Boxing

Subterms

    More stories

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Boxing

      Dingaan Thobela dead at 57: Former three-time boxing world champion dies as police find his body at his home

      by

      FORMER boxing champion Dingaan Thobela has been found dead at his home in Johannesburg after battling with a short illness.Thobela, 57, united both black and white supporters during his career which stretched from before and after apartheid and he was known as the “Rose of Soweto”.Ex-boxing world champion Dingaan Thobela has died aged 57Credit: GettyThobela won belts in two weight classesThe icon who grew up in the townships won the WBO lightweight title in 1990 and the WBA lightweight title in 1993 and the WBC super-middleweight title in 2000.His career stretched from 1990 to 2006 and the boxer from Chiawelo, Soweto, was still cheered on the streets and continued to do charity work to help those in poverty.When he failed to answer his mobile phone for several days friends went to his flat in Mayfair, Johannesburg, on Monday night and forced the door and found him dead.A close friend said: “It was not like him to not answer his mobile phone and his family worried about him accompanied police to his home and found he had passed on”.READ MORE IN BOXINGHis poor health prevented him from attending Boxing SA’s symposium as a star guest at the Arena Holdings offices in Parktown last Friday and he often joked about a “comeback”.Thobela held 3 world titles in two-weight divisions — the first two being the WBO and WBA lightweight belts in the lightweight divisions early in his career – then went up a weight.The “Rose” finally bloomed when he won the most prestigious WBC super-middleweight belt in 2000 via a 12th-round stoppage victory over defending champion Glen Catley.The victory at Carnival City in Brakpan under trainer Elias Tshabalala in his corner sealed Thobela’s place in South African history as one of their nation’s finest ever athletes.Most read in BoxingLegend Thobela was separated from his common law wife Sandra with whom they had two children together Ntombi and Dingaan Thobela Junior who he was still close to.He enjoyed SA support beyond colour lines as his victories outside SA brought traffic to a standstill with wild celebrations in townships and white areas when he became champ.Francis Ngannou’s 15-month-old son tragically dies as UFC champion-turned boxer shares heartbreaking post More

    • 163 Shares169 Views

      in Boxing

      Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk undercard: Who is fighting on huge Saudi bill?

      by

      BOXING fans are eagerly awaiting the first undisputed heavyweight bout in almost 25 years.Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will face off in Saudi Arabia for what is one of the most highly anticipated fights in recent history.Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will face off in Saudi ArabiaCredit: GettyThe pair are competing to become undisputed heavyweight champion of the worldCredit: GettyThe Gypsy King has already been forced to postpone the fight twice after a close run affair with Francis Ngannou left him shaken up and a sparring injury to his eye led to a second delay.But as we edge closer to the fight everything seems to be in order for a battle between two of boxing’s biggest fighters.As well as having a huge main event for the Middle East match-up, fans can look forward to some exciting fights on the undercard in Riyadh.Two IBF titles are up for grabs before Usyk and Fury take to the ring for their undisputed clash.And big name fighters such as Joe Cordina and Jai Operaia will be donning their gloves to entertain the Saudi crowds and try and maintain their flawless records.When is Fury vs Usyk?
      Fury vs Usyk will now take place on Saturday, May 18 after the original date of February 17 was postponed.
      The fight will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
      Expect main event ring-walks to get going from around 11pm BST, with the main card likely to start from 6pm BST.
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSTYSON FURY VS OLEKSANDR USYK: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT BOUTWho is fighting on the Fury vs Usyk card? Here are the confirmed bouts taking place on the huge Saudi bill:
      Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk – undisputed WBC, WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight titles
      Jai Opetaia vs Mairis Briedis – vacant IBF cruiserweight title
      Joe Cordina vs Anthony Cacace – IBF super-featherweight title
      Agit Kabayel vs Frank Sanchez
      Sergey Kovalev vs Robin Sirwan Safar
      Mark Chamberlain vs Joshua Oluwaseun Wahab
      Moses Itauma vs Ilja Mezencev
      David Nyika vs Michael Seitz
      Isaac Lowe vs Hasibullah Ahmadi
      Most read in BoxingHow can I watch the fights?
      Fury vs Usyk will be broadcast on THREE channels in the UK.
      TNT Sports Box Office, Sky Sports Box Office and DAZN PPV will all be showing the clash.
      A price for the event has yet to be confirmed. More

