Boxing

TYSON FURY has been tipped to use “DIRTY TRICKS” to become the undisputed king of the heavyweights.The Gypsy King will bid to become the first man to rule the entire division in nearly 25 years when he throws down with Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi straightener on May 18.Tyson Fury throws down with Oleksandr Usyk for all the heavyweight marbles later this monthCredit: EPAFury is the bookies’ favourite to win the historic undisputed boutCredit: GETTYJohnny Nelson reckons Fury could use the dark arts to become the undisputed king of the heavyweightCredit: PAFury, 35, is the bookies’ favourite to win the Riyad rumble and become the first undisputed heavyweight king since fellow Brit Lennox Lewis.And former cruiserweight champion Johnny Nelson wouldn’t be surprised if he uses some of the dark arts to get his hand raised.He told Sky Sports: “Tyson is a fighting man, once the bell goes he’ll try everything he can possibly get away with until the referee tells him off.”Will it get physical? Yes. Will he use every dirty trick in the book he can get away with? READ MORE IN BOXING”Without a doubt. It’s a fighting game. “Most fighters when they get in there they play by the rules.”And when they get hit low or with an elbow they complain to the referee and then while complaining they get beat up.”Nelson reckons Fury’s route to victory lies in being extremely physical with the former undisputed cruiserweight king Usyk.Most read in BoxingHe continued: “He’s got to rough him up, he’s got to lean on him, hit him low, push him to the floor, get in his face, rub his glove in his face, do all the unorthodox things.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSTYSON FURY VS OLEKSANDR USYK: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT”He’s got to get the man rattled in order to feel comfortable.”Usyk’s chances of winning the desert dust-up in explosive fashion have been written off by many.Fans spot Oleksandr Usyk’s ‘very clever’ tactic for Tyson Fury fight as he shows off body transformation in training But not by Nelson, who is adamant the slick southpaw can put him out for the count: The 57-year-old said: “I think both men can win by knockout, without a doubt.”Each heavyweight fight Usyk is having he’s getting more comfortable being in there with heavyweights.”I know he had five heavyweight sparring partners, I spoke to three of them.”And they said he got stronger as the rounds went on, and he manhandled all five of them.”We’re thinking that Fury’s physicality is going to be a big problem for Usyk.”But Tyson Fury’s physicality is his height, reach and speed, not the power. “Speed leads to power – and both fighters can get knocked out.”Should Fury suffer his first-ever defeat via brutal KO, Nelson reckons the WBC king will call time on his career.He said: “If Fury gets knocked out like Francis Ngannou did, he’ll chuck it in. READ MORE SUN STORIES”His pride as a fighting man will make him internally combust, doesn’t matter what his PR people say, if that happens to him he’ll struggle to accept it.”He said before he’d struggle to accept losing to a little cruiserweight.” More

CONTROVERSY has rocked the boxing world after Ryan Garcia reportedly tested positive for steroids.The report emerged on Wednesday, 11 days after Garcia’s majority decision win over Devin Haney.Ryan Garcia has insisted he’s innocent in response to claims he tested positive for steroids ahead of his recent fight with Devin HaneyCredit: GettyGarcia won via a majority decision on April 20Credit: Getty’Everybody knows that I don’t cheat,’ Garcia said on XCredit: Twitter/@RyanGarciaIt was reported that “Garcia tested positive for the banned PED Ostarine in a VADA test related to the Haney fight,” as per boxing reporter Dan Rafael.He later added that Garcia is said to have tested positive for the substance in tests from both April 19 and 20.Garcia can request for his B-sample to be tested within the next 10 days, according to ESPN’s Mike Coppinger.Since the reports emerged, Garcia has come out swinging on X, formerly known as Twitter.In a clip captioned, “Fake news like if I was Donald Trump,” Garcia insisted that he did not take steroids.”I came on here to address this bull f*****g s**t claim that I cheated,” he said.”Everybody knows that I don’t cheat.”Garcia subsequently questioned the timing of the reports, asking why he was allowed to fight in the first place if these tests had shown positive results beforehand.Most read in Boxing”Again, these are people that are trying to attack me for whatever reason,” he said, adding, “But no weapon against me shall prosper.”Garcia went on to add that he wouldn’t know where to get steroids and that he barely takes any supplements.Ryan Garcia shadow boxes Donald Trump in bizarre meeting before revealing who he wants to win US election”Big lies. I beat his a**,” he said.But Garcia wasn’t done there, sharing a series of NSFW tweets blasting the claims.”I’m find out who paid who to create this lie,” one read. “Now Ima release everyone’s s**t…Time to expose the real snakes.”Garcia beat Haney via a majority decisionCredit: GettyGarcia also denied any suggestions this could lead to a rematch with Haney.”I beat him easy, fair and square…I’d be d**ned if I rematch him,” he tweeted.Fellow boxer Gervonta Davis also weighed in on the situation, backing Garcia on X.I came on here to address this bull f*****g s**t claim that I cheated. Everybody knows that I don’t cheat.Ryan GarciaX”They doing anything to take away the win from Ryan,” he claimed before going after promoter Eddie Hearn.READ MORE SUN STORIESSince turning pro in 2016, Garcia is 25-1, including 20 wins via a knockout.His only loss came to Davis in April 2023.Garcia has already said on X that there will be no rematch with HaneyCredit: Getty More

