Boxing

Subterms

    More stories

    • 213 Shares139 Views

      in Boxing

      Oleksandr Usyk’s five sparring partners for Tyson Fury fight revealed including unknown Brit and Klitschko’s old foe

      by

      OLEKSANDR USYK is gearing up for his world title clash with Tyson Fury.And ahead of the heavyweight bout, his five sparring partners have been revealed.
      Oleksandr Usyk’s five sparring partners have been revealedCredit: Getty
      Usyk is preparing for his bout with Tyson Fury next monthCredit: EPA
      Usyk faces The Gypsy King on Feb 17 and is hoping to become the undisputed champ with all four belts on the line next month.
      And to do so he will have to make sure he is training to reach his absolute best – that includes his sparring.
      The Mirror have revealed the five men who are braving the Ukrainian’s fists during his camp and it could spell trouble for Fury.
      Usyk has collected a number of hard hitters and heavyweight fighters to get him ready for the big fight.
      READ MORE IN BOXING
      Sanel Hasonivic
      Sanel Hasonivic is one of Usyk’s sparring partners ahead of his fight with Fury.
      The 6ft 8in heavyweight has an impressive 7-1 record and has won six of his fights by knockout.
      The 25-year-old Serbian sent a message to Fury after his sparring sessions with Usyk.
      He said: “After some serious sparring, I believe you will emerge victorious in the fight against Tyson Fury!”
      Most read in Boxing
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS

      TYSON FURY VS OLEKSANDR USYK: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT
      Mariusz Wach
      Mariusz Wach is another giant that is helping Usyk prepare in his bid to be the undisputed world champ.
      Wach has experience against some of the biggest names in heavyweight boxing including Dillian Whyte.
      But it was his challenge for the unified heavyweight world titles against Wladimir Klitschko in 2012 that gained him the most attention.
      The 44-year-old narrowly lost out on points and will be a valuable sparring partner for Usyk.
      Emmanuel Odiase
      As far as experience training with the best goes, Emmauel Odiase is hard to beat.
      Despite only making his pro boxing debut in October – with a win against Emre Altintas – the German heavyweight has sparred with some huge names.
      Odiase previously worked with Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder and Derek Chisora as well as helping Usyk in the past as he prepared for his fight against Daniel Dubois.
      Volodymyr Katsuk
      A fellow Ukrainian, Volodymyr Katsuk, is another who has helped big name fighters in the past.
      The 35-year-old worked with Klitschko previously and has a record of 5-1 in the ring by himself.
      Katsuk also helped Robert Helenius’ spar in preperation for his fight with Wilder back in 2022.
      Darren Sealy
      Perhaps the most unusual name on the list is that of Darren Sealy.
      The unknown British fighter stands at a whopping 6ft 9in and is relatively new to pro boxing.
      Sealy made his professional debut last year against fellow Brit Phil Williams, but wasn’t able to come away with a win.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      Although he was part of Francis Ngannou’s team that helped him prepare for what was a shock performance against Fury in October.
      However the most notable thing about Sealy may actually be that he an aspiring actor as well as a heavyweight boxer.
      Sanel Hasanovic has been training with UsykCredit: Instagram
      Mariusz Whyte (R) has previously fought Dillian Whyte (L)Credit: Getty
      Emanuel Odiase has sparred with a whole host of big name fightersCredit: Instagram @emaodiase
      Volodymyr Katsuk previously trained with Wladimir KlitschkoCredit: X @VladimirKatsuk
      Darren Sealy was part of the Francis Ngannou’s training camp for his fight against Tyson FuryCredit: Instagram @darrensealy More

    • 263 Shares139 Views

      in Boxing

      I was a party girl who snorted cocaine and ketamine… but now I’m sober thanks to boxing, Elle Brooke bravely reveals

