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      Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk rematch predictions as Eddie Hearn makes shock U-turn on fight

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      BOXING stars and legends have shared their predictions ahead of the blockbuster rematch between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.Fury, 36, and Usyk, 37, lock horns on Saturday, December 21 at the Kingdom Arena in Saudi Arabia.Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk are set for a blockbuster rematchEddie Hearn has changed his mind just two weeks after his initial predictionMike Tyson has a hilarious reason why he backs FuryThe Gypsy King is looking for revenge after the Ukrainian handed him his first ever defeat after 36 fights – 34 of which he won – in May when they faced off in the same venue.Then Ukrainian megastar will be looking to extend his own undefeated streak to 23 wins after beating Fury via split decision in Riyadh.Boxing’s biggest personalities are also split ahead of the big fight and one of them even changed his mind, which shows just how close this match may be.SunSport bring you all the predictions from the sport’s most famous names:Read More on BoxingEddie Hearn – Tyson FuryEddie Hearn changed his mind and now backs Tyson Fury just two weeks after predicting Oleksandr Usyk as the victor.Hearn told iFL TV: “If Fury wins – and I’m actually leaning towards him, I’ve had a little bit of a [switch].”Fury could fight AJ [Anthony Joshua] for the unified world heavyweight title. The biggest fight ever in the sport. Wembley, Riyadh, wherever.”Hearn recently claimed he has “no idea” how to beat Usyk amid his stunning winning run.Most read in BoxingThe promoter previously said: “I have no idea how to beat [Usyk], but Tyson Fury is a very smart fighter. He has smart people in the corner, but also, from an IQ level in boxing, he’s right up there. “Unfortunately, so is Oleksandr Usyk. So, my money, especially when he’s won the first fight, will always be on Oleksandr Usyk.Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk rematch predictions as Eddie Hearn makes shock U-turn on fight “My heart wants to see a Tyson Fury win. Not just because he’s British but also because I want to set up the AJ fight. I’d love to see him do it, but I do see him as the underdog in this fight.”Lennox Lewis – Oleksandr UsykLennox Lewis’ money is with Oleksandr Usyk and warned Tyson Fury he will have to box “smart”.Lewis said: “It’s going to be a tough fight for both guys. It’s going to be mentally tough, it’s going to be physically tough.”They’re going to push each other on the mental basis far, they’re going to push each other physically far. Both guys want to win this fight.”Both guys want something from this and it’s going to be a mental challenge and a physical challenge.“I think it’s going to be a banger, it’s going to be a serious fight, one guy was more serious than the other guy [in the first fight] — you could say Tyson Fury lost that fight and Usyk won it.”Now it’s a situation where they’re having another fight, Tyson Fury has to win that fight so he’s going to be more focused, he’s going to put a little bit more weight on to get through this fight and he’s a lot more serious.“Well, I cannot go against Usyk. Oleksandr Usyk has proven himself time and time again, and he’s still undefeated. “It really comes down to who boxes the best. Who’s smart in the ring. I didn’t think Tyson Fury was smart in the first fight. “I think he played around a little bit too much and allowed Oleksandr Usyk to really pile up the points.“Oleksandr Usyk is a difficult opponent. He moves all the time, he’s always throwing punches, he’s in great shape, and that’s hard to beat.”Mike Tyson – Tyson FuryMike Tyson has a very unique reason why he’s backing Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia…Tyson said: “Usyk is the best heavyweight in the world at the moment. But I’m going for Fury to beat him.”Why? Because I’m a fan. Because his father gave him my name. I’m not abandoning him now.”Anthony Joshua – Oleksandr UsykAnthony Joshua is confident Oleksandr Usyk will get his hand raised, but not by much.Joshua said: “I think it’s going to be a tough fight early on and then I feel like Usyk will edge it again.”He’s a class operator and I feel like Usyk’s one of the best out there. That’s why I think he’ll win.”Amir Khan – Tyson FuryAmir Khan is confident Tyson Fury will be “one step ahead” after learning from the mistakes he committed in the first fight and predicts the Gypsy King may stop Oleksandr Usyk in the later rounds.Khan said: “Good fight. I think this time Fury knows what mistakes he made in the first fight.“He knows that he can’t stand in front of a strong Usyk, Usyk still has a lot of power, and he’s felt Usyk’s power this time, knowing that Usyk has come up a weight and still holds that power.“So, I think Fury is going to be one step ahead. Whenever Fury comes back in a rematch, he is always much better so he could probably stop Usyk toward the later rounds.”Joseph Parker – Tyson FuryJoseph Parker believes Tyson Fury can end Oleksandr Usyk’s undefeated run with a points decision.Parker said: “I think Tyson’s mindset has changed coming into this fight.”I feel that if you have a different mindset, that can bring a lot of changes. I believe Tyson can beat Usyk on a points decision, but it’s a tough one. I’m siding with Tyson, but I think it’s a points decision.”Tony Bellew – Oleksandr UsykTony Bellew is adamant Oleksandr Usyk will win again, but this time it will be a unanimous decision.Bellew said: “I can’t look past Usyk. He outboxes him this time and probably ends up winning on points.“The first fight surprised me a little bit as Usyk went on the front foot from the first bell and he was actually fighting like he was the bigger man. I think that might’ve shocked Fury a little bit.“Now Usyk knows he can hurt Fury and also be fine up close, he’ll be more confident here, but I still think he’ll go on the outside and box him on the backfoot.“Fury has no choice but to be more aggressive this time around, but those tactics can play into Usyk’s hands, and I think he’ll go 2-0 against Fury and do it unanimously this time.”Anthony Crolla – Oleksandr UsykAnthony Crolla claims Tyson Fury was “very fortunate” in the first fight and insists Oleksandr Usyk is the favourite.Crolla said: “Tyson has got to be a lot more respectful of the power Usyk looks to be developing as a heavyweight. You have to make Oleksandr Usyk the favourite for the moments that happened in the first fight.“I’m glad the referee kept the fight going after round nine, but Tyson was very fortunate not to have been stopped because a lot of people would’ve been stopped.George Groves – Oleksandr UsykGeorge Groves backs Oleksandr Usyk because he is “still the fresher fighter”.Groves said: “Based on the first fight, the wear and tear and mileage on both fighters, and where they are in their careers, Usyk is still the fresher fighter.“Usyk nearly stopped him in the first fight. He’s not the type to think, ‘I almost had him last time; one big shot will finish it.’“He knows it’s going to be a tough fight, as it always is for him. Usyk leaves no stone unturned, and I think it’s a clearer win for Usyk this time.”Derek Chisora – Oleksandr UsykDerek Chisora believes Oleksandr Usyk will win, but we will see a different Tyson Fury.Chisora said: “[Usyk] Is still the same, bro. It’s gonna be a good fight, we’re gonna see a little bit of difference, but you have to understand: Tyson will come a little bit different, but Usyk will come a little bit different [as well].”But as the scales hit right now, my money’s still edging on Usyk.”Carl Frampton – Tyson FuryCarl Frampton is adamant Tyson Fury will win because he is “in the zone now”.Frampton said: “I fancy Fury. My mind hasn’t really swayed from start to finish, which is strange in a fight of this magnitude; I’ve been saying Fury from the start.”I think Fury is in the zone now, he’s serious, he’s ready to fight. Both guys seem to be very, very confident. Both, I think, know it’s going to be a difficult fight.”Daniel Dubois – Tyson FuryDaniel Dubois believes in Tyson Fury, and revealed he will call out the winner.READ MORE SUN STORIESDubois said: “I’m still backing Fury. I hope our man does it. Usyk is capable. Fury should jump on him and smother him.”Fury is a slick boxer too, but it will be a great fight and I’ll be out there calling on to fight the winner.”Anthony Joshua believes this is going to be a close fightLennox Lewis is very confident about the eventual winnerFury vs Usyk 2: Ring walk time, TV channels and undercard – all you need to know for big rematch More

