Boxing

EDDIE HEARN still believes that Anthony Joshua can beat Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury to become unified heavyweight champion of the world.AJ’s quest took a huge blow in September, when he was outpointed by wily Usyk at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Eddie Hearn has faith in Anthony Joshua to beat Oleksandr UsykCredit: Reuters
Tyson Fury ‘would beat’ Usyk, claims HearnCredit: AFP
The Brit was outboxed on the day, but will have the opportunity to avenge his loss in the spring after triggering his rematch clause.
Fury, meanwhile, looked imperious in his trilogy bout with Deontay Wilder just a fortnight later.
The Gypsy King, 33, survived twice being sent to the canvas to storm back, knocking the Bronze Bomber out in the 11th round of an instant classic.
Despite the huge challenges to come, Hearn still retains faith in his man.
And when push comes to shove, he also thinks that Fury is a bigger threat than Usyk.
He told The True Geordie: “Tyson Fury I think beats Oleksandr Usyk.

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“I do, because of the size, the movement.
“I think it’s a great fight, it might not be the most interesting to watch.
“I believe Anthony Joshua can beat them all.”
AJ has been licking his wounds since his September defeat, but is ready to put the work in to regain his belts.
The 32-year-old has been out in the US working with different trainers in a bid to get out of his ‘comfort zone’.
He has also accepted a stunning offer from Tyson Fury to spar together before the Usyk rematch.
The Gypsy King, meanwhile, has a bout with Dillian Whyte on the horizon – after the Body Snatcher bypassed Otto Wallin following a shoulder injury.
Eddie Hearn says that Anthony Joshua had a lack of confidence in gameplan before fight against Usyk More

JAKE PAUL has challenged Elon Musk to donate £4.3billion to the UN in order to end world hunger.And if the Tesla tycoon comes through, the Problem Child has pledged to pay £7.3m himself.
Jake Paul has called on Elon Musk to make a huge donationCredit: Getty
Musk, 50, is one of the richest men on the planetCredit: AP
But only if he can get 690,000 retweets.
Musk, 50, is valued by Forbes at £230.8bn.
His rocket company SpaceX is valued at around £54m alone.
Paul, 24, is reported to have a net worth of around £14.6m.
He tweeted on Monday: “Yo @elonmusk if you donate $6 billion to the UN to end world hunger.
I”’ll also donate $10 million if this gets 690k retweets.”

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Paul rose to prominence initially through Vine, before his YouTube channel took off.
He has gained further notoriety with his boxing exploits over the last two years.
The internet personality defeated AnEsonGib in January 2020, before knocking out former NBA star Nate Robinson last November.
Ben Askren followed in April, as Paul then grabbed the biggest victory of his career against Tyron Woodley in August.
Next up for Paul is Tommy Fury, with the Love Island star putting his undefeated record on the line for a December 18 bout.
On December 18th I’m continuing to fulfil my dreams and turning a Fury into a FumblesJake Paul
Upon the fight’s announcement, Paul said: “Fight a real boxer they’ve said, and that is exactly what I’m doing. An undefeated boxer from the legendary Fury bloodline.
“However, this one is more than just boxing for me. It’s for America and showing the world there is no other country that gives you the opportunity to achieve whatever you set your mind to.
“It’s for every young person who has a dream and dedicates their life to achieving it.
“On December 18th I’m continuing to fulfil my dreams and turning a Fury into a Fumbles.”
Jake Paul predicts a ‘massacre’ against Tommy Fury in December 18 grudge match More

GERVONTA DAVIS will now face Isaac Cruz following Rolando Romero’s removal from their lightweight showdown.The undefeated Romero was due to challenge Davis for the WBA (Regular) lightweight title on December 5 but was removed from the bout after a number of sexual assault allegations were made against him.
Gervonta Davis and Rolando Romero were due to clash on December 5Credit: GETTY
But Romero has been removed from the card after several women accused him of sexual assaultCredit: GETTY
Davis will now face Mexico’s Issac Cruz next monthCredit: INSTAGRAM@ISSACPITBULLCRUZ98

