More stories

  • in

    Jake Paul’s grudge match with Tommy Fury in Saudi Arabia faces DELAY as fight announcement closes in

    THE anticipated grudge match between Jake Paul and Tommy Fury faces another delay – by just 24 hours. Fans of the two celebrity boxing stars are fearing the worst with the fight yet to be confirmed.
    Jake Paul is set to fight Tommy Fury nextCredit: Esther Lin
    Tommy Fury has twice pulled out of fighting Jake Paul beforeCredit: Rex
    But according to journalist Ariel Helwani, the bout is set to end up on Sunday, February 26, with “an announcement shortly”.
    Initially the fight was due to land a day beforehand, with Saudi Arabia all-but confirmed to host.
    The two are now trying to settle their score in the ring for the THIRD time.
    Fury, 23, was forced to pull out in December 2021 due to a rib injury and then last August amid a US visa issue.
    READ MORE IN BOXING
    The travel woe still persists today, which left the UK and Saudi as frontrunners to host the bitter bout.
    Paul, 26, even offered to travel to Manchester on February 18 and fight Fury in enemy territory.
    But a more lucrative deal in Saudi Arabia a week later was proposed and looks to have won the race.
    Fury last boxed in Dubai in November in a last-minute exhibition against Rolly Lambert, 33.
    Most read in Boxing
    JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
    Paul was a special guest commentator that night and slammed the six-round bout from ringside.
    It came a month after the American beat UFC legend Anderson Silva, 47, over eight rounds to go 6-0.
    Paul appeared to respond to concerns over his next fight and pointed towards the pregnancy of Fury’s girlfriend Molly-Mae.
    He tweeted: “Hold your horses. The man’s having a baby.”
    But Paul looks to be on track still, having travelled to Dubai to finish his camp for the Saudi fight with Fury.
    And his boxing banner Most Valuable Promotions also posted: “Jumping towards that announcement? You know what it is. Coming soon.”
    Tommy Fury and Jake Paul are set to fight in FebruaryCredit: BT Sport More

  • in

    Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk AGREE to blockbuster undisputed fight with location to be revealed next week

    TYSON FURY and Oleksandr Usyk have AGREED to their blockbuster undisputed title fight with a location to be revealed next week. The pair of unbeaten champions have been in talks for the heavyweight division’s first four-belt unification since the new year.
    Tyson Fury with his US promoter Bob ArumCredit: Getty
    Oleksandr Usyk is closing in on a deal to fight Tyson FuryCredit: Reuters
    And Saudi Arabia has emerged as a frontrunner to host the historic title fight with the boxers negotiating separate deals.
    Fury’s US promoter Bob Arum confirmed an agreement to fight is in place with the date and venue to be imminently announced.
    Arum told Sky Sports: “I think both of the fighters have agreed to the fight, I think the question is where the site will be. 
    “That will be sorted out hopefully next week and we’ll have an announcement shortly.
    READ MORE IN boxing
    “If the fight goes to the Middle East it will be sometime after Ramadan and if the fight is in the UK it will be the beginning of April.”
    Arum has refused to rule out Fury, 34, fighting Usyk, 35, on home soil at Wembley Stadium.
    But he admitted the prizefighters could be convinced over to the desert, where the most money can be made.
    Arum said: “It depends what the deals are and so forth.
    Most read in Boxing
    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST NEW CUSTOMER SIGN UP DEALS
    “There are a number of us that would prefer the fight to be in Wembley, but again it depends on the money.
    “The fighters have a very short limit of their careers and they have to make whatever money, particularly large amounts of money, because in a few years it’s not going to be available.
    “I just think it’s going to be a tremendous fight.”
    Oleksandr Usyk, Bob Arum and Tyson Fury in 2021Credit: Getty More

  • in

    John Fury says ‘there is no more boxing’ for son Tommy Fury if he loses to Jake Paul as fight is ‘a foregone conclusion’