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      Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk 2: UK start time, TV channel, live stream and undercard for HUGE heavyweight rematch

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      TYSON FURY and Oleksandr Usyk battle once more to wrap up a stunning year of heavyweight boxing!The two juggernauts went head to head in the first heavyweight undisputed fight this CENTURY – with Usyk winning a brilliant contest by a split decision.Oleksandr Usyk won by a split decision in MayCredit: GettyAnd in a bout fit for that mantle, Fury and Usyk played out a thrilling battle with both fighters in control and also struggling at various points in the fight.Usyk started on top before showboating Fury won the middle rounds and appeared to be well on top.However, a brutal ninth-round volley saw Usyk badly rock Fury and swing momentum back his way by forcing a standing eight count.With four major world titles up for grabs both men gave it their all in one of the best fights in memory.READ MORE IN BOXINGIt went to the judges with the fight ending in a controversial split decision going in the Ukrainian’s favour – 115-112, 114-15, 114-113.Wally Downes Jr reacts as Usyk dethrones Tyson Fury is epic Saudi clashWhen is Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk rematch taking place?Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk 2 takes place on Saturday, December 21.The Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia hosts the big fight.The ring walks are expected at a slightly earlier time of 10pm BST – this is 1am local time.Most read in BoxingWatch Fury Vs Usyk 2 live on DAZN*If you click on a link in this boxout we will earn affiliate revenue.How to Watch Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk 2 live on DAZNGet ready to rumble with Fury vs Usyk 2 live on DAZN Pay-Per-View! Here’s how:Buy the PPV: Get access to the fight by purchasing the PPV on DAZN.No Commitment, 7-Day Free Trial: With your PPV purchase, you’ll also receive a 7-day free trial of DAZN. Enjoy all the action and explore DAZN’s sports lineup with no extra cost!First Month Free: Monthly DAZN subscribers can get their first month for free when signing up!No Subscription Required: The PPV price is all you need to pay. There’s no obligation to continue after your free trial ends.Don’t miss the biggest fight of 2024! On December 21st “Gypsy King” Tyson Fury takes on “The Cat” Oleksandr Usyk for a second time in what promises to be the rematch of the century — order now and start your free DAZN trial today!What channel will the fight be on?DAZN PPV, TNT Sports Box Office and Sky Sports Box Office will all be broadcasting Usyk vs Fury once again.The cost to purchase the PPV on TNT and DAZN is £24.99, while the event is priced at £24.95 on Sky Sports.Usyk vs Fury 2 on TNT Sports Box Office can be watched on discovery+, EE TV, Virgin Media TV and Prime Video. You do not need to be a TNT Sports subscriber to buy this event.Fury vs Usyk full cardAs well as Fury’s rematch with Usyk, there are five other brilliant fights on the card. Israil Madrimov, who narrowly lost to Terence Crawford in August, takes on Serhii Bohachuk. Brit heavyweights Moses Itauma and Johnny Fisher face challenges in Demsey McKean and Dave Allen respectively.The undercard gets underway from 6pm GMT.Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury; For Usyk’s WBA, WBC and WBO heavyweight titlesSerhii Bohachuk vs Israil MadrimovMoses Itauma vs Demsey McKeanJohnny Fisher vs Dave AllenIsaac Lowe vs Lee McGregorWhen is the weigh in?Fury and Usyk’s weigh in takes place on Friday, December 20.The fighters will tip the scales from 5pm GMT, before their final face off.Fury vs Usyk fight week scheduleThe full fight week has been confirmed ahead of the big one.Tuesday, December 17 – Grand Arrivals – from 5pm GMTWednesday, December 18 – Media Workouts – from 4pm GMTThursday, December 19 – Press Conferences – from 3pmFriday, December 20 – Weigh-In – from 5pm GMTDaniel Dubois is now the IBF heavyweight championCredit: REUTERSWill all heavyweight titles be on the line in the rematch?This time round, however, it will NOT be an undisputed heavyweight title fight.This is because Usyk vacated the IBF title following his win so the mandatories for the belt could get their shot.READ MORE SUN STORIESDaniel Dubois was upgraded to the IBF heavyweight champion, and has since defended it in dominant fashion – knocking out Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium in front of a British record 96,000 crowd.So it is only Usyk’s WBA, WBC and WBO heavyweight titles up for grabs. More

