Boxing

ANTHONY JOSHUA’S Wembley clash with Daniel Dubois just got even bigger – and fans think that matchmaker Turki Alalshikh will Definitely Maybe “get knighted”.The two London heavyweights will meet for the IBF title vacated by Oleksandr Usyk on September 21 at Wembley Stadium in an all-British showdown.Anthony Joshua will face Daniel Dubois on September 21Credit: ReutersHis Excellency Turki Alalshikh has put the Wembley spectacular togetherCredit: GettyA stacked undercard has been announced after the Saudi chief brought Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren’s heavyweights together for the clash.His Excellency is targeting a record 100,000 attendance at Wembley for the fight that will see the winner face the victor of Usyk’s rematch with Tyson Fury in December.Now Alalshikh has put “the icing on the cake” by adding an English rock ‘n’ roll icon to the Joshua vs Dubois mix.It has been confirmed that former Oasis star Liam Gallagher will perform ahead of the main event at the national stadium.READ MORE ON BOXING The 51-year-old has been back on stage over recent months but now his next big date after his tour has been pencilled in.The singer is due to perform three songs at Wembley which have been touted to be ‘classics’.And after delivering what promises to be an epic night in the Riyadh Season spectacular, boxing and Oasis fans united to hail Alalshikh.And it left them dreaming about seeing the full Oasis reunion between Liam and his brother Noel that many have craved for years.Most read in SportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSOne joked: “Imagine Noel comes on and joins him. Turki will be getting knighted.”Another wrote: “Big man Turki gonna get Liam and Noel back together at this rate.”Carl Froch slams ’embarrassing’ Anthony Joshua as he ‘leaks’ WhatsApp messages ahead of Daniel Dubois fightA third said: “Just imagine if he paid enough money and sorted Liam and Noel out like he did with Frank and Eddie.”While a fourth added: “If anyone can reunite oasis though…. It’s the Saudis.”As well as a concert, two giant parks for kids will be installed around Wembley to create a family atmosphere.There is also a stacked undercard for boxing purists to enjoy throughout the evening.Oasis legend Liam Gallagher will perform at the eventCredit: GettyUndercard for Joshua vs DuboisHere are the five fights that will come before AJ vs Dubois and Gallagher’s performance:Cacace vs WarringtonBuatsi vs HutchinsonSmith vs SmithDenneyr vs SheerazChambo vs PadleyThe most eye-catching clash is the light-heavyweight interim title clash between Joshua Buatsi and Willy Hutchinson.And there is also an IBF super-featherweight title fight between Anthony Cacace and Josh Warrington.The flames were also stoked yesterday when AJ and Dubois almost came to blows and had to be held back by security after a fiery face-off exchange. More

CARL FROCH has slammed Anthony Joshua ahead of his fight against Daniel Dubois.The former super-middleweight world champion called Joshua “embarrassing” as he leaked alleged WhatsApp messages between the pair.Carl Froch has slammed Anthony Joshua after ‘leaking’ alleged messages between the pairCredit: AFPJoshua called Froch a ‘pr***’ ahead of his bout against Daniel Dubois in SeptemberCredit: ReutersFroch revealed he had challenged AJ after he called the Cobra a “pr***” when asked to sum him up in one one word.In response, Froch has rubbished the two-time heavyweight world champion’s legacy.Joshua will bid to become world champion for a third time against Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium on September 21.Dubois was promoted to IBF world champion earlier this week after Oleksandr Usyk vacated the belt in order to rematch Tyson Fury later this year.READ MORE IN BOXINGThe pair almost came to blows on Thursday, with tempers already flaring months before the fight.Ahead of the bout, though, Joshua is now embroiled in an online spat with Froch.The 46-year-old ripped into his fellow Brit in the latest episode of Froch on Fighting.Detailing their private conversation, he posted screenshots allegedly from their chat.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSFroch had asked “who the f*** are you calling a pr***?, prompting Joshua to say: “Because… I think you are.”When pressed by Froch, he added: “I just do,” with the retired boxer replying: “Do something about it then b****!”Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois nearly come to blows as AJ tells rival ‘don’t disrespect me’Sharing screenshots from the alleged chat to X, Froch wrote: “Just remember to STAY HUMBLE and The Cobra keeps his receipts.”In the video, he explained: “So he’s called me a ‘pr***’ and I’ve gone back to him saying “who are you f***ing calling a pr***’?”He’s come back and said ‘I don’t like you’, and fair enough, you don’t like me, but all I’ve done is been honest and given constructive criticism on what you’ve done since losing to Ruiz and Usyk, and where you’re going now you’re fighting Dubois.”There’s no need to get personal, no need to start on a man’s hooter – looking pretty good by the way.”He then shared a video Joshua had allegedly sent showing himself counting £10, £20 and £50 notes.Froch continued: “Then you’ve got your £10 and £20 notes rolled out on your bed saying [‘get on my level, get on my level’] levels, it’s all about levels.Froch labelled Joshua ’embarrassing’ as he shared screenshots allegedly from their WhatsApp chatCredit: Steve Bell”Where’s the humble guy gone? Where’s ‘remain humble, stay humble’ [quoting Joshua]. “He’s talking about levels and says I’m not on his level. But he’s talking about money. Fair play to him – he’s made a fortune, he’s smashed it. “But let’s talk about levels in terms of legacy and fights and career wins. A little fat kid from Mexico made him quit for f***’s sake. He spat his gumshield out and was looking around, looking for the corner, looking for the people in the crowd to help him out.”He got punched from pillar to post. The referee is looking at him – ‘do you want to carry on, do you want to keep fighting?’ And what’s he done? He’s quit on his feet. “That is embarrassing – something the Cobra would never, ever do. And he can take that to the bank!”Joshua has moved to 28-3 as a professional since suffering back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk in his last two title bouts.Joshua will face Dubois for his IBF heavyweight world title at Wembley StadiumCredit: GettyHis knockout victory over Francis Ngannou in March extended his winning streak to four across the last two years.READ MORE SUN STORIESMeanwhile, Froch retired from boxing in 2015 with a 33-2 professional record.He ended his with a pair of high-profile title defences against bitter rival George Groves, finishing Saint George in both fights. More

