Boxing

Subterms

    More stories

    • 250 Shares99 Views

      in Boxing

      UFC chief Dana White ‘forced to AXE ZUFFA Boxing promotion debut on December 11 in Las Vegas due to coronavirus’

      by

      DANA WHITE has been forced to shelve ZUFFA Boxing’s inaugural event amid challenges posed by coronavirus, reports say.
      The UFC president has long planned to make a move into the boxing business as a promoter.

      Dana White has been forced to shelve ZUFFA Boxing’s inaugural eventCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      And according to Journal de Montreal, White planned to stage the Claressa Shields vs Marie-Eve ​​Dicaire title fight on December 11 in Las Vegas.
      But, the proposal has now been axed due to problems caused by the Covid-19 crisis, The Athletic state.
      And no rescheduling date has emerged either in a blow to Shields and other women champions like Amanda Serrano.
      Before the UFC allowed Conor McGregor to fight boxing legend Floyd Mayweather in 2017, White first revealed plans to launch ZUFFA Boxing.

      ZUFFA is an American sports promotion company owned by his close friends Frank and Lorenzo Ferttita.
      The Ferttita brothers sold the UFC to WME-IMG – now known as Endeavor – for $4.4BILLION in 2016.
      But White still wanted to launch a boxing promotion with ZUFFA and has been working on the scheme ever since.

      Despite several hurdles since announcing the plan three years ago, the UFC boss told BT Sports his jump into boxing seems imminent.

      He said in September: “I peaked under the hood a lot there for the last year.
      “Looked at different things and I said, ‘I don’t know man, I don’t know if this is fixable.’
      “Funny enough, since the pandemic I’ve been looking at other options too.
      “And we’ll probably have something to announce here soon. When it’s time, I’ll let you know, I’m not ready yet.

      Inside UFC legend Joe Rogan’s stunning Asian-inspired £11m Texas mansion More

    • 213 Shares159 Views

      in Boxing

      Tyson Fury undisputed fight with Anthony Joshua could be delayed by Deontay Wilder’s legal action, reveals Hearn

      by

      TYSON FURY’S legal dispute with Deontay Wilder could delay an undisputed title fight with Anthony Joshua, revealed Eddie Hearn.
      Fury decided to walk away from a trilogy fight with Wilder once their immediate rematch clause expired last month.

      Tyson Fury’s legal dispute with Deontay Wilder could delay an undisputed title fight with Anthony JoshuaCredit: Reuters

      Joshua and Fury are hoping to fight twice next year Credit: REUTERS

      He is now set to face Agit Kabayel, 28, in his UK homecoming as a tune up for his proposed unification double header with Joshua, 31, next year.
      AJ himself has to first beat Kubrat Pulev, 39, a week later, but in an attempt to salvage his rematch, Wilder initiated a mediation to review his case.
      And promoter Hearn admits the Joshua’s Battle of Britain faces uncertainty until Fury, 32, can resolve his dispute.
      He told Sky Sports: “If the legal action rumbles on, because ultimately after that fight with Pulev, we want to be in a position to say ‘This is the fight for the undisputed’.

      “Get the sanctioning in place and obviously you’ve got [Oleksandr] Usyk now standing in the wings, saying ‘Once that Pulev fight is over, I want to be called as mandatory’.
      “That’s just going to be another issue that we’re going to have to deal with.
      “Hopefully, they can resolve whatever problem – who is right, who is wrong.
      “That’s the job of the arbitrators and the mediators, and good luck to them.”

      Fury’s US promoter Bob Arum is far lass concerned over Wilder’s chances of forcing a third fight with the WBC champion.
      The legendary matchmaker gives the 35-year-old American as much chance as Donald Trump does in overturning his Presidential defeat by Joe Biden.
      Arum told SunSport: “Wilder has done that but his chances are the same as Donald Trump’s in changing the election.” More

    • 250 Shares109 Views

      in Boxing

      Conor McGregor fighting ‘one of the greatest boxers of all time’ Manny Pacquiao is ‘bonkers’, says UFC legend Joe Rogan

      by

      CONOR McGREGOR fighting ‘one of the greatest boxers of all time’ in Manny Pacquiao is ‘bonkers’, says UFC legend Joe Rogan.
      McGregor made the surprise announcement in September that he was in talks to face Pacquiao in the Middle East.

