Boxing

ANTHONY JOSHUA is sick of “idiot” Tyson Fury disrespecting boxing, is glad Oleksandr Usyk “spanked” him — and still hopes for the chance to punish him himself.The 34-year-old 2012 Olympic gold medallist was at Wembley on Wednesday to announce his September 21 IBF world heavyweight title shootout with Daniel Dubois.Tyson Fury fought Oleksandr Usyk for all the heavyweight marbles in JuneCredit: PAThe Gypsy King’s dream of becoming undisputed heavyweight king was shattered by the UkrainianCredit: GETTYFury was made to eat all of the negative words he aimed Usyk’s wayCredit: PALong-time Brit rival Anthony Joshua was happy to see Usyk do a number on the Gypsy KingCredit: GETTYBut he was more interested in reigniting his war of words with the Gypsy King, 35, and accusing the Mancunian of being a stain on the sport.The Watford hulk was ringside in Riyadh last month to watch Fury get his nose smashed and his dreams shattered, with Usyk being crowned undisputed king ahead of him.And, instead of offering his heartfelt commiserations, Joshua — usually the mild-mannered diplomat of the noble art — went both barrels.And he growled at Wembley Arena: “I’m glad Fury isn’t the undisputed champion. I just think he’s an idiot.READ MORE ON AJ“If it was someone else I might think it was a shame.“I’ve always said he’s an idiot, he’s very disrespectful.“Not in a way I care but I just feel like he thinks by stepping on other people that makes him feel better.“I’m in competition with no one. I’m in my own lane but he has to step on people to make himself feel good, and that’s not good.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS“The way he disrespected Usyk, calling him a little rabbit and a middleweight, it’s not good for the sport.“If I respect you and you respect me we can lift this sport up and people think we are two of the most elite fighters in the world.Winner of AJ vs Dubois will get a huge reward“But Fury will step on you and make you look like a guy who’s just walked out of the pub and he’s not on your level.“Then he goes and gets spanked — he deserves it.” Ukrainian hero Usyk — who has now given up his IBF belt “as a gift to Joshua and Dubois” — triumphed with a split decision after Fury threw away the early rounds, dominated four to seven, but was then bashed up for the final sessions.Fury was gracious and generous in the immediate aftermath.But he has since said he was robbed by the officials, the fight was too easy and compared the Olympic gold medal winner and former cruiserweight undisputed boss to a local amateur slugger.It is that sort of nonsense that has infuriated AJ — who has lost two Usyk decisions graciously — and he hopes Fury’s December 21 rematch and his Dubois bout lead to the warring pair finally settling their differences.Anthony Joshua faces Daniel Dubois in a huge domestic dust-up on September 21Credit: GETTYAddressing Fury’s trash talk, he said: “It’s up to him what he says.“Usyk is a good fighter, there is no denying it. Just give him his flowers and move on.“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 still hopes to share the ring with Tyson FuryCredit: Getty More