ANTHONY JOSHUA and Daniel Dubois almost came to blows and had to be held back by security after a fiery face-off exchange. The two London heavyweights meet for the IBF title on September 21 at Wembley Stadium. Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois almost came to blowsJoshua was left seething with the rowBut they came together three months beforehand to officially announce the all-British bout and went back and forth in a sitdown interview. That was when things almost turned ugly as Dubois offered to get the fight started early. He said: “If he wants to swing, let’s go now.” Joshua, with a deathly stare back, sharply replied: “Oi, shut up. Relax.”READ MORE IN BOXINGDubois then said: “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.”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.” Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSSecurity quickly stepped in with Dubois being restrained as Joshua added: “I don’t take disrespect lightly, Dan.”Dan, I don’t take disrespect lightly you know. Don’t sit on the table telling me we can go now and do all of this and that and try call me out.” Watch Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois’ intense first face-off ahead of blockbuster British fightHall of Fame promoter Frank Warren then brought it to a stop in a desperate attempt to cool things down. Dubois, 26, is the newly-crowned champion after having his interim title won against Filip Hrgovic, 32, elevated to the full version. It comes after undisputed king Oleksandr Usyk, 37, vacated the strap to rematch Tyson Fury, 35, on December 21 after his heroic May win. Joshua, 34, profited as he now challenges for the same belt he won seven years ago in an attempt to become three-time champ. The 2012 Olympic gold medallist talked the row with Dubois down when pressed on the heated war of words. Dan, I don’t take disrespect lightly you know. Don’t sit on the table telling me we can go now and do all of this and that and try call me out.Anthony Joshua to Daniel Dubois He said: “Yeah we had a bit of aggro. It’s good.“There are two aspects to it, the competitive side, the Queensberry Rules of boxing. But there is also the instinct that one has, as a fighter.“And that is just how it is. Before I boxed, I was a good fighter, that’s an instinct you have when someone calls you out.“He said ‘let’s go now’. And I said: ‘let’s go then’. No security, I just stepped away, I thought I would be the bigger man.”Dubois put the tense situation down to the brutal jet lag he was suffering after a 12-hour flight back from Copacabana beach in Brazil.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe responded: “I was jet-lagged that was all.“My mind was not in the right place, but it was all good and all part of the fun and getting into the groove.”Joshua facing off with DuboisCredit: GETTY More

