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    Anthony Joshua couldn’t demand £200 to fight Tyson Fury after ‘killing’ superfight with Usyk loss, says Frank Warren

    ANTHONY JOSHUA ‘killed’ his £200million undisputed Tyson Fury showdown with the one-sided schooling from Oleksandr Usyk.The 31-year-old Watford ace lost his WBA, IBF and WBO titles and any chance of a 50-50 split of a Saudi and PPV fortune, after suffering a unanimous points decision loss.
    Anthony Joshua was outpointed and outworked by Oleksandr UsykCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
    Promoter Frank Warren says Joshua has blown his chance of a mega payday to fight his man Tyson Fury
    And the WBC Gypsy King’s promoter Frank Warren says, if they somehow ever get the fight on, his predicted £100m split will be utterly decimated.
    BT Sport’s hall of fame promoter told SunSport: “He killed it, he’s absolutely killed the biggest fight in British boxing history.
    “We were lining up a £200million fight, with a 50-50 split but on the back of that performance, Joshua would do well to demand £200.
    “I’ve spoken to Tyson and he is gutted because he wanted to give this huge fight to the fans that have followed him.
    “But Joshua now has such a huge rebuilding job that there is a genuine danger that people will not be interested, especially if he gets beaten again in this rematch that I don’t think he has much of a chance in.
    “All the talk and hype around Joshua seems to be unravelling, his record is looking weaker all the time.

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    “Even his best victories have come against aging fighters in close fights where he has been wobbled or dropped.
    “Fury totally outboxed Wladimir Klitschko long before AJ got to him.
    “And then he completely battered Deontay Wilder – the planet’s most dangerous fighter – who Joshua avoided for 18 months, before Tyson leaped in and schooled him in two different ways and fights.”
    Joshua immediately said he would trigger a rematch clause after he was schooled by the Ukrainian at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

    🥊 Joshua vs Usyk LIVE: Follow all the post-fight reaction

    The Watford man must work out how and when he steps back into ring with Usyk again.
    Joshua will need to heal up – with potential damage to his eye socket.
    But his promoter Eddie Hearn suggests his man is determined to try and wrestle back the WBA, WBO and IBF belts.

    Tyson Fury is next in action on October 9 against Deontay Wilder
    Usyk is now the king alongside Tyson Fury in the heavyweight division
    Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk round by round More

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    Logan Paul says ‘I know who my next opponent is’ but UFC legend Anderson Silva is ‘probably not’ in YouTuber’s future

    LOGAN PAUL said ‘I know who my next opponent is’… and it is not Anderson Silva.The YouTuber was in talks with Silva earlier in the summer, before the Brazilian instead fought fellow UFC legend Tito Ortiz in the boxing ring.
    Logan Paul said ‘I know who my next opponent is’Credit: Reuters
    Anderson Silva was in talks with Logan Paul but that fight is not on the horizonCredit: Getty
    He knocked out Ortiz, 46, in round one and afterwards opened the door to fighting Paul, 26, or his younger brother Jake, 24.
    But Silva, 46, will not be the latest man to fight Paul, who told True Geordie: “I know who my next opponent is.”
    He then confirmed it was a real fighter, opposed to a celebrity, following his two fights with online rival KSI.
    Paul has not ruled out one day fighting Silva, who recently beat ex-boxing champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, 35, but has more lucrative options.
    He explained: “Anderson does look good, he’s kind of leading the charge.
    “Tito looked like f***ing s***. Vitor Belfort looked like f***ing s*** I don’t want to be a full on professional boxer.

