Boxing

Subterms

    More stories

    • 238 Shares119 Views

      in Boxing

      Anthony Joshua ‘obsessed’ with avenging defeat to Usyk as Eddie Hearn reveals rematch could happen in ‘March or April’

      by

      ANTHONY JOSHUA is hungrier than ever following his devastating defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.The Watford warrior had the unified heavyweight titles ripped from his clutches by the slick southpaw at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last month.
      Anthony Joshua suffered a unanimous decision defeat to Oleksandr Usyk last monthCredit: REUTERS
      Victory for the Ukrainian ended Joshua’s second reign as unified heavyweight champCredit: GETTY
      And promoter Eddie Hearn insists AJ is hellbent on exacting revenge on the UkrainianCredit: REUTERS
      But Joshua, 31, will have the chance to exact revenge on the undefeated Ukrainian next year after activating his rematch clause.
      And promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed a heartbroken AJ is ‘obessesed’ with becoming three-time heavyweight champ of the world.
      He told the BBC: “Anthony Joshua is hurting like crazy at losing his world heavyweight belts to Oleksandr Usyk, but I have never seen him this hungry and more determined to win the rematch.
      “Actually, obsessed is a better word because since that fight, he has spoken about it, what he needs to do and what he needs to change, in every conversation I’ve had with him.”
      Matchroom Boxing chief Hearn believes AJ and his team utilised the wrong gameplan for their Tottenham tussle with the former cruiserweight king.
      He added: “I’ve seen many comments on how the tactics were wrong – and they were – but it’s difficult to not appreciate the things Usyk did.

      BETTING SPECIAL: GET 30/1 ON FURY OR 50/1 ON WILDER FOR HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING CLASH
      “AJ was frustrated because he knows he can do so much better and boxed the wrong fight, but Usyk’s performance was exceptional.
      “But, going back to the [Andy] Ruiz loss, that was different as it was just such a shock, nobody knew what to say.
      “Here, you could see AJ’s mind working overtime on how he can beat Usyk. It was like the preparation for the rematch began then.”
      Hearn is hoping to stage Usyk vs Joshua 2 early next year, although a solid plan is not yet in place.
      He said: “We will formally announce the rematch in due course and start planning with K2 Promotions – March or April is sensible for the rematch.”
      I have never seen him this hungry and more determined to win the rematch.Eddie Hearn on Anthony Joshua
      Joshua is confident of exacting revenge on his fellow London 2012 Olympian, saying: “I’ve watched the fight, analysed my preparations and identified my mistakes.
      “I’ve learnt my lesson. Don’t worry about me. My spirit is strong!”
      Immediately after the fight, Joshua said: “If you look at it from a negative point of view, you’re never going to have that mindset that you can make a difference because you’re down anyway.
      “But if you look at it from a positive point of view, and realise, ‘Yeah, I took a loss.
      “‘But that’s a lesson, that’s a blessing. I can use it as fuel to get better.
      Anthony Joshua is hellbent on avenging his defeat to Oleksandr UsykCredit: PA
      “‘And use it as fuel to right my wrongs. You can only get better from there.
      “So I’m not gonna hold myself down from the mistake I made, I’m only gonna uplift myself and say, ‘Actually, you know what? That was a tough fight.
      “‘But from that fight, I’m gonna go away, get my notepad out and find ways to improve.”

      JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
      Mike Tyson explains how ‘baby’ Anthony Joshua lost to Oleksandr Usyk More

    • 213 Shares99 Views

      in Boxing

      Tyson Fury is better than Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis AND Klitschko, his trainer sensationally claims

