Boxing

VASILIY LOMACHENKO ‘only wants to fight the best’ and could be lined up against Gervonta Davis or Devin Haney, Bob Arum revealed. The Ukrainian great returns on Saturday, remaining at lightweight to face Masayoshi Nakatani.
Vasiliy Lomachenko ‘only wants to fight the best’Credit: AP
Devin Haney are among potential names to fight Vasiliy LomachenkoCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Floyd Mayweather’s protege Gervonta DavisCredit: Rex
It will be Lomachenko’s first fight since his upset defeat to Teofimo Lopez in October, where he lost his lightweight world titles.
A rematch had been planned, until Lopez, 23, tested positive for coronavirus, pushing back his mandatory defence against George Kambosos, 28, to August 14.
Hall of Fame promoter Arum fears the delay means the champion will only fight once this year, leaving Lomachenko, 33, without a rematch.
But instead, Davis, 26, who moves up to super-lightweight this weekend, and Haney, 22, who has the WBC belt, are alternative options.
Arum told FightHype: “If you look at Lopez, because he didn’t take precautions and got Covid.
“He will probably only have one more fight this year, and that’ll be the Kambosos fight.
“Obviously, if Lomachenko wins, he doesn’t want to sit around waiting.
“Lomachenko only wants to fight the best, and who are the best? Maybe Devin Haney or Tank Davis.
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“I mean, Loma would consider both of them big challenges, and we would certainly like to make those matches. But again, it takes two to tango.
“Number one, as far as Tank Davis, what does Floyd think about that?
“He’s the manager or promoter, and nobody is more of an astute boxing scholar than Floyd Mayweather. He knows boxing.”
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JOE JOYCE is the perfect ‘dance partner’ for Anthony Joshua to fight in Nigeria – but he ‘would relish’ also facing Tyson Fury in Las Vegas. Unified champion Joshua has long spoken about his desire to box in Nigeria, where his mother and father both have heritage.
Joe Joyce pictured with Tyson FuryCredit: Refer to Caption
Anthony Joshua has spoken about his desire to fight in NigeriaCredit: Instagram / @anthonyjoshua
Another heavyweight with Nigerian roots is Joyce, a former Team GB sparring partner of AJ’s.
His manager Sam Jones believes it sets up the ideal showdown in Africa, but did not rule out a Stateside debut for his client against WBC king Fury.
Jones told Sky Sports: “There is a possibility Joe and Joshua could fight in Nigeria. They are both of Nigerian descent so that could be huge.
“If AJ needs a dance partner in Nigeria, look no further. That fight would be something very, very special.
“Joe would relish the thought of fighting Joshua in Nigeria, but he also would to fight Tyson Fury in Las Vegas or in a stadium in the UK.”
Joshua, 31, and Fury, 32, had agreed terms for the first-ever, four-belt heavyweight unification, set for August 14.
But as Fury tried to walk away from his contracted third fight with Deontay Wilder, 35, the American took the dispute to arbitration.
After a drawn-out legal case, Wilder was awarded the decision, setting up a rematch with the Gypsy King on July 24.

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It meant Joshua was left out in the cold and ordered by the WBO to defend his title against mandatory challenger Oleksandr Usyk.
Usyk, 34, was due to fight Joyce, 35, for the interim belt, but will now get a crack at AJ in September, potentially at Tottenham’s stadium.
Joyce will instead return in London on July 24 against Carlos Takam, 40, and hopes to get his shot at the world titles soon after.
Jones said: “Joe will be mandatory to the world title. Hopefully Joshua and Fury get it on, and Joe will get the winner.
“Joe’s time will come. He wants to see Joshua vs Fury too – there needs to be an undisputed title fight. He doesn’t care who wins.”
Promoter Frank Warren, Joe Joyce and his manager Sam JonesCredit: Reuters
Joyce has raced to 12-0 in his career, 11 by knockout, and recently stopped Daniel Dubois, 23, in November.
He will again risk his unbeaten record and world rankings against Takam, who Joshua took ten rounds to beat in 2017.
Jones added: “What is Joyce, in the prime of his life at 35, going to get from fighting a no-hoper?
“We want to build on the Dubois fight against a name that people know, and someone who will have a go.
“Joe is in a great position and we could take an easier fight but he isn’t like that. Joe wouldn’t be up for fighting a no-hoper.
“Takam is notorious for having a go. He’s dangerous, he has operated at the world level for a long time.”
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LOGAN PAUL told Floyd Mayweather ‘champ chill, it’s just an exhibition’ during their fight. Paul scored a moral victory at the start of the month when he took the boxing legend the full eight-round distance.
Logan Paul told Floyd Mayweather ‘champ chill, it’s just an exhibition’ during their fight
Logan Paul took Floyd Mayweather the full eight-round distance
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But ringside footage captured the moment the YouTube star gave Mayweather, 44, a talking to and reminded him of their spectacle rules.
In a clip captured by Mayweather’s videographer, Paul says: “Chill champ, chill, it’s just an exhibition.”
As no knockout was scored in the Miami clash, the fight ended without a winner, to the surprise of many.
Mayweather, who was outweighed by TWO STONE, admitted afterwards he had no intentions of fighting again.
He said: “As far as me fighting again, absolutely not. As far as me doing another exhibition, probably not.”
Paul, 26, on the other hand is looking for his next opponent and is in talks with UFC legend Anderson Silva, 46, who just beat Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, 35.
But the social media sensation recently talked up a fight with heavyweight icon Mike Tyson, 54, who came out of retirement after 15 years in November.

