Boxing

MIKE TYSON argued Floyd Mayweather record is not the best in boxing history and cannot be considered the Greatest of All Time.
Tyson insisted Sugar Ray Robinson and Julio Cesar Chavez both had more impressive careers than Mayweather, who retired at 50-0.

Mike Tyson after his comeback fight with Roy Jones Jr Credit: USA TODAY Sports

Floyd Mayweather reired in with a 50-0 record Credit: Alamy Live News

FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
Mexican legend Chavez once went an incredible 87-0 before he finally drew against Pernell Whittaker in 1993 and lost for the first time a year later.
And Robinson – considered by many as the best boxer ever – left the sport with a record of 173–19–6 but at one time had only one loss in 132 fights
Iconic heavyweight Tyson, speaking on his podcast in 2019, was in no doubt Mayweather’s accolades fail to stand up against those who came before him.

He said: “Floyd’s a great fighter, don’t get me wrong, but he had 50 fights.
“Listen, Sugar Ray Robinson had 47 fights, he lost one, and he had a 78-fight winning streak. With, like, 60 knockouts.”
“Don’t tell me about you’re the greatest fighter with 50-0. He’s a great fighter no doubt about it, but 50-0?
“Chavez had 90 [fights unbeaten], he was fighting like eight times a year against whoever fought him, against whoever was in the rankings.”

Tyson, 54, once admitted Mayweather, 43, would have been his ‘dream’ opponent if they were the same weight.

Iron Mike retired in 2005 following two dismal defeats but astonishingly made a comeback last year.
He drew with Roy Jones Jr, 51, in an eight-round exhibition bout and confirmed he will continue fighting this year.
Similarly, Mayweather hung up the gloves as a pro in 2017 after beating UFC star Conor McGregor, 32, but is still in the business of making money.
He wiped out featherweight kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa in a 2018 Japanese exhibition, making £7million in the process.
And now, the former five-division champion prepares for his greatest pay-per-view spectacle as he faces YouTuber Logan Paul in February.
Ahead of the fight, Paul, 25, was joined by Tyson on his podcast – but the celebrated puncher gave the social media sensation little chance of success.
Tyson said: “Floyd’s gonna beat his f***ing ass.
“There’s nothing good, he’s gonna fight back though, he’ll fight back.”

Mike Tyson says Floyd Mayweather will ‘beat Logan Paul’s f***ing ass’ while sat next to YouTuber More

OLEKSANDR USYK is out of contract with Matchroom unless Eddie Hearn delivers a fight with Anthony Joshua.
Hearn is attempting to sort an undisputed heavyweight bout between IBF, WBA and WBO champ Joshua and WBC title holder Tyson Fury.

Oleksandr Usyk is out of contract with Eddie Hearn’s MatchroomCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

The undefeated Ukrainian is the WBO mandatory challenger to Anthony JoshuaCredit: Getty – Pool

But WBO mandatory challenger Usyk is a roadblock to a mega two-fight deal worth £500million.
It has been claimed the undefeated Ukrainian wants a cut of the fight purse to step aside.
But Hearn believes a solution that suits all parties can be found.
He told Boxing Social: “It’s a situation where some people, and this isn’t really a dig at his team or anything, but some people just have the idea he should be getting millions of dollars to step aside for the fight.

“Really, what will happen is, we will apply to the WBO for the undisputed fight. If they say, ‘no, you need to talk to Oleksandr Usyk’ we will go to Oleksandr Usyk, and we will try and make him happy to allow that fight go on.

“You have to be respected because you’re in a mandatory position, but there is a solution. As I’ve said before, this fight between Fury and AJ will happen with all the belts or not one belt at all.
“The problem is, when there’s a big fight like that, everyone [wants a piece of the pie] and the greed is unbelievable.
“It’s going to come down to the fighters, and the fighters are paying millions of dollars in sanction fees.

“I’ve heard someone say that Usyk wants a percentage of AJ and Fury’s purse to step aside.
“If everyone is smart together, we can find a solution, and I really want it to be undisputed because that’s always been the dream for AJ, and we’re going to do everything we can.
“But we’re not going to be held to ransom by anyone, and if we lose one belt, we’ll probably vacate them all and say, ‘this is boxing now.’ But if everyone is sensible, we’ll be fair in return, hopefully, we can find a solution.”
Usyk has been represented by Matchroom but Hearn said that contract is coming to an end “unless we deliver the AJ fight”.

Usyk hinted to SunSport last month that he will step aside as WBO mandatory challenger to allow Joshua to fight Fury.
But 33-year-old Usyk would like to face AJ in the UK if a money-spinning bout goes ahead.
A further potential headache for Hearn is Deontay Wilder’s insistence that he gets a trilogy fight with Fury.
FANCY A PUNT? TODAY’S BEST ODDS BOOSTS FROM THE UK’S LEADING BOOKIES

Fury beat Wilder at the second time of asking last February to become the WBC champion.
But Hearn insists the American’s pursuit of a third bout will have little bearing on the plans being drawn up.
He added: “I think the mediation is wrapping up now. Bob Arum is very confident they have no position at all. It certainly wouldn’t impact the first fight but as you know we’ve agreed a two-fight deal.”

Watch Anthony Joshua shout ‘I’m coming Usyk’ as footage emerges of heavyweight rivals’ exchange after Chisora fight More

CHRIS EUBANK JR wants to face ‘all the champions’ of the middleweight division after signing a promotional deal with Sauerland.
Eubank Jr has not been seen in the ring since beating Matt Korobov inside two rounds on his US debut in December 2019.

