Boxing

ANTHONY JOSHUA has forgotten his rivalry with Oleksandr Usyk and sent a message of support amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It comes following the news Usyk has taken up arms in Ukraine’s desperate fight against Vladimir Putin’s Russia.
Oleksandr Usyk has taken up arms in Ukraine’s desperate fight against Vladimir Putin’s RussiaCredit: Instagram @andrii_nebytov
Oleksandr Usyk beat Anthony Joshua in SeptemberCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
The unified heavyweight champion in September dethroned AJ and the pair are contracted to an immediate rematch.
But the crisis in Ukraine leaves their second fight in doubt – although Joshua, 32, has sent his support to Usyk, 35.
He told iFL TV: “I’ve learned sports and politics go hand in hand. They are powerful voices and it is good they are speaking up.
“They are not pushing for war, they are saying let’s find peace so good luck to them.”
Usyk has joined the Kyiv Territorial Defence and slung a machine gun over his giant shoulder.
He has joined best friend and Vasiliy Lomachenko and legendary boxing brothers Wladimir and Kyiv mayor Vitali in swapping gloves for guns.
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Usyk flew into London last week to watch Chelsea beat Lille on Tuesday night and visit Sheffield on Wednesday.
He also met with Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn for talks on a date and venue for the heavyweight rematch.
But the fearless southpaw returned straight back into the warzone and posted a string of emotional videos to Putin and the invading Russian hordes, before finally arming himself on Monday.
The AJ rematch, which Hearn has been hoping to stage in late May or early June, now seems certain to be delayed.
Married father-of-three Usyk clearly has far more important things on his mind and he has appealed directly to the Russian people for help.
I’ve learned sports and politics go hand in hand. They are powerful voices and it is good they are speaking up.Anthony Joshua
In an Instagram video, he said: “Good morning to everybody. My name is Oleksandr Usyk. I’d like to speak to the people of Russia. 
“If we consider ourselves as brothers, Orthodox ones, do not send your children to our country, do not fight with us. 
“Also I’m addressing this to the President, Vladimir Putin. You can stop this war. 
“Please just sit down and negotiate it with us without claims. Our kids, wives, grannies are hiding in the basements.
“We are here in our own country, we cannot do it any other way. We are defending. Stop this war, stop it. No War.”
Oleksandr Usyk has joined the Kyiv Territorial Defence More

JACK CATTERALL’S sickening split decision undisputed world title loss to Josh Taylor on Saturday is being investigated.The British Boxing Board of Control will ask the three ringside judges who decided the controversial outcome to explain their cards at a behind-closed-doors meeting.
Josh Taylor held on to his world titles at the weekend – but it was a lucky victoryCredit: PA
Jack Catterall could not believe he was not given the decision by the judgesCredit: Reuters
A Monday statement read: “The British Boxing Board of Control will be investigating the scoring of this contest and will advise accordingly.”
Ian John-Lewis has the most baffling numbers to defend after gifting Taylor an inexplicably comfortable win of 114-111.
That was despite the 31-year-old Scotsman making a slow start, getting floored in round eight and having a point deducted at the end of the 11th.
Victor Loughlin refereed Kell Brook’s win over Amir Khan last week brilliantly, pulling the Bolton braveheart out of the fire when he was at risk of serious injury.
But his judging of the Glasgow headliner will be examined after he called it 113-112 to the home fighter and defending champion.
Howard Foster was the only judge to get the result correct but even handing it to 28-year-old Catterall by 112-113 seemed harsh.
On paper, undefeated super-lightweight king Taylor – who must not face any blame – was always supposed to win the bout.
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His American promoters Top Rank had flown 30 executives over for the bout he was expected to win handily before moving up in weight and facing a welterweight champ.
But Catterall put on a brilliant performance, guided expertly by trainers Jamie Moore and Nigel Travis, only to be robbed when the scores were revealed.
The Sky Sports commentary team was stunned and new promoter Ben Shalom boldly admitted he was “embarrassed” and called for an inquest at the BBBofC.
Sadly the expectation is the three long-time officials will be called in to rationalise their scoring and their explanations will be accepted, with a brief demotion the most severe possible punishment.
In October 2020 Miguel Vazquez suffered a similarly shameful points loss against Newcastle’s Lewis Ritson in Peterborough.
Terry O’Connor’s 117-111 card, in the Brit favourite’s favour, was one of the worst this reporter has ever seen live.
O’Connor was relegated to a handful of smaller shows – taking in South Kirkby, Redditch, Bolton and a Sheffield car park during lockdown – but he returned to big time boxing with duties at the Chris Eubank Jr win over Liam Williams in Cardiff at the start of February.
Taylor revealed immediately in the aftermath that he will relinquish his belts and move up to 147lbs.
But Catterall will not get a well deserved shot at all of the four major belts.
The anctioning bodies – WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO – all have a range of different fighters listed in their own rankings waiting for a shot at each belt.
But British boxing recognises Catterall as the uncrowned king of the 10st division and will continue pushing for some sort of justice.
Catterall floored Taylor in the eighth round and was devastated not to be awarded the winCredit: Kenny Ramsay More