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    “I literally have no interest in doing that. I have an interest in putting on the biggest shows in the world and Vitor Belfort is not that.
    “Anderson is still not that. It’s more interesting, but here’s why, here’s what I have to weigh, ready?
    “How good is the guy and how much are they bringing to the table.
    “Anderson is very good as a boxer and he doesn’t bring that much to the table.
    “It’s risk-reward, it’s a f***ing business. Bro, would I fight Anderson Silva? Yes. Do I think I can beat him? Yes. Am I going to? Probably not.”
    Paul in 2018 drew in an exhibition against KSI, 28, but lost the rematch by split-decision a year later.
    It’s risk-reward, it’s a f***ing business. Bro, would I fight Anderson Silva? Yes. Do I think I can beat him? Yes. Am I going to? Probably not.”Logan Paul on Anderson Silva
    He then returned this June in a similar exhibition against boxing legend Floyd Mayweather, 44, and survived all eight rounds.
    And he claimed if it had been a regular 12 round fight, then he would have spectacularly knocked out and become the first to ever beat Mayweather.
    Paul said: “My conditioning is f***ing good, bro. If the fight went 10 or 12 rounds, I think I would knock him out. I say that in full conviction.
    “I saw him breathing heavy for the first time that eighth round and it was because I had been leaning on him.
    “I’m 30 pounds heavier. Like no matter how you cut it, me leaning on a guy that size is gonna get him tired no matter how good he is.
    “I was coming alive too. That’s what we trained for, we sparred for 12 rounds. I’m probably throwing 120 punches by the 12th round.
    “My conditioning is good, I had a little ‘uhh’ in the fourth round then second wind came in.”
    Logan Paul says Tommy Fury would get ‘murdered’ by brother Jake More

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    Anthony Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn says Oleksandr Usyk is behind only Canelo Alvarez in boxing pound-for-pound list

    EDDIE HEARN said Oleksandr Usyk is behind only Canelo Alvarez in boxing’s pound-for-pound list. Hearn watched as Usyk brilliantly outboxed his golden goose Anthony Joshua to become the new unified heavyweight champion.
    Oleksandr Usyk with the unified heavyweight titles after demolishing Anthony JoshuaCredit: Getty
    Canelo Alvarez is considered the pound-for-pound No1Credit: Rex
    The Ukrainian became only the third man, behind Evander Holyfield and David Haye, to win titles at cruiserweight and heavyweight.
    Usyk, 34, previously reigned as undisputed before he moved up and added further to his credentials.
    Asked where he ranks in the mythical list, Hearn said: “Two, after Canelo.
    “I mean, when he was at cruiserweight, everyone called him a top five pound-for-pound.
    “But then when he went to heavyweight, he went off everyone’s radar. After that win, he has to be on everyone’s top pound-for-pound.”
    Canelo, a four-weight champ, is widely regarded as boxing’s best right now, with notable wins over Miguel Cotto, Gennady Golovkin and Sergey Kovalev.

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    But Usyk’s track record of going on the road and conquering two divisions leaves him a serious contender to the Mexican superstar, 31.
    Joshua, 31, is now set to exercise his right to an immediate rematch made the mandatory defence against one of the finest fighters in the world.
    Hearn added: “Like I said, maybe we should have swerved him and just put the belt in the bin, but that’s not what AJ is about.
    “I come back to giving him credit, I hope people do. I’ve seen people criticising, but he has consistently proved that he is willing to take all comers.
    “And I think he should be applauded for fighting Oleksandr Usyk – twice.”
    Oleksandr Usyk claims Anthony Joshua wasn’t even his hardest fight in damning verdict of Brit More

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    Anthony Joshua loss to Usyk means Tyson Fury fight is likely to never happen… but we know Gypsy King would have won

