Boxing

ANTHONY JOSHUA says a super-fight with Deontay Wilder is long overdue – and remains adamant it WILL happen. TV network and promotional alliances has frustratingly seen the heavyweight blockbuster remain on the shelf.
Anthony Joshua ahead of his April 1 boxing returnCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Deontay Wilder wants to fight Anthony JoshuaCredit: AFP
But ahead of Joshua’s return fight on April 1, he is confident the dream bout will not turn to dust.
He told iFL TV: “It will happen and I think it’s been long overdue. It’s a conversation that’s been happening for a long, long time.
“So for me to sit here and say, ‘It’s going to happen, it’s going to happen’, it will feel like I’m just waffling again.
“And when it does it does. And it will. That’s just me, certifying it. I don’t need to sit here and talk about it and go on and on and on.
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“I’ve been in that realm before where we spoke about it and it didn’t materialise. So, when it materialises it will happen and I’m confident in it.”
Joshua, 33, is coming off consecutive losses to pound-for-pound star Oleksandr Usyk, 36, most recently in Saudi Arabia in August.
And he returns at the O2 Arena – for the first time in seven years – against American Jermaine Franklin.
Franklin, 29, was beaten in a disputed decision by Dillian Whyte, 34, in November, which AJ was ringside for.
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Credit: SUNSPORT
🥊 Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin – Date, live stream, TV channel and all you need to know about heavyweight bout
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Meanwhile Wilder, 37, knocked out Robert Helenius, 38, in the opening round of his October comeback bout.
His manager Shelly Finkel told SunSport talks were held with Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn soon after.
But he claimed ultimately, Hearn indicated AJ would opt for a tune-up bout having changed trainers to Derrick James in Texas.
Finkel proposed a deal be agreed in principle for Joshua and Wilder to fight at the end of the year, baring they avoid defeat.
Finkel told us: “We could make it for the summer, as long as neither fighter loses or is injured, the fight can happen. Period.
“But somehow – and you can mark it down – Anthony Joshua will try wiggle into a fight in the summer with Dillian Whyte.
“I’d even go as far to say, lock in now November or December for Deontay and Joshua.”
Anthony Joshua with promoter Eddie Hearn and Jermaine FranklinCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More

ANTHONY JOSHUA has no intention of retiring after vowing to work harder than ever to salvage his career.The 33-year-old, once British boxing’s golden boy, aims to bounce back from back-to-back defeats to  Oleksandr Usyk in his April Fool’s Day bout against 6ft 2in minnow Jermaine Franklin.
Anthony Joshua will face Jermaine Franklin on April 1Credit: PA
AJ insists that he has never been ‘more serious’ in his careerCredit: Alamy
After last August’s second loss on points to Ukraine hero Usyk in Saudi Arabia, AJ had a meltdown and knew he had to make changes.
Now he claims he is more serious than at any other stage of his career ahead of the fight at London’s O2 Arena.
Under former coach Robert Garcia, Joshua previously refused to move his training camp to California.
But he now accepts a switch Stateside to prepare in Texas with new trainer Derrick James is a positive move in his quest to return to the top again.
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When asked if he had thought of retiring, he replied: “Not really.”
But did the two-time world heavyweight champion ever have doubts following the double defeat to Usyk?
Joshua lost his WBA, IBF and WBO world titles in the first loss to the Ukrainian and will be looking for his first win since 2020 against Franklin, 29.
The 6ft 6in Watford boxer said: “I worked hard for that second Usyk fight but I have to work harder.
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Credit: SUNSPORT
🥊 Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin – Date, live stream, TV channel and all you need to know about heavyweight bout
“To be good is one thing, to be very good is another. I worked extremely hard. I had him praying in his corner. He was praying to God, that’s how much he wanted it.
“I have to work harder. That’s what Derrick does, he makes you work hard.
“Sacrifice is gaining, it’s so tough. I thought the other day, ‘Is he not seeing that I’m dying here?’.
“I realised I can’t feel sorry for myself because I think I’m going to get something out of me.”
Joshua’s preparations in Dallas are a far cry from his old bases of Sheffield and Loughborough.
He revealed: “I am not in Texas to have fun. I am a serious person. I am not there for anything else.
“One thing is for sure, though, throughout my career this is the most serious I have taken it, in terms of my food, sleep and training. I am not there to go out for coffee or talk bulls**t, I am there to f***ing work and get ready for a fight.”
So it is unlikely you will see the father-of-one falling out of nightclubs or into any of the other traps some sports stars fall prey to.
AJ admitted he had to cut back on his social life and big-money business pursuits to make sure he is taken seriously as a heavyweight challenger again.
He explained: “People ask where my head is at, is my head in the game? But I always go to the gym and get ready for a fight, all boxers do. The difference is I have to put my heart back in the game.
“I always wanted to build an empire so I would never have to look back at stupid decisions.
“But I made a conscious decision last year to get rid of those distractions and focus only on boxing — and I have  definitely got that fire back again.”
Joshua’s critics will insist he has never been the same since the brutal stoppage defeat he suffered to Andy Ruiz in 2019.
There have always been rumours that he carried an injury or a concussion into that shock upset loss.
Joshua explained: “I still feel fresh and young. I am not war-torn.
“Looking at the first Andy Ruiz fight, giving no excuses, you could see from the ring walk that something wasn’t right but I have never spoken about it.
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“If people want to live off that then they can live off that but watching them fights off the TV is different to stepping into the ring with me.
“I will do my part to put on a spectacular show for the viewers on April 1.” More