      Conor McGregor revealed he was in talks to fight Manny PacquiaoCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Joe Rogan called Pacquiao ‘one of the greatest boxers of all time’Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      Instead, the Irishman appears set to return to the UFC after being offered a January 23 headliner against Dustin Poirier at lightweight.
      McGregor, 32, later revealed he would use the fight against southpaw Poirier, 31, to help him prepare for fellow left-hander Pacquiao, 41.
      But UFC commentator and podcast king Rogan fears for his chances against the eight-division, Filipino icon.
      He said: “They’re actually talking about him fighting Conor McGregor right now, which is kind of bonkers.

      “You’re talking about one of the greatest boxers of all time against a guy with one professional boxing match.”
      The bout Rogan refers to is McGregor’s lucrative 2017 debut against Floyd Mayweather, which he lost in ten rounds.
      Rogan went on to explain how the former two-weight UFC champion impressed against Mayweather, but was completely outfoxed by the masterful American legend.
      He said: “Let me explain something to you. The reason why it was close was because Mayweather let him blow his wad.

      Floyd Mayweather beat McGregor in 2017 Credit: Reuters

      “Look, he clipped Mayweather with a legit left uppercut early in the fight and I was kind of stunned. I was like ‘Wow, that’s really legit.’”
      “Here’s the thing, Mayweather had to figure out Conor’s timing. Because what Conor is, Conor is not a professional boxer, OK?
      “So, because he’s not a professional boxer, he’s not as efficient and he’s going to get tired easier.
      “Mayweather is one of the greatest, if not the greatest, boxer of all time. I say there’s a really good argument that he’s the greatest of all time.
      “Because he’s undefeated, 50-0, and really only been hurt by ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley and [Marcos] Maidana.
      “But, Conor is a freak. He is an explosive guy. He’s so fast and there’s no remedy for that other than getting a guy tired.
      “So, what Mayweather was doing was boxing with him but preserving. Being safe, got clipped a couple times, realised Conor could punch.
      “Conor can punch, but just drag him into deep water. Drag him into deep water and that’s what a guy like Mayweather will do.”

      Watch new slow-motion footage of Conor McGregor vs Floyd Mayweather which makes boxing legend look even more impressive More

    • 263 Shares119 Views

      in Boxing

      Terence Crawford says ‘now is the time’ for ‘biggest fight in boxing’ with Errol Spence Jr as he eyes undisputed title

      by

      TERENCE CRAWFORD admitted ‘now is the time’ to face Errol Spence Jr in what he calls: ‘The biggest fight to make’.
      The unbeaten welterweight champions have long been on a path that surely leads to a blockbuster rivalry.

      Terence Crawford wants to fight Errol Spence Jr Credit: Reuters

      Spence and Crawford are both welterweight world championsCredit: EPA

      But as of yet, WBO champion Crawford and Spence, who has the WBC and IBF belts, have been kept separated by their promoters.
      Now, Nebraska’s pound-for-pound star is ready to share the ring with his American rival to determine the division’s No1.
      Crawford, 33, told SunSport: “Without a doubt I still feel like that fight is the biggest fight to make in boxing right now.
      “The sooner the better, but if it has to carry on growing, then so be it.

      “But now is the time to fight all the big names, I’ve paid my dues in the sport of boxing and now is the time to glove up.”
      Crawford & Co are keen to avoid the mistakes Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao made following five years of failed talks between them.
      In the end, Mayweather emerged victorious in 2015, bringing an end to the long running saga that resulted in boxing’s most lucrative fight.
      But it left no time for a rematch as the door was empathically slammed shut.

      Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao spent five years negotiating before they fought Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      It remains to be seen how Crawford’s situation with Spence is handled by the matchmakers outside the ring.
      But he admits to the frustration fighters have when politics stands in the way of the best fighting the best.
      He said: “It’s always frustrating not getting what you want, but that’s life.
      “You’ve got to roll with the punches.”
      Before Crawford can begin to think about unifications in the future, he has to first face Kell Brook, 34, this Saturday live on Premier Sports.
      But afterwards, his promoter Bob Arum is confident in securing him a mega-fight with either Manny Pacquiao, 41, or Spence, 30.
      It would put the three-division champion on the cusp of superstardom – a far cry from his early days as he quietly rose through the ranks.

