Boxing

EDDIE HEARN paid tribute to Martin Bakole’s bravery but believes he should not have fought Joseph Parker.The heavyweight stepped in at short notice after Daniel Dubois was ruled out days before the fight with sickness.Eddie Hearn questioned Martin Bakole’s decision to take on the fightCredit: GettyBakole was KO’d by Joseph Parker in the second roundCredit: GettyBakole travelled from the Congo and only arrived in Riyadh in the early hours on the day of the bout.He weighed in considerably higher than his usual fight weight and looked rusty before being knocked out in the second round by a big Parker right hand.Hearn questioned his decision to fight and suggested a member of his team should have intervened to prevent it from going ahead.He told The Stomping Ground: “I don’t think the fight should have happened, if I’m honest.READ MORE IN BOXING”I don’t think anybody did anything wrong.”But when you’re representing Martin Bakole, you’ve got to ask yourself [if it was the right decision]. For a long time, he struggled to get opportunities.”Now he’s found his way in Riyadh Season. He’s developing a name, a brand. He’s got an IBF final eliminator to become the mandatory to Daniel Dubois against Efe Ajagba.”Obviously, there’s more money tonight, but he did it [on a day’s notice]. He took two flights, indirect, across Africa and landed [in the] morning [before the fight].Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”I think sometimes, you just need to take a step back and think about what you are doing. [He] probably [does not] know what day of the week it is. I think it was a bad decision.”Respect to the bravery, but sometimes, you’ve got to be a bit smarter than that. You need people around you to say absolutely not. I couldn’t be happier for Joe.”Martin Bakole vows to cause huge upset and could weigh in at over 300 pounds for Parker fight More

TYSON FURY has been backed to come out of retirement to fight Anthony Joshua.The two British brawlers have a long-standing rivalry and fans have been desperate to see them go toe-to-toe in the ring.Turki Alalshikh has hinted at a potential Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury fightCredit: GettyAJ has crunched the number on the fightCredit: ReutersFury is currently on his fifth retirement from boxingCredit: ReutersHowever, a ‘Battle of Britain’ has always evaded the ring and appeared to be a hopeless case.This was after Fury retired from boxing, for the FOURTH time, following his second defeat to Oleksandr Uysk.In January, Team Joshua were exploring his next options and were confident Fury could be coaxed out of his latest “retirement”.There has now been another twist as Turki Alalshikh has insisted he is keen to see the in-demand fan.READ MORE ON BOXINGThe Saudi boxing chief has spoken to the Gypsy King and is not convinced that he has fully turned his back on the ring.He told The Stomping Ground: “I want Joshua vs Tyson.”I spoke with Fury but not about boxing. I just checked about his health and his family.”I think he maybe will return. I hope so.”Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAJ, 35, has reacted to the fight being proposed yet again as he calculated the potential financial windfall.While appearing in a video from the same outlet, he worked out that in pay-per-view purchases, a potential £60MILLION could be banked.Frank Warren’s Commonwealth Gold medalist Lewis Williams builds to second pro fight | Contender Watch the full episode of Contender on Sun Sport’s YouTube channel NOW as we exclusively go behind the scenes with Lewis WilliamsFury has not fought since his second defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in DecemberCredit: GettyAJ spoke with Usyk during Beterbiev vs Bivol 2Credit: GettyHe then added in potential gate receipts for the fight, which raised the figure to £90m and then to £110m with sponsorship.AJ then claimed that Fury can have “30 out of that, and I’ll take the rest”.When asked if the fight could ever happen, he said: “I’ll be honest, I don’t want to talk about that.”It has been going on for a long time.”So that’ll be a great fight.”He appeared to be getting tips from Uysk on how to beat Fury while ringside at Beterbiev vs Bivol 2. Tyson’s promoter, Frank Warren, has insisted that his client is “happily retired”. More

FRANK WARREN has revealed that Hamzah Sheeraz fought with a BROKEN HAND in his controversial draw with Carlos Adames.The British boxer battled with the WBC middleweight champion in Saudi Arabia on Saturday evening.Hamzah Sheeraz broke his hand against Carlos AdamesCredit: GettyFrank Warren revealed the injury after the controversial draw between the fightersCredit: GettyMost fans felt Adames had done more than enough to win, but the judges couldn’t separate the two fighters.The result was given as a contentious split decision draw, leading fans to slam it as “rigged”.Warren defended the performance by Sheeraz, 25, in the ring as he admitted the boxer was not fully fit.The promoter insisted that the Ilford fighter suffered a “busted hand” during the bout.READ MORE ON BOXINGHe told TNT Sport Boxing: “He broke his hand. He has a busted hand. You could see in the fight something wasn’t quite right”I think that’s a fair reflection of the fight, to be quite honest.”One of the judges, I don’t know where he was at with his scoring.”I think he’s struggling at the weight in that fight.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”I was looking at him at the weigh-in. He may move up. I’m not sure about that. We’ll have a discussion about that.”We could maybe get a rematch. We’ll wait and see what happens. He done well moving up against a good fighter.Usyk spotted ‘giving Anthony Joshua tips on how to beat Tyson Fury’ in ringside footage at Beterbiev vs Bivol 2.mp4The fight ended in a split-decision drawCredit: Getty”A lot of people didn’t fancy him. I think he gave a good account of himself, especially with a busted hand.”The scorecards of the fight saw one judge give the win to Adames at 118-110, one to Sheeraz at 115-114, and the final one at 114-114.Due to the draw, Sheeraz remained undefeated and extended his record to 21 wins and one draw.Speaking to Sky Sports, he admitted that “errors” were made during the fight.He said: “I’m an overachiever.”I’m very blessed but we’ll go back to the drawing board and fix those errors.”No excuses, I’ve got a hand injury but that’s got nothing to do with the outcome of the fight.” More

