Boxing

TYSON FURY and Oleksandr Usyk are on course for a tense reunion this week – just three months before their eagerly-anticipated rematch.The duo, 36 and 37 respectively, will renew their rivalry in a second successive Saudi showdown on December 21.Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will renew their rivalry on December 21Credit: GETTYFury’s dreams of becoming undisputed heavyweight champ were shattered by Usyk in MayCredit: GETTYThe pair are on course for a pre-rematch reunion before Anthony Joshua’s showdown with Daniel Dubois at Wembley on SaturdayThe fan favourites haven’t crossed paths since Usyk emerged victorious from their historic undisputed heavyweight title fight in May.But they could be set for a premature reunion just hours before Daniel Dubois’ showdown with Anthony Joshua at Wembley on Saturday night.The rivals are both slated to appear at a fan event at Boxpark Wembley several hours before Dubois and AJ vie for the iBF heavyweight title at the home of English football.Both men will take part in meet and greets with fans at what has been billed as the “official pre-fight party.”READ MORE ON USYK VS FURY 2Fury’s dreams of becoming the first undisputed king of the heavyweights since fellow Brit Lennox Lewis were shattered thanks to a split decision defeat.The Gypsy King was nearly knocked out in the ninth round of the classic but somehow managed to hear the final bell.Defeat to the slick southpaw – who became a two-weight undisputed king in the Riyadh rumble – was the first of Fury’s title-laden professional career.And the loss has lit a fire under the Wythenshawe warrior, who roared in a June social media video: “[I’m] counting down the days until I can get my redemption on Usyk.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”December 21 is going to be my time. I’ve done everything in boxing, but I ain’t come back from a loss.”And I relish it, the chance to redeem myself GET UP. “December 21 is all me – undisputed heavyweight here I come.”Everything we know about Fury-Usyk 2Fury blamed his first-ever loss on having TOO MUCH FUN in the fight, saying: “I thought I boxed his head right off him for most of the rounds.“He landed a good punch in round eight, that busted my nose. In round nine, he had a 10-8 round, and I gave him round ten.“Other than that I didn’t give him any other rounds, I gave him rounds eight, nine and ten.”But round nine is classed as two, so I gave him four rounds of the fight. It was actually a lot easier than I thought it would be, a lot easier.“People were saying he is a hard man to hit but I was lighting him up with three-and-four-punch combinations and laughing at him.“My problem in that fight was that it was probably too easy.“At times it was too easy, it was like I was in there with a local amateur boxer and I was enjoying it too much and messing around.”And for that, I paid the ultimate price in round nine when I had too much fun and got clipped.“I was always told, ‘Never mix your work with having fun.’ READ MORE SUN STORIES”And I always gave my middle finger up to that – but now it has come back to bite me.”I still enjoyed it, thought, it was all good.”Tyson Fury has vowed to exact revenge on Oleksandr Usyk in their December rematchCredit: GETTY More

ANTHONY JOSHUA warned he will not tolerate “nonsense” from Daniel Dubois – or anyone else. AJ challenges for Dubois’ IBF heavyweight world title on Saturday in what is expected to be a 96,000 record sellout at Wembley Stadium. Daniel Dubois and Anthony Joshua were forced apartCredit: GettyBut things got heated in the pre-fight sit down two months prior to the all-English title bout. Joshua threatened to wrap a chair around Dubois’ face after being challenged to a scrap. But AJ talked down the British beef and told talkSPORT how he lives by a 12-word motto: “I’ll tell anyone at home, don’t let anyone take an inch because that then becomes a mile.”What that does is have a ripple effect and then other people start feeling that. ‘Oh, I can push his buttons as well.’ READ MORE IN boxing “You’ve gotta sometimes draw a line under certain things, put a full stop behind it and that way it eradicates anyone else thinking they can do it. “I’m in a very competitive industry and you have to make your mark known that you’re not here to play games and that’s all it is. “I’m just not someone to tolerate nonsense and I’d advise anyone else to have that same attitude.” Dubois, 27, had just finished an exhausting flight from Brazil to London when he went face to face with Joshua, 34. Most read in BoxingANTHONY JOSHUA VS DANIEL DUBOIS: All the information you need ahead of huge world title fight at WembleyCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAnd he pushed AJ’s buttons after saying: “If you want to go now, let’s go.”Joshua then hit back: “I’ll throw this f***ing chair across your face. Don’t disrespect me. Don’t disrespect me. Daniel, don’t disrespect me.”Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois nearly come to blows as AJ tells rival ‘don’t disrespect me’Dubois refused to back down and said: “You can’t intimidate me. Who do you think you are?”At that point, AJ stands up and warned: “Daniel, don’t disrespect me because I’ll put this chair around your f***ing face.”Security had to intervene and prevent the 17st+ giants from breaking out into an early round one. Joshua and Dubois again came nose to nose in the capital – this time without any scares – to kick off fight week. Joshua and Dubois pose ahead of the IBF title fightCredit: Matchroom Boxing More

