Boxing

TYSON FURY could turn his attention to another heavyweight super-fight following Anthony Joshua’s knockout loss to Daniel Dubois.The pair of British superstars looked to have a deal in place for a double header next year – across London to Saudi Arabia. Tyson Fury speaking ahead of the console release of boxing video game UndisputedBut Joshua suffered a brutal KO defeat to Dubois – while Fury is yet to rematch Oleksandr Usyk. And with AJ seemingly out of the picture for now, the Gypsy King is open to a stunning trilogy series with Usyk. He said ahead of the console release of boxing video game Undisputed: “I believe it’ll be one of the great trilogies, me and Usyk, like Jack Dempsey and Gene Tunney going back to them days. “They were great fights. And I believe when I beat him again, I’ll definitely do a trilogy with him, 100 per cent. Got to be, one each and then we’ll do a trilogy.”READ MORE IN BOXINGUsyk, 37, became the first four-belt undisputed heavyweight champion in history when he took Fury’s WBC belt and unbeaten record.But to proceed with their rematch, he was forced to vacate the IBF title which Dubois, 27, inherited after being elevated from interim champ.And he sensationally KOd Joshua, 34, in his first defence to further shelve Fury’s plan to face AJ.Joshua has since held talks with promoter Eddie Hearn and Saudi boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAnd a rematch with Dubois – eyed for February – is already in the works.But Fury, 36, does still have his eyes on long-time rival Joshua and next opponent Usyk. Tyson Fury willing to wait until he’s 50-YEARS-OLD to fight Anthony Joshua and says rival ‘knows he’s getting it’Round by round: How Dubois demolished JoshuaANTHONY JOSHUA bravely picked himself up from the floor against Daniel Dubois – until he could no more.AJ was floored four times in five rounds by Dubois before a thudding counter right closed the show in dramatic fashion.Here, SunSport’s Jack Figg takes you round-by-round from the Wembley war.ROUND 1Dubois comes out sharp with the jab as Joshua bounces around struggling to deal with the piston-like left.Huge right hand from Dubois has AJ staggering backwards with his hands far too low from the opening bell.Joshua made to pay for the mistake as he circles out with his hands down and gets dropped by an overhand right.ROUND 2Joshua – saved only by the bell after being floored – struggles to get going as he takes shots to the face.AJ is tottering and teetering around the ring with his guard again dangerously low and inviting pressure on.Joshua is attempting to get back into the bout but his jab looks far too lazy – he doesn’t look to have recovered from the knockdown.ROUND 3AJ comes out with more intent but swings wildly with a right and connects with only thin air.Dubois pours on the pressure and hammers Joshua into the corner scoring another knockdown.The bell sounds but Dubois lands one or two afterwards – again AJ is saved by the clock as the writing looks on the wall.ROUND 4Disaster strikes again with Joshua floored once more – losing his balance as he touches the canvas.The referee gives AJ another fighting chance and Dubois lands a low blow – giving the challenger some valuable respite.Dubois slows down as four rounds come to a close with Joshua showing sensational resilience to hang in there.ROUND 5Joshua lands a huge right hand and Dubois legs buckle – an astonishing turnaround looks to be on the cards.AJ pins Dubois onto the ropes and attempts one of his signature uppercuts but the countering right hand gets there first.Joshua is caught flush on the chin, dropped once more and this time out for good. Dubois scores a stunning KO win.He said: “I look forward to fighting the rabbit again in December and then I’d love to do a trilogy with him after that.”Joshua, he knows he’s getting it.”Even if we’re 50 years old he’s got to fight me. There’s no escaping it, he cannot escape me.”Even if we are 50, we’re still going to sell out Wembley. That is a fact, and anybody they can all get it.”Anthony Joshua after losing to Daniel DuboisCredit: PA More