DMITRY BIVOL got spectacular rematch revenge over Artur Beterbiev and was crowned undisputed light-heavyweight king at the second attempt.Last October the brilliant Russian pair went hammer and sickle at each other, over 12 unforgettable Saudi rounds, which 40-year-old Beterbiev controversially won.Dmitry Bivol is the new undisputed champion of the worldCredit: ReutersA bloodied Bivol beat Artur Beterbiev in a classic encounter in Saudi ArabiaCredit: GettyBeterbiev put his light heavyweight belts up on the line in RiyadhCredit: ReutersThe 40-year-old won a controversial decision last OctoberCredit: GettyBeterbiev had the better of the middle rounds infront of a raucous crowdCredit: GettyBut it was Bivol who finished stronger and took a majority decision with the judgesCredit: ReutersBut Bivol was superb in the rerun, dropping only a few rounds against the menacing monster and walking out of Riyadh with a majority decision that probably tees up a mouthwatering trilogy.The judges decided it correctly this time, the cards read: Deon Dwarte 115-113, Mike Fitzgerald 116-112 and Jean-Robert Laine 114-114.”I am just so happy,” the 34-year-old beamed.“I can feel a little easier about the first loss now.READ MORE ON BOXING“I worked from the very first round until the last. I was more confident and I just wanted to win so much.“I am ready for any future challenge but I want a little rest now, to heal and then come back.”Classy Beterbiev added: “I don’t want to blame anything, I want to congratulate Bivol and his team.“Now it’s my time to come back.”Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBivol was up against more than his former Russian amateur national team-mate, again.Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov was allowed in the British Boxing Board of Control ring, to celebrate, after the end of the controversial first encounter.Usyk spotted ‘giving Anthony Joshua tips on how to beat Tyson Fury’ in ringside footage at Beterbiev vs Bivol 2.mp4And the bearded Vladimir Putin mercenary was back in the Kingdom, with his squad of heavies, to support his defending champion once more.Bivol wore shocking bright silver gloves, perhaps in the hope that none of his elite technical punches could be missed by the judges who denied him so cruelly last time out.Beterbiev did his prowling best but didn’t land anything significant.Bivol’s best blow was a cuffing lead left hook that bashed into Beterbiev’s right ear’ole.The opener was close but Bivol grabbed the second with both shiny hands.Beterbiev lunged in too greedily and took a right-hand square on the face that the judges couldn’t ignore.Bivol was tireless over 12 high-class rounds in RiyadhCredit: ReutersAnd right on the bell he switched stance and threw his left as a backhand, which surprised Beterbiev and scored.The third round was stunning, Bivol’s hands were so spectacularly fast that Beterbiev could not avoid them and he was soon scarred with a scratch across his forehead.But the undefeated monster never took a backward step and every punch he threw looked capable of switching Bivol’s lights off.Thankfully for his title attempt and health, Bivol ducked or parried the most threatening attacks,Beterbiev stamped his authority on the fight in the fourth, driving Bivol back for every second of the round, never letting him breathe or settle without thundering in a thudding blow.But the challenger wasn’t buzzed by any, he danced and countered and looked for a chink in his nemesis’ armour.Anthony Joshua gives cryptic update over future amid Tyson Fury fight talk in interview at Beterbiev vs Bivol 2The ruthless defending champ dominated the fifth too, apart from one flush right hand Bivol landed back, after two minutes of torture, it was the Beterbiev show as he shut down the space in the Riyadh ring and unloaded his arsenal into Bivol’s arms and body.Six was the same but even more clear for Beterbiev and damaging for Bivol.In the first clash, Beterbiev showed respect for Bivol’s speed and power but here he was a savage, showing no respect or fear toward his foe.Bivol’s bright start and reflective kit were starting to dim rapidly, as wave after wave of monochrome Beterbiev attack slowly broke him.Bivol never stopped trying but he looked like a well-meaning schoolboy trying to shift an immovable object.Beterbiev – who it has been revealed has unusually large natural testosterone levels for a man of his age – looked unbeatable.Beterbiev dominated for sections of the fight – but tired down the stretchCredit: GettyRound eight was even and exciting again, though, Bivol stemmed the tide from turning totally against him and he should have made the judges think very carefully about their scoring.Nine was a boxing clinic from Bivol, Beterbiev’s ability to cut down and control a ring failed him as he was peppered with shots every time he tried to suffocate Bivol of space.It was a brilliant resurgence from the man who looked beaten in the middle sessions.The tenth was an even affair until the final 10 seconds when Bivol – using a trick right out of the amateur ranks – flew up the gears in the final few moments in a late effort to steal a round that the judges might be undecided on.Bivol paraded his WBA (Super), WBC, IBF, WBO and IBO titles after the fightCredit: GettyThe eleventh was an honour to watch, a blend of violence and elite technical sport. But no glove taps or even nods at the end of each stanza – just pure competition.There was a touch of gloves before the final instalment though, English ref Kevin Parker insisted on it.Beterbiev – now with red marks on both sides of his forehead, almost like horns were about to burst out of his skin – put his foot down and chased Bivol around the ring.They clashed, they slashed at each other and then the bell rang to end the 24th sublime round.READ MORE SUN STORIESThey did embrace – Bivol told us pre-fight that they wouldn’t fake a bond – but Beterbiev opened his arms and insisted on it. It was the perfect end to an iconic boxing rivalry that looks like reaching a hat-trick. More

