Boxing

JOE JOYCE is looking to come out on top this time as he faces Zhilei Zhang in their rematch tonight. And the heavyweight fighter has taken an unusual measure to ensure a victory, resorting to the use of an electric skateboard.
Joe Joyce has revealed how a one-wheeled skateboard has helped him overcome his loss to Zhilei Zhang in AprilCredit: Reuters
Joyce rides the electric board to help clear his headCredit: YouTube / Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions
The unusual tactic has helped him prepare for his rematch with ZhangCredit: YouTube / Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions
Joyce takes on Zhang at Wembley Arena tonightCredit: Getty
Joyce lost to Zhang back in April in what was the 38-year-old’s first professional loss, but he has found a new way to clear his head after the heartbreak of losing his unbeaten record.
Instead of going for a stroll or zoning out to some music, he has instead been heading out on his one-wheel skateboard.
Speaking to the Daily Star about what’s helped him move past the defeat, he said: “I got out in nature on my one wheel skateboard thing, that helped me.
“Going to see family and friends. Reviewing the footage as well and seeing where I went wrong. It wasn’t that I was thinking, it was a distraction and something to feel good about and enjoy.
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“I have hobbies away from boxing, I swim, dive, cycle and the one wheel is my new thing. It helps me take my mind off it and enjoy life. It means it’s not boxing, boxing, boxing.”
The Putney Juggernaut hasn’t just had a mental change before the fight, but also a massive physical transformation.
He has gained almost TWO STONE since his last bout with Zhang in the hopes of tipping the scales closer into his favour.
Joyce was 18st 4lbs for the original fight earlier this year, but is now weighing in at an impressive 20st 1lbs for the Wembley Arena re-run.
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Joyce has added some serous weight ahead of the fight with the scales setting him at 20st 1lbsCredit: Rex
Zhang has also come in heavy at 20st 7lbsCredit: Reuters
But it’s not just the Englishman who’s piled on the pounds with Zhang hitting 20st 7lbs ahead of the eagerly anticipated fight.
The Chinese southpaw will be hoping for a repeat of last time’s fight when he showed complete dominance against Joyce and left his right eye shut.
Despite the haunting memories of April’s disappointment, Joyce is confident his new weight can help him tonight.
He said: “I knew the weight was a little bit light last time.
“This time I’ve corrected all the mistakes and been more conscious of what I’ve been eating and the way I’m training.
“I’m in a lot better a place, physically, mentally and also with my focus and drive to win this time.
“I believe I’ll get victory in this fight. I can stop him if I hit him with the right shots.”
Joyce suffered heartbreak in April and saw his right eye sealed shut from heavy blows to the faceCredit: Getty
Zhang wound up victorious in the pair’s first meetingCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More

A BOXING legend looks completely unrecognisable in this throwback snap from their childhood.Fans have been left joking that “he never changed his shorts” after the old photo was uploaded to Instagram.
Can you guess the boxing legend from this throwback snap?Credit: Instagram @canelo
The boxer in question has been a world champion in four different weight classes and is returning to the ring later this month.
He also has a professional record of 59-2-2 with 39 of his wins coming by way of knockout.
A current undisputed world champion, the fighter shared the snap of himself as a child in a yellow T-shirt and white shorts.
His iconic ginger hair is on full display in the throwback picture as he strolls down the street.
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Alongside his post, he wrote: “Some things never change,” as well as attaching a recent snap from the gym of himself wearing a similar outfit.
Still not guessed who it is? It is of course undisputed super middleweight world champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.
Reacting to Canelo’s throwback snap, one fan commented: “You didn’t change the shorts either.”
Another also joked: “He still has the same shorts.”
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Canelo recreated the childhood photo on InstagramCredit: Instagram @canelo
Meanwhile, a third follower proudly hailed Canelo as “The pride of Mexico”.
The 33-year-old is set to defend his world titles in Las Vegas on September 30 against undisputed super welterweight world champion Jermell Charlo.
Speaking ahead of the bout, Canelo explained: “It’s a good fight, it’s been talked about since a long time ago, and now I’m in PBC I think it’s a good fight for the fans.
“I just like fighting, I like boxing and I like what I’m doing right now – making history.” More

