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      Joe Joyce looks a shadow of himself and his win over Kash Ali was embarrassing – the Juggernaught needs to retire

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      SORRY for sounding like a broken record but someone should strongly advise Joe Joyce to retire from the ring.Nearly a year ago giant Zhilei Zhang fractured Joyce’s eye socket and gave him a sickening beating before stopping him in six rounds.Colin Hart has urged Joe Joyce to retire after his latest unconvincing winCredit: GettyHaving seen Joe soak up terrible punishment I wrote in this column: “I felt uneasy watching Joyce take a battering and found myself wondering if, at 37, it would be wise to continue his ring career.”Unfortunately Joyce took a complete opposite view and insisted on  invoking the return fight clause in his contract – and three months later Zhang brutally knocked him out in three rounds.Last Saturday in Birmingham, Joyce, 39 in September – who was a top ten contender not long ago – was supposed to seek redemption on the long road back towards a world heavyweight title fight.But it was obvious from Joyce’s lumbering uninspired performance that he has nowhere near recovered from the awful beatings Zhang inflicted on him – and it’s possible he never will.READ MORE IN BOXINGKash Ali, not ranked among the world’s top 100 heavyweights, was his carefully selected opponent.Joe is known as the Juggernaut – a very large vehicle that carries heavy goods over long distances – and he certainly had a load on board. He came in at 20st 6lbs, the heaviest he has ever been, and proceeded to plod extremely slowly through round after embarrassing round.Sadly this Juggernaut never got out of first gear and he looked a shadow of the man who, pre-Zhang, had knocked out Joseph Parker and stopped Carlos Takam and Daniel Dubois.Joyce was expected to dispose of Ali fairly quickly yet he looked tired, lacking conviction and a man who had lost confidence in his ability.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSIt was clear from the opening bell Ali’s main purpose was to survive and he  managed to do it until he got caught flush with a right hand and was counted out with just seven seconds left of the tenth and final round.I suppose better very late than never.Joe Joyce has to calm his fuming mum after she interrupts post-fight interviewJoe Joyce’s recordThe full numbers…

      Fights: 18
      Wins: 16
      Defeats: 2
      KO’s: 15

      But when Ali did occasionally throw a right hook he found it easy to find Joyce’s chin like everyone else who has fought him.Ali didn’t have the power to inflict any serious outward damage but being punched regularly in the head by a 17st fighter shouldn’t be lightly dismissed.No doubt after this unsatisfactory KO victory against Ali, Joyce’s management team will be trying to persuade the media and his fans that Joe is still a serious threat to Tyson Fury, Antony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk.Joyce has always fought the same way – amateur and pro – going forward in a straight line without moving his head which means he’s never been difficult to hit.He’s an intelligent man with an arts degree yet only last week he was saying – like George Foreman – he wants to continue fighting into his 40s.Not the most sensible idea to say the least.READ MORE SUN STORIESI’m not alone in fearing the Juggernaut is hurtling downhill fast. Among the past and present champions I spoke to at the British Boxing Board of Control’s awards lunch on Sunday there was complete agreement that it’s time for Joe to quit. They all feel he has taken too many punches for too long – but they didn’t wish to be quoted telling a fellow fighter what to do with his life. More

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      Fans ask ‘did he hire Wilder as a spin doctor?’ after Francis Ngannou’s bizarre excuse for Anthony Joshua defeat