    JOHN FURY insists son Tommy’s days as a boxer will be over if he loses his grudge match with Jake Paul.The former Love Island star is set to collide with the YouTuber-turned-boxer in a lucrative Saudi showdown next month after nearly two years of build-up.
    Tommy Fury is set to throw down with Jake Paul next monthCredit: BT SPORT
    Tommy is under immense pressure to preserve the prestigious Fury nameCredit: GETTY
    Dad John has threatened to retire his son if he loses to the YouTuberCredit: Rex
    Dogged dad John has no doubt in his mind his son will do a number on Paul, so much so he’s vowed to retire him if he comes up short against The Problem Child.
    The 58-year-old told talkSPORT: “There is no more boxing for him if he loses.
    “But, I am 100 per cent confident he will knock him out.
    “It’s a big ask for Jake Paul, because Tommy is much better than what he’s faced before, so fair do’s to him.
    READ MORE IN BOXINNG
    “It’s a foregone conclusion that Tommy will win.
    “We are not leaving a stone unturned and are training as if this were against a world-class fighter.
    “He’s working really well.”
    Brother Tyson had a similar warning for 23-year-old Tommy, telling talkSPORT: “They are finally getting it on and are going to throw down.
    Most read in Boxing
    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
    “The two YouTube people get to battle it out for the king of the YouTubers.
    “It’s going to be fun, and I expect Tommy to chin him.
    “If he doesn’t he can stay in Saudi Arabia.”
    Fury vs Paul is currently on course to take place on February 25, although an official announcement has yet to be made.
    John said of the showdown: “It’s 99 per cent done.
    “We have been in camp before Christmas so are ahead of schedule.
    John Fury is adamant son Tommy will do a number on Jake PaulCredit: ALAMY
    “Things are going really well; we are looking to put a great fight on for the fans.
    “If they don’t, it’s a doomed contest.
    “But both boys want to fight, so I can’t see any issues.
    “It’s a great venue they’ve got and the fans have been waiting a long time for this.”
    Read More on The Sun
    Paul, however, has hinted the fight may have fallen through a third time due to the imminent birth of Fury’s first child with long-term girlfriend Molly-Mae.
    On Wednesday evening, he tweeted: “Hold your horses. The man’s having a baby.” More

  • in

    Dillian Whyte in limbo over summer Anthony Joshua clash as Eddie Hearn has made ‘no offer’ to him for grudge match

    DILLIAN WHYTE has yet to receive an offer to fight Anthony Joshua – despite their eagerly-anticipated trilogy fight being touted for the summer.Whyte preserved a big money grudge match with the Watford warrior by scraping past Jermaine Franklin last November.
    Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte are on course to throw down in the summerCredit: NEWS GROUP NEWSPAPERS LTD
    The pair agreed to fight again during an impromptu meeting last yearCredit: DILLIAN WHYTE
    Whyte has claimed he’s yet to receive any sort of contract from Eddie HearnCredit: GETTY
    Matchroom Boxing chief Eddie Hearn has lined up the Brixton Body Snatcher for a summer showdown with AJ, although an official offer has yet to be sent out.
    The recent WBC heavyweight title challenger told The Daily Mail: “Eddie has talked a lot about the fight, but they couldn’t commit to actually making it.
    “Waste of time talking about it! We’ve had no offer for that fight or serious talks. It’s very frustrating.”
    Joshua, 33, will look to get his career back on track in April with a clash against Franklin at London’s O2 Arena.
    READ MORE IN BOXING
    AJ agreed to a third showdown with old amateur foe Whyte after an impromptu meeting in London last year, but that agreement has yet to turn into a concrete deal.
    Frustrated fan favourite Whyte said: “AJ’s doing what he wants to do.
    “Listen, if he really wants to fight me it’s not very hard to make.
    “It’s 1-1 and I’ve been chasing that fight for the last seven years.
    Most read in Boxing
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    “I don’t understand why we can’t get the fight on.”
    Joshua’s spring showdown with Franklin will be his first outing since his back-to-back defeats to pound-for-pound king Oleksandr Usyk.
    And promoter Hearn insists it’s a must-win bout for the former two-time unified heavyweight champ, telling iFL TV: “You go into that fight in April and you know that defeat, it’s all over, really.
    “It would be a third back-to-back defeat and yet a great performance and a showroom knockout will get everyone saying, ‘We’re back, baby.’
    “That’s what I can’t wait for because I love it when our backs are against the wall.
    “I’m excited. I’m really excited. This is the most excited I’ve been in Joshua’s journey so far.” More

  • in

    Aaron Chalmers wants to face Floyd Mayweather in 4oz gloves and calls out Tommy Fury as Geordie Shore star reveals talks

