Boxing

DANIEL DUBOIS’ climb to the top of the heavyweight division and stunning knockout of Anthony Joshua would have shocked many. But not the great Mick Delaney. Dale Youth boxing coach Mick Delaney, left, in 2017Credit: RexEx-world champion James DeGale, centre in red, with Dubois on the leftDubois during his Dale Youth daysDelaney is the legendary amateur boxing at Dale Youth in West London who worked with the likes of James DeGale and George Groves. And he also brought through a teenage Dubois, who weighed as much as 16 STONE during those days. A sensational Boxing News column dug out on the BBC’s boxing podcast revealed how Delaney saw into the future in 2015. Nearly ten years ago, Delaney wrote: “You can tell, I think, within a year if a boxer has got something special. READ MORE IN BOXING”With DeGale and Groves, you could tell from their first junior bouts they were going to be special. “Now we have a super-heavyweight, Danny Dubois, who had a win in Durham at the Youth Championships, a national competition at the weekend.”He’s already a potential GB podium squad member up in Sheffield. He’s going to be something special. “He weighed in at the weekend at over 102kg, he’s a huge lad. A lot of people are saying he’s going to be another Anthony Joshua. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”He’s very heavy-handed and he’s a good boxer with it. It’s a long way to go but if he keeps his feet on the floor and behaves himself I think he can go as far as Joshua.”Dubois had a relatively short senior amateur boxing career – turning professional in 2017 aged 19 after snubbing the Olympics. Anthony Joshua confirms retirement decision following shock loss to Daniel Dubois as he sends video message to fansBut the junior amateur champion represented top clubs like Dale Youth, Repton and Islington before turning over. In the build-up to his world title defence against AJ, rumours of how he floored the millionaire superstar persisted. But he emphatically left no room to argue when it mattered as he floored Joshua FOUR times before a brutal round five KO.A rematch is on the cards of Joshua, 34, refused to retire. But Dubois, 27, also has a Oleksandr Usyk, 37, in his sights after being beaten by the heavyweight king last year. Dubois knocked out Anthony Joshua in round fiveCredit: PA More

DANIEL DUBOIS’ next fight will be determined by whoever has the deepest pockets – casting doubt over a rematch with Anthony Joshua. Dubois sensationally knocked out AJ in round five of their world title fight in what was a British-record crowd of 98,000.Daniel Dubois knocked out Anthony JoshuaCredit: ReutersJoshua – who was down four times in total – has refused to retire while his promoter Eddie Hearn says a rematch is on the cards. Part of the historic set of fans was Oleksandr Usyk, who beat Dubois in nine rounds last year. And Dubois fancies a crack at revenge but admitted his immediate future will come down to whoever fronts the most cash. He told talkSPORT: “I would love a rematch [with Usyk] but either one really, whoever pays me more money.READ MORE IN BOXING”Also if that [a rematch with Joshua] happens next then yeah. I want to go for it. I want to do even better next time.”I know where I need to improve as well, so as a champion and a fighter I want to prove people wrong every time and that’s what we have been doing.”I think I would, I can do a lot better than that. It was a great showing but next time I believe I’ll be more clinical. More sharp, everything.”Usyk, 37, became the heavyweight division’s first four-belt undisputed champion after victory over Tyson Fury, 36, in May. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSBut to proceed with their December 21 rematch, he was forced to vacate the IBF belt. Dubois, 27, was elevated from the interim title he won against Filip Hrgovic, 32, in June. Anthony Joshua’s ironic final words before brutal Daniel Dubois KO revealed by coach Ben DavisonBut any questions over his championship status were silenced with the crushing right hand he KO’d Joshua, 34, with. Hearn said there is a rematch clause giving them the opportunity at a sequel with Dubois. But opposite number Frank Warren argued there is no obligation their side to take the rerun next.It leaves Dubois’ future looking bright several options – while Joshua’s said his only option to rebuild again. He told his near 20m social media followers: “We came up short. But we have to look at all the positives.’Are you not entertained? I’m a gladiator’ – What Dubois and Joshua said after brutal fightDANIEL DUBOIS annihilated Anthony Joshua’s dream of becoming a three-time world heavyweight champion, writes Wally Downes Jr.Joshua was floored FOUR times as Dubois landed an astonishing fifth-round knockout in front of a record 96,000 Wembley crowd and millions of TV viewers to retain his IBF belt.AJ, 34, never recovered after being downed in the first round of last night’s Battle of Britain showdown as a huge Dubois right-hand haymaker caught him flush on the chin.Here’s what they said after the fight:DANIEL DUBOIS“Are you not entertained? I’m a gladiator, a warrior to the bitter end. This is the biggest win of my career. I couldn’t let this opportunity go and now I want to go to the top level of this game.