Boxing

LEGENDARY boxing promoter Don King has been jabbed with a £2.4BILLION lawsuit over a second Rumble in the Jungle.Last October marked the 50th anniversary of the historic heavyweight title fight between the late Muhammad Ali and George Foreman.Don King is being sued for allegedly scuppering an anniversary event for the Rumble in the JungleCredit: APOctober 2024 marked the 50th anniversary of the legendary fight between Muhammad Ali and George ForemanCredit: ALAMYKing is accused of laying waste to the tribute event before it was finalisedCredit: GETTYKing promoted the epic bout in the Democratic Republic of Congo and was keen to pay homage to it with a Rumble in the Jungle 2 in Africa.The 93-year-old is said to have enlisted the help of BYD Sports CEO Cecil Miller to put on a boxing bonanza in Nigeria, which was set to feature performances from musicians Alicia Keys and John Legend.But Miller has filed a $3billion lawsuit against the Hall of Famer for allegedly pulling the plug on the event after he was asked to co-promote.According to the lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, Miller and CYD are suing for fraud, defamation, breach of contract and other allegations.READ MORE ON BOXING NEWSMiller’s lawyer, Anthony J.M. Jones, claims King decided to scupper the event as it inched towards coming to fruition.Jones told Fortune: “It’s confounding when you look at how many people were working on this.“This is just a sad day for the sport.”We are now in 2025 and there will never be a chance to do a 50th anniversary of a fight between Foreman and Ali – and to do it in Africa.”Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSDon King promoted the first Rumble in the JungleCredit: GETTYAccording to Fortune, King has yet to respond to the accusations.Court documents, however, have shown the American – who allegedly went radio silent after it emerged he doesn’t own the rights to the first Rumble in the Jungle – sent Miller a cease-and-desist letter.The heartbreaking chance meeting between Muhammad Ali and Colin Hart where boxing legend revealed ‘I’m not scared to die’In the letter, King accuses Miller “of falsely representing to government officials” that he authorised him to stage a 50th anniversary event.Miller’s lawyer has vehemently denied the accusations, branding King’s claims as an attempt at “sabotage”.Miller – who is said to have sought out several world champions to appear on the card – is seeking a whopping $3billion in total.This is made up of $600million – how much the $100m the fight grossed at the time would be worth today after inflation – and $2.4bn in prospective damages.But he’s also after a formal written apology from the controversial salesman, who is still, to this day, one of boxing’s most recognisable figures.I’m the last British reporter alive who was at Rumble in the Jungle… it was the most bizarre 10 days of my lifeOCTOBER 30th 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the Rumble in the Jungle, when Muhammad Ali confirmed his immortality by knocking out George Foreman to regain the world heavyweight championship, writes Colin Hart.That fabulous, mind-blowing fight that took place before an African dawn broke over Kinshasa has been described as the greatest sporting event of the 20th Century.Sadly, I’m the only British journalist who was at ringside that night who is still alive to tell the tale – of the most bizarre ten days of my working life.The first bell in Zaire sounded at 4am and the two men were each paid $5million – with president Mobutu Sese Seko putting up the money.Mobutu was probably the most terrifying, murderous dictator who ever ruled a nation on the African continent — and with Uganda’s Idi Amin as a rival, that is saying something.The Zairians were scared to death of him, with good reason – as the 20th of May Stadium’s walls pock-marked with holes from firing squads executing dissidents.He even threatened to shoot telex operators who were caught sleeping when journalists wanted to send their stories to editors back home.And that’s before the fight even started, with its throbbing tribal drums, 60,000 frenzied fans… and the debut of Ali’s iconic rope-a-dope.Read Fleet Street boxing legend COLIN HART’S full look back at the Rumble in the Jungle… More

BOXING fans have been blown away by a world champion’s shock new look.Fighters, like your ordinary Joe, are no strangers to switching up their appearances – especially outside of training camps.Gervonta Davis has switched up his look for 2025Credit: GETTYThe WBA lightweight champion has ditched his cornrowsCredit: GETTYThe Baltimore bruiser is now rocking long and relaxed hair, which he’s put up in a ponytailCredit: XMany have found that changing their appearance often keeps them in the headlines as much as their trash talk.And the fresh new look being donned by a controversial world champion has certainly got fight fans’ chins wagging.WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis is no stranger to switching up his appearance.But a recent photo of the Baltimore bruiser has well and truly stunned fight fans.READ MORE BOXING NEWS”Tank” has ditched his cornrows for long flowing locks, which he’s put in a ponytail.A snap of Davis showcasing his new barnet as he lay on the sofa has gone viral.One fight fan said of his new look: “Hard AF. It’s giving Samurai [vibes].”Another said: “Bro giving Johnny Depp vibes. Jack Sparrow.”Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSGervonta Davis was last in action against Frank Martin in JuneCredit: GETTYAnd another said: “Is that really Tank?”One remarked: “Thought it was Johnny Depp.”World champion boxer Gervonta Davis posts Instagram live from inside prison and says ‘this judge is crazy’Another chimed in: “Look like Salt Bae.”Davis, 30, stunned boxing fans late last year by revealing that he plans to call it a day in 2025.And he’s sensationally doubled down on his proposed retirement, saying: “I’m going through a lot, been through a lot, been betrayed and s**t like that.”It really made me want to give up on the limelight. Everybody chase being in front of the camera. “They chase an image. I don’t want to be a part of that.”As long as I have my money, can take care of my kids and whoever I need to take care of, I don’t need none of this. You’re always being judged.Gervonta Davis plans to retire at the end of 2025Credit: GETTY”You always got to live for someone else. You gotta be perfect, and nobody’s perfect.“At the end of 2025, I feel as though I should be more mature mentally, further than I am now.”And I should be off of probation so I can travel the whole world.”Once I can travel the whole world, people probably won’t ever see me again. I probably won’t be in America again.”READ MORE SUN STORIESFan favourite Davis was set to make his ring return against Lamont Roach in New York on March 1.But he hinted over the holiday period that the bust-up at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center is OFF, writing on X: “The fight is f***ing cancelled.” More