    AARON CHALMERS wants his exhibition with Floyd Mayweather to be in 4oz gloves – and called out Tommy Fury. Chalmers has been announced as the next crossover boxing star to share the ring with the American legend.
    Aaron Chalmers called out Tommy FuryCredit: Instagram
    Tommy Fury was once in talks to fight Aaron Chalmers
    Mayweather, 45, is set to make his UK boxing debut on Febuary 25 at the O2 Arena in his sixth exhibition since officially retiring.
    Meanwhile Chalmers, 35, won his professional boxing debut last year having crossed over from MMA, where he was 5-2.
    The Geordie Shore star was initially brought over to boxing after entering talks to face Fury, 23, who starred on Love Island in 2019.
    And although negotiations collapsed, he is out to settle the score after first sharing the ring with boxing royalty.
    READ MORE IN BOXING
    Chalmers said: “So I’m seeing a lot of s*** chatted online, right.
    “But, at the end of the day, it’s me that’s fighting Floyd and I’ve got no hesitation of going in there and having a fight.
    “That’s exactly what I’ve always done, every fight I’ve had. And once I take care of business with Floyd, then I’m going to smash Tommy Fury.
    “Because he’s the reason that I got involved in boxing in the first place, was to fight him but it never materialised.”
    Most read in Boxing
    JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
    Mayweather hung up his gloves as a pro in 2017 after beating ex-UFC champion Conor McGregor, 34.
    But he has returned for five exhibitions since against stars of the MMA, social media and boxing world.
    His most recent came in November against YouTuber Deji, 26, which he won in six rounds.
    Although the bout in Dubai faced collapse just moments before after a row over the gloves, with Deji having to wear 10oz instead of the 14oz he signed for.
    But Chalmers has insisted there will be no such problems with him and is even willing to go back to his roots with the smaller 4oz gloves used in MMA.
    “So, like I say I’m not Deji, I’m not asking to fight in bigger gloves, I agreed to fight in 10s and if he really wants to, let’s do it in 4s.
    “Me and Floyd in 4oz gloves, doesn’t get much better than that.”
    Floyd Mayweather beat YouTuber Deji in his last exhibitionCredit: Lee Hamilton-Cooper More

  • in

    KSI ready to cancel Jake Paul grudge match if YouTube rival loses to Tommy Fury… and will fight Love Islander instead

    KSI is ready to cancel his proposed grudge match with Jake Paul if his YouTube rival loses to Tommy Fury – and will fight the victor instead. The sworn internet enemies have talked up an end-of-year blockbuster to finally settle their score in the ring.
    KSI is ready to cancel his fight with Jake Paul if his rival loses to Tommy FuryCredit: Getty
    Jake Paul and KSI have talked up an end of year fightCredit: Reuters
    And contracts have even been exchanged, despite Paul, 26, on the verge of announcing his rescheduled bout with Fury, 23.
    KSI, 29, will keep a keen eye on the anticipated clash and claimed if his American foe loses, it could spell the end of their mega-fight.
    He said on Twitter: “At that point I’d probably have to fight Tommy Fury instead of Jake.
    “If Tommy beats Jake then I don’t think that’s the money fight.”
    READ MORE IN BOXING
    KSI’s history with Paul dates back to 2018 when he drew against his brother Logan, 27, but won the rematch a year later.
    The former opponents have now turned friends and business partners after the major success of their Prime hydration drink.
    But Logan’s younger brother has no love lost for KSI and has gone 6-0 in his pursuit to avenge his sibling’s loss.
    And he faces, on paper, his toughest test in the ring against Fury, set for February 25 in Saudi Arabia.
    Most read in Boxing
    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST NEW CUSTOMER SIGN UP DEALS
    The two are now trying to settle their score in the ring for the THIRD time.
    Tommy was forced to pull out in December 2021 due to a rib injury and then last August amid a US visa issue.
    The travel woe still persists today, which left the UK and Saudi as frontrunners to host the bitter bout.
    But a big-money deal from the Saudis look to have won the race with an official fight announcement imminent.
    Tommy Fury is set to fight Jake Paul on February 25Credit: Getty More

  • in

    Deontay Wilder set to fight Andy Ruiz Jr in May in WBC title eliminator with Middle East a frontrunner to host US clash