“I’ve been on a roller-coaster ride and this is my time. I’m not gonna stop until I reach my full potential.”ANTHONY JOSHUA“As p***ed off as I am, it is what it is.“I had a sharp, fast opponent and there were a lot of mistakes from me. Credit to my opponent and his team.“We rolled the dice and came up short. You know I’m p***ed but I’m going to keep cool and give respect to my opponent.”FRANK WARREN (DUBOIS’ PROMOTER)“It was a phenomenal fight, like  Hagler v Hearns.“A brilliant fight and everybody has seen a champion’s performance tonight.“Daniel has shown his courage, his skills.“AJ caught him with a shot towards the end and I was worried, but what a fabulous, fantastic fight.”EDDIE HEARN (AJ’S PROMOTER)“AJ shipped a huge right hand  in the first round and  was fighting on heart.“He hurt Daniel at the end of the fourth and then again in the fifth, but got greedy and walked on to a right hand and that’s all she wrote.“I’m sure Anthony will exercise the rematch clause.””That’s the mindset and the perspective we have to have. Look what we have achieved in 11 years, it’s phenomenal.”I want to thank every single one of you who has been riding with me. “What a rollercoaster journey – and you know what the problem is? It’s far from over yet.””We’ve done it once, we’ve done it twice, doing it a third time hasn’t been easy but I believe it is something I can achieve.”It’s about making the right steps forward and working hard. READ MORE SUN STORIES”Keep your seatbelts on because deep, deep, down in [my heart], I know we’ve got a lot more to bring.”British Boxing I appreciate you and let’s rise up together.”Joshua addressed his future in a video to fansCredit: INSTAGRAM @anthonyjoshua More

DANIEL DUBOIS has received a massive call-out from a former world champion following his demolition job of Anthony Joshua.The Greenwich gladiator shocked the world at the weekend by sensationally stopping AJ in the fifth round of their Wembley war.Daniel Dubois decimated Anthony Joshua in their Wembley war last weekendCredit: GETTY’Dynamite’ dropped AJ four times on his way to earning a stunning fifth-round KOCredit: GETTYThe world is now Dubois’ oyster following the biggest win of his careerCredit: REUTERSDubois, 27, dropped his former sparring partner a staggering FOUR TIMES on his way to retaining the IBF heavyweight title.Options are plenty for Dubois following his career-best performance, which has put him in line for an undisputed bout against the winner of Tyson Fury’s December rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.But former WBO champ Joseph Parker could be a potential foe for the Brit next year after throwing his hat into the ring.Promoter David Higgins told Sky Sports: “Whenever, anywhere, anytime. READ MORE ON DANIEL DUBOIS”Joseph would love to fight Daniel Dubois next, he’s chomping at the bit.”Joseph is ready to fight anyone but if he was given the opportunity to fight Daniel Dubois, he’d grab it with both hands and he would back himself to win.”I think besides Fury vs Usyk II, Parker vs Dubois I think – in the heavyweights – will be the best fighting the best.”Parker has put himself back in the title picture with five wins on the bounce, including triumphs over former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang.Most read in BoxingAnd Higgins insists the Kiwi killer is primed and ready to face Dubois should he opt not to wait for the winner of Usyk vs Fury II.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSFormer WBO heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois wants a piece of Daniel DuboisCredit: GettyHe said: “Parker is on a roll and has surprised people and I think you could say the same about Daniel Dubois.”Styles makes fights and I think the fans would love to see Joseph Parker versus Daniel Dubois.Anthony Joshua confirms retirement decision following shock loss to Daniel Dubois as he sends video message to fans”So if the powers that be are willing to make that fight, that would be a wonderful thing.”He’s been doing a lot of off-season work with George Lockhart on building up some more size and strength.”I think we’ll see an even better Joseph Parker at the next outing.”He [Parker] has fought his way, earned his way back to the mandatory position in the WBO interim world champion.”He has done that the old-fashioned way by stepping up and consecutively beating some of the toughest opponents in the world.”He has no fear of Daniel Dubois. He’d fight him anywhere, anytime and back himself to beat and knock out Daniel Dubois.”Dubois knows he is currently in a dream position in terms of choosing opponents but he has no preference as to who he faces next.He said: “All of the best, maybe Usyk, a big shot at my redemption, but anyone can get it.READ MORE SUN STORIES”It’s been a journey and I’m grateful to be in this position. I’m a gladiator, I’m a warrior until the bitter end.”I want to get to the top of this sport and reach my full potential.” More