    • 163 Shares109 Views

      in Boxing

      Francis Ngannou’s 15-month-old son tragically dies as UFC champion-turned boxer shares heartbreaking post

      by

      FRANCIS NGANNOU’S 15-month old son Kobe has tragically passed away.The 37-year-old, who recently fought both Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, took to X to confirm the heartbreaking news.Francis Ngannou posted a heartbreaking tribute after his 15-month-old son passed awayCredit: AFPNgannou wrote a statement on XCredit: XIn a statement on Ngannou’s X account, he wrote: “Too soon to leave but yet he’s gone.”My little boy, my mate, my partner Kobe was full of life and joy. Now, he’s laying without life. I shouted his name over and over but he’s not responding.”How do you deal with such a thing? How can you live with it?”Please help me if you have any idea because I really don’t know what to do and how to deal with this.”READ MORE ON NGANNOUHe had earlier written on X: “What’s the purpose of life if what we’re fighting tooth and nail to get away from is what finally hit us the hardest!?”Why is life so unfair and merciless? Why does life always take what we don’t have? I’m f***ing tired.”Little is known about Ngannou’s personal life and it is unclear who the child’s mother is.Fans were quick to share their well-wishes for the boxer amidst the shock news.Most read in BoxingFellow UFC star Conor McGregor wrote: “I am so sorry to hear of your loss Francis, my prayers are with you and your family at this time.”Francis Ngannou’s story from refugee to fighting Tyson Fury and Anthony JoshuaHe was joined by former Ngannou opponent Joshua, who wrote: “May the memories you shared bring you comfort.”A fellow well-wisher wrote: “No parent should ever have to go through this 💔 My deepest sympathies.”Another fan wrote: “Incredibly sorry for your loss – unimaginable 🙏🏼”Ngannou was UFC heavyweight champion between 2020 and 2023 before he left to pursue a career in boxing.That saw him give Fury an almighty scare in October last year when he dropped the Brit in the fifth round – before narrowly losing on points.That was despite the fight being Ngannou’s first ever professional boxing match.His training saw him strike up a close relationship with boxing legend Mike Tyson, who prepared him for his fight against the Gypsy King.He went on to lose to Joshua in his second professional bout last month.Ngannou’s heartbreaking tribute in fullHEARTBROKEN Francis Ngannou wrote on X after the devastating loss of his 15-month-old son:
      “Too soon to leave but yet he’s gone.
      “My little boy, my mate, my partner Kobe was full of life and joy.
      “Now, he’s laying without life. I shouted his name over and over but he’s not responding.
      “How do you deal with such a thing? How can you live with it?
      “Please help me if you have any idea because I really don’t know what to do and how to deal with this.”

      Ngannou experienced an incredible rise to stardom in martial arts after facing extreme poverty in his hometown of Batie in Cameroon.Aged nine, he began working in a sand mine alongside his 11-year-old brother to provide for his family.He moved from Cameroon to France aged 26 without a penny to his name to pursue a career in boxing.READ MORE SUN STORIESAfter initially being homeless after moving to Europe, he met coach Didier Carmont who let him train and sleep at the boxing gym free of charge.Here, he was first introduced to the sport of MMA which saw him go on to become one of the biggest names in the history of the sport.Inside Francis Ngannou’s incredible rise from childhood in sandmines to boxing stardomBy Jon Boon
      FRANCIS NGANNOU’S remarkable journey to reach the top is one of hope, courage, strength and character, and is symbolic of the fighter he is.
      The Cameroonian has been the heavyweight king of UFC and earned tens of millions in the boxing ring in bouts with Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.But he faces much tougher tests in his life that prove he is as resilient as it gets.From a tough start in Cameroon, where he worked in the sand mines as a nine-year-old for just £1.50 a day, to being homeless in Paris, his story is the ultimate tale of survival.Click here to read more about Ngannou’s incredible story More

