Boxing

TEENAGE boxer Rashed Al-Swaisat has passed away aged 19.The Jordanian collapsed in the ring during his Youth World Championship bout with Anton Winogradow in Poland earlier this month.
Boxer Rashed Al-Swaisat, 19, has died 10 days after undergoing brain surgery following a fightCredit: PA
Al-Swaisat was immediately taken to hospital where he underwent emergency brain surgery.
But he has now tragically passed away 10 days later.
Reports claim Al-Swaisat had lost the first two rounds of his fight with Winogradow.
He collapsed during the third, and it’s unknown if the injury occurred as a result of the fight or was pre-existing.
Tributes poured in following the news, with the AIBA releasing a statement.
It read: “It is with deep sadness that we learned of the passing of Rashed Al-Swaisat of Jordan, who had been admitted to hospital on April 16 further to his fight during the AIBA YWCHs.
“Our thoughts are with his family, friends and teammates, to whom we offer our sincere condolences.”
The Jordan Olympic Committee said: “The Committe expresses its deep sadness and deep pain over the death of the national boxing team player for the youth category, Rashid Al-Swaisat, who moved to the mercy of God Almighty on Monday evening as a result of an injury he suffered during his fight on Friday April 16 in the World Youth Championships.”
It is with deep sadness that we learned of the passing of Rashed Al-Swaisat of Jordan, who had been admitted to hospital on April 16 further to his fight during the AIBA YWCHs. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and teammates, to whom we offer our sincere condolences. pic.twitter.com/UGKVupJT4e— AIBA (@AIBA_Boxing) April 27, 2021

Dutch Boxing Federation president Boris van der Vorst also said: “Today is a sad day for the entire world boxing community, as we acknowledge the untimely passing of a young man, Rashed Al-Swaisat, who was a member of the Jordanian National Boxing Team.
“My sympathies and prayers are with Rashed’s family and friends. May his soul rest in peace.”
Meanwhile, Polish police revealed they were investigating, saying: “Police officers are planning interrogations, and the prosecutor’s office is also to deal with the case.
“The collected materials will be sent to the prosecutor’s office in order to possibly take further action.”
Conor Benn slams critics he has dealt with ‘my whole career who never thought I’d make it past English title level’ More

TYSON FURY could fight Deontay Wilder as promoter Bob Arum revealed he is ‘pessimistic’ about the unification with Anthony Joshua. Fury and Joshua signed for a proposed undisputed title decider in March with their opposing camps left to negotiate a date and venue.
Tyson Fury’s promoter has cast doubt on the unification with Anthony JoshuaCredit: Instagram / @gypsyking101
Anthony Joshua is still in talks to fight Tyson Fury
Deontay Wilder pictured in training with Malik ScottCredit: Instagram / @bronzebomber
AJ’s backer Eddie Hearn has said both fighters have agreed on a site, with three potential days to choose from.
But veteran matchmaker Arum has now claimed Hearn is not responding with details on the offers.
And it could lead to Fury facing Wilder in a trilogy bout and Joshua fighting WBO mandatory Oleksandr Usyk.
Arum told BoxingScene: “Maybe we’ll breathe some life into Wilder, and Fury will fight Wilder and Joshua will fight Usyk.
“Eddie Hearn is busy trying to sell the London Bridge.
“Let me tell you – last time I talked to Eddie was early last week and he said he was going to have a signed agreement from the Saudis in 24 hours.
“Well, he’s a little late. Wouldn’t you be pessimistic if you haven’t heard from him or anybody for a week?
“We’re the promoter with Frank (Warren) of Fury and we haven’t heard from Eddie in a week.”

CASINO SIGN UP OFFER: CLAIM UP TO £800 IN CASINO BONUS CASH

Hearn has maintained contracts are being exchanged with camps recently going through a fourth draft.
But Arum has said the deal is not binding, preventing the fight from being made official.
He explained: “We got a document and they said it wasn’t binding. We said it has to be binding and we haven’t heard back from them.
“It says in (the paperwork) it this is not a binding agreement.
“Eddie sent me the draft but it was not a binding agreement and it was supposed to be turned into a binding agreement in 24 hours and Frank and I haven’t spoken to Eddie since.
“He’s gone radio silent.”
Joshua, 31, and Fury, 32, are believed to have given the green-light for a Battle of Britain in Saudi Arabia, worth £54million each.
Promoter Eddie Hearn with Anthony JoshuaCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Promoter Bob Arum pictured with Tyson FuryCredit: Getty Images – Getty
But this is all while Wilder, 35, disputes his right to a third fight with the Gypsy King.
He was dethroned of the WBC belt in February 2020 and an immediate rematch was included in the contract.
But it was argued the stipulation expired in October, allowing for Fury to move on and enter talks to fight AJ.
Wilder has since taken the case to court with an arbitration period still ongoing.
Arum said: “The arbitration is going on but it’s just a waste of time and money.”
Wilder has returned to training, recently pictured with Malik Scott, but Fury has already revealed his distain towards the American.
It followed after the Bronze Bomber accused Fury of cheating with several baseless theories, including loading his gloves with weights.
Deontay Wilder was beaten by Tyson Fury in February 2020Credit: Getty
The Gypsy King has put his faith his legal team to resolve his dispute with Wilder and blasted his dishonourable former opponent.
Fury told Behind The Gloves, Fury said: “There is still stuff going on behind the scenes that I cannot talk about.
“I don’t know what’s going on, I pay lawyers millions of dollars to sort s*** out but I am sure they will.
“Everything he said, it was hurtful and resentful, it was not something I would ever say without evidence.
“It was disrespectful and as a former champion and warrior he has let himself down.
“He has made a million excuses and then accused me of cheating which would have belittled my victory over him.
“If I had said any of this, there would have been a big problem but to me it is all sticks and stones.”
Tyson Fury says Deontay Wilder ‘let his family name down’ with ‘hurtful’ cheat claims More