    SO Tyson Fury versus Anthony Joshua now seems further away than ever.And Fury taking on Joshua for the undisputed world heavyweight title — a contest which seemed tantalisingly close this summer — is now unlikely to ever take place.
    Tyson Fury versus Anthony Joshua now seems further away than everCredit: Reuters
    Tyson Fury versus Anthony Joshua for the undisputed title is now unlikely to ever take placeCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
    But at least we now know, beyond reasonable doubt, how it would have ended — with a comprehensive victory for Gypsy King Fury.
    Most fight fans suspected that after Fury’s demolition of Deontay Wilder in Las Vegas in February last year.
    Now, after Joshua was outclassed on his way to a unanimous points defeat by Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday night, there cannot even be any serious debate.
    Fury has proved he can win world titles in entirely different ways — first by out-boxing a great technician in Wladimir Klitschko, ending the Ukraine fighter’s nine-year dominance of the division back in 2015, and then by over-powering an explosive puncher in Wilder.
    In contrast, Joshua has proved he can lose world titles in entirely different ways.
    Pummelled into submission in a shock defeat by Andy Ruiz Jr in 2019, then out-foxed by the cunning southpaw Usyk at Tottenham this weekend.

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    If Joshua can suffer a convincing defeat against a supremely skilled smaller heavyweight, such as former undisputed cruiserweight king Usyk, then what chance against a supremely skilled giant like WBC champion Fury?
    The career-long contract AJ agreed with promoter Eddie Hearn just last week may now not be as lengthy or as lucrative as either man imagined.
    To his credit, Joshua possessed the guts and good grace to face the media at around 1.30am yesterday morning, little more than a couple of hours after surrendering his WBA, IBF and WBO belts to an Usyk masterclass.
    There was a brave face from the 31-year-old Brit, who is adamant he will not sulk, that he will learn from his schooling, that he will immediately trigger a rematch clause with Usyk and take on the Ukrainian again in early 2022.
    Joshua doesn’t dodge fights, as Hearn keeps reminding us.
    And the promoter was not just giving us empty spiel when he said, during the build-up to the Usyk fight, that the Ukrainian was a dangerous opponent, the type who would have been swerved by other champions.
    But while any heavyweight underdog has a puncher’s chance of a knockout win, it is difficult to see Joshua avenging Usyk by out-boxing him.
    When Joshua was asked about his quest to unite and rule the division — billed as “The Road To Undisputed” — he sounded unconvincing.
    Anthony Joshua suffered the second loss of his career, this time to Oleksandr UsykCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
    He said: “The ‘road to undisputed’ . . . it’s marketing, isn’t it?
    “When I pulled up (at the stadium) it reminded me it’s a big circus — it’s the greatest show on Earth.”
    Yet “the road to undisputed” was no mere marketing slogan.
    It represented Joshua’s stated aim since he turned professional after winning Olympic gold in 2012.
    Yes, many millions would still tune in for Fury v Joshua if it ever happened — even with no belts on the line.
    But much of the intrigue and prestige will be gone now.
    Certainly unless Joshua can defeat Usyk convincingly in the rematch — and there was little evidence of that possibility on Saturday.
    Many have pointed to Joshua’s breezy stroll of a ring walk on Saturday as evidence of complacency or arrogance.
    Anthony Joshua still wants to rematch Oleksandr Usyk to win back his beltsCredit: PA
    But he had not spoken like a man who was taking victory for granted.
    His pre-fight camp was intense and focused and, even during the build-up, he was talking about getting back into the gym straightaway, of his dedication to his art.
    Joshua spoke of defeat by Usyk as an education and a blessing.
    Trainer Rob McCracken, and Hearn, are both adamant their man will be much-improved next time but it sounded like wishful thinking.
    While defeat by Ruiz — an inferior fighter, who got lucky, then failed to prepare properly for the rematch — was always likely to be swiftly avenged, the same cannot be said for Joshua’s prospects against Usyk next time.
    For the first time in his professional career, Joshua will head into the rematch as a clear underdog.
    He will need to muster the performance of his life to win back those belts.
    Fury, meanwhile, completes his trilogy with Wilder in Las Vegas on Saturday week, knowing his greatest potential payday — that elusive Joshua fight — may never materialise.
    Fury versus Usyk would never be as lucrative. But it is now the fight the world wants to witness.
    Oleksandr Usyk claims Anthony Joshua wasn’t even his hardest fight in damning verdict of Brit More