    DEONTAY WILDER is set to fight Andy Ruiz Jr next in a title eliminator with the Middle East a frontrunner to host. The WBC have ordered the American pair into a final eliminator to decide the mandatory challenger for Tyson Fury’s belt.
    Deontay Wilder is set to fight Andy Ruiz Jr nextCredit: Getty
    Andy Ruiz Jr are set for a WBC title eliminatorCredit: Getty
    According to ESPN, the Middle East have shown an interest in staging the fight, which is targeted for May.
    But Errol Spence Jr, 32, is also set to face Keith Thurman, 34, in the same month on pay-per-view.
    And Premier Boxing Champion want to avoid two PPVs in the same month, meaning Wilder’s fight with Ruiz, 33, could be moved.
    The American, 37, returned in October, knocking out Robert Helenius, 39, in the first round.
    READ MORE IN BOXING
    It came after Wilder suffered consecutive knockout losses to Tyson Fury, 34, after their controversial 2018 draw.
    The ex-champion’s team have pursued a blockbuster bout against Anthony Joshua, 33, and made it a priority.
    But AJ is in line for a confidence-building tune-up fight on April 1 having suffered back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, 36.
    So Wilder is ready to focus on Ruiz – who both beat and lost to Joshua in 2019 – with the winner named as next for Fury’s belt.
    Most read in Boxing
    JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
    His manager Shelly Finkel told SunSport: “Deontay is in good spirits.
    “Right now we’re looking at a couple of options and most likely we’ll be fighting Ruiz, I hope in the second quarter of the year.
    “In the next couple of weeks I’ll know if that can be made.
    “Ruiz is not a second-class opponent, so he’s asking for a good payday also, which makes it all the more difficult.” 
    Boxing manager Shelly Finkel pictured with Deontay Wilder in 2018Credit: AFP or licensors More

  • in

    Floyd Mayweather and Aaron Chalmers look to upstage Jake Paul and Tommy Fury as two fights scheduled on SAME DAY

    FLOYD MAYWEATHER’s return to the ring is set to take place on the same date as Jake Paul’s clash with Tommy Fury.Former five-weight world champion Mayweather will be back in action on February 25 in an exhibition bout with ex-MMA fighter Aaron Chalmers.
    Floyd Mayweather will throw down with Brit Aaron Chalmers on February 25Credit: INSTAGRAM@FLOYDMAYWEATHER
    But the fight is set to clash with Jake Paul’s grudge match with Tommy FuryCredit: BT SPORT
    The imminent birth of Fury’s first child with Molly-Mae Hague could delay the fightCredit: INSTAGRAM@MOLLYMAE
    But the fight could end up being overshadowed by the battle of social media sensations Paul and Fury.
    The pair’s long-awaited grudge match – which has been nearly two years in the making – is on course to take place on the same night in Saudi Arabia.
    And given the time difference between the UK and Saudi, the fights could very well take place at near enough the same time.
    The only saving grace for Mayweather and Chalmers is that Paul vs Fury is yet to be officially announced.
    READ MORE IN BOXING
    But there is seemingly a chance the pair’s Saudi showdown will end up being delayed yet again.
    On Wednesday, Paul sparked suggestions the bout could be pushed back with a cryptic tweet about the youngest Fury brother.
    The YouTuber-turned-boxer tweeted: “Hold your horses. The man’s having a baby.”
    Fury and long-time girlfriend Molly-Mae Hague – who he met on Love Island – are expecting their first child later this month.
    Most read in Boxing
    JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
    And Fury’s growing family was a big factor in his decision to take the lucrative clash with The Problem Child.
    During an appearance on The Disruptors podcast, he said: ” If you want to slap millions of pounds in front of my face to fight Jake Paul, why am I not going to do that?
    “I’ve got a family to feed now any day.
    “The reason I’ve taken the Jake Paul fight is it’s financially good.
    “There is [a part of me that wants to shut him up] but he doesn’t get underneath my skin like that.
    “He can’t get underneath my skin because I know what he’s doing.
    “He’s a whiz on social media, he’s made a living off being an idiot, arrogant and calling people out.
    Tommy Fury is champing at the bit to get his hands on Jake PaulCredit: GETTY
    “It is what it is, but he can’t get underneath my skin.
    “All I see with Jake Paul is a business and if you want me to beat a man who can’t fight and throw millions of pounds in my face, not a problem, sign me up and that’s purely what this is.
    “I’ve described it all the time as being on Route 66 and I need to stop off in my campervan, fill it up and get back on the road.
    “I am on a straight and narrow road to world titles.
    “But you want me to take a slight detour for an awful lot of fuel, pick that up and then jump back on the road?
    Read More on The Sun
    “That’s exactly what I’m doing here at the end of the day.
    “This is a business; you’ve got to use your head and every fighter in my position would take that fight if it got offered to them.” More