Boxing

DEONTAY WILDER must prepare himself for all versions of Tyson Fury and learn to box on his bike – his ex-sparring partner warned. Fury outboxed Wilder for the majority of their 2018 fight on the back foot, but was twice floored, meaning he walked away with only a draw.
Deontay Wilder with former sparring partner Emanuel OdiaseCredit: Instagram / @emanueldiase
Tyson Fury rematches Deontay Wilder on July 24Credit: Getty
In the rematch two years on, he brilliantly switched tactics to go on the offensive, scoring two knockdowns of his own before winning in round seven.
Wilder was bemused by Fury’s role reversal, and was unable to deal with the 19st 5lb behemoth coming his way as he was driven backwards.
That was despite bringing in 6ft 8in German amateur Emanuel Odiase to replicate the Gypsy King in sparring beforehand.
Odiase has now urged the American to expect both the cautious and aggressive Fury and revealed a key to victory would be getting comfortable boxing on the move.
He told SunSport: “I feel like that’s the two Tyson Fury’s that Wilder’s got to prepare for, now he can compare for both Tyson Fury’s.
“With Wilder, he’s really never been able to showcase that he can box going backwards, so what Tyson figured in the last round of that first fight is that he can bring Deontay Wilder problems if he backs him up.
“So what Deontay needs to work on is boxing backwards, and I don’t know if he can learn it in such a short space of time.
“If he’s able to work on that, just jabbing and trying to counter with the right hand, then it might be a different fight.”
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How Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder stack up ahead of the trilogy fightCredit: SUNSPORT

Since Wilder’s first professional defeat, he has shaken up his team and hired Malik Scott – who he knocked out in 2014 – as his new coach.
Odiase, who was a hopeful for the 2024 Olympics but now has his eye on the pro ranks, has already been in touch to repeat his role as Fury replica.
But superstitious Wilder may opt for a whole new set of sparring partners ahead of his July 24 trilogy bout, having failed the last time out.
Odiase said: “I have spoken to Malik Scott a couple of times and he said he’s going to throw my name out there for sparring.
“But we’ll see, I don’t know if it’s something mentally with Wilder, he doesn’t want the same sparring partners from last year or whatever.
“But I feel like I could give them great work as even last year to this year.
“I’ve gained like 12kg, so I could give them great work in preparation for this fight.”
Wilder, 35, had a nervous wait to find out whether he would get his contracted third fight with Fury.
Emanuel Odiase in sparring with Deontay Wilder
Tyson Fury twice floored Deontay Wilder in their rematchCredit: Getty
The Brit, 32, had tried to argue the stipulation expired, and entered talks with Anthony Joshua, 31, for an undisputed title decider in the summer.
As terms were agreed for August 14 in Saudi Arabia, a US arbitrator ruled in favour of Wilder, cancelling the proposed unification in the Middle East.
Then the ex-WBC champion came face-to-face with Fury for the first time in a pre-fight press conference, but refused to answer questions.
Odiase spotted the mean intentions in Wilder’s eyes during the drawn out stare-down on stage, as he offered up a prediction for the rematch.
He said: “As far as the outcome; it’s heavyweight boxing and after seeing the stare down I can say Deontay is really serious about it.
“He wants to avenge that loss but it’s hard because Tyson is a very talented boxer, but Deontay has knockout power, he can knock out anyone.
“It’s just about Deontay having a good night and Tyson slipping up for a second, then he can knock him out.
“As far as boxing, Tyson is more talented.”
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CHRIS EUBANK JR is set to return by September and could go ‘straight into the world title fight’, his promoter Kalle Sauerland said. The middleweight contender beat Marcus Morrison in May – his first fight since December 2019.
Chris Eubank Jr is set to return by SeptemberCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
It was also Eubank’s first time out under new trainer Roy Jones Jr and Saundeland, Head of Global Boxing at Wasserman.
The promoter revealed talks are underway for the son of a legend’s next fight, which could be for a middleweight championship.
Saundeland told Sky Sports: “Eubank has got a massive, massive second half of this year.
“He’s obviously come back with that Morrison fight. We’re sitting down now to work out the plan for the rest of the year.
“Is it one more fight, let’s say at a domestic level? Do we go straight into the world title fight?
“There are lots of different discussions going on at the moment. Expect a big, big announcement in the next week to ten days, I would say.”
Saundeland had announced plans for Eubank to have a second tune-up fight before challenging for a belt by the end of the year.
IBF champion Gennady Golovkin, 39, and Ryota Murata, who has the WBA belt, were among the targeted names.

