Boxing

UKRAINIAN president Volodymyr Zelensky had a special gift for Donald Trump on his visit to the White House.The 47-year-old brought Oleksandr Usyk’s world heavyweight belt into the Oval Office for Friday’s crunch talks.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky brought Oleksandr Usyk’s WBC belt to the Oval OfficeCredit: AlamyThe belt was seen next to Zelensky during the key talksUsyk has twice beaten Tyson Fury and became unified heavyweight champ in 2021Credit: Instagram / usykaaZelensky met Trump at the door to the White House and shook the President’s hand before the seismic meeting.And, once inside, his entourage was seen carrying the WBC undisputed belt Usyk earned against Tyson Fury last year.Boxing fans were baffled to see the belt propped up on a table as the two leaders talked in front of the gathered press. One fan gasped on X: “I hope that’s a replica.”READ MORE ON BOXINGAnother said: “Just why?”While a third added: “I can’t think of anyone who deserves it less.”And a fourth commented after the talks went drastically south: “I hope he took it back after this meeting?”Following the tense talks, Trump kicked Zelensky out of the White House and branded him “disrespectful”.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSNegotiations fell apart after a dramatic three-way shouting match erupted between Zelensky, Trump and Vice President JD Vance.Ukrainian hero Usyk has a proud unbeaten record of 23-0, with 14 of those wins coming by knockout. ‘Aura is crazy’ – Oleksandr Usyk asks where Anthony Joshua is seconds after arriving for stacked Beterbiev vs Bivol cardHe joined soldiers on the front line at the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago. Usyk, 38, has been a unified world champion in two weight classes – first as a cruiserweight, before stepping up to heavyweight in 2020.Usyk has beaten Joshua, Daniel Dubois, Derek Chisora and Tyson Fury twice to cement himself as the pound-for-pound king. The world champion beat Fury for a second time in December last year to retain his belts in Riyadh.Usyk already has one eye on leaving boxing behind.Asked about retirement, he told Sky Sports: “I think two years, one-and-a-half [left in boxing].”I feel great myself. I feel I have two fights to prepare, not more. Just two.”Usyk had indicated he would fight the winner of Dubois vs Joseph Parker, which was cancelled earlier this month after Triple D pulled out through illness. Should Dubois win that fight, he believes he has what it takes to knock Usyk off his perch.IBF holder Dubois said: “Run it back. My next fight I’m working towards [is Usyk], I’m ready for it now.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I’m just getting better, improving. They say when you win a world title you improve. “So I feel like that’s what’s happening with me.” More

FORMER boxing champion Marcos Maidana has revealed how he somehow escaped death after being hit by a car at 125mph.The 41-year-old was out on his motorbike in Santa Fe, Argentina, on February 18 when he was struck.Ex-boxer Marcos Maidana has spoken out after being hit by a carCredit: AFPThe ex-boxing champion was hit by a car while on his motorbikeCredit: TYC SportsHe remarkably didn’t suffer any broken bonesCredit: TYC SportsAfter being hit by the Renault Clio, he flew 150 metres and eventually landed in a ditch with wet grass.Speaking to Infobae, Maidana recalled: “I feel like I was reborn. I don’t remember anything about the accident.”Although I never lost consciousness and was awake, I only remember when I arrived at the hospital.”I am now resting and continuing with studies due to the strong blows I received on my back and chest.”READ MORE IN BOXINGHe continued: “I can’t believe it myself. I flew 150 metres and I don’t have any broken bones or anything.”The motorbike saved my leg because I hit it on the side. I hit it with the engine which has a crash bar that sticks out.”That’s why I didn’t hit my leg against the car, otherwise I would have broken everything. It was a miracle to crash at that speed.”Maidana held the WBA super lightweight title from 2011 to 2012 and the WBA welterweight title between 2013 and 2014.Most read in BoxingThe boxing organisation sent a message of support to the former champion shortly after his accident.A statement read: “The World Boxing Association (WBA) extends its deepest concern and best wishes for a swift recovery to former world champion Marcos “Chino” Maidana, who was involved in a traffic accident this Tuesday on National Route 11 in the province of Santa Fe, Argentina.”It concluded: “On behalf of the entire boxing community, the WBA sends its support and well wishes to Marcos Maidana and his family during this difficult time.”With the strength and resilience that defined his career, we have no doubt that “Chino” will overcome this challenge and remain an inspiration to us all.” More