TYSON FURY could snub a Battle of Britain with Anthony Joshua and hang up his gloves, his promoter Frank Warren has hinted.A long-overdue domestic dust-up with AJ is on the table for the Gypsy King following his crushing second loss to Oleksandr Usyk last December.Tyson Fury is at a career crossroads following back-to-back losses to Oleksandr UsykCredit: GETTYA Battle of Britain with Anthony Joshua is on the tables for the Gypsy KingCredit: REUTERSBut promoter Frank Warren won’t try to force Fury to take the fightCredit: PAJoshua is seemingly champing at the bit to put an end to the decade-long debate over who the better man is.But Warren won’t try to lure the former two-time champ to the ring for one last payday.He wrote in his Daily Star column: “I will not be picking up the phone and asking Tyson Fury to fight again.”If opportunities come my way for him they will be passed on, but there will be no advice from me on whether or not Tyson should take them.READ MORE ON FURY VS AJ”I haven’t spoken to him yet about an Anthony Joshua fight and I will only do so if he comes to me and says he wants to get in the ring with him.”Back-to-back defeats to slick southpaw Usyk have left Fury at a major career crossroads.But SunSport exclusively revealed that the former WBC titleholder has told his nearest and dearest that his career’s “not over” by any stretch of the imagination.Warren will stand by whatever decision Fury makes over his fighting future and hopes the Wythenshawe warrior will be at peace with it.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe said: “My only hope is for Tyson to be happy and content with life.”If he is then I’d be prouder than you can ever imagine.Tyson Fury breaks silence on Oleksandr Usyk defeat in angry backstage rant after storming out of ring”If he does decide to box again then I’ll support him 100%. It’s a decision for him, his wife Paris and their family.”Despite both men no longer being at the peak of their powers, a summer showdown between Fury and Joshua will still be a global blockbuster.And AJ insists the now is the time for them to finally duke it out.He said: “I’ve been involved in a whole lot of fights, but this has to happen in 2025.“Of course, it has to happen, and hopefully, it does happen.” More

ANTHONY JOSHUA admits the clock is ticking for a fight with Tyson Fury. The two are in line to finally settle their British beef this year having both suffered recent defeats. Anthony Joshua during his trip to NigeriaCredit: @anthonyjoshuaFury was beaten twice on the spin by Oleksandr Usyk while Daniel Dubois knocked out AJ in September. It has left Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn pushing to get a two-fight deal with the Gypsy King signed and sealed for 2025. And AJ – also beaten twice by Usyk – revealed he is on board. He told Sportboom while visiting family in Nigeria: “I’ve been involved in a whole lot of fights, but this has to happen in 2025. READ MORE IN BOXING“Of course, it has to happen and, hopefully, it does happen. Time is limited. So, I just want to put in more work.” Fury, 36, suffered his first defeat in May after losing a thrilling split-decision to Usyk, 37, in Saudi Arabia. And in the rematch in December, the British legend came up a controversial unanimous loser on the cards. Usyk had become the first four-belt undisputed champion following victory in the summer but he vacated the IBF title. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSDubois, 27, was elevated from interim champ and knocked AJ out in his first defence at Wembley. Joshua, 35, snubbed a rematch to take time out to recover from his disastrous defeat as a grudge match with Fury now awaits. Tommy Fury mocked by fans after professional boxer ‘nearly knocks over elderly lady’He said: “Time is of the essence. In 2024, when I look back, I believe I could have done more, and I have another chance in 2025 to do more.”I’m going to make sure that I take every opportunity that comes my way. I’m going to go again. Ups and downs, they happen. “To some people, it is always up. My life is up and down, so I have got to get used to the turbulent times and keep riding the wave.”I can’t stop now; I have to keep going until I reach my destination.”Oleksandr Usyk has twice beaten FuryCredit: Getty More