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    Anthony Joshua slammed by Lennox Lewis for being ‘so tentative’ in Oleksandr Usyk loss but is told ‘learn and improve’

    LENNOX LEWIS criticised Anthony Joshua for being ‘so tentative’ in his loss to Oleksandr Usyk but said: ‘Learn from this and improve’. AJ decided against using his brute force and imposing frame as he tried to outbox slick southpaw Usyk.
    Anthony Joshua was beaten by Oleksandr Usyk at Tottenham on Saturday nightCredit: PA
    Lennox Lewis criticised Anthony Joshua for being ‘so tentative’ in defeat to Oleksandr UsykCredit: The Sun
    But it proved the wrong tactic as Joshua was comfortably bettered over the 12 round distance, surrendering his heavyweight titles.
    British legend Lewis – who has been embroiled in a feud with AJ over recent years – vented frustration at his fellow Olympic gold medallist.
    He tweeted: “Gotta give it up to @usykaa on a great tactical performance tonight.
    “For @anthonyjoshua it’s not the end of the road, but u (sic) can’t be so tentative or wait till the 8th round to turn it on.
    “Learn from this and improve.”
    Lewis’ words may resonate for AJ on the former champion’s path to redemption.

    Joshua, 31, will look to exercise his right to an immediate rematch, much like he did in defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr, 32, in June 2019.
    He avenged defeat six months later and has already confirmed he will try and repeat history by taking his shot at redemption against Usyk, 34.
    Asked if he would exercise the rematch clause, Joshua replied: “One hundred per cent. I’m ready to get back to training.
    “Because of the 12 rounds, my lungs and everything, it was a good 12-rounder, so I’ll be in a good place when I get back into training to pick up where we left off.”
    Oleksandr Usyk claims Anthony Joshua wasn’t even his hardest fight in damning verdict of Brit More

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    Jake Paul backs Anthony Joshua to ‘rise again as great champions do’ and reveals stunned reaction to Oleksandr Usyk win

    JAKE PAUL backed Anthony Joshua to ‘rise again as great champions do’ but was left stunned by Oleksandr Usyk’s win. The YouTube star watched on in disbelief as Usyk put on a 12-round masterclass to dethrone Britain’s AJ.
    Oleksandr Usyk beat Anthony Joshua over 12 rounds in electric styleCredit: Getty
    Jake Paul backed Anthony Joshua to ‘rise again as great champions do’
    Paul, 24, recorded his reaction as Joshua, 31, barely survived the final round before going on to surrender his belts on points.
    Despite his shock, the social media sensation, who is unbeaten in four fights, was full of encouragement for former champion AJ.
    He tweeted: “@usykaa showed us a beautiful boxing performance… hats off…
    “@anthonyjoshua has been here before and he will rise again as great champions do.
    “Damn I’m shook I wanted Joshua to win.”
    Joshua, who is set to exercise his right to an immediate rematch with Usyk, has also been a supporter of Paul’s boxing career.

    The American recently beat ex-UFC champion Tyron Woodley, 39, in his biggest win to date.
    It followed knockouts of online rival ‘AnEsonGib’, ex-NBA star Nate Robinson and retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, both 37.
    His splash onto the boxing scene has not convinced everybody, but AJ was among those to credit Paul.
    Joshua told iFL TV: “Great for boxing. He’s trying, zero amateur experience, throwing himself in the deep end.
    “He’ll probably learn a lot more than a lot of fighters, throwing himself in the deep end, putting himself under pressure. Good luck to him.”
    Anthony Joshua calls Jake Paul great for boxing after throwing himself in the deep end More

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    Anthony Joshua backed to beat Oleksandr Usyk in rematch by David Haye but has to use his ‘physical attributes’

