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Derek Chisora vs Joseph Parker ring walk times CONFIRMED including all undercard action and free to air fights
by Aurelia Butler 1 May 2021, 11:16
DEREK CHISORA faces off with Joseph Parker in Manchester tonight for another huge boxing showcase.A packed undercard featuring Katie Taylor, Chris Eubank Jr and Campbell Hatton will warm up the PPV crowd before the heavyweight showdown.
The night gets underway at 5pm as Scott Fitzgerald faces Gregory Trenel in a fight shown for free on Matchroom’s YouTube channel.
The action then moves to Sky Sports Box Office and James Tennyson’s match-up with Jovanni Staffron for the IBO Lightweight crown, at 6pm.
Young heavyweight Jonny Fisher then faces his second pro career fight against veteran Phil Williams ahead of a WBA Light-Heavyweight title bout between Dmitry Bivol and Craig Richards.
Then it is the turn of Chris Eubank Jr as he returns to the ring after an 18-month absence to face Marcus Morrison.
The 31-year-old has linked up with Roy Jones Jr in his bid to earn a fresh title shot.
Another famous name of British boxing is next to step into the ring as Campbell Hatton takes on Levi Dunn.
BETTING SPECIAL: GET CHISORA AT 40/1 OR PARKER AT 25/1
🥊 CHISORA VS PARKER: TV, live stream and start time info ahead of the big fight
Following his debut win in March, the youngster is expected to walk into Manchester Arena after 8pm for the four-round showdown.
Ring walk times will largely depend on how quick the undercard fights come and go with the penultimate bout eyed for a 9.45pm start.
Natasha Jonas squares up to Katie Taylor with the Irish lightweight queen protecting her unified belts.
And the showpiece fight between Chisora and Parker will round off the evening’s action.
The WBO Intercontinental Heavyweight match-up is set up for a 10.30pm ring walk.
Both men are fighting for a way into the world title picture after Chisora lost to Oleksandr Usyk last year.
While former WBO champion Parker has won four straight contests after falling to Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte.
Watch Derek Chisora try to hug Joseph Parker at face-off More
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Joe Rogan reveals Daniel Cormier told Jake Paul he’d ‘f**k him up’ before security ended heated UFC 261 clash
by Aurelia Butler 1 May 2021, 11:12
DANIEL CORMIER threatened to ‘f**k’ Jake Paul up during their heated clash last month, according to UFC commentator Joe Rogan.Former two-division champion Cormier had a heated exchange with the YouTuber last month at UFC 261 in Jacksonville, Florida.
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier walks over to to confront Jake PaulCredit: Reuters
The former two-division champion gave both barrels to the YouTuberCredit: Reuters
Daniel Cormier wagged his finger in Jake Paul’s face on several occasionsCredit: Getty
A furious Cormier pointed his finger in Paul’s face and had to be separated from the former Disney star, who had branded him a ‘fat boy’ a few days earlier.
Rogan recalled his fellow commentator’s clash with the younger Paul brother during a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, saying: “DC said, ‘Take my f***ing name out of your mouth.
“‘I’m not a kid, I will f*** you up,’ and he was like, ‘Yikes.’
“Look, it’s f***ing former UFC heavyweight champion of the world. That’s not what you want.”
Paul, who knocked out retired MMA star Ben Askren in a boxing match last month, was greeted with a chorus of boos by fans in attendance at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.
And he repeatedly had to endure defeating chants of ‘f**k Jake Paul’.
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Rogan, however, reckons the 24-year-old wasn’t bothered by the reception he received.
He continued: “Let me tell you something, we were in Florida, Jacksonville, sold out arena, and they were all chanting ‘F*** Jake Paul.’
“He’s filming it. He’s got his phone out, he’s like, ‘Yeah!’ (Because what he’s hearing is) money. He’s hearing ‘Cha-Ching! Cha-Ching!’
“He’s making so much money, dude. He said it was 1.5 million PPV buys when he knocked out Ben Askren.
“I don’t know if that’s true, Dana White says it’s nonsense, but maybe. He doesn’t – who has the f***ing receipts?
UFC commentator Joe Rogan reckons Jake Paul revelled in the boos he received last monthCredit: YouTube
“If he’s lying, why didn’t he say 2 million, why didn’t he say 3 million? Why’d he say 1.5?
“Maybe he’s telling the truth and if he’s telling the truth, they made a f***ing considerable amount of money.