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      Boxing fans baffled after spotting what Dillian Whyte’s opponent did AFTER fight stopped and say ‘boxing’s gone weird’

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      DILLIAN WHYTE’s opponent bizarrely shadow boxed in the ring AFTER being beaten.The Body Snatcher, 36, was back in action against Ghanaian slugger Ebenezer Tetteh in Gibraltar on Sunday night.Ebenezer Tetteh shadow boxed in the ring after being beaten by Dillian WhyteCredit: DAZNThe Ghanaian baffled viewers with his anticsCredit: DAZNDespite Tetteh’s technical limitations, Whyte failed to knock him down.But after the seventh round, the referee decided he’d seen enough and waved off the bout.Tetteh, 36, didn’t appear to protest the decision.After shaking hands with his opponent, however, he strangely started to shadow box in the middle of the ring.READ MORE BOXING NEWSFans online were left baffled by the scene.One wrote: “Dillian Whyte opponent Tetteh still shadow boxing after he quit before the 8th rd is comedy the fight over dawg.”While a second commented: “He got hit so hard he thought the fight was just starting!”Another added: “Boxing has gone weird.”Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSFollowing his win, Whyte praised Tetteh – before revealing when he’d like to be back in action.He told DAZN: “Anyone that comes from a third world country is fighting to change his life and his family’s life.Dillian Whyte storms to third round comeback victory over Christian Hammer… but hardly anybody gets to see it -“I come from a similar background as him. I hit him with a lot of shots around the ear and the chin and he’s tough.”I’m glad as well because he gave me the rounds I needed. This is what, 10 rounds in two years, so I’m happy.”I just want to be busy. I’m willing to fight anyone I’m always willing to risk it for the biscuit.”I’d love to fight again in March. I just want to fight and stay busy.”Whyte, 36, is keen to stay activeCredit: Getty More

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      ‘I’m only doing it for the money’ – Tyson Fury gives brutally honest assessment of boxing career ahead of Usyk rematch