ANTHONY JOSHUA and Dillian Whyte’s former Russian opponent Alexander Povetkin appears to have backed his country’s invasion of Ukraine by making a shock reference to fighting back ‘Nazism’.The Vladimir Putin led war has now entered its fifth day with Russia unable to take Kyiv despite the bloodshed.
Alexander Povetkin appears to have backed his country’s invasion of UkraineCredit: Alamy
The former Russian boxer has made a shock reference to fighting back ‘Nazism’Credit: Getty
As the fierce fighting continues to escalate, emotional and touching scenes of unity have occurred at a number of sporting events over the past few days.
And a number of sporting stars have voiced their defiance against the war.
However, former heavyweight boxer Povetkin, 42, looks have a much different view on it.
He posted a snap of himself in front of his country’s flag and wrote: “There is power in the truth. This famous phrase uttered by Sergey Bodrov today reflects the essence of what is happening in Ukraine. 
“We fought for the truth all these years, while Slavs were being exterminated in the Donbass. 
“That’s why I’m a member and his decision to stand up for common people, to fight back Nazism, which parasites at whose expense.
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“Every war has an end. Let’s hope this one end [sic] in the coming days too.”
Famous Russian actor Bodrov became a cult figure after his death and starred in movies such as Brat and Brat II and is viewed as a vision of Russian power after he said the phrase used by Povetkin.
The veteran, who lost to AJ back in 2018 via TKO, caused a huge shock by knocking out Whyte in August 2020.
But the Brit gained his revenge last March by KOing Povetkin in the fourth round of their rematch.
On the other side, Ukrainian boxer Vasyl Lomachenko has followed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk by returning to his country.
He has enlisted in the territorial army in a bid to help defend his nation against the Russians. More

ASHLEY CAIN is set to fight eight times to honour the life of his eight-month old daughter Azaylia. In April last year, Cain tragically lost baby Azaylia, who suffered from a rare form of leukaemia.
Ashley Cain is set to fight eight times to honour the life of his eight-month old daughter AzayliaCredit: miss_safiyya_/Instagram

The heroic former footballer and reality TV star is now dedicating his life towards commemorating his daughter’s life, launching The Azaylia Foundation.
Cain and his brother Matty in September cycled 1,040 miles from the bottom of England to the top of Scotland to “raise awareness and funds for all the incredible children fighting childhood cancer.”
Now, the ex-Coventry winger has turned his attention to boxing and this Saturday steps foot in the ring as part of a UK vs USA influencer card.
But for 31-year-old Cain, who fights American YouTuber Andreas Eskander, it will be the first of eight bouts, all in memory of Azaylia.
He said: “It was important for me to take on this boxing challenge because my daughter fought a heroic battle against cancer on this earth for eight months.
“So I want to honour those eight months with eight bouts in the ring.
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“I promised that even now I will always be the best daddy I can be, I will honour her incredible time here and I will fight till the day I die for other children and their families who face the monster that is cancer.
“I am fighting because my daughter had to and for all those children who are still fighting this monster.
“So I will fight for a cause which I am passionate about, raising awareness and funds for childhood cancer and also to show people that no matter what you are going through in this world.
“If you find your reason why and you’re prepared to fight for it, you can overcome and achieve anything.”

The Azaylia Foundation aims to support families that are fundraising for treatments that may not be readily available on the NHS and provide children with memorable experiences as they fight cancer. You can donate here.

Ashley Cain in training for his boxing boutCredit: @mrashleycain
The former footballer is raising money for his charitable foundationCredit: @mrashleycain More

KSI’S brother ‘Deji’ makes his boxing return to headline a UK vs USA celebrity influencer event. The card, promoted by Showstar, features eight fights with names from the YouTube, gaming and reality TV scene.
KSI’s brother Deji is set to make his boxing return
Deji – full name Oladeji Daniel Olatunji – is most well known as the younger brother of British social media sensation KSI, real name Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji.
The internet personality lost a white collar exhibition bout to Jake Paul in 2018, the now 5-0 unbeaten professional boxer.
Deji was last in the ring in June 2021 in a similar celebrity bout, losing to TikToker Vinnie Hacker.
But the Londoner gets his shot at ‘redemption’ with a headline fight against American YouTuber Alex Wassabi – real name Alex Burris.
Also fighting is ex-reality TV star Ashley Cain facing US content creator Andreas Eskander.
In April last year, Cain tragically lost his eight-month-old baby daughter Azaylia, who suffered from a rare form of leukaemia.
Full UK vs USA Showstar boxing card
Deji vs Alex Wassabi
King Kenny vs Faze Temperrr
Kristen Hanby vs Vitaly
Armz Korleone vs Minikon
Ashley Cain vs Andreas
Ryan Taylor vs DK Money
Stromedy vs Austin Sprinz
Salt Papi vs Halal Ham

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To honour her life, the former footballer will compete in eight bouts, starting next month.
He said: “It was important for me to take on this boxing challenge because my daughter fought a heroic battle against cancer on this earth for 8 months.
“So I want to honour those 8 months with 8 bouts in the ring. I promised that even now I will always be the best daddy I can be, I will honour her incredible time here and I will fight till the day I die for other children and their families who face the monster that is cancer.
“I am fighting because my daughter had to and for all those children who are still fighting this monster.
“So I will fight for a cause which I am passionate about, raising awareness and funds for childhood cancer and also to show people that no matter what you are going through in this world, if you find your reason why and you’re prepared to fight for it, you can overcome and achieve anything.”
Also featuring is English bodybuilder Armz Korleone, who in September lost an MMA bout against music producer Bouncer.
Korleone will return this time in the boxing ring and fights musician Minikon.
Rounding out the bill is Kristen Hanby vs Vitaly, Ryan Taylor vs DK, Stromedy v Austin Sprinz and Busta Breezie v Hamagram.
Ashley Cain will fight on the influencer bill More