      by

      ELLE BROOKE has bravely revealed how a party lifestyle drove her to drugs and depression – but now she is fighting fit through sobriety. The OnlyFans star is 3-1 as a boxer since making her debut in July 2022 against Love Islander AJ Bunker.
      Elle Brooke has gone sober after battling drug abuse and depressionCredit: instagram @thedumbledong
      Brooke admits she was a formerly a ‘party girl’Credit: instagram @thedumbledong
      The OnlyFans star turned her life around through boxingCredit: PA
      And the two prepare to rematch at Misfits 12 in Leeds on Saturday.
      Much has changed since their first fight but nothing more so than Brooke’s lifestyle out of the ring.
      She told SunSport: “I’ve said this before but I was a party girl.
      “I was a really bad party girl, any substance I could find I was putting up my nose, I was taking it to the max.
      READ MORE ON ELLE BROOKE
      “Whereas now, I don’t drink, I’ve had 18 months sober, or a year, and now I just live a boring life.
      “I don’t go out on the weekends because I’m too focused on my eating and my training habits.
      “My circle has got a lot smaller, I don’t see as many people as I did once before because I’m just not in that lifestyle of partying and going out anymore.
      “So my life has got so boring, I’m married to my house. I’m honestly in these four walls constantly, it’s work, work, work for me.”
      Most read in Boxing
      Brooke admits to suffering from depression before boxing helped turn herself around.
      “It’s two polar opposites really,” she says when comparing her past and current life.
      “From going out every week to the pub, going clubbing, sniffing tons of cocaine, ketamine, anything you can find to the other side, watching what you put in your body, dieting, health and exercise, regular routine.
      “Routine is my favourite things about boxing because it gives me a reason to wake up in the morning. It gives me structure for the day.
      “I think I would 100 per cent be living the same lifestyle. Maybe not as crazy because I’ve aged 18 months, I’m not in my early 20s anymore.
      I was a really bad party girl, any substance I could find I was putting up my nose, I was taking it to the max… Whereas now, I don’t drink, I’ve had 18 months sober, or a year, and now I just live a boring life.Elle Brooke
      “But 100 per cent I’d still be going out, to Ibiza and stuff like that. I’ve had to cancel so many holidays and that kind of thing. It’s been a complete 180 really.
      “I was at one point on antidepressants, taking sertraline before I started boxing.
      “So I was relying on a pill everyday to make me happy and so I didn’t have like dark, suicidal thoughts whereas now I have those good days and I have those bad days but it’s more about training and what I’m focusing on.
      “So boxing really has changed my life. From being depressed and – I wouldn’t say a drug addict because I wasn’t a drug addict – but a party animal, to where I am now, it’s been a journey.”
      Brooke, 26, has rivalled Bunker, 31, ever since her original win nearly two years ago with the bad blood brewing.
      She said: “We know of each other now. When we first fought it was just someone else in the influencer scene to take on that fight.
      “Whereas now she’s champ, I’ve already beat her and it’s her opportunity for redemption, my opportunity to win the belt and that’s the story.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      “We also aren’t that fond of each other, so it’s got great ingredients for a good fight.”

      You can watch Elle Brooke vs AJ Bunker, and the rest of the X Series 012 card in Leeds, live on DAZN on Saturday, January 20.  Tickets are available at www.MisfitsBoxing.com

      Elle Brooke has gone sober through boxingCredit: Instagram / @thedumbledong
      The influencer is 3-1 as a boxerCredit: Rex
      Elle Brooke and AJ Bunker have rivalled ahead of their rematchCredit: DAZN More

    • 225 Shares139 Views

      in Boxing

      How Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury could headline incredible 5 vs 5 superfight tournament between Hearn and Warren