ANTHONY JOSHUA isn’t in the right frame of mind going into his domestic dust-up with Daniel Dubois, it’s been claimed.Joshua will bid to become a three-time heavyweight champion on Saturday night when he challenges Dubois for the IBF heavyweight title at Wembley.Anthony Joshua is on a hot streak going into his showdown with Daniel DuboisCredit: GETTYAJ has won his last three fights in a row via stoppage, including his showdown with Francis NgannouCredit: GETTYBut Carl Froch reckons the former champ hasn’t been tested since his defeats to Oleksandr UsykCredit: GETTYThe 34-year-old enters the domestic dust-up in red-hot form following three KOs in his last four fights, the last of which was a sensational stoppage of former UFC champ Francis Ngannou.But his displays following back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk have done little to convince Carl Froch that he’s ready for a world-class boxer to put it on him again.During an appearance on Stephen Hendry’s YouTube channel, the former super-middleweight champ said of Dubois: “He’s actually in better form than AJ.”Because has beat a guy in [Jermaine] Franklin, who is a nobody. And a guy called [Robert] Helenius.”READ MORE BOXINGWhen asked if a loss on Saturday night would end Joshua’s career, Froch continued: “I think so.”And he beat a guy called Otto Wallin and I don’t know if you saw it, but he fought he fought that UFC fighter Francis Ngannou.”So he’s had these four fights since after getting beat up by Usyk twice and he’s not between tested.”And I think his head is not in the right space where he’s confident to go in against a genuine world champ.”Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSANTHONY JOSHUA VS DANIEL DUBOIS: All the information you need ahead of huge world title fight at WembleyFroch reckons AJ could be there for the taking for Dubois if he doesn’t let the magnitude of the occasion get to him and sticks it on the former two-time champion from the opening bell.”What’s AJ done since then?” he asked. “He’s fought three or four nobodies who didn’t try.Daniel Dubois ‘turned Anthony Joshua’s legs to jelly’ during brutal sparring session, says ex-Team GB boxing star”Four people have come to get a paycheque. And you can’t even say Ngannou is a good fighter.”I know Ngannou gave Fury a good fight, but Fury was ill-prepared for that. He must have been.”AJ got in there and battered Ngannou. Hit him with the first right hand and Ngannou was out on his back. But that gives you a false sense of security.”I think Dubois gets in with him and puts it on him. If he believes in himself, Dubois, and sticks it on him, you might see AJ in some trouble.”A loss to Dubois would not only end Joshua’s bid to become a three-time champion, it would likely put the final nail in the coffin of a mega-fight with Tyson Fury.But Froch reckons defeat to Dubois could be curtains for AJ’s decorated career.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe said: “This is Dubois moment to shine or his moment to learn the hard way. But he’ll be getting paid well, this is a big occasion.”But he’s got such a big opportunity. If he beats AJ, I think that’s the end of AJ. This is AJ finished.”Carl Froch has been highly critical of Anthony Joshua as of lateCredit: GETTY More