Showtime Sports chief Stephen Espinoza called the reports ‘disturbing’ but initially refrained from pulling Romero.
He told FightHype: “Obviously those are disturbing allegations, very concerning.
“At this point we’re still monitoring the situation, looking to find out all the facts.
“And until we feel like we have a firm grasp we’re not gonna comment further, but it is something we’re looking into very seriously.”
The promotion’s subsequent decision to withdraw ‘Rolly’ from the card has paved the way for Mexico’s Cruz to face Tank.
ESPN reporter Mike Coppinger first reported the news, tweeting: “Sources: Isaac Cruz has agreed to a deal to fight Gervonta Davis on Dec. 5 in Los Angeles on Showtime PPV.

“The lightweight contender from Mexico will replace Rolando Romero, who was pulled from the bout after being accused of sexual assault.”
Cruz, 23, will go into his showdown with Davis riding an 11-fight win streak that stretches back to November 2017.
Multiple women accused Romero, 24, of assault following the booking of the high-profile bout with Floyd Mayweather protege Davis.
The Henderson Police Department in Nevada recently revealed a 24-year-old woman filed a complaint against Romero, accusing him of assaulting her in his Las Vegas home in 2019.
Romero has maintained his innocence from the outset but has accepted Showtime’s decision to remove him from next month’s card.
He said: “Although the allegations against me are totally false and I will prove that through the legal system.
“I agree that it is in the best interest of everyone involved that I not participate in the upcoming pay-per-view event.”
The former WBA interim 135lb champ has vowed to make a swift return to the ring after ‘clearing his name.’
He said: “After clearing my name I will return to the ring as soon as possible.”
Rolando Romero has vowed to make a quick return to the ring after clearing his nameCredit: GETTY
Gervonta Davis goes live on Instagram after private jet crashes during take-off More

VASILIY LOMACHENKO will fight Richard Commey on December 11 in New York with Muhammad Ali’s grandson on the undercard. Lomachenko is on the comeback trail after defeat to American Teofimo Lopez in October 2020.
Vasiliy Lomachenko will fight Richard Commey on December 11 in New YorkCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Former world champ Richard Commey lost his title to Teofimo Lopez in 2019Credit: Getty
He beat Japan’s Masayoshi Nakatani on his return to the ring in June and called for a rematch against Lopez after.
But first he will face ex-champion Commey – the man Lopez brutally knocked out in December 2019.
Lomchenko, 33, said: “It is always special when I fight at Madison Square Garden, where so many great moments in my career have taken place.
“Richard Commey is a former world champion, an opponent I will not underestimate.
“I expect the best version of Commey, and I will be prepared for whatever he brings on December 11.” 
Lomachenko, a three-weight champion after just 12 fights, has called to fight Lopez again.

But the unbeaten champion, 24, is mandated to face George Kambosos Jr, 28, taking place on November 27.
It leaves Lomachenko again playing the waiting game, but he has selected a tough opponent in 30–3 Commey, who has 27 KOs.
Commey, 34, said: “I want to thank my team of Michael Amoo-Bediako, Lou DiBella, and Keith Connolly for getting me this opportunity.
“Ever since the Lopez fight, all I have thought about is becoming a two-time world champion.
“This fight against Lomachenko will get me one step closer to my goal.
“I also want to thank Bob Arum and Top Rank for the opportunity to again grace the stage at Madison Square Garden, one of boxing’s most iconic venues.
“I know that most people consider me the underdog, but I am aiming to prove them all wrong and make Ghana proud once again.”
On the undercard, Nico Ali Walsh – the grandson of The Greatest – will fight in his third professional bout.
Already the super-middleweight has two KO wins but his next opponent has not yet been confirmed.
Muhammad Ali’s grandson Nico Ali Walsh is emotional after winning first professional fight More