      by

      TYSON FURY’s head coach reckons the Gypsy King is the best heavyweight to ever set foot inside the ring.The undefeated WBC champ – who will renew his rivalry with Deontay Wilder this weekend – is widely regarded as the best heavyweight on the planet.
      Tyson Fury is regarded by many to be the best heavyweight on the planetCredit: REUTERS
      And his coach Sugarhill Steward reckons he’s better than Ali, Tyson, Klitschko and LewisCredit: REX
      The Gypsy King will renew his rivalry with Deontay Wilder this weekendCredit: GETTY
      Should Fury call it a day without tasting defeat, he’ll arguably go down as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time.
      But coach Sugarhill Steward believes the Brit is already far better than those who came before him, including Lennox Lewis, Wladimir Klitschko, Mike Tyson and sporting icon Muhammad Ali.
      He told The Daily Mail: “I think about how Tyson has the characteristics of Lewis, Klitschko, Ali, Tyson and all the great heavyweights.
      “He has all their characteristics and the mental toughness.
      “He has everything they had and more. Tyson is a special boxer and he will have a special place in boxing history.”
      Fury, 33, linked up with Steward – the nephew of the late Emmanuel – after parting ways with Ben Davison in December 2019.

      BETTING SPECIAL: GET 30/1 ON FURY OR 50/1 ON WILDER FOR HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING CLASH
      And their partnership bore fruit in the 2020 rematch with Wilder, with Fury utilising the famous Kronk style to score a seventh-round stoppage victory.
      Steward, 46, believes he could’ve moulded the Wythenshawe warrior into a KO specialist had he got his hands on him sooner.
      He added: “Maybe if Tyson had come to us when he was 25 he would have been a knock-out artist sooner.
      “But he had a great career already. Was at the top. We’re not taking anything away from that.
      “We’re just doing some different things, learning and applying them with maximum efficiency.
      ‘Before the second Wilder fight he had learned so much so quickly. You all saw the result.
      Tyson is a special boxer and he will have a special place in boxing history.Sugarhill Steward on Tyson Fury
      “And in terms of fights, we’re really only just getting started because of the long layoff.
      “But we didn’t waste those 20 months since Wilder 11. We had a number of camps and good as he already was he has improved a lot.
      “He has been so focussed and absorbed a lot. He is wiser now and wisdom is important in boxing.
      “My job is to make Tyson Fury the best Tyson Fury he can be.
      “We are very excited about this fight because he can go out there now and showcase skills and talents which many people don’t realise he has.”
      Having put an emphatic beatdown on Wilder in their rematch last February, defending WBC champ Fury is looking to turn in an even better performance this weekend.
      How Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder stack up ahead of the trilogy fight
      Speaking after his grand arrival on Tuesday, Fury vowed: “I am going to knock him out, quick time.
      “I think he’s a real piece of s**t, a real piece of garbage.
      “For that I might do it slow, I might take my beating him up and make him quit. I might force him to say, ‘No mas.'”

      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS

      Tyson Fury says he’d have nutted the c*** if face-off with Deontay Wilder happened at final press conference More

    • 238 Shares109 Views

      in Boxing

      Kate Abdo hits back at Tyson Fury promoter’s ‘inappropriate’ rant after he raged ‘f*** her’ at Wilder press conference

      by

      TV presenter Kate Abdo has hit back at boxing promoter Bob Arum after he aimed a foul-mouthed tirade at her.The 89-year-old American was seething at what he believed was Abdo ‘favouring’ Deontay Wilder in a press conference with Tyson Fury.
      Kate Abdo was slammed by boxing promoter Bob Arum at a press conferenceCredit: Alamy
      The popular TV presenter has now responded to Arum’s foul-mouthed tirade
      Promoter Bob Arum, right with Tyson Fury’ was not happy at the prospect of his man facing off with Deontay WilderCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      He then claimed to have ‘saved the fight’ by stepping in to stop the two heavyweight boxers having a face off – which Abdo appeared to introduce.
      Now Abdo has had her say in a length post she shared on Instagram.
      The 40-year-old Mancunian wrote: “‘With regards to the faceoff – I was doing what we the broadcaster believed was agreed upon. But I think that’s kind of unimportant now.
      “I have nothing but respect for Bob Arum and the empire he has created. I understand what he means to boxing and what this sport owes him.
      “I think the language in his interview was entirely inappropriate. 
      “Of course it’s disappointing to be disrespected by someone I respect But that’s life, not everyone will give you the courtesy you deserve.”
      CLICK HERE FOR LIVE UPDATES ON FURY VS WILDER 3

