Boxing

BAREKNUCKLE boxing legend Big Joe Joyce has turned his back on the game, saying: “It’s only trouble.”The King of the Travellers — who counts world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury among his admirers — made his name in “fair-play” fights across Ireland and the UK.Bareknuckle boxing legend Big Joe Joyce has turned his back on the gameCredit: APXBig Joe now believes bareknuckle boxing is ‘only trouble’Joe counts world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury among his admirersCredit: Getty Images – GettyJoe with son Davy JoyceCredit: APXAnd Joyce became a cult hero in recent years with his colourful ­outbursts on YouTube.Big Joe boasted online about ­dipping his hands in petrol before fights to make them “hard as rocks” — and leaving his opponents’ faces “like a butcher’s block”.But the 71-year-old and his pro boxer grandson Joe Ward were interviewed on The Rocky Road ­podcast this week — where Joyce admitted the old ways are finished in his view.Instead of being a form of conflict resolution, Joyce believes such fights nowadays only serve to create ­long-running feuds.The Co Westmeath ‘Hulk’ — who claims to have never lost a fight in his life — said: “The bareknuckle fighting is nothing only trouble. Trouble.“Be a good boxer in the ring. You’ll earn yourself plenty of money out of it if you come good, you’re enjoying yourself. Bareknuckle fighting is only trouble.“You could go out and fight a ­bareknuckle fight now, Travellers among one another, and you’re ­bringing every side into it.“All other fellas challenging maybe your sons, your sons challenging some of them. It is only trouble. I don’t believe in bareknuckle fighting.Most read in Boxing“In my time, you could go out and fight and that was it. You were only fighting one man.“Now if you got up on a video and said ‘you’re the best man’ now everybody’s against your family and all. So I don’t believe in bareknuckle fighting no more for my family.”Brutal bareknuckle street fight sees two travellers boxes next to primary school and family homes in OxfordshireBig Joe’s sons Davey and Joe Jr were distinguished amateur boxers who also took part in the country’s bareknuckle scene.But grandson Joe Ward was kept away from these fights to focus on his flourishing boxing career. He won multiple medals in the amateur ranks before turning pro in 2019.And in his latest victory, he knocked out American Derrick Webster at New York’s Madison Square Garden on St Patrick’s weekend to move ever closer towards a world title shot.For his grandad, Ward’s progress — and the road paved by fellow ­Travellers Francie Barrett and Andy Lee — shows that organised boxing is the only way to go now.No ring fighting available Big Joe added: “Back in my time there was no ring fighting for the Travelling people.“We were going around from camp to camp in old wagons, going here and there in the country, and all the little Travelling young fellas would be out fighting on the land.“But now in the last 30 years, every Travelling man wants his young lad to go into the ring, they don’t believe in the bareknuckle fighting no more. ‘Tis only bad luck, old bareknuckle fighting. I had two sons there and each of them done it. Bareknuckle fighting, I don’t want my family doing it. My grandsons or my sons.”Joyce’s son Joe Jr is currently serving a ten-year stretch in prison for the murder of 18-year old John Paul McDonagh in 2020, having lost his appeal last year to have the conviction overturned.Petrol tributeMeanwhile, Fury — who said he dipped his own paws in petrol as a tribute to Big Joe before his second bout with American Deontay Wilder in 2020 — will fight Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight crown in May. And Joyce believes Fury’s achievements speak volumes about the progress Travellers have made in the sport of boxing.He added: “Tyson Fury in my eyes is the greatest heavyweight man in the world now.“And I’m very glad to have a Travelling man be the heavyweight champ of the world. You wouldn’t see that back years ago.“For the Travellers getting into boxing now, it’s very good, like Joe Ward there and all the young lads.”First Traveller championAndy Lee was the first Traveller world champion, claiming the WBO middleweight belt ten years ago in Las Vegas. And Big Joe’s grandson, fresh from his second-round knockout win, aims to follow in his fellow Olympian’s footsteps.Ward, 30 — who has an 11-1 record — added: “It all went really well at Madison Square Garden.READ MORE SUN STORIES“Derrick Webster came in with a really good record, 33 fights with 29 wins, fought for a few titles, so we were expecting a tough fight.“But when I got in there, things just started to flow and I got him out of there nice and early, which was very impressive.”Big Joe with Joe Ward and Kenneth EganBig Joe in action during a bareknuckle fight More

