Boxing

TYSON FURY’s recent heavyweight heartache has gone from bad to worse.The Wythenshawe warrior failed in his bid to become the first undisputed ruler of the division in nearly 25 years last month in his unification bout with Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia.Tyson Fury suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in their undisputed heavyweight boutCredit: GettyThe Gypsy King licking his wounds following his first professional defeatCredit: PAThe Gypsy King has slipped below Anthony Joshua in the WBC’s heavyweight rankingsCredit: GETTYThe Mexican sanctioning body has Fury at No.2 in their heavyweight rankingsCredit: WORLD BOXING COUNCILFury, 35, suffered a split decision defeat to the undefeated Ukrainian, although he was incredibly lucky not to have been stopped in the ninth round.The Gypsy King is still licking his wounds a month after the desert defeat, although they’ll no doubt start to sting again once he gets a glimpse at the WBC’s latest heavyweight rankings.The Mexican sanctioning body have placed Fury’s Brit rival Anthony Joshua AHEAD of him in their prestigious rankings.Newly-crowned WBC king Usyk sits at the top of the tree, with AJ below him as their No.1-ranked heavyweight.READ MORE ON TYSON FURYDespite holding their belt for over four years, Fury sits at No.2 in the rankings overseen by Mauricio Sulaiman.Defeat to Usyk was the first of Fury’s 16-year-long professional career, in which he’s won all the belts on offer.The former unified heavyweight king will have the opportunity to exact his revenge and fulfil his undisputed dream in a rematch on December 21.And the bitter taste of defeat has lit a fire under the dad-of-seven, who said in a recent Instagram video: “Hey guys, Tyson Fury here. Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”Back in the gym, as you can see.”[I’m] counting down the days until I can get my redemption on Usyk.EXCLUSIVE: Anthony Joshua expected to fight winner of Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk even if Gypsy King gets revenge on Ukrainian”December 21 is going to be my time. I’ve done everything in boxing, but I ain’t come back from a loss.”And I relish it, the chance to redeem myself GET UP.”December 21 is all me – undisputed heavyweight here I come.”In his accompanying caption, he added: “Listen up! I’ve conquered everything in boxing – titles, records, the lot.”But I’ve never had to come back from a loss.”On December 21st in Riyadh, in the heart of the kingdom, the king will reclaim his throne and become undisputed.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Usyk, I’m coming for you! Get ready for the Gypsy King! The path to redemption is all mine.”I know what I have to do, I saw my shortcomings and best believe I am inevitable.” More

BEN WHITTAKER was attacked with a headbutt and an elbow but still managed to win a dull one-sided fight.The talented 27-year-old Olympic silver winner was assaulted a couple of times by light-heavyweight underdog Ezra Arenyeka, who was rightly deducted a point for his fouling.Ben Whittaker locked horns with Ezra Arenyeka for the IBF International Light-Heavyweight titleCredit: REUTERSOlympian Whittaker was too slick and crafty for the NigerianCredit: REUTERSArenyeka lost his composure after the sixth round and headbutted Whittaker’s jawCredit: SKY SPORTSBut the Selhurst Park fight turned into a bit of a stinker as it was all one-way traffic, with the Brit ace unable or unwilling to push for a stoppage before the judges called it: 100-89, 99-90 and 99-90.Arenyeka, 28, looked the part with handsome muscles and glittery shorts but he was grossly overmatched and little more than a human punchbag.Whittaker’s pink gloves peppered him from all sorts of angles and nothing the Nigerian threw back came close to landing.The final 30 seconds turned into a cringey dance-off, with both pretty boys doing their best Strictly audition.READ MORE BOXING NEWSThe Baggies showboater spent more time looking at the freezing audience than his opponent in the second but the action dried up with the rain.Arenyeka fancied his chances more in the third, hurling haymakers in Whittaker’s vague direction and grabbing him in an attempted sleeper hold straight of the wrestling handbook.Whittaker had his designer goatee grazed in the fifth when Arenyeka lost the fear of his punches and slung everything at him.In round six, when the tricks and flicks were getting tiresome, Arenyeka accidentally punched him in the backside, but it was a kick he needed as he coasted around the low gears.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSEzra Arenyeka was later deducted a point for elbowing Ben WhittakerCredit: GETTYAnd Whittaker got the shock of his life when he tried to mock his opponent by walking him back to his stall, at the bell, and got a headbutt for his trouble.Arenyeka lost a point in the seventh when he added an elbow to his headbutt routine but the crowd had long lost interest by then.Chris Billam-Smith v Richard Riakporhe post fight interviewArenyeka threw a hook so wild in round nine he did a full 360-degree spin and fans must have fancied the same move at the turnstiles as the one-sided spar turned sour. More