ANTHONY JOSHUA and Daniel Dubois almost came to blows three months before their world title super-fight.The heavyweight Londoners will clash on September 21 at a glittering Wembley stadium – in front of the biggest audience in the ground’s history – for a mega-money purse.Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois almost came to blowsCredit: GettyBut they almost kicked-off the rivalry early in the dark and dingy bowels of the little arena next door before 34-year-old AJ walked away from the scene.And the two-time champ warned the wonderboy eight years his junior that he was a dangerous street fighter – survivings scrapes on the streets and with the law – long before he was a celebrated boxer and respected OBE“Yeah we had a bit of aggro,” the London 2012 legend grinned. “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.READ MORE IN BOXING“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.The 26-year-old Adonis had to cut short a busman’s holiday training and recovering in the South American paradise to zoom back to London to announce their clash.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSJoshua vs Dubois full Wembley fight card Anthony Joshua vs Daniel DuboisAnthony Cacace vs Josh WarringtonJoshua Buatsi vs Willy HutchinsonHamzah Sheeraz vs Tyler DennyJosh Kelly vs Liam SmithMark Chamberlain vs Josh PadleyAnd that helped spark a fractious moment with the superstar he was once taken up to Sheffield to help with sparring sessions, nine years ago, before he became a legend of British sport.“I was jet-lagged that was all,” the powerhouse said.Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois will fight for IBF heavyweight world title on September 21 as Usyk LEAKS mammoth fight“My mind was not in the right place, but it was all good and all part of the fun and getting into the groove.”Hall-of-fame promoter Frank Warren – who missed out on AJ’s professional signature after his 2012 coronation – is the mastermind behind Dubois’ career.And he witnessed the opening round unfold and he reckons his man has the upperhand already for a fight that has all the ingredients to be a red-hot firefight.“It just nearly went off upstairs,” he purred a couple of days before the gold-dust tickets go on sale.“But you will have to wait until the film goes out to see it. It was quite lively. We did a face-off around a table and it got a bit spicy.”And Warren’s promotional opposite number Eddie Hearn revealed the tension was so high the pair had to be pulled apart.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe told The Stomping Ground: “It was at the end when they said, ‘September 21st and not before,’ and Daniel said, ‘Well if you want to go now, I’ll go now.’ “AJ said, ‘Do you want me to smash this chair across your face? Don’t ever disrespect me like that again.’ And he went for him. They had to be pulled apart.”Joshua stares Dubois downCredit: Getty More

ANTHONY JOSHUA will fight Daniel Dubois at Wembley in September for the IBF heavyweight world title, it has been announced.And the winner will face either Tyson Fury or Oleksandr Usyk with the chance to become undisputed champion of the world.Anthony Joshua will fight Daniel Dubois in SeptemberCredit: ReutersThe pair will collide at Wembley Stadium in an extravagant showCredit: GettyThe winner will take on either Oleksandr Usyk or Tyson FuryCredit: GettyBrit stars AJ and Dubois will collide on Saturday 21 September at Wembley Stadium.The clash will mark Joshua’s fourth outing at the home of English football.While it will be Dubois’ first time fighting under the arch.The winner will also take the IBF title, with Usyk revealing he has either been stripped or given up the belt.READ MORE IN BOXINGBut more significantly, it will set up a heavyweight showdown against either Fury or Usyk.The two kings of the division are rematching in Saudi Arabia on December 21, with Usyk inflicting the first defeat of Fury’s career in May.And one of Joshua or Dubois will get the chance to step in and fight for all the heavyweight titles next year.AJ had previously been tipped to battle Deontay Wilder in a money-spinning fight.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSBut the American suffered a surprise defeat to Joseph Parker last Christmas before losing to Zhilei Zhang earlier this month, ending his chances of a match.It saw Dubois emerge as the obvious contender after he bounced back from his Joe Joyce and Oleksandr Usyk defeats with fine wins over Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic.Anthony Joshua leaves fans wincing as he shares video of bizarre ‘hot cupping’ treatmentBut there will be other surprises in September’s Wembley battle as part of Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Season.Rap star Eminem is performing at August’s WBA super welterweight title clash between Terrence Crawford and Israil Madrimov in Los Angeles.And a major musical artist will also be part of Joshua vs Dubois to make the occasion even grander.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.The 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.Undercard for Joshua vs DuboisCacace vs WarringtonBuatsi vs HutchinsonSmith vs SmithDenneyr vs SheerazChambo vs PadleyHow AJ punched his way to the topANTHONY JOSHUA punched his way to the top of the world before being knocked off his perch. More