      Nebraska’s pound-for-pound star is ready to share the ring with the best

      Crawford training ahead of his upcoming fight against Kell Brook
      After turning pro in 2008 as he missed out on an Olympic spot in Beijing, the American fought in front of little fanfare across the country.
      Struggling to catch a break, he was forced to fight up to five times a year all across the country, with his talent receiving little recognition.
      But after impressing Timothy Bradley in their sparring sessions, it helped Crawford earn a contract with legendary promoter Bob Arum.
      Since winning his first world title in 2014, the switch-hitter has been filling out venues across America – especially in his home of Nebraska.
      But as he sits on the brink of welterweight supremacy, he reveals those early struggles are what carved him into the fighter he is now.
      Crawford explained: “It was hard from the ground up. No hand outs were ever given to me, no gifts, it was a rough bumpy road.
      “But I feel like those moments in my career made Terence Crawford the man he is today.
      “Coming up as a kid sparring different calibre of sparring partners and fighting different styles, me having to figure it out at a young age, by the time I turned pro I knew what to do and how to do it.”

      The latest Ring Magazine P4P rankings
      Crawford has not fought since knocking out Egidijus Kavaliauskas in round nine last December.
      And his mission to unify the division was put on the back burner amid the coronavirus pandemic.
      But he is grateful to be returning to the ring before the end of the year even with no fans in the usually packed out MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
      Crawford said: “Once I get in there it doesn’t make a difference if there’s fans or not.
      “I actually wanted to fight more times this year, I wanted to stay active but Covid has messed up a lot of things in the world today.
      “I’m just blessed to even have a fight, it’s very important.”
      “Keep winning in tremendous fashion. Keep my name ringing bells and beating guys like Kell Brook, that’s where it all starts.”

      Kell Brook vows to leave it all in the ring against Terence Crawford and bring world title back to UK More

    • 238 Shares169 Views

      in Boxing

      Terence Crawford vs Kell Brook: UK start time, live stream, TV channel, undercard, ring walks for world title showdown

      by

      KELL BROOK makes his return to the ring this weekend against pound-for-pound king Terence Crawford.
      Unbeaten superstar Crawford, 33, puts his WBO welterweight title on the line in the blockbuster bout over in Las Vegas, and unlike the majority of Brook’s previous fights, this time it will NOT be broadcast on Sky Sports.

      How the fighters compare ahead of the huge bout
      When is Crawford vs Brook?
      Crawford vs Brook will take place on Saturday, November 14.
      The Bubble at the iconic MGM Grand in Las Vegas plays host.
      Expect the ring walk at around 4-5am UK time.
      What live stream and TV channel is Crawford vs Brook on?
      Crawford vs Brook will be live on Premier Sports in the UK, with coverage starting at 12.30am GMT.
      Premier Sports 1 is available on Sky TV (412 and 429), Virgin TV (551 and 552) and online via the Premier Player on app and desktop.
      Sheffield ace Brook is no longer with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom stable which have a deal with Sky Sports. He is now signed with Bob Arum’s Top Rank.

      Kell Brook has won his last three fights since losing against Errol Spence Jr
      Who is the Crawford vs Brook undercard?

      The big rematch between WBA super flyweight world champion Joshua Franco and former world champion Andrew Moloney heads up the undercard.
      Terence Crawford vs Kell Brook (WBO welterweight title)
      Joshua Franco vs Andrew Moloney (WBA super-flyweight title)
      More to follow…
      Why is Brook not fighting on Sky?
      Brook boxed on Sky for most of his career, and even though he has now signed for Arum, he recently revealed his disappointment Hearn failed to get a deal done for it to be shown on Sky.
      The 34-year-old had said: “I’ve always been a Sky Sports fighter, been in with Shawn Porter, Errol Spence, Golovkin. I’ve made some amazing nights with Sky Sports.

      “The fans, I wanna give back to people that subscribe to Sky Sports, I want my fans to see me fight the pound-for-pound king in Crawford.
      “But it’s not come off the way I wanted it to come off so I’m absolutely gutted.”
      He also claimed he got Hearn ‘out of jail’ by fighting Triple G in 2016 as the promoter was ‘more interested’ in signing copies of his soon-to-be released book.
      However, Hearn has come out swinging in an interview with iFL TV, saying: “I was really disappointed to be honest with you, and I was quite angry.

