT made a surprise appearance in a swanky restaurant in Wigan to celebrate Bolton legend Ricardo Gardner’s birthday.Bolt, 38, is enjoying retirement after his legendary career, which saw him winning eight Olympic gold medals and 11 world titles, after the 2017 World Championships in London.Usain Bolt made a surprise visit to a Wigan restaurant to celebrate Ricardo Gardner’s birthdayBolt’s stock is still sky high after rolling credits on a legendary Olympic careerCredit: GettyBolt’s close friend and fellow Jamaican Gardner is a Bolton legendCredit: GettyThe sprinting legend, who holds the record for the fastest times on the 100m and 200m events, still has an army of fans and turns heads everywhere he goes.The Jamaican great proved it during a surprise visit in Wigan’s La Casa Astley restaurant on Wednesday.The Olympian linked up with his good friend and fellow Jamaican athlete Gardner who was celebrating his 46th birthday.Bolt posted a photo of them two on social media with the following caption: “Big up me g on him strong @ricardobibigardner love and love alone.”Read More on SportLa Casa Astley are no strangers to celebrity customers, having previously hosted the likes of Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson and boxing star Tommy Fury.And the Italian eatery suggested Bolt is a regular customer as it appears he has also visited at least three times this year alone.La Casa Astley posted the following: “We’re thrilled to welcome back the legendary Usain Bolt to La Casa!”Always a pleasure serving the fastest man on earth – where great food meets great company.”Most read in AthleticsRestaurant manager Pietro Garrafa admitted there were a lot of surprised faces once Bolt walked through the front door.Garrafa told the Manchester Evening News: “I just started a week ago, but I know that quite a few celebrities come to us because our food is very authentic.Usain Bolt’s former rival reveals Olympics legend’s ‘bulls***’ tactic that showed ‘what he’s about’ mid-race”I didn’t take the reservation, but I was shocked to see him when he came in.”Everyone was asking for pictures and he and Ricardo were lovely, there was a family of Bolton fans who were dining there too and Ricardo took a picture and spoke to them.”Bolt was very kind and we kept the restaurant open until midnight for them, we loved it.”Bolt’s mate Gardner spent 14 years at Bolton until his retirement in 2012 and amassed a total of 21 goals and 12 assists in 397 appearances.The former left-back has now crossed over to coaching in his homeland having managed Jamaica’s Under-20s as well as Harbour View and Portmore United. More