“That’s bigger by more than double the very legitimate, three title fight UFC card of this past weekend because that apparently got 700,000 buys.
“Granted, these are 700,000 ESPN+ verified, absolute buys. There’s no bulls***.”
Paul recalled his encounter with Cormier during an interview with ESPN, in which he claimed the future UFC Hall of Famer of ‘b****ed out’ of his vow to ‘slap’ him.
“He said ‘If I ever see Jake Paul, I’m going to slap him. I’m going to slap him in the face’, and then he sees me.
“I’m right there, arm’s length and he does nothing. It’s funny, it’s funny to me.
“I saw he said something about like, ‘Oh, I couldn’t have beat him up because I was at work and I would have gotten in trouble’.
“Like, bro, are you about your s**t? Or are you not about your s**t?
“Dana White wouldn’t have done anything if you wanted to lay hands on me.
“You had your chance, and you bitched out, and it’s embarrassing, and you’re an embarrassment, and you’re not a man of your word.”
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Tyson Fury sends Derek Chisora and Joseph Parker good luck message as he trains in Las Vegas for Anthony Joshua fight
by Aurelia Butler 1 May 2021, 10:59
TYSON FURY has urged Derek Chisora and Joseph Parker to put on a show in their heavyweight bout in a good luck message to his close friends.The pair face each other inside the ring at Manchester Arena on Saturday night in what has potential to be a Fight of the Year contender.
Tyson Fury has wished Derek Chisora and Joseph Parker good luck for their fightCredit: Instagram @gypsyking101
Chisora and Parker square off inside the ring at Manchester Arena on Saturday nightCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Del Boy was scheduled to fight the New Zealander in October 2019 only for the 29-year-old to pull out due to a spider bite.
But the duo will finally square off later tonight, with WBC king Fury wishing them good luck ahead of their contest.
Speaking on his Instagram story while out in Las Vegas, the unbeaten Mancunian said: “Hey there this is Tyson Fury AKA the Gypsy King.
“I’d just like to say a massive good luck to Derek Chisora and to Joseph Parker.
“Both of them I consider as friends, close friends. May the best man win tonight, no hard feelings, it’s a boxing match.
“So Derek and Joe, go out there and put on a display for the world watching.
“You both look in fantastic shape, you’ve both had fantastic training camps, so now go out there and show them who you are.
“Let them know what time it is guys and may the best man win. God bless both fighters.”
BETTING SPECIAL: GET CHISORA AT 40/1 OR PARKER AT 25/1
🥊 CHISORA VS PARKER: TV, live stream and start time info ahead of the big fight
Former WBO champion Parker is hoping a win over Chisora could see him compete for world titles again, but the Brit banger is looking to scupper those plans.
Quoted by Bad Left Hook, he said: “Great for him he’s looking to become a world champion, but it doesn’t mean nothing to me.
“I’m just going to pound on him when I see him. What can I do better than Joseph Parker? That’s a good question. Everything.
“The fight is going to be a great fight, we’re going to push on it, train hard and go crazy about it. You know the routine, man: ‘WAR.’
“Expect what I always deliver. Beat the guy and pound on the guy. Destroy that guy. Confidence.
“I put the fear of God in him. I am bringing pain and war.”
Derek Chisora and Joseph Parker face off at pre-fight press conference More
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Derek Chisora vs Joseph Parker LIVE RESULTS: Del Boy’s MUM saves fight following quit threat – latest updates
by Aurelia Butler 1 May 2021, 10:58
DEREK CHISORA faces Joseph Parker in a huge heavyweight clash in Manchester this weekend. But there was chaos at the weigh-in with Del Boy saying he will REFUSE to fight if he has to ring walk first.
However, following a word from his MOTHER, Chisora has decided to go ahead with the bout.
Before the main event on Saturday night there’s a mammoth undercard featuring Katie Taylor vs Natasha Jonas, Chris Eubank Jr and Campbell Hatton.
We’ll be bringing you ALL of the thrills and spills from the Manchester Arena right here!
Fight start time: Saturday, 10pm BST
TV/ live stream: Sky Sports Box Office
Follow all of the latest updates and fight build up below…
TALE OF THE TAPE
Here’s how the two boxers compare tonight.
MUMMY’S BOY
Derek Chisora’s MUM has saved his fight against Joseph Parker.