      “I will say this because I do feel like 99 per cent of what was said was total b****cks. I do feel like I should give you the truth. 

      Terence Crawford defends his WBO welterweight belt against Kell Brook on November 14
      “Let’s just start with the Crawford fight and Sky situation – When Amir Khan boxed Terence Crawford, Kell Brook flew out there and he was talking to Top Rank.
      “He had meetings with Top Rank probably about that fight and probably about other fights as well which didn’t go down very well with me to be honest with you. I’m an all or nothing kind of guy.
      “I was never involved with one conversation they had with Top Rank regarding this fight, no consultation, no opinion from me, no part of the negotiations of the deal whatsoever.
      “They chose to do this to all them. Was that because they didn’t wanna pay me? Or they wanted to go their separate way?
      “Once you turn your back on me, don’t ever turn round and start walking back to me. You’re either with me or you’re not.” More

    • 225 Shares109 Views

      in Boxing

      Mike Tyson, 54, is ‘scared’ of Evander Holyfield rematch having been offered the stunning trilogy fight ‘multiple times’

      by

      MIKE TYSON has been accused of being ‘scared’ to rematch Evander Holyfield having been offered a trilogy bout ‘multiple times’.
      Both the ex-heavyweight champions have come out of retirement to continue their already legendary careers.

      Mike Tyson has been accused of being ‘scared’ to rematch Evander HolyfieldCredit: https://www.instagram.com/miketyson/

      Holyfield has offered a trilogy fight ‘multiple times’

      Holyfield – who twice beat Iron Mike – is training again to return for an exhibition, but is yet to have a confirmed opponent.
      Tyson, 54, on the other hand is facing Roy Jones Jr, 51, in an eight-round pay-per-view spectacle next weekend.
      According to TMZ’s sources, the reformed Baddest Man on The Planet snubbed Holyfield, 58, to instead fight Jones.
      They said: “It’s not even about the money at this point, I think Tyson is scared.

      “We’ve offered multiple times and Tyson vs. Holyfield is the fight that should happen.”
      Holyfield first beat Tyson in 1996, winning in round 11 in what was considered an upset.
      They rematched a year later, in the infamous the ‘Bite Fight’.
      Tyson was disqualified after biting Holyfield’s ear in round three.

      In the years since, they have made up and formed a friendship, and Holyfield teased a trilogy online.
      He posted a picture of him punching Tyson, along with the caption: “Who would like to see Holyfield vs Tyson 3?”
      Iron Mike responded to the speculation about another fight with his great rival in an interview with Jim Gray.
      Tyson said: “That’s always something that we can do if the people want it, if it’s pragmatic enough, I’d love to do it.”

      Mike Tyson shows off ferocious speed and power in training leaving fans stunned ahead of Jones Jr fight More

    • 275 Shares99 Views

      in Boxing

      Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua fight could still happen in UK thanks to coronavirus vaccine – if it’s rolled out in time

      by

      TYSON FURY vs Anthony Joshua could still happen in the UK If a Covid-19 vaccine is rolled out in time.
      UK promoters Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn have always insisted the heavyweight prize fighters must take to the show to wherever they can earn the most, with the Middle East, China and Las Vegas all interested.

      Tyson Fury’s US promoter Bob Arum says his all-Brit clash with Anthony Joshua could happen in the UKCredit: Rex Features

      AJ and the Gypsy King want to have a unification showdown in 2021Credit: PA:Press Association

      But the Gypsy King’s American matchmaker Bob Arum told SunSport the biggest fight in British boxing history could be a home fixture – if the boffins beat the virus in the first quarter of 2021.
      Arum said: “We have a number of places contending to do that fight but no serious discussions have been made.
      “Tyson Fury needs to win his fight on December 5 and much more difficult Joshua winning his fight on December 12.
      “Let’s be optimistic, I really believe with the words on this vaccine coming down the pipe, let’s assume it’s being widely distributed by February, which I’m told is a good possibility, by May or June we’re not going to have to worry about coronavirus.

      “We’ll be back to a normal time. We can’t run our lives thinking coronavirus will be with us forever.
      “There will be a time with the vaccine that we can conquer it and I’m optimistic that will happen in the first quarter of next year.
      “The promoters, whether it’s Eddie and Joshua or myself, Frank and Tyson, we’re going to put the fight on where it makes the most sense economically wise.”
      Fury, 32, fancies the all-English double more than ever, after finding a newfound respect for AJ.

