Boxing

JOSEPH PARKER can’t help but feel the timing of his fight with Daniel Dubois falling through was a tad suspicious.The resurgent New Zealander was set to challenge Triple D for the IBF heavyweight title on a stacked Saudi Arabia card in February.Joseph Parker was set to face Daniel Dubois for the IBF heavyweight title in FebruaryCredit: GETTYBut Dubois pulled out of their Saudi showdown just days before they were set to throw heavy leatherCredit: GETTYParker can’t help but think Oleksandr Usyk’s callouts had something to do with Dubois’ withdrawalCredit: GETTYBut his shot at becoming a two-time heavyweight champion was agonisingly ripped away from him just days before the Riyadh rumble as Dubois was struck down by a viral infection.Dubois, 27, insists he pulled out of the desert dust-up on doctor’s orders.Although Parker, who ended up fighting Martin Bakole, can’t help but think Oleksandr Usyk’s calls for an undisputed straightener may have played a small role in the Brit’s withdrawal.Speaking exclusively to SunSport thanks to Casino Hawks, the 33-year-old said of the fight falling through: “I was left in the dark.READ MORE BOXING NEWS”I guess you can’t really [doubt him]. I mean, you just got to take his word for it, you know.”He wasn’t feeling the best and he pulled out of the fight.”It just doesn’t make sense, though, that Usyk was calling him out all week and then he pulled out of the fight. “And then now, they’ve made this big fight.”Most read in BoxingJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSDubois will challenge pound-for-pound king Usyk for all the heavyweight marbles in a historic unification bout at Wembley on July 19.And although he still has his suspicions about Dubois’ pulling out, Parker won’t continue to beat a dead horse.Fans hail brilliant moment stunned Joseph Parker discovers he’s fighting Bakole He continued: “If a man says he’s sick, he’s sick. I’ve just got to take him for his word.”Parker is seemingly in pole position to face the winner of the July joust as he’s the mandatory challenger for the WBO strap he held for just under a year and a half.But he’s refusing to count his chickens before they hatch, saying: “I know Frank Warren said a few things that I might be next to fight for undisputed unification.”But there were no discussions. And for me, it’s just words at the moment.”It’d be nice to get something in writing and to get something solid. But at the moment, it’s just words.”If it can happen, I’ll be extremely over the moon.”Joseph Parker is in pole position to fight the winner of the July rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel DuboisCredit: RICHARD PELHAM More

CHRIS EUBANK SR has tried to talk his son out of a rematch with Conor Benn by threatening to return to the ring himself.Eubank Jr, 35, is on course to run back last month’s incredible Tottenham tussle in a rematch SunSport understands is being eyed for September 27.Chris Eubank Jr went to war with Conor Benn last month at the Tottenham Hotspur StadiumCredit: GETTYA second straight Spurs slugfest is on the cardsCredit: GETTYSenior wants his namesake to retire and has threatened to return to the ring aged 58 if he fights againCredit: REUTERSSenior, who made an 11th-hour decision to attend the controversial catchweight clash, has begged his namesake to sail off into the sunset while he still has all his faculties.And he hopes the threat of him lacing up the gloves at the ripe old age of 58 will scare his son stiff and prompt him to walk away from the sport.During the latest episode of his Call Chris Eubank podcast, he said: “What suits Junior, in my view? He doesn’t need to do anything else.”He’ll never better than [that] performance. There’s two of us now, there’s nothing we can’t do.READ MORE IN BOXING“If you don’t get back into the ring Jr, then neither will I. “But if you get back in the ring, I will get back in the ring in some exhibition match.”I’m going to pressure you. You want to fight again? OK, then I will fight too. Cause I’m with you.”Senior, a former world champion at middle and super-middleweight, called time on his legendary career in 1998 following losses to Carl Thompson and Joe Calzaghe.Most read in BoxingJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSEubank Jr vs Benn: SunSport’s verdictTHIRTY-FIVE YEARS of the Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr rivalry was settled with 36 minutes of violence.Yet with all the tremendous heart shown by both boxers, there wasn’t much technique, skill or finesse on display here.After tons of trash talking, egg throwing and mind games that have been played out to the world over the last three years, SunSport’s Wally Downes Jr gives his verdict on what should be the final chapter in one of British boxing’s biggest beefs.Read here to find out why the 12-round slugfest should not be repeated – and why the rivalry should now be put to bed.But he hasn’t been tempted to come out of retirement for one last payday like former heavyweight champs Evander Holyfield and Mike TysonAnd other than Junior, who was hospitalised with severe dehydration after his decision win over Benn, fighting again, there’s nothing that could tempt ‘Simply the Best’ to make the lonely walk to the ring again.How Eubank Sr’s stunning return helped secure son’s victory | Split Decision | Knockout AnalysisIn an exclusive interview with Sunsport, the Brit boxing icon said: “I wouldn’t sell my peace of mind for the world. “No, I’m not taking aim again as I already hit the bullseye.”If I take aim again, I know I’m not going to be able to hit the bullseye. “You only can do that in your 20s. I’ve aimed, fired and I’m grateful for my score. “All the gold in Buckingham Palace could not make this king go back in there and put it on the line.”He added: “I’m happy. You show me a man that would jeopardise his happiness and I’ll show you a fool.” More

TEOFIMO LOPEZ claims he has been “fired” by promoter Turki Alalshikh – just weeks after his Riyadh Season debut. The 27-year-old lightweight had looked set to sign up for a showdown with Devin Haney in August. Teofimo Lopez claims he has been fired by promoter Turki AlalshikhCredit: GettyThe two-weight world champion beat Arnold Barboza Jr earlier this monthCredit: GettyAlalshikh was ringside to watch Lopez win in New YorkCredit: GettyLopez’s team reportedly agreed to the bout in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.But the two-weight world champion took to social media last night to bizarrely call out Alalshikh. In one tweet, he wrote: “I just got fired, guys.”However, before things get better, bad things must happen first! #Resurrection.”READ MORE ON BOXINGEarlier in the evening, Lopez uploaded a snap of himself pretending to beg on the street.Holding a small dog in the picture, he held up a sign that said: “$1-a-day keeps the haters away.”Boxing insider Dan Rafael claims Lopez’s posts have put his fight with Haney “in jeopardy”.Rafael wrote on X: “Per three sources involved, Teofimo Lopez-Devin Haney was agreed to Tuesday night, but not signed, for Aug. 16 in Riyadh at 145 pounds.Most read in BoxingBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK”But fight is now in jeopardy after Teofimo’s tweet storm.”Alalshikh did not respond directly to Lopez’s comments, instead cryptically writing on X: “Maturity is to realise, most things don’t deserve a reaction.”Teofimo Lopez ready to follow in his dad’s footsteps by one day training his son… despite their ‘rough’ experiencesLopez holds an impressive pro record of 22-1 and recently dispatched the previously unbeaten Arnold Barboza Jr.He held onto his WBO junior welterweight championship after outworking Barboza, landing 127 of 574 punches.The Times Square judges gave Lopez a unanimous win 116-112, 116-112 and 118-110.Lopez called out undefeated unified welterweight champion Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis after the win. He said: “You know me guys, I go after the tough challenges.”I want to see Boots. I’m Dora the Explorer and I’m looking for Boots.” More