Heavyweight boxing

EDDIE HEAN has ruled out Anthony Joshua returning in an “easy fight” and will instead face “a quality heavyweight”. Joshua is set for an April 1 comeback bout at the O2 Arena, following two consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk.
Promoter Eddie Hearn pictured with Anthony JoshuaCredit: PA
AJ has once again chosen a new coach and will conduct his whole training camp in America.
Joshua’s new cornerman is set to get the final say on his return opponent but Hearn insisted it will be a worthwhile name.
He told iFL TV: “He will be fighting a real fight, it will be against a quality heavyweight, and that is being closed at the moment.
“We’re not taking an easy fight. I think you’ll be happy with the opponent. If we get the guy we want.”
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Joshua, 33, was beaten twice by Usyk, 35, in the space of 11 months, most recently in August and subsequently took some time out.
But he returns with the view to rematch Dillian Whyte, 34, in the summer before leading him into another title challenge.
Hearn said: “He’s going to fight three times this year. April the 1st, July, and December. That’s the plan.
“He needs this to be a competitive fight [in April], and then move on to a big stadium fight and close the year with a massive fight and hopefully a fight that will lead him to the world heavyweight championship because that is the aim.
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“To become a three-time heavyweight champion. He’ll be heading to America very soon.
“There’s a lot of speculation about his new trainer, which has been selected. April 1st is the proposed date for his return at the O2 Arena.”
Anthony Joshua is set to conduct his next training camp in AmericaCredit: Instagram / @anthonyjoshua More

ANTHONY JOSHUA is set to face a former sparring in his crucial comeback fight later this year.AJ is in a rebuilding phase of his career following consecutive losses to pound-for-pound king Oleksandr Usyk and is set to return to the ring in April.
Talks over a showdown with former sparring partner Demsey McKean are underwayCredit: INSTAGRAM@DEMSEY.MCKEAN
Anthony Joshua is facing a career rebuild following a second defeat to Oleksandr UsykCredit: GETTY
And talks over a spring showdown with Aussie southpaw Demsey McKean – a training partner for two of his previous fight camps – are currently underway.
McKean told Sky Sports: “We are one of the frontrunners for a possible opponent for Anthony Joshua.
“I could be (the man to retire Joshua) and I am very confident I can do that.
“But don’t get me wrong, there is still more fights for AJ. If he loses to me, a top-10 heavyweight as well, that shouldn’t be the end.
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“People probably don’t give him the credit he deserves, what he has done for the heavyweight game.
“He has brought a lot of eyes and money into the heavyweight division.
“He is probably the biggest name in boxing, everyone is after him, including me. It is the name to have on your resume.
“There are still fights to be made and people are still going to pay to watch those fights.
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“But three losses in a row, does he need to keep doing this, he is well set up now?
“He probably still has his doubts, he still doubts himself a lot, I know that.
“But who wouldn’t when they are at the top, in the limelight and cop a lot of criticism.
“There are a lot of factors but I have the skills to do that (retire him) for sure.”
COULD GO SOUTHPAW
Although talks are progressing well, McKean believes the fact he’s a southpaw could scupper the bout.
He said: “I feel confident if that fight goes through. The only doubt I have is that he doesn’t want to fight a southpaw.
“It would be a shame. I have been on the brink of some very big fights myself. I have come close to fighting Dillian Whyte as well.
“I think it is sad that some of the elite boxers in the world pick and choose who they fight. We would not have had this back in the old days.
“Even with Tyson Fury a few years ago, when his fight fell through with Deontay Wilder and he was looking for a last-minute replacement. And again it came down to not wanting to fight a southpaw.
“The world has gone mad, and all these so-called champion boxers don’t want to fight a southpaw. Let’s hope he [Joshua mans up] and fights this time.”
Joshua and McKean, 33 and 32 respectively, know each other all too well having taken part in several hard rounds.
And the undefeated ‘Machine’ is confident of putting what could potentially be the final nail into the coffin of AJ’s glittering career.
He said: “I have been sparing with him for years, I have been in his camp twice.
“He knows it is going to be a hard fight, by the rounds I give these guys.
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“He is a smooth operator, there aren’t too many who move like him. His size is an advantage and disadvantage for him.”
Former two-time unified heavyweight champion Joshua is set to jet out to the USA next week to begin working with new coach Derrick James.
Undefeated Aussie McKean believes he has what it takes to hand AJ his third straight lossCredit: INSTAGRAM@DEMSEY.MCKEAN More

