Boxing

ANTHONY JOSHUA is “more than ready” for his world title fight against Daniel Dubois as Eddie Hearn showed off AJ’s hulking frame.Joshua challenges for Dubois’ IBF belt on September 21 at Wembley. Anthony Joshua in the gym with promoter Eddie HearnAnd he is in tremendous shape just two weeks out as he posed topless alongside promoter Hearn in the gym. Hearn posted on Instagram: “Good catch up with @anthonyjoshua today – More than ready!!!!! And the new!” Joshua, 34, bids to become a three-time heavyweight champion when he challenges British rival Dubois, 26. And Hearn insisted AJ – only ever beaten by Andy Ruiz Jr and Oleksandr Usyk – has no fear of defeat. READ MORE IN BOXINGHe said: “The vibe I get is that the fear of losing is not really there any more. “Because of the Ruiz and Usyk defeats you’ve been there and experienced that and know how much it hurts.“We don’t look at this fight and think the pressure’s on because if you lose to Dubois, what could happen? We’re just excited for the fight. “AJ’s having a great camp, he’s working well with Ben Davison and is firing on all cylinders.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“No fear of losing. At this stage he takes on all challengers and this one just happens to have a world championship attached to him.“It’s a dangerous fight and it will be really interesting to see if Dubois can handle the pressure because I know he boxed against Usyk in Poland, but this is going to be a moment that makes his knees knock.“You need to have not just a big set of bollocks, but also a really strong mind to compose yourself in those moments. “Whatever the gameplan is, I think he’ll struggle to adopt it in there.”How Anthony Joshua has become ‘unbeatable’ in boxing career turnaround with insiders left stunned by heavyweight star More

ANTHONY JOSHUA faces the prospect of being denied another shot at Oleksandr Usyk – with a “huge” fight to be offered instead. AJ lost the unified heavyweight world titles to Usyk in September 2021 before losing the rematch 11 months later in Saudi Arabia. Oleksandr Usyk twice beat Anthony JoshuaCredit: AFPUsyk, 37, has since defeated Tyson Fury, 36, in May when he became the first four-belt undisputed heavyweight champion.But he was forced to vacate the IBF belt to proceed with his December 21 rematch with Fury back in Riyadh. Daniel Dubois, 27, was elevated from interim champ and defends the belt against Joshua, 34, on September 21 at Wembley. If AJ and Fury prevail it sets up a blockbuster British grudge match for all the titles. READ MORE IN BOXINGBut Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh plans to make an offer for the fight regardless of the separate results. Alalshikh told talkSPORT: “For the business, of course, it will be a huge fight if Joshua wins.”His third time [winning] a world title and [after] the result of Usyk vs Fury it will be a huge fight.”But you don’t know about the future. Imagine Tyson after the fight with Usyk wants to retire.Most read in BoxingUsyk found Tyson Fury was his toughest opponentCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”I will give him the offer, but if he refuses, what can I do? First of all, Dubois has a very big chance and it is not easy.”I think it is a difficult fight for Joshua and a dangerous fight for Joshua. If Usyk wins, still I want to see Fury vs Joshua if they accept.Watch moment Daniel Dubois smashes fist through birthday cake with Anthony Joshua’s face on it… two weeks before fight”I will not try to do the third fight [between Usyk and Joshua] before having Fury vs Joshua. I think Joshua will win [against Dubois] but you don’t know.”I picked Deontay Wilder against Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang, and he lost. This is boxing, especially the heavyweights. “But I want to see Fury versus Joshua and the world wants to see Fury versus Joshua.”Joshua and Daniel Dubois fight on September 21Credit: PAUsyk and Tyson Fury rematch on December 21Credit: GETTY More