BOXING legend David Tua had fans cringing after savagely tearing a coconut open with his TEETH.The Samoan-New Zealand former heavyweight was famed for his knockout power and explosive style. David Tua had fans cringing after savagely eating a coconutCredit: Instagram / davidtuafaumuinatoaletaiTua ripped the coconut skin off with his teethCredit: Instagram / davidtuafaumuinatoaletaiTua was fearless in his approach in the ring until he retired in 2013. He still lives in Auckland and loves to keep in shape – even when he is not in the gym training.And one recent trip to the beach went viral as Tua was seen ripping off coconut skin using his teeth. He then cracked the coconut in half with his hand before taking a swig from the fresh water. READ MORE IN BOXINGBut fans could not help but look away, as one said: “My teeth hurt from watching this.”Another added: “He got some strong ass teeth.”One joked: “Look at the way this motherf***er rips into that coconut.”Another simply put: “That’s savage.” Most read in BoxingWill AJ vs Fury actually happen?SunSport boxing correspondent Wally Downes Jr answers the big questions around Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury finally facing each other…

Could we finally see Fury vs AJ this year?
Simply: Yes.
Before the Saudi takeover of boxing – spearheaded by Turki Alalshikh, would we have seen Fury vs Francis Ngannou, AJ vs Ngannou, Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker, Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn working together and shaking hands for photos?
Simply: No.
The rules, rankings, sanctioning bodies and broadcast and promotional disputes are all irrelevant when this much money is thrown at prize fighting.
How would it work?
It feels like the winner of Fury vs Usyk on May 18 will fight AJ as soon after as possible.
There is a rematch clause in the current deal for Britain’s WBC champ and Ukraine’s WBA, IBF and WBO king to meet and decide the first undisputed ruler for 25 years.
But it seems certain the belts will fragment afterwards – with a string of mandatory challengers due their crack at the four separate belts – so the clamour for AJ vs the winner might be bigger than the demand for a rerun for fewer belts.
Where would it happen?
It feels like every major fight is now going to happen in Saudi Arabia.
But don’t rule out a potential Fury vs Ngannou clash taking place at Wembley stadium.
It seems like the Saudis are keen to eventually host shows in the UK and that fight, at the home of football, would be some debut.
If Usyk topples the Gypsy King then the hype for him to face AJ for a third time will be far less intense.
Why this time?
It feels like we have twice come close to seeing the clash but there were simply too many hurdles and disputes in the way – similar to the way AJ vs Wilder still hasn’t happened.
But with Alalshikh now making Hearn’s Matchroom and Warren’s Queensberry play nice and letting Sky Sports, TNT and DAZN share the shows, there is far less to fight over in the boardroom and loads on to battle for in the ring.
And if Fury beats Usyk and rightfully demands a huge percentage of an overdue Joshua meeting, then the Saudi’s have the cash and the clout to hand him 99 per cent of the pie – to massage his ego and bank balance – and hand AJ as much extra dough as needed to keep everyone sweet.
Who wins?
If Fury sets up an AJ clash by beating Oleksandr Usyk – the mathematics and stats make it clear only a maniac would back Joshua to triumph in the all-English clash.
Usyk dominated AJ over two one-sided fights, on foreign soil.
The Watford man has enjoyed a spike in form and respect since linking up with new trainer Ben Davison but a 20st 6ft 9in Fury – who has just slayed the gap-toothed southpaw – would be almost invincible.
But in any major football derby or cup final the formbook is often aimed out of the window. And perhaps a rejuvenated hungry AJ could be too much for an undisputed and fulfilled Fury to handle.

CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSTua, now 51, was a national amateur boxing champion who went to the 1992 Olympics and won bronze. And as a professional he had memorable bouts against Lennox Lewis, Michael Moorer and Hasim Rahman.Francis Ngannou’s 15-month-old son tragically dies as UFC champion-turned boxer shares heartbreaking postBut he never got his hands on the heavyweight title, leaving the sport as one of the most popular stars to have never won gold. His last fight was a points loss to Alexander Ustinov in 2013, leaving the sport at 52–5–2 having NEVER been knocked out. Tua fought the likes of Lennox LewisCredit: AFPHe remains in great shape even in retirement More