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      TYSON FURY claims he is more motivated by money than his boxing legacy, saying: “I wasn’t born in a Christmas cracker.”The Gypsy King has no intention of being a cheap plaything in the heavyweight division as he prepares for his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.Tyson Fury has admitted he will follow the money over legacyCredit: GettyFury said he wants the ‘easiest fights possible for the largest amounts of money’Credit: AFPAnd he is still fuming that Anthony Joshua cost him a fortune with his September slaughter at the hands of Daniel Dubois.He said: “I’m only doing it for the money, obviously. More generational wealth.“All prize fighters, if they tell the truth, do it for the money, don’t they? Who here is not doing it for the money?“I don’t want to work for f*** all. I want as much as I can get. I want the easiest fights possible for the largest amounts of money possible. I wasn’t born in a Christmas cracker.”READ MORE IN BOXINGA Saudi Arabia-written script had AJ winning his old IBF heavyweight world title back from his former Team GB understudy Dubois, with the Gypsy King watching from ringside and ready to pounce.No matter how Fury did in his rematch with Usyk, the biggest fight in British boxing history — and likely a double-header worth half-a-billion pounds — was in the bank.But when AJ, 35, was dropped in the very first round by Dynamite Dan — and ironed out brutally in the fifth — Fury leapt out of his VIP seat and roared: “That’s just cost me 150 million, the silly c”. Joshua has since rejected the instant rematch and is now recovering and however Fury does in his Saturday rerun with the 38-year-old Ukrainian, the battle lines are drawn for 2025. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSBut the cash-crazed giant is still seething that Joshua’s first brutal KO defeat has hit him in the pocket. Fury, 36, said about his X-rated review of the Wembley demolition: “Yeah, I meant that. Of course I did. Oleksandr Usyk puts Tyson Fury rivalry aside and invites Gypsy King to the pub to ‘drink beer’ and cheer on Man Utd “We would have had a two-fight deal lined up for a s-tonne of money.“Unfortunately, doors open, doors close. If you’ve been knocked out twice or whatever, four, five times, or six or seven? What does it matter? It’s still a big fight.”Once the fanfare kicks off, Tyson’s wild dad John gets involved and brilliant old tales of their 2010 sparring session with a Rolex at stake are retold — it will be a huge money fight.But another Usyk masterclass on Saturday would mean their combined recent record will be 0-3 — and people outside the UK will see the clash as a showbiz fight between two spent forces — for dosh.But Fury’s story has not changed — he does not care about records or belts or legacies. Cash is king — and he will fight a fellow British icon in the desert or an MMA bloke in the snow for more of it.He said: “If he said to me, ‘right, you can fight AJ for 50 quid or you can fight Jon Jones in Antarctica for 1,050 quid’ — where am I going to go?“I’m going to go for the money obviously because I’m a prize fighter.”But even though he is a heavyweight boxing historian he couldn’t care less about his standing among the icons, just that his generational wealth must outlast his lifetime.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe father-of-seven said: “Legacy is my kids, isn’t it?“One thing I do care about is my family, my kids That’s it.” More

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      Dillian Whyte vs Ebenezer Tetteh LIVE RESULT: Fight abruptly STOPPED after thrilling battle in Gibraltar – updates