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He said on his podcast: “Someone mentioned Mike Tyson, like how funny is it? One great at a time. Or is it like you can only fight one?
“My lawyer mentioned it and he was like, ‘No, Tyson will rip your head off, you don’t stand a chance’.
“I’m like bro, I literally just went through all of this, you can’t tell me I can’t beat Mike Tyson. Bro, he’s old, old.”
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MANNY PACQUIAO showed off his blistering hand speed as he begins training to fight Errol Spence Jr. The Filipino legend challenges for Spence’s WBC and IBF welterweight titles on August 21 in Las Vegas.
Manny Pacquiao showed off his blistering hand speedCredit: Instagram @mannypacquiao
Manny Pacquiao is training to fight Errol Spence JrCredit: Instagram @mannypacquiao
Astonishingly, it will be Pacquiao’s 26th world title fight, spanning across EIGHT division.
But the 42-year-old is showing no signs of slowing down as he released a training clip on the heavy bag.
Pacquiao throws ten punches in just three seconds, proving he is still one of boxing’s quickest operators.
But he is now tasked with becoming the first man to beat Spence, who is 27-0 with 21 knockouts.
Spence, 31, pipped welterweight rival Terence Crawford, 33, and former opponent Mikey Garcia, also 33, to get a deal with PacMan.
Garcia, who was dominated by Spence in 2019, failed to land a fight with Pacquiao in the Middle East.
And he has backed the unbeaten American to prevail but warned it could go the scorecards.
Garcia told EsNews: “It’s not going to be an easy fight for Spence.
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How the two stars stack-up head-to-headCredit: The Sun

“Pacquiao’s going to have a lot in his arsenal. He’s got a lot of experiences. Quick footwork, fast hands, power.
“It’s not an easy fight. But I just feel that Spence is a fighter that can make the adjustments well. I think he’s going to win in a good fight.
“I don’t think he stops Manny. It’ll go the distance.”
Mikey Garcia was beaten by Errol Spence Jr in 2019Credit: Getty Images – Getty More

TYSON and Tommy Fury’s training partner Ahmed Elbiali is ready to make a splash with British fans by eyeing Joshua Buatsi and Anthony Yarde.Light-heavyweight Elbiali spent the best part of a month with WBC champion Tyson and 2019 Love Island star Tommy in America.
Trainer Sugarhill Steward, Tyson Fury and Ahmed Elbiali
Anthony Yarde and Joshua Buatsi
The Egyptian-American is just another contender patiently waiting around the 168-175lb mark for Mexican legend Canelo.
But having linked up with two of Britain’s biggest stars in the Fury brothers, Elbiali wants to make his name more familiar across the pond.
He has opened the door to fighting Londoners Buatsi, 28, and Yarde, 29, as well as British and Commonwealth title holder Lyndon Arthur, 30.
Elbiali, 30, told SunSport: “I’m about 175 walking around everyday, so I’m at the light-heavyweight limit without cutting weight.
“At light-heavy you’ve got Yarde, Buatsi, Lyndon Arhtur. I’d like to fight Buatsi, that would be a really good fight.”
Elbiali, who has sparred Tommy, 21, and YouTuber Jake Paul, 24, is 20-1 with his only defeat coming to WBA ‘Regular’ champ Jean Pascal, 38.
He has recently left mysterious boxing mogul Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions stable and has not fought since December 2019.
But Elbiali is ready to step down to the super-middleweight limit if needed, where Canelo currently reigns as the unified king.

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But Caleb Plant, 28, who has the IBF belt and is in talks to fight Alvarez, and David Benavidez, 24, are also on his radar.
Elbiali said: “They want me to go to super-middleweight right now. 
“I don’t mind staying at light-heavy or going down to super-middle. I would love Caleb Plant, David Benevidez. 
“Right now, Canelo is a lottery ticket, I understand that, with Canelo it’s a lottery ticket until his vacates those titles. 
“I do see him vacating the titles soon too, as once you win them, they always get split up to give the other fighters opportunities.” 
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MUHAMMAD ALI’S grandson will continue his iconic legacy having turned professional with Bob Arum – more than 50 years after the promoter guided ‘The Greatest’.The 20-year-old, who had 30 amateur bouts, has signed a deal with Top Rank boss Arum, and will make his debut on August 14
Bob Arum pictured with Muhammad Ali’s grandson Nico
Muhammad Ali with Jimmy Ellis and Bob Arum in 1971Credit: Getty
Nico said: “I’m doing what I love. Signing with Top Rank is a dream come true.
“I’m going to have fun on August 14 and the next time I fight. Top Rank will give me the name, date and location, and I’ll have a great time.
“I am honoured to continue the fighting legacy that my grandfather started. It is a responsibility I don’t take lightly.”
Nico, who will debut at middleweight over four rounds, was born on Chicago’s South Side but now resides in Las Vegas.
He has linked up with Tyson Fury’s current trainer Sugarhill Steward at Top Rank’s Vegas gym.
Nico will juggle his boxing career with academics, currently a full-time student at University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
The prospect, whose auntie Laila was also a champ, has possibly the biggest name in boxing to live up to, with his heroic granddad celebrated both in and out of the ring.
Hall of Famer Arum – who is still going strong aged 89 – promoted 27 of Ali’s fights, most notably the ‘Thrilla in Manila’ against Joe Frazier.

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Now, over five decades later, he said: “Nico’s grandfather was a pretty good fighter. Hopefully, Nico will emulate his success.
“He’s a young man of great character, which one would expect from Muhammad Ali’s grandson.”
Nico added: “To me, I was hanging out in the gym with my grandfather. Sometimes I have to remind myself that he’s everyone’s idol.”
Muhammad Ali with Nico, right, as a youngster
Nico will make his debut on August 14 at middleweight
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