Boxing

ANTHONY JOSHUA and Tyson Fury are set to fight it out to decide the heavyweight division’s No1. The superstars have signed a two-fight deal to hopefully promise a divisional ruler.
Anthony Joshua has signed to fight Tyson Fury
But behind the pair, the trailing pack is a little bit disorderly, with contenders and former champions vying for their shot at the titles.
Here SunSport ranks the five heavyweights outside of Joshua, 31, and Fury, 32.
Deontay Wilder
Wilder was part of the trio of kings alongside AJ and the Gypsy King, until he was dethroned of the WBC title in February.
After drawing to the American in 2018, Fury switched up his tactics and dominated the rematch, with two knockdowns before winning in round seven.
Wilder, 35, was contracted to a trilogy, but the stipulation expired in October, leaving him fighting the missed opportunity in court.
The Bronze Bomber looks no closer to making his return, but when he does, he will be right back into the upper echelon of the division.
Despite his loss to Fury, and fortune to escape with a draw in the first fight, Wilder has hardly put a foot wrong, and deserves to be the No1 outside of the belt holders.
Deontay Wilder is yet to return since defeat to Tyson FuryCredit: EPA

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Dillian Whyte
After Whyte, 32, was KOd by Alexander Povetkin, 41, in August, it left his career hanging in the balance.
But after he returned the favour in the rematch, it puts him likely to be called as Fury’s mandatory again.
He’s only lost to Povetkin and Joshua – both world and Olympic champions – and his record stands out against other rivals.
His wins over Povetkin, Joseph Parker, Oscar Rivas, Derek Chisora and other fringe contenders demands respect.
Opinions are divided on whether Whyte is good enough to become world champion, but it cannot be argued he has not earned his right to challenge.
Dillian Whyte knocked out Alexander PovetkinCredit: Dave Thompson Matchroom Boxing
Andy Ruiz Jr
Before Ruiz, 31, stepped in for drug cheat Jarrell Miller in 2019 to fight Joshua, he was an unheralded and overweight outsider.
But his fast hands, deceptive boxing brain and heavy hands which stunned AJ put the world on notice.
Unfortunately, his lack of commitment to keeping the titles left him beaten in the rematch six months later.
But he’s relocated to Canelo Alvarez’s adopted US home of San Diego to train with him and coach Eddy Reynoso and looks in fine form.
Ruiz’s amateur pedigree, speed, ability and win over Joshua makes him a real player in the division ahead of his comeback fight against Chris Arreola.
Andy Ruiz Jr is on the comeback trail after losing to Anthony Joshua
Oleksandr Usyk
The Ukrainian became a heavyweight off the back of a faultless run at cruiserweight, where he reigned as undisputed champion.
But in his first two fights in the blue ribband division, against Chazz Witherspoon and Chisora, Usyk has looked less invincible.
Still, his masterful southpaw style and unbeaten record makes it hard to count him out among the elite.
Until proven otherwise, the 2012 Olympic gold medalist, 34, deserves to be in the top five conversation.
But time will tell whether his silky skills will make up for his lack of size and possible power deficit.
Oleksandr Usyk was undisputed champion at cruiserweightCredit: PA:Press Association
Joe Joyce
Joyce, 35, has been rushed into the big time since turning pro in 2017 after winning silver in the Olympics the year before.
After only 12 fights, and 11 KOs, he has wins over Bermane Stiverne, Bryant Jennings and Daniel Dubois.
That time of resume, against ex-champions, title challengers, and rising prospects make Joyce hard to deny.
Many would argue Luis Ortiz, Michael Hunter, Povetkin and Parker are all ahead of the Brit.
But momentum, and noticeable wins often count for more and Joyce is on a better run that all of the aforementioned, and set to face Usyk for the WBO ‘interim’ strap.
Unbeaten heavyweight Joe Joyce is 12-0 with 11 KOsCredit: The Sun
Dillian Whyte admits he would love to smash Deontay Wilder’s face in More