A BOXER has been declared brain dead and placed on life support after collapsing during a fight.Karan Pipaliya, 19, received medical attention during a bout at the Gujarat State Boxing Championships in India.A boxer, 19, has been declared brain dead after collapsing during a fight in IndiaCredit: GettyThe teenage fighter had been competing against Harshvardhan Rathod in the men’s 63.5kg division.However, the fight was halted at the end of the third round due to Pipaliya’s deteriorating condition.Local reports claim Pipaliya suffered a brain haemorrhage after collapsing and later underwent surgery at a private hospital.It is understood he was then transferred to SIMS hospital, where he was declared brain dead upon arrival.READ MORE IN BOXINGAs Pipaliya remains on life support, his dad Bharat has slammed the lack of ambulances at the event.He told the Times of India: “The event had 150-odd participants but there were not enough ambulances.”I learned that my son was taken to hospital in a private car as there was only one ambulance.”If there had been an ambulance available, my son could have received prompt treatment and could have been saved.Most read in BoxingKaran Pipaliya’s dad has slammed the lack of ambulances after he was placed on life supportCredit: Getty”I request organisers to have adequate ambulances to ensure that such a thing doesn’t happen again.”My Chirag got extinguished, this should not happen to anyone else’s son.”AJ vs Dubois: Round-by-roundMeanwhile, his mother Rita also lamented the delays in transporting her son to hospital.She said: “He suffered the injuries at 2.30pm but was taken to hospital at 4pm.Rita also added: “The hospital took long to complete the formalities for treatment in Mehsana.”If I could have taken a flight and got to Mehsana faster, my son would be talking to me now.” More

ANTHONY JOSHUA is at a career crossroads following his drubbing at the hands of Danel Dubois.The former two-time unified heavyweight was on the receiving end of a Wembely whooping from his former sparring partner last Saturday.Anthony Joshua is at a career crossroads following his demolition at the hands of Daniel DuboisCredit: PAThe former two-time unified heavyweight champ was knocked out in the fifth round of their Wembley warCredit: GETTYAJ has emphatically dismissed suggestions of hanging up his glovesCredit: REUTERSThere are still some big fights out there for the Watford warriorCredit: REUTERSAJ was dropped a staggering FOUR TIMES as he suffered a stunning fifth-round KO defeat to the IBF king, who announced himself to the world with a career-best performance.The devastating defeat has left AJ’s long-overdue showdown with Brit rival Tyson Fury teetering on the edge of permanent collapse.And it’s ignited an insane chorus of calls for the London 2012 gold medallist to hang up his gloves.AJ, however, has emphatically dismissed pleas for him to bring the curtain down on his glittering career.READ MORE ON AJ”Before I came here, I’m always saying to myself, ‘I’m a fighter for life,'” a crestfallen AJ said in his post-fight interview.”We rolled the dice at success and we came up short and we roll it again. “We keep rolling the dice.”So with that defiant statement in mind, SunSport thought it’d only be right to weigh up the three potential opponents for the poster boy of British boxing should he not immediately rematch Dubois.Most read in BoxingAnd there are still some household names out there for AJ to duke it out with.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS’Are you not entertained? I’m a gladiator’ – What Dubois and Joshua said after brutal fightDANIEL DUBOIS annihilated Anthony Joshua’s dream of becoming a three-time world heavyweight champion, writes Wally Downes Jr.Joshua was floored FOUR times as Dubois landed an astonishing fifth-round knockout in front of a record 96,000 Wembley crowd and millions of TV viewers to retain his IBF belt.AJ, 34, never recovered after being downed in the first round of last night’s Battle of Britain showdown as a huge Dubois right-hand haymaker caught him flush on the chin.Here’s what they said after the fight:DANIEL DUBOIS“Are you not entertained? I’m a gladiator, a warrior to the bitter end. This is the biggest win of my career. I couldn’t let this opportunity go and now I want to go to the top level of this game.