More stories

  • in

    Jake Paul reveals which round he plans to KO Nate Diaz as he vows to leave ex-UFC star ‘diced up’ in grudge match

    JAKE PAUL has revealed the round he plans to end his Texas tussle with Nate Diaz.The YouTuber-turned-boxer will welcome the former UFC superstar to the squared circle in a Dallas dust-up on August 5.
    Jake Paul will throw down with UFC legend Nate Diaz in a boxing match in AugustCredit: DAZN
    Diaz will be making his professional boxing debut against the Problem ChildCredit: AP
    Paul plans to knock out the MMA legend in under four roundsCredit: AP
    Paul, 26, will look to use Diaz to return to the win column following defeat in his grudge match to Tommy Fury in February.
    The Problem Child is eyeing a short night at the office, with a fourth-round stoppage at the forefront of his mind.
    He said: “I’m ready, it’s not going to go that long.
    “I think he’s gonna be sharp for a couple of rounds but there’s nothing he can do to stop me.
    READ MORE IN BOXING
    “I’m faster, I’m stronger. I’m the better boxer. He’s gonna be coming forward.
    “He doesn’t have head movement. He’s trying to pressure me. He’s gonna get diced up.
    “I see it ending in four rounds or less.”
    Diaz, 38, has fully immersed himself in the Sweet Science ahead of his multi-million-pound payday.
    Most read in Boxing
    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
    But one of the Stockton slugger’s sparring partners has been less than impressed with his boxing prowess.
    London 2012 silver medallist Esquiva Falcao said: “At first I thought he was tired, and in the end it looked like he was dying.
    “His fighting style is crazy. You look at him and say, ‘Oh, he’s tired,’ and then we started sparring.
    “Robert told me in the second round, ‘He’s tired already, hold back a little bit and keep the rhythm so he does at least ten rounds.’

    “I held back and kept boxing, and we did 12 rounds.
    “He was tired but taking punches and throwing, too.
    “[He] is bad, [he] is bad, but since he’s too heavy – he’s overweight, probably around 220lbs or more.
    “And I’m the only big guy in the gym, I had to do it. But I liked doing it.” More

  • in

    Tyson Fury reveals shock ‘offer’ to fight UFC champ Jon Jones amid claim Usyk fight hinges on ‘apology’

    TYSON FURY claims to have been offered a sensational crossover clash with UFC champion Jon Jones.The WBC heavyweight king has been involved in a public back-and-forth with his MMA counterpart for the last few weeks after getting ticked off at a hypothetical fight prediction from Joe Rogan.
    Tyson Fury has flirted with a shock mixed martial arts bout in recent weeksCredit: REUTERS
    Fury has been going back and forth with UFC heavyweight champion Jon JonesCredit: AP
    The Gypsy King claims to have received a fight offer from the UFCCredit: GETTY
    And he’s claimed to have received a lucrative offer from the UFC over a sensational punch-up with the two-division champion.
    During a Twitter Spaces, the Brit said: “I’ve been in talks with Francis Ngannou for a hybrid fight.
    “There’s talks of me and Jon Jones doing a hybrid fight as we talk right now.
    “I received an offer from the UFC yesterday. So, you never know what’s gonna happen.
    READ MORE IN BOXING
    “The future’s bright for sure. There’s a lot of options out there, and it seems at the moment I’m still going to get an actual boxing opponent.”
    MMA fans were quick to react to Fury’s sensational claim, with one tweeting: “He ain’t doing no hybrid fight with Jones.”
    Another said: “Damn, Francis really left the UFC to box Tyson and now Jones is possibly fighting Tyson lmao.”
    And another said: “A match that is anything other than boxing, in a boxing ring, will absolutely never happen.”
    Most read in Boxing
    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
    One remarked: “They gotta do something.”
    Another chimed in: “He’s a liar.”
    Fury’s claim to have been offered a shock showdown in mixed martial arts’ top promotion came just hours after Jones was said to have revealed text messages detailing talks to an MMA insider.
    UFC president Dana White has yet to react to the news, although he did recently reveal he’d be open to letting Fury set foot inside the octagon.
    The 53-year-old said: “I like Tyson Fury. I have a great relationship with Tyson Fury.
    “But there’s this debate right now about the baddest man on the planet, right?
    “Jon Jones is the baddest man on the planet. There’s no doubt about it.
    UFC president Dana White is willing to have Tyson Fury fight in the octagonCredit: GETTY
    “If you want to discuss another possible baddest man on the planet, it would be Tyson Fury in a boxing [ring].
    “And we all know that if Jon Jones boxes Tyson Fury, Tyson Fury wins.
    “All these boxing guys want to talk about this, and they want to keep it in the ring.
    “I’m telling Tyson Fury, whom I respect very much, if you really want to find out who the baddest man on the planet is, I will make that fight.
    “I will make Jon Jones vs Tyson Fury in the Octagon.”

