Boxing

TOMMY FURY has officially entered the WBC’s cruiserweight world rankings after beating Jake Paul. Fury edged past Paul by split-decision in their celebrity grudge match in Saudi Arabia.
Tommy Fury has officially entered the WBC’s cruiserweight world rankingsCredit: Reuters
The event was supported by the WBC and had a commemorative Diriyah belt on the line as well as a place in their rankings.
And following the points win, Fury, 23, has been placed at 39, with Viddal Riley, 25, at 40.
But fans hit out at the WBC’s decision to rank the 9-0 Love Island star above 8-0 Riley.
One said: “Tommy Fury higher than Viddal Riley is nuts.”
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Another added: “This is a joke, right?”
One said: “Ain’t no way Tommy above Viddal.”
Another argued: “That’s actually a good fight.”
Even Riley replied: “Damn. That’s crazy.”
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Viddal Riley is ranked below Tommy FuryCredit: Getty
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Fury is linked with a rematch against YouTuber-turned boxer Paul, 26, but he maintained he wants to be remembered as “a proper boxer”.
He said on BT Sport’s Chatterbox: “The money now is not really important. I’m in boxing for my name to go down in history.
“I’ll be in boxing because it’s a passion of mine and I’ll always revert back to being that old man and saying, ‘Did I really give it my best shot?’
“Because I know if I give it my best shot my name can go down in history. I can achieve winning one world title belt because there’s a lot worse men than me who have done it and I’ve got the drive and determination to get me there.
“I’m still eager to learn, win titles and go down as a proper boxer. I don’t want to be known as one of these guys who made a lot of money fighting idiots and then retired and left the sport. 
“I want to be remembered as Tommy Fury, ‘He made great money fighting YouTube stars and then stuck to boxing and retired with a world title’. That’ll be happiness for me and I will achieve it.”
Tommy Fury beat Jake Paul on pointsCredit: Getty More

TONY BELLEW said Tyson Fury fighting Francis Ngannou is both a mismatch and freak show. Ngannou is eyeing a boxing switch after leaving the UFC following a breakdown in contract talks.
Tyson Fury facing off with Francis NgannouCredit: BT SPORTS
The ex-UFC heavyweight champion has confirmed discussions with Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder’s team.
But Fury is also in the mix despite his ongoing negotiations to unify the division against Oleksandr Usyk.
And Bellew has slammed the thought of the Gypsy King fighting anyone other than Usyk next, in particular Ngannou.
He told talkSPORT: “He’s always going to want the Joshua one because it will be the biggest payday of his whole life, so he’s always going to want that fight.
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“But, is there anything left in the sport to achieve if he beats Oleksandr Usyk? Absolutely not.
“I’ve heard about the freak shows that he wants to face Francis Ngannou. That would be an absolute mismatch, that’s a joke.
“He’s a former UFC heavyweight champion, that cannot be seen to be happening, so it’s Oleksandr Usyk or nobody else.”
Ngannou, 36, appears to be closing in on a two-fight deal with Wilder, 37, with the pair talking up a blockbuster in Africa.
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Meanwhile Joshua, 33, returns on April 1 at the O2 Arena against Jermaine Franklin, 29.
Fury, 34, and Usyk, 36, are still going back and forth online over a undisputed title decider on April 29 at Wembley.
And Bellew predicted: “Tyson Fury’s style has changed over these last few years he’s no longer this big awkward fighter, who uses his elusiveness as an advantage.
“That change of style will play into Oleksandr Usyk’s hands, it really will, and I’m tipping Oleksandr Usyk to win.”
Tony Bellew was knocked out by Oleksandr Usyk in 2018Credit: PA:Press Association More