    • 213 Shares109 Views

      in Boxing

      Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson sanctioned as PROFESSIONAL fight as rules confirmed for heavyweight showdown on Netflix

      by

      MIKE TYSON’s clash with Jake Paul has been sanctioned as a PROFESSIONAL fight.The former heavyweight boxing champion will take on the YouTuber-turned-fighter on July 20.Mike Tyson and Jake Paul’s fight will be a professional boutCredit: instagram/Jake PaulTyson last fought professionally in 2005Credit: ReutersThere will be more on the line as the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations has sanctioned it as a professional fight.The showdown will be contested over eight rounds, which will be two minutes long.Each fighter will have to wear 14-ounce gloves and the record will affect their professional records.Knockouts will be allowed in the fight and headgear will not be worn by the fighters.READ MORE IN SPORTMost Valuable Promotions co-founder Nakisa Bidarian released a statement.It read: “Mike Tyson and Jake Paul signed on to fight each other with the desire to do so in a sanctioned professional fight that would have a definitive outcome.”Over the past six weeks, MVP has worked with its partners to satisfy the requirements of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations (TDLR) to sanction Paul vs. Tyson, and we are grateful that we have gotten to this point.”The highly-anticipated fight will take place at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas and will be streamed on Netflix.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSTyson, 57, had his last professional fight in 2005, when he lost to  Kevin McBride.His last pro win came two years earlier as he beat Clifford Etienne to earn his 50th career victory.The Sun’s Wally Downes Jr and Chisanga Malata discuss the rise of influencer boxing and Mike Tyson’s bout with Jake PaulHe fought in 2020, taking on Roy Jones Jr. in an exhibition, which resulted in a split decision.The result did not go on either of the fighter’s professional records.By the time the fight comes around, Tyson will be 58, while Paul will be 27, with a 31-year age gap between them.Credit: The Sun More

    • 275 Shares119 Views

      in Boxing

      ‘It felt like a mule had kicked me in the chest,’ reveals Mike Tyson’s last opponent in frightening warning to Jake Paul

      by

      JAKE PAUL has been brutally warned that Mike Tyson stills hits like a mule even in retirement. YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul takes on heavyweight boxing icon Tyson in a controversial clash on July 20 in Texas.Roy Jones Jr faced Mike Tyson in an exhibition boutCredit: ReutersPaul is 9-1, suffering his only defeat last year to Tommy Fury before bouncing back with three straight wins.Whereas Tyson officially retired in 2005 but did return in 2020 to draw over eight exhibition rounds with fellow great Roy Jones Jr.And Jones can vouch for the power Iron Mike still possesses – despite the fact he will be 58 by the time of the bout with Paul.He said on Shane Mosley’s YouTube channel: “Now I think he’s 57, about to be 58, he’s still the strongest puncher that I’ve ever been in the ring with.READ MORE IN BOXING”The first time he hit me in the chest, it felt like a mule had kicked me in the chest. “If he hits anybody with a shot like that, they are either going out or down, especially guys who are not used to being hit like that. “With these types of people like Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis, these guys are bigger and can take it.”But Jake Paul, I don’t think he’s going to be able to take that. It might hit him on the chin like that, we’ll see, but it’s going to be tough.”Most read in BoxingCredit: The SunCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSJones, now 55, is considered one of the greatest of all time, winning titles in four different divisions.And he was still boxing as recently as last April, losing on points to ex-UFC champion Anthony Pettis, 37. Jake Paul in amazing body transformation as he piles on over TWO STONE for Mike Tyson fightMeanwhile, Tyson returns for the first time since his exhibition against Jones for his shock fight with Paul. Not only will it mark Netflix’s first move into live boxing but it will also be Paul’s first at heavyweight.The lightest the American, 27, has weighed is 183.6lb (13st 1lb) but his last two bouts have been at the 200lb cruiserweight limit of 14st 4lb.Tyson was a career heavyweight at 15st 7lb, meaning Paul must pile on the pounds to match that.And boxing legend Mosley – one of Paul’s trainers in the past – the social media sensation is on the way to doing so.He told Jones: “I just saw Jake yesterday, he’s 230 pounds. He’s big, really big. He said he feels as fast as he does at 185lbs.”If Mosley is correct, then Paul has gone up to 16st 4lb, TWO STONE heavier than his last fight.Jake Paul and Mike Tyson facing offCredit: @jakepaul More