      BETTING SPECIAL: GET 30/1 ON FURY OR 50/1 ON WILDER FOR HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING CLASH
      According to Arum in his rant after the press conference, both Fox Sports and Abdo knew a face-off was never going to be part of the press conference.
      And he claimed Abdo was out of order for bringing it up.
      Arum even shouted out from the crowd “Not a good idea!” when Abdo raised the prospect.
      However she then quickly changed her mind – suggesting it was Arum’s intervention which prevented the face-off happening.
      F*** her and f*** them. There was no face-off and we saved the fightBob ArumTyson Fury’s Promoter
      That annoyed the promoter, who said: “They bring this woman in from the UK and she’s slanting all the press conference to Wilder.
      “Like I don’t give a damn, but it’s obvious what she was doing!
      “And then, she knew that the understanding was: no face-off. Tom Brown argued with Fox, no face-off.
      “We said, “No face-off”. What does she say? “Now we’re going to do a face-off?”
      “F*** her and f*** them. There was no face-off and we saved the fight.”
      Fury will defend his WBC heavyweight title against Wilder in Las Vegas in the early hours of Sunday morning UK time.
      He claimed the iconic green strap after battering the American into a seventh-round stoppage in February 2020.
      Abdo has now had her say after Arum’s furious outburst
      How Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder stack up ahead of the trilogy fight
      Tyson Fury’s promoter rules out Dillian Whyte fight in UK and insists it works better with 10,000 Brits in Las Vegas More

    • 250 Shares179 Views

      in Boxing

      Tyson Fury warned not to let collapse of £200m Anthony Joshua ‘gravy train’ distract him ahead of Deontay Wilder trilogy

      by

      TYSON FURY has been warned not to allow the ‘derailment of the Joshua gravy train’ to affect him against Deontay Wilder.The Gypsy King puts his WBC heavyweight title on the line in a trilogy fight against the American this weekend.
      Tyson Fury will defend his WBC heavyweight title in a trilogy fight against Deontay WilderCredit: The Mega Agency
      Wilder is adamant he has what it takes to exact revenge on the Gypsy KingCredit: AP
      Fury’s promoter Frank Warren has urged his man to focus on the challenge aheadCredit: PA
      And despite smashing Wilder to pieces the last time they met in February 2020, the Gypsy King has been urged to focus on the challenge in front of him.
      British boxing’s hopes of an undisputed title clash between Fury and Anthony Joshua went up in smoke when the latter was easily outpointed by Oleksandr Usyk on September 25.
      Now Warren wants his man to put that £200million disappointment behind him and get the job done against a determined Wilder in Las Vegas.
      Writing for Boxing Scene, the Hall of Fame promoter said: “Tyson cannot afford to allow himself to become distracted by the derailment of the Joshua gravy train and take his eye off the job in hand against an extremely motivated Deontay Wilder.
      “I can’t see Wilder being able to reinvent himself enough to trouble Tyson, but there will be no complacency in our corner.”
      Should Fury do what the bookies think he will and beat Wilder for a second time, there are some tasty-looking title defences on the horizon.
      CLICK HERE FOR LIVE UPDATES ON FURY VS WILDER 3

      BETTING SPECIAL: GET 30/1 ON FURY OR 50/1 ON WILDER FOR HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING CLASH
      Fellow Brits Joe Joyce and Daniel Dubois have moved themselves into title contention, and of course there is the undisputed clash against former cruiserweight king Usyk.
      But Warren remains confident that Fury can continue to reign supreme in the heavyweight division.
      He added: “As I admired his performance and believe him to be a great fighter, I don’t see Usyk being a match for Tyson either.
      “The attributes Usyk possesses are shared by Tyson with interest, along with a size and speed advantage.
      “A fight between them is a natural one to make as we will now consider an alternative way forward, all things being well on October 9.”
      As for Joshua, I very much hope he can punch his way back into the pictureFrank WarrenTyson Fury’s Promoter
      Joshua, meanwhile, has told his team to thrash out terms for the rematch against Usyk.
      He will be hoping for revenge just like he achieved when he avenged his shock loss to Andr Ruiz Jr.
      And Warren is hoping AJ can get back to the big time and has refused to rule out the Fury clash ever happening.
      He added: “As for Joshua, I very much hope he can punch his way back into the picture and we get to deliver the all-British fights involving Tyson, Joe [Joyce] and Daniel [Dubois] while they are still ripe for the making.”
      How Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder stack up ahead of the trilogy fight More