TYSON FURY will have to follow a simple tactic to protect his eye cut against Oleksandr Usyk.The Gypsy King’s cutman, Jorge Capetillo, has claimed that the boxer will have to wear headgear in sparring sessions to protect the cut above his eye.Tyson Fury was caught by an elbow during a sparring sessionCredit: X formerly Twitter / @MichaelBensonnThe boxer was left with a nasty cut above his eyeCredit: X @QueensburyFury, 35, suffered a nasty cut above his left eye during a sparring session earlier this year.As a result, his highly anticipated four-belt unification fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia with Usyk had to be postponed from February 17 to May 18.Capetillo, however, has come up with a plan to stop Fury’s cut reopening against the Ukranian.He wants the Brit to get his “reach and timing” right otherwise Usyk could get on top in the fight.READ MORE IN BOXINGHe told Betway: “The fight is going to be in May so he should be going back to sparring in two or three weeks’ time.”There’s always a possibility that it could reopen, but Tyson has to do what he is good at with his distance, reach, not trying to knock him out in one punch.””For a heal, it should take like 90 days but it’s been 60 days or more since the cut so I am sure with the right treatment, he should be ready for May 18.”Soon he can start with some light sparring, nothing hard but to get the reach and distance right. It is more important than power punches with reach and timing.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKER”Tyson has to treat the cut well before the fight and do sparring sessions with nice headgear.”He needs to start with nothing crazy to make sure he doesn’t get hit hard, so it doesn’t re-open.Legendary cutman Stitch Duran ready to join Tyson Fury’s camp to protect horror cut in rescheduled Tyson Fury fight “But I’m going to put emphasis on this, he needs his reach and timing right and if they are on point, it is game over for Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson will be on top.”If Fury goes on to defeat Usyk he will be the first fighter to be the undisputed heavyweight champion since 1999 when Lennox Lewis held the title.It is expected that there will be a rematch between the two fighters.However, Fury’s co-promoter Bob Arum has suggested that a fight with Anthony Joshua could be fitted in between the result and the rematch.TYSON FURY VS OLEKSANDR USYK: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT More

ANTHONY JOSHUA has given a rare insight into his love life as he opened up on dating. The British boxing superstar has always kept his romantic side private and instead focussed on his career in the ring. Anthony Joshua joked he has ‘some time to go on dates’Credit: ReutersBut during a candid conversation on The Jonathan Ross Show, he said: “I’ve got some time to go on dates now and mingle a little bit.”But Joshua quickly snapped back to reality when asked if he has time to date as he responded: “Yeah, definitely…. “I don’t know what I’m doing actually. Boxing is my priority.” Joshua shares his eight-year-old son with former girlfriend Nicole Osbourne, who he still remains close friends with. READ MORE IN BOXINGBut he has been linked with famous faces in the past, including models Cara Delevingne and Bella Hadid.Joshua, 34, was probed on his dating life by Louis Theroux in a revealing documentary last year. Asked if he has a partner, he said: “No, I don’t.”And he insisted he was not lying, telling Louis: “Imagine me going home to my missus now and she said, ‘You denied me!’. I don’t want the stress.” Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSJoshua was also quick to shut down the rumours about Delevigne and Hadid, saying: “I haven’t been with any of those girls, by the way.”The two-time world champion has four wins on the spin, most recently knocking out ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou, 37, in March. Anthony Joshua couldn’t sell a bus ticket a year ago.. now I have no doubt he KOs Tyson Fury, Hearn tells Piers MorganHe is now waiting the winner between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk’s undisputed title decider. And Joshua is hoping the face the winner after revealing when he would fight again. He said: “Around September is when I’ve been told. I was hoping June. I’ve got some time to go on dates now and mingle a little bit. “I’m training at the minute, I’ve got two months before I get into training camp.”Tyson Fury facing off with Oleksandr UsykCredit: EPA More

ANTHONY JOSHUA vs Tyson Fury is a £200million super-fight that could land at Wembley in September.Saudi boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh has bankrolled a brilliant resurgence of the sport, funding and demanding recent bouts between AJ, Fury, Francis Ngannou, Deontay Wilder and Joseph Parker.Anthony Joshua could fight Tyson Fury in SeptemberCredit: ReutersFury first faces a fight against Oleksandr UsykCredit: ReutersEddie Hearn revealed both fighters could pocket more than £100million from the boutCredit: AlamyHis influence and finances have blown apart the usual excuses for mega-bouts not being made – like broadcast and promotional rights and rows – and allowed Riyadh to host a gluttony of elite pugilism.Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will decide the first undisputed heavyweight ruler in 25 years on May 18 – with a rematch pencilled in.And Dymity Bivol and Artur Beterbiev will battle for the same four-belt honour at light-heavy on June 1.But once summer hits the desert, SunSport understands Alalshikh and the events group Sela – which sponsors Newcastle – will branch out into the UK and that super fight would be a sensational entrance.READ MORE IN BOXINGAnd Joshua promoter Eddie Hearn has explained how his man could jump the queue and floor plans for the rerun.Matchroom boss Hearn told Piers Morgan: “I never thought I would be OK saying I am not the most powerful man in boxing but I am not, Turki Alalshikh is.“He is the biggest fight fan I have ever met and all he wants is the biggest fights and the biggest moments.“Fury and Usyk have a two-fight deal.Most read in BoxingWill AJ vs Fury actually happen?SunSport boxing correspondent Wally Downes Jr answers the big questions around Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury finally facing each other…

