Boxing

EDDIE HEARN insists Anthony Joshua is still a bigger star than Tyson Fury – despite his loss to Oleksandr Usyk.Joshua’s second reign as unified heavyweight champ came to an end last weekend thanks to a masterful performance from the undefeated Ukrainian.
Anthony Joshua was on the receiving end of a boxing lesson from Oleksandr Usyk last weekend
Uysk’s victory over AJ saw him become unified heavyweight champion
But promoter Eddie Hearn is adamant AJ is still a bigger star than Tyson Fury
The Watford warrior was dethroned in front of a sell-out crowd at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which Hearn believes is yet another testament to his star power.
He told iFL TV: “He’s [Joshua] on such a bigger level commercially than Tyson Fury, even now.
“He’s by far the biggest draw in heavyweight boxing, especially in the UK. To be fair, even Tyson Fury and his team know that.
“If he [Joshua] beats Usyk, he’s on another level, and he’s coming off the back of another defeat.
“He’s still by far the biggest draw in the division. You saw it last Saturday. Look at the pictures.
“See any of the other guys trying to draw and create images like that in the UK. It’s impossible.”

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Joshua was given a boxing clinic by slick southpaw Usyk, who joined a select group of former cruiserweight to win heavyweight gold.
But Gyspy King Fury has refused to mock his rival’s latest defeat – despite it potentially killing their long-awaited showdown.
He said: “I am not worried about Usyk or Joshua and you are not going to get me slagging anyone off.
“I will not kick anyone while they are down. I have no interest in kicking someone who is down and maybe suffering mentally after such a long reign.
“There’s no secret or rocket science to winning a rematch, fighters try to make it technical, downloading data and all that bulls**t.
“And if it’s not going well then change it up and do something different.
He’s on such a bigger level commercially than Tyson Fury, even nowEddie Hearn
“Don’t be a coulda-shoulda-woulda man.
“My advice to Joshua is to get stuck in, put his front foot forward and swing away, swing away.”
Joshua, 31, has already exercised the rematch clause placed in his contract to face his fellow Olympic gold medallist.
And Hearn is adamant the pair’s second showdown won’t in any way resemble their first.
He said: “This rematch, whether you think AJ can win or not, I’m telling you, it will be entirely different and write him off at your peril.
“You’ll see a different Anthony Joshua in this fight, and that’s our excitement. The disappointment of defeat and now revenge.

“We’ve been here before, and now a three-time heavyweight world champion. That’s the new dream. He’ll do his work.
Now, I’m excited because that rematch is going to happen early next year, and if he does it, which I believe he can, he’s on a whole new level.
“This game plan is not box and move, this plan is to go in and hurt Usyk.”

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Eddie Hearn says not to write off Anthony Joshua and looks toward Oleksandr Usyk rematch More

JOE JOYCE is among the boxers who may benefit from a shock probe into match fixing at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. Team GB’s Joyce was beaten in the super-heavyweight final by Frenchman Tony Yoko and reduced to just a silver medal.
Joe Joyce was beaten by Tony Yoko in RioCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Many thought he deserved the win, and Irishman Mick Conlan was also cheated out of a victory over Russian Vladimir Nikitin.
Conlan famously stuck his middle finger up at the camera and accused AIBA, the governing body who ran the sport then, of being ‘cheats’ in an angry rant which changed the Olympic forever.
The International Olympic Committee later investigated AIBA and stripped them of its right to host the Tokyo 2020 Olympic boxing tournament after a devastating investigation.  
But now a criminal investigation led by law professor Richard McLaren is set to further expose corruption in the sport five years ago.
According to the Daily Mail, now-unbeaten professional Joyce may stand to benefit and see his loss astonishingly overturned.
The investigation by McLaren and his team focuses on whether boxers of certain nationalities were favoured by referees and judges in Brazil. 

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McLaren’s team were called in when an internal probe by found ‘strong suspicion’ surrounding AIBA’s French ex-executive director Karim Bouzidi and a number of officials.
The damning report is also expected to question Nikitin’s farcical win over Conlan to win bronze in Rio.
Responding to the news, Conlan tweeted: “Wow, shock horror! @Olympics can you post me my medal now ?”
After AIBA were booted out of the delayed Tokyo Games, boxing was instead organised by an ad-hoc task force led by Morinari Watanabe, president of the International Gymnastics Federation.
GB walked away with a record six medals, including six golds, won by Galal Yafai, 28, and Lauren Price, 27.
Joe Joyce shows what he is made of in the training ring More

TYSON FURY urged Anthony Joshua to ‘swing away’ at Oleksandr Usyk in their rematch but claimed Deontay Wilder would beat the both. Fury was left ‘wounded’ after AJ was beaten by Usyk, putting a historic, all-British undisputed title decider up in smoke.
Tyson Fury said Deontay Wilder beats Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr UsykCredit: Reuters
Oleksandr Usyk beat Anthony Joshua over 12 roundsCredit: PA
Joshua has already confirmed plans to exercise his right to an immediate rematch, having lost his belts to a 12-round masterclass.
Outspoken Fury refused to rub salt in the wounds, instead offering support to his long-time rival, who needs roll the dice the second time around with Usyk.
He said: “I am not worried about Usyk or Joshua and you are not going to get me slagging anyone off. I will not kick anyone while they are down.
“I have no interest in kicking someone who is down and maybe suffering mentally after such a long reign.
“There’s no secret or rocket science to winning a rematch, fighters try to make it technical, downloading data and all that bulls***.
“And if it’s not going well then change it up and do something different. Don’t be a coulda-shoulda-woulda man.
“My advice to Joshua is to get stuck in, put his front foot forward and swing away, swing away.”