TYSON FURY has labelled Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn as a ‘w*****’ after claiming he is favouring Saul Alvarez over Billy Joe Saunders.Despite Hearn handling the affairs of the WBO super-middleweight champion, the Gypsy King believes no attention has been given to his close friend.
Tyson Fury hit out at Eddie Hearn as he accused him of favouring Saul Alvarez over Billy Joe SaundersCredit: Instagram / @gypsyking101
Saunders is scheduled to face the WBA and WBC champ on May 8 at the AT&T Stadium in what has he potential to be the Fight of the Year.
The unbeaten Brit has been training out in Las Vegas with Fury for the unification contest where he appears to be in the shape of his life.
And WBC heavyweight king Fury has been left outraged at how the two-weight world champion has been treated in the build-up.
He took to his Instagram story where he launched into a X-rated tirade on Hearn, where he also insisted that Frank Warren is worth ten of him.
Fury said: “I think Matchroom Boxing and Eddie Hearn are absolute w******.
“They’re up Canelo Alvarez’s ring piece a million miles. Look on the f****** web page, all Canelo, Canelo, Canelo.
“Do you promote Billy Joe or what you little w****** p****?”
Saunders then interjected, as he quipped: “You’re a lying b****** Eddie.”
BETTING SPECIAL – GET £60 IN FREE BETS FOR PUNCHESTOWN
Fury labelled Hearn as a ‘w*****’ in a foul-mouthed rant on his Instagram storyCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

How Canelo and Saunders compare ahead of their bout
🥊 CANELO VS SAUNDERS: TV, live stream and start time info ahead of the big fight
Before Fury added: “Frank Warren is worth ten of you Eddie, you little sausage.
“He knows how to promote fighters, that’s why he is a Hall of Fame promoter.”
Fury – who is looking in incredible shape for his undisputed match-up against Anthony Joshua – is confident Saunders will inflict a first defeat on Canelo since his loss to Floyd Mayweather in 2013.
He remarked: “I think Billy Joe gives him a boxing lesson. That’s what I’m here to see and that’s what I think will happen.
“I think everyone raves on about Canelo and how good he is and how he’s such a great guy.
“But I just think every time Billy Joe steps into the pressure cooker he delivers, much like myself.”
Eddie Hearn says Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury site deal contract on fourth draft and ready to be delivered More

CONOR BENN has hit back at his critics and opened up on those who doubted he could even make it past English title level. The son of British boxing legend Nigel is now 18-0 and coming off a career-best win by blasting out experienced campaigner Samuel Vargas in 80 seconds.
Conor Benn hit back at his criticsCredit: Dave Thompson Matchroom Boxing
Afterwards, the welterweight called out former champions Amir Khan, 34, Shawn Porter, 33, and Adrien Broner, 31, in an intense post-fight interview.
And Benn revealed his attitude is driven by proving wrong the ones who constantly put questions marks on his career.
He told iFL TV: “You’ve got to remember for my whole career it was, ‘You’re not even gonna make it past English level, you’re not gonna get past Southern Area, you’re not going to do this, you’re living off your dad’s name.’
“So it’s like, ‘Yeah, well what now? What to you lot?’ So you sort of get your back up, I sort of get really… as a young kid, at 19 I had to constantly see that.
“You know, ‘You’re living off your dad’s name. You wouldn’t make it. You’re a small hall fighter’ and all that.
“You hear all these things constantly, constantly. And you say it don’t affect you, it does come to you in different ways.”
Benn, 24, is looking to return by July with a possible trip Stateside, where he will also spend time training.
And he has plotted a path to an interim world title before the end of the year, with the WBA’s currently vacant.