The bout was thrown into doubt by a dispute over who would walk to the ring first.
Controversially a coin toss was used to decide with Chisora losing and having to go out first but luckily his mother Viola has helped smooth things over.
Chisora’s manager David Haye told Sky Sports News: “It sounds crazy. I didn’t see the fight happening with Derek walking to the ring first.
“But thankfully the voice of reason came in – Viola, Derek’s lovely mother, and she is the only person he actually listens to.
“I spoke to Viola about an hour ago and she said, ‘I told him he’s going to come to the ring first, like he promised, and that’s that. I talked to Derek, and Derek sort of agreed, yes he’s agreed that.
“The fight is 100 per cent on. Derek will be walking to the ring first as he should have done, because he lost the coin toss. We’ve got ourselves a fight.”
Credit: PA
WEIGH TO GO
Elsewhere in the heavyweight world, Andy Ruiz Jr showed off his incredible TWO STONE weight loss.
The Mexican is finally back in the ring against Chris Arreola for the first time since Anthony Joshua outpointed him in 2019 to reclaim his belts.
And he looked slimmer than ever at the LA weigh-in.
Credit: Rex
WATCH WEIGH-IN
Here’s how the heavyweights weighed-in ahead of tonight’s blockbuster.
TOO NICE?
Kiwi fighter Joseph Parker is desperate to shake off his ‘nice guy’ tag and find his nasty streak in the ring against Derek Chisora tonight.
Parker’s trainer Andy Lee, via Sky Sports, said: “Joe is a nice guy but he’s no angel.”
The first man to take Anthony Joshua the distance added: “I am too nice.
“I am nice before and after the fight. But when the bell goes he will get a different Joseph. I respect him but I want to hurt him.”
Credit: /Mark Robinson#3/ Matchroom Boxing
GOOD MORNING FIGHT FANS,
Derek Chisora has threatened to pull out of his clash with Joseph Parker if he’s forced to walk to the ring first.
Del Boy is set to throw down with the former WBO heavyweight champion tomorrow night in Manchester.
But the prospect of walking first to the ring – even though his name appears first on the poster – has got Chisora thinking of packing his bags and leaving the Matchroom bubble.
During his final pre-fight interview with Sky Sports, he said: “We’re having an argument.
“They wanna do a coin flip [for] who comes in the ring first and who comes in the ring second.
“I’m was like, ‘Nah, not doing that.’
“Either I come in second or I go home right now.”
According to boxing reporter Kugan Cassius, Team Chisora are currently packing their bags to leave the bubble.
Chisora’s promoter, former WBA champ David Haye, said: “I was told by a lot of people that I trust that Derek Chisora was unmanageable.
“I was told it will all end in tears. He’s unmanageable. And so far it’s been very, very stressful.
“But I’ve always said he’s listened to 80 per cent of what I’ve asked him to do. Remember, Derek came to me and said, ‘I want you to manage me, tell me what to do and I’ll do it’.
“And he’s done 80 per cent of that up until probably, I dunno couple of months ago and since then he’s kind of doing more stuff that he wants to do on his own.
“This is like I’m saying, ‘Derek, you’ve got a contract, you’ve agreed certain things. But no.”
Yet if the fight does go ahead as planned, Chisora’s trainer Buddy McGirt has lifted the lid on his fighter’s best strategy for beating Parker.
He told the Guardian: “A lot of Derek’s fights have been real wars.
“And one guy you can never beat is Father Time. I know we can’t change Derek’s style – which is rough and rugged – but I can prepare him and look after him.
“Derek’s a real good guy but fighters never want to give up until it’s almost too late.
“I’ve seen enough adversity to know you have to be smart. I’ve told him there is only one way to win.
“He’s gotta turn it into a dogfight. It won’t be pretty but he will try his heart out. I will be there, all the time, watching out for him.”
GOOD BUDDY
Derek Chisora’s trainer Buddy McGirt has lifted the lid on his fighter’s best strategy for beating Joseph Parker.
He told the Guardian: “A lot of Derek’s fights have been real wars.
“And one guy you can never beat is Father Time. I know we can’t change Derek’s style – which is rough and rugged – but I can prepare him and look after him.
“Derek’s a real good guy but fighters never want to give up until it’s almost too late.
“I’ve seen enough adversity to know you have to be smart. I’ve told him there is only one way to win.
