Boxing

TYSON FURY’S blockbuster showdown with Oleksandr Usyk will see a new undisputed heavyweight champion of the world crowned. And it could also be the debut for a dramatic new format when the pair eventually go head to head.Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will eventually fight on May 18Credit: EPAWBC president Mauricio Sulaiman proposed the new formatCredit: ReutersThat is because WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman wants there to be SIX judges for the fight – rather than the usual three.And he has even launched an emergency petition to get the radical proposal passed through.That includes Sulaiman contacting rival organisations the WBA, IBF and WBO, as well as the other parties involved in the fight, to get them on board.Various big fights have been marred in controversy regarding judges’ scorecards – such as Fury’s win over Francis Ngannou and Josh Taylor’s controversial victory over Jack Catterall in 2022. READ MORE ON BOXINGThere was also major question marks over Rey Vargas retaining his featherweight belt against Nick Ball despite being knocked down twice.And doubling the number of judges could help eradicate rogue scores wrecking decisions. Sulaiman told Boxing Scene: “What we saw last week in Saudi Arabia was another example of how fragile officiating worldwide continues to be.”We saw one judge have it one way big and another judge having the other guy winning.Most read in BoxingCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL”Controversy like that in the Fury-Usyk fight will kill boxing.”Fights, especially those at this highest level, deserve this and so I’m putting forward this proposal now to all sanctioning bodies, promoters and fighters.Oleksandr Usyk on incredible sacrifices made for postponed Tyson Fury undisputed fightTYSON FURY VS OLEKSANDR USYK: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT”It has to be something we all agree on.”Fury and Usyk are set to step into the ring at long last on May 18.Their initial December 23 date was pushed back after Fury’s struggles against MMA legend Ngannou.Then just two weeks before their rearranged February 17 meeting in Saudi, the Gypsy King suffered a nasty gash above his eye in sparring.Now if either of the fighters pulls out of the new date, they will need to stump up nearly £8million to their rival.The fight will be staged in Saudi Arabia and for the first time, Sky Sports, TNT Sports and DAZN all have the broadcast rights as they battle it out to top the pay-per-view figures.Rey Vargas controversially retained his featherweight title despite being knocked down twice by Nick BallCredit: Reuters More

FANS shared concern for Jake Paul after watching Mike Tyson showing off his explosive power in training.The former heavyweight champion looks in tip-top shape ahead of his showdown with YouTuber Paul.Mike Tyson proved his power while hitting the pads in trainingCredit: Twitter @MikeTysonFans are fearing the worst for Jake PaulCredit: Twitter @MikeTysonTyson promised there is more to comeCredit: Twitter @MikeTysonPaul and Tyson are set to do battle on July 20Credit: GettyTyson is now 57-years-old and last stepped in the ring to fight Roy Jones Jr in an exhibition contest in 2020.This will be his first professional fight in 19 years but he appears to have retained his tremendous power, which saw him achieve 44 knock-outs in his career.The veteran still has immense speed considering his age and his pad work in training had fans fearing the worst for Paul.One reacted saying: “Better have an ambulance ready for Jake Paul.”READ MORE IN BOXINGAnother added: “I feel sorry for Jake Paul.”A third wrote: “This is going to be the beatdown of the decade.”And another commented: “Great speed and power. Jake is going down. 🥊Tyson is set to face Paul in Dallas, Texas on July 20.Most read in BoxingCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL The fight will not involve headguards and Tyson promised there is plenty more to show after hitting the pads.He said to the camera: “It’s day one, the fun has just begun.”Jake Paul says brother Logan LIED about turning down Mike Tyson fight and reveals who was first choice for Netflix fightHowever the 50-6 champion is aware of the threat Paul poses and praised his growth as a boxer over the last few years.He said: “I’m very much looking forward to stepping into the ring with Jake Paul.”He’s grown significantly as a boxer over the years, so it will be a lot of fun to see what the will and ambition of a ”kid” can do with the experience and aptitude of a GOAT (Greatest Of All Time).”It’s a full circle moment that will be beyond thrilling to watch, as I started him on his boxing journey on the undercard of my fight with Roy Jones and now I plan to finish him.” More