    • 263 Shares139 Views

      in Boxing

      Michael Bisping wanted to join the army and become a boxer like Nigel Benn after prison… but became UFC legend instead

      by

      MICHAEL BISPING was staring at prison ceiling walls when he mapped out a plan to follow in Nigel Benn’s footsteps by joining the army as a boxer. British legend Benn served four years in the forces after signing up aged 18 to avoid a life of crime.
      Nigel Benn served four years in the forcesCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Michael Bisping with his UFC titleCredit: Getty
      He then turned professional after a successful amateur career in the army and became of of the nation’s most celebrated fighters.
      So when Bisping found himself in a maximum security prison in his early 20s for a bar fight, he looked to Benn for inspiration.
      He told SunSport: “I started thinking, ‘What am I going to do?’
      “I kept coming back to fighting, I tired to join the army to become a professional boxer, to go down the same path as Nigel Benn.
      “But that never happened. Then, slowly and surely I came up with this crazy plan to be a mixed martial artist.”
      Bisping, who competed in kickboxing and jujitsu, was no criminal growing up in Clitheroe, Lancashire, but admitted to getting into one too many scraps on the street.

      One such brawl saw him jailed for a month, all while his wife Rebecca was seven months pregnant.
      It was at that moment, Bisping ‘hit rock bottom’ and realised his life had to change there and then.
      Speaking while on his evening with tour in the UK, he said: “I left school at 16 and I thought I had it all figured out.
      “And then you soon come to find out there’s not much call for uneducated, unqualified 16-year-olds.
      “I soon figured out life wasn’t going anywhere, money was tight, I was broke all the time and I was sick of that.
      “Of course, I was young and I was an idiot, going out and getting into fights and things like that and I’m not proud of that phase in my life.
      Michael Bisping competed in kickboxing and jujitsu growing up
      The future UFC legend, left, aged 21 with his brother Konrad
      “I ended up going to prison, and that was when I hit rock bottom. I was sat in prison and looked around and I was surrounded by the dregs of society.
      “I said to myself, ‘Wow, is this it? Is this what my life has come to? I need to make a change’.”
      Bisping made his MMA debut in 2004 in Newcastle, at a time when the UFC were considering selling with the sport failing to hit the mainstream.
      That was Stateside, meaning the landscape was even worse in Britain.
      Bisping, now 42, remembers: “Those days were the Wild West, it’s certainly come on a long way now.
      “The scene looked a lot different then, now it’s a lot more professional.
      “Sometimes you’d show up at shows in the early days and there would be no doctors, or no ambulance crew or anything like that.
      Michael Bisping made his MMA debut in 2004
      He admits the early days of MMA in the UK were ‘Wild West’
      “The health and safety rules were not exactly adhered too, shall we say. Opponents getting switched out on the day.
      “I’ll be honest, that was part of the appeal, as well, it was fun, it was gritty, it was raw.
      “And we all felt like we were a part of something that was going to explode and be big.”
      Bisping was right, and the sport did explode, thanks in large to the debut of the UFC’s reality TV series The Ultimate Fighter, which first aired in 2005.
      A year later, Bisping was invited to compete in third season and eventually won it, booking his way into the UFC, where he stayed until retirement.
      The middleweight then capped off a rollercoster career in 2016, knocking out rival Luke Rockhold to finally win the UFC title.
      Luke Rockhold was knocked out by Michael Bisping in their rematchCredit: 2016 Zuffa LLC
      Michael Bisping lifts the UFC belt aloftCredit: Zuffa LLC – Getty
      Bisping, who only fought Rockhold on two weeks notice, then made one homecoming defence against Dan Henderson.
      He lost the title to UFC legend Georges St-Pierre in 2017 and retired after his next fight, a loss to Kelvin Gastelum.
      Bisping remains the only British UFC champion and a huge player in catipulting the sport to new heights in the UK.
      It is a far cry from his early underground days, which helped pave the way for the most iconic UFC career in British history.
      Bisping said: “Now, to see where it’s gone since I was involved in the early days, it’s amazing to see and to think I was a little part of that, to help it grow, I am proud of that.
      “I didn’t even know the sport existed, but I was 100 per cent in, there was no back up plan. I stayed the course and it all panned out.” 