    Fury was due to face Oleksandr Usyk in a historic undisputed title fight in April but the clash of champions ended up falling through.
    The fight could, however, end up landing in Saudi Arabia – although Fury’s dad insists it won’t come to fruition until Usyk issues an APOLOGY for it collapsing. More

  • in

    Tyson Fury hits out at Oleksandr Usyk for ‘running’ from undisputed super-fight but reveals why he doesn’t hate rival

    TYSON FURY has hit out at Oleksandr Usyk for “running” from their undisputed super-fight – but he does not hate his rival. The two looked on course to meet in the heavyweight division’s first ever four-belt unification bout.
    Tyson Fury facing off with Oleksandr UsykCredit: Getty
    But talks broke down amid a row over the finances for a potential rematch, leaving both men to move on.
    Usyk, 36, has since signed with Saudi Arabia’s Skill Challenge Entertainment amid rumours of fighting Fury, 34, at the end of the year.
    So the Gypsy King accused his rival of thinking only about the money
    He said on Foxify Trade Twitter Spaces: “I would love to fight Usyk for the undisputed titles.
    READ MORE IN BOXING
    “But at the minute Usyk is running like a cheater, he is running so fast, he can’t get away from me quick enough.
    “The only reason this fight hasn’t happened is Usyk wants more bags, he wants more money.”
    Usyk is now set to face WBA mandatory challenger Daniel Dubois, 25, while Fury searches for an opponent to return against.
    But boxing bosses in Saudi are hoping for Anthony Joshua, 33, to fight Deontay Wilder, 35, with Fury facing Usyk.
    Most read in Boxing
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    And the unbeaten WBC champion admitted he does not blame the pound-for-pound star for eyeing the mega-bucks.
    He said: “So, I don’t blame him for that because at the end of the day it’s a short career and it’s a business.
    “So, it’s not a personal thing of ‘I hate Usyk’ or ‘oh my god Usyk didn’t fight me’, for whatever reasons. This is strictly business.
    “Usyk is waiting for the big money, the £100million he’s going to get from the Saudis for a fight in November or whenever it’s going to happen.
    “So, I can’t hold it against him. I know he’s a family man and he’s got mouths to feed, so I wish him luck, it’s not personal, it’s a sport for one and a business for two.
    “But, when we do finally meet, I’m going to annihilate him, that’s a fact.”
    Oleksandr Usyk, Bob Arum and Tyson Fury in 2021Credit: Getty More

  • in

    Anthony Joshua told he has a major ‘PROBLEM’ by ex-world champ in brutal assessment ahead of potential Wilder clash

    ANTHONY JOSHUA’s problems inside the ring stem from a lack of “heart”, a former world champion has claimed.The former two-time unified heavyweight champion has looked a shell of old self since his spectacular upset defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr in the summer of 2019.
    Anthony Joshua has been gun-shy of lateCredit: GETTY
    His hesitancy to engage began after his 2019 upset defeat to Andy Ruiz JrCredit: GETTY
    Shakur Stevenson claims the Brit is suffering from a lack of ‘heart’Credit: GETTY
    Joshua, 33, has been somewhat hesitant to stay in the pocket since being chinned at MSG, a reluctance which was on show in his recent fights with Oleksandr Usyk and Jermaine Franklin.
    Many have attributed the Watford warrior’s hesitancy to a fear of being knocked out, although former super-featherweight king Shakur Stevenson thinks otherwise.
    During an appearance on The Breakfast Club, he said: “With him, I think he’s got a heart problem.
    “Usyk is a little guy, and he’s supposed to impose his will, but he didn’t impose his will.
    READ MORE IN BOXING
    “I think he has got potential though.”
    Joshua bounced back from consecutive points defeats to pound-for-pound king Usyk with a scrappy win over Franklin in April.
    Team AJ are hoping to have the Olympian throw down with long-time rival Dillian Whyte in August ahead of a December dust-up with Deontay Wilder.
    But Wilder’s coach Malik Scott has suggested the multi-million-pound Saudi showdown is not nailed on.
    Most read in Boxing
    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
    The Bronze Bomber’s trainer told ESNEWS: “That’s the buzz fight right now.
    “And it’s looking like that might be the route we end up going.
    “Deontay is in the position where so many big fights are lined up that anything or any opponent can possibly change.
    “Andy Ruiz is definitely one of the main options right now and we’ll see where it lands at.