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      FRANCIS NGANNOU has drawn unwanted comparisons to serial excuse maker Deontay Wilder following defeat to Anthony Joshua.Ngannou was brutally knocked out by Joshua in two rounds of their Saudi showdown which started at 3am local time. Francis Ngannou was knocked out by Anthony JoshuaCredit: GettyDeontay Wilder was full of excuses after defeat to Tyson FuryCredit: AFPAnd the MMA star claimed he was picked up to go to the arena too early and was tricked into waiting around for hours until the fight. Ngannou, 37, said on The MMA Hour: “Listen, we both fought at 3am. “What I think happened is that they get me to the arena very early. Like my pickup time was 10.30pm to go to the arena.”And then when we get to the arena, they tell us that we are scheduled around 1:45am right?READ MORE IN BOXING”They come to the locker around 1am and Joshua [was just arriving around 1]. I’m like, ‘OK, we are fighting at the same time, how come I have a pickup time?'”We received a schedule, an email, and then for some reason I was there at least one hour before. But for the fight, at least two hours beforehand.”They do this kind of trick to get you tired. I was like cool, I was like, ‘Bro, it’s okay.’ “I didn’t know how important that was, until the fight day that I had to get there two hours before.”Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSNgannou showed shades of Wilder, who infamously gave a string of excuses following his rematch loss to Tyson Fury. They ranged from his ring walk outfit being too heavy, his water being spiked by his own coach and suffering a bicep injury. Paris Fury looks horrified as Francis Ngannou collapses to floor after he’s brutally knocked out by Anthony JoshuaAnd after his most recent loss to Joseph Parker in December, he complained of a 20-hour flight and lack of sparring for the bout. So Ngannou was likened to Wilder when claiming he was taken to the arena too early for his liking.One said: “Did he hire Deontay Wilder as a spin doctor?” Another added: “Francis Ngannou/Deontay Wilder. Excuse machines.” Ngannou – who was still having medical checks a WEEK after the KO – put his MMA career on hold to make a switch to boxing.He faced Fury, 35, on his debut, even scoring a knockdown, before losing a controversial split-decision.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut his compressive defeat to Joshua, 34, leaves his boxing future in doubt amid talk of a return to MMA.Ngannou’s boxing future has been left in doubtCredit: Getty More

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      Inside KSI’s manager’s 40-year plan to bring WWE to life in boxing ring with never-before-seen tag and handicap matches

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      KSI’S manager Mams Taylor is making his childhood dreams come true by bringing WWE to life in the boxing ring.Taylor, a music mogul-turned boxing promoter, launched Misfits alongside KSI in 2022 to home celebrity-style crossover bouts. Misfits Boxing became the first to have tag-team boxingBoxers tag in and out of the boutCredit: GettyIt is part of Mams Taylor’s dream to bring boxing to lifeStars from the worlds of social media, music and entertainment – including KSI himself – have all taken to the Misfits ring. But Taylor has tried to revolutionise spectacle showdowns by blending them with a bit of pro wrestling both in and out of the ring. Misfits have sensationally had tag-team matches and this weekend in Nashville host their first two-on-one HANDICAP bout. And it has all been part of Taylor’s master plan since he began watching WWE almost 40 years ago to bring the best of pro-wrestling to the world of boxing. READ MORE IN BOXINGHe said: “I think it’s a good blend and you’ve got something for everyone, especially with the two-on-one outnumbered tag match, again, shades of WWE but with real fighting.“Because for me, when I watched WWE as a kid it was WWF and I remember when I found out that it was predetermined outcomes and I was more heartbroken than when I found out there’s no Santa.“So I said one day we’re going to make it so that they really fight each other but you still have that entertainment and the storylines and all of that.“And I think Misfits Boxing is as close as you can get to that because obviously there’s no predetermined outcomes, nothing’s choreographed or anything like that it’s all real boxing.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“But you’ve got some colourful characters.”Taylor got his break in the music industry, which is where he met UK chart-topper KSI before becoming his manager. KSI’s Misfits Boxing in talks with FIVE footballers with Man Utd icon Wayne Rooney still expected to make shock switchBut his dream was always to be a shot caller like former WWE boss Vince McMahon. Taylor said: “I wanted to be like the Vince McMahon of something, of some kind of combat sports organisation.“So it’s absolutely a manifestation of something I’ve thought about over and over again.“I remember playing with the WWE toys and organising them and playing the matches out and doing the story lines and it was like practise for what it’s like now.“Obviously, I didn’t know it would be in boxing per say but that’s how it’s kind of worked out.”I think Misfits Boxing is as close as you can get to that because obviously there’s no predetermined outcomes, nothing’s choreographed or anything like that it’s all real boxing.Mams Taylor on comparisons between WWE and Misfits Boxing Taylor appeared to come out of nowhere when he teamed up with British promoter Kalle Sauerland to launch Misfits on streaming service DAZN. But in fact, it was a long time coming after testing the waters in MMA.Taylor revealed: “I was a boxing fan through way of proxy through my brother as well who loved that and I boxed myself from the age of 14. “Then MMA came about and tried my hand at that and actually put on an MMA show with some friends of mine about 20 years ago. “So as a fan and someone who has trained it’s something I am very passionate about just in general, combat sports.” Misfits co-founder KSI rarely misses an event and the man himself is hoping to be in the house to watch the never-before-seen two-on-one bout.READ MORE SUN STORIESTaylor said: “We’re working on it, hopefully. “He hates missing them but he’s got some commitments so we’re trying to work some things around. Hopefully he’ll be there.” KSI with manager and Misfits co-founder Mams TaylorCredit: Leigh Dawney/Misfits Boxing More