ANTHONY JOSHUA and Daniel Dubois have gone head-to-head at Wembley.The British brawlers will collide for the IBF heavyweight world title on September 21.Anthony Joshua faces off with Daniel DuboisAJ beat UFC legend Francis Ngannou in his last boutCredit: GettyDaniel Dubois shocked Filip Hrgovic to earn a title shotCredit: GettyAnd they stared each other down at the foot of the famous steps fans will climb to watch the bout.AJ was wearing tracksuit bottoms and a white vest, while Dubois was in suit trousers and a waistcoat.Oleksandr Usyk has revealed the belt he took off AJ and defended against Dubois and Tyson Fury will be up for grabs.It was the first world title Joshua, 34, won in 2016 when he dethroned Charles Martin.read more boxing newsUsyk, 37, revealed: “Anthony and Daniel, listen, I know the IBF title is important to you. “It is my present to you for September 21. Glory to Ukraine.”Dubois claimed the interim title earlier this month when he stunned undefeated Filip Hrgovic.And Triple D, 26, is confident of continuing his rise.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe said: “It’s a dream.“Especially after having to come back from defeats and challenging for a world title.Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois will fight for IBF heavyweight world title on September 21 as Usyk LEAKS mammoth fight“I now have a chance to win the damn thing outright and that’s what I want.“I will demolish AJ, from here I can only get even better.”Joshua’s unusual training methods have left fans wincing.AJ has won four successive fights since his back-to-back defeats against Usyk and is determined to keep going.Joshua posted a video on social media showing him covered in hot cups.The fan favourite was plastered from head to toe in the bizarre suction holders. More

ANTHONY JOSHUA versus Daniel Dubois on September 21 at Wembley stadium will be for the IBF heavyweight world title.Oleksandr Usyk has revealed the red belt he won with back-to-back decision wins over AJ – and defended against Dubois and Tyson Fury – will be up for grabs.Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois will be for the IBF world heavyweight titleCredit: GettyThe British stars will collide at Wembley Stadium on September 21Credit: GettyHeavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk leaked the fight ahead of his Tyson Fury rematchThe belt is the first world title 34-year-old Joshua won in 2016 when he dethroned Charles Martin.And it will now be on the line again after 37-year-old Ukraine icon Usyk revealed he has either voluntarily surrendered the belt or been stripped of it.The undisputed WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO boss – who just won a sensational war with Tyson Fury – revealed: “Anthony and Daniel, listen, I know the IBF title is important to you. “It is my present to you for September 21. Glory to Ukraine.”READ MORE IN BOXINGThat means the December 21 rematch between Usyk and Fury will not be an undisputed rematch.In May the little southpaw brought AJ’s old three versions to the table while the Gypsy King lost his much-loved WBC crown.The plan now looks to be for the winner of AJ and 26-year-old Dubois to take on the winner of the Usyk versus Fury rematch.And Fury – who was bravely allowed to continue after a round-nine pasting and was gifted a win on one judge’s scorecard for a split loss – bizarrely claims he will need a knockout to get a fair crack at Usyk second time around.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe said: “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 yo knock someone out.“But I am confident and looking forward to the challenge.Tyson Fury reveals ‘problem’ that saw him lose to Oleksandr Usyk in fight that was ‘a lot easier than I thought’ “It was actually a lot easier than I thought it would be, the Usyk fight, a lot easier.“People were saying he is a hard man to hit but I was lighting him up with three-and-four-punch combinations and laughing at him.“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, it was all good.“I heard he has a broken jaw and a broken eye socket so I hope he gets himself well and I will see him again in December for a Christmas extravaganza in Saudi Arabia.” More