“He’s gotta turn it into a dogfight. It won’t be pretty but he will try his heart out. I will be there, all the time, watching out for him.”
END OF WAR
Derek Chisora has discussed what his plans when he eventually hangs up his gloves.
He told the Independent: “When I retire I’m going to have a bonfire in my house.
“Burn all my gloves, everything I won as an amateur. A proper bonfire night and burn everything.
“Sometimes boxing doesn’t look after their own so for me to hold onto boxing as much as others do, I won’t. If I ever retire I will have a big bonfire, put it on my Instagram and delete my account after that.”
PARTY POOPER
Eddie Hearn admitted he ‘s*** himself’ when heavyweight ace Dereck Chisora came at him.
Hearn was speaking on the panel of A League of Their Own when he recalled the hilarious story.
Cricket legend Freddie Flintoff asked him: “Has a boxer ever come at you?”
And Hearn responded: “Chisora’s come out at me a couple of times… I absolutely s*** myself.
“It was after that incident, after I had told him to calm down.”
TALE OF THE TAPE
Here’s a reminder of how the two fighters compare…
KICKING OFF
Derek Chisora has threatened to pull out of his clash with Joseph Parker if he’s forced to walk to the ring first.
Del Boy is set to throw down with the former WBO heavyweight champion tomorrow night in Manchester.
During his final pre-fight interview with Sky Sports, he said: “We’re having an argument.
“They wanna do a coin flip [for] who comes in the ring first and who comes in the ring second.
“I’m was like, ‘Nah, not doing that.’
“Either I come in second or I go home right now.”
WILD POWER
Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury will not fight each other without Deontay Wilder giving them the green light, claimed Derek Chisora.
He told DAZN: “My opinion, I keep telling everyone, you have to understand Deontay Wilder signed a three-fight deal with Tyson.
“Pandemic came, and shut everything down, AJ had his fight with Kubrat Pulev, and the whole hype thing happened with his fight with Fury.
“But don’t forget the three-fight deal with Wilder. It’s not going to happen because he has to fight with Wilder before everything else.
“So Wilder says I’ll stand aside for 80 million. The fight only happens when Tyson Fury fights Deontay Wilder.”
DEL RAISER
Team Chisora are reportedly packing their bags and threatening to leave the bubble unless Derek gets his way and walks second tomorrow.
Del Boy has never been afraid of courting controversy inside and outside the ring.
One of boxing’s more colourful characters, he has divided opinion throughout his career.
From kissing a rival during a weigh-in to dressing up like famed offender Charlie Bronson, CLICK HERE for Chisora’s most controversial moments.
PACKING UP
Team Chisora are reportedly packing their bags and threatening to leave the bubble unless Derek gets his way and walks second.
This is crazy.
spoke to David Haye just now. Team Chisora are packing up his stuff in boxes . Really messed up situation— Kugan Cassius (@KuganCassius) April 30, 2021
DEAD SERIOUS
According to his promoter David Haye, Derek Chisora is serious about leaving the bubble.
He said: I genuinely can’t see the fight happening if Dereck’s told to come in first.
“I know it makes zero sense. He just doesn’t care.”
STACKED CARD
Tomorrow night’s card promised to be a cracker with the likes of Derek Chisora, Dmitry Bivol, Katie Taylor and Chris Eubank Jr on deck.
DEL BOY FUMES
Derek Chisora certainly isn’t messing about when it comes to the ring walks.
KICKING OFF
Derek Chisora has lost his rag at he prospect of walking to the ring first tomorrow.
Dereck Chisora has just walked out of his interview immediately after the Joseph Parker weigh-in: “We’re having an argument, they wanna do a coin flip [for] who comes in the ring first/second. Nah, not doing that. Either I come in second or I go home right now.” [@SkySports]— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) April 30, 2021
CHISORA VS PARKER WEIGH-IN RESULTS IN FULL
Derek Chisora vs Joseph Parker – Chisora: 250.8lbs – Parker: 241.2lbs
Katie Taylor vs Natasha Jonas (Undisputed lightweight title fight) – Taylor: 134.8lbs – Jonas: 134.7lbs
Campbell Hatton vs Levi Dunn – Hatton 135.9lbs – Dunn: 134.5lbs
Chris Eubank Jr vs Marcus Morrison – Eubankr Jr: 161.9lbs Morrison: 161.8lbs
Dmitry Bivol vs Craig Richards (WBA Super light-heavyweight title fight) – Bivol: 174.2lbs – Richards 174.6lbs
Johnny Fisher vs Phil Williams – Fisher: 245.4lbs – Williams: 268.7lbs
James Tennyson v Jovanni Straffon – Tennyson: 134.7lbs – Straffon: 133.2lbs
Scott Fitzgerald v Gregory Trenel – Fitzgerald: 169.4lbs – Terenel 166.2lbs
FINAL FACE-OFF
No shenanigans between Derek Chisora and Jospeh Parker as they face off for the final time ahead of their heavyweight tussle this weekend.