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      Apollonia Llewellyn told she has the ‘best figure on Instagram’ as she sends fans wild in busty pink leather corset

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      APOLLONIA LLEWELLYN has sent her fans wild by posing in a pink leather corset.The boxing ring girl left little to the imagination as she put on a busty display in the behind the scenes video.Apollonia Llewellyn sent her fans wild by posing in a busty pink leather corsetCredit: InstagramThe boxing ring girl was told she has the ‘best figure on Instagram’ by one followerCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellynShe shared footage from a recent photoshoot with her Instagram followers.In the clip, Apollonia can be seen posing on the end of a bed in the busty corset and matching knee-high boots.Alongside the post, she wrote in the caption: “Shoot days.”Her fans were left swooning over the model in the comments section, with one writing: “Perfect in pink.”READ MORE IN SPORTAnother added: “Best figure on Insta.”A third follower also commented: “You’re so beautiful.”Meanwhile, one more simply wrote: “Outstanding.”Apollonia regularly treats her 579,000 Instagram followers to racy uploads from her photoshoots and travels around the world.Most read in BoxingApollonia often stuns her fans with racy Instagram snapsCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellynThe model regularly treats her 579,000 followers to bikini snaps and glam photosCredit: instagram @apolloniallewellynShe recently showed off her underboob in another pink outfit as she relaxed on the beach in a skimpy bikini.Her fans were sent into meltdown after seeing the sun-kissed snaps, with Apollonia also stunning in a see-through top in a separate post.Apollonia Llewellyn takes shock new job as football manager at National League club as she puts on busty displayThe model has also risked an Instagram ban in the past with her more risqué snaps.She often leaves little to the imagination with her skimpy outfits to the delight of her fans.Inside Apollonia’s glamorous life as influencer, ring girl and model …Apollonia burst out of this tiny silver bikini as she drank her ‘morning juice’Credit: INSTAGRAMThousands of Apollonia’s fans enjoyed the view on the ring girl’s holiday to New YorkCredit: INSTAGRAMApollonia really enjoyed this bowl of pasta on her summer holiday to SantoriniCredit: INSTAGRAMFans were worried Apollonia’s top had shrunk in the wash as she enjoyed this hearty breakfastCredit: INSTAGRAMApollonia’s followers were in awe of the stunner’s new hairdo as she wowed in a tiny yellow bikiniCredit: INSTAGRAMApollonia sent a cheeky message to her fans as she posed in this glamorous see-through numberCredit: INSTAGRAM More

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      KSI’s Misfits Boxing in talks with FIVE footballers with Man Utd legend Wayne Rooney still expected to make shock switch

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      MISFITS BOXING are in talks with FIVE footballers to make a switch to the ring – with Wayne Rooney still expected to be one of them. YouTuber-turned-boxer KSI and his manager Mams Taylor launched Misfits in 2022 to host celebrity-style crossover bouts. KSI is the co-founder of Misfits BoxingCredit: GettyWayne Rooney was in talks with Misfits for a shock boxing switchCredit: AlamyAnd they have already welcomed stars from the social media, music and entertainment world. But perhaps their most ambitious plan was to try to bring Manchester United legend Rooney over for a shock bout. Talks were developing until the ex-England captain publicly ruled it out – for now – to focus on his managerial career. But Taylor – a former music mogul and now boxing promoter – is still quietly confident he can convince Rooney into the stunning switch. READ MORE IN BOXINGHe told SunSport: “I think he wanted to explore and see what the football options are and good luck to him.”He’s at a place – similar to KSI – where he’s got to be driven by passion. “He seems to have a massive passion for football obviously and he’s got a passion for boxing.”But he understands the commitment and the time that it would take and the sacrifices to actually box and he would take it seriously from what I gather.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”So it’s not a causal decision but I’m confident we’ll see him in a Misfits ring at some point.”Rooney, 38, retired from playing football in 2021 and moved into management but he was most recently sacked by Birmingham in January after spells with Derby and DC United in the States. EXCLUSIVE: Inside KSI’s manager’s 40-year plan to bring WWE to life in boxing ring with never-before-seen tag and handicap matchesNot long after, Misfits reached out to the Old Trafford great in the hope of lining him up with a summer showdown. Rooney has confirmed the unlikely talks took place but “at the minute” his future remains in football. But the former Everton forward is not the only one to be secretly contemplating swapping the pitch for punches. Taylor added ahead of Misfits 13 in Nashville: “We’ve got four or five footballers we’re talking to currently. So let’s see how that materialises.”KSI with manager and Misfits co-founder Mams Taylor More

