Boxing

DANIEL DUBOIS left Frazer Clarke on his backside and stunned in sparring – in what will be a stern warning to Anthony Joshua. Joshua is expected to face Dubois in a Wembley homecoming bout in September. Anthony Joshua with Frazer Clarke and Daniel DuboisBut it will not be the first time they have shared the ring following dozens of sparring rounds in Team GB’s Sheffield HQ.Also involved in those sessions was unbeaten Clarke – who admitted Dubois even dropped him. He told SecondsOut: “I have no shame in saying it, Daniel Dubois put me on my a**e with a left hook years ago. And he was young.”I thought, ‘Oh my God, this f***ing kid is something else.’ Obviously, got back up and carried on sparring it happens in our division.READ MORE IN boxing”But yeah, I’ve been on the side of the ring where these two have really had good exchanges and stuff.” Rumours circled for years that a teenage Dubois also floored AJ. Clarke remained tight lip of the speculation but backed Joshua as a favourite in the bout despite Dubois’ big win over Filip Hrgovic. He said: “Anthony was always that little further ahead but yeah, father time happen and Daniel has matured and grown as a fighter and it makes the fight intriguing.Most read in BoxingHow AJ punched his way to the topANTHONY JOSHUA punched his way to the top of the world before being knocked off his perch.

CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”I still have AJ as a favourite just because of the experience and I feel like if Daniel took the same 30 shots off AJ as he did off Hrgovic we’d be having a different conversation right now.”He’ll have to tighten up in his defences but him and the team are not naive they’ll know that but he’s shown a different side to him. I look forward to it.”Anthony Joshua to fight Daniel Dubois as Wally Downes Jr gives rundown on all-British bout Clarke, 32, is coming off a fight of the year contender against British champion Fabio Wardley, 29, which ended a draw with rematch talks underway. Meanwhile, Dubois, 26, stopped Hrgovic, 32, in Saudi Arabia to claim the IBF “interim” belt. Oleksandr Usyk, 37, stills holds the full world title after victory over Tyson Fury, 35, in their undisputed decider in May. But due to their pencilled in rematch in December 21, he could be stripped of the IBF belt due to being unable to fight challenger Dubois. So promoters hope Joshua, 34, can face Dubois for the title at Wembley. More

ANTHONY JOSHUA has two backup opponents lined up for his Wembley return despite talks to fight Daniel Dubois. AJ makes his UK homecoming in September with Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh due to promote the show. Anthony Joshua is set to return in September at WembleyCredit: GettyCurrently, Dubois is the frontrunner for the stadium sellout after defeating Flip Hrgovic to claim the “interim” IBF title. But, Deontay Wilder conquerors Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang are also in the running to welcome Joshua back to British boxing shores. Promoter Eddie Hearn told Boxing Scene: “Ultimately His Excellency will decide who the opponent is, with myself, with Josh, with 258 [Management], but the key for ‘AJ’ is for him to become world champion again. “If that’s Dubois for the IBF, that’s probably the frontrunner; if the belt’s not on the line, it might be Zhang, or it might be Parker. READ MORE IN BOXING”Those three, I think, are decent names, but no decision’s been made yet, and I don’t think it will be for another week or so.“There’s a press conference on the 26th of June, and that’s when we’ll announce, but either or any of them – we don’t really care.” Parker, 32, beat Wilder, 38, in December but is yet to return since. And Zhang, 41, looks to have ended the American former WBC champ’s career with a KO win in Saudi. Most read in BoxingHow AJ punched his way to the topANTHONY JOSHUA punched his way to the top of the world before being knocked off his perch.

CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe same night, Dubois, 26, stopped Hrgovic, 32, to become mandatory for the world title. Oleksandr Usyk, 37, was expected to be stripped of the IBF title following victory over Tyson Fury, 35. EXCLUSIVE: Anthony Joshua expected to fight winner of Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk even if Gypsy King gets revenge on UkrainianBut there is hope he will retain the belt to defend it in their December 21 rematch. Although Hearn is lobbying to have it vacated for Joshua, 34, to challenge for in the summer against Dubois. Daniel Dubois is frontrunner to fight Joshua nextCredit: GettyJoseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang are also in the runningCredit: Reuters More

OLEKSANDR USYK gave a bizarre metaphor when comparing “greedy belly” Tyson Fury to “classy” Anthony Joshua. Usyk won the WBA, IBF and WBO unified titles against AJ in 2021 before defending them in their rematch a year later. Oleksandr Usyk twice beat Anthony JoshuaCredit: GettyTyson Fury was beaten by UsykCredit: AFPHe then did the British double in May by becoming the first to defeat Fury, adding the missing WBC belt to complete his undisputed collection. Talk has now turned to a long overdue domestic dust-up between the Joshua, 34, and Fury, 35. And the perfect man to compare both is unbeaten Usyk. He said on Three Knockdown Rule: “Anthony Joshua has classy boxing. Greedy Belly, my friend Tyson Fury. READ MORE IN BOXING”It’s like sparkling water, when you open it without shaking it’s good. If you shake it, it [blows]. “Sparkling water is Tyson Fury and still water is Anthony Joshua. Tyson’s arms are like two metres, like a rope.”Usyk beat Fury via split-decision in their Saudi Arabia classic with a rematch pencilled in for December 21. The Ukrainian, 37, endured sticky spells during the historic title unification and looked in trouble midway through the bout. Most read in BoxingFor all the love for resurgent AJ… these two are head, shoulders and fists ahead of everyone else

OLEKSANDR USYK is the deserved undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, writes Wally Downes Jr
A great biggun doesn’t always beat a great littleun, not when David has the weight of a besieged nation on his shoulders and is able to swing each compatriot into every punch.
Usyk did what Usyk does, he moved magnificently, he counter punched and he outworked his taller and heavier opponent.
He somehow manages to use every physical disadvantage to his favour.
But what the hell is Fury doing getting up in round nine?
Why is a father-of-eight with £300million in the bank, three best-selling books and a Netflix series going to the well like?
Britain is not fighting back Putin’s army, Morecambe is not occupied.
So when the 35-year-old’s senses are scrambled, when the canvas is calling him, when he is so desperate not to be felled he is willing to bounce around all the ropes like a drunk, when he eventually has to collapse into a corner, why doesn’t he just stay down?
He has earned the right to surrender as well as his millions.
The sheer courage and guts and bloody mindedness it takes to climb off that deck, with a broken nose and a crumbling ego is not comprehensible to us mortals.
Fury said he felt he won the fight but was too dignified to call robbery or corruption, no doubt his dad will taint that decency by the time you’ve read this.
The rematch will be superb.
Because for all the love we have for a resurgent Anthony Joshua – who was ringside for that iconic event – these two polar opposite men are head, shoulders, fists, hearts and brains ahead of everyone else.
There is the top two, then there is a void and then there is the rest.
Read Wally’s big fight verdict in full here…

CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSBut Usyk – who became the first ever four-belt heavyweight undisputed champ – revealed Fury was not his hardest-hitting rival. He said: “I would say toughest fight, yes, but I think biggest punch, no. “Derek Chisora, very tough guy. With Derek, I don’t remember which hand if it was left or fight but I would block it and it would be like a baseball bat. It was very dangerous.” Watch Tyson Fury give ‘very important message’ from his BED in first public post since Oleksandr Usyk defeat More