    “In my opinion, I’d like to see it at the Crypto Centre and I like Vegas.”
    He added: “We’ll see what happens, we’ve still got Anthony Joshua on the menu – all of them on the menu.
    “Ruiz, Joshua, Usyk, and they all will get the same treatment. Big fights and exciting times.” More

  • in

    Fans all say the same thing as KSI claims he will KNOCK OUT Floyd Mayweather after boxing legend’s last exhibition

    KSI has caused outrage by claiming he would KNOCK OUT Floyd Mayweather.Mayweather returned for his SEVENTH exhibition bout since officially retiring in 2017 after beating UFC superstar Conor McGregor.
    KSI caused outrage after claiming he would KO Floyd MayweatherCredit: Kyle Carpenter/Misfits Boxing
    Floyd Mayweather continues to box in exhibition boutsCredit: Rex
    But it ended in chaos after John Gotti III was disqualified and went after the boxing legend in an attack which sparked a mass brawl.
    KSI was left less than impressed with Mayweather and predicted he would KO the famously elusive and unbeaten icon.
    He said: “Honestly I think I’d knock him out.
    “I honestly think I have a great chance at beating him. Mayweather, he’s a good fighter, I just think I’ll have the timing on him.
    READ MORE IN BOXING
    “Obviously in his prime I would have no chance.” 
    The clip soon went viral and fans were left unanimous in their disbelief.
    One said: “Nothing wrong with YouTuber boxing, but to disrespect the arguably most skilled boxer in history like this is f*****g insane.”
    Another added: “Floyd make your money these guys stand no chance.”
    Most read in Boxing
    BETTING SPECIAL – BEST NO DEPOSIT CASINO OFFERS
    One fumed: “Christ, so delusional.”
    Another raged: “Nah he’s lost the plot.”
    Mayweather, 46, walked away at an unmatched 50-0 following his victory over McGregor, 34, in their crossover blockbuster.
    But he has continued to box in exhibitions since against stars of the MMA and celebrity world, including KSI’s brother Deji, 26.
    KSI, 30, himself last fought in May but it was marred in controversy after an accidental but illegal elbow KO’d Joe Fournier, 40.
    The social media sensation is now in talks to fight Tommy Fury, 24, who in February beat KSI’s rival Jake Paul, 26, by split-decision in Saudi Arabia.
    Tommy Fury facing off with KSICredit: Leigh Dawney/Misfits Boxing More

  • in

    Nate Diaz looked like he was ‘DYING’ in training for Jake Paul fight as sparring partner issues worrying warning

    NATE DIAZ looked like he was “DYING” in training to fight Jake Paul – his sparring partner worryingly claimed. Diaz makes his professional boxing debut on August 5 in Texas against YouTuber-turned prizefighter Paul.
    Esquiva Falcao with Nate Diaz after sparringCredit: Twitter
    Jake Paul in training to fight Nate DiazCredit: @jakepaul
    And in preparation for the pay-per-view bout he sparred with Robert Garcia-trained middleweight Esquiva Falcao.
    But 30–0 Falcao – an Olympic and world champion amateur boxer from Brazil – was less than impressed by Diaz.
    He said in a social media video: “At first I thought he was tired, and in the end it looked like he was dying.
    “His fighting style is crazy. You look at him and say, ‘Oh, he’s tired,’ and then we started sparring.
    READ MORE IN BOXING
    “Robert told me in the second round, ‘He’s tired already, hold back a little bit and keep the rhythm so he does at least 10 rounds.’
    “I held back and kept boxing, and we did 12 rounds. He was tired but taking punches and throwing, too.
    “[He] is bad, [he] is bad, but since he’s too heavy – he’s overweight, probably around 220lbs or more – and I’m the only big guy in the gym, I had to do it. But I liked doing it.”
    Diaz, 38, walked out on the UFC last year in pursuit of a lucrative switch to boxing.
    Most read in Boxing
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    And Paul, 26, snubbed a rematch with Tommy Fury, 24, to face the MMA veteran despite his loss in their celebrity grudge match.
    The American has beaten three ex-UFC stars in the past, Ben Askren, 38, Tyron Woodley, 41, and Anderson Silva, 48.
    And Paul is expecting to add Diaz to that list as he revealed his prediction for the bout.
    He said: “I think he’s gonna be sharp for a couple of rounds but there’s nothing he can do to stop me.
    “I’m faster, I’m stronger. I’m the better boxer. “He’s gonna be coming forward. He doesn’t have head movement.
    “He’s trying to pressure me. He’s gonna get diced up. I see it ending in four rounds or less.”
    Jake Paul facing off with Nate DiazCredit: @mostvaluablepromotions More

