Boxing

DILLIAN WHYTE will face Joe Joyce as part of a heavyweight card. The pair will fight on April 5 at Manchester’s new £365million Co-op Live arena to kick off Frank Warren’s new DAZN schedule. Dillian Whyte will face Joe Joyce as part of a heavyweight cardCredit: PAJoyce returns in a make-or-break clashCredit: GettyAlso on the bill is Lawrence Okolie vs Richard Riakporhe and David Adeleye facing Jeamie TKV to make up the heavyweight card. Whyte beat Christian Hammer and Ebenezer Tetteh last year in his two comeback bouts.It came after he was pulled out of rematching Anthony Joshua – who he lost to in 2015 – following an “an adverse finding” in his drug test.He beat Hammer in Ireland and Tetteh in Gibraltar after resuming his careeer on the road. READ MORE IN BOXINGA report from Sky Sports said documentation from a forensic expert concluded that a nutritional supplement taken by Whyte did not disclose all of its ingredients and included a prohibited substance.Joyce meanwhile was twice stopped by Zhilei Zhang, 41, in 2023 before knocking out Kash Ali, 33, in his return last March.But he was beaten by Derek Chisora, 41, in July to leave his career hanging in the balance.Joyce insisted he would fight on and does so in a make-or-break clash against Whyte. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe chief support will see Riakporhe move up to heavyweight to fight rival Okolie. Okolie, 32, held the WBO cruiserweight title before moving up knocking out Hussein Muhamed in his heavyweight debut in December.Deontay Wilder and huge world title bout among SIX options for Anthony Joshua’s next fight if Tyson Fury stays retired Riakporhe, 35, heads to heavyweight off the back of defeat to Chris Billam-Smith, 34, for the WBO belt in June.The Londoner and Okolie have history, once clashing at the Creed III premiere in February 2023.And Adeleye, 28, is coming off a huge first-round KO over Solomon Dacres, 31, in December. It came after he suffered the first defeat in his career in October 2023, losing by stoppage to Fabio Wardley, 30, in Saudi Arabia. Hall of Fame promoter Warren left TNT Sports to join streaming service DAZN alongside Eddie Hearn. Anthony Cacace, 36, will face former super-featherweight world champion Leigh Wood, also 36, on May 10 in Nottingham. READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd Warren also announced the signing of ex-undisputed super-lightweight king Josh Taylor, 34. The Scottish star moves up to welterweight to fight Ekow Essuman, 35, also some time in May in Glasgow. Leigh Wood moves to Frank Warren to fight Anthony CacaceCredit: Richard Pelham / The SunCacace fights Wood on May 10Credit: ReutersJosh Taylor moves up to welterweight and signs with WarrenCredit: Getty More

DEREK CHISORA has no idea how he will handle his 50th and final fight after he broke down and sobbed BEFORE Saturday’s victory over Otto Wallin.The grizzled 41-year-old heavyweight blubbed like a baby when he walked through the bowls of Manchester’s Co-op Live arena and spotted the selection of photos from his most iconic battles.Derek Chisora admits he could take on Anthony Joshua in his final fightCredit: Richard Pelham / The SunThe ace secured victory over Otto Wallin last nightCredit: ReutersChisora burst into tears before the boutCredit: TNT SportsHe has a bad-boy reputation, a total fearlessness and a granite chin but could not keep the tears at bay.And after twice dropping the 34-year-old Swede to earn an unanimous decision, Chisora admitted he does not know how hard the swansong later this year will hit him.Chisora, who needed stitches around both eyes, said: “I am not going to lie to you, it will be very, very emotional.“Before I left the hotel for this one, I promised myself that I wouldn’t cry.READ MORE IN BOXING“But suddenly I was walking through the corridors and I saw my photos and just started balling.“It’s going to be very emotional, and sad, because I love this game so much.“I just started crying, like a little kid. F***ing hell!“I just love the game, the ups and downs, even the cuts and bruises that I have right now. I love it all.”Most read in BoxingJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSChisora wants to bow out against a massive name for his half- century showdown.Del Boy has tried to fight every big man of this era.Derek Chisora opens up on retirement and says people ‘don’t care’ about him in ‘scumbag’ sport of boxingHe may have suffered three losses to Tyson Fury and a pair against Dillian Whyte but he always comes back swinging.The only person he has never even tried cultivating a rivalry with is British boxing’s biggest cash cow, Anthony Joshua.Chisora is like a big brother to his fellow North Londoner, bringing him up behind him at the Finchley ABC gym.But now he suggests he would put their bromance on ice to  go out in a blaze of glory.He said: “Anthony Joshua has done unbelievably well for boxing in the United Kingdom.“Olympic gold medal, world titles, stadium  fights . . . AJ was the one who took boxing to Saudi Arabia and opened up all the doors for everyone else to follow him and make money.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I have watched him sell out stadiums in Cardiff and London and Saudi, so he always has to be given respect.“But if the public really wants to see us get that fight on, we will get it on.”­ More