JOE JOYCE hopes Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk happens so he can fight the winner and leave damaged Daniel Dubois out of the firing line.The 37-year-old Putney Juggernaut is as frustrated as any other boxing fan at the ongoing negotiations between Ukraine’s WBA, IBF and WBO champ and the goal-post moving WBC Gypsy King.
Tyson Fury’s showdown with Olkesandr Usyk is on the rocksCredit: Getty
Joe Joyce is hoping Fury and Usyk resolve their contract issues and throw down later this yearCredit: JAMIE MCPHILIMEY
Daniel Dubois could end up facing Usyk if the Fury fight falls throughCredit: Getty
If the undisputed decider happens on April 29 then the Olympic silver medalist – who lost to Usyk as a novice amateur – would be high in the queue to face the winner thanks to his WBO mandatory position.
But 25-year-old Daniel Dubois is ahead of him chronologically as the WBA need to have their mandatory first – even though Joyce handily beat his fellow Londoner in a 2020 clash.
Ahead of his April 15 battle with Chinese giant Zhilei Zhang, Joyce told SunSport: “I hope it gets done because it should keep things straight forward.
“In theory, Fury and Usyk will fight, I will beat Zhang and fight the winner.

“I have always got on well with Fury, sparred him a couple of times and he has always spoken well about me so I hope to fight them both at some stage.
“It would just be better to fight one of them for all of the belts.
“I know the WBA is the next mandatory to be called – and that’s Dubois – but I don’t think he is ready.
“I saw his last fight at Tottenham stadium where he was almost knocked out so he would get slapped up by Usyk or Fury!”
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Fury has continued to move the goalposts for his historic showdown with Usyk.
And the Ukranian’s team are doubtful the fight will come to fruition.
Promoter Alexander Krassuyk told talkSPORT: “As Usyk said, the greedy belly is still hoping to find a way to pull out.
“We knew before and know it now.
“As soon as Usyk accepts a no rematch clause there will still be searching for another thing to find and pull out the fight.
“I tell you why. He bluffed and Usyk called his bluff. This is 100 per cent. He didn’t expect Usyk to accept 70/30.

🥊 Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk – Date, live stream, TV channel and all you need to know about heavyweight bout
“He was not in a training camp and we say the next morning the theatrical performance that he was pretending to jog and fight someone in the ring.
“It’s all about nothing. He’s not prepared and scared to fight.
“He will try to find a way to avoid Usyk for as long as possible.
“We don’t trust him, we don’t believe him.
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“One more thing to know, when we started the negotiations, Fury’s side was the first to ask for the rematch.
“Fury were the first to ask for the rematch and we supported this.” More

TYSON FURY has claimed Josh Taylor will be his southpaw sparring partner in training to fight Oleksandr Usyk.The pair of unbeaten champions have publicly agreed to face each other in the first ever four-belt heavyweight unification bout on April 29.
Tyson Fury claimed Josh Taylor will be his southpaw sparring partnerCredit: Getty
Josh Taylor only weighs 10stCredit: Kenny Ramsay
It leaves just six weeks to prepare for the historic fight and Fury is yet to link up with trainer Sugarhill Steward or recruit sparring partners.
But first on his list of lefties is unbeaten ex-undisputed super-lightweight world champion Taylor.
Fury – known to make unbelievable statements in the build-up to fights – said on Instagram: “Second session of the day finished. Brutalised, second session of the day.
“I’ve got some big, big, big, big news to announce. I’m about to bring in my sparring partner Josh ‘The Tartan Tornado’ Taylor.
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“He’s coming in next week to start sparring for the bitch Usyk. Cannot wait.
“Training camp is going fantastic, I cannot remember in recent memory having a better camp. Absolutely on fire.”
Fury, 34, weighed 18st 8lb last December when he beat Derek Chisora in ten rounds of their trilogy bout.
So the 6ft 9in Gypsy King towers over 5ft 10in Taylor, 32, who formerly held all four belts in the 10st division, EIGHT STONE below.
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🥊 Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk – Date, live stream, TV channel and all you need to know about heavyweight bout
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Fury’s promoter Frank Warren has maintained the undisputed title decider is ON for Wembley.
But his opposite number Alex Krassyuk voiced his own fears and revealed Usyk, 36, will ONLY accept a 70/30 split if the bout takes places next month.
Krassyuk told Sky Sports: “Usyk was very clear in his message, ‘April 29th, I accept 70/30.’
“So all the conditions that were accepted by Usyk are due only for April 29th.
“And (manager) Egis Klimas yesterday came out on Twitter saying that if it moves just by one day, then it’s going to be 50/50 again.”
Tyson Fury facing off with Oleksandr UsykCredit: REUTERS More