Boxing

TYSON FURY is in line to fight Oleksandr Usyk in “early March” with Wembley not ruled out of hosting the historic title unification. The unbeaten champions are in negotiations for the heavyweight division’s first four-belt undisputed decider.
Tyson Fury poses with promoter Frank WarrenCredit: Reuters
Oleksandr Usyk is in talks to fight Tyson FuryCredit: Reuters
And the Middle East is the frontrunner to host with a hefty fee to bring the pair over expected to be tabled.
Although Fury’s UK promoter Frank Warren revealed London is still in the frame for the fight as talks enter the final stages.
Warren told iFL TV: “The date will probably be in March. That’s basically where we’re at, early March. 
“But no location has been finalised, once we get the fight done then the rest will just fall into place.
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“We’re still negotiating as to the site but until we’ve got the fight done then we’ve got nothing. 
“Let’s get the fight done and then get to where it’s going to take place. You never know, it could take place at Wembley.
“The decision will be made with the site very quickly because we want to get it on in March, and if we want it to go on in March it has to go on sale soon, no matter where it takes place.
“We are not going to mess around and put one against the other, it is going to be about where the boys can make the most money.”
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Twice Saudi Arabia has prised Anthony Joshua, 33, over to the desert, most recently in defeat to Usyk, 35, in August.
Meanwhile Fury, 34, in 2022 sold over 150,000 tickets for his stadium wins over Dillian Whyte, 34, in April and Derek Chisora, 38, last month.
Usyk was ringside to watch on in December as Chisora was dominated over ten rounds, setting up the unification bout.
And although Warren failed in talks for Joshua to last year fight Fury, he is confident a deal can be struck with Usyk.
He said: “There’s a big will to make this fight happen between both camps. It’s just a matter of where and how much.
“But absolutely they’re good people to deal with and we’re all pretty positive about getting it over the line.
“I said that about Joshua a few months ago so I don’t want to tempt fate until it’s signed it don’t mean nothing as I always say. 
“But at the moment everybody looks like they want it to happen, especially the fighters and it’s a great fight, a big fight.”
Tyson Fury facing off with Oleksandr UsykCredit: Reuters More

JOE JOYCE has revealed that Oleksandr Usyk urged him to be “patient” after being called out.Prior to Usyk getting his first bout with Anthony Joshua, which saw him become heavyweight champion, the Ukrainian was being hounded for a fight by old foe Joyce.
Joe Joyce spoke about his interest in fighting Oleksandr UsykCredit: YouTube
Usyk was called out by Joyce prior to his first bout with Anthony JoshuaCredit: Reuters
Seeing that his opportunity to become champion was about to come, the 35-year-old told the “Juggernaut” to wait.
Joyce, 37, has since moved himself right into the title picture himself with impressive wins over Daniel Dubois, Carlos Takam, Christian Hammer and Joseph Parker.
His impressive form has seen him rise to third in line for a shot at Usyk’s WBO title – while he is next in waiting for Fury’s WBC crown.
The Juggernaut fought Usyk as an amateur in 2013, losing the bout on points.
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He is itching for another shot at the man dubbed “The Cat” – this time with titles on the line.
Speaking to iD Boxing, he said: “I have messaged him and DM’d him on Instagram, this was before the Joshua fight and our names were being lined up.
“And he was like ‘nah, patience, patience’ and then obviously he got the Joshua (fight) and beat him twice but that’s a fight I’d like to have.”
A perfect 15-0 since turning pro, Joyce reckons that he can “get to” Usyk, should he be afforded the opportunity.
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Joyce encountered Usyk while attending Tyson Fury’s win over Derek Chisora last monthCredit: Jamie McPhilimey
He told Sky Sports: “I think I would start to get to him.
“If I can keep the pressure up. He is a very skilful fighter, but at this level it’s all going to be tough from here on in.
“This time I would be more prepared and have a proper training camp geared towards him.
“It’s over 12 rounds with smaller gloves and I’ve come a long way since then. It was a long time ago.
“It takes 10 years to reach sporting excellence. I’ve surpassed that and I’m still learning, so it would be a great fight over 12 rounds.”
First, Usyk appears likely to take on Fury in the unification bout boxing fans have been waiting for.
The duo are expected to finally face off either next month or in early March.
The tale of the tape: Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk More