IS Oleksandr Usyk giving Anthony Joshua tips to defeat Tyson Fury?The Ukraine champ and the British heavyweight were ringside in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for Artur Beterbiev’s rematch with Dmitry Bivol on Saturday.Oleksandr Usyk looks like he’s sharing tips with AJ ringsideThe boxing pair were spotted in Riyadh at Artur Beterbiev’s rematch with Dmitry BivolCameras caught them deep in conversation as they looked to be talking shop.And it appeared that Usyk was giving AJ a lesson in boxing tactics.The video clip prompted fans to ask if Usyk, who has beaten Fury twice, was telling Joshua what he needs to do to beat the Gypsy King.One wrote: “Usyk giving AJ advice on how to beat Fury?”read more in boxingAJ’s own future is up in the air, following his defeat last September against Daniel Dubois.When he was quizzed about his future ringside at The Last Crescendo, he gave little away.”More fights, this is my life, this is what I do.”Right now I sit outside and I watch and then I’ll make my return one day.Most read in Boxing”Right now I sit back as a fan and watch the great people in the sport I love.”‘Aura is crazy’ – Oleksandr Usyk asks where Anthony Joshua is seconds after arriving for stacked Beterbiev vs Bivol cardMeanwhile, Tyson Fury hung up his gloves after his second loss to Usyk back in December.Boxing fans are convinced that Tyson will come out of retirement to fight again.A blockbuster all-British bout against AJ has been long in the making.Fury has announced his retirement five times in total, with his last hiatus from the ring in 2022. More

JOSEPH PARKER rewarded Martin Bakole for his super-sub antics with a two-round pasting for racing across Africa to save his show.The 33-year-old Scotland-based heavyweight was digging ditches for a Kinshasa shopping centre to be named in his honour in the Congo on Wednesday.Joseph Parker needed just two rounds to beat Martin Bakole in RiyadhCredit: GettyThe former WBO world champion had been due to face Daniel DuboisCredit: ReutersParker caught Bakole with a solid right hook in the second roundThe Congolese challenger was sent flying by the force of the punchThe entire bout lasted just under 6 minutes, with referee Steve Gray waving the action offCredit: GettyBut when Daniel Dubois was pulled out of his IBF heavyweight world title defence by the British Boxing Board of Control, after being struck down with a virus, Bakole got the unlikely call to face the dateless Kiwi.Bakole’s chief support slot was so hastily arranged that he had to wear Dubois’ personalised gloves, complete with ‘DDD’ logo etched in white across the black knuckles.But they were only on for the warm-up, ring walk and six minutes of action, before the 22st funster was flattened.Up against a former WBO world champion, an 18-hour trip, via Dubai on Ethiopia Airlines, jet lag and a serious lack of sleep, Bakole couldn’t afford to waste energy.READ MORE ON BOXINGSo he dropped his lead left hand low and tried to lure Parker in close where he could be clipped.The Kiwi was too wise and kept jabbing at the giant target from a safe distance but he was grazed right on the bell, when backed onto the ropes.The second round started like a slugfest, Parker seemed crazy for engaging with the unfit behemoth in the few early rounds he could pose a threat.And he looked like he was on a hiding to nothing when he landed a big right hand on Bakole’s beard and he theatrically shook it off.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe crowd cheered the iron chin and amateur dramatics but the fanfare didn’t last long.Parker looped in a right hand that even a fit and fair-warned fighter would have struggled to deal with.Fans hail brilliant moment stunned Joseph Parker discovers he’s fighting Bakole But being propped up on hope and airplane food alone, meant Bakole fell down onto his giant tartan backside.He clambered inelegantly to his feet but he was gone and referee Steve Gray did the right thing in waving the action off with Bakole in a very dangerous spot.Speaking to DAZN, Parker said: “I want to thank the people of Saudi Arabia and my team. “Martin Bakole, thank you very much for accepting the invitation and for giving me a good fight.”I’m fit, I’m strong and I’m healthy thanks to these men. “Who’s next? How can I fight for the world title next? If [Oleksandr] Usyk wants a dance partner next, then we can get Uncle Frank [Warren] in here.” More