Boxing

THE paydays boxing’s heavyweight superstars are set to receive for their upcoming bouts have reportedly been revealed.The division is set for a busy few months with TWO blockbuster bouts taking place in Saudi Arabia.
Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou will kick off a busy few months for the heavyweight divisionCredit: ALAMY
Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will fight for all the heavyweight marbles on May 18Credit: EPA
Saudi boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh has spared no expense for the two fightsCredit: Alamy
Former two-time unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua will kick things off with a crossover clash with ex-UFC titleholder Francis Ngannou on March 8.
And a little over two months later, Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will take part in the biggest fight in the division in nearly 25 years.
The pair, 35 and 37 respectively, will lock horns for all the heavyweight marbles in a long-overdue Riyadh rumble.
Saudi boxing kingpin Turki Alalshikh has spared no expense to have Fury, Joshua, Ngannou and Usyk fight in the Kingdom.
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And the quartet’s respective purses for their upcoming bouts have reportedly been revealed.
According to a sensational report from Boxing Kingdom, Fury is set to take home a career-high £55MILLION for his undisputed dance with Usyk.
Unified king Usyk is said to be making just under HALF of Fury’s purse – walking away from the generational fight with just over £27m.
Joshua, meanwhile, is said to be on course to earn more than Usyk for his Kingdom clash with Ngannou.
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It’s claimed the Olympic gold medallist will walk away from the desert dust-up with a whopping £38m.
Ngannou, meanwhile, is said to be on course to make a cool £16m for his second Saudi slugfest.
Francis Ngannou’s boxing coach hails MMA star as ‘the hardest puncher in the world’ in stark warning to Anthony Joshua
The foursome’s actual paydays will likely not be released – unless either fighter decides to disclose them.
But what we can be sure about is that they will have received a hell of a lot more cash fighting in Saudi than they would have if the bouts took place outside of the Kingdom.
In fact, Fury recently claimed he’s only fighting Usyk for the huge cheque that will be deposited into his bank after the dust has settled.
He told DAZN “This is no more important than any of the other fights I’ve had before. To me anyway.
“To him, it might mean something much more special, I don’t know. I’ve never spoke to him about it.
“I’m just telling you the truth.
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“The truth is, it’s exciting to me and attractive because of the amount of money I’m getting paid.
“Not because of the belts that’s on the line.” More

JOHN FURY has not lacked ambition when calling out huge names in the boxing world to fight. The boxing veteran is most well known for fathering and coaching superstar sons Tyson and Tommy.
John Fury has never been shy to call out big boxing namesCredit: PA
But he also had a 8-4-1 professional boxing record and claimed to have been a fierce bare-knuckle fighter on the hard road.
His passion for his boys has led John to row with famous faces from the boxing world and resulted in wild fight call outs.
As of yet, John is yet to actually follow up on any of these challenges but here SunSport runs down the best of the bunch.
Mike Tyson
John is admittedly an Iron Mike superfan and even named champion son Tyson after the heavyweight legend.
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But it has not stopped John from wanting to fight his hero and recently laid out a challenge when Mike Tyson coached Francis Ngannou for his bout against the Gypsy King.
John said: “Here I am! Any man alive want to fight John Fury I’m here and ready to go, Mike Tyson what have you got to say to that my brother?”
John Fury wants to fight his heavyweight hero Mike TysonCredit: @boxingarabia
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Jake Paul
For two years YouTuber-turned boxer Paul terrorised John’s son Tommy about a fight and his reasons for twice pulling out.
So John lost it when the two came face to face in Dubai and roared: “Come in here! Forget my son! I’m the king of the bare knuckle man!”
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Eventually, Tommy would go onto beat Paul via split-decision in February 2023 with the pair back in talks for a rematch.
Watch John Fury rip off top and challenge Jake Paul in amazing ringside footage before being branded ‘Shrek’
Lennox Lewis/Evander Holyfield
John did not just draw the line with Tyson, he also opened the door to fighting his iconic rivals of the 1990s.
He said in 2020: “Now I’m fit, let’s talk about some proper fighting men that have had fighting experience.
“Lets go: Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis, Mike Tyson all of those men in their 50s, my age, let’s have a go.”
Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield pictured togetherCredit: Getty
Eddie Hearn
Hearn has had a frosty relationship with the Fury family amid the long-standing rivalry with his star fighter Anthony Joshua.
John has lost his cool over the brash promoter several times and at one point called to face Hearn on Joshua’s undercard.
He told The Mirror in 2022: “I’ll fight Eddie Hearn on the undercard too for the AJ fight. I’ll do that for free! If they sign the contract, I’ll box Eddie Hearn on the undercard for free!”
John Fury has feuded with Eddie Hearn amid the rivalry between Anthony Joshua and TysonCredit: Getty
David Haye
Haye famously pulled out of fighting Fury twice due to injury and the bad blood between the two has carried on even after his retirement.
The British legend had a brief comeback in 2021 for an exhibition and called out Fury afterwards – but John wanted to take the bout instead.
He told BT Sport: “I will fight David Haye, and tell him from me – I will fight him seven days a week and three times on a Sunday. You tell him.”
Carl Froch
Froch has been outspoken since his 2014 retirement and recently questioned Fury’s boxing career.
It sparked a furious reaction from John, who said:  “You and me, Wembley Stadium, 93,000 crowd. I’m up for that my friend.”
Froch hit back to instead suggest they settle the score in the name of charity.
Carl Froch was called out by John FuryCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Joe Egan
Egan is a former sparring partner of Mike Tyson’s and took acceptation to John’s challenge and suggested they fight instead.
John finally responded in a lengthy Instagram message and demanded a full fight offer be sent over in writing.
He warned in his rant: “Now it’s personal, Joe.”
Mike Tyson with former sparring partner Joe EganCredit: Joe Egan
Micky Theo
After John claimed to be the fittest man at his age alive, he was called out by former bodybuilder Theo.
And despite Theo’s best efforts to organise a fight, John refused to entertain it as an event but did claim he’d be up for a straightener.
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He said: “I’ve seen people like you all my life. I’m in shape, I’m ready to fight, cut the s***e, let’s just fight.”
Former bodybuilder Micky Theo called out John FuryCredit: @mickytheoko More