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      Tyson Fury spotted filming series 2 of At Home With The Furys in Morecambe as Gypsy King takes break from Usyk training

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      TYSON FURY gave fans a glimpse behind the scenes for the next season of ‘At Home with the Fury’s’.The first instalment of the show was a smash hit on Netflix and made the world champion even more popular.Tyson Fury showed he was being followed around by a camera crewFilming for the next season of ‘At Home with the Fury’s’ appears to be underwayThe first instalment of the show was a big successCredit: GettyFury previously gave camera crews access to his gymCredit: PAFury and his family gave camera crews access to his £1.7million mansion and it appears they are back again for season two.The Gypsy King took to Instagram to share a smiling selfie containing cameramen and a soundman in the background.Fans can expect to see more of Fury’s home life as wife Paris featured heavily in season one.There could also be plenty of action from the gym as Fury prepares to take on Oleksandr Usyk in an undisputed heavyweight clash.READ MORE IN BOXINGSeason one offered a glimpse into his fight preparations ahead of a showdown with Derek Chisora in December 2022.And Netflix were so keen to tie Fury down to a second season, it was commissioned before the first even aired.It was claimed Fury turned down the offer of another season, turning down millions in the process, with the fighter branding the filming process as intrusive, however he seems to have changed his mind.He previously said of the first series: “I wanted out. It was a couple of weeks in, and I was on the phone to my lawyers ‘is there any way I can get out of this? I don’t know what I’ve signed up for again. I’ve made a mistake’.”Most read in BoxingWife Paris featured heavily in season oneCredit: PABoxing brother Tommy also appearedCredit: PAFury was hesitant about returning for a second seasonCredit: PABEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERParis added: “We got halfway through filming and he wanted to cancel the whole show.”A source close to the family said: “After retiring Tyson saw the Netflix show has a lucrative opportunity in place of the money he would have earned by taking on a fight.Tyson Fury hints at major tactical tweak as he trains for Oleksandr Usyk fight”But the filming process was particularly stressful and coupled with the fact he’s now an active boxer again after coming out of retirement, he decided to put a series two on hold for the foreseeable future.””There is hope within the streaming giant that it could be reprised but for the short term it is not something Tyson is considering.”Fans are already backing the Brit to blow Usyk away after he released video this week showing him at day one of training camp for the bout with the Ukrainian.TYSON FURY VS OLEKSANDR USYK: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT More

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      Team GB’s Delicious Orie aims to follow in Olympic footsteps of gym pal Anthony Joshua after being inspired by 2012 gold