JAKE PAUL has been told by Canelo Alvarez’s ex-opponent to “stay being a fan” after calling out the Mexican superstar. Paul is only 4-0 since his professional debut in January 2020 but has quickly emerged as one of the most polarising and disputed figures in the sport.
Jake Paul has been told to ‘stay being a fan’ after calling out Canelo AlvarezCredit: Amanda Westcott
Avni Yildirim was beaten by Canelo Alvarez earlier this yearCredit: AFP
And even in the infancy of his boxing career, the YouTube sensation has called to fight four-division champion Canelo in just three years time.
Paul also claimed to be better than Avni Yildirim and Billy Joe Saunders – Alvarez’s last two opponents.
But Turk Yildirim, who was beaten by Canelo after three rounds in February, has hit back at Paul and blasted “stay out of the ring”.
He told SunSport: “I don’t listen to this nonsense. I am not saying that I can do better YouTube videos than these guys – although it might be true.
“So they shouldn’t say they could fight better than me. I understand that it’s part of their business to run their mouth.
“But boxing is not a game. We are fighting. And if you get in the wrong fight it could be very dangerous.

“So my recommendation to these guys is to shut up and stay out of the ring. And most importantly: Stop talking about me.”
Paul started with three knockouts, over online rival ‘AnEsonGib’, ex-NBA star Nate Robinson and retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, both 37.
But in August he scored his biggest win yet against ex-UFC champion Tyron Woodley, 39, over eight rounds.
And now he has signed to fight Tommy Fury, the brother of heavyweight champion Tyson, on December 18 in Florida.
It will be his first opponent with previous pro boxing experience, and another on his 13 man ‘hit-list’.
Fury, 22, is joined by boxing’s pound-for-pound No1 Canelo, 31, in that group.
And while Yildirim, 30, credits Paul for exposing boxing to a new audience, at the same time he slammed the American for his ambitious callout.
He said: “It’s good that people talk about boxing and that a younger generation of fans gets interested in the sport.
“But there are limits. This guy is basically a fan. He should stay being a fan.
“Come watch the fights, sit first row, enjoy the show. But don’t try doing what we are doing.”
Jake Paul predicts a ‘massacre’ against Tommy Fury in December 18 grudge match More

CARL FRAMPTON has called boxing’s KO king Artur Beterbiev a “dangerous” fight for Canelo Alvarez. Beterbiev holds the stunning record after 16 KOs in as many fights at light-heavyweight, where he reigns as WBC and IBF champion.
Canelo Alvarez training ahead of his fight with Caleb PlantCredit: Getty
Artur Beterbiev has a 100 per cent KO ratioCredit: Rex
But such is pound-for-pound great Canelo’s fearlessness, he has opened the door to stepping up in weight once more to challenge the Russian danger man.
And his status as the sport’s top attraction could even put him in position to dictate terms to suit him more – like making Beterbiev lose precious pounds.
Frampton, 34, said: “You move up to light-heavyweights and Beterbiev gives him problems, that is a dangerous fight. 
“And if he takes that fight – because it has been mentioned – it’s a dangerous, dangerous fight. 
“But I’d imagine if it does come off, it would probably be a few pounds below light-heavyweight to suit Canelo.”  
The Mexican superstar’s only career defeat came in 2013, when Floyd Mayweather, now 44, used a similar tactic.