    • 238 Shares119 Views

      in Boxing

      Deontay Wilder opens up on ‘beautiful’ link up with Eddie Hearn… after years of feuding with Anthony Joshua’s promoter

      by

      DEONTAY WILDER has opened up on his “beautiful” link up with Eddie Hearn – following years of bitter feuding. Wilder and his team have always gone back and forth with Hearn over failed talks to fight Anthony Joshua. Eddie Hearn is working with Deontay Wilder after years of feudingCredit: ReutersIt led to over half a decade of jibes, insults and accusations. But that looks to be put to bed after Hearn selected Wilder to represent him in the 5v5 series of bouts against Frank Warren’s picks. The ex-WBC champion – who captain’s Hearn’s side – faces Zhilei Zhang on June 1 in Saudi Arabia after giving their promotional feud the KO. Wilder, 38, told Boxing News: “It’s a beautiful thing. Over years of back and forth, disagreements and different little things… But life brings about a change, and change is always good. READ MORE IN BOXING“When you look at it, you have to look at the landscape of right now, and you’ve got some interesting guys like the Saudis that are in there, changing everything about boxing: the way we promote it, the way we line up fights, and all those different things. “Why not have the change of being able to work with each other?“We don’t have to like each other to do business, but sometimes when you’ve been around a person long enough, you understand their ways and they understand your ways and you can co-exist with each other. That’s what it’s all about.“I’m glad that we are at this point in time where we can co-exist with each other, because I’m always a promoter’s dream and I think I’m a dream come true for Eddie. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”I’m happy to be a part of Matchroom and [be] the captain.”Talks for Wilder and Joshua to fight started as early as 2018 but conflicting TV and promotional deals prevented the bout. What followed was non-stop arguing between the camps until an agreement was finally made last year. A fight between Joshua, 34, and Wilder was signed for March until disaster struck. Anthony Joshua makes Deontay Wilder No1 choice for interim fight as he draws up four-man shortlistWilder was beaten by Joseph Parker, 32, and instead ex-UFC champ Francis Ngannou, 37, took his place and lost in two rounds to Joshua. Even on that night, just four months ago, Hearn fumed: “I said in the build-up I don’t rate him. Wilder had no idea, no clue. He lost every round.”He had his hand up telling the referees he won the fight. He’s not right. That’s the reality.”It was the most one-sided heavyweight fight I’ve ever seen. It’s ruined our plans.”But, in an interview with iFL TV, Hearn changed his tune and said: “He does like me, we are besties! But in all seriousness I’ve always liked Deontay Wilder.”Obviously we’ve always had the rivalry through AJ, but I got told to sign a heavyweight for the division and I believe Deontay Wilder will bounce back in style.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I looked at those available and who was the best one available? It was Deontay Wilder, and he will knock him out inside five rounds.”I have made him my captain and who knows where it goes after this, but we just need to go through Zhilei Zhang.”Zhilei Zhang faces Wilder in Saudi ArabiaCredit: Reuters More

    • 225 Shares139 Views

      in Boxing

      I won The Apprentice and £250,000… now I’m using Lord Sugar’s help to become boxing’s female Eddie Hearn