TYSON FURY has walked away from the heavyweight boxing division to play cash-grab with MMA giant Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia.With Deontay Wilder and Andy Ruiz – who stunned the world by beating Anthony Joshua in 2019 – refusing to fight each other to decide a mandatory challenger for the WBC Gypsy King, the division is frustrating fans no end.
Tyson Fury is the reigning WBC champion of the worldCredit: Reuters
Oleksandr Usyk holds the WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO title beltsCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
After dominating Anthony Joshua in back-to-back fights and jabbing Daniel Dubois into submission, Oleksandr Usyk is the rising star after being undisputed king of the cruiserweight division.
But the rest of the rankings are a pick’em blend of falling heroes, rising prospects and champing-at-the-bit-contenders.
As with all of these utterly subjective, fantasy boxing lists, nobody really knows.
But this is how SunSport sees it right now.
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10. JARED ANDERSON
Jared Anderson is rising up the ranks in AmericaCredit: Getty
Big Baby is growing in record and reputation, with US promoters Top Rank expecting the 23-year-old to be a sensation.
Fury used the American for sparring before his Wilder wins and agrees with them.
Bizarrely 16-0 Anderson doesn’t seem to love the sport and is treating it like a business he is already looking forward to leaving but he has all the credentials and potential to be the boss of bosses when the current crop start to retire.
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9. BAKHODIR JALOLOV
Bakhodir Jalolov could be a contenderCredit: AFP
It’s another dark mark on the greedy boxing bureaucracy that this 29-year-old southpaw giant has been allowed to have 13 pro fights while still jetting around the world winning amateur tournaments.
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The 6ft 7in leftie is a major problem for everyone in the heavyweight division but he’s currently battering journeymen in the pros and, mainly, kids in the amateurs. Once he commits to the pro ranks he will be a world champion but right now his handlers are exploiting boxing’s bonkers rules and wasting his and our time.
8. FILIP HRGOVIC
Filip Hrgovic could get a shot at Usyk soonCredit: Getty
A few fights back the Croatian ‘Animal’ was chairman of the who-needs-him club. A celebrated amateur, a spiteful puncher and a no-nonsense brute who doesn’t care for talking trash or selling tickets.
But he was handed a gift against Zhang and he was taken all 12 rounds by unknown Australian Dempsey McKean in August so nobody is begging for Hrgovic to get his world title shot right now.
But mandatory position with the IBF could get him a shot at Usyk soon.
7. DANIEL DUBOIS
Daniel Dubois put in a good showing against UsykCredit: Getty
A controversial choice on current form but both of the Londoner’s defeats have come with caveats.
He was ahead on the cards when he took a knee against Joyce and he floored Usyk with a body punch that was ruled a low blow and is currently being contested by promoter Frank Warren.
The sadly unavoidable fact is that behind Dynamite Dan’s ideal physical characteristics there remains a frail mind that is prone to folding under extreme pressure.
But a bit more maturity, a psychology coach or just a lightbulb moment could cure that and make him a monster.
6. JOE JOYCE
Joyce is in need of a winCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
The Juggernaut was robbed of 2016 Olympic gold that would have fast-tracked him to a world title in the same way it did for AJ four years early.
But when he beat Daniel Dubois in 2020 he finally became a mainstream star.
The loss to Zhang was disastrous and a repeat will sadly end his status as a serious contender but a win will rocket him back into the reckoning where all-English clashes with Fury and AJ would sell out a football stadium.
5. ZHILEI ZHANG
Zhilei Zhang had a big win over Joe JoyceCredit: Getty
Nobody in their right mind wants to fight a 20st southpaw who struggles to sell tickets outside of his China home so when the 40-year-old battered Joe Joyce in April he catapulted himself into the big leagues.
He was robbed of a win over heavyweight boogie man Filip Hrgovic in the bout before but is now bearing down on the big boys. Time is running out for the veteran and a rematch defeat to Joyce will almost end his top-tier career but a win makes him a major player.
4. ANTHONY JOSHUA
AJ has won his last two fightsCredit: Getty
Another London 2012 golden boy but also another former champion on the slide. There is no shame in losing back-to-back decisions to Usyk but the comeback performances against Jermaine Franklin and Robert Helenius have underwhelmed.
The history books should never forget the rapid rise through the amateurs, the tear through the division and the excellent way he has conducted himself. But never facing Wilder or Fury will be a stain if AJ’s superb career ends any time soon.
3. DEONTAY WILDER
Deontay Wilder is still a fearsome opponent despite recent defeatsCredit: AP
Despite a draw and back-to-back defeats to Fury, Wilder’s stock rose following their iconic trilogy – he was proven not to be just a flat-track bully – and it is a travesty he has done just one round in the two years since.
If he lands that right hand on Usyk, Joshua, Ruiz et al he could well knock them spark out and separate himself from that chasing pack but his inactivity is doing him no favours and he could soon fall lower down the list without a real bout.
2. OLEKSANDR USYK
London 2012 Olympic champion after an amateur record of 94-15, undisputed 14st 4lbs boss inside just 15 pro fights and now the WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight ruler.
We are already looking at one of the finest fighters of the modern era. But the step up to 6ft 9in, 19st Fury is massive and would take something superhuman, which the Ukraine southpaw could well be capable of.
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1. TYSON FURY

The undefeated 34-year-old giant outboxed Wladimir Klitschko when he was the decade-long don and demolished Bronze Bomber Wilder in two of their three fights to cement his position as top dog.
Bouts against Derek Chisora and Dillian Whyte recently have underwhelmed but if AJ and Usyk are turning down his offers, he has earned the right to play away with Ngannou for now. More

TYSON FURY could play himself in a movie about his life, says wife Paris.However, the Gypsy King will first need to overcome a huge issue if he’s to become a full-time actor.
Paris Fury admits hubby Tyson could play himself in a Hollywood movieCredit: Instagram
Heavyweight world champion Fury is currently starring in Netflix series‘At Home With The Furys.
The fly-on-the-wall documentary chronicles life behind the scenes for Tyson, as well as partner Paris and their children.
The happy couple have just welcomed a seventh kid as Fury prepares for a highly-anticipated crossover fight with MMA icon Francis Ngannou at the end of October.
But with a world heavyweight boxing unifier against Oleksandr Usyk looking unlikely afterwards, Fury could soon find himself in the world of Hollywood.
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Wife Paris admits her hubby has been inundated with offers to move into acting, having already dabbled in front of the camera.
However, Fury will first need to overcome his huge issue of getting bored while practising his lines.
And Paris admits he’s still some way off becoming the next Brad Pitt.
She told Fabulous Magazine: “It wouldn’t shock me at all (acting). It would certainly interest him. 
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“We’ve had some big proposals put forward for him to go into acting seriously. 
“But he’s done acting in the past and he lasts a few hours before he gets frustrated. 
“I don’t know if he has the Brad Pitt gene. 
“I’d need to teach him to smoulder!”
How Does She Do It?: The Kids, Tyson & Me by Paris Fury (£22, Hodder & Stoughton) is out on Septamber 28 More