Chris Eubank Jr is the WBA interim championCredit: EPA

The WBA interim champion is currently training on the other side of the pond with boxing legend Roy Jones Jr.
And he has set his sights on bouts with the top names of the 160lbs category.
Eubank Jr said: “I’m thrilled to have signed a promotional deal with Team Sauerland.
“I look forward to working with such a historic stable that has created so many legends in the sport over so many years.

“I look forward to the big fights that I crave. I’ve spent the last 12 months in the gym and I feel better than ever.

SunSport’s pound for pound top ten
“I’m ready to take over the middleweight division.
“I want all the champions – Ryota Murata, Jermall Charlo, Demetrius Andrade, Gennady Golovkin – put me in the ring with any of them.
“I only want to fight the best. This is my time. If you have a belt, I’m coming for you.”

Eubank Jr went the whole of 2020 without a bout and has not had a lengthy fight since his 12-round unanimous decision win over James DeGale nearly two years ago.
BETTING OFFER: CLAIM RISK FREE £20 BET WITH PADDY POWER
Promoter Nisse Sauerland said: “We’ve been long time admirers of Chris.
“He fought on one of our shows back in 2012 and we’ve followed his career closely since then.
“He’s got all the attributes needed to establish his position as one of the biggest names in world boxing. Our first priority is cleaning out the middleweight division.”

Meanwhile, Billy Joe Saunders has ruled out a 2021 grudge rematch with Eubank Jr.
The pair first clashed in 2014, with 31-year-old Saunders landing a split decision win.
The reigning WBO super-middleweight king said: “He will never be a champion because he hasn’t got the minerals.”

Billy Joe Saunders says he doesn’t rate Chris Eubank Jr at world level More

EVANDER HOLYFIELD has confirmed he is in talks to fight Mike Tyson once more – 34 years after having his ear bitten by his old rival.
Tyson made an astonishing comeback in November, as he came out of retirement for an exhibition bout with Roy Jones Jr.

Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield are in talks for a trilogy Credit: Rex Features

FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
It inspired Holyfield – who twice beat Iron Mike – to do the same with the heavyweight legend training for a return of his own.
And he does so with the intention of sealing a trilogy with Tyson as negotiations between the two continue.
Holyfield, 58, told SunSport: “People do what they choose to do and for whatever reason they have, they do it.

“The thing is that if it’s meant to be it will happen, either way, it is what it is.
“What I can tell you is that my team is talking to Mike’s management, so I’m waiting for a decision. They are communicating right now. 
“The thing is I’m still training for this, I know it will be some day this deal will happen and I’m ready for him. I’m doing OK.”
Tyson, now 54, was dramatically beaten by Holyfield, an underdog at the time, in 1996.

But their rematch a year later will forever be remembered for Iron Mike’s disgraceful third round disqualification, as he sunk his teeth into Holyfield’s ear.

Mike Tyson after his comeback fight with Roy Jones Jr Credit: Getty Images – Getty

Evander Holyfield training for his ring return Credit: @evanderholyfield

The pair later patched things up and even enjoyed a friendship.
But now they could be ready to reignite their rivalry – all in the name of charity with their comebacks dedicated to raising money.
Holyfield is confident their third fight, which comes with the icons at a combined age of 112, can bank at least £150million ($200m).
He said: “My views are you always help people. I try to pass on the goodness that was passed onto me.
“Where an opportunity is available, I like to make the best out of what I have. I believe if I fought Mike the fight will generate $200million.

Mike Tyson biting Evander Holyfield’s ear in 1997 Credit: AFP – Getty
“It will be the biggest fight there is. That’s the honest truth. I think Mike has my message already. If he is going to do it he is, if not then he’s not.
“It’s a decision he has to make now and we both have to be in an agreement.
“I’m not going to tell anybody what I’m going to do – my strategy I’m planning on using against Mike – I don’t want anyone to know.
“I’m happy if Mike fights me.”

Watch Mike Tyson pummel sparring partner in cage as boxing legend, 54, hints as sensational MMA switch More

TYSON FURY has ‘beat up people horrifically’ in sparring, revealed former training partner Dave Allen.
Fury and his cousin Hughie have both brought in Allen for sparring in the past.

Dave Allen pictured with Tyson Fury after sparring Credit: Instagram

Tyson and cousin Hughie have both brought in Dave Allen for sparring Credit: Getty Images – Getty

The 28-year-old – who retired last year – has also sparred Anthony Joshua, Wladimir Klitschko and Oleksandr Usyk.
And Allen revealed the Gypsy King, 32, stands out among them all – and took no prisoners in the gym.
He told Sky Sports: “I used to say he (Fury) is the best I have ever sparred and I would say with conviction I have no doubt about it.
“We used gloves a bit smaller, a little bit quicker, a little bit near.

“He moves well. He is like a fast-moving lorry, I was saying. I mean, whereas we were like minivans.
“You know it’s just a bit nippy. Whereas Tyson, he moved nearly as fast.
“But he is just a bit bigger. So he is not quite as cute, and I know what usually does.
“I have seen him beat up people horrifically. Inspiring, you know, like he is serious on the job.”

Allen retired with a record of 18–5–2, but cited health reasons for making the call.
And it was a sparring incident with Usyk, which had the Brit out on his feet, which came as the deciding factor in his decision to hang up the gloves.
Having sparred with the best in his division, Allen said: “You think you are friends.
“You know and even with the clicks going, music, after a couple of days around, you just say, I am just mate.
“I am just helping them out. But you are not really, you know you are just piece of meat to them.”

Dave Allen spars with Jay McFarlane during workout More