      by

      THE APPRENTICE winner Marnie Swindells is looking to become the female answer to Eddie Hearn with the help of Lord Alan Sugar. Swindells won the iconic BBC entrepreneurial programme last year and scooped the £250,000 cash prize. Eddie Hearn with Apprentice winner Marnie SwindellsCredit: Drip WaterSwindells won the iconic BBC entrepreneurial programme in 2023Swindells with Apprentice boss and business partner Lord SugarAnd she put Lord Sugar’s investment to good use by launching her own gym, Bronx Boxing Club in Camberwell, South London. Swindells first got the keys to her gym in 2019 but legal reasons prevented her from officially opening up till four years later. During that period, she raised £400,000 of her own money but needed an extra push – and that is when she looked Lord Sugar’s way. Swindells, 28, told SunSport: “As this was all happening I thought, ‘What have I got to lose?’READ MORE IN BOXING”So I put myself forward to go on the show, try and raise more money, expand the gym and thought, ‘Why not go for it?”That’s when I applied for the show with the hope of making – what I’d already created – bigger and better.”Swindells began boxing herself as an amateur at 17 and had eight bouts, twice winning the national Haringey Box Cup. But a lack of opportunities for women at the time KO’d her hopes of turning pro – and by then she had already found a passion for boxing outside the ring. Most read in BoxingShe said: “I love boxing and everything it stands for but boxing is an all or nothing sport.”As they say, ‘You can’t play boxing.’ And I don’t think as a fighter I loved it enough. This, now I’m here in this position I think this is what I was born to do.The Apprentice star Marnie opens new boxing gym with Lord Sugar”To facilitate, to make these spaces, I’ve found the bit that I was supposed to do in boxing.”Swindells graduated in history and politics at Goldsmiths University before qualifying as a barrister. But even after long days in court, she would always find herself back at the boxing gym until she got the idea to launch her own. And after going all the way in the 2023 series of The Apprentice, she invested the money into her Bronx Boxing Club. She has renovated the downstairs and upstairs, which was previously a vacated and “mice infested” nursery. But away from just owning the gym, Swindells has her eye on managing and promoting fighters. She revealed: “Even though women’s boxing has been on a massive trajectory itself the actual business side of boxing still remains quite untouched from a women’s touch.Swindells was a championship winning amateur boxingShe now has her eye on promoting boxingCredit: PASwindells opened the Bronx Boxing Club in 2023″There isn’t like a female promoter that you can name, a top female manager, a female Eddie Hearn or a female Ben Shalom.”So I would love to step into those shoes one day. I would love to take up the mantle.”Swindells has not yet revealed her plan to become boxing’s First Lady to Lord Sugar – but she thinks he will be on board. She said: “Well, I’ve talked about it a lot so he’s probably caught wind that it’s the direction I’d like to go into one day.”But I think it goes hand in hand with the growth of Bronx as a brand and the gym. “The more gyms we have, the more fighters we have, the more opportunities.”And ultimately that is the priority; the top priority is to get more sites, to get more people into boxing. “Promoting is something as I said, I think will come when the time is right.READ MORE SUN STORIES”When that time does come, I will have a conversation with him and by that point I think he’ll go, ‘Do you know what? She’s been true to her word so far and I’ll back that.'”You never know, he might invest some more and we might launch our own promotion company.” More

    • 250 Shares199 Views

      in Boxing

      I’ve sparred BOTH Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk and was KO’d by one of them… here’s who will win fight

      by

      TYSON Fury’s undisputed title decider against Oleksandr Usyk is almost here – and experts continue to be divided on who will win.The pair of unbeaten champions will collide in the heavyweight division’s first four-belt unification bout on May 18 in Saudi Arabia.Oleksandr Usyk next to Dave Allen, rightAllen has sparred Tyson Fury and UsykCredit: InstagramAnd one man well placed to give his verdict on the historic title bout is British heavyweight Dave Allen. Allen has sparred both and in 2020 revealed that Usyk almost knocked him out cold and released footage of the moment it happened. He said: “When I sparred Usyk he knocked me unconscious.“I never went over, I finished the round. But I can remember him hitting me.READ MORE IN BOXING”Next thing I knew I was stood outside the ring, packing my bag. I was concussed.”Since that spar, Usyk, 37, has gone on to become unified champ after twice beating Anthony Joshua, 34.Meanwhile, Fury, 35, last fought in October in a controversial split-decision win over MMA star Francis Ngannou, 37. He was knocked down in the crossover clash and deemed fortunate to walk away with the victory. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAnd Fury was also forced to pull out of his scheduled February 17 fight with Usyk after suffering a cut in sparring. So doubts have been raised over his form heading into the biggest fight of his career with oddsmakers now favouring Usyk.Fans torn as Tyson Fury posts training clip three weeks ahead of Oleklsandr Usyk fight and boasts ‘Wish it was tonight’But, Allen, 32, told talkSPORT: “I think Fury will beat Usyk, I think he’s too big.”I think they are the two best heavyweights on the planet.”The skill level is insane – I’ve sparred them both – but I think Fury is too big.”Allen in 2020 briefly retired at 28 but he has since returned to have five fights since, winning four of them.Fury and Usyk facing offCredit: GETTY More