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      DILLIAN WHYTE returned to the ring in Gibraltar on Sunday night to take on Ghanaian heavyweight Ebenezer Tetteh.After seven action-packed rounds, Tetteh’s corner pulled him out but both men landed huge blows in an entertaining main event as the Body Snatcher picked up back-to-back wins in a year for the first time since 2019.Whyte will now keep on his march up the heavyweight division with a huge 2025 in store.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSFollow our live blog below…Wardley next? Analysts float their ideasBarry Jones and his fellow play-by-play commentator Adam Smith float the idea of British champion Fabio Wardley facing Dillian Whyte next, one of many nearly there names poised to break onto the world scene after a performance that didn’t blow your socks off here but instead reminded you of just how tough a customer Whyte can be.I don’t want to be the bearer of bad news but might just pour some cold water on that possibility right here, considering both know one another intimately and share teams – Wardley would rather box someone highly-ranked within a world sanctioning body instead.Copy linkCopiedWhyte wins via R7 TKO in Gibraltar!Former WBC interim world heavyweight champion Dillian Whyte maintained he needed rounds under his belt again after a lengthy lay-off, not the first of an engaging career. Yet the Body Snatcher will hope it is the last after displaying his trademark gusto and boxing beautifully at times to dismiss a gamely Ebenezer Tetteh during an absorbing contest that surprisingly went longer than many would’ve expected pre-fight. Back in the heavyweight mix again, sure, but he must be active for that to be the case and isn’t getting any younger… Copy linkCopiedReferee waves it off, Tetteh stopped!After the way he was assessing him before the sixth, that very pointed question minutes ago, this felt like a likely outcome and so it has proven: Ebenezer Tetteh is stopped before round eight begins, looking weary in the corner and the official has seen enough damage.Whyte goes over to commiserate with a bullish brute who never stopped working, but absorbed far too much punishment and wasn’t giving enough back in the last two rounds to justify that anymore.Whyte leans over the ropes to address DAZN’s commentary team and insist he needed the rounds, Tetteh’s got a towel over his bloodied nose and swollen eyes, all that is left is an official time right now. Copy linkCopiedWhyte vs. Tetteh R7I’m seeing Whyte has landed 275 punches, 49 of them high impact according to JABBR through six rounds and it’s a surprise Tetteh hasn’t been knocked down yet – the variation of attacks has been encouraging, heavyweight boxing always presents jeopardy and this contest features plenty too, Dillian can’t deviate from the plan.Tetteh charges forward looking tired but lets his hands go all the same, whether they connect on the target or not. Copy linkCopiedWhyte vs. Tetteh R6″Are you okay, do you want to continue?” is the audible question asked by the referee of Ebenezer Tetteh as they head into the second-half of a gruelling contest which many didn’t think would reach this juncture. Still he marches forwards, eating punches and the head pings backwards, Whyte measuring distance while banking rounds against a courageous opponent refusing to relent right now.The high guard remains but Whyte is popping through it with increasing success, he chains together a series of jabs-and-swings before losing his footing just as the finishing sequence looked likely!Copy linkCopiedWhyte vs. Tetteh R5Tetteh was slow to get off his stool before the fifth, his eyes closing ever so slightly and his punch output slowing too – Whyte’s boxing at middle distance and utilising the jab more, as you’d expect against an opponent he should be outclassing, making him miss and lining up power punches whenever the opportunity arises too. The referee gives Dillian a gentle warning after watching him tee off with three low shots downstairs, Tetteh’s forward forays are more mreasured but the jeopardy remains as they head into the sixth. Copy linkCopiedWhyte vs. Tetteh R4As the fourth round begins, Tetteh is enjoying a sustained sequence of success as the graphic on screen shows Whyte has been working hard – and boxing brilliantly, even if this is a firefight. 19 high impact punches to 4, while he’s landed 126 of 254 total punches thrown through nine minutes. Finding himself in a spot of bother as I type this, mind, having to push the Ghanaian off him.Tetteh appeared to stagger him with a single right, then right and uppercut combination but both of them look weary. This still hangs in the balance, one perfectly-placed punch could change things…Copy linkCopiedWhyte vs. Tetteh R3Tetteh’s doing enough to make this a dogfight, not allowing Whyte any space or time to maintain his rhythm and it’s rough, an untidy spectacle that suits the underdog right now. Whyte boxing well in stages with jabs, combos, body work and the odd uppercut but while damage accumulation is a factor to consider the longer this goes, Tetteh is making him work harder than many would’ve expected to sustain the success. Exhausting is the word! Copy linkCopiedWhyte vs. Tetteh R2Ooof! Tetteh finds himself having to absorb damage up against the ropes in the early part of a stinging second stanza, Whyte loving that body-head combination before Tetteh fires back and complains to the referee about punching behind the head. Midway through the round now, Whyte chains together a series of body work and then two uppercuts but Tetteh brushes these attacks off as if it’s nothing, firing back rights before the referee separates them with Whyte’s back to the ropes as they clinch momentarily. Whyte is throwing plenty but Tetteh’s walking into the punches and hasn’t really taken a backwards step – whenever he does, it’s not for long! This gruelling pace can’t last much longer, surely. Copy linkCopiedWhyte vs. Tetteh R1He laps up the adulation ringside, engages in a long wolf howl and after the Gibraltar national anthem is sung, we’re off and underway!Whyte starts flicking out the jab, digging a few body shots as Tetteh’s high guard remains solid – we’ll see for how long – whipping an uppercut in for good measure before Tetteh fires back gamely with some wild swings of his own!Suddenly they’re trading in close quarters and Whyte’s feet are slow … he lands a few combos, it’s bruising stuff and thankfully for Dillian, head movement sees him dodge dangerous haymakers.Copy linkCopiedJones: Whyte can ill-afford a slip-up hereIt goes without