Boxing

HAMZAH SHEERAZ will almost drag his family out an £800,000 debt on Saturday night that they willingly risked to fund his boxing career.The 25-year-old Ilford middleweight captained the Frank Warren promotional team that battered Eddie Hearn’s flops 10-0 in June.Hamzah Sheeraz spoke exclusively to SunSport ahead of his bout at WembleySheeraz shown his belts after winning his fight against Liam Williams earlier this yearCredit: AlamyAnd his ruthless double-bubble stoppage of American Ammo Williams earned him an ambassadorial role with Saudi boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh, who is bankrolling these Riyadh Season spectaculars all around the world.Casual fans will assume a few televised shows and a sparring session with Justin Bieber will have made Sheeraz a multimillionaire already. But, unlike the young Premier League players they see on the same TNT and Sky channels, the slog is far harder and more expensive than those of the Prem pups who get a gilded existence before hitting the big time.And Saturday’s Wembley stadium battle with classy Midlands southpaw Tyler Denny will just about cover the crippling debt his courier dad took on to set his son on his way to greatness,READ MORE IN BOXINGHe told SunSport: “I have never given this figure out to anyone before but – I am 25 now and from the age of 18, when I first turned pro – the debt we got into was about £800,000, in the red.“Nobody would believe me, but we are still clearing some of that debt now.“Every penny of it was invested into me and I didn’t understand it at the time, but my dad just told me I had to take a punt on myself, he told me I had to do it.“He put every penny he had ever saved into me and luckily we are close to clearing it now.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“It’s what dreams are made of, it shows that total commitment and sacrifice do pay off.“99 per cent of fighters doing this professionally are just trying to make a living and most of them have a second job to help them do it.Hamzah Sheeraz shows off his explosive power in boxing training How AJ punched his way to the topANTHONY JOSHUA punched his way to the top of the world before being knocked off his perch.“I sat next to Josh Padley at the launch press conference and he told me he was driving his work van full of rubbish to the tip when he got the call. “It goes to show that, away from all the glitz and the glamour, the purses and opportunities fighters are getting now are life changing.”Sheeraz is a caring and respectful family man, just like his opponent who helped him in his last camp by being a willing sparring partner.And he admits that having to flick a switch and turn friend into foe – especially when he knows how vicious his two heavy hands are – is difficult.“It’s hard but when I get in the ring I have to become cold.” he said without trying to boast.“The moment I am in there I become cold-blooded and just want to get them out of there.“My mentality is that I have taken this massive punt on myself and nothing is getting in my way.“Outside the ring I have nothing bad to say about Tyler, this is the opportunity of a lifetime for him, so I am sure he’s trained his nuts off, like I have.“He is coming with nothing to lose and that makes him dangerous. But that means I have to be dangerous too.”After Denny, Sheeraz wants another fellow Brit he is far less fond of.“Chris Eubank Jr is delusional.” he said.“He was offered all the money he wanted to fight me, then he said I wasn’t a big enough name.“But now I know he is fighting a lesser name for less money.READ MORE SUN STORIES“Without his family name he wouldn’t be where he is. My quest is to be a world champion.“He talks about being a world champion but he has turned down multiple chances. So I don’t understand what his mindset or plan is, but I would love to fight him one day soon.”Hamzah Sheeraz celebrates winning The Vacant WBO European Super-Welterweight Championship back in 2019Credit: Getty More