ANTHONY JOSHUA and Daniel Dubois are heading for a Riyadh rematch following their Wembley war. Dubois sent AJ to the canvas FOUR times on his way to a stunning fifth-round knockout victory. Anthony Joshua is set to rematch Daniel Dubois in Saudi ArabiaCredit: GettyTalk soon turned to what will be next for Joshua, with a rematch on offer but Tyson Fury also fighting Oleksandr Usyk on December 21. But his promoter Eddie Hearn revealed AJ is leaning towards a second crack at Dubois and the IBF belt – with a decision now imminent. Hearn told FightHub: “If it was up to AJ, straight rematch. “But he will take the advice of me and 258 [Management] and Ben Davison and everybody and then he will make the decision. READ MORE IN BOXING”But it will be a decision that probably comes in the next couple of weeks.” Usyk, 37, beat Fury, 36, in May to become the first four-belt undisputed heavyweight champion in history. But he vacated the IBF belt to proceed with the winter rematch as Dubois, 27, was elevated from interim champ. Joshua, 34, can consider waiting for Fury to fight Usyk to challenge his British rival but he runs the risk of sitting on the sidelines. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAnd Hearn revealed Saudi Arabia’s boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh is on board for AJ to rematch Dubois. But with rerun eyed for February, it would fall under Riyadh Season meaning the rivalry looks likely to head to the Middle East. Tyson Fury willing to wait until he’s 50-YEARS-OLD to fight Anthony Joshua and says rival ‘knows he’s getting it’Hearn said: “I think it would be part of Riyadh Season in Riyadh. Riyadh Season runs from October to end of February, early March. “So anything within that period takes place in Riyadh. So yeah, it would be part of Riyadh Season if it were to happen.” In the aftermath of Joshua’s loss his coaching team led by head trainer Davison came under fire. But Hearn talked down any threat of Davison being sacked as a result.He said: “He’s happy. He has to make the changes himself. There was a clear plan of what to do but he didn’t do it. “And you have to give credit to Daniel Dubois. I don’t think it should just be, ‘Oh, AJ didn’t box well.’ Dubois did really well and hats off to him. READ MORE SUN STORIES”But he’s happy with his training camp, he was in great condition, he was sparring really well. “So, in my opinion there won’t be any changes. He’s got to put it right and he can do it himself.” Ben Davison came under criticism for Joshua’s lossCredit: Getty More

TYSON FURY is willing to wait until he is 50-YEARS-OLD to fight Anthony Joshua. The pair of British superstars have spent years agonisingly circling each other without yet sharing the ring. Tyson Fury is willing to wait until he is 50 to fight Anthony JoshuaCredit: GettyJoshua was lined up to fight Fury next yearCredit: ReutersThey looked on course to do so next year with a double header – from Saudi Arabia to London – being put together behind the scenes. But AJ looks to have blown it after suffering a knockout loss to Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium. Fury meanwhile rematches Oleksandr Usyk on December 21 following his undisputed title loss in May.But the Gypsy King, 36, warned Joshua there is no way out of their Battle of Britain – which will commence sooner or later. READ MORE IN BOXINGHe said ahead of the console release of boxing video game Undisputed: “Joshua, he knows he’s getting it. “Even if we’re 50 years old he’s got to fight me. There’s no escaping it, he cannot escape me.”Even if we are 50, we’re still going to sell out Wembley. That is a fact, and anybody they can all get it.”Usyk, 37, became the first four-belt undisputed heavyweight champion in history when he took Fury’s WBC belt and unbeaten record. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSBut to proceed with their rematch, he was forced to vacate the IBF title which Dubois, 27, inherited after being elevated from interim champ. And he sensationally KOd Joshua, 34, in his first defence to further shelve Fury’s plan to face AJ.Joshua has since held talks with promoter Eddie Hearn and Saudi boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh. And a rematch with Dubois – eyed for February – is already in the works. Daniel Dubois knocked out Joshua at WembleyCredit: GETTY More