He made Canelo fight at a catchweight of 152lb, opposed to the usual 154lb light-middleweight limit, and cruised to a points win.
But since that setback aged 23, Alvarez has never looked back since, winning titles in four divisions all the way up to light-heavyweight.
At super-middle, 31-year-old Canelo is the current WBC, WBA and IBF champion and attempts undisputed glory against Caleb Plant over the weekend.
Already he has beaten Callum Smith and Billy Joe Saunders, both 31, at 168lb.
And with the British pair now crossed off the list, Frampton tips unbeaten duo Plant, 29, and David Benavidez as the only other threats at the weight.
He said: “Before the Callum Smith fight, I had three super-middleweights who I thought would give him issues. 
“One was Callum Smith – and he didn’t give him issues but I thought before the fight that he would – the other one was Plant, and we’re going to see how that works out very soon.
You move up to light-heavyweights and Beterbiev gives him problems, that is a dangerous fight. Carl Frampton
“Another one was Benavidez, I think Benavidez definitely gives him some trouble, he’s a young kind of dangerous punching Mexican, good fighter as well. 
“I don’t know if he would beat him, I would be betting Canelo but he’d definitely give him issues.”
Plant has won all 21 of his fights, looking classy in the process, but is now facing the biggest task in boxing.
And while Frampton backs the American to cause uncomfortable moments for Canelo, he cannot pick against the Mexican great.
Frampton said: “I think it’s a good fight, I think Plant will give Canelo a few issues for a while, but I think [Canelo will] figure him out and beat him, potentially stop him late. 
“Maybe beat him on points, but I think there will be a few rounds, especially in the first half of the fight, his movement will cause Canelo some problems. 
“But [Canelo will] work him out, like he works them all out.”
Canelo Alvarez and Caleb Plant came to blows in the press conference ahead of their fight
Canelo Alvarez shows off ferocious power punches ahead of Caleb Plant fight More

CARL FRAMPTON fears the cut Caleb Plant sustained after brawling with Canelo Alvarez may have impacted his training camp. The unbeaten American faces Canelo in the first-ever undisputed super-middleweight title decider over the weekend.
Canelo Alvarez and Caleb Plant brawled during a pre-fight press conferenceCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Caleb Plant sustained a cut under his right eye in the scrapCredit: AP
But the fight threatened to start five weeks early when the pair clashed on stage at the press conference in Los Angeles.
Plant, 29, threw the first slap but saw it dodged by Canelo, who then returned fire with two in response that left Plant with a cut under his right eye.
And retired Northern Irish boxing legend Frampton reckons the potential dismay from the gash has flown under the radar.
He said: “I do think the cut may have affected him and is something that’s been overlooked a bit. 
“I think it was probably about five weeks ago, something like that when it happened. And it wasn’t the worst cut in the world. 
“But it was definitely a cut that kind of affects sparring preparation and I imagine about five weeks ago Plant was right in the middle of his tough sparring. 

“So there may have been a week where he couldn’t spar to let the cut heal and whether he wore a full face guard or what, he may have had to put a full face guard on. 
“Some people don’t like them, so I think the cut has definitely had a little bit of an affect on Plant’s preparation.”
Canelo boasts titles in four different divisions, from light-middleweight all the way to light-heavyweight.
He was been beaten only once, at the age of 23 against Floyd Mayweather, now 44, in 2017.
Only middleweight rival Gennady Golovkin, 39, has come close to giving Canelo a loss, with the Kazakh unlucky to get a draw in 2017 before losing the rematch a year on.
Mayweather’s style contrasts with GGG’s but gives Plant – the 21-0 IBF champion – two different blueprints to follow.
I do think the cut may have affected him and something that’s been overlooked a bit. Carl Frampton
And his decision to bring in the great Andre Ward, who retired in 2016 at 32-0, and his trainer Virgil Hunter, gives a hint to what game plan will be followed.
Frampton, 34, said: “I think it’s a big kind of indicator for how he’s going to approach the fight that he’s employed Virgil Hunter and Andre Ward. 
“I think it will be kind of a more sensible boxing approach rather than a gung ho, stand and trade with Canelo, I think that would be the wrong thing to do. 
“At times in his fights, he does that, he has the fluidity and the nice movement but sometimes he stands and it gets a bit sloppy and has a fight. 
“I think they’ll be drilling it into his head not to do that this time.
“But, I think if I’m his coach I’d tell him to try and move, don’t stay on the ropes, your jab has to be landing. 
“But it’s easier said than done when you’re fighting Canelo.” 
Andre Ward has been in Caleb Plant’s training campCredit: @SweetHandsPlant
Andre Ward pictured training Caleb PlantCredit: @SweetHandsPlant

BT Sport Box Office will show Canelo v Plant exclusively live in the UK on Saturday 6th November. For more info go to www.bt.com/sportboxoffice More