Could we finally see Fury vs AJ this year?
Simply: Yes.
Before the Saudi takeover of boxing – spearheaded by Turki Alalshikh, would we have seen Fury vs Francis Ngannou, AJ vs Ngannou, Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker, Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn working together and shaking hands for photos?
Simply: No.
The rules, rankings, sanctioning bodies and broadcast and promotional disputes are all irrelevant when this much money is thrown at prize fighting.
How would it work?
It feels like the winner of Fury vs Usyk on May 18 will fight AJ as soon after as possible.
There is a rematch clause in the current deal for Britain’s WBC champ and Ukraine’s WBA, IBF and WBO king to meet and decide the first undisputed ruler for 25 years.
But it seems certain the belts will fragment afterwards – with a string of mandatory challengers due their crack at the four separate belts – so the clamour for AJ vs the winner might be bigger than the demand for a rerun for fewer belts.
Where would it happen?
It feels like every major fight is now going to happen in Saudi Arabia.
But don’t rule out a potential Fury vs Ngannou clash taking place at Wembley stadium.
It seems like the Saudis are keen to eventually host shows in the UK and that fight, at the home of football, would be some debut.
If Usyk topples the Gypsy King then the hype for him to face AJ for a third time will be far less intense.
Why this time?
It feels like we have twice come close to seeing the clash but there were simply too many hurdles and disputes in the way – similar to the way AJ vs Wilder still hasn’t happened.
But with Alalshikh now making Hearn’s Matchroom and Warren’s Queensberry play nice and letting Sky Sports, TNT and DAZN share the shows, there is far less to fight over in the boardroom and loads on to battle for in the ring.
And if Fury beats Usyk and rightfully demands a huge percentage of an overdue Joshua meeting, then the Saudi’s have the cash and the clout to hand him 99 per cent of the pie – to massage his ego and bank balance – and hand AJ as much extra dough as needed to keep everyone sweet.
Who wins?
If Fury sets up an AJ clash by beating Oleksandr Usyk – the mathematics and stats make it clear only a maniac would back Joshua to triumph in the all-English clash.
Usyk dominated AJ over two one-sided fights, on foreign soil.
The Watford man has enjoyed a spike in form and respect since linking up with new trainer Ben Davison but a 20st 6ft 9in Fury – who has just slayed the gap-toothed southpaw – would be almost invincible.
But in any major football derby or cup final the formbook is often aimed out of the window. And perhaps a rejuvenated hungry AJ could be too much for an undisputed and fulfilled Fury to handle.

BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKER“But if Tyson Fury beats Oleksandr Usyk in the first fight, the whole world is going to say ‘please don’t do the second fight’.During the 18 infuriating months Fury and Usyk’s teams thrashed out a two-fight deal – long even before the two postponements – the rematch and the finances around a potential rerun were a nagging issue.Anthony Joshua couldn’t sell a bus ticket a year ago.. now I have no doubt he KOs Tyson Fury, Hearn tells Piers MorganBut Alalshikh’s chequebook and influence is laying waste to all of the usual hurdles and stumbling blocks and – as Hearn says – a pesky rematch clause would pose no threat to a record-breaking plan.When asked what the Fury vs AJ fight will finally be worth – after two failed attempts to negotiate it – Hearn said: “It’s worth north of £100m for each guy.“It’s the richest fight ever, the biggest fight ever.“When you talk about the Rumble in the Jungle and you talk about Thrilla in Manilla, nothing will come close to Joshua against Fury.“Two of the biggest heavyweights in the history of the sport, in the biggest moment for the sport that anyone can remember.“Not just a generational fight, but a fight across the entire history of the sport, since the Queensberry rules were introduced.”To watch the full debate, go to the Piers Morgan Uncensored channel on YouTube – www.youtube.com/piersmorganuncensored More