ANTHONY JOSHUA opened up on his boxing pain and said: “I don’t like losing.”Joshua challenges Daniel Dubois for the IBF heavyweight world title on Saturday in what is expected to be a 96,000 sellout at Wembley Stadium. Anthony Joshua opened up on his boxing painCredit: PAIt comes three years after AJ surrendered the unified titles to Oleksandr Usyk. Joshua, 34, then lost the rematch in August 2022 and broke down in a furious rant in the ring in the aftermath. Reflecting on the infamous situation, Joshua told BBC Sport: “I’ve worked hard and been through a lot of pain, and I’ve worked hard to get better.”Hopefully those experiences won’t happen again because as you saw that night, I don’t like losing.”READ MORE IN BOXINGJoshua has bounced back with four wins since his rematch defeat to Usyk, 37.He most recently knocked out ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou, 38, in two rounds in March. And now he faces British rival Dubois, 27, in his bid to become an experienced three-time champ. Joshua said: “I think I’m gifted with an ability to fight and compete. Most read in BoxingANTHONY JOSHUA VS DANIEL DUBOIS: All the information you need ahead of huge world title fight at WembleyCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”In boxing you’re able to read certain tendencies, you’re able to read your opponent, so I can always have an eye for that.”But there’s a supreme level that you can take it to. And it’s happened over the past eight or 10 months. I’ve really honed in on those skills.”Anthony Joshua reveals he swears by 12-word motto in brutal dig at Daniel Dubois before Wembley Stadium showdown More

BOXING world champion Oleksandr Usyk was dramatically led away in handcuffs as footage showed him being detained at an airport. Usyk was detained in Krakow but spoke out to clarity that the incident was a misunderstanding. Oleksandr Usyk was led away in handcuffs in dramatic footageCredit: XFootage showed him being detained at an airportCredit: XUsyk spoke out on social mediaUsyk’s wife shared the footage onto her Instagram accountHe said on social media: “All is well my friends. There was a misunderstanding that was quickly resolved. “Thank you to everyone who was worried. Thank you Ukrainian diplomats for your support. “And respect to Polish law enforcers, who perform their duties despite height, weight, arm range and regalia.”His promoter Alex Krassyuk told SunSport: He was not arrested. A misunderstanding took place. He is free now.|READ MORE IN BOXINGIt came after Usyk’s wife Yekaterina shared the footage onto her Instagram page to say her fighting husband was not in legal trouble.She wrote: “Everything is ok, everything is fine!!! “Alexander will explain everything later!!! nothing to be criminal … Good night to you all!!!”His friend and coach Serge Lapin added: “Don’t worry, everything’s fine. The customs control service is neglecting its duties.”Most read in BoxingUSYK IN AIRPORT DRAMABy Wally Downes Jr OLEKSANDR USYK was roared on to victory in the Undisputed clash with Tyson Fury by everybody outside Russia and Morecambe.The 37-year-old Ukraine icon has spend time on his nation’s frontline supporting underdog soldiers against Putin’s savagesAnd he only agreed to carrying on professional fighting when his conscripted compatriots begged him to.He beat Daniel Dubois in a Wroclaw stadium full of Ukraineans who had escaped there to safety.And he recently visited London to help the Ukraine embassy send a convoy of vehicles to help his battered brothers and sisters.He is due back in our capital to be ringside for twice-dominated Anthony Joshua taking on Dubois.And he would have gotten a huge cheer from all the 96,000 fans for his courage in and outside of the ring.It seems highly unlikely he has been detained for anything related to his behaviour.And much more likely to go with strict travelling rules enforced around the Eastern European regions.The gap-toothed southpaw genius has hated leaving his four children and his wife so would not have been on a lads’ beano with too many ales at the airport Wetherspoons.So let’s hope a modern-day hero – of Olympic gold and cruiser and heavyweight undisputed glory – is safely in Wembley or back home soon.Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky later confirmed Usyk was released after being detained. He posted on Telegram: “Talked on the phone with Oleksandr Usyk when he was detained.Oleksandr Usyk blasts Tyson Fury’s shock career change hint and sends chilling message after starting rematch training”I was outraged by this attitude towards our citizen and champion.”He instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andriy Sibiza and the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Ihor Klymenko to immediately find out all the details of the incident at the Krakow airport.”As soon as I was informed that everything is fine, our champion was released and no one is detaining him anymore.”Usyk, 37, is coming off the biggest win of his career after beating Tyson Fury, 36, to become undisputed champion. But his reign as the heavyweight division’s first four-belt undisputed champion did not last long. Usyk was forced to vacate the IBF belt to proceed with his December 21 rematch against Fury back in Saudi Arabia. Dubois, 26, instead inherited the title after being elevated from interim champ and makes his first defence against Joshua, 34. Usyk was set to fly into London to watch Joshua’s all-British showdown against Dubois on Saturday. READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd the Ukrainian hero was facing an awkward reunion with Fury as both were scheduled at a fan event at Boxpark Wembley. Both men will take part in meet and greets with fans at what has been billed as the “official pre-fight party” just hours before the bout. Usyk beat Tyson Fury in his last fightCredit: GETTYThe boxing champ with his wife YekaterinaCredit: @usyk_kate1505 More