      by

      PROMOTERS Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren shook hands over an incredible fight card pitting their stables against each other. His Excellency Turki Alalshikh – Saudi Arabia’s boxing boss – called for the Matchroom and Queensberry chiefs to put it all on the line.
      Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren shake hands over the dealCredit: Getty
      And the two shook hands on stage at a press conference to leave fans drawling over the mouthwatering clash of camps.
      Here, SunSport runs down a stunning five-fight card featuring the best British stars against each other from the competing packs.
      Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury
      The obvious pick would be the two biggest names in British boxing finally fighting each other.
      And it could soon become reality.
      READ MORE IN BOXING
      If Fury defeats Oleksandr Usyk and AJ gets past Francis Ngannou, the plan will be for the domestic rivals to at last get it on.
      Tyson Fury fights Oleksandr Usyk nextCredit: Reuters
      Anthony Joshua returns against Francis NgannouCredit: Getty
      Callum Smith vs Anthony Yarde
      For so long, the dream light-heavyweight fight in this country was Joshua Buatsi against Anthony Yarde.
      And while that remains the case, Buatsi has now left Hearn and DAZN for Sky Sports and Boxxer.
      So Hearn’s next best 175lb star would be Callum Smith, a former super-middleweight champ who just lost to Artur Beterbiev.
      Most read in Boxing
      Callum Smith is a former super-middleweight champCredit: Reuters
      Anthony Yarde is one of Frank Smith’s biggest starsCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Derek Chisora vs Daniel Dubois
      Chisora is not actually signed to Hearn but has long been promoted by him.
      And with his refusal to retire, he remains linked to big names in the heavyweight division, including Daniel Dubois.
      It would be an excellent clash of experience vs youth with both heavy power punchers.
      Derek Chisora remains linked to big heavyweight fightsCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Daniel Dubois beat Jarrell Miller in his last fightCredit: Getty
      Fabio Wardley vs Joe Joyce
      Wardley is now the British and Commonwealth champion after beating one of Warren’s prospects in David Adeleye.
      And now he will be looking to push onto the world title scene, somewhere Joe Joyce long hovered around despite never getting a shot.
      Joyce is looking to rebuild his career after two losses to Zhilei Zhang so a fight with up-and-comer Wardley would be a risky one.
      Joe Joyce is coming off consecutive losses to Zhilei ZhangCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Fabio Wardley is the British and Commonwealth champCredit: Getty
      Josh Warrington vs Nick Ball
      Nick Ball has proven to be one of the most exciting fighters in this country with a 19-0 record.
      He has bulldozed his way to a world title shot against WBC featherweight champ Rey Vargas on AJ’s undercard.
      But a bout with former title holder Josh Warrington would be a guaranteed humdinger for as long as it lasted.
      Josh Warrington is the former featherweight champCredit: Reuters
      Nick Ball challenges for the world title nextCredit: Jamie McPhilimey More

    • 213 Shares99 Views

      in Boxing

      Anthony Joshua looks stony-faced as he glares at Francis Ngannou after ex-UFC champ’s taunts over his chin

      by

      ANTHONY JOSHUA looked stony-faced as he glared at Francis Ngannou following a taunt over his chin. The giant heavyweight pair meet in a crossover clash on March 8 in Saudi Arabia.
      Francis Ngannou aimed a dig about Anthony Joshua’s chin
      Joshua looked stony-faced as he glared back at Ngannou
      And they came face to face for the first time at a press conference, where Ngannou questioned Joshua’s punch resilience.
      He said: “I’m going to fight him, so what do you think I’m going to do? Look for his chin.
      “I mean, that’s what happens in a fight. In a fight, you try to hit somebody in the chin or wherever you can hit him, right?
      “Yes, I heard that he doesn’t have a chin. I don’t know if it’s true or not. We are going to find out.
      READ MORE IN BOXING
      “I hope I get the opportunity to test that out. That’s my wish, that’s what I’m wishing for.”
      Joshua, 34, did not take his eyes off Ngannou, 37, as tensions appeared to rise on the top table.
      The ex-UFC champion astonishingly dropped Tyson Fury, 35, on his boxing debut in October before controversially losing on points.
      But Joshua vowed not to underestimate the Cameroonian and his fearsome power like those before him.
      Most read in Boxing

      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
      He said: “If Tyson underestimated Ngannou, I sure won’t. Francis has lost the element of surprise with me.
      “We knew Francis had a reputation as the biggest puncher in the world but the surprise was how well he boxed.
      “He was exceptional on the inside and made life very complicated for Tyson. So much so that I do belong to the opinion that he beat Fury.”

      ANTHONY JOSHUA VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE CROSSOVER BOUT
      Joshua facing off with NgannouCredit: AFP More

    • 188 Shares169 Views

      in Boxing

      What Eddie Hearn said to Anthony Joshua after being left stunned by Francis Ngannou’s body

      by

      EDDIE HEARN admitted he was left stunned at the sheer size of Francis Ngannou. The ex-UFC champion takes to the ring for the second time on March 8 in Saudi Arabia against AJ.
      Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou ahead of their March 8 fightCredit: PA

      And the two came face to face for the first time at a press conference, where promoter Hearn saw Ngannou up close.
      He was left gobsmacked at the size of the 6ft 4in and 19 stone MMA star.
      Hearn told Queensberry Promotions: “Francis Ngannou was talking and I was looking at him thinking, ‘Look at the size of your head, your neck!’
      “I actually turned to AJ and thought, ‘Actually, you look like a middleweight compared to this guy.’
      READ MORE IN BOXING
      “I mean it’s the first time AJ has ever actually competed with anyone who is remotely the same in terms of frame and mass.
      “This guy is bigger. So we hear the stories about how strong he is, we hear the stories about how hard he can punch.
      “I still find it difficult to subscribe to, I don’t believe you can just stroll into the sport and just beat the elite.
      “But he so nearly did it against what many regard as the best heavyweight in the world.
      Most read in Boxing

