Boxing

DILLIAN WHYTE has pulled out of his Saturday night UK comeback to secure a summer showdown with Lawrence Okolie.The Brixton Body Snatcher was scheduled for a Portman Road tune-up this weekend, against an unnamed opponent, on the undercard of his Ipswich protege Fabio Wardley’s clash with Justis Huni.Dillian Whyte’s latest fight has been cancelledCredit: GettyBut he has withdrawn himself from the card to focus on a grudge settler with his new nemesis.The 37-year-old was supposed to fight Joe Joyce in Manchester on April 5 but withdrew due to a finger injury.Juggernaut Joyce lost against stand-in opponent Filip Hrgovic, killing any chance of that rivalry being reignited.But Whyte has instead sparked up a war of words with Okolie, with sickening slurs being aimed at the 2016 Olympian.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLOkolie labelled Whyte a coward for failing to face him. And Whyte fired back, labelling Okolie a “sub-human c***” and dared the former McDonald’s worker to repeat the insults to his face.Promoter Frank Warren – who has now lost two Whyte fights on the spin – explained: “He’s not going to be on the card now.”He’s had an opportunity for a big big fight in August and we’re looking to get that over the line.”That’s going to take priority.”Most read in BoxingBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKWhyte has not boxed in England since November 2022.He was supposed to have a rematch with Anthony Joshua in August 2023 but that O2 sell-out was scrapped when Whyte failed a doping test.Dillian Whyte shares gruesome picture of horror injury that forced cancellation of Joe Joyce fight Whyte has boxed in Gibraltar and Ireland since that big-money clash was binned, landing underwhelming wins.Whyte was previously adamant that his pencilled in June 7 bout would pave the way for a title fight, while also admitting that inactivity had “killed” his career.He told Ring Magazine: “Look, inactivity has basically killed my career in the last three years.”I am looking at having a big fight at the end of July or early August and I just thought I need some activity before heading into that.”I thought I need to get active as quickly as possible because I’m serious about having a last run at it again and possibly fighting for the world title. “So I want to put myself in the position that when it comes I’m not just there to take part but I’m going there with a high chance of winning because I will have some momentum behind me.”The only way to get that is by putting my pride to one side and saying, ‘You know what, I’ll take this opportunity.’ I’ve always done that in my career. “I fought Dereck Chisora as co-main event on a massive card and then in my next fight I boxed Malcolm Tann in an eight rounder at about 5pm.Read More on The Sun”So this is about staying busy to put myself in a better position to give the fans big fights.”Okolie, 32, lost his WBO cruiserweight world title to Chris Billam-Smith in May 2023 and is now looking for a marquee scalp in the heavyweight division. More

MANNY PACQUIAO could not stop crying after failing to cope with being a retired boxer. The Filipino great hung up his gloves in August 2021 following defeat to Yordenis Ugas. Manny Pacquiao could not stop crying after retiring from boxingCredit: APBut after a failed presidential campaign in the Philippines and a couple of exhibition bouts – Pacquiao is returning. And PacMan – who won honours in EIGHT divisions – opened up on his emotional struggles after retiring from the sport. He said: “That moment when I announced I was hanging up my gloves four years ago, I was so sad.”I couldn’t avoid the tears coming out of my eyes. I really missed boxing. READ MORE IN BOXING”For however many months, I was like, I’m not a boxer anymore?'”Pacquiao was beaten in the 2022 presidential election and then failed in a bid for a second run as a senator this year. So he is now fully focusing on boxing after juggling pugilism with politics throughout his career and retirement. Pacquiao said: “Right now, the book of politics is closed. It’s not even in my mind. I’m focusing on my career as a boxer again.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”I can still do my job in boxing. I’m not done yet. The fire, the determination, the eagerness to train and work hard, it’s still there. It’s amazing.”Pacquiao faced Korean YouTuber DK Yoo in a 2022 exhibition in the first sign he was making a comeback. Fans shocked by size difference as Manny Pacquiao and Mario Barrios face off ahead of legend’s return aged 46 in VegasHe then returned last July for another exhibition, against Japanese kickboxer Rukiya Anpo in Tokyo.And despite not winning since 2019 – SIX YEARS AGO- talks were ongoing behind the scenes for a world title shot. Before long, it was announced that Pacquiao, at 46, will challenge for Mario Barrios’ WBC welterweight title. Per WBC rules, a contender must be ranked within their top 15 in order to be eligible for a championship bout.So it came as little surprise when Pacquiao sneaked back into the WBC’s top five in mid May – despite his absence from the ring.Boxing’s oldest world champ of all time is Bernard Hopkins, who won a world title aged 49. And Pacquiao said: “It would mean a lot for me to become world champion again. “Manny Pacquiao is always giving surprises to the fans. That’s my passion and it’s really important to me. “I want everyone to be happy with this fight. My goal is to leave a legacy to the boxing fans. “I want to inspire the young generation who are dreaming of becoming a champion.Read More on The Sun“July 19 is gonna be a lot of action. There’s a lot of great fights on this card. “I know what Barrios is capable of and I know that we can entertain the fans.” Pacquiao challenges for Mario Barrios WBC welterweight world titleCredit: Shutterstock Editorial More