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      TEAM GB’S Delicious Orie aims to follow in the Olympic footsteps of gym buddy Anthony Joshua.European and Commonwealth Games super-heavyweight gold medallist Orie is Britain’s brightest boxing hope to top the Paris podium.Delicious Orie has his eyes set on Olympic gold this summerCredit: GettyAnd Orie, whose Midlands accent hides the fact he was actually born in Moscow, admitted that training alongside AJ at Team GB’s Sheffield HQ has made him even more determined to come back with gold.Orie said: “I only started taking boxing seriously after I watched AJ at London 2012.“That’s when it really resonated with me. That’s my first and biggest Olympic memory — until I do it!“When I started, the man everyone looked up to was Anthony Joshua.READ MORE IN BOXING“From then it was in my head that I need to win a medal, because this is what GB Boxing has been doing time and time again and proved over and over again.“So it’s only right for me to go out there and do that. To listen to the coaches and go up there and perform and just have full belief and trust in them and myself.”AJ was crowned king of the super-heavyweights at London 2012 before turning pro and twice becoming world champion.The Watford star, 34, now has a third world crown in his sights following his demolition of former MMA fighter Francis Ngannou in two rounds in Saudi Arabia a fortnight ago.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAnthon Joshua’s London 2012 gold inspired Orie to take boxing seriouslyCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdOrie turns 27 on May 31, two months before the Paris Games start.He added: “I’ve spoken to AJ a few times about what it’s like to step into that Olympic arena.Anthony Joshua jumps up Ring Magazine heavyweight rankings after Ngannou KO but ‘crazy’ Fury laughs off standings“It’s great because you can have this kind of conversation with him outside the ring.“I’m so lucky to be able to speak to him about these things. He has given me advice, both boxing advice and things for outside the ring.“I just couldn’t have a better role model to look up to.”Orie’s mum is Russian, his dad Nigerian and he has a Ukrainian grandmother and cousins.He came to England at the age of seven, settling in Wolverhampton, has an economics degree from Birmingham’s Aston University and reads books on finance in his spare time.The ongoing situation in Ukraine remains “devastating and horrible” for Orie but his heart, now, is very much red, white and blue.He added: “If I can win that gold medal for Team GB, it will mean absolutely everything.“It will be a way for me to say, ‘Thank you’ to the nation, for giving me all the opportunities I’ve had so far.Orie is hoping to do Team GB proud in ParisCredit: Getty“I’m just putting it all together and making the most out of it.“It will be my job in Paris to inspire the next generation, just like I was inspired as a young adult.“My boxing has 100 per cent evolved over the past couple of years, since I stepped inside the Sheffield GB boxing camp.“Every tournament I get into, I feel within me that I’m getting better and better.“Not just physically and in terms of strength, because that’s just natural.“But in being able to cope with pressure, expectations, being able to cope with the level of opposition and just go out there and win.“In terms of progression, it’s second to none. I’m feeling lucky the last couple of years now.READ MORE SUN STORIES“So this is the plan — Paris Olympics and then turn professional. And then world heavyweight champion by 2029.“Early 30s, world champ — I’ll be happy with that.”Orie has set his plan to become world championCredit: Getty More

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      Tyson Fury hints at major tactical tweak as he trains for Oleksandr Usyk fight

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      TYSON FURY has hinted at a tactic change for his fight with Oleksandr Usyk by giving fans a glimpse into his training.The pair of unbeaten champions were due to collide in the heavyweight division’s first four-belt unification bout on February 17.Tyson Fury in training to fight Oleksandr UsykCredit: Instagram @tysonfuryBut just two weeks before the Saudi showdown, the Gypsy King suffered a horror cut in sparring that forced the bout to be rescheduled to May 18.Now Fury – who watched Manchester United beat Liverpool at Old Trafford – is officially back up and running by restarting his training camp. Fury shared a clip from his pad session with Bob Howard – who has cornered his brothers Tommy and Roman in the past.And interestingly, he turns left and captioned the short clip: “Southpaw GK.” READ MORE IN BOXINGFury has often switch-hit during his career, once fighting Martin Rogan in 2012 purely as a southpaw just to prove he could do it. The WBC champion controversially beat MMA star Francis Ngannou, 37, in his last bout in October despite being floored. And he recently watched from ringside in Riyadh as Anthony Joshua, 34, then knocked out Ngannou in two rounds. But Fury – set for a two-fight series with the man who twice beat AJ in Usyk – has refused to even entertain the all-Brit bout for the time being. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe told The Stomping Ground: “Me and Usyk is the biggest fight of the century, for all the belts first time it’s ever happened, six, seven belts on the line. “He’s undefeated, I’m undefeated, and there’s nothing bigger than that. No fight’s bigger than that. Fans say ‘there’s no way Oleksandr Usyk beats this version of Tyson Fury’ as Gypsy King trains on day one of fight camp”I know that people are trying to get their foot in the door to try and get a fight with me but when I beat Usyk I’ll be the undisputed. “And then I’ll fight him again and I understand that one of the belts are going to be taken of us again straight away. “So, I’ll have two fights with Oleksandr Usyk this year. Let’s not forget, Usyk beat the other fella twice in a row. “That puts him way down the ladder, nowhere near, you understand? So me and Usyk is the fight?” More