Chisora donned his usual Union Jack flag across his face as he stared deep into the eyes of the former WBO heavyweight champ.
CHANGE FOR CHISORA
Derek Chisora is the lightest he’s been since his 2018 rematch with Dillian Whyte, in which he weighed in at 246.2lbs.
CHISORA CHECKS IN
Former world title challenger Derek Chisora weighs in at 250.8lbs
PARKER UP FIRST
Former WBO heavyweight king Jospeh Parker comes in at 241.2lbs.
HERE WE GO!
Derek Chisora and Joseph Parker are set to take to the scales.
TAYLOR VS JONAS OFFICIAL
Katie Taylor and Natasha Jonas have successfully weighed in for their undisputed lightweight title fight.
Defending champ Taylor weighed in at 134.8lbs, while Olympian Jonas came in an ounce lighter at 134.7lbs.
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Is Andy Ruiz Jr vs Chris Arreola on TV? Channel, UK start time, live stream & undercard for TONIGHT’S heavyweight fight
by Aurelia Butler 1 May 2021, 10:36
ANDY RUIZ JR is back in action THIS WEEKEND as he fights fellow Mexican-American Chris Arreola in what should be an exciting heavyweight clash. Ruiz Jr hasn’t been in the ring since his world title defeat to Anthony Joshua in December 2019, after changing his life six months before by shocking the world to win the belts.
Andy Ruiz Jr shocked the world to win the world heavyweight titles from Anthony JoshuaCredit: Reuters
How Andy Ruiz Jr and Chris Arreola compare ahead of their bout
The 31-year-old has since split with trainer Manny Robles, joined up with Canelo Alvarez’s coach Eddy Reyonoso, and he’s looking in better shape than ever.
When is Andy Ruiz vs Chris Arreola?
Ruiz Jr’s return to the ring against Arreola will be on Saturday, May 1 – TONIGHT.
The fight will take place at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.
The ring walk is set to take place at around 5am on Sunday UK time – 9pm local time.
There will be a limited number of fans in attendance because of coronavirus restrictions.
Check any upcoming fight in SunSport’s boxing schedule and events guide.
What TV channel is Ruiz Jr vs Arreola on and can it be live streamed?
Andy Ruiz Jr vs Chris Arreola will be shown live in the UK on Premier Sports.
To stream the fight live, head to the Premier Player.
A subscription to Premier Sports costs £10.99/month and will also give you access to LaLiga TV and BoxNation.
Premier Sports begin their coverage at 2am BST.
In the U.S., the fight will be shown live on Fox Sports pay-per-view for the price of $49.95.
Andy Ruiz Jr vs Chris Arreola FULL CARD
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What have they said?
“I can’t wait to get back in the ring on May 1,” said Ruiz.
“Training with coach Eddy in his gym has been amazing. I’m around great fighters like Canelo Alvarez and we’re putting in the work so that I can look better than ever.
“I have known Chris Arreola since I turned professional. He’s a Mexican warrior just like me, and I expect him to come at me with everything he’s got.”
Arreola added: “We’re doing everything that we can so that when Ruiz and I face each other, fight fans will get treated to an all-out war between the two best Mexican-American heavyweights to ever step in the ring.
“This matchup should be a fan friendly fight, and I plan on winning behind all of my hard work.” More
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Derek Chisora vs Joseph Parker: UK start time, undercard, live stream and TV channel for TONIGHT’S heavyweight fight
by Aurelia Butler 1 May 2021, 09:32
HEAVYWEIGHT boxing is back in the UK as big guns Derek Chisora vs Joseph Parker go head-to-head.This long-awaited clash was set to take place in 2019, but Parker was forced to pull out after being bitten by a SPIDER.