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Fury, 33, initially held talks to face Joshua, 31, in the summer but failed to walk away from his contracted trilogy bout with Wilder, 35.
It meant AJ was forced into a mandatory defence against Usyk, 34, and now has to fight for his career once more.
If Fury beats Wilder again on October 9, it sets him up perfectly to finally unify the division.
But he warned neither Joshua or Usyk will be on his mind, believing he has the most dangerous opponent out of the lot in front of him.
Fury explained: “Usyk did his job and good luck to him. I watched it, was I absolutely wounded he won? Yes.
“I wanted Joshua to win but he couldn’t do it and that’s not any of my business. I keep my nose out of everyone else’s business.
“Wilder is the most dangerous fighter out there and beats Joshua, Usyk and everyone else out there.”
Tyson Fury vows to smash Wilder’s face in as they leave each other short messages ahead of fight More

TYSON FURY has thrown Anthony Joshua an olive branch and told him to smash Oleksandr Usyk to pieces with it.The 33-year-old WBC Gypsy King needed AJ to defend his WBA, IBF and WBO titles on Saturday to secure their £200m fight – the biggest in British boxing history.
Oleksandr Usyk became unified heavyweight champion last weekend with a stunning win over Anthony JoshuaCredit: GETTY
The Ukrainian put on a masterclass against AJ and derailed a fight with Tyson FuryCredit: REUTERS
And The Gypsy King admits he was left ‘wounded’ by Joshua’s lossCredit: REUTERS
But the 31-year-old Watford ace surrendered them with a bizarre game plan of trying to outbox the 34-year-old southpaw technician.
The shock loss hurt Fury’s plans and wallet but he refused to put the boot in on his fallen compatriot.
After winning all three of his own rematches, Fury was asked to advise AJ and roared: “I am not worried about Usyk or Joshua and you are not going to get me slagging anyone off.
“I will not kick anyone while they are down. I have no interest in kicking someone who is down and maybe suffering mentally after such a long reign.
“There’s no secret or rocket science to winning a rematch, fighters try to make it technical, downloading data and all that bulls***.
“And if it’s not going well then change it up and do something different.

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“Don’t be a coulda-shoulda-woulda man.
“My advice to Joshua is to get stuck in, put his front foot forward and swing away, swing away.”
Joshua’s unanimous points loss, on home soil against the bookies’ underdog, gave Fury the perfect chance to recycle his favourite ‘big, stiff bodybuilder’ insults.
But having battled depression himself, Fury refused all invitations to mock Joshua.
He said: “Usyk did his job and good luck to him.
Was I absolutely wounded he won? Yes.Tyson Fury on Oleksandr Usyk’s win over Anthony Joshua
“I watched it, was I absolutely wounded he won? Yes.
“I wanted Joshua to win but he couldn’t do it and that’s not any of my business.
“I keep my nose out of everyone else’s business.
“Wilder is the most dangerous fighter out there and beats Joshua, Usyk and everyone else out there.”
AJ is leaping into an instant rematch aimed for March and claimed in the wreckage of his Tottenham defeat that he could still fight Fury without the three belts he lost at the weekend.
How Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder stack up ahead of the trilogy fight
Fury was asked if he would be so kind as to afford Joshua that luxury and he did take the bait to offer one slight at the rival who blew their shared fortune.
“I don’t care about anyone else, no one is on my radar barring Deontay Wilder,” he said.
“After him we will talk turkey. But you never have to worry about me fulfilling my end of the bargain, it’s everyone else you have to worry about.”

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Tyson Fury vows to smash Wilder’s face in as they leave each other short messages ahead of fight More

RICKY HATTON has told son Campbell to ignore the ‘keyboard crew’ after his contentious win against Sonni Martinez.Boxing fans were left stunned after Hatton Jr secured the narrowest of victories against the unknown Spaniard at the weekend.
Ricky Hatton has urged son Campbell to ignore the haters after his controversial win at the weekend
The Hattons enjoyed a night watching Man City play in the Champions League
The son of Brit legend Ricky found it tough going against the 29-year-old, winning on points 58-57 after six rounds.
The Mancunian admitted he was ‘not happy’ with his performance – and neither were fans.
One called it ‘genuinely one of the biggest robberies I’ve witnessed in my life’.
And another called it a ‘disgraceful decision’, claiming Hatton Jr ‘got beat all day there’.
However, dad Ricky leapt to his son’s defence on social media, telling him to ignore keyboard warriors after they enjoyed a bonding session watching Manchester City in the Champions League.
Hatton Sr said: “Shame about the City result last night but was nice to spend the night and see my son back to his positive self after the keyboard crew went to town this weekend.

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“You know who the genuine fans and people are son. Bad night granted. But keep going son. The people that matter are so proud of you X.”
Speaking after his fight on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s defeat to Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday, Campbell said: “I am not happy with my performance, I am a lot better than that.
“The opponent was a lot better than anyone I have fought before.

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“But I am not happy. It’s all learning. Not happy with that performance at all, but on to the next.”
His coach, uncle and ex-boxer Matthew added: “It was a good entertaining fight, a very good learning fight, let’s not forget it’s going to a be a process.
“I thought it was a good entertaining fight against a good opponent, Campbell shouldn’t be too harsh there.”
Campbell Hatton says he’s a lot better than his performance despite win against Sonni Martinez More