  • in

    Deontay Wilder’s coach reveals likely next fight and it is NOT Anthony Joshua despite talks for Saudi blockbuster

    DEONTAY WILDER’S coach has revealed his likely next fight – and it is NOT Anthony Joshua. The heavyweight stars are nearing a deal to meet in a Saudi Arabia blockbuster in December.
    Deontay Wilder is in talks to fight Anthony JoshuaCredit: Getty
    Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder could fight in Saudi ArabiaCredit: Getty
    But both have talked up the possibility of returning in interim bouts before the mega-money fight in the Middle East.
    And according to Wilder’s trainer Malik Scott, former world champion Andy Ruiz Jr could be next.
    Scott told ESNEWS: “That’s the buzz fight right now and it’s looking like that might be the route we end up going.
    “Deontay is in the position where so many big fights are lined up that anything or any opponent can possibly change.
    READ MORE IN BOXING
    “Andy Ruiz is definitely one of the main options right now and we’ll see where it lands at.
    “In my opinion I’d like to see it at the Crypto centre and I like Vegas.”
    Wilder, 37, has not fought since knocking out Robert Helenius, 39, in round one of his October comeback bout.
    A month earlier, Ruiz, 33, beat Luis Ortiz, 44, on points but he has not returned since.
    Most read in Boxing
    BETTING SPECIAL – BEST NO DEPOSIT CASINO OFFERS
    Meanwhile Joshua, 33, outpointed Jermaine Franklin, 29, in April to set up the super-fight with Wilder.
    It came following consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, 36, who Scott has also voiced an interest in Wilder facing.
    He said: “We’ll see what happens, we’ve still got Anthony Joshua on the menu – all of them on the menu.
    “Ruiz, Joshua, Usyk, and they all will get the same treatment. Big fights and exciting times.”
    Andy Ruiz Jr is linked with fighting Deontay WilderCredit: EPA
    Oleksandr Usyk twice beat Anthony JoshuaCredit: Reuters More

  • in

    Tommy Fury vows to ‘END’ YouTube boxing in 12 months as he confirms talks for KSI fight and Jake Paul rematch

    TOMMY FURY has vowed to “END” YouTube boxing by taking down KSI and Jake Paul. The 2019 Love Islander handed social media star-turned prizefighter Paul his first defeat in February.
    Tommy Fury facing off with KSICredit: Leigh Dawney/Misfits Boxing
    But the American, 26, opted to forgo a rematch to instead return on August 5 in Texas against ex-UFC star Nate Diaz, 38.
    So Fury, 24, and KSI, 30, have decided to turn their attention to each other with talks ongoing for the two to fight.
    Paul has claimed he will look to rematch his celebrity boxing rival next February, exactly one year on from his split-decision loss in Saudi Arabia.
    So that falls right into Fury’s 12-month plan to KO the new school crossover boxing era which has divided opinions.
    READ MORE IN BOXING
    He told Sky Sports: “Everybody knows what’s next for me, it’s being teased at the minute.
    “Hopefully we can get this KSI fight over the line and I’ll knock off another YouTuber.
    “That’s my plan for this year. I want to end YouTube boxing within 12 months.
    “So that’s my plan. So we’ll see. I don’t know. I just take it one fight at a time. All these guys are the same to me.
    Most read in Boxing
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    “There’s not one that stands out from the rest. They’re all about the same. So anyone can get it. I’m not bothered.
    “I’m used to, growing up fighting against proper boxers. These guys are a bit of a joke.”
    KSI was last in the ring in May in what turned out to be a no-contest after an accidental but illegal elbow knocked out Joe Fournier, 40.
    He went face to face with Fury afterwards and both camps have confirmed that a deal is imminent.
    Fury said: “I’ve said my hitlist. Jake Paul’s already been struck off, KSI is next.
    “Then from what I’ve seen the other day Jake Paul wants it again in February. Listen, I’m happy. I’m happy keep these fights rolling in.”
    Tommy Fury beat Jake Paul on pointsCredit: Reuters More