FORMER boxing champion Alex Arthur has announced he is to stand as an MSP for the forthcoming Scottish election in Alex Salmond’s newly formed Alba Party.However, he was quickly hit with a backlash over controversial tweets mocking Romanian beggars and an AIDS survivor.
Alex Arthur won Commonwealth gold for ScotlandCredit: Keith Campbell – The Sun Glasgow
Former boxing champ has announced he’ll stand to be an MSPCredit: PA
He’s also attracted heat over comments on social media about not wanting a Covid-19 vaccine.
Arthur won a gold medal for Scotland at the 1998 Commonwealth games and was crowned WBO super featherweight world champion in 2008.
Now the boxer has thrown his hat into the ring of politics, as the latest MSP to stand as a candidate for Salmond’s pro-independence party, and will be standing on the regional list in Lothian.
Mr Arthur said: “I have had the rare privilege of winning a gold medal for Scotland before reaching the top of the world in my professional career.
“I backed the Yes campaign in 2014 and I am joining the Alba Party as a candidate to help deliver a Super Majority for independence in the Scottish Parliament.”
CONTROVERSIAL TWEETS
Since the announcement, posts on Twitter from Arthur have surfaced showing him airing controversial views.
In one post he appeared to ridicule Romanian street beggars and compared them to “over fed pigs”.
The post from January last year read: “Them Romanian beggars in Edinburgh ain’t hungry!! Just drove past them all ready to switch up begging posts and ALL em fat as big juicy over fed pigs.”
Earlier Arthur tried to back up his beggar comments, posting: “I actually have Romanian friends, some here some in Romania. And they have warned me about certain beggars in certain areas and how they rotate.”
In another tweet from February 26 this year, he appeared to play down vaccines and said “I just don’t believe I need it.”
He wrote: “I’d rather not take an injection for something my perfectly good immune system can fight of quite easily. I was happy my parents & grandparents got it. I just don’t believe I need it.”

One person, whose bio said they were an AIDS and Covid survivor, called out Mr Arthur’s anti-vaxxer stance.
They said: “It’s people like you that’s the main reason the virus is spreading. Would you be able to justify your opinion to someone who’s having life threatening treatment delayed because of covid?”
Replying, Arthur appeared to mock the AIDS survivor, saying: “There is not solid evidence that the vaccine stops you spreading the virus. Although condoms prevent you spreading viruses, maybe you should have thought of that. Don’t throw stones wee man.”
APOLOGY
In a statement, Arthur apologised “for any offence” and said it is his “fault for the wording”, but claimed his beggar comments had been “misinterpreted”
He also said he is “not in anyway a racist” and vowed to work to help tackle homelessness.
He said: “I am a working class boxer who shoots from the hip. I don’t have spin doctors. But I want to clarify some points, and apologise for any offence that could have been avoided if I’d thought more about my words.
“We were told that there was no evidence that the vaccine stops transmission, and as a young and healthy man I am not in any of the risk groups. Since then it’s become clear that vaccinations are working, and are the way we will get out of this pandemic and all of the destructions it’s causing.
“Any comments about beggars that now look inappropriate are being misinterpreted, but that is my fault for the wording. I am not in anyway racist as anyone who knows me will confirm. I have an issue with genuine homelessness whoever it is, and will work to help tackle that. I have seen first hand the damage that poverty causes.
“I apologise for any unintended offence, but do not want it to distract from my central cause which is all of the people who live in Scotland. I can add a lot of real life experience that professional politicians don’t have, and we can’t leave things to people who have never put a foot wrong.
“I will make no further comment on this, much as people want to cause me trouble for their own purposes. Now that I am trying to be a politician, I will not hold my tongue, but I will mind it.”
Alba has been approached for comment by the Sun.