ANTHONY JOSHUA is putting in the hard yards in the gym just four days after knocking out Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia.The British star wants a speedy return to the ring after his stunning victory and is wasting no time preparing for it. Anthony Joshua working hard in the gym after his brilliant victoryThe boxer was joined by his teammates in the early hours of the morningJoshua posed for his Instagram followers after an intense sessionCredit: Instagram / @anthonyjoshuaJoshua posted photos on Instagram showing him hitting an early morning workout with his strength & conditioning team in a Dubai gym.The heavyweight performs lunges and flexes his physique at the end of the session.While the 34-year-old has his eyes set on a fight with British champion Tyson Fury, Joshua will likely have to wait at least a year to get his hands on the “Gypsy King”.Fury is contracted to an immediate rematch with Oleksandr Usyk after their bout scheduled for May 18.Read more on boxingFormer UFC champion Ngannou only lasted two rounds with Joshua as he was dropped three times before the fight was waved off by the referee Richard Gonzalez.Following his recent hot streak of wins in the ring, the former Olympic champion mentioned three names who he has in mind to take on, in between his wait to challenge Fury.When questioned on who he wants to fight next he said: “Wilder, Zhang, Parker. All of them.” Joshua had originally signed to face Deontay Wilder until the American fell to a shock defeat by Joseph Parker.Most read in BoxingCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL Parker then beat Zhilei Zhang in his next fight and is now a possible option for AJ.The two fought in 2018, with Joshua securing the victory on points.Tyson Fury hits back at Eddie Hearn’s claims Anthony Joshua is best heavyweight in world and vows to make fight happenFury has been given the green light by the WBC to fight Joshua if he defeats Usyk.Mauricio Sulaiman – president of the WBC, in which Fury is champion – would give the go-ahead to face AJ after Usyk.Sulaiman told Sky Sports: “The WBC was presented a sanction request which was to fight for the undisputed.”The WBC accepted that sanctioning and we accepted the rematch they have requested.”But, if it is not anything to do with contractual or promotion, we would absolutely accept the winner to fight Joshua.”The WBC has been very much attentive to this matter. So we have completely freed the ground for the undisputed, for a rematch, and for another fight of that level.”The WBC position right now is very open to support the undisputed champion taking on the fights that the fans want to see.”AJ is now on a four fight win streak after finishing NgannouCredit: Getty More

AMIR KHAN claims a six-word statement cost him a super-fight with Floyd Mayweather – and the millions of pounds that came with it. The boxing rivals spent several years linked with a mega-bout only for Khan to be brutally snubbed by Mayweather. Amir Khan claims Floyd Mayweather cancelled their fightCredit: Getty Images – GettyMayweather spent years linked with KhanCredit: Getty Images – GettyBut the British boxing legend insisted there was a deal in place for the two to fight at one point in time. That was until Khan made the costly mistake of announcing the fight first – causing egomaniac Mayweather to KO the clash before it got over the line. He told Gambling Zone: “One of the biggest regrets of my life was with Floyd Mayweather, I was in the prime of my career and we did the deal to fight, we had a contract.  “I decided to announce it first and then Floyd spat his dummy out, he said ‘why have you announced it first?’ READ MORE IN BOXING”He thought he was the big star and it was up to him to announce it. I made that mistake, I posted ‘guys, I’m fighting Floyd Mayweather next’ and he got very bitter that I jumped the gun and it was off. “I was young, 24 or 25, and I got excited about fighting a legend in the sport. But it is what it is.” Mayweather even ran a social media poll in 2014 to decide who he should face next, with Khan beating Marcos Maidana in the results. But despite Khan winning, still Mayweather chose Maidana, who the 2004 Olympic silver medalist had defeated on points four years prior. Most read in BoxingCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL The American, 47, icon ultimately retired in 2017 after beating UFC superstar Conor McGregor, 35, in ten rounds of their crossover clash. Meanwhile Khan, 37, hung up his gloves following bitter defeat to arch enemy Kell Brook, 37, in February 2022. Amir Khan, 37, back in training and reveals mega-fight to bring him out of retirement while aiming dig at Jake PaulHe refelected: “The saddest time in boxing for me was probably my last fight against Kell Brook, to see myself leave the sport that way. “You always want to finish on a high note, and obviously I didn’t finish on a high note. Obviously for me that was the saddest moment. “But maybe that’s God’s plan that I will now start to finish on a high note against Mayweather or Pacquiao now Saudi are opening doors. “But the Brook fight was the saddest moment. It hurt a lot because of the rivalry and I was a better fighter than him and I achieved a lot more than him in the sport. “But saying that, it would have hurt a lot more if I had lost to him at my peak. “I have it in the back of my mind that I could have beaten him in prime, everyone knows that. But we’re friends now, he was the better man on the night.”Khan retired following defeat to Kell Brook in 2022Credit: Reuters More