TYSON FURY and Molly Mae Hague visited a local cafe for some breakfast on Saturday.The WBC heavyweight champion stopped off for a fry-up and took time to pose for photos with staff and customers during a family outing.
Tyson Fury and Molly Mae Hague posed for photos at the cafeCredit: Cranford Cafe and Sandwich Bar
The Fury’s enjoyed a Full English at the cafe
And Molly, who goes out with Fury’s half brother Tommy, was also seen smiling for the camera.
They went for the cooked breakfast after she watched Tyson and Tommy participate in a 10km run at Tatton Park.
They were at Cranford Cafe and Sandwich Bar in Chesire.
Despite the rain, the social media influencer was still there supporting.
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And Tommy treated himself to Full English after the race had finished.
Molly uploaded a photo to her Instagram of plates filled with sausages, eggs, bacon, hash browns, toast and beans.
62-year-old Sally Freeman runs the family business and was thrilled to see the Fury family pop by.
She said: “Cranford Cafe was delighted to host Tyson Fury together with Tommy Fury and Molly-Mae for a big breakfast, after Tyson and Tommy had participated in the 10k marathon at Tatton Park.
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“They were happy to pose for photos and selfies with customers and staff after their breakfast.
“We hope they enjoyed their fry up!” More

TYSON FURY is in line to fight THREE times in 2023 against the likes of Oleksandr Usyk and Joe Joyce… but not Anthony Joshua. Fury and Usyk are currently in talks for the heavyweight division’s first ever four-belt unification bout, which is eyed for March.
Joe Joyce confronts Tyson Fury with Oleksandr UsykCredit: Jamie McPhilimey
And unbeaten contender Joyce, 37, is primed to contest the winner while standing as the mandatory challenger for the WBO belt.
It potentially sets Fury, 34, up for a hectic year with his promoter Frank Warren hoping for a hat-trick of bouts.
Warren wrote in his latest website column: “The booming heavyweight division will be featuring strongly in our plans across the next 12 months.
“Top of the to-do list is finalising the undisputed showdown with Oleksandr Usyk that will dominate the spring schedule.
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“If Tyson can vanquish the great Ukrainian, then he has said himself that he is eyeing up a big Wembley night with Big Joe Joyce and that is a fight I would love to make and one that would once again break records at the national stadium.
“With Tyson wanting to fight three times this year, there is plenty of scope for huge heavyweight action.”
Fury has not fought more than twice in a year since 2018, when he made his boxing comeback.
But after ruling out retirement, for now at least, the Gypsy King looks on course to be an active fighter.
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It will gives fans hope of Fury at last fighting long-time rival Joshua, 33, following years of failed talks, most recently in December.
But with AJ set to ease himself back, after consecutive losses to Usyk, 35, Warren does not see him fitting in Fury’s plans.
He said: “I’ll tell you why I can’t see it. Tyson’s told me what fights he wants, that’s number one.
“And number two is they don’t want the fight. They had the chance to make it and we had all that palaver.”
Anthony Joshua is on the comeback following two losses to Oleksandr UsykCredit: PA More

ANTHONY JOSHUA is set to name American Derrick James as his new boxing trainer. The ex-heavyweight champion once again went on the scout for a fresh coaching team following defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.
Anthony Joshua pictured at Derrick James’ gym
Derrick James, left, pictured next to Errol Spence Jr, middle
And after time spent in California and Texas before Christmas, SunSport understands AJ has chosen trainer of the year candidate James.
Joshua, 33, in December visited James’ World Class Boxing Gym in Dallas, home to pound-for-pound stars Errol Spence Jr and Jermell Charlo.
James has guided Spence, 32, to unified welterweight world titles and Charlo, 32, to undisputed glory at light-middleweight.
The US mastermind has also worked with Charlo’s unbeaten brother, WBC middleweight title holder Jermall, 32.
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News of Joshua selecting James as his new coach was first reported by No Smoke Boxing.
After AJ’s first loss to Usyk, in September 2021, he parted ways with Rob McCracken, who led him to gold in the amateurs and pros.
Joshua replaced McCracken with esteemed US mastermind Robert Garcia, but following rematch defeat to Usyk, 35, the two split.
AJ took the rest of the year off to re-group, allowing for his second tour of America to trail trainers.
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And Eddie Hearn confirmed the 2012 Olympic gold medalist has picked his new coach and will start camp for a return fight in April.
Hearn told DAZN: “He is gonna train in America, and he’ll start that camp in the next week. He’ll be flying out. You guys will get the news soon.
“Like I said, AJ’s his own man, and something like that (announcing his new trainer) is for him to confirm once he’s happy to confirm it.”
Joshua is expected to rematch Dillian Whyte, 34, in the summer, the man he beat in 2015, but will first take a confidence-building tune-up.
Hearn added: “April 1 is the targeted date in London.
“Really, I have a call (today) to go through the final list of opponents, the final, you know, bits and pieces around the date.
We’re almost ready, really. He’s excited.”     
Anthony Joshua pictured with promoter Eddie Hearn More