In his statement announcing he was standing, Arthur continued: “Standing on the podium in front of a Scottish Saltire was one of the proudest moments of my life. If a super featherweight world champion can help deliver a super majority, I can’t sit on the side lines.
“As part of a super majority of MSPs delivering Scottish independence, I will bring to the parliament a focus on sport in our working-class communities to ensure that in the recovery from the coronavirus no young person is left behind.
“It is so important that we inspire the nation as we recover from the Covid pandemic, and put health and wellbeing at the centre of all our communities. I know what’s possible with hard work and inspiration.
“There is massive talent all over Scotland and I will dedicate myself to making sure that talent has the support needed, to inspire our recovery and to maximise their potential. There are champions everywhere.” More

ANTHONY JOSHUA and Floyd Mayweather have formed a friendship in recent years – which could now see them working alongside each other. Mayweather first reached out to AJ in 2016 when the heavyweight was in Rio for the Olympics, but their schedules did not line up.
Anthony Joshua and Floyd Mayweather pictured togetherCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Floyd Mayweather welcomed Anthony Joshua to Las Vegas in 2017Credit: Instagram / @anthonyjoshua
The following year, they met at a meet and greet event for fans, and struck a bond.
When Joshua beat Wladimir Klitschko in April 2017, the pair were set to rematch in Las Vegas.
So AJ took a break out in Sin City, and after Mayweather found out, he hosted the British superstar and gave him behind the scenes access as he prepared to fight UFC star Conor McGregor.
VEGAG RENDEZVOUS
Joshua’s camp manager David Ghansa told the Daily Mail: “It was a holiday but we were also out there looking for training bases.
“While we were out there we got a message from Mayweather asking what hotel we were staying at.
“We told him and all of a sudden, maybe an hour after, he was in the underground car park with all his mates and loads of Rolls Royces.
“The hotel desk called our room and said Floyd is waiting for you in the car park.
“It was crazy. From that point on he basically hosted us for the rest of our time there.
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“We went to nightclubs with him and he even closed off his gym so we could watch him spar.
“He was preparing to fight Conor McGregor at the time and it was just an unbelievable experience.”
RINGSIDE SEAT
Joshua’s rematch with Klitschko never materialised, and Mayweather beat McGregor in ten rounds, retiring afterwards.
The two had not seen each other since then, until this December when AJ beat Kubrat Pulev at Wembley Arena.
Mayweather, 44, was a surprise guest ringside after calling at the last minute.
Ghansa recalled: “On the day of the Pulev fight I got a FaceTime call at 1am. I didn’t recognise the number but I answered it anyway.
“It was Floyd and he was like: ‘Where’s Anthony?’ I was like, ‘It’s 1am and he is fighting today!’ 
Anthony Joshua in Floyd Mayweather’s gym
“He’d just touched down and asked if he could come to the fight.
“He’d had his Covid tests and everything so we managed to sort out a ticket for him at the last minute.”
NEW TRAINER?
Joshua’s win has set him up with a super-fight against rival Tyson Fury, 32, for the undisputed titles.
And Mayweather – who announced plans to become a trainer last year after the death of his uncle and former coach Roger – claimed he would be working with AJ.
He told entrepreneur Rob Moore: “I look forward to working with Anthony Joshua real soon, we communicate all the time, we talk all the time.
“I’ve met Tyson Fury on a few occasions, great guy, very interesting, after the fight I like to see him sing.
“I haven’t seen him fight a lot of times, I’ve seen him fight probably only twice. I’ve only seen Tyson Fury fight twice, against Deontay Wilder.
Anthony Joshua with Floyd Mayweather after he beat Kubrat PulevCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Anthony Joshua receives some words of advice from Floyd MayweatherCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
“It’s a very intriguing match-up, you can never say what’s going to happen in the sport of boxing.
“Both guys are great competitors. Like I say, me and Anthony Joshua talk on the regular, so I look forward to working with Anthony Joshua.”
It is not yet clear the capacity in which Mayweather will help out Joshua, 31.
Head trainer Robert McCracken has led AJ to both Olympic gold and unified heavyweight titles.
And Joshua has his own management stable, 258.
But there would not be too many better advisors than Mayweather, who has beaten the likes of Manny Pacquiao, Canelo Alvarez and Oscar De La Hoya.
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