OLEKSANDR USYK has officially VACATED the IBF heavyweight title.The undefeated Ukrainian has held the belt since his dethroning of Anthony Joshua in September 2021.Oleksandr Usyk has officially vacated the IBF heavyweight titleCredit: AFPThe undefeated Ukrainian ripped the belt from Anthony Joshua’s clutches in September 2021Credit: REUTERSUsyk announced his relinquishing of the belt on social mediaHe retained the prestigious red strap last month with his split-decision victory over Tyson Fury in their undisputed Saudi straightener.The IBF revealed plans to strip the winner of the Riyadh rumble of the belt prior to the historic desert dust-up.That’s because previous mandatory challenger Filip Hrgovic had been waiting for his crack at the belt for the best part of two years.But a little over a month after his legacy-cementing win over Fury, Usyk has opted to relinquish the belt.READ MORE ON AJAnd his vacating of the title has paved the way for AJ and his fellow Brit Daniel Dubois to vie for it at Wembley this September.In a video on social media, Usyk said: “Anthony and Daniel, listen, I know the IBF title is important to you. “It’s my present to you on September 21.”His accompanying caption on X and Instagram caption read: “Hey @anthonyjoshua, @DynamiteDubois.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”The IBF Belt is my present for you for 21.09.2024″The world loves strong.Anthony Joshua leaves fans wincing as he shares video of bizarre ‘hot cupping’ treatment”Your friend, Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World, Oleksandr Usyk.”Former two-time unified heavyweight champion Joshua, 35, suffered back-to-back losses to former pound-for-pound king Usyk.But he’s got himself back into world title contention with four wins on the bounce, the most recent of which was a brutal second-round KO of former UFC champ Francis Ngannou.Dubois, meanwhile, punched his ticket to a second crack at heavyweight glory earlier this month with a shock stoppage of the previously undefeated Hrgovic.Triple D – who came up short in his first world title fight against Usyk last August – stopped the Croatian clubber in the eighth round of their Riyadh rumble.Oleksandr Usyk became undisputed heavyweight champion with a split-decision win over Tyson Fury last monthCredit: GETTYHis reign as the first undisputed heavyweight champ in nearly 25 years has lasted 38 daysCredit: APAnd he plans to do the same to Joshua, saying of their domestic clash: “It’s a dream.“Especially after having to come back from defeats and challenging for a world title.“I now have a chance to win the damn thing outright and that’s what I want.“I will demolish AJ, from here I can only get even better.”READ MORE SUN STORIESSunSport understands Joshua and Dubois are set to duke it out at Wembley on September 21.The domestic dust-up is expected to be announced on Wednesday afternoon. More

ANTHONY JOHSUA’s eagerly-anticipated ring return will be announced this week.AJ hasn’t set foot inside the ring since his two-round demolition of former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in March.Anthony Joshua hasn’t fought since his brutal knockout of Francis Ngannou in MarchCredit: GETTYAJ is on course for a domestic dust-up with fellow Brit Daniel DuboisCredit: REUTERSPromoter Eddie Hearn has revealed AJ’s next fight will be announced in the coming daysCredit: REXA late September return is understood to be on the cards for the former two-time unified champion, who is on course for a domestic dust-up with Daniel Dubois.And promoter Eddie Hearn has suggested the identity of AJ’s next opponent will be revealed in the coming days.The Matchroom Boxing chief told SecondsOut: “Never rule anything out, but right now we’re focused on Daniel Dubois for the IBF world title.”The aim of Anthony Joshua is to fight for the world heavyweight title ASAP.READ MORE ON AJ”The only one of the names mentioned that could throw up that opportunity is Daniel Dubois with the IBF.”If the IBF title’s not on the line, then maybe Dubois is not as much of a focus.”We’re in final negotiations with His Excellency and the team at Selah.”Obviously talking to George Warren and Spencer Brown and we’re all working together on that card.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”Very hopeful that everything will be in order to announce the entire card net Wednesday in London.”Dubois claimed the interim heavyweight title earlier this month with a shock eighth-round stoppage of the previously undefeated Filip Hrgovic.Anthony Joshua leaves fans wincing as he shares video of bizarre ‘hot cupping’ treatmentAnd ‘Triple D’ is confident of stopping AJ’s career resurgence in it’s tracks with a second upset win on the bounce.“It’s a dream,” he said about the mouthwatering all-London brawl.“Especially after having to come back from defeats and challenging for a world title.“I now have a chance to win the damn thing outright and that’s what I want.“I will demolish AJ, from here I can only get even better.” More