ANTHONY JOSHUA has hinted at his possible retirement date.AJ, 34, is fresh off the back of a resounding knockout win over crossover heavyweight Francis Nagnnou.Anthony Joshua has hinted at when he might retireCredit: GettyThe win was his fourth in a row, with his next fight being tipped as the winner of Daniel Dubois and Filip Hrgovic at Wembley by Derek Chisora.That claim comes amid links with a future bout against Tyson Fury.However, the clock is ticking on Joshua’s time at the top. And he is more than aware of it.Speaking on The Jonathan Ross Show airing Saturday at 21:35pm on ITV and ITVX, he admitted his career will depend on how his body holds up, before hinting at his potential retirement date.READ MORE IN BOXINGThe two-time heavyweight champion said: “I’ve always said 35. I’m 35 in October, I’m thinking another two years or so if my body holds out.”Despite his ageing body, AJ’s brain – which helped him land a cool net worth of £41million pre-Ngannou – remains sharp as ever.And this has seen him hint at what he will do after he hangs up his gloves.The London 2012 Olympic gold medallist said: “I’ve set up certain businesses that I can transition into naturally which don’t rely on me being at the forefront.”Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAJ also revealed he had dipped into the bricklaying business and as a package holiday salesman before finding his feet as a boxer. Speaking on his next opponent, Joshua said: “Around September is when I’ve been told. I was hoping June. Tyson Fury hits back at Eddie Hearn’s claims Anthony Joshua is best heavyweight in world and vows to make fight happen”I’ve got some time to go on dates now and mingle a little bit. “I’m training at the minute, I’ve got two months before I get into training camp.”No. I think what they’re saying is be patient because you’ve got Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk for all the belts and then once that’s done hopefully I can kick down the door and get my opportunity.”Fury is due to take on Oleksandr Usyk on May 18 after the original date of February 17 was postponed when the Gypsy King suffered a cut in training.Ukrainian champ Usyk took the WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO belts from AJ before retaining them in a rematch.His set of belts is on the line for an undisputed heavyweight title showdown with Fury currently holding the WBC title.Will AJ vs Fury actually happen?SunSport boxing correspondent Wally Downes Jr answers the big questions around Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury finally facing each other…
Could we finally see Fury vs AJ this year?
Simply: Yes.
Before the Saudi takeover of boxing – spearheaded by Turki Alalshikh, would we have seen Fury vs Francis Ngannou, AJ vs Ngannou, Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker, Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn working together and shaking hands for photos?
Simply: No.
The rules, rankings, sanctioning bodies and broadcast and promotional disputes are all irrelevant when this much money is thrown at prize fighting.
How would it work?
It feels like the winner of Fury vs Usyk on May 18 will fight AJ as soon after as possible.
There is a rematch clause in the current deal for Britain’s WBC champ and Ukraine’s WBA, IBF and WBO king to meet and decide the first undisputed ruler for 25 years.
But it seems certain the belts will fragment afterwards – with a string of mandatory challengers due their crack at the four separate belts – so the clamour for AJ vs the winner might be bigger than the demand for a rerun for fewer belts.
Where would it happen?
It feels like every major fight is now going to happen in Saudi Arabia.
But don’t rule out a potential Fury vs Ngannou clash taking place at Wembley stadium.
It seems like the Saudis are keen to eventually host shows in the UK and that fight, at the home of football, would be some debut.
If Usyk topples the Gypsy King then the hype for him to face AJ for a third time will be far less intense.
Why this time?
It feels like we have twice come close to seeing the clash but there were simply too many hurdles and disputes in the way – similar to the way AJ vs Wilder still hasn’t happened.
But with Alalshikh now making Hearn’s Matchroom and Warren’s Queensberry play nice and letting Sky Sports, TNT and DAZN share the shows, there is far less to fight over in the boardroom and loads on to battle for in the ring.
And if Fury beats Usyk and rightfully demands a huge percentage of an overdue Joshua meeting, then the Saudi’s have the cash and the clout to hand him 99 per cent of the pie – to massage his ego and bank balance – and hand AJ as much extra dough as needed to keep everyone sweet.
Who wins?
If Fury sets up an AJ clash by beating Oleksandr Usyk – the mathematics and stats make it clear only a maniac would back Joshua to triumph in the all-English clash.
Usyk dominated AJ over two one-sided fights, on foreign soil.
The Watford man has enjoyed a spike in form and respect since linking up with new trainer Ben Davison but a 20st 6ft 9in Fury – who has just slayed the gap-toothed southpaw – would be almost invincible.
But in any major football derby or cup final the formbook is often aimed out of the window. And perhaps a rejuvenated hungry AJ could be too much for an undisputed and fulfilled Fury to handle.

