Boxing

THE undercard for Anthony Joshua’s Wembley war with Daniel Dubois has suffered a huge blow with just a week to go before fight night.AJ will bid to become a three-time heavyweight champion and end his former sparring partner’s brief reign as IBF king at the home of English football on September 21.Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois will throw down at Wembley next weekendCredit: GettyFormer WBO light-middleweight champ Liam Smith was scheduled to be on the undercardCredit: GettyBut the Liverpudlian has been forced out of his clash with Josh Kelly due to illnessCredit: RICHARD PELHAMA stacked undercard was put together for the huge domestic dust-up, which will take place in front of 96,000 fans.But it’s one fight lighter after the withdrawal of a former world champion due to illness.Liam Smith’s domestic dust-up with Josh Kelly has been scrapped due to the former WBO light-middleweight champion being struck down with a virus.It’s unknown if a replacement opponent will be found for Sunderland slugger Kelly.READ MORE BOXING NEWSSmith, 36, hasn’t set foot inside the ring since losing his rematch with Chris Eubank Jr last September.The Liverpudlian entered the Manchester melee having sensationally stopped the former IBO super-middleweight champion in the fourth round of their first encounter in January 2023.But lightning didn’t strike twice as Smith was stopped in the tenth round of their rematch.Reflecting on the defeat, he said: “I couldn’t get off. The weight cut just took its toll on me.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 Wembley”From the minute of the back injury to the minute of the rescheduled date.”It was like a race against time, from our point of view, the deadline where Chris might have walked away from the rematch.How Anthony Joshua has become ‘unbeatable’ in boxing career turnaround with insiders left stunned by heavyweight star”So it was always a race against time, anyway, and I just feel it obviously played its part.”You didn’t have to be a genius to see how flat [I was] 40 seconds into the fight, you know what I mean? I just couldn’t get going, I feel. I feel the weight killed me.“I think everyone knows and Chris knows how I was with the weight, to say at the weigh-in.“After the injury, I came down three stone (42 pounds) and so [that is] a lot of weight to shift in a short space of time.” More

ANTHONY JOSHUA won’t be hanging up his gloves any time soon, promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed.The Watford warrior, 34, has been vocal about his eagerness to not still be fighting deep into his 30s over the years.Retirement seemed on the cards for Anthony Joshua after his back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr UsykCredit: GETTYBut AJ has breathed new life into his career with four wins on the bounce, including a brutal KO of Francis NgannouCredit: GETTYPromoter Eddie Hearn has revealed AJ is targeting at least “five” more fightsCredit: GETTYHis initial retirement plans, however, were made before back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk derailed his bid for undisputed glory.Four wins on the bounce, however, have breathed new life into AJ’s undisputed bid, which includes a domestic dust-up with Daniel Dubois for the IBF heavyweight title.And according to Hearn, the former two-time unified champion has at least another “FIVE” fights in him before he brings the curtain down on his glittering career.The Matchroom Boxing chief recently told talkSPORT: “Everything changes after every fight, but I think I’ve never seen him enjoy boxing so much.READ MORE ON JOSHUA VS DUBOIS”The preparation, the team. It’s simple but effective. I think he’s really found his rhythm with Ben [Davison] and the camp there.”And I think if you look back after the Oleksandr Usyk fights you might have said, ‘How many more fights? Three? Five?'”Well we’ve had four since then and now we’re saying five [more] still.”It’s always fight by fight.”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 WembleyJoshua had aspirations of calling time on his fighting days after his 35th birthday, which he celebrates next month, prior to his undisputed plans going up in smokeDuring an appearance on the Jonathan Ross Show, he said: “I’ve always said [I’d retire at] 35.Daniel Dubois ‘turned Anthony Joshua’s legs to jelly’ during brutal sparring session, says ex-Team GB boxing star”I’m 35 in October, I’m thinking another two years or so if my body holds out.”I’ve set up certain businesses that I can transition into naturally which don’t rely on me being at the forefront.”Joshua will bid to become a three-time heavyweight champion when he throws down with fellow Brit Dubois at Wembley on September 21.But the prospect of winning yet another world title isn’t at the forefront of the London 2012 gold medallist’s mind.When asked if he’s thought about the magnitude of a potential win over Dubois, AJ replied: “Inshallah [God willing].”We’ll see, I don’t like to talk about what’s going to happen.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Do you know what it is: I watch a lot of stuff, I watch a lot of boxing and I see people make bold predictions.”And [they] say this and say that. And what matters is the result. Let me get the job done.”Anthony Joshua will bid to end Daniel Dubois’ brief reign as IBF heavyweight championCredit: GETTY More

