Boxing

ANTHONY JOSHUA returns to the ring on Saturday following back to back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk.And a dominant win over American fighter Jermaine Franklin could set up a mouthwatering all-British showdown with Tyson Fury.
Anthony Joshua returns to the ring on Saturday against Jermaine FranklinCredit: PA
An AJ win could set up a showdown with Tyson FuryCredit: PA
Listen to free live commentary of Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin on talkSPORT. Download the app.
That is the view of former two-weight world champion Carl Frampton.
The two heavyweights came close to fighting in the summer of 2021 before the Gypsy King was forced into a trilogy bout against Deontay Wilder.
Fury currently does not have a fight in the calendar after talks with Usyk over an undisputed bout broke down.
And Frampton reckons a commanding Joshua win on Saturday night would be a call-out to Fury.
READ MORE ON ANTHONY JOSHUA
Writing in his BBC column, Frampton said: “I’m not saying a win against Franklin will automatically set up the Fury fight, but I would love to see a stern, clear call-out – ‘I want Tyson Fury next’.
“Fury might also be in a position now where he feels like he has to take that fight.
“He may feel AJ is an easier fight than the Usyk fight, which quite possibly it is.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
“I think it could all work in AJ’s favour.
Most read in Boxing
“It could also be a chance for both Britons to get people back on side as well.”
Top Rank chief Todd DuBoef also reckons the AJ vs Fury bout is the “biggest fight in the world” and could still happen this year.
However, Frampton declared Joshua going the distance with Franklin would not be enough to set up a fight with Fury.
While he also suggested a defeat to the American, who was beaten by Dillian Whyte last November, could be the “end” for AJ.”
He warned: “A points win is not good enough. I want to see him get rid of Franklin early, stand in the ring and call out Tyson Fury.
“Fury-Joshua is still huge. A massive fight not just for British boxing but also on a global stage.
“A loss, and I think that’s the end for Joshua. Where does he go from there?”
Credit: SUNSPORT
🥊 Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin – Date, live stream, TV channel and all you need to know about heavyweight bout More

TYSON FURY has been urged to SACK “Judas” trainer SugarHill Steward by his dad John.The Gypsy King started working with Steward in 2020, with the duo since enjoying great success together.
John Fury poses with SugarHill Steward last AprilCredit: PA
Tyson Fury’s proposed bout with Oleksandr Usyk fell throughCredit: Getty
Fury, 34, had been expected to take on Oleksandr Usyk in a historic heavyweight unification bout on April 29 at Wembley.
The fight fell through last week, however, after promoters failed to agree a deal.
Throughout talks the Gypsy King had appeared to be in training with Steward in the North West.
But the highly-respected trainer has since revealed that he was in the region to work with Lawrence Okolie for his fight with David Light – and that his flight home was also planned for March 28 – suggesting that Team Fury were never anticipating the Usyk bout to come to fruition.
READ MORE BOXING NEWS
Steward’s comments have enraged John Fury, who has now called on his son to SACK his trainer.
John told Metro, via Freebets.com: “Tyson knows my opinion and that is all those people wrapped around him want sacking. The full lot.
“If they talk about loyalty, that’s not loyalty as far as I’m concerned. If you are stood by your man, shoulder to shoulder, you take it all.
“You’re not going to pass the blame or distance yourself from him. Tyson is my son and I will stand with him until the day I die.
Most read in Boxing
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
“That thing with SugarHill the other day, what the hell was that about? “I’m only here for Okolie.” What was he talking about?
“When I have seen him training Tyson, he was living in Tyson’s house, he had his missus there, he was using the gym and I have seen him working Tyson out.
“And all of a sudden denied him like Judas Iscariot denied Jesus Christ? What the hell was going on there?
“For me, that is a sacking offence. He will be down the road for that charade. It was upsetting.
“Tyson just falls in love with these people and finds out they are not who they seem to be. It is all about pound signs and he has put SugarHill where is.
“He give these guys a chance like the others he has put around him and it has ended in tears. Get rid of them, clear the board. How does the heavyweight champion need all this?
‘GET RID OF THEM ALL’
“It would be easier if he did it all himself and he has got capable people around him to help him do it. Not just me. With sound people around him we can make the right decisions and get on with it.
“Get rid of them all. They all want to be his best mate but as soon as things get a bit sticky and he gets a few bad comments, people want to distance themselves from him.”
John Fury also sought to place the blame for Tyson’s Usyk bout falling through at the hands of promoters Frank Warren and Alex Krassyuk.
The Gypsy King lowballed Usyk with a 70-30 offer… only for the Ukrainian to accept.
But the bout STILL failed to be agreed.
On where the blame should lie, John said: “I’m confused, the country is confused, the world is confused.