AJ also threw his support behind influencer boxing, before providing his prediction on Mike Tyson and Jake Paul.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe said: “I personally think it’s really good. I think the boxing hardcores, they don’t like it because they think ‘Why are they disrespecting our sport?’ but I think that person brings all these people into boxing which benefits everyone else. “Everyone viewing helps. He’s [Mike Tyson] older now. I pray that he comes out healthy. I think Jake Paul because of youth – that’s the only thing.”Credit: The Sun More

JOE BUGNER Jr and Ross Minter, the sons of famous champions, have been reliving the psychological traumas they endured when they set out on their professional careers.They were both subjected to similar cruelties from boxing fans who took great delight in putting them down from the moment they climbed through the ropes.Ross Minter says he was never allowed to forget who his dad wasCredit: GettyJoe Bugner Jr, seen with his heavyweight father in 1972, grew up to face harsh treatment when he himself turned to boxingCredit: GettyAnthony Joshua won’t let son Joseph Bayley Temiloluwa Prince Joshua become a big name for himself in boxingCredit: https://www.instagram.com/anthonyjoshua/As soon as they put on the gloves as amateur kids inevitably they were made aware they were going to be compared to their illustrious fathers.Joe Bugner, Joe Jr’s Dad, was one of the biggest sports stars of the 1970s, who held the British and European heavyweight titles and fought a total of 29 rounds with Muhammad Ali and Smokin’ Joe Frazier.Ross is the offspring of the late Alan Minter, the 1972 Munich Olympic bronze medallist who went on to become undisputed world middleweight champion.Joe Jr and Ross were reminded of the emotional pain they suffered in their youth because of what Anthony Joshua had to say last month, a few days before he bombed out Francis Ngannou in less than six minutes.READ MORE TOP STORIESAJ didn’t mince his words when he revealed he will never allow his eight-year-old son Joseph to be a boxer.Joshua, talking about his boy’s future, said: “I would never let him box. You have to be so strong mentally to be a boxer. I would not want to put him through that mental pressure.”Imagine ‘Anthony Joshua’s son is boxing’. There would be a target on his back straight away. Would I want to put him under that pressure? Probably not.”Joe Jr and Ross know exactly where Joshua’s coming from and nobody can identify with those sentiments more than that pair.Most read in BoxingBut it was when they threw away their vests the real agonies began.Joe Jr told me: “Good for Joshua. When I read what he had to say about his son I agree with him one hundred per cent.COLIN HART: 50th anniversary of Joe Bugner’s first fight with Muhammad Ali, at the Las Vegas Convention Center in 1973″There were times when I went through hell. People think when you are in the middle of a fight you can’t hear what some of the fans are yelling at you.”In every fight I had, every move I made I was being compared with my father. It was relentless – I was simply trying to be my own man.”I knew I was never going to be as good as my Dad but I didn’t need to have it rammed down my throat all the time.”Perhaps if I hadn’t also been a heavyweight life would have been easier – but at 6ft 6in I was never goingto be a flyweight.”Joe Jr, 54, had just 12 fights in six years and lost only two. But he retired at 27 and admits the pressure of carrying his father’s name in the ring proved too much and he simply couldn’t take it any more.One of the nastiest insults I heard thrown at him was at York Hall in East London’s Bethnal Green, when a real charmer at ringside shouted “I’d sooner watch the son of Lassie.”Ross 45, despite winning 17 of his 22 fights and ending up English welterweight champion, certainly didn’t fair any better.Alan Minter became the undisputed world middleweight champCredit: RexHe said: “I was never allowed to forget who may father was.”I even called myself Ross Fellows when I walked into my first amateur gym hoping nobody would realise I was Alan Minter’s son. But I couldn’t keep my real name a secret for long.”I shall never forget after winning my first fight – a four-rounder at the old Wembley Conference Centre – as I came down the steps I heard someone remark: ‘You’ll never be as good as your old man.'”I can tell you being put under that kind of pressure doesn’t help your confidence and I understand exactly Joshua’s fears for his lad.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Understandably he wants to protect his son from those who seem to get great pleasure in belittling people.”At least Chris Eubank Jr, Conor Benn and Campbell Hatton, whose fathers were world champions, don’t seem to have been subjected to the kind of ridicule Joe Jr and Ross were put through and have had to overcome – but perhaps todays fans are less brutal than they used to be. More