ANTHONY JOSHUA has been urged to avoid fighting Martin Bakole – and instead look towards Tyson Fury or Deontay Wilder. Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn was forced to deny that AJ had signed to face 21-1 Bakole next. Martin Bakole and Anthony Joshua are former sparring partnersThe two were former sparring partners in Team GB’s Sheffield HQ – where Joshua used to train. British heavyweight Dave Allen watched those sessions – and advised AJ against fighting the Congolese powerhouse. Allen, 32, told Pro Boxing Fans: “Bakole is an animal. I’ve seen them spar. “The spars I’ve seen were good spars, good competitive spars, but I don’t think it makes sense for Joshua. READ MORE IN BOXING”He’s one of the best heavyweights of his generation, why box Martin Bakole?”Bakole, 31, has won his last ten fights having only lost to Michael Hunter, 36, in 2018. He most recently beat American prospect Jared Anderson, 25, in the biggest win of his career. Joshua, 35, meanwhile was knocked out by Daniel Dubois, 27, in September and pulled out of talks for an immediate rematch. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHe was expected to fight Tyson Fury, 36, until the Gypsy King announced a shock retirement in January. And Deontay Wilder, 39, is plotting a comeback after losses to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang. And Allen said: “If he (Joshua) continues to fight its Fury or Wilder are the two for me. “They make sense, there’s a backstory to it, they’d be crazy exciting fights. I would leave Martin Bakole well alone, if I was anybody to be honest.”Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder are potential opponents for JoshuaCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

FRANK WARREN insists Tyson Fury is a happily retired fighter – in a blow to Anthony Joshua. The heavyweight pair looked destined to finally commence their Battle of Britain this year. Promoter Frank Warren with Tyson FuryCredit: ReutersBut in January, Fury announced a shock retirement to leave the two-fight deal worth £150MILLION facing the KO.The Gypsy King has kept an unusually low profile in the wake of his retirement – spending time with wife Paris and their seven kids.But he was in Manchester to support his cousin Walter on Derek Chisora’s undercard and beamed next to Warren.And the Hall of Fame promoter appeared to shoot down Fury returning despite the allure of a blockbuster against AJ.READ MORE IN BOXINGWarren told BoxingScene: “I don’t speak to him on a regular basis because he’s spending time with his family. “He had nearly a year in training camp with a fight. One camp, very late into the camp, fell apart because of his cut eye. “He got back in camp again for the Usyk fight. Then he had another camp for it [the rematch]. “Last year was a lot of sacrifice for him, not seeing his family, his wife and kids and so forth. He’s making up for it now. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”He’s retired, and I’m just looking forward to him being happy. That’s all I want to do, is see him being happy. He’s retired and God bless him.” Fury, 36, was twice beaten on points by Oleksandr Usyk, 38, last year to lose his WBC title and unbeaten record. Amir Khan echos the nation in plead to Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua… and he speaks from experienceMeanwhile Joshua, 35, was knocked out by Daniel Dubois, 27, in September and pulled out of talks for a rematch.There was hope – with the British stars both beaten – that AJ and Fury would at last settle their grudge in the ring. But Joshua hopes to return in the summer and could be forced to look for a new opponent with Fury staying retired.And Warren added: “He’s been a great, magnificent servant for British and world boxing. He’s been an unbelievable world champion. “He’s one of the two best heavyweights of the 21st century. I love it. I want him to be happy. That’s all that counts for me.”Anthony Joshua was dealt a blow in hopes to fight FuryCredit: Getty More

DEREK CHISORA asked the CROWD to decide who should face in his 50th and final fight.The 41-year-old fans’ favourite beat Otto Wallin on points in Manchester after scoring a ninth-round knockdown. Derek Chisora teased fighting Daniel Dubois, Anthony Joshua or Oleksandr UsykCredit: ReutersIt was his farewell fight in the UK and Chisora was joined in celebration by rappers Skepta, Lethal Bizzle and Tinie Tempah. The music stars each held up a poster of Daniel Dubois, Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk. And Chisora said: “People, you decide. Do I get Triple D? Do I get my brother AJ? Do I get Oleksandr Usyk? You tell me. “I think I earned number 50 a big blockbuster, please.” READ MORE IN BOXINGChisora once mentored Joshua, 35, having come up together at the Finchley Amateur Boxing Club.The two remain good friends today but Chisora has refused to rule out a fight with his old pal.He was also beaten by Usyk, 38, in 2020 before the Ukrainian became heavyweight world champion.Dubois – who knocked out AJ in September – is the IBF champ and Chisora won an eliminator for his title. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSPromoter Frank Warren said: “Whatever he wants, we will make it happen. We will sit down and make it happen. “He’s now won an eliminator for the IBF title and that’s Daniel Dubois’, so he has that in the bank.”Whatever he wants to do, we will do. Tonight, what a performance. I can’t tell you how proud I am of how he fought in there, Otto as well, because it takes two to make a fight.” More