KELL BROOK is willing to come out of retirement for a blockbuster exhibition with Manny Pacquiao.The former IBF welterweight champion hung up his gloves after winning his grudge match with Amir Khan in February 2022.
Manny Pacquiao retired from boxing in September 2021 after losing to Yordenis UgasCredit: AFP
The 45-year-old is rumoured to be willing to come out of retirement this yearCredit: AP
The former eight-weight world champion has been called out by Kell BrookCredit: GETTY
Brook, however, has flirted with the prospect of returning to the ring in recent months – entertaining a domestic clash with Conor Benn.
But the Sheffield Slugger has now turned his attention to former eight-weight world champion Pacquiao – who is rumoured to be out of retirement.
Special K told Lucky Block: “I wouldn’t shy away from it if it made sense for me and boxing fans wanted to see it happen.
“Maybe we could get Amir Khan or Manny Pacquiao back in the ring.
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“Manny Pacquiao is a legend, of course I’d love to share the ring with him. It would be an honour.”
Pacquiao, 45, retired from professional boxing in September 2021 – a month after losing to WBA welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas.
The pride of the Philippines, however, returned to the ring in December 2022 for a one-sided exhibition bout with South Korean martial artist DK Yoo.
Pacman is set to return to action in April for another exhibition against Muay Thai legend Buakaw.
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A return to the professional ranks, however, could be on the cards for the future hall of famer – who has his sights set on some big names.
His manager Sean Gibbons told Boxing Scene: “Technically, he’s out of retirement.
I fought Manny Pacquaio and Canelo but my toughest opponent was ‘the drunken master’ who’s record didn’t show his skill
“He would love to fight Gervonta Davis, Ryan Garcia. He’s got about a year left.
“He just wants to fight. Manny feels that he’s in tremendous shape.
“He’s training for this exhibition but hopefully that will lead to something bigger and better.
“I do [see a pro return for Pacquiao]. One of the fights that people talked about for a long time was Manny Pacquiao versus Conor McGregor.
“That’s something that will be sensational in Saudi Arabia, let’s go. It will be a good place to do it. It’s really simple.
“His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, [the chairman of the General Entertainment Authority of Saudi Arabia], loves big events.
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“And he’s putting on the best events.
“It’s a very intriguing and fun fight bringing two of the biggest names together in combat sports.”
Kell Brook retired after winning his February 2022 grudge match with Amir KhanCredit: Rex
Manny Pacquiao is eyeing some big-name fights this yearCredit: REUTERS More

TYSON FURY has sensationally been accused of STAGING the elbow that forced his fight with Oleksandr Usyk to be axed.Fury suffered a horror cut in sparring just two weeks out from his planned undisputed title decider with Usyk in Saudi Arabia.
The horror cut that forced Tyson Fury out of fighting Oleksandr UsykCredit: X @Queensbury
Fury showed off how his eye was recovering
Grainy footage revealed sparring partner Agron Smakici accidentally landing the fatal blow that caused over ten stitches in hospital.
Fury, 35, has since agreed to reschedule the four-belt unification bout with Usyk, 37, to May 18 after being left with the horror gash.
But remarkably, former world champion Timothy Bradley claimed the Gypsy King might have set the whole thing up.
Bradley, 40, said on the Deep Waters podcast: “I smell something. I smell bulls***, that’s what I smell.
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“If you go and you look at that video, first of all the video had to be shot with a Samsung or something like that because the quality was all grainy… it looks disgusting.
“When you look at it in slow motion, did that elbow, which looked deliberate, land on the eye of Tyson Fury? No. the punch landed on the chin of Tyson Fury.
“If you look up the guy, he says that he landed a punch. That’s what he said, ‘I landed a punch on the guy’.
“He claimed it was a punch that landed against Tyson Fury but they put out this little video and that elbow that was thrown, that was deliberate, and it landed on the chin.
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“I don’t know, I smell something fishy man. I see the cut. I get it.”
There is no evidence that the cut was staged.
Carl Froch launches stinging attack on Tyson Fury after horror cut caused Oleksandr Usyk fight to be postponed
Fury had been out in Riyadh – away from wife Paris and his seven kids – since the start of the new year preparing for the fight of his life.
And he now has to wait even longer for the biggest payday of his career following what was clearly a freak injury.
The baseless accusations and conspiracy theories surrounding Fury’s cut and withdrawal led promoter Frank Warren to starkly defend him.
Warren told the BBC: “Tyson wants the fight.
“Some of the stuff that’s been going out, I’ve never heard anything like it. Has Tyson got make-believe stitches in his eye?
“What they’re saying is libellous and scandalous. It’s like some kind of cult against him. He can’t continue training as such. He can tick over.
“He can get on the bike and keep well but when you’re training for a fight you’re training to reach your ultimate best, your peak.
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“Now he has to wind down and set everything back in motion to get himself up and ready and make sure he’s at his best for May 18.”
Timothy Bradley questioned Fury’s sparring injuryCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