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But promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed talks for Demetrius Andrade, 33, to defend his WBO strap against Eubank were also underway.
The Brit is already training again as Saundeland hailed his partnership with American legend Jones, 52.
He said: “We’re very, very excited because him and Roy Jones, it’s like the dynamic duo.
“Fantastic combination, fantastic link-up, and they’re just great fun to work with.
“He’s [Eubank Jr] training really, really hard and I think he’ll be out late August, early September. That’s what we’re looking at right now.
Chris Eubank Jr beat Marcus Morrison on his return fightCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
“We’re meeting later this week to decide what route we go.
“There are two fights left this year, we know that, and it’s a question of what the trainer wants as well, which is something new by the way in the Eubank circle.
“Roy has got a big say there and junior obviously, and senior with his wisdom and years of experience. We’ve got a big board meeting, let’s call it that.
“You don’t often have that with boxers, it has a board meeting feel to it and we’re looking forward to that. That’s the end of this week.
“There is definitely world title action this year.”
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FORMER champ Sergio Mora has urged Oscar De La Hoya to avoid a rematch with Floyd Mayweather, who ‘lives like a Greek god’. De La Hoya is on the comeback trail and fights former UFC champion Vitor Belfort on his return on September 11.
Oscar De La Hoya was urged to avoid a rematch with Floyd MayweatherCredit: Getty
Floyd Mayweather has been called out by Oscar De La HoyaCredit: Sean Michael Ham
Afterwards, he has targeted another MMA icon in Anderson Silva, who just beat ex-boxing champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
De La Hoya has also made it clear for his third comeback fight, he will challenge Mayweather to a rematch, having initially lost in 2007.
But he has been advised otherwise by Mora, who won the WBC light-middleweight title in 2008 and now works as a pundit for DAZN.
He said: “For Oscar De La Hoya to fight in a rematch, their first match Floyd Mayweather won to become a superstar was 14 years ago.
“That was in 2007. They’re in different pieces in their life, they live different lifestyles. We know Mayweather lives like a Greek god.
“He doesn’t drink, he doesn’t imbibe, he doesn’t socialise, doesn’t’ do all the things that are bad for your health. 
“Oscar De La Hoya on the other hand, we know he likes to have a good time.
“Look, I’m not gonna say nothing about it, but at almost 50 years old, no, you don’t want to go in with a guy who already beat you, and lives a Roman lifestyle, and doesn’t do all that, and three, he’s still that damn good, he looks a good as he was 10-15 years ago.”
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De La Hoya has not fought since 2008, when he was brutally sent into retirement by Manny Pacquiao, 42.
In the 13 years since, he has focussed his efforts on his Golden Boy promotional stable.
But De La Hoya has admitted to suffering from cocaine addiction and was in rehab as recently as 2013.
He has since recovered, and began training again last year having been inspired by Mike Tyson, who drew in his comeback with Roy Jones Jr.
Mayweather officially retired in 2017 after beating UFC superstar Conor McGregor, 32, but laced up the gloves with YouTuber Logan Paul in early June.
Oscar De La Hoya was sent into retirement by Manny PacquiaoCredit: AP:Associated Press
Logan Paul took Floyd Mayweather the distanceCredit: Reuters
To the shock of many, Paul, 26, survived all eight-rounds, meaning no winner was declared.
Mayweather, 44, afterwards poured cold water on another exhibition.
But De La Hoya, 48, Tyson, 54, Evander Holyfield, 58 and Jones, 52, are among those in talks for more spectacle fights.
Mora said: “I have to understand or accept that there’s a market for these old champions, these legends, to come back, but I don’t want them coming back facing guys they already lost against.
“It’s not interesting. If these old legends want to make a comeback, to fight a UFC fighter, an MMA fighter, a kickboxer, a wrestler, I’m OK with that.”
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BRITISH boxer Brian London, who challenged Muhammad Ali for the world heavyweight title in 1966, has died aged 87.The former heavyweight fought Ali just days after England had won the World Cup at Wembley, but was beaten in the third round.
Boxer Brian London has died aged 87Credit: © WARREN SMITH 2016
Brian London in his 1966 fight with Muhammad AliCredit: Getty – Contributor
London, known as ‘The Blackpool Rock’ during his career, also has memorable fights against Henry Cooper and Floyd Paterson.
His father was former British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion Jack London, who later became his fighting inspiration.
London was encouraged to start boxing while doing national service with the RAF, after an officer found out about his famous dad.
The Englishman finished his career with 36 wins, 20 losses and one draw, fighting for the world title twice.
Firstly against Paterson, taking the American into round 11 in 1959, before facing Ali seven years later.
Among those to pay tribute to London was Brian Rose, also from Blackpool, who like his hero challenged for the world title in 2014.
Rose, 36, told Blackpool Gazette: “My thoughts and wishes go out to his family as well.
“It must be so sad for them because he will have made a massive impact in their lives. He was so well liked in the town and he was still out and about.

“I remember seeing him not so long ago walking around the park. He just never stopped.
“It’s a shame Blackpool has lost him.”
London had a trilogy of bouts against Cooper – who also lost to Ali – but was beaten in all three.
He was also famously involved in the infamous 1960 ‘Brawl in Porthcawl’ – a post-fight punch-up with Dick Richardson.
After a storied 58-fight career, which included winning British and Commonwealth titles, London retired in 1970.
In retirement, London was a renowned fitness fanatic said to have run up to 12 miles a day.
He went on to become a businessman in Blackpool, owning several nightclubs, and even struck up a friendship with England icon Bobby Moore.
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