ANTHONY JOSHUA was brutally honest as he admitted his motivation for fighting Jermaine Franklin.AJ faces the American heavyweight on April 1 at London’s O2 as he builds towards an all-British summer showdown with Dillian Whyte.
Anthony Joshua with April opponent Jermaine FranklinCredit: Rex
Joshua and Franklin will go toe-to-toe in AprilCredit: Alamy
Asked about his motivation to carry on fighting after losing his WBA, IBF and WBO world titles to Oleksandr Usyk, AJ admitted: “Money, money, money, I like making money. Straight up.
“I do this because I am good at it and I hustle hard and — when it is all said and done — no-one will care about me anymore.”
The 33-year-old quit broadcasting giants Sky in June to sign a mega £100million five-year deal with streaming app DAZN.
His scrap with Franklin, 29, is not pay per view but DAZN’s monthly subscriptions have recently jumped from £7.99 to £19.99.
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AJ, who became a DAZN shareholder as part of his deal, added: “This is a prize-fighting sport.
“I have been broke and my family has been broke and I know what that s*** means.
“So I need to make the most of it while I am here.”
Joshua also insisted that he’s still “fresh” despite consecutive losses to Usyk.
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He said: “I’m not war torn, I still feel fresh.”
Joshua continued: “Locked in. It’s a serious opponent, I respect all my opponents.
“He’s coming to fight. That will make me keep my feet on the ground.
“Throughout my career this is probably the most seriously I’ve taken it.
“Everything I’ve been through, positive, negative I’m using it to fuel this camp.” More

TYSON FURY has done some outrageous things in his time.From mocking his boxing rivals on a hilarious Christmas card to claiming that him and Dillian Whyte once slept together on a training camp, the Gypsy King really is like one of a kind.
Tyson Fury revealed that he once bought some moon rockCredit: Instagram / @wowhydrate
The rock cost the champion $1mCredit: Instagram / @wowhydrate
All of this despite being the undefeated WBC champ.
But Fury has perhaps never done something as silly as when he once completely wasted $1million.
Fury was asked what’s the dumbest thing he’s ever spent his winnings on.
And he told Wow Hydrate: “I’ve bought a lot of dumb s**t in my time.
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“But I once bought this piece of moon rock, some rock from the moon for like $1m.”
But while the 34-year-old might have done some questionable stuff out of the ring, he’s anything but when he gets down to work.
And Fury looks is set to return to action later this year.
According to Frank Warren, all parties are working towards an April 29 clash with undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk.
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The fight could take place in Saudi Arabia with capital city Riyadh in the conversation, while Wembley Stadium is also an option.
Warren said: “The fight will take place 100 per cent the last Saturday in April.
“Where it takes place I genuinely think will be determined within the next six or seven days maximum.
“If we can’t do what we’re being asked to do with Tyson and Usyk [in Saudi Arabia], then the fight will take place in the UK.” More