PROMOTER Barry Hearn has opened up on Matchroom’s dramatic split from Sky Sports. The company signed with DAZN in June 2021, ending a three-decade boxing partnership with the broadcasting giants.Promoters Eddie Hearn and Barry Hearn moved Matchroom Boxing to DAZN in 2021Credit: GettyThe pair recently claimed Matchroom is worth £1billionCredit: GettyHearn’s son Eddie was instrumental in negotiating the five-year, £100 million deal.The lucrative contract cemented the relationship between Matchroom and DAZN, which already held exclusive rights to show the promoter’s fights in the rest of the world. Two-time heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua was exempt from the deal as he already had a contract signed with Sky. On his podcast The Barry Hearn Show, the 76-year-old dived into the financial thinking behind the move.READ MORE ON BOXINGHearn said: “We’re all influenced by money.”The only danger as promoters, especially like us, is we tell the truth. “If someone wants something, and they are prepared to pay…”We left Sky after 30 years of boxing. Why? We had a great relationship with them.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”But a new player [DAZN] came in and gave us the chance to take the sport to the levels we believe it is capable of.”Hearn added that DAZN “paid several times more than their incumbent broadcaster.”Boxing legend spotted in Hyde Park as Eddie Hearn runs with hundreds of people before Anthony Joshua vs Daniel DuboisHe continued: “It was Sky who made the decision not to compete.”And I don’t say it was the wrong decision, it was their decision.”But in my world, my job is to expand my sports and the commercialisation of those sports.”So that I do well, the company does well, and my sportsmen and women earn rewards that used to be off the scale.”How AJ punched his way to the topANTHONY JOSHUA punched his way to the top of the world before being knocked off his perch.Earlier this year, Hearn revealed business was booming following the move.He told an episode of Piers Morgan Uncensored: “The business is worth over a billion.”Hearn Snr. launched Matchroom back in 1982, with snooker at its heart.He recently sent a warning to Sheffield City Council over the future of the iconic Crucible Theatre.The Crucible has hosted the Snooker World Championship since 1977.But Hearn is keen for a “new venue” to be built, allowing him to sell 3,000 tickets a session.Speaking on his podcast, he said: “I have to live in the real world.”It’s why I don’t do pay-per-view shows or Anthony Joshua fights at York Hall, Bethnal Green.”I think York Hall is the greatest fight atmosphere venue in the world, it’s just not fit for purpose.READ MORE SUN STORIES”And the Crucible is not fit for purpose.”I want to stay in Sheffield, and I’ve told the Sheffield City Council numerous occasions over the last few years. They have three more years. I will move.” More

ADAM AZIM is putting friendships aside to fight Ohara Davies – and plans to celebrate victory with his pet GOAT Tootsie. Azim faces Davies in an all-British super-lightweight clash on October 19 at the Copper Box Arena. Adam Azim facing off with Ohara DaviesCredit: Boxxer Azim and Davies are good friends outside the ringIt comes after his fight with Chris Eubank Jr’s cousin Harlem collapsed.So Azim was forced to look elsewhere and landed on 25-3 Davies – who he goes way back with. He told SunSport: “We have got respect for each other. “We’re friends and we’ve known each other for years, but obviously this is business nothing personal.READ MORE IN BOXING”So I’ve got full respect for him, and on the fight night we’ve got respect there and also we’re gonna have respect after that.”So it’s sad that we have to fight each other, but it’s the boxing world. We’ve got other fighters, like Joshua Buatsi versus Dan Azeez. They were initially friends, and obviously they’re still friends afterwards. So I still respect him absolutely.”CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSA lot has changed since Azim’s last fight, a fifth-round knockout against Enock Poulsen in February. Most read in BoxingHe starred in the BBC documentary series Stable, following trainer Shane McGuigan’s gym of fighters. I’m an unbeaten boxer looking to become the GOAT – and I’ve already bought an actual goat and called him TootsieAnd the unbeaten boxer also became the pet owner of a goat he named Tootsie – but is yet to spend time with him. Azim, 22, said: “He’s good. He’s at the farm. I’ve obviously had no time to go see him yet.”Maybe I need to bring him out to the press conference. You never know. So that would be good, not a bad idea, to be honest.”The European champion is looking to cap off the biggest win of his career by celebrating it with pet Tootsie his baby sister. He said: “I’ve got a baby sitter at home, so I’m always training hard and when I go home, I see my baby sister.”It gives me that boost because she makes me laugh. She’s such a cute baby as well.”So obviously that’s like me going to see my goat as well, which I don’t have time for.”But after my fight, I definitely will go see him as I’ve just left him at the farm! I’ve not go see him.”Azim is the European super-lightweight championCredit: Richard Pelham / The SunHe has a pet goat named Tootsie More