TYSON FURY has broken his silence after suffering yet more undisputed heartache at the hands of Oleksandr Usyk.The Gypsy King had his dream of becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champion in nearly 25 years shattered by the slick southpaw last month.Tyson Fury faced Oleksandr Usyk for all the heavyweight marbles last monthCredit: GETTYFury suffered a split decision loss to the slick Ukrainian in the historic showdownCredit: GETTYFury has suffered more heartache as their December rematch won’t be all the belts as Usyk has vacated the IBF titleCredit: REUTERSFury, 35, suffered a split decision defeat in the historic Saudi straightener but will have the opportunity to exact his revenge on the Ukrainian in December.But he won’t be able to win all the heavyweight marbles as former pound-for-pound king Usyk vacated the IBF heavyweight strap earlier this week.Fury, however, seemingly isn’t fussed and is focused solely on avenging his first-ever professional loss more than holding all the heavyweight hardware.In an impromptu FaceTime with Saudi bigwig Turki Alalshikh and rival Anthony Joshua, he roared: “I’ll get it done. I’ll get the f***ing job done.”READ MORE ON FURYJoshua, who suffered back-to-back defeats to Usyk sternly replied: “No you won’t – but either way, I’m waiting for you.”A defiant Fury responded to AJ’s verbal jab by saying: “I’m gonna get the job done.”Fury was shocked when the judges anointed Usyk as the first undisputed king of the heavyweights since Lennox Lewis.He recently said of the verdict: “I thought I boxed his head right off him for most of the rounds.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS“He landed a good punch in round reight, that busted my nose. “In round nine he had a 10-8 round, and I gave him round ten.Watch Tyson Fury train as he reveals he’s in uncharted territory for first time ever ahead of Oleksandr Usyk rematch “Other than that I didn’t give him any other rounds, I gave him rounds eight, nine and ten.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.’ 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.”Fury will renew his rivalry with Usyk in another Riyadh rumble on December 21 and is confident of getting the job done second time around.He added: “I have watched the fight back lots of times and still have the same answer, I thought I did enough and won the fight. Usyk knows he didn’t beat me.“It was close enough, one judge had me winning by a round and one judge had him winning by a round. And then the final one made the decision.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I have to get him out of there because I won’t get a decision, which is unfortunate because it’s hard enough to win a fight, let alone winning it when you have you knock someone out.“But I am confident and looking forward to the challenge.”Tyson Fury will have the opportunity to exact his revenge on Usyk on December 21Credit: PA More

ANTHONY JOSHUA took aim at Tyson Fury in an impromptu FaceTime with his long-time rival.AJ was put in touch with The Gypsy King on Wednesday just hours after the announcement of his September showdown with Daniel Dubois.Anthony Joshua had an impromptu FaceTime with rival Tyson FuryCredit: X@TURKIALALSHIKHSaudi boxing bigwig Turki Alalshikh urged Fury to beat Oleksandr Usyk so he can face AJ nextCredit: X@TURKIALALSHIKHJoshua had some choice words for Fury, who he branded a tomatoCredit: X@TURKIALALSHIKHJoshua, 34, had not long finished deriding Fury for his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk last month and branding him an “idiot” when Saudi boxing kingpin Turki Alalshikh decided to FaceTime the former WBC heavyweight champion.And he didn’t mince his words after Alalshikh told Fury the Watford warrior is lying in wait for him.Joshua said: “I’m waiting for you, I’m waiting for you.”Fury, 35, promptly replied: “Go on, I’ll get it done. I’ll get the f***ing job done.”READ MORE ON JOSHUAAmid all the laughter, Joshua sternly replied: “No you won’t – but either way, I’m waiting for you.”Fury, who will look to get the better of Usyk at the second time of asking on December 21, defiantly responded: “I’m gonna get the job done.”Joshua re-emphasised the domestic pot of gold awaiting the Wythenshawe warrior, saying: “Either way, I’m waiting for you.””Look,” Fury said in response to Alalshikh’s excitement at their long-overdue Battle of Britain. “I’ll get it done first and then I’ll fight him there.”Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSJoshua seemingly grew sick of Fury’s repeated vows to avenge his first professional loss, saying: “Stop using this [points to mouth] and use these raises up his fists].”Fury, who is already back in the gym preparing for Usyk, replied: “I’ll use them both on your face, you big ugly dosser.”Watch Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois’ intense first face-off ahead of blockbuster British fight”Shut up,” former two-time unified champion Joshua responded. “You look like a tomato.”Put some sunscreen on, you idiot. You look like a tomato.”Alalshikh began to wind down the call by promising to see Fury on Thursday, which prompted AJ to say: “Oi, I’ll see you tomorrow [too].”I’ll be waiting here as well.”Boxing fans around the world have been waiting for the best part of a decade for a Battle of Britain between Joshua and Fury to come to fruition.How AJ punched his way to the topANTHONY JOSHUA punched his way to the top of the world before being knocked off his perch.And AJ admits he’ll be crossing his fingers for Fury to exact his revenge on Usyk in their end-of-year Riyadh rumble.He said: “I want him to win the rematch, in a way. “I don’t mind any more whether he wins or loses. I just want to fight him.”It’s been dragging on. Fury ducks a lot of people, he doesn’t fight many people, many top-tier people.READ MORE SUN STORIES”He needs to get on with it and come and fight me and stop wasting my time.”I don’t want to wait until I’m 40, 41, 42 to fight him.”Anthony Joshua will be rooting for Tyson Fury to win his rematch with Oleksandr UsykCredit: Getty More