JOE BUGNER will be completely unaware that Tuesday will be the 50th anniversary of his first fight with Muhammad Ali, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.A few days ago I tried calling Bugner in Australia, where he’s lived for 36 years, to reminisce with him about that 12-round non-title clash that grabbed the attention of the nation.
Joe Bugner up against Muhammad Ali in Las Vegas in 1973Credit: Getty
Bugner fought Ali for the world title in Kuala Lumpur two years later but lostCredit: Getty
Though I haven’t spoken to him for some time I was surprised to discover his telephone had been disconnected.
Looking forward to my usual banter with him, I was horrified and saddened when I contacted his eldest son Joe Jr, 53, and learned why – his father is living in a Brisbane care home suffering from severe dementia.
Joe Jr said: “I’m afraid there’s no point in giving you Dad’s mobile number because I’m afraid he remembers nothing about his boxing career.
“I found it heart-breaking when I visited him just before Christmas because he didn’t seem to know who I was. 
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“Physically he’s in great shape and looks years younger than his age. He will be 73 next month yet believes he’s only 38.
“He happens to be in his own little world. While we were chatting he told me his wife Marlene was out shopping and would be back soon – Marlene passed away more than a year ago.”
Hungarian-born Bugner dominated British boxing in the 70s like Frank Bruno and Lennox Lewis did in the 80s and 90s.
At 6ft 4in with blond curly hair, he looked like a modern day Adonis. He was twice British heavyweight champion and three times European champ and was much better than he was given credit for.
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If Bugner had been fighting outside the Ali era – the Golden Age of heavyweights – he would have won one of the world championship belts Colin Hart
Unfortunately he was never that popular with the fans, who never forgave the 21-year-old for getting a highly controversial points decision over national treasure Henry Cooper – which I thought was justified – that ended his career.
But his greatest achievements were twice going the distance with Ali and once with Joe Frazier – not many of our heavyweights would have been good enough to have done that.
And I have no doubt that if he had been fighting outside the Ali era – the Golden Age of heavyweights – he would have won one of the world championship belts given his speed, stamina and exceptional defensive skills.
But when he did fight Ali for the title in in Kuala Lumpur he hardly covered himself in glory.  It was in the open air and though it started at 9.30 in the morning it was extremely hot and humid.
Bugner didn’t try to win and was simply hell-bent on surviving the 15 rounds. In my SunSport report I scathingly called him a “Harmless Hercules.” I must say he accepted that he deserved the criticism and he never let it affect our friendship.
After chasing Joe for 45 minutes Ali was confined to bed suffering from heat exhaustion while we watched Joe swimming in his hotel pool sipping champagne after every lap.
Disgusted with him, promoter Mickey Duff said “I suppose Joe at the end of the day, money is the name of the game.”
Bugner replied “Yes – and being able to count it.”
The boxing community will be as upset as I was to learn of Joe’s memory loss. 
But Joe Jr added “Please let everyone know Dad isn’t unhappy. He is in luxury accommodation and the staff at the home are taking excellent care of him.
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Bugner poses with the Lonsdale Belt after beating Henry CooperCredit: Getty
“I thought of bringing him back to England but his carers advised against it – they said he is used to a certain routine and it wouldn’t be fair to uproot him at this stage of his life.”
I always felt Bugner, despite his many successes was never really in love with boxing – which makes his record of 83 fights, 69 wins with 43 knockouts – even more remarkable. More

ANTHONY JOSHUA has opened up about the reason he lost to Andy Ruiz Jr. Ruiz shocked the world by defeating Joshua back in 2019 to claim the WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO titles.
Anthony Joshua opened up on his first career defeat at the hands of Andy Ruiz JrCredit: AP
But Joshua has insisted his focus is back on boxingCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
AJ is set to face Jermaine Franklin on April 1Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Credit: SUNSPORT
🥊 Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin – Date, live stream, TV channel and all you need to know about heavyweight bout
Joshua would go on to reclaim his titles six months later.
But speaking about the first fight, AJ said: “People feel boxing is about popularity but it is about skill.
“Looking at Ruiz one you could see that something wasn’t right, but I have never spoken about it.
“You can watch as much as you want but until you face me you never know.”
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The 33-year-old went up against Oleksandr Usyk two years later and once again saw his status as a heavyweight champion lost.
And following a rematch in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Joshua failed to reclaim his titles, forcing him back to drawing board.
Joshua will face Jermaine Franklin on April 1 in the hopes of getting his career back on track.
Joshua added: “People ask where my head is at. But I always go to the gym and the difference is I have to put my heart back in the game.
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Joshua is aiming to get his career back on trackCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Franklin has a record of 21-1Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
“I always built businesses outside of boxing because of the fear of going back to square one.
“But I made a conscious decision last year to get rid of those distractions and focus on boxing. It’s not just the mind, it is your heart.
“It’s like being in a relationship. When you wake up every morning with your partner you have to have your heart in it to make it work.” More