OLEKSANDR USYK has taken aim at Tyson Fury for teasing a shock career change ahead of their rematch.The Gypsy King jokingly hinted this week that he’s open to dipping his toes into the Muay Thai world.Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will renew their rivalry on December 21Credit: GETTYGypsy King Fury jokingly teased a future transition to Muay Thai ahead of the do-or-die rematchCredit: INSTAGRAM@TYSONFURYUsyk mocked the Brit’s Thai training as he ran on the treadmill with a VO2 max maskCredit: INSTAGRAM@USYKAAFury, 36, shared a video of himself dropping a Kru (Muay Thai instructor) with a hard low kick from his recent trip to Thailand with his seven million Instagram followers on Tuesday.It didn’t take long for Usyk to get wind of the video, which he mocked as he went for a run on the treadmill.As he ran with a VO2 max mask on his face, the undefeated Ukranian said on Insta: “Hey, why are you beating up Thais?”Put that mask on and take a run. Going after just the little guys, huh?READ MORE ON USYK VS FURY 2″What’s up, my chubby buddy?”Usyk, 37, shattered Fury’s dream of becoming undisputed heavyweight champion in their historic Saudi showdown in May.The slick southpaw scored a split decision victory over the Wythenshawe warrior, who he almost knocked out in the ninth round.The pair will renew their rivalry in a second straight Riyadh rumble on December 21, although all the heavyweight marbles won’t be on the line.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnd Usyk has already begun training for his second desert dance with the former WBC king.His accompanying caption for his latest social media post read: “See you soon, @TysonFury. My camp has started.” Watch Tyson Fury ‘floor’ kickboxer in bizarre video as he tries hand at new sport ahead of Oleksandr Usyk rematchFury is champing at the bit to avenge his first professional loss, saying in a June Instagram video: “Hey guys, Tyson Fury here.”Back in the gym, as you can see. [I’m] counting down the days until I can get my redemption on Usyk.”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.” More

MANNY PACQUIAO left IShowSpeed in agony with a brutal punch during a boxing sparring session.The streamer joined the legendary former boxer for a light-hearted session during a visit to the Philippines.Manny Pacquiao dropped IShowSpeed with a brutal shot during their sparring sessionCredit: YouTube / IShowSpeedThe streamer was left in agony after a punch to the liverCredit: YouTube / IShowSpeedSpeed is in the country as part of his tour of South East Asia, following the success of his journey across Europe in the summer.His travels across the continent saw him watch Cristiano Ronaldo at Euro 2024 and meet Switzerland star Alisha Lehmann.The internet personality’s latest stunt saw him sprawled on the floor and screaming in agony, though.Footage of his sparring session with Pacquiao shows the pair trading punches to the body as a crowd watches on.READ MORE IN BOXINGHowever, Speed is then dropped to the floor by a brutal liver shot from PacMan.His telling blow was met with applause by those watching on before both Speed and Pacquiao posed for a photo together.Fans on social media were left pleased by the outcome as they reacted to the video.One viewer wrote: “Pacquiao doing the work of the people.”Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAnother asked: “What was he expecting to happen?”A third fan also added: “Tremendous. Doing God’s work.”Manny Pacquiao 45 in training for boxing return fightPacquiao’s punch sent Speed falling to the floor during their meet upCredit: YouTube / IShowSpeedThe pair traded body shots in front of a crowd of fans in the PhilippinesCredit: YouTube / IShowSpeedMeanwhile, one more wrote: “He caught him smooth.”Pacquiao, who is the only eight-division world champion in boxing history, has not fought professionally for three years.His last official bout came in August 2021, losing via unanimous decision to Yordenis Ugas in a WBA welterweight title bout.The loss left Pacquiao with a professional record of 62-8-2, with 39 of his wins coming via knockout.However, the 45-year-old has been linked with a sensational return to the ring following talks with Amir Khan.Both fighters are forming training partners and saw rumoured bouts between them fall through during their careers.Khan himself is a former unified light-welterweight world champion but retired from the sport in 2022.Fans joked Pacquiao was ‘doing the work of the people’ with his punch on SpeedCredit: YouTube / IShowSpeedSpeed and Pacquiao posed for a photo following their light-hearted sparring sessionCredit: X / @IShowSpeedSui More