saying naturally on a small show like this, but in-case you had any doubts about Dillian Whyte’s abilities on the world stage chasing big names, he needs to produce a statement showing here. Former world champion boxer-turned-analyst Barry Jones on commentary has echoed that sentiment ringside, not least given how seamlessly the heavyweight division has been supercharged in Saudi over the past 15 months or so, Turki Alalshikh’s favourite division.Copy linkCopiedWhyte-Tetteh up next…A bit of a delay on the television broadcast and some pre-planning for next weekend’s Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury 2 showdown in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as expected, but we’re just a few minutes away from the long-awaited main event showdown. Both have been warming up in their respective dressing rooms, not long left now. Copy linkCopiedPerez blasts Duffus inside 40 seconds!Wow! Over in a flash, Mike Perez casually chains together a patiently vicious combination to leave Israel Duffus in a heap on the canvas, the Californian-based Panamanian didn’t know what hit him and just like that, the evening’s co-feature is over before you can blink.I counted about five punches in that sequence, the first one signalled the beginning of a rather abrupt end… Duffus’ defensive awareness was all over the place and he was ruthlessly punished for it. Copy linkCopiedMike Perez vs. Israel Duffus up next…Cruiserweight co-main event over eight rounds, you ready? Irish-based Cuban national Perez (29-3, 20 KOs) previously challenged Mairis Briedis for WBC world honours at 200lbs in 2017, so how will the 16-year pro fare here? We’re about to find out. Copy linkCopiedSekhniashvili secures UD6 win60-53 x 3: Nikoloz Sekhniashvili bt. Omir Rodriguez via UD6 and improves to 10-2, with his second win of 2024. Well, it wasn’t the highlight reel finish he could’ve got.. but job complete nonetheless for an ambitious middleweight keen to get back onto the world scene after losing an eight-round decision against then-unbeaten 9-0 prospect Jahi Tucker in April 2023. Copy linkCopiedBody shot knockdown! Nikoloz Sekhniashvili scores a body shot knockdown with a lovely left hand, Omir Rodriguez’s delayed reaction and outstretched glove – half in acknowledgement, half stalling – probably saved him from being stopped at the end of the fourth. Surely the Georgian goes for the finish now?Copy linkCopiedNikoloz nice and in a flow stateRodriguez began the first round by complaining to the referee and visibly wincing at body shots, now he’s shaking his head dismissively trying to fend off forward pressure but the Orlando resident is stalking the journeyman down, needing to close off angles now. Into the third round they go and the Georgian is taking his time, though should probably be chaining attacks together more now. Copy linkCopiedSekhniashvili-Rodriguez next…Well, that’s awkward – forget what I said earlier about tonight’s running order! It appears we’ll have another bout before the evening’s co-main event at cruiserweight, a six-round middleweight contest as Nikoloz Sekhniashvili (9-2, 7 KOs) looks for his tenth pro win against Panamanian journeyman Omir Rodriguez (15-23-1, 6 KOs).31-year-old Rodriguez has boxed almost exclusively in England this year, suffering defeats by unbeaten prospects Ben Fail (UD8), Jimmy Sains (TKO2) and James Heneghan (UD6) over the past few months. Copy linkCopiedCarty seals R3 TKO!There we go. Carty swarms Mielonen with more lefts, dismisses a final rally from the Finland international and his legs are shot, mercifully the official waves off the contest after another standing count. I’m hearing Johnny Fisher comparisons and in fairness, that’s not a bad name to be likened to. Another unbeaten boxer, the former Southern Area champion returns in Riyadh next weekend against longtime contender (and former Whyte opponent!) Dave Allen.Copy linkCopiedCarty cranks up the violence!The referee’s certainly in a forgiving mood, because Carty crunched Mielonen with a beautifully disguised left hand, the first of as many as three knockdowns in a whirlwind stanza just now. This should’ve been stopped already..Copy linkCopiedCarty vs. Mielonen up next! Highly-rated Irish southpaw heavyweight Thomas Carty (9-0, 8 KOs) is up next against Finland’s 43-year-old Mika Mielonen (7-2, 6 KOs) over eight rounds. Something tells me this won’t go the distance…Copy linkCopiedAma prevails, as expected!60-54, 59-55, 60-54: Sedem Ama bt. Ester Konecna via UD6, improves to 4-0 and kicks off the televised portion of this card with a welcome win, even if the ring announcer briefly gave her a fright by beginning his sentence with the winner is… Ester, before catching himself. That was about as much trouble as the 34-year-old, a two-time national amateur champion, found herself in. Body work worked, her movement was slick and the jab didn’t miss either for good measure.Copy linkCopiedAma in control early…It’s a decent start to proceedings for the Peckham puncher, closing the distance and displaying some sharp fundamentals as they’re midway through the fourth round as I type this. Konecna is playing around and enjoying herself on the back foot, but quite clearly losing this and it’s becoming a little jarring to see the smile across her face as she showboats with her back to the ropes. Maybe that’s just me being a cynic, but hey. This looks destined to go the distance and then two more undercard fights, both over eight rounds, before Whyte-Tetteh ringwalks – at least an hour away, I’d say. Copy linkCopiedHistory made!Peckham’s Sedem Ama (3-0, 1 KO) is managed by Whyte and about to make history against Czech Republic journeywoman Ester Konecna (7-30-2, 2 KOs) as the first two women to compete professionally in Gibraltar on this undercard. Six two-minute rounds at light-middleweight and they’re underway.Copy linkCopiedRemember me? Revenge season for WhyteWho are those names, you might ask? Well, it’s revenge season.”I would love to fight Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury again… obviously I’ve avenged one of my losses and I’d love to avenge the others.”Whyte was set to box Joshua in a rematch of their 2015 firefight before news broke a week out from the duel that he’d failed a random VADA drugs test, which six months later was revealed to have been a contaminated supplement and Whyte cleared of wrongdoing. Tyson Fury, who rematches Oleksandr Usyk for unified heavyweight world titles in Riyadh, scored a sixth-round stoppage win over Whyte to retain the WBC heavyweight strap at Wembley in April 2022. Copy linkCopied More