TYSON FURY and Oleksandr Usyk are on course for a tense reunion this week – just three months before their eagerly-anticipated rematch.The duo, 36 and 37 respectively, will renew their rivalry in a second successive Saudi showdown on December 21.Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will renew their rivalry on December 21Credit: GETTYFury’s dreams of becoming undisputed heavyweight champ were shattered by Usyk in MayCredit: GETTYThe pair are on course for a pre-rematch reunion before Anthony Joshua’s showdown with Daniel Dubois at Wembley on SaturdayThe fan favourites haven’t crossed paths since Usyk emerged victorious from their historic undisputed heavyweight title fight in May.But they could be set for a premature reunion just hours before Daniel Dubois’ showdown with Anthony Joshua at Wembley on Saturday night.The rivals are both slated to appear at a fan event at Boxpark Wembley several hours before Dubois and AJ vie for the iBF heavyweight title at the home of English football.Both men will take part in meet and greets with fans at what has been billed as the “official pre-fight party.”READ MORE ON USYK VS FURY 2Fury’s dreams of becoming the first undisputed king of the heavyweights since fellow Brit Lennox Lewis were shattered thanks to a split decision defeat.The Gypsy King was nearly knocked out in the ninth round of the classic but somehow managed to hear the final bell.Defeat to the slick southpaw – who became a two-weight undisputed king in the Riyadh rumble – was the first of Fury’s title-laden professional career.And the loss has lit a fire under the Wythenshawe warrior, who roared in a June social media video: “[I’m] counting down the days until I can get my redemption on Usyk.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”December 21 is going to be my time. I’ve done everything in boxing, but I ain’t come back from a loss.”And I relish it, the chance to redeem myself GET UP. “December 21 is all me – undisputed heavyweight here I come.”Everything we know about Fury-Usyk 2Fury blamed his first-ever loss on having TOO MUCH FUN in the fight, saying: “I thought I boxed his head right off him for most of the rounds.“He landed a good punch in round eight, that busted my nose. In round nine, he had a 10-8 round, and I gave him round ten.“Other than that I didn’t give him any other rounds, I gave him rounds eight, nine and ten.”But round nine is classed as two, so I gave him four rounds of the fight. It was actually a lot easier than I thought it would be, a lot easier.“People were saying he is a hard man to hit but I was lighting him up with three-and-four-punch combinations and laughing at him.“My problem in that fight was that it was probably too easy.“At times it was too easy, it was like I was in there with a local amateur boxer and I was enjoying it too much and messing around.”And for that, I paid the ultimate price in round nine when I had too much fun and got clipped.“I was always told, ‘Never mix your work with having fun.’ READ MORE SUN STORIES”And I always gave my middle finger up to that – but now it has come back to bite me.”I still enjoyed it, thought, it was all good.”Tyson Fury has vowed to exact revenge on Oleksandr Usyk in their December rematchCredit: GETTY More

ANTHONY JOSHUA warned he will not tolerate “nonsense” from Daniel Dubois – or anyone else. AJ challenges for Dubois’ IBF heavyweight world title on Saturday in what is expected to be a 96,000 record sellout at Wembley Stadium. Daniel Dubois and Anthony Joshua were forced apartCredit: GettyBut things got heated in the pre-fight sit down two months prior to the all-English title bout. Joshua threatened to wrap a chair around Dubois’ face after being challenged to a scrap. But AJ talked down the British beef and told talkSPORT how he lives by a 12-word motto: “I’ll tell anyone at home, don’t let anyone take an inch because that then becomes a mile.”What that does is have a ripple effect and then other people start feeling that. ‘Oh, I can push his buttons as well.’ READ MORE IN boxing “You’ve gotta sometimes draw a line under certain things, put a full stop behind it and that way it eradicates anyone else thinking they can do it. “I’m in a very competitive industry and you have to make your mark known that you’re not here to play games and that’s all it is. “I’m just not someone to tolerate nonsense and I’d advise anyone else to have that same attitude.” Dubois, 27, had just finished an exhausting flight from Brazil to London when he went face to face with Joshua, 34. Most read in BoxingANTHONY JOSHUA VS DANIEL DUBOIS: All the information you need ahead of huge world title fight at WembleyCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAnd he pushed AJ’s buttons after saying: “If you want to go now, let’s go.”Joshua then hit back: “I’ll throw this f***ing chair across your face. Don’t disrespect me. Don’t disrespect me. Daniel, don’t disrespect me.”Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois nearly come to blows as AJ tells rival ‘don’t disrespect me’Dubois refused to back down and said: “You can’t intimidate me. Who do you think you are?”At that point, AJ stands up and warned: “Daniel, don’t disrespect me because I’ll put this chair around your f***ing face.”Security had to intervene and prevent the 17st+ giants from breaking out into an early round one. Joshua and Dubois again came nose to nose in the capital – this time without any scares – to kick off fight week. Joshua and Dubois pose ahead of the IBF title fightCredit: Matchroom Boxing More

ANTHONY JOSHUA isn’t in the right frame of mind going into his domestic dust-up with Daniel Dubois, it’s been claimed.Joshua will bid to become a three-time heavyweight champion on Saturday night when he challenges Dubois for the IBF heavyweight title at Wembley.Anthony Joshua is on a hot streak going into his showdown with Daniel DuboisCredit: GETTYAJ has won his last three fights in a row via stoppage, including his showdown with Francis NgannouCredit: GETTYBut Carl Froch reckons the former champ hasn’t been tested since his defeats to Oleksandr UsykCredit: GETTYThe 34-year-old enters the domestic dust-up in red-hot form following three KOs in his last four fights, the last of which was a sensational stoppage of former UFC champ Francis Ngannou.But his displays following back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk have done little to convince Carl Froch that he’s ready for a world-class boxer to put it on him again.During an appearance on Stephen Hendry’s YouTube channel, the former super-middleweight champ said of Dubois: “He’s actually in better form than AJ.”Because has beat a guy in [Jermaine] Franklin, who is a nobody. And a guy called [Robert] Helenius.”READ MORE BOXINGWhen asked if a loss on Saturday night would end Joshua’s career, Froch continued: “I think so.”And he beat a guy called Otto Wallin and I don’t know if you saw it, but he fought he fought that UFC fighter Francis Ngannou.”So he’s had these four fights since after getting beat up by Usyk twice and he’s not between tested.”And I think his head is not in the right space where he’s confident to go in against a genuine world champ.”Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSANTHONY JOSHUA VS DANIEL DUBOIS: All the information you need ahead of huge world title fight at WembleyFroch reckons AJ could be there for the taking for Dubois if he doesn’t let the magnitude of the occasion get to him and sticks it on the former two-time champion from the opening bell.”What’s AJ done since then?” he asked. “He’s fought three or four nobodies who didn’t try.Daniel Dubois ‘turned Anthony Joshua’s legs to jelly’ during brutal sparring session, says ex-Team GB boxing star”Four people have come to get a paycheque. And you can’t even say Ngannou is a good fighter.”I know Ngannou gave Fury a good fight, but Fury was ill-prepared for that. He must have been.”AJ got in there and battered Ngannou. Hit him with the first right hand and Ngannou was out on his back. But that gives you a false sense of security.”I think Dubois gets in with him and puts it on him. If he believes in himself, Dubois, and sticks it on him, you might see AJ in some trouble.”A loss to Dubois would not only end Joshua’s bid to become a three-time champion, it would likely put the final nail in the coffin of a mega-fight with Tyson Fury.But Froch reckons defeat to Dubois could be curtains for AJ’s decorated career.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe said: “This is Dubois moment to shine or his moment to learn the hard way. But he’ll be getting paid well, this is a big occasion.”But he’s got such a big opportunity. If he beats AJ, I think that’s the end of AJ. This is AJ finished.”Carl Froch has been highly critical of Anthony Joshua as of lateCredit: GETTY More