CHRIS BILLAM-SMITH survived a Richard Riakporhe snugglefest to cling on to his WBO cruiserweight world title.The Bournemouth champ had to go to Riakporhe’s Crystal Palace home to land a massive payday and it was well worth it after an easy night’s work.Chris Billiam Smith defended his WBO cruiserweight world title against Richard RiakporheCredit: REUTERSRiakporhe bizarrely used a clinch-heavy approach to try win his first world titleCredit: GettyHis constant holding on frustrated Billiam-Smith and paying fansCredit: REUTERSIn front of new Eagles manager Oliver Glasner, Riakporhe and hapless trainer Angel Fernandez got their tactics utterly wrong and blew their expensive chance as the judges called the hugfest 116-111, 115-112 and 115-112.Riakporhe fizzed in the first couple of crisp jabs and drove a pair of his trademark right-hand equalisers onto CBS’ high and tight guard.The 33-year-old Cherries fan poked and prodded but took no early risks on enemy ground.Riakporhe, 34, wasted most of the second round holding on to CBS and pinning him back onto the ropes.READ MORE BOXING NEWSThe experienced champion was too easily manhandled but was putting his punches together when they weren’t entangled.Riakporhe landed a smart right hand in the third but spoiled the rest of the round by hugging and was warned for rubbing his forehead into CBS during one long and ugly embrace.The fourth was tight and tasty, Riakporhe missed with a few wild power punches and CBS tagged his body.But the challenger scored with other punches and CBS slipped into some bad old habits when he was easy to hit.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBilliam-Smith landed the cleaner and more precise shots over 12 roundsCredit: GettyThe middle rounds were hard to stomach as Riakporhe moved from hugs, to cuddles and eventually into snuggles.But he did land the sixth round’s best shots and got Billam-Smith’s nose bleeding.Shocking moment Ben Whittaker is attacked with headbutt and elbow as he outclasses furious opponentReferee Steve Gray was doing the shrinking audience a disservice by not punishing Riakporhe for the endless wrestling that was turning everyone off.CBS enjoyed his best session in round eight, Riakporhe was hurt a couple of times and was briefly slumped over in the champ’s red corner.Sweat and blood was slashed off his handsome face a couple of times as the Dorset dangerman grew into the bout.Then CBS was buzzed as soon as the ninth started but Riakporhe’s follow-up was low so he was able to recover.Then two more booming right hands had CBS in serious trouble, clinging on and desperately awaiting the bell, which saved him in the nick of time.Riakporhe got his umpteenth verbal warning for holding and headbutting in the eleventh but still escaped a point deduction.Chris Billiam-Smith knew he’d done enough to retain his title after the finalCredit: REUTERSCBS’ sights are set on becoming undisputed cruiserweight kingCredit: PAThe final bell could not have come sooner after the 14st 4lbs rutted and wriggled for one final session.Gray did finally take a point off Riakporhe for his incessant fouling and spoiling but the damage to CBS and the spectacle was already done.CBS said: “I am really pleased. The difference was experience and speed and the gameplan.”Shane McGuigan, my trainer, is a master.READ MORE SUN STORIES”He can punch with his left and his right but our gameplan was the difference.”I want to unify against another champion, I want to go to Vegas baby!” More