Boxing

RICKY HATTON fears that if Tyson Fury’s “horrific” cut reopens his fight with Oleksandr Usyk could be stopped prematurely. Fury was due to face Usyk in the heavyweight division’s first four-belt unification bout on February 17. The cut that forced Tyson Fury out of the Oleksandr Usyk fightCredit: X @QueensburyRicky Hatton suffered this cut against Jon ThaxtonCredit: AllsportBut a cut in sparring just two weeks beforehand forced the Gypsy King out and in need of over ten stitches to mend it. The historic undisputed title decider has instead been rescheduled to May 18, giving Fury around three months to recover. Hatton told Spinbet: “I don’t think it’ll make a difference. Tyson would have the right people stitch it up and do the surgery to get it right.“I got cut against Jon Thaxton and required plastic surgery and it was horrific.READ MORE IN BOXING”I know Tyson has only had a few weeks to recover from it, but if it opens up after six rounds it would have to be a horrific one for the referee to stop it for a fight of that stature with so much on the line.“If it does open, it would have to open up dramatically for the referee to stop it bearing in mind with so much being at stake.”I’m not too concerned about it.”Fury has not fought since October when he faced MMA superstar Francis Ngannou. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAnd he almost suffered disaster after being dropped by the ex-UFC champion-turned boxing debutant. Fury eventually escaped with a controversial split-decision win and British boxing icon Hatton was ringside to watch. Tyson Fury hints at major tactical tweak as he trains for Oleksandr Usyk fightHe said: “I’m Team Fury and am behind all of the Fury’s, I’m very close the family. “I think the condition he turned up in for Francis Ngannou wasn’t at his best or slimmest. “He was heavier than he normally would be, and Francis was a lot better than what we thought he was. “I was there in Saudi Arabia, and it was a great occasion, everyone was there and all of the champions, Eminem coming out singing.”Fury facing off with Oleksandr UsykCredit: Getty More

ANTHONY JOSHUA could be in line for a world title shot before waiting out for the winner of Tyson Fury versus Oleksandr Usyk. Fury and Usyk meet in the heavyweight division’s first four-belt unification on May 18 in Saudi Arabia. Anthony Joshua could challenge for the IBF title if it becomes vacantCredit: ReutersAnd a rematch is to follow due to a clause in their contracts but not all the titles are expected to be on the line. Filip Hrgovic is the current IBF mandatory challenger and next in line for a shot at the strap. And after Fury, 35, faces Usyk, 37, by the time the rematch comes around the IBF gold will likely be vacated to allow for Hrgovic’s shot. Joshua, 34, is just behind Hrgovic in the rankings and promoter Eddie Hearn is eyeing that fight for the vacant title if it does indeed become free. READ MORE IN BOXINGIt would give AJ the chance to become a three-time world champ while setting up potentially another undisputed clash between Fury or Usyk. Joshua is coming off four wins, most recently a knockout over MMA superstar Francis Ngannou, 37. Meanwhile, Hrgovic is in talks to fight Britain’s Daniel Dubois in Saudi on June 1 with Deontay Wilder also lined up to face China’s Zhilei Zhang. It means if Dubois, 26, was to beat Hrgovic, 31, and inherit his right to challenge for the title, then Joshua could compete for it in an all-British blockbuster.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSDubois’ promoter Frank Warren confirmed the heavyweight is in talks for his next bout but welcomed the Joshua showdown in the future. Warren told Sky Sports: “Daniel, at the moment we’re negotiating a fight. Saudi sports chief teases ‘something huge at Wembley in September’ as details of Queensberry-Matchroom 5 vs 5 revealed”I can’t go into the details but it’s going to be a very meaningful fight – a very meaningful fight for him.”I’d love to see that fight. An all British affair, there’s nothing like one of those for us over here. I’d love to see that.”Daniel Dubois is in talks to fight Filip HrgovicCredit: Reuters More

SAUDI ARABIAN chief Turki Alalshikh has revealed he is planning a “huge” boxing show at Wembley in September.It comes as he also unveiled the weight classes for the 5 vs 5 show in June between Frank Warren’s Queensbury Promotions and Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing.A huge boxing show could be coming to Wembley in SeptemberCredit: GettySaudi Arabian adviser Turki Alalshikh also revealed the weight classes for the 5 vs 5 between promoters Frank Warren, left, and Eddie Hearn, rightCredit: Matchroom BoxingThe Saudi adviser, 42, has brought some huge fights to the Middle East over the last 12 months including Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou and Anthony Joshua vs Ngannou.Saudi will also play host to the undisputed heavyweight clash between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk on May 18.But now he appears set to expand overseas as he plans a blockbuster show in London.Alalshikh said: “I’m talking, thinking and studying with Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn to do something huge in Wembley in September as a commercial for Riyadh Season.”READ MORE IN BOXINGIt has not yet been confirmed who will headline the big Wembley boxing card, but more details have been released for his June 1 show in Saudi.The event, that will take place in Riyadh, is set to be headlined by an undisputed light-heavyweight contest between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.That will not be included in the “5 vs 5” format which will see promoters Warren and Hearn pit their fighters against one another.But the weight classes for each of the match-ups have now been revealed.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERWarren picked two, heavyweight and middleweight, while Hearn selected featherweight and light-heavyweight.The fifth and final weight class was picked by Alalshikh – who selected a second heavyweight contest.Oleksandr Usyk grimaces as he watches Anthony Joshua’s brutal KO of Francis Ngannou The fighters for each bout will be confirmed at a London press conference in the coming weeks.Another detail revealed about the show is that Hearn and Warren will each “captain” one of their chosen weight classes to make the fight worth two points.The remaining three fights on the card will be worth one point. More

MIKE TYSON has sent a chilling warning Jake Paul’s way ahead of their shock showdown.The boxing icon will come out of retirement in July to face the social media sensation in a controversial Texas tussle.Jake Paul throws down with boxing legend Mike Tyson in JulyCredit: INSTAGRAM@JAKEPAULThe pair’s controversial clash will be streamed on NetflixCredit: NETFLIXIron Mike has sent a chilling warning The Problem Child’s wayCredit: TWITTER@MIKETYSONFight fans worldwide have been left outraged by the booking of the bout as Paul is THIRTY YEARS Tyson’s junior.Tyson, however, has tried to dispel fears for his safety with a series of clips of him ferociously hitting the pads.And his most recent training video came with a warning for The Problem Child.The former undisputed heavyweight champion wrote on his Snapchat: “Jake Paul, where you at?”READ MORE ON TYSON VS PAULTyson returned to the ring in November 2020 for an exhibition with fellow boxing great Roy Jones Jr.But he looked every bit his 54 years as he shuffled around the ring in the bizarre draw.Tyson’s head coach Rafel Cordeiro is well aware of the concerns over the legend’s return but insists they’re misplaced.During an appearance on The MMA Hour, he said: “I believe we don’t have to be concerned about it. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”We’re talking about a two-time world champion.”The guy didn’t have 20 fights in two years, he knows how to fight. Credit: The Sun”He’s fought against the best guys in the world.”When he steps inside the ring he knows what to do. Mike Tyson looks sharp ahead of bout against Jake Paul in fresh clip posted to his Instagram”It’s not something new for Mike, and this fight is no different.“He works hard every single day to go in there and try to knock Jake out from the beginning to the end.”This is his style, nobody has taught Mike Tyson how to fight. He’s going to prove that in July.”You can see fire in his eyes when he trains, and he will never give less than that. “I truly believe it is going to be a great show.” More