      ANTHONY JOSHUA VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE CROSSOVER BOUT
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
      “So we take him very, very seriously. It’s a fight full of jeopardy but one that if you use your brain, and use your skill and your speed, you should win.”
      Ngannou, 37, dropped Tyson Fury, 35, on his boxing debut last October but lost a controversial decision.
      And with the Gypsy King snubbing a rematch to fight Oleksandr Usyk, 36, for the undisputed crown, Ngannou was forced to look elsewhere.
      But Joshua, 34, who weighed 17st 13lb in his last fight, vowed not to underestimate the Cameroonian like those before him.
      He said: “If Tyson underestimated Ngannou, I sure won’t. Francis has lost the element of surprise with me.
      “We knew Francis had a reputation as the biggest puncher in the world but the surprise was how well he boxed.
      “He was exceptional on the inside and made life very complicated for Tyson. So much so that I do belong to the opinion that he beat Fury.” More

    • 213 Shares149 Views

      in Boxing

      Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou winner to challenge Tyson Fury or Oleksandr Usyk for undisputed heavyweight title

      by

      THE WINNER between Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou will be in line to challenge for the undisputed heavyweight title. Ex-UFC champion Ngannou takes to the ring for the second time on March 8 against AJ in Saudi Arabia.
      Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou facing offCredit: AFP
      Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk fight for the undisputed titleCredit: EPA
      Just three weeks beforehand, Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk contest all four world titles for the first time in heavyweight history.
      And His Excellency Turki Alalshikh – Saudi’s boxing boss – wants the winners of both superfights to meet for the undisputed crown.
      He said: “You will see the result of this match will connect about the result of the 17 February – this is our idea.”
      Promoter Frank Warren added: “For the winner, the big fight’s happening on February 17, with Tyson and Usyk.
      READ MORE IN BOXING
      “The winner of that – would we like to see them with the winner of this fight? Everybody in boxing would love to see that.
      “So everybody has got something to aim for. It’s huge a moment of excitement for boxing.”
      Ngannou, 37, put on hold his MMA career to to face Fury, 35, in October, even dropping the WBC champ only to controversially lose on points.
      Now the Gypsy King will take on Usyk, 36, for the chance to become the first ever four-belt undisputed heavyweight champ.
      Most read in Boxing
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
      Meanwhile Joshua, 34, had signed to finally fight Deontay Wilder, 38, in a blockbuster deal worth £100million.
      But the American was beaten by Joseph Parker, 31, so AJ looked elsewhere in the direction of Ngannou.
      Joshua has long dreamed of reigning over the division with all four titles to his name – now he could be two wins away from that.
      His promoter Eddie Hearn said: “If you can imagine the winner of this fight against the winner of Fury v Usyk, it’s been a long dream of Anthony and his team to be undisputed.”
      His Excellency even revealed a brand new undisputed belt has been created to crown the division’s true champ.
      The title, draped in gold and silver plating with black leather, also includes stones and the names of previous champions.
      And all four governing bodies appear to be on board as their logos also featured on the unveiling poster.
      An all-new undisputed title unveiled More

    • 263 Shares139 Views

      in Boxing

      I returned to boxing to lose weight after my baby… now I’m world champ but still work in completely different career