MANNY PACQUIAO is set for a dramatic return to boxing at the age of 45.But many fans have been quick to plead that he reconsider.Manny Pacquiao is set to come out of retirement for one last fightCredit: GettyThe 45-year old is hoping to face Mario BarriosCredit: GettyThe Filipino fighter hung up his gloves in 2021, but now looks ready to return to the ring to face Mario Barrios.Pacquiao is a multi-weight world champion and all round boxing icon, but the star is looking to get one more title before properly calling it a day.According to the president of Manny Pacquiao promotions, Sean Gibbons, the well respected southpaw wants to take on Barrios for the WBC welterweight title.Speaking to Sky Sports, Gibbons revealed: “Manny is looking at that option to fight Mario Barrios.READ MORE IN BOXING”He loves the idea of finishing his career by winning the WBC title. That was his first belt way back.”So over the next 2 weeks, we are going to try to make the fight.”The ‘PacMan’ is loved by so many boxing fans, but some seem concerned that it may be too late for a return to the ring for the retired pro.Pacquiao hasn’t fought since his unanimous defeat to Yordenis Ugas in August 2021, announcing his retirement the following month.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSPLAY DREAM TEAM EUROS NOW!The best fantasy football game for this summer’s tournament.
And fans have warned that donning his gloves at 45 years old could be a mistake.On social media, on wrote: “Manny is my all time favourite. I don’t want to see this.”Floyd Mayweather breaks silence over Manny Pacquiao rematchWhile another added: “Manny is too old for this.”A third posted: “Don’t do it Manny. These rarely end well”.And a fourth chimed in: “I’m afraid Manny could get really hurt at this age.”Pacquiao, who boasts a 62-8-2 record, would face a tough challenge in Barrios who has a 29-2-0 record himself.The Texas-born fighter, 29, has notably beaten Yordenis Ugas – the man who put an end to Pacquaio’s career.It had been rumoured earlier this year that Pacquaio would be returning to action to face Brit Conor Benn, with the pair even coming face to face at the Joshua vs Ngannou weigh-in.Pacquiao’s five biggest fightsA glance at the PacMan’s five most memorable bouts throughout his career…

vs Floyd Mayweather Jr (2015) – LOSS by unanimous decision
vs Miguel Cotto (2009) – WIN by 12th round knockout
vs Ricky Hatton (2009) – WIN by second round knockout
vs Keith Thurman (2019) – WIN by split decision
vs Juan Manuel Marquez IV (2012) – WIN by sixth round knockout

However that prospect seem to have now disappeared and a bout with Barrios seems to be the most likely fight.Paqcuaio himself has discussed the potential fight, saying: “I made history at 40 beating Keith Thurman.”And I feel at 45, I have a lot left in the game as I haven’t taken a lot of punishment over the last few years. I want to make history.”While Barrios has welcomed the idea.He added: “I’m very excited at the possibility of this fight being made.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Manny Pacquiao is a future Hall of Famer, a legend and someone I looked up to growing up.”To share the ring with him would be an honour and a dream come true.”Pacquiao hasn’t fought since 2021Credit: Getty More

RYAN GARCIA has been arrested for felony vandalism at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Los Angeles, according to reports.The American boxer, 25, was already at the centre of controversy having returned a positive drug test in the wake of his win over Devin Haney in April.Ryan Garcia was reportedly arrested for felony vandalism at a hotel in Los AngelesGarcia has had a turbulent few months outside the ringCredit: GettyGarcia was arrested for allegedly vandalising the Waldorf Astoria in Beverly Hills, aboveCredit: TRIP ADVISORAccording to TMZ, things have now escalated even further for Garcia outside the ring as he was arrested and taken into custody on Saturday afternoon following an incident in Beverly Hills.He was apprehended for allegedly damaging property at the hotel – which included in his room and the hallway.It is alleged he was “seemingly under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs”, but that he cooperated with police as they arrested him.Garcia was led out of the hotel shirtless and wearing a helmet.READ MORE ON RYAN GARCIAIt is the latest wild moment in what has been a chaotic few months for the fighter – who missed weight and had fans worried with his erratic behaviour before the majority-decision win over Haney.Just a few days ago, police paid a visit to Garcia at the Waldorf to check on his welfare after they were called by a concerned family member.The authorities determined the super-lightweight boxer was OK.Garcia divorced wife Andrea Celina in January following the birth of their second child.Most read in BoxingInside Ryan Garcia’s incredible car collectionHe now claims to be engaged to porn star Savannah Bond after sharing a video proposing to the adult actress.The positive drug tests, which were taken the day before and on the day of the fight, detected the banned substance ostarine.The B-sample tests provided the same results, though Garcia’s team insist the reason is supplement contamination.Haney wants his loss to Garcia to be reversed to a disqualification win.Meanwhile, four days ago Garcia also revealed his mum Lisa is fighting breast cancer.He said: “My mom has gave me the Ok to post. Please pray for my mother.”Cancer STUPID I don’t care she will win – Breast cancer is stupid, JESUS IS ABOVE ALL.” More