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      ‘Last roll of the dice’ – Three-weight world champion fears Tyson Fury is ‘shot to pieces’ ahead of Oleksandr Usyk fight

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      BRITISH boxing legend Duke McKenzie fears Tyson Fury’s “legs are completely shot to pieces” ahead of his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk. Fury attempts to avenge the only defeat in his 36 bouts when he faces Usyk again on Saturday in Saudi Arabia. Tyson Fury with sparring partner Kevin LerenaCredit: https://www.instagram.com/kevinlerena/Oleksandr Usyk ahead of his rematch with FuryCredit: ReutersBut former three-weight champion McKenzie is concerned the fleet-footed Fury who dethroned Wladimir Klitschko in 2015 is no more. He told Seconds Out: “I think Tyson Fury’s legs are completely shot to pieces. “We’re not looking at the same Tyson Fury as the guy that went over to win the world titles initially when he beat Klitschko. “We’re not looking at the same guy anymore. This guy can’t bounce around the ring for twelve rounds, which he proved in the last fight.READ MORE IN BOXING“The fact that he’s putting on weight and he’s coming into the fight even heavier now proves to me yet again he’s saying to himself this is my last roll of the dice. “If I’m going out, I’m going out on my shield on my terms.”Fury, 36, lost his WBC title and undefeated record after 12 classic rounds in Riyadh seven months ago. Usyk, 37, became the first four-belt undisputed heavyweight champion in history and Fury looks to right his only career wrong.Most read in BoxingFury vs Usyk 2: Ring walk time, TV channels and undercard – all you need to know for big rematchCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSBut McKenzie said: “I don’t think he can claw back the deficit. It’s not happening … This is heavyweight boxing. “You’re one punch away from disaster, one punch from victory. Of course Fury can win the fight. Oleksandr Usyk puts Tyson Fury rivalry aside and invites Gypsy King to the pub to ‘drink beer’ and cheer on Man Utd “He could find he throws a haymaker and knocks Usyk out. But it’s highly unlikely.“Usyk doesn’t go down unless it’s a low blow. I’ve never seen anybody have him rocked and really hurt. “And the one time Tyson Fury did have him hurt, Usyk managed to disguise it and cover it up so that Fury couldn’t maintain the onslaught. “He’s too smart for that. And he would’ve learnt from that mistake.”Three-weight world champion Duke McKenzieCredit: @duke_mckenzie_mbe More

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      Tyson Fury casts doubt over whether dad John will be in corner for Usyk rematch after he was slammed as ‘unprofessional’

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      TYSON FURY admits he is in the dark over whether father John will be in his corner for Saturday’s world heavyweight title rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.Fury Snr was slammed for giving his son “terrible and unprofessional” advice during Usyk’s majority points triumph in May.Tyson Fury is usually joined by dad John in his cornerCredit: APFury celebrates his win over Dillian Whyte alongside Andy Lee, left, John Fury, middle, and SugarHill Steward, rightCredit: GettyHe also shamefully HEADBUTTED a member of Usyk’s team just days before the undisputed Riyadh superfight.Asked if the 59-year-old will be in his corner again in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, the Gypsy King, 36, replied: “I don’t know.“I don’t get involved in all that s**te.“I just go to the gym, train and fight, get paid, go home. That’s what I have always done.”READ MORE BOXING NEWSTV cameras caught Fury Snr shouting over trainer SugarHill Steward and giving conflicting orders during the first fight.Britain’s former world super-middleweight champ Carl Froch fumed: “That was bad. Terrible and really unprofessional in his corner.“When you’ve got John Fury in the corner, screaming at you while you’ve got two other people giving you advice, that means you’re listening to absolutely nobody.”Steward, assistant trainer Andy Lee and cuts man Frank Hopkins will all be in Fury’s corner again.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSFury, 59, was involved in an unsavoury incident ahead of the first Usyk fightCredit: PABut Lee confesses he also doesn’t know if Fury Sr will join them this time, admitting: “Who knows what will happen? I don’t.“Last time the corner was hectic, especially towards the end of the fight.Tyson Fury’s dad John calls out Logan Paul for fight on undercard if Tommy and Jake Paul rematch“There were three different voices in there, SugarHill, John and me.“I can understand, from a dad’s point of view, he was trying to protect his son.“But SugarHill was trying to win the fight.“I was told Tyson was two rounds down and I had to communicate that to him.”John Fury’s maddest momentsHere are just some of John Fury’s most astonishing moments: More

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      Boxing results LIVE: Cheavon Clarke DROPPED in shock loss, Natasha Jonas sets up Lauren Price fight, Viddal Riley KO win