HARLEM EUBANK gave SunSport a tear-soaked interview to discuss the tragic passing of cousin Sebastian and his father Simon.But the iconic British fighting family is now united in helping raise the newest generation in Raheem, the son 29-year-old Seb agonisingly left behind at just one-month old.Harlem Eubank broke down in tears as he discussed the tragic passing of cousin Sebastian and his father SimonCredit: The SunHe also explained how Chris Eubank Snr has come through ‘dark times’ to be in a ‘good place’Credit: Louis WoodSeb – who Harlem was extremely close to thanks to a shared love of martial arts and spiritualism –  suffered a heart attack in Dubai in 2021.And last year Harlem’s dad Simon died aged 61 after a gut-wrenching battle with dementia that the tough former fighter just could not win.There have been such dark days in the family but the 30-year-old Brighton ace has beautifully explained how they are now trying to live all together in the light.”Chris Sr in a good place right now,” he beamed.READ MORE IN BOXING”He, like all of us, went through a very tough time. He has had to deal with some very painful things.”Maybe he was exploited a bit, around that time and put in the limelight when he shouldn’t have been.”He went through a dark time but he has come through the other side now.”And it is great to see Chris Eubank Sr in true Chris Eubank form.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”It’s difficult. It’s something that stays with you. I don’t think you ever overcome it, it stays with you.”Then you need to use it as a powerful tool to drive yourself on and achieve and honour the people who came before you.Chris Eubank and nephew Harlem speak about Harlem’s boxing career “That is what I am trying to do, because otherwise it is not going to lead you to good places.”If you don’t use things to fuel you and help you honour people, it can lay heavy on you.”Chris has softened up now we have Raheem to look after, he’s softened.”Having Raheem in our lives has changed us all, definitely. He’s a beautiful boy.Sebastian Eubank died in 2021 after suffering a heart attack in DubaiCredit: GettySimon Eubank passed away aged 61 last year after a gut-wrenching battle with dementiaCredit: Instagram”He has all the make-up of his father.”You see Seb when you look at him, you see him in different expressions Raheem uses.”It’s beautiful because it makes you feel like Seb is still here, he is here now, living through Raheem.”Every time I see him, it gives me a warm feeling, he’s just had his first day at school, he’s three and I got sent photos of him throwing up the peace sign on his first day.READ MORE SUN STORIES”All the other kids are crying about leaving their parents for the first time and he is full of confidence and desperate to run in there and take over.”That is the make-up of Seb. It’s great to be close to him and watching him grow up will be a beautiful process.”Eubank explained the family have come together to raise Seb’s son RaheemCredit: The Sun More

THE IBF super-featherweight title WON’T BE up for grabs on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s showdown with Daniel Dubois.Champ Anthony Cacace was set to defend his newly acquired red strap against former featherweight king Josh Warrington in front of a sold-out crowd at Wembley on Saturday night.Josh Warrington was set to challenge Anthony Cacace for the IBF super-featherweight title on the Joshua vs Dubois undercardCredit: PABut the IBF have opted not sanction the bout as a title fightCredit: RICHARD PELHAMNorthern Irishman Cacace will vacate the belt should he come up short at WembleyCredit: REUTERSBut the American sanctioning body has opted NOT to sanction the title bout due to Warrington’s inactivity in the 135lbs division and the loss of his last fight to Leigh Wood.Cacace’s IBO strap will now be the only belt up for grabs when he trades blows with 35-year-old Warrington.But the Northern Irishman will be forced to vacate his IBF crown should he come up short at the home of English football.Cacace – who won the IBF belt with an eighth-round TKO of Joe Cordina in May – told The BBC: “It’s for the IBO world title. The IBF isn’t on the line.READ MORE ON AJ VS DUBOIS”You would need to talk to Frank [Warren, Cacace’s promoter] and everybody else behind the scenes about that. I wanted it on the line.”I’ve known for weeks. It’s not one bit of bother to me, but at the same time I don’t really understand what the hell is going on.”In an interview with The Stomping Ground, promoter Eddie Hearn said of the IBF’s decision not to sanction the fight: “I get it.”I think the problem with the IBF is they follow their rules but they don’t allow any common sense.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSFull Dubois vs Joshua undercard Daniel Dubois vs Anthony Joshua (IBF heavyweight title fight)Josh Kelly vs Ishmael DavisTyler Denny vs Hamzah SheerazAnthony Cacace vs Josh WarringtonJoshua Buatsi vs Willy HutchinsonMark Chamberlain vs Josh Padley”The rules state you can’t be coming off a loss, generally. But everything is at the discretion of the IBF.”He was fighting the No.1 featherweight in the world in Leigh Wood [and] he was winning the fight and he got stopped.Watch moment Daniel Dubois smashes fist through birthday cake with Anthony Joshua’s face on it… two weeks before fight”For me, it should be an automatic challenge for the world title.”And with all due respect to Cacace, he’s not what Josh Warrington’s done in his career.”The IBO title is on the line, we understand that’s not one of the big four [belts] but he is the world champion.”And if you win the fight, it’s a massive fight, and you really, in my eyes, are [the] world champion.”When asked if the IBF’s decision bothers him, Warrington said: “Not whatsoever.”Because at the end of the day, because as Ed said there, you know, four belts, five belts, six belts.”Ultimately, belts are nice. They go on your mantle piece. But it’s the fights that people remember.”You can have eight, nine, ten or 12 title defences but people will look back and say, ‘Who did you box?'”I want people to say, ‘You know what? He’s had some great fight.’ Yeah, I’ve won the world title.”Once you’ve won it, you’ve joined that club. READ MORE SUN STORIES”You’ve joined the world club unless you become unified, which a very, very select few [do]. “But I’d rather have the names on my belt.”Josh Warrington isn’t fussed about not fighting for the IBF strapCredit: REUTERS More