    DAVID HAYE says Anthony Joshua can beat Oleksandr Usyk in a rematch, if he makes use of his ‘physical attributes’.Usyk became only the third man, behind Haye and Evander Holyfield, to win titles at cruiserweight and then heavyweight.
    Anthony Joshua in his defeat to Oleksandr UsykCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
    David Haye backed Anthony Joshua to beat Usyk in a rematchCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    He brilliantly outboxed AJ over 12 rounds and was crowned as the unified world champion.
    Joshua has already confirmed plans to exercise his rematch clause despite the one-sided and convincing loss.
    Haye reckons AJ could turn the tables next time if he changes tactics – and adopts a more ruthless approach opposed to the sweet science.
    He told iFL TV: “Anthony Joshua has a chance to reclaim his titles, it’s going to be a mega, mega match. A fight that I believe AJ can win.
    “Looking at this fight you would say no, but he has what it takes. But he needs to change a lot of fundamental things in his game.
    “Just rewatch the fight with Dereck Chisora. Chisora brought a gameplan to the table.

    “He doesn’t have the physical attributes of Anthony Joshua but was able to win significantly more of the rounds in a very, very close fight.
    ‘So if Anthony Joshua uses his physical attributes in the fight – it’s no good looking at them in the mirror, they’ve got to be implemented in the fight.
    “If they can be forced on Usyk, he can reclaim the titles.
    “But if he tries to have a boxing match, or does anything remotely close to what he was doing on Saturday night, it will be the same again.”
    Joshua, 31, confused many ringside as he selected to try and outbox the brilliantly talented Usyk, 34, who was giving away over a stone.
    And Dillian Whyte, who was beaten by AJ in 2015, called for his old rival to get back to his most brutal best.
    Whyte, 33, said: “Lately he’s gone into this sort of safety-first [approach]. He’s just fighting weird, man.
    “You’re a f***ing big strong guy, that’s what’s worked for you, that’s what got you to the Olympic gold medal, that’s what got you to your first world title, that’s what got you to the unified world title.
    “So he should have just been f***ing having a go.”
    Anthony Joshua talks about eye injury that he sustained in fight with Usyk More

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    Roy Jones Jr wants Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk kept apart ‘by any means necessary’ as he fears unentertaining bout

    BOXING legend Roy Jones Jr wants Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk to be kept apart ‘by any means necessary’ – as he fears a borefest. Jones was ringside as an analyst to watch Usyk put on a 12 round masterclass against Anthony Joshua.
    Oleksandr Usyk became heavyweight champion on the world after beating Anthony JoshuaCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
    Tyson Fury pictured with the unified titles in 2015Credit: Getty
    It has put hopes of a Battle of Britain between Joshua, 31, and Fury, 33, to bed for the moment.
    Now Usyk, 34, will fancy adding Fury’s WBC belt to his collection of shiny new WBA, IBF and WBO straps.
    But one man not so keen on the idea is American icon Jones, who predicts an uneventful chess match between the two masterful champions.
    He told DAZN: “I hope it don’t happen. Two boxers don’t make for the most entertaining fight.
    “We gotta keep Usyk and Fury away from each other by any means necessary. We do not want to see that.
    “There should be a clause right now put into any contract: ‘Do not allow Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury to have a fight.’
    “We do not need that for boxing.”
    Roy Jones Jr at Anthony Joshua’s fight with Oleksandr UsykCredit: @royjonesjrofficial

    Joshua has a rematch clause in the contract, much like he did in defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr, 32, in June 2019.
    He has confirmed plans to exercise it as soon as possible and has the backing of Jones, who won titles from middleweight all the way to heavyweight.

    He added: “This was an excellent fight tonight. This is what boxing needs. We don’t need the other fights we’ve been getting.
    “We need these kind of real fights. I would say, we hope Joshua takes the rematch. This was an awesome fight.
    “We’d love to see an awesome fight like this again. That’d be better for us. We don’t want to see Usyk-Fury. We’ll see anybody else!”
    Eddie Hearn says Anthony Joshua must trigger Usyk rematch clause More