      Catch An Evening with Michael Bisping: Tales from the Octagon this October in the UK, tickets from myticket.co.Uk

      Michael Bisping is the greatest British UFC fighter in historyCredit: 2016 Zuffa LLC More

    • 263 Shares99 Views

      in Boxing

      Tyson Fury vs Deontay Wilder 3 weigh-in live stream FREE: How to watch plus what did fighters weigh in last time

      by

      TYSON FURY and Deontay Wilder finish their epic rivalry this weekend in Las Vegas.The heavyweight superstars fight for a third time. But must first weigh in for the huge clash.

      BETTING SPECIAL: GET 30/1 ON FURY OR 50/1 ON WILDER FOR HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING CLASH

      Tyson Fury with trainer SugarHill Steward
      And Fury’s trainer SugarHill Steward says Fury could weigh in 20lbs heavier than he did in the victorious rematch, when he bullied and stopped Wilder in seven rounds in February, 2020.
      Steward said: “It’s not going to be 300 pounds, it’s probably going to be like 290 or something but not 300 exactly.
      “Heavier than last time by 20 pounds or so, why not? The bigger the better, the heavier the stronger.
      “He’s training with that weight, he’s built up. It’s not like he’s just putting on fat, it’s building up muscles. The bigger the better, the heavier the stronger.”
      When is Fury vs Wilder weigh in?

      The weigh in for Fury vs Wilder 3 takes place on Friday, October 8. This is a day before their big fight.
      It will kick off at 10pm BST.
      The MGM Grand in Las Vegas plays host as the fighters hit the scales.

      FURY VS WILDER 3 – FIGHT NIGHT START TIME, STREAM & TV INFO

      How can I watch the Fury vs Wilder weigh in?
      Expect fireworks from the weigh, and you can watch it for FREE.
      BT Sport YouTube channel will be showing all of the action.
      What did they weigh last time?
      Fury weighed in 273lbs (19.5 stone) for the 2020 rematch which he dominated. Wilder weighed in 231lbs (16.5 stone).
      In their first fight in December 2018, the Gypsy King came in at 256.5lbs (18.3 stone), though he had undergone a staggering weight loss. Wilder also came in lighter than in the rematch on 212lbs (15.1 stone).
      Fury weighed 19.5 stone in the rematch
      And he came in at a lighter 18.3 stone in their first fight in 2018 More

    • 300 Shares99 Views

      in Boxing

      Fury exposed Wilder as a crude banger and an easy target to hit last time… expect him to pick up where he left off

      by

      TYSON FURY is expected to start where he left off and batter Deontay Wilder to another humiliating defeat — even if the American enters the ring stark naked.Wilder was stopped in the seventh round after his trainer, Mark Breland, threw in the towel — a merciful gesture that got him the sack — when they last met 20 months ago.
      Tyson Fury will pick up where he left off against Deontay WilderCredit: The Mega Agency
      Fury demolished Wilder in their rematch last FebruaryCredit: Getty
      The Bronze Bomber lost not only his WBC world heavyweight title, but also his unbeaten record and his credibility.
      His ludicrous excuse that his crushing loss was because he tired himself out under the 40lb weight of his bizarre Star Wars ring-walk costume belongs in the ‘dog ate my homework’ category.
      The simple truth is Fury exposed Wilder for what he was — an unskilled, crude banger who was an easy target to hit.
      Tyson was on fire and still fuming at being robbed when their first clash was considered a highly dubious draw 14 months before.
      At last, after two frustrating postponements, they come face to face in what could turn out to be a thrilling and titanic Trilogy in Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena. 
      If it’s as good as the two most famous heavyweight trilogies between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier and Evander Holyfield v Riddick Bowe, fans who pay £24.95 to see it on TV in the early hours of Sunday won’t be able to claim they didn’t get value for money.