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      A blockbuster night of boxing has concluded with stacked cards in Liverpool and Monte Carlo!Natasha Jonas defeated Ivana Habazin on Merseyside, with Lauren Price and Viddal Riley both picked up KO wins earlier on in the huge Sky Sports bill.But Cheavon Clarke suffered a shock loss in his quest for the vacant European cruiserweight title, being dropped en route to a points defeat to Leonardo Mosquea in DAZN’s show in Monte Carlo.Start time: Cards underway NOWTV channels: Sky Sports Main Event (Liverpool show)/ DAZN (Monte Carlo show)BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSFollow ALL of the latest updates below…Price reaction after beating MateusIt’s my eighth pro fight, I am still learning but I believe I am the best at 147lbs and we have a main event tonight and I want the winner of it.“That’s why I am here tonight and I want to take big-time boxing back to Wales.“I respect Tash and it will be a great British fight, not just for women’s boxing but all boxing in general.”Copy linkCopiedWar of wordsNatasha Jonas wants to fight Lauren Price next.The pair met in the ring, where they had an exchange of words.”The story doesn’t end here and it won’t end with Lauren either,” Jonas struck first.Price retorted: “Too young, too quick, too good.”Jonas replied: “Be careful what you wish for, be careful what you ask for and I’ll be there.”Copy linkCopiedJonas wins!And winner by unanimous decision is Natasha Jonas!Judges scored it emphatically – 99-92, 99-91, 100-90.It’s a fairytale performance in her homeland. Big favourite from the home crowd.Copy linkCopiedRound 10That was a masterclass of a performance from Jonas.She landed that right, once again, causing damage to Habazin.,Jonas is technically so much superior than Habazin. Jonas dips, and then throws that right hook again.We go to the judges, but this must be a formality.Copy linkCopiedRound 9Jonas has kept her shape. She’s never got ragged.Her punches have been precise, and well set up.Her feet are quicker than Habazin’s, and she has such a balance on her.A terrific right hand as Habazin came in from Jonas rocks her opponent.Copy linkCopiedRound 8That’s another Jonas round, surely.She just has to make sure she doesn’t get knocked out now.Habazin will keep going, but any exchanges Jonas has the better shots.Copy linkCopiedRound 7It’s been an impressive performance from Jonas so far.You can go as far as saying Habazin needs a knockdown if she wants to turn this fight.That could mean Habazin leaves herself wide open in the later rounds.Copy linkCopiedRound 6Lovely right hook from Habazin, and more body shots lad from Jonas.She lands another combo, finishing upstairs with a blow to the Croatian’s head.Jonas is commanding the fight now.Copy linkCopiedRound 5Habazin steps in, but Jonas sucks it to her.A blow to her chin and then a flurry of blows to the body land well.jonas shows her pace with a quick one-two.Copy linkCopiedRound 4Habazin clings on to the arm of Jonas.It was desperate times, she turned southpaw and she got hit mid-turn by a heavy right hook from Jonas.Jonas went after her, landed some good combos, but Habazin recovers well.Copy linkCopiedRound 3Decent second minute of the third round from Habazin.She’s trying to make it more physical, and landed a few hefty punches on her opponent.Habazin is warming into it now.Copy linkCopiedRound 2Closing stages of the second round and Habazin switches southpaw.The cleaner punching has come from Jonas.However, it is yet to really explode just yet.Copy linkCopiedRound 1Both fighters feeling themselves out in this opener.Jonas looks quicker on her feet.Habazin will have work cut out to keep up with the pace.Good first round from JonasCopy linkCopiedClarke beaten Huge shock in Monte Carlo as Brit 2020 Olympian Cheavon Clarke loses for the first time in his career.Clarke was dropped by Leonardo Mosquea in the first round of their European cruiserweight title contest, but C4 did fight back to control the bout in the latter stages.Mosquea has won by a split decision on the judges’ scorecards – 113-117, 116-112, 115-112.Copy linkCopiedThe main eventAnd it’s nearly showtime.Natasha Jonas and Ivana Habazin are getting ready to fight next.It’s the main event, what we’ve been waiting for.It’s coming up next.Copy linkCopiedClarke vs Mosquea concludesWhat a fight that turned out to be in Monte Carlo!Cheavon Clarke recovered from a shock early knockdown from Leonardo Mosquea to control the later stages.But Mosquea has more than been in his one right up until the final bell.We go the judges…Copy linkCopiedClarke shading close oneWe’re heading into the final two rounds of Cheavon Clarke vs Leonardo Mosquea in Monte Carlo, and it’s been a close one.Brit 2020 Olympian Clarke was DROPPED in the first round after a barrage of shots, but has since more than fought his way back into this.It will be interesting to see how the judges will score it with Clarke now starting to pull away after his slow start.Copy linkCopiedCutler gets it!Lee Cutler has been declared the judges’ winner.It was close on the cards – 94-94, 95-93, and 96-92.That seems about right, though.Copy linkCopiedRound 10Nothing between them in that round.Both fighters are tired, they can’t find the room to land anything quickly.It’s a close fight. we’re going to go to the judges.Copy linkCopiedRound 9Cutler’s just picking out the short left hooks.It’s McKenna’s defences that are failing him now.Cutler looks tidier, but McKenna is working incredibly hard.Just when you think he looks tired, he comes firing back.Although he walked onto a right hand from Cutler in the final moments of the round.Copy linkCopiedClarke vs Mosquea midwayWe’re entering the halfway point of Cheavon Clarke vs Leonardo Mosquea, and Clarke has been tested like never before.Clarke was dropped in the first round after a rapid start from Mosquea.But Britain’s 2020 Olympian has fought back to take now control of the European cruiserweight title fight.Copy linkCopiedRound 8How McKenna is still in this contest, we don’t know.Cutler just has to keep it simple now, because he’s not breaking McKenna’s will.McKenna’s defences are scattered and he looks ragged.Cutler is biding his time, he knows he doesn’t have to force the issue.Somehow, McKenna finishes the round stronger. The boy’s got heart.Copy linkCopiedRound 7Cutler is building up momentum now.He dominated that sixth round, and has continued to force the issue.McKenna needs a big round, but he’s backing up – looking like he’s trying to take a breather.McKenna’s down! Cutler lands a beautiful punch – 30 seconds from the end.He’s survived to the end of the round, but he’s hurt.Copy linkCopiedRound 6Cutler’s making McKenna miss a lot.But he’s got to make sure he doesn’t let this fight drift away.That right has is lethal.McKenna is trying to lean down on Cutler – and suck the energy out of himCopy linkCopiedClarke battling backCheavon Clarke has recovered from being knocked down in the first round against Leonard Mosquea in their European cruiserweight title clash on right now.Clarke has edged the past two rounds as we head into the fourth.Game on in Monte Carlo.Copy linkCopied More