BARRY HEARN was once questioned over Frank Warren’s assassination attempt – now his son has joined forces with the promoter. The boxing rivalry dates back over 50 years when they both started putting on events in England. Frank Warren with Eddie Hearn’s dad BarryCredit: Griffiths PhotographersA young Eddie Hearn with dad BarryWarren and Eddie have joined forced after years of feudingCredit: GettyHearn Sr and Warren even co-promoted alongside the iconic but equally controversial American Don King. But in 1989 Warren was left fighting for his life after being shot outside the Broadway Theatre in Barking following an event of his.The assailant – who covered himself with a balaclava – was never caught despite police investigations.Officers even visited Hearn Sr with his young son Eddie overhearing the now infamous conversation.READ MORE IN BOXINGEddie told SunSport: “I remember the buzzer went on the gates and I could see police out there and they just came in and said, ‘Where were you during this time? Do you know anyone that might dislike Frank Warren?’“And my dad said, ‘Rule out Mother Theresa but everyone else is possible.’ It was a famous line.“I think they’ve had their rivalry over the years but he’s always said to me that, ‘You’ll like Frank. You’ll like his company.’“But we just never got on to do business. It’s probably quite strange him seeing us doing business now with Frank.Most read in BoxingFrank Warren began promoting in the 1980sCredit: News UK LtdWarren was shot outside Barking Town HallCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdTerry Marsh was accused but later acquitted of the murder attemptCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdFRANK WARREN ON BEING SHOT IN 1989It hurt! It made me jump! It was a surreal moment, it’s not something you were expecting to happen.I was just getting out of my car in Barking, Colin McMillan was fighting there. I was getting out the car and I heard a bang. I thought it was a car backfiring.I looked around and I’ve seen somebody standing there holding a gun.First of all I thought it was a joke, I was looking around and I thought, ‘What’s all this about?’I could see him shaking a bit, then there was a click and I realised there was another bang and I felt pain in my side.“What had happened, it had gone in my chest and I was standing at an angle and thankfully it went through my lung – and I lost half a lung – and came out.A friend of mine, a barrister called John Buttress, he went, ‘What the f*** are you doing?’ And he jumped on him.I didn’t realise, I suddenly felt this gurgling in my throat and because obviously the blood through my lungs had got into my throat.And then I was losing my breath, I went down on one knee and then I remember my late uncle Bob coming out and my brother Robert.They were standing over me, they were helping me and they said, ‘Get a doctor, get a doctor.’At every show we have doctors and the Boxing Board of Control’s doctor came out. I remember him saying, ‘Have you got a hankerchief?’I said, ‘Yeah,’ and he said, ‘Hold it on.’At the time the ambulances were all on strike so the next minute they bundled me into the back of a police van.They done like a 16-point turn up the curbs and everything.And they drove me off to the hospital and that was it.*Warren was speaking to talkSPORT…CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“But also I think he’s enjoying the fruits that it brings to our business, and our sport and our fighters.”Warren survived the murder attempt as a 9mm bullet – from a Luger pistol – missed his heart by just an inch.Jake Paul knocking out Mike Tyson, 58, would be a ‘travesty’ and no real boxing fan wants to see it, blasts Eddie HearnHe did lose half a lung and parts of his ribs and was unable to promote for over a year – forcing his business into liquidation.Boxer Terry Marsh – who was involved in a legal dispute with Warren – was arrested and charged with attempted murder on his ex-promoter. But Marsh was later acquitted. Warren estimates the incident cost him £14million but over the years he sensationally fought back to get his career on track again. By the 2010s, Hearn Sr passed Matchroom’s boxing operations to Eddie and suddenly Warren had a new rival. The warring promoters publicly feuded in the years following with the bitter relationship preventing boxing’s best fights from taking place. But that was until powerful Saudi Arabian minister Turki Alalshikh came on the scene. Alalshikh’s cash injection brought Hearn, Warren, their competing promotions and TV networks together. It was maybe a reluctant handshake at first but it’s grown into really a friendship, a partnership. Eddie Hearn on Frank Warren They even put bragging rights on the line for a series of fights as part of a 5v5 boxing bonanza – which Warren won in a clean sweep. Next up is Anthony Joshua – Hearn’s long-time golden boy – against Warren’s heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois on September 21. So as the competition hots up in the ring, relationships continue to mend outside the ropes.Eddie said: “Definitely when it first happened it was done really under the instruction of Turki Alalshikh to say, ‘Look, we’ve got a big opportunity here guys, don’t mess it up.’ “And we looked at the opportunity for the fighters and our own businesses and thought, ‘Yeah, this really something we should be doing.’ “And it was maybe a reluctant handshake at first but it’s grown into really a friendship, a partnership. READ MORE SUN STORIES“I’m close with George Warren, speak to him nearly every day on various things, not just Riyadh Season but opportunities for our two businesses. “We’re planning the next 5v5 now – it’s going to be a huge event – and enjoying the business. Enjoying the new dynamic.” Eddie took over boxing operations at Matchroom SportCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdFrank Warren with Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh and Eddie HearnCredit: Matchroom Boxing More