CASINO SIGN UP OFFER: CLAIM UP TO £800 IN CASINO BONUS CASH

Benn said: “We’ll have one more fight and then look at interims and look at what opportunities there are at the end of the year.
“But my next fight will put me high up in the rankings, that’s for sure.”
Benn, like throughout the majority of his career, has received several callouts from domestic challengers.
But he warned Josh Kelly – recently beaten by European champ David Avanesyan – is the only name on these shores he would have considered fighting.
Benn explained: “The only British fighter that made sense for me was the Kelly fight.
“I don’t think there is anyone else in the UK that is better than me in Britain, and I believe that.
Samuel Vargas was knocked out by Conor BennCredit: The Sun
“Based on who I’ve been sparring, based on who I’ve been mixing it with, and based on who I’ve been giving a feeling to in sparring with 18-ounce gloves.
“So, I know I’m the best fighter in Britain, and the rankings show that.
“People can say what they want, but the rankings don’t lie; the numbers don’t lie. I do heavyweight numbers on Sky; the numbers don’t lie.
“There’s never a dull Conor Benn fight; I’m No1 in the rankings and No2 in Europe.
“So people can say what they want. You don’t get these rankings in the governing bodies for nothing.”
Conor Benn wants Amir Khan fight after destroying Samuel Vargas More

EDDIE HEARN said Jake Paul ‘comes across as an absolute b***end’ but is just ‘on the wind up’. Hearn promoted Paul’s first professional fight, a one-round stoppage against YouTube rival ‘AnEsonGib’.
Eddie Hearn said Jake Paul ‘comes across as an absolute b***end’ but is just ‘on the wind up’Credit: PA
YouTuber Jake Paul is 3-0 in his boxing careerCredit: Getty
Since then, the American internet sensation has gone on to knock out ex-NBA star Nate Robinson and retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, both 36.
Paul has divided opinions in his boxing career, having called out the likes of Conor McGregor, 32, and mocked Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez, 30.
But Hearn revealed the social media celebrity’s persona is all part of an act to drive interest at the expense of his doubters.
He said: “Thoughts on Jake Paul? Listen, I promoted a Jake Paul fight, I think he’s creating a lot of noise.
“I think the one thing I’ll say about Jake Paul is, he comes across as an absolute b***end, but he’s actually not.
“He’s alright, I’ve always found him alright. But he’s just on the wind up, basically. And everybody’s biting.”
Paul, 24, has since boxed on Triller’s pay-per-view platform and he claimed his win over Askren pulled in 1.5m box office buys.
The likes of McGregor, Nate Diaz, 36, and Daniel Cormier, 42, are now on his radar.
Jake Paul entered elite company
CASINO SIGN UP OFFER: CLAIM UP TO £800 IN CASINO BONUS CASH

Paul told ESPN:  “I want to be undefeated and want to beat good guys.
“I want Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor, those are the guys I want to go up against.”
On Cormier, he said: “I’m down 100 per cent. I just don’t think he’ll do it.
“He is retired, and he has no room to talk. I’ll fight Daniel, that’ll be massive and I think I would win.”
Jake Paul says he is training with ALLIGATORS for Tommy Fury bout and wants to fight THREE UFC stars including McGregor More

TYSON FURY showed off his lean physique in Las Vegas as he plots a path to beat Anthony Joshua. The WBC champion is training out in America with head coach Javan ‘Sugarhill’ Steward.
Head coach Javan ‘Sugarhill’ Steward with Tyson Fury
Tyson Fury training with Josh Taylor
But he has also linked up with Josh Taylor, who fights Jose Ramirez next month in a super-lightweight undisputed title decider.
And Fury is spending time with close friend Billy Joe Saunders, ahead of his May 8 super-middleweight unification with Canelo Alvarez.
The Gypsy King will be in full support for his old pal Saunders and will watch ringside his attempt to dethrone boxing’s No1 star.
Fury captioned a picture of them together: “Strategically planning the downfall of the boxing world in the middleweights and the heavyweight division.”

Joshua, 31, and Fury, 32, signed to fight in March but promoters were left to finalise a date and venue.
Saudi Arabia, where AJ beat Andy Ruiz Jr in a December 2019 rematch, are the frontrunners to host the Battle of Britain.
And they have been given three dates, all by the end of July or early August, as Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn provided an update on the negotiations.
Hearn told Sky Sports: “Time is of the essence. Literally, we are in the second or third round of the final site long-form agreement.

CASINO SIGN UP OFFER: CLAIM UP TO £800 IN CASINO BONUS CASH

“Hopefully, this week, we can be in a position where it is all done.
“It’s never done until the ink is dry, but there are no obstacles to overcome, except to finalise the paperwork and get it announced.
“I’ve not seen a fight fall through at this stage before. We’re on the verge now. But we still have to finish the job, and that’s the plan for this week.
“There is no Plan B. I’m a guy who loves to have a Plan B. But all our eggs are in this basket.”
Eddie Hearn says Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury site deal contract on fourth draft and ready to be delivered More