DANIEL DUBOIS’ dad has opened up on just how bad his viral infection was after the Brit was forced to withdraw from his bout with Joseph Parker.Dubois, 27, pulled out of his lucrative world title fight just two days before he was due to step in the ring in Riyadh, citing illness as the reason.Daniel Dubois’ dad has revealed the extent of the IBF champ’s virusCredit: GettyDubois was forced to withdraw from his fight with Joseph Parker due to illnessCredit: GettyTriple D was swiftly replaced by Congolese puncher Martin Bakole, who was battered by Parker on such short notice.Dubois would almost certainly have put up more of a fight, but was advised against gloving up after a consultation with a doctor.The IBF champion’s dad, Dave, told Ring Magazine exactly what happened.He said: “Fight week was going well until he became ill. Everything was perfect, then he started feeling unwell a couple days before.READ MORE IN BOXING”He had a virus, he had swollen glands and an ear infection so the doctor told him ‘I wouldn’t fight if I was you’. He said ‘you can fight, but after three rounds you’ll be feeling it’.”He’s had these problems before, swollen glands, viral infection, it’s been happening for about eight years and they usually last three of four days but he’s been alright after that.”With this it was just bad timing that it happened two days before the fight. Obviously it was very frustrating for him and us.”Dubois isn’t planning on returning to face Parker either, with his dad revealing he has something even bigger in mind.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHe said: “Next, he wants Usyk, it’s frustrating about the Parker fight but he couldn’t fight with an infection. Usyk is who we’re going after next.”Parker has taken a different view of Dubois’ withdrawal, labelling the whole ordeal as “weird” and sparking theories about what happened.Jake Paul in X-rated reaction as brother Logan reveals who his next opponent is During an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, he said: ”It feels weird because [Daniel Dubois] was at the public workout and then, just like that, he got real ill.”And there was no real statement. There’s no real proof or doctors. There’s nothing.”It feels a bit weird. It feels a bit strange that during that time that [Oleksandr] Usyk started calling out Dubois saying he wants him next.”Joseph Parker has claimed there is ‘no real proof’ that Dubois was illCredit: Getty More

TYSON FURY has been given a shock spot in the latest heavyweight rankings, despite retiring from boxing.Fury, 36, stunned fight fans all over the world last month by announcing his fifth retirement from the sport.Tyson Fury suffered back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk last yearCredit: GettyFury, 36, announced his retirement from boxing last monthCredit: PABut The Gypsy King has been given a surprise spot in the Ring Magazine’s heavyweight rankingsCredit: AFPMany, however, aren’t buying the Wythenshawe warrior’s latest hanging up of the gloves.And neither are The Ring Magazine, who have given him a shock spot in their heavyweight rankings.Fury has been named the No1-ranked heavyweight on the planet behind unified champion Oleksandr Usyk.Fury is stunningly ahead of IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois and the resurgent Joseph Parker, who are second and third in the list respectively.READ MORE IB BOXINGAgit Kabayel – who stunned Zhilei Zhang last weekend – is the No.4-ranked heavyweight contender in the Ring’s rankings.And former two-time heavyweight king Anthony Joshua rounds out the top five.Fury’s placing atop of the Ring’s heavyweight rankings comes after a recent phone call with Saudi boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh, who is keen for him to face AJ.He told The Stomping Ground: “I want Tyson [next for Joshua]. I spoke with him, but I don’t talk about boxing.Most read in BoxingJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS”I just check about his health and his family. I think maybe he’ll return. Yes ,[I think he will return], I hope so.”Fury has remained tight-lipped on the prospect of a ring return since announcing his retirement in a bizarre Instagram video. ‘I think he’ll return’ – Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury fight update as Saudi boxing chief reveals chat with Gypsy KingBut Joshua isn’t giving up hope of sharing the ring with his long-time rival, telling iFL TV: “I feel like it’s the best fight [for me].”People might say [Joseph] Parker, people might say – I don’t know.”But I think Fury, commercially, is a great fight and it’s a great man’s fight as well. So I think it makes sense.”You could say it’s been years in the making. But listen, the heavyweight division has been thriving.”And why I say it’s probably still a great fight is as I said Parker is, for me, a great story of someone that never gives up.”And the thing is, there is going to be one winner and one loser. And there’s going to be blood shed. And it ain’t gonna be mine.” More