      by

      NINA HUGHES only returned to boxing to lose baby weight – now she is a world champion while still working in a completely different job.The super-mum turned professional in 2021 after a successful amateur career and won the WBA bantamweight title after just five bouts.
      Nina Hughes only started boxing at 25
      She won the world title at 40
      But a career in boxing was not something she could have ever contemplated when going to her first boxercise class at 25.
      It was only after six months of actual training and persuasion from her trainer that Hughes decided to step into the ring.
      She told SunSport: “I joined the boxing gym purely for fitness, no intention of boxing. But my coach at the time talked me into it!”
      Within a year and Hughes was fully hooked and even won a national title which later earned her a spot on the Team GB squad.
      READ MORE IN BOXING
      But Hughes missed out to Nicola Adams in the London 2012 Olympics, which was the first to have women’s boxing.
      So she decided to hang up her gloves and start a family, welcoming first born son Leo into the world shortly after.
      But little did Hughes know that becoming a mum for the first time would also bring her back to boxing again.
      She said: “I stopped boxing for a few years and didn’t think I’d ever get back into it to be fair.
      Most read in Boxing
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
      “I had my first child, put on loads of weight and thought, ‘Right, I’m going to start training again to lose the weight.’
      “I set myself a target of having one fight to motivate me, because I knew I’d have to make the weight then.
      “Then I just fell back in love with it and started enjoying it again. More for a hobby than anything else but I was still winning and was selected to box for England.”
      Hughes went onto become a four-time national amateur champion and did not slow down even after her second son Caelin was born.
      In fact, she even boxed right up until her last week of maternity leave was due to end.
      Hughes wanted to add one more amateur title to her name until those dreams were KO’d by the coronavirus pandemic.
      But, after seeing the rise of women’s boxing throughout the lockdown period, Hughes was inspired to also turn pro, at 39.
      She said: “I was watching these girls that were doing well and there were people that I’ve sparred and that I’ve boxed and I was looking at them thinking, ‘I can still beat them.’
      “That’s what made me think that I had to give it a go.”
      Hughes turned pro and went part-time at her legal secretary role, which she still works in to this day.
      It means training and running on her lunch breaks and working a reduced week.
      Hughes, 42, revealed: “They were all really supportive.
      “My bosses, they’ve been to most my fights. One of them and another colleague even flew out to Dubai to watch my world title fight.
      “They’ve been really supportive. I work from home two days, I only have to go into the office one day so I can get my extra training in, training on my lunch breaks.
      “They’ve made it easier for me and really helped me out.”
      Hughes is a four-time national amateur champion
      Hughes juggles being a parent with boxing
      Hughes had made one defence of her world titleCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
      Hughes travelled to Dubai in November 2022 as an outsider against Jamie Mitchell, who had beaten Shannon Courtenay for the belt a year prior.
      But Hughes stunned the American, 38, on points to become a 40-year-old world champion.
      She said: “We were always fighting for that opportunity and when it came there was no way we were turning it down or come back empty handed.
      “We’d watched Jamie Mitchell previously and it was always a fight that I believed I could win so even though I was an underdog, I was going into the fight 100 per cent confident.”
      Hughes had chased a unification with Ebanie Bridges, 37, until the Aussie star lost the strap to Miyo Yoshida, 35.
      So now she has turned her attention to Yoshida on route to becoming the undisputed 118lb queen.
      Hughes said: “For me now, I want to unify first and then become undisputed. That is the main goal now.

      “I’ve been chasing the Ebanie Bridges fight for a long time ever since she had the belt but she’s no longer got the belt so now I really want the Yoshida fight.
      “That’s the main one we’re targeting. And then hopefully fight Dina Thorslund who has the other two belts for undisputed.”
      Hughes walking to the ring with her eldest son LeoCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
      The bantamweight wants to become undisputed champCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing More

    • 213 Shares149 Views

      in Boxing

      Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk undisputed belt revealed.. but fans all think it belongs in different sport

      by

      THE WINNER between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk’s historic undisputed title fight looks set to be awarded an all-new belt. The unbeaten champions contest for all four WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO straps for the first time in heavyweight history on February 17 in Saudi Arabia.
      Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk fight for the undisputed crown on February 17Credit: EPA
      An all-new undisputed title will be awarded
      And to mark the never-before-seen occasion His Excellency Turki Alalshikh – Saudi’s boxing boss – unveiled a brand new undisputed belt.
      The title, draped in gold and silver plating with black leather, also includes stones and the names of previous champions.
      And all four governing bodies appear to be on board as their logos also featured on the unveiling poster.
      But despite the excitement of the sport finally getting one true champion in the heavyweight division – fans could not help but liken the belt to something out of the WWE.
      READ MORE IN BOXING
      One said: “Wrestling vibes.”
      Another agreed: “WWE vibes.”
      One raged: “This looks horrible. Looks like something out of the UFC or WWE.”
      Anthony Joshua, 34, and Francis Ngannou, 37, also meet in Saudi on March 8 just weeks after the unification bout.
      Most read in Boxing
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
      And it was announced the winner will then be in line to challenge either Fury, 35, or Usyk, 36, for the undisputed crown.
      His Excellency said: “You will see the result of this match will connect about the result of the 17 February – this is our idea.”
      Promoter Frank Warren added: “For the winner, the big fight’s happening on February 17, with Tyson and Usyk.
      “The winner of that – would we like to see them with the winner of this fight? Everybody in boxing would love to see that.
      “So everybody has got something to aim for. It’s huge a moment of excitement for boxing.”

      Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou fight on March 8Credit: Reuters More