Chisora vs Parker LIVE – Follow all the action on our blog
Derek Chisora is looking to overcome his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in OctoberCredit: Getty
Joseph Parker beat Junior Fa in February back in his native New Zealand to win the WBO Oriental heavyweight titleCredit: Getty
Meanwhile, Chisora is still smarting from his loss to Oleksandr Usyk in October.
What time does Chisora vs Parker start?
Chisora vs Parker will be held on Saturday, May 1 – TONIGHT.
Manchester Arena – with no fans in attendance – hosts the event.
The fighters are expected to take to the ring at around 10pm UK time – a 9am start on Sunday in New Zealand.
What TV channel is Chisora vs Parker on and can I live stream it?
The event will be on Sky Sports Box Office.
This means customers will have to pay for the relevant TV channel (Sky channel 491) and Sky Sports Box Office HD (492).
Stream the event on Sky Sports Box Office’s online streaming service.
The fight is priced at £19.95 for UK customers.
How the two fighters stack up ahead of their boxing match
Who is on the undercard of Chisora vs Parker?
How Chris Eubank Jr and Marcus Morrison stack up ahead of their undercard bout
What have they said?
Chisora said: “If I had boxed for the title he won in New Zealand, I would have won it as well.
“There’s not much really happening in New Zealand.
“If that fight was on a different continent he’d have lost it because when Ruiz was bringing the heat on and pushing the fight… it went Joe’s way because it was his show.
“But really and truly I’ve got respect for Joe and I don’t have anything bad to say about Joe because he hasn’t done anything bad in the sport.
“He has been given fights and he has fought those fights.” More
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Meet Floyd Cummings: The hardest puncher Bruno faced who drew with Joe Frazier and was in prison for murder
by Aurelia Butler 1 May 2021, 09:20
FRANK BRUNO and Mike Tyson’s recent documentary reminded the world of a fearsome old fighter who survived a murder sentence, ten rounds with an all-time legend and 22 professional fights.Floyd Jumbo Cummings – despite the affable nickname – is the man Bruno insists hit harder than the Baddest Man on the Planet, Bone Crusher Smith, Terrible Tim Witherspoon and Lennox Lewis.
Floyd Jumbo Cummings was one of the hardest-hitting boxers who spent time in prison for murderCredit: Getty
Frank Bruno described Cummings as the hardest-hitting opponent he ever facedCredit: PA
Unlike those other heavy handed heavyweights, Cummings didn’t even beat Britain’s former WBC world champion.
Bruno retired Cummings with a 1983 KO but only after the American – who only turned pro aged 29 after serving 12 years for a teenage slaying – almost stunned him with a first-round right hand.
Bruno recalled to Sky: “Jumbo Cummings was the hardest one because he caught me round the temple and I didn’t know if I was flying on concorde or second class on a train.”
Right on the bell to end the opener, Cummings landed and Bruno’s body went into spasm, hands dropping to his waist and legs stiffening into a stumble of a dance.
Cummings had only won one of his previous sevens fights but looked to have beaten the UK’s hottest prospect until he managed to rally and win in the seventh.
After an impressive start to his late-starting career, with 14 consecutive wins, he ex-con was fed to a hungry line of prospects and a bonafide GOAT.
Renaldo Snipes was the 19-0 sensation who Cummings took the distance.
Then heavyweight icon Joe Frazier – well past his legendary prime – was retired by a Jumbo draw that most spectators viewed as robbery to help the Thriller in Manilla king save face.
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The end to Cummings’ four-year career came at the magnificent Royal Albert Hall when the 33-year-old was still on parole for his crime 16 years earlier.
A site that could not have been any further removed from the 4,134 capacity venue for Cummings’ far more brutal amateur start in the hurt business at the Stateville Correctional Centre in Illinois.
Aged just 17, Cummings was sentenced to 50-75 years for murder following an incident as part of a group of youths in Chicago.
At 6ft 2in and 17st – a pretty monstrous size for that era – he picked up a pair of battered prison gloves and never stopped punching.
The novice would face rivals bussed into one of America’s most notorious prisons or be ferried out to fight in public arenas, held in chains like an animal.
Cummings won the Illinois AAU heavyweight championship as an amateur but, in 1976, the US Olympic Committee denied him a place on the team because of his address.
After serving 12 years, Cummings was released and kicked off a brilliant start to his career until Snipes proved too much for him but he bounced back with a tune-up win before taking on the icon.
Frazier, then 38, had been retired five years losing to Muhammad Ali and George Foreman inside eight months.