DEONTAY WILDER’S next fight will be against Andy Ruiz Jr or a “mystery opponent”, his trainer Malik Scott has confirmed.The Bronze Bomber made his return to the ring by breezing past Robert Helenius with a first round knockout in October.
Deontay Wilder’s next opponent hasn’t been confirmedCredit: Getty
His trainer Malik Scott said it could be Andy Ruiz JrCredit: EPA
The bout was Wilder’s first since brutally losing his trilogy fight to Tyson Fury 12 months earlier.
But his next opponent hasn’t yet been confirmed.
Promoter Eddie Hearn recently held talks over a potential clash between Wilder and Anthony Joshua.
But the long-awaited grudge match is not going to happen just yet.
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That’s because Scott revealed that AJ is out of the question and it’s now down to Ruiz Jr and an unnamed fighter.
He told Best Sports Betting: “It’s down to the mystery opponent and Andy Ruiz Jr.
“Since AJ had made up his mind and does not want to fight Deontay right now, we’re down to Andy Ruiz and the mystery guy.
“The mystery fighter is not as guaranteed to happen as the Ruiz fight.
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“If you’re looking at it from the business perspective, it’s most likely going to be the mandatory shot, Ruiz.
“It’s looking like Ruiz, but in this game there’s no telling as Deontay is big-time boxing. When you’re big-time boxing, and as sad or as unfortunate it may sound to some people, mandatories don’t mean nothing.
“Fighters have stepped aside to make big, big fights happen.
“This goes on in boxing, it’s what the fans want or what makes business sense for the fighters and their team.
“It’s likely to be Ruiz but if not there are other negotiations going on as well.”
When asked about a potential timeframe for Wilder’s next fight, Scott added: “We could be going in March or early April but it really depends.
“The only thing I can say at the moment is Ruiz is mandated but Deontay is big-time boxing.
“When you have a big-time boxer like Deontay and a mandatory going on at the same time – and there’s another bigger fighter – step a side happens some time, you never know.
“Business is willing to be made to make bigger fights happen.” More

OLEKSANDR USYK has taunted rival Tyson Fury after he uploaded a picture of himself post-swim.The Ukrainian showed off his trimmed physique on social media, while poking fun at the Gypsy King’s stomach.
Oleksandr Usyk showed off his trimmed physique at a swimming poolCredit: Twitter – @usykaa
In the post he made a jibe about Fury’s bellyCredit: Getty
He posted a picture of himself on Twitter in some tiny swimming trunks at a pool and captioned the image, “The Middleweight is here! Where are you Belly?”
The 35-year-old then tagged his boxing rival in the post after insinuating the Brit was overweight.
Fans of the boxer loved the smack talk, as one commented: “I love how he just trolls Tyson.”
A second wrote: “He’s going to be burning all that fat around his hips, trying to land a clean punch against you.”
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A third said: “Fury going to get a boxing lesson from Usyk.”
A fourth added: “You will school Fury, Oleksandr. Light work.”
The comment is a response to Fury’s regular jabs about him being a middleweight and taking the mick out of his size.
Fury has called Usyk a “blown-up middleweight” and a “little b****” in the past.
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The pair have been given a clear path for their much-anticipated clash after the IBF stepped down on their insistence for Usyk to fight Filip Hrgovic.
They stepped down and agreed that the the WBA mandatory, Daniel Dubois, is ahead of him in the pecking order.
However, the British boxer is managed by Frank Warren, who is also the manager of Fury.
This means that there will be less pressure to make Usyk’s next fight against Dubois.
Therefore it is more likely that a clash between the Ukrainian and Fury will happen sooner. More

ANTHONY JOSHUA has picked his new trainer and will start his fight camp for his April 1 fight next week.The two-time heavyweight champion is aiming to bounce back after two crushing defeats to Oleksandr Usyk.
Anthony Joshua is heading to USA next week to begin his fight campCredit: Instagram / @anthonyjoshua
AJ has decided who his new coach will be for the April 1 boutCredit: Instagram
Ahead of his rematch with the Ukrainian in August, the 33-year-old opted to bring in Robert Garcia as his coach.
Despite looking a lot more aggressive than in his first loss, Joshua opted to replace the renowned Garcia after that bout.
He has now been searching for his next trainer, but his promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed on @DAZNBoxing that the Brit has now picked the man he wants.
The Matchroom chief is remaining tight-lipped on the identity of the coach.
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But boxing fans may not have to wait too long to discover who it is as Hearn also revealed AJ will start his camp next week.
He will fly out to the USA, where he will be based throughout his camp, next week to begin preparations for his next bout.
Joshua is due to return to the ring on April 1 in London against an as-yet-unnamed opponent.
He is expected to face a top-20 ranked fighter – but a host of bigger names want a shot at the London 2012 hero.
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Fellow Englishman Joe Joyce believes that Joshua is ducking him.
Reports have also been mounting that he could face Dillian Whyte in a huge domestic rematch.
But Joseph Parker, who AJ beat for the WBO heavyweight title in 2018, also wants another shot.And Hearn has also reportedly been in talks with Otto Wallin, who pushed Tyson Fury all the way, over a potential showdown. More