ANTHONY JOSHUA has been urged by his former trainer to take a few confidence-building fights before facing Deontay Wilder. Wilder’s manager Shelly Finkel and coach Malik Scott have opened the door to a bout with AJ, who is coming off two losses to Oleksandr Usyk.
Anthony Joshua pictured with trainer Robert GarciaCredit: Snapchat
For the second of those, esteemed US cornerman Robert Garcia watched on as Joshua was bettered on points in Saudi Arabia.
AJ and Garcia have now split with the heavyweight once again searching for a new team ahead of his return this year.
And he has been advised against jumping into a super-fight with Wilder until his confidence and belief is back.
Garcia told IZQUIERDAZO: “One thing that I told them, and I tell them again now, is that I don’t recommend them to look for a big fight immediately.
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“Anthony is a huge star in Europe, one of the biggest in history. He should look for two or three fights a little more adequate, I don’t want to say easy, because there are no easy fights, but he needs a more adequate fight.
“He needs to regain confidence, and get used to a new trainer, because it was a big challenge to get a new trainer and go directly against Usyk, as was in my case.
“It’s not only a challenge for AJ, but also for me, to go into a rematch after being dominated in the first fight. It was difficult.”
Promoter Eddie Hearn revealed Joshua is in line to return in April against a top 15 contender.
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A summer Dillian Whyte, 34, rematch, who AJ knocked out in 2015, could follow before an end of year blockbuster with Wilder, 37.
Garcia is not likely to be in the corner for any of them after his departure from Joshua’s camp.
And he cannot split his former fighter with ex-WBC champion Wilder, who knocked out Robert Helenius, 38, in round one of his October comeback.
Garcia said: “I think that is a fight that wouldn’t go to the scorecards – both of them hit hard.
“Many may think that Wilder is going to knock out AJ, but I think that whoever hits first.
“I worked with Anthony, and he hits hard. I have never felt Wilder’s power, but it looks like a hard punch. But Anthony’s punching power is very strong.
“I think that he has the same punching power, it can’t be less strong than Wilder. So I think that whoever hits first [wins].”
Deontay Wilder is linked with fighting Anthony JoshuaCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

ANTHONY JOSHUA has been warned he is in “a difficult situation” and must find a coach he trusts and has a connection with. AJ is on the scout for a new training team following consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk in the space of 11 months.
Anthony Joshua is looking for a new training teamCredit: GETTY
After the first, in September 2021, Joshua parted ways with long-time cornerman Rob McCracken, who led him to gold in the amateurs and pros.
He replaced McCracken with esteemed US mastermind Garcia, but following rematch defeat to Usyk, 35, the two have now also split.
Joshua toured several gyms in America towards the end of 2022 ahead of a planned comeback fight this year.
Esteemed British coach Dave Coldwell told iD Boxing: “I’ve always said that a fighter needs to be comfortable with the coach that he has got.
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“Whatever we think on the outside, the fighter has got to be comfortable, the fighter fights, the fighter has to listen to instructions, come back to the corner at the end of each round, trust the coach and together they can work out how to win the fight.
“If that trust and that connection isn’t there, it doesn’t matter how great that coach is, it doesn’t work.
“At this stage of this career, it is a worry because you’re not going to come back in some eight-rounder against a journeyman. 
“You’re coming back into the deep end and again you’ve got to get used to this new coach, whoever he is bringing on.
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“Whoever that is, has to understand Anthony Joshua the man and his mentality.
“Because where he is coming up to a fight and he’s asking a million people’s opinions, on how they fight him that can’t be happening.
“Where is the confidence in the work you’ve been doing all these months? It’s a difficult situation and who he should go with I don’t know.
“And this search in America, just because these coaches work well with other great fighters doesn’t mean it’s going to work with you.”
Promoter Eddie Hearn has warned Joshua is expected to return in April against a top 15 contender.
A summer rematch against Dillian Whyte, 34, who AJ knocked out in 2015 could follow before a super-fight with Deontay Wilder, 37, at the end of 2023.
Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn with Anthony JoshuaCredit: PA More

ANTHONY JOSHUA isn’t mentally tough enough to fight Deontay Wilder on his boxing return, according to the Bronze Bomber’s coach. Wilder, 37, knocked out Robert Helenius, 38, in round one of his October comeback fight which followed after a year out.
Malik Scott pictured with Deontay WilderCredit: Refer to Caption
Anthony Joshua walks the runway of the Boss Fashion ShowCredit: Getty
But two months earlier, AJ was beaten for the second time on points by Oleksandr Usyk, 35, and subsequently took the rest of the year off.
Promoter Eddie Hearn warned Joshua, 33, is expected to return by April for a comeback fight against a top 15 contender.
That is despite Wilder’s manager Shelly Finkel and trainer Malik Scott opening the door for an anticipated super-fight between them.
But Scott expects consecutive losses to ex-cruiserweight Usyk will have a major effect on Joshua’s confidence.
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Scott told Kate Abdo: “This is what I do understand. The lack of mental strength might not be there because he lost to a smaller guy.
“To go up against a specimen like Deontay Wilder, you may need to build yourself up to take on that kind of fighter. I get it.
“The advantages and the things I see Deontay doing to whatever AJ shows up, mentally tough, not mentally tough; it’s a three-round fight, in my opinion.
“He can’t get out of the way. Deontay is not a big guy. That is a big guy that punches slowly. It comes fast, and you can’t get out of it.
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“If you can’t get out of the way of it, you’re in trouble. And I think AJ is in trouble if he signs the contract.”
Hearn is ready to negotiate for Joshua to finally fight Wilder, but teased an end of year blockbuster after two return fights.
He told DAZN: “We pretty much know his date. We’re down to three or four opponents that we’re talking to.
“Obviously, rumours of his new training team, and there will be a full announcement from Joshua on that.
“The plan now is to rebuild him to become a three-time heavyweight world champion, and the trainer will want to take the appropriate steps to do that.
“It’s all very well being brave, listening to Twitter, going out, and fighting Deontay Wilder [next] and doing this and doing that, but there has to be a plan, a smart plan.
“A smart plan is he wants to return against a top 15 guy in a credible fight and return in the summer against probably Dillian Whyte and then move forward against Wilder or Tyson Fury in a mega-fight in the ultimate 2023.”
Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn with Anthony JoshuaCredit: PA More