      Deontay Wilder’s embarrassing excuses and scandalous accusations, in the wake of his February whooping, have turned Fury right off and reminded him of how well Joshua handled his 2019 loss to Andy Ruiz Jr.
      The WBC king said: “If we both come through our December fights then I hope this fight finally gets made when we are both heavyweight world champions – at the top of our careers – and I hope it can happen twice next year.
      “Me and AJ are rivals, we have been for a long time, but he handled his defeat to Andy Ruiz like a man , he took it in his stride, he didn’t make a single excuse.
      “He said ‘well done, I will see you next time’ and if that happens to me then I hope I can react like that.
      “If people are going into a fight with an injury they need to pull out or never mention it. AJ just said ‘I got beat by the better man on the night’ and that was class.”

      SunSport’s pound for pound top ten

      Frank Warren says that Tyson Fury clash with Anthony Joshua to be 50-50 purse split More

    • 250 Shares109 Views

      in Boxing

      Tyson Fury looking forward to facing Anthony Joshua twice next year but warns Brit rival not to overlook Kubrat Pulev

      by

      TYSON FURY is looking forward to fighting ‘real man’ Anthony Joshua twice in 2021, after ditching Deontay Wilder over his excuses and accusations.
      The 32-year-old Gypsy King demolished the Bronze Bomber in February to grab his WBC heavyweight crown and tee up an undisputed decider with AJ.

      Fury has warned Joshua not to overlook PulevCredit: PA:Press Association

      A rematch was arranged but the Covid-19 pandemic and Wilder’s tales of Fury loading his gloves and trainer Mark Breland spiking his water have led to the Brit dropping the American out of the picture.
      Instead, Fury hopes to come through a December 5 tune-up against Agit Kabayel and then battle Joshua, who has to handle an awkward mandatory defence of his belts against 39-year-old Kubrat Pulev on December 12.
      Fury told talkSPORT: “Me and AJ both have to get through our upcoming fights and nothing, at this level, is a given.
      “Pulev has been waiting five years for a world title shot so it will be a tough night for Joshua.

      “If we both come through then I hope this fight finally gets made when we are both heavyweight world champions – at the top of our careers – and I hope it can happen twice next year.
      “Me and AJ are rivals, we have been for a long time, but he handled his defeat to Andy Ruiz like a man , he took it in his stride, he didn’t make a single excuse.
      “He said ‘well done, I will see you next time’ and if that happens to me then I hope I can react like that.
      “If people are going into a fight with an injury they need to pull out or never mention it. AJ just said ‘I got beat by the better man on the night’ and that was class.”

      On Wednesday, mental health campaigner Fury told Wilder to pick up the phone and call him if he was struggling with the first defeat of his career.
      Wilder, who vanished for eight months after the Las Vegas loss, replied on Twitter, urging Fury to honour the trilogy fight they signed before coronavirus ravaged the sport.
      The Alabama giant wrote: “Don’t worry about me I am Fine, Blessed.
      “The only thing I want from you is for you to honor your agreement and fight me. 
      “I gave you two shots when I didn’t have to and it changed your life. Now it is time for you to be a man and give me my shot as you agreed to.”
      But Fury still fears the bizarre video Wilder released last month and the slanderous slurs he aimed at him and retired Olympic and world champ Breland, are the signs of a sick man.
      “After seeing all of his excuses, he is holding on to malicious feelings of his trainer and me cheating him,” Fury said.
      “I have run out of ideas of what other excuses a man could use for losing a boxing fight.

      Wilder and Fury recently had a spat on Twitter regarding their trilogy matchCredit: AFP – Getty
      “I am concerned for his mental wellbeing because he didn’t speak for eight months and now he’s accusing me of cheating.
      “I think he needs to seek help, you need to learn to let a defeat go.”
      At this rate, fans are more likely to see a match between the bitter rivals brothers, Tommy and Marsellos.
      Tommy, 21, who is fighting tomorrow on the undercard of Mark Heffron vs Denzel Bentley, said he’s willing to fight Wilder’s brother if he continues to hide from Tyson.
      He said: ““I don’t want to look past Friday’s opponent but, if his brother wants the same as Deontay got, then he can get it.”

      Tyson Fury urges Deontay Wilder to call him for talks over mental health after accusing Gypsy King of cheating More