Bruno retired Cummings with a 1983 KO but only after the American spent 12 years in jailCredit: PA
Cummings was denied a potentially life-changing win over Frazier by the score cardsCredit: Getty
Sadly he was tempted back out as TV money had boosted purses in his well-earned absence.
Cummings avoided almost all of Frazier’s trademark left hooks and staggered the fearless veteran with a third-round uppercut.
By the eighth, Frazier was bleeding from the mouth while his left eye had swelled shut.
The only sadder sight than the magnificent Smokin Joe fizzling out was the score cards that denied Cummings a potentially life-changing win.
Four defeats followed, only one inside the distance, before Jumbo was jetted into London to make England’s latest heavyweight hope look good to the big-bucks American audience.
Bruno had vanquished 18 men before him and was being geared toward a world title that it would eventually take him 12 more years and four losses to land.
Without a single fan supporting him, Cummings swallowed some stiff shots, pawing away with his left hand until the final nanosecond of the first when he detonated a right hand on the left side of Bruno’s face.
Jumbo was jetted into London to make Bruno look good to the big-bucks American audienceCredit: PA
No boxer hit quite as hard as Cummings according to BrunoCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
The Wandsworth giant stiffened like a lamppost bang on the chime and was carried back to his corner where he was doused in ice cold water that saved his young career and allowed him to get his revenge in the seventh.
That was the last time Cummings could be seen on the sports pages of the newspapers but sadly infamy did not abandon him.
In 1986, Cummings was convicted of armed robbery, his second felony conviction.
And, in 2002 aged 52, he scored a tragic hat-trick.
With a baseball-bat wielding colleague, Cummings robbed a Subway sandwich shop for little more than £200.
The former contender blamed his desperate crime on drug addiction but under Illinois’ three-strikes law he was sentenced to life in prison where it looked like he would die.
But in August 2016 – around the age of 66 – he was released to live out the rest of his rollercoaster life, hopefully in peace.
Eddie Hearn is leaving Sky Sports to take his boxing stable to streaming app DAZN in a massive nine-figure deal More
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Andy Ruiz Jr shows off stunning body transformation at Chris Arreola weigh-in after shedding TWO STONE since Joshua loss
by Aurelia Butler 1 May 2021, 06:58
ANDY RUIZ JR makes his long-awaited return to the ring on Saturday night after dropping TWO STONE.At the weigh-in for his encounter with Chris Arreola, the 31-year-old had noticeably slimmed down from the portly figure that faced Anthony Joshua.
Andy Ruiz Jr showed off his new slimmed-down figure at Friday’s weigh-inCredit: Rex
Ruiz Jr and Arreola weighed in for their Saturday showdownCredit: Rex
The Mexican-American shot to worldwide fame after downing the Brit in June 2019 at 268 lbs before ballooning to 284 lb for the December rematch.
Many fans felt he was in nothing like good enough shape to defend his world titles and he later agreed, making big changes to his fight routine.
Ruiz Jr has upped his training regime and undertaken a strict diet to ensure he can return to heavyweight supremacy.
And Friday’s weigh-in saw him come in at 256 lbs, a two-stone drop since his last fight.
Underdog Arreola, 40, has also slimmed down for the bout and weighed in at a career-low 228.5 lbs.
The fight takes place in Carson, California in the early hours of Sunday morning, UK time.
The former world champ has lost two stone since his failed title defence in 2019Credit: Marc Aspland- The Times
Deontay Wilder is a potential opponent for the victor as he too makes his way back from losing his world title belt.
Ruiz Jr has spoken openly about his change in approach and attitude – describing himself as reborn ahead of the fight.
He told USA Today: “I feel like the old Andy died and this is the new Andy.
“I feel like this is my pro debut. It means a lot because I know inside that I’m doing the right things and progressing, going to the gym and training hard.
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“It means a lot to me and hopefully the fans can see and say, ‘Andy could be more dangerous than he was before because he is more dedicated and more disciplined’.
“I started doing the stuff I shouldn’t be doing, and wasn’t training like I should be training and that’s why I was overweight and wasn’t disciplined and wasn’t focused on the right things.
“There was one day that I was so tired and sick of the way I was living.
“It was just like a spaghetti bowl, going in circles and circles, and I got tired of that life so I started telling God that if he could forgive me and give me another chance to redeem myself.”
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