      BETTING SPECIAL: GET 30/1 ON FURY OR 50/1 ON WILDER FOR HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING CLASH
      If the Gypsy King can emphatically demolish Wilder as he did before, it could end Deontay’s career.
      But hanging in the air  is the thought that perhaps Wilder under new trainer Malik Scott — his one-time sparring partner — has managed to iron out many of his boxing imperfections so he can gain sweet revenge.
      Remarkably, Fury and Anthony Joshua between them  dominated the heavyweight division for six years.
      How Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder stack up ahead of the trilogy fight
      That is until Joshua’s abject failure against Oleksandr Usyk when he waved goodbye to the WBA, IBF and WBO belts, which may have killed off the £200million fight with Fury at Wembley  forever.
      Joshua seemed to have completely lost his  fighting spirit and like my local petrol pumps, his tactical ideas were running on empty. 
      And the way Joshua was laughing, joking and fist-pumping with his fans as he strode to his downfall made me think he was more suited to star  at The London Palladium than Madison Square Garden.
      Fury enjoys a bit of fun in the build-up to his fights but when it comes to working hours he’s all serious business.

      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS

      He knows any complacency or a single slip in concentration and his crown could be packed in Wilder’s luggage on its way  to Alabama.
      Deontay still carries dynamite in his right fist.
      Scott said proudly: “Deontay’s defence is impeccable right now. But one thing you can never change is his God-given power.”
      CLICK HERE FOR LIVE UPDATES ON FURY VS WILDER 3
      Tyson Fury jokingly staggers around and pretends to fall into bin after being asked if he is ready to face Deontay Wilder More

    • 263 Shares159 Views

      in Boxing

      Tyson Fury’s promoter rules out Dillian Whyte fight in UK and insists ‘it works better’ with 10,000 Brits in Las Vegas

      by

      BOB ARUM would rather welcome 10,000 travelling Brits to Las Vegas than promote a fight between Tyson Fury and Dillian Whyte on home soil. Fury faces Deontay Wilder in a trilogy bout on Saturday night in Sin City, following his rematch win in 2020, after the original ended all square.
      WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury before his trilogy with Deontay WilderCredit: The Mega Agency
      Dillian Whyte is the WBC mandatory challengerCredit: Dave Thompson Matchroom Boxing
      Then, on October 30 Whyte, 33, fights Otto Wallin, with the winner set to be mandatory challenger for the WBC title.
      It means Fury, who needed 47 stitches after beating Wallin in 2019, could be ordered into a massive all-English affair with Whyte.
      But his US promoter Arum fancies doing it in the fight capital of the world rather than the heavyweights’ backyard.
      The legendary promoter told iFL TV: “Yeah, of course in Vegas.
      “The big fights belong here. Sometimes you do it in the UK, but the PPV in the US is robust.
      “The gate – the travel ban will be lifted in November – 10,000 Brits would come over here for the fight.
      “They wanna come to Vegas, and Vegas is made for those kind of tours, so it works better here than any place in the world.”

      BETTING SPECIAL: GET 30/1 ON FURY OR 50/1 ON WILDER FOR HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING CLASH
      Fury, 33, has not boxed in Britain since 2018 against Francesco Pianeta which was his tune-up for Wilder, 35.
      And the Gypsy King, who after drawing to the Bronze Bomber signed a deal with Arum’s Top Rank promotion, vowed NEVER to fight at home again.
      He has since adopted America as his training base, and prefers the Stateside crowd.
      But more recently, Fury has opened up to the idea of fighting in front of his home faithful and has the backing of his other promoter Frank Warren.
      Speaking to BBC, Warren said: I think he’ll be back here which will be a great homecoming.
      “If Tyson wins the fight we’ll sit down. There’s a few options there. Usyk would be a massive fight here. The Joshua fight is still a massive fight.
      “Dillian Whyte is a big fight, providing he beats Otto Wallin which isn’t a forgone conclusion. There’s some big fights for him.”
      Tyson Fury says he’d have nutted the c*** if face-off with Deontay Wilder happened at final press conference More