“But the only ones not confused are the handlers. The promoters.
“They always seem to put a spanner in the works. But we are where we are. If it is meant to be, it will happen.”
Promoter Frank Warren failed to get the fight madeCredit: Rex More

TYSON FURY’S heavyweight showdown with Anthony Joshua is still the “biggest fight in the world”.And the long-awaited Battle of Britain could still happen this year, according to Top Rank chief Todd DuBoef.
Anthony Joshua missed out on his Tyson Fury fightCredit: AFP
The Gypsy King has failed to negotiate fights with either AJ or Oleksandr UsykCredit: Getty
Fury and AJ were in talks to settle their score in a mammoth clash at the end of last year – but a deal collapsed and appeared off the table for good.
However, DuBoef – whose Top Rank company oversee Fury’s US promotions – reckons boxing fans could get the one fight they want to see.
DuBoef told Sky Sports: “I’ve always said that that is the fight.
“Both of them have great brands, huge fanbases, and fortunately both of them come from the UK, so it’s wonderful that your country has been able to produce these incredible prizefighters.
READ MORE ON BOXING
“That fight is always there, and, to me, is the biggest heavyweight match in the world, because of the personalities and the stories.”
When the Fury talks broke down, Joshua planned to make his return to the ring against Jermaine Franklin.
He faces the American at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday desperately hoping to return to winning ways after back-to-back losses to Olesksandr Usyk.
Fury looked on course to face Usyk in a unification bout with all the heavyweight world titles on the line – but again the Gypysy King failed to successfully negotiate.
Most read in Boxing
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST NEW CUSTOMER SIGN UP DEALS
But DuBoef incredibly claimed it is still possible for his man to face Usyk and Joshua this year.
He added: “All of us are frustrated.
“And I think timing has been an issue with trying to make this [Usyk] fight happen. I’m not going to say never, but I think we all want to see this unification, and we all have hope.
“Both fighters really know that this is what the sport wants, and what they want.
Credit: SUNSPORT
🥊 Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin – Date, live stream, TV channel and all you need to know about heavyweight bout
“We move with immediacy, and we move trying to figure out and get rationality to a situation.
“I think we’ve always wanted this fight for Fury and Joshua, and we’ve wanted to see Fury and Usyk, and Tyson has wanted that, and the Warrens, and we’ve worked hard in getting this done.
“I would love to see, and you’ve just laid out a great 2023 for the Fury side, if we could do Usyk and Joshua this year, it would be fantastic.” More

JORDAN FLYNN plans to announce himself to the world this weekend with a statement victory on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s comeback fight.AJ will bid to bounce back from consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk and prove he’s still a force to be reckoned with in the heavyweight division at The O2 on Saturday night against Jermaine Franklin.
Undefeated lightweight prospect Jordan Flynn is back in action on Saturday nightCredit: INSTAGRAM@RITESHVYAS
The 27-year-old faces American Kane Baker on the undercard of Anthony Joshua vs Jermain FranklinCredit: MATCHROOM BOXING
Flynn plans to announce himself to the world with a statement victory at The O2Credit: Instagram / @riteshvyas
A host of rising stars will take to the ring before the poster boy of British boxing returns, including undefeated lightweight Flynn – who recently inked a deal with Joshua’s 258 management company.
And the 27-year-old – who has quietly built a perfect 8-0 record in the last two years – plans to grasp the golden opportunity to showcase his skills with both hands against Brummie Kane Baker.
He told SunSport: “It’s a massive opportunity, man. This is the biggest card you can be on really.
“In boxing, there is no other fighter [than Joshua] with that kind of following.
READ MORE IN BOXING
“So all eyes of boxing are going to be on that card.
“So everyone is going to know who I am on this card.
“I’m gonna announce myself on the scene there properly. People will finally get to see what I’m about.”
Lighting up the O2 is something Flynn has long dreamed of, although he envisaged fighting at the North Greenwich dome a lot sooner.
Most read in Sport
He revealed: “I’ve always imagined fighting here.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
“Even back in the day watching any fights on TV, I’ve always imagined myself fighting there and hearing Michael Buffer say my name.
“These big events, you always imagined that.
“But to be honest, I thought I’d be doing these kind of events sooner because I’ve always seen myself as better as some of the guys I’ve seen on TV.”
Despite knowing what a win on a highly-watched AJ card will do for his career, Flynn isn’t taking Baker or the opportunity lightly.
He said: “It’s important for me to perform and enjoy it and soak it all in.”
Flynn believes his spot on arguably the biggest card of the year so far is a testament to his new management team’s faith in him.
Lightweight prospect Flynn knows the magnitude of a win on the biggest card of the year so farCredit: SPLASH
Flynn isn’t looking past Baker but has big plans for 2023Credit: MATCHROOM BOXING
Flynn believes now is his time to shine after having his career delayed by CovidCredit: GETTY
He said: “It goes to show them what my new management team think of me to put me in that position.
“I was happy and I saw it as a big opportunity to perform and get to get where I need to be getting.”
A big win could lay the groundwork for a massive 2023 for the Steel City Gym slugger, whose sights are set on winning his first title by year’s end.
He said: “I really need to announce myself on the scene.
Read More on The Sun
“By the end of this year, people will know who I am in the boxing world and elsewhere as well.
“Announce myself on the scene, win my first title and start climbing the ranks and set myself up for a good 2024.” More