TYSON FURY got the gloves back on following the postponement of his clash with Oleksandr Usyk – to fill up his car with petrol. The Gypsy King should have been less than two weeks out from the fight of his life against Usyk on February 17 in Saudi Arabia.
Tyson Fury spotted out following the postponement of his fight with Oleksandr UsykCredit: Splash
Fury wore a custom cap but his eye injury was there to seeCredit: Splash
The heavyweight world champion got the gloves of a different kind back onCredit: Splash
Fury had the protective gloves on while filling upCredit: Splash
Fury’s horror was laid bareCredit: Splash
But disaster struck when what appeared to be an accidental elbow thrown by sparring partner Agron Smakici caused the gruesome gash on his right eye.
Immediately the historic undisputed title decider was rescheduled to May 18 and Fury has since returned home to Morecambe from Riyadh.
The father-of-seven was soon back on the school run where he showed off his eye injury, which required over ten stitches.
Fury – who looked in sensational shape in camp – was spotted out at a petrol station filling up his car with protective gloves on.
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The WBC champion wore his own merchandise cap but the scars of his sparring injury were still laid bare.
Saudi boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh was quick to confirm the revised fight date in a joint interview with both boxers.
Fury, 35, and Usyk, 37, even revealed they have agreed to forfeit £10MILLION of their own cash if either withdraw.
Usyk had set up shop in Valencia and even missed the birth of his newborn baby daughter Maria having been locked in training.
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But he is set to return home to Ukraine for just three days worth of family time before getting back into camp.
Fury meanwhile also spoke out to reveal his excitement for heading out to Saudi again to resume his preparations.
Tyson Fury shows off horror eye cut as he returns to Morecambe to do the school run after delaying Oleksandr Usyk fight
And in a separate social media video, he talked down retirement and called out Anthony Joshua, 34, and Francis Ngannou, 37, who fight on March 8.
He said: “I keep hearing talk from people that I should retire or I’m gonna retire soon. I ain’t retiring.
“I’ve got two fights with Usyk for the undisputed, twice. Then I’m gonna fight AJ at least once, maybe twice if there’s a rematch.
“If he wants one after the first battering I give him. Then I’m gonna fight Ngannou again. And that’s just the start.
“So there’s five little fights for you to whet your appetite with.”
The cut that forced Fury out of the Usyk fightCredit: X @Queensbury
The Gypsy King was in stunning shapeCredit: instagram @kristianblacklock More

ANTHONY JOSHUA’S former opponent got in a heated confrontation while working as a bailiff.Ex-heavyweight Paul Butlin attempted to deliver a letter to an individual after being issued a warrant from the local magistrate.
Paul Butlin had an angry confrontation in his job as a bailiffCredit: https://twitter.com/MichaelBensonn
The former boxer was attempting to deliver a letterCredit: https://twitter.com/MichaelBensonn
Butlin fought Anthony Joshua in 2013Credit: Getty
He was told to go away after handing it over, with the individual throwing it back in his face.
Butlin, 47, responded by telling the man to “get his hands off” him.
He then warned an arrest warrant would come next before telling the individual: “I’m not here to fight you. I’m not a fighter mate.”
Butlin was then threatened with violence before advising the man to read the letter and heed his warning.
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The former boxer once fought Joshua – in an October 2013 clash at the Moterpoint Arena in Sheffield.
AJ stopped him in the second round with Butler hanging up his gloves in 2016.
He also faced Derek Chisora twice between 2008-09, with Del Boy winning both of the York Hall bouts on points.
Butlin was even bitten by Chisora during their second showdown, with the Rutland fighter screaming out in agony.
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The ref didn’t spot the incident, so Chisora got away with it on the night. But he was later fined £2,500 and slapped with a four-month ban.
Butlin had 41 professional fights, winning just 16 while losing 24 – one ended in a draw.
Mrs Usyk is the only happy person that the undisputed fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk was postponed More