“I’ve been on a roller-coaster ride and this is my time. I’m not gonna stop until I reach my full potential.”ANTHONY JOSHUA“As p***ed off as I am, it is what it is.“I had a sharp, fast opponent and there were a lot of mistakes from me. Credit to my opponent and his team.“We rolled the dice and came up short. You know I’m p***ed but I’m going to keep cool and give respect to my opponent.”FRANK WARREN (DUBOIS’ PROMOTER)“It was a phenomenal fight, like  Hagler v Hearns.“A brilliant fight and everybody has seen a champion’s performance tonight.“Daniel has shown his courage, his skills.“AJ caught him with a shot towards the end and I was worried, but what a fabulous, fantastic fight.”EDDIE HEARN (AJ’S PROMOTER)“AJ shipped a huge right hand  in the first round and  was fighting on heart.“He hurt Daniel at the end of the fourth and then again in the fifth, but got greedy and walked on to a right hand and that’s all she wrote.“I’m sure Anthony will exercise the rematch clause.”Deontay WilderLong before the entire combat sports world wanted AJ to throw down with Fury, fight fans were itching to see the Watford warrior take on the former long-reigning WBC heavyweight champion.Daniel Dubois KNOCKS OUT Anthony Joshua in HUGE upset after savage onslaught in front of 96,000 stunned fans at WembleyThe pair, 34 and 37 respectively, were on course to trade heavy leather in 2018 when they held all the heavyweight marbles.But just over three years ago, Wilder admitted to swerving what would have been a historic undisputed showdown.Wilder has fallen on hard times as of late, losing four of his last five ring outings – with defeat to Joseph Parker last December scuppering a two-fight Saudi series with Joshua.But The Bronze Bomber is still a big name in the division and his history with AJ makes him a more than viable opponent should he opt not to fight Dubois next.Former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder could be Anthony Joshua’s next opponentCredit: REUTERSJarrell MillerAJ has already signed on the dotted line to face the outspoken New Yorker, whom he was supposed to throw down with in June 2019.A spate of failed drug tests for Miller, however, scuppered their Madison Square Garden melee and paved the way for Andy Ruiz Jr to pull off one of the biggest upsets in recent boxing history.The bad blood they had before their axed Big Apple showdown hasn’t subsided, with the pair clashing in a press conference last November.A grudge match between the pair is still incredibly sellable. But more importantly for AJ and promoter Eddie Hearn, it’s a very winnable bout.There is still plenty of bad blood between Anthony Joshua and Jarrell MillerCredit: GETTYTyson FuryDespite the general consensus being that the biggest fight in the history of British boxing is now a thing of the past, there is still a world where Fury vs Joshua comes to fruition.And that’s regardless of the outcome of Fury’s December rematch with former undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk.Should The Gypsy King come up short against the undefeated Ukrainian again, a debate-ending domestic dust-up with AJ would await him.READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd should he exact his revenge on the slick southpaw, he could opt to make a voluntary defence of either of the unified titles against his long-time rival next year.And despite what the keyboard critics say, they would all tune in to watch the pair finally settle the score in a fight that would generate massive global interest.Tyson Fury could still be Anthony Joshua’s next opponent – regardless of the outcome of his rematch with Oleksandr UsykCredit: GETTY More

FRANK WARREN unleashed an incredible rant about Saudi Arabia’s involvement in sport during a heated debate with Jeff Stelling.The boxing promoter joined talkSPORT this morning to discuss his man Daniel Dubois knocking out Anthony Joshua.Frank Warren hit back at critics of Saudi Arabia’s involvement in sportCredit: AFPJeff Stelling was unhappy over the Saudi anthem being playedCredit: talkSPORTDaniel Dubois knocked out Anthony Joshua in the fifth roundCredit: GettyBefore the Gulf State funded bout at Wembley Stadium, the Saudi Arabian national anthem was played and booed by some fans.Radio host Stelling asked Warren if he had expected criticism about it, to which he furiously responded: “Well, no, not really, because it’s a Saudi season special event, Wembley Edition. “If it weren’t for the fact that we’ve done that because of the Saudi season, then the fight would have taken place in Riyadh and would have played the Saudi anthem in Riyadh as they’d done for every fight and as they did in LA.”The Saudi anthem, they were very, very instrumental in making this fight with us. READ MORE IN BOXING”And it’s a fabulous event and the British anthem was played as it always is, as the last anthem just before the main fight involving two Brits.”Stelling then brought up the Saudi human rights record and Warren shockingly slammed the critics for buying tickets to Dubois vs AJ.He ranted: “Well then, that’s fine if they are willing to sacrifice their principles [to turn up], that’s up to them. If they’re so principled about it, then don’t watch the fight. You vote with your feet if that is how you feel. “People go to golf. That’s what makes me laugh with some of you guys, you bash them and you make these comments. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”But what do you say about the footballers going there? What did you say about the golf players? The tennis players? The equestrian. The music stars from all around the world? “You are going to keep living and dwelling in the past instead of moving forward. I’ve been there and it was an eye opener for me. Anthony Joshua breaks down where it all went wrong in shock Daniel Dubois defeat as he calls Wembley brawl a ‘shootout’”It is a very young country with a very young population, I think the general population, 70 odd per cent of them are under the age of 30, youngsters, the biggest social media users in the world. “It’s brilliant. They’re seeing everything from around the world. The Riyadh season is a cultural event. “As for that, we as a nation, our nation, just six to nine months ago King Charles was out in Africa, one second away from apologising about the atrocities against Mau Mau, although their were atrocities on both sides.”That happens in history. Things happen. You move forward. And by moving forward, you make it a better world. “If you’re going to shut people down and close them down then how do you expect anything to change? “And Saudi is change. I heard all this stuff going out there. What would happen about women and so forth. I’ve been there and I’ve seen women working there, I’ve seen women driving cars. “All this stuff I was told was not going to happen. I’ve seen it with my own eyes.”I’m not there to defend anybody. All I’m saying is we have a government, a country that has dealt with Saudi, that buys petrol off them. “I remember Boris Johnson during the problems of the fuel shortages went out there, was negotiating for oil. If our government, if our arms industry are doing it, if you’re doing it, you are buying events from it, from Saudi to broadcast, TV are doing it. “Everybody is doing it – why are we all having a pop at boxing?”We can’t put events on with such a quality of an undercard on it unless we have some financial assistance to do it, it does not stack up. “So celebrate what happened at Wembley. It was a brilliant night for British sport.”Stelling said Warren had defended himself well but stood by that criticism was justified.The pair then went tit-for-that as the ex-Sky Sports host said: “You are going to get complaints made whether you like it or not, the regime over there offends a lot of people.”READ MORE SUN STORIESThey then continued to argue, with Warren encouraging him to visit the country.But Stelling said he had no interest in making the trip. ‘Are you not entertained? I’m a gladiator’ – What Dubois and Joshua said after brutal fightDANIEL DUBOIS annihilated Anthony Joshua’s dream of becoming a three-time world heavyweight champion, writes Wally Downes Jr.Joshua was floored FOUR times as Dubois landed an astonishing fifth-round knockout in front of a record 96,000 Wembley crowd and millions of TV viewers to retain his IBF belt.AJ, 34, never recovered after being downed in the first round of last night’s Battle of Britain showdown as a huge Dubois right-hand haymaker caught him flush on the chin.Here’s what they said after the fight:DANIEL DUBOIS“Are you not entertained? I’m a gladiator, a warrior to the bitter end. This is the biggest win of my career. I couldn’t let this opportunity go and now I want to go to the top level of this game.“I’ve been on a roller-coaster ride and this is my time. I’m not gonna stop until I reach my full potential.”ANTHONY JOSHUA“As p***ed off as I am, it is what it is.“I had a sharp, fast opponent and there were a lot of mistakes from me. Credit to my opponent and his team.“We rolled the dice and came up short. You know I’m p***ed but I’m going to keep cool and give respect to my opponent.”FRANK WARREN (DUBOIS’ PROMOTER)“It was a phenomenal fight, like  Hagler v Hearns.“A brilliant fight and everybody has seen a champion’s performance tonight.“Daniel has shown his courage, his skills.“AJ caught him with a shot towards the end and I was worried, but what a fabulous, fantastic fight.”EDDIE HEARN (AJ’S PROMOTER)“AJ shipped a huge right hand  in the first round and  was fighting on heart.“He hurt Daniel at the end of the fourth and then again in the fifth, but got greedy and walked on to a right hand and that’s all she wrote.“I’m sure Anthony will exercise the rematch clause.” More