Heavyweight boxing

TYSON FURY would beat Anthony Joshua before he stepped in the ring due to the Olympic gold medallist’s “mental vulnerabilities”, says former world champion Liam Smith.Fury, 34, and Joshua, 33, have been linked with a heavyweight dust-up for many years but a bout has never taken place.
Tyson Fury has not been beaten in his 14-year professional careerCredit: Reuters
Anthony Joshua was beaten by Oleksandr Usyk for a second time in AugustCredit: Getty
UK fight fans had hoped an AJ victory over Oleksandr Usyk last summer would set up a clash with The Gypsy King.
But Joshua, who had already been beaten by Usyk in 2021, was outclassed again by the 35-year-old Ukrainian as he suffered a third defeat of his professional career.
Despite the loss, talks emerged about a Fury-AJ bout at the end of last year, before those discussions broke down.
WBC champion Fury went on to beat Derek Chisora for a third time and move to 34 fights unbeaten as a pro – with the only blemish on his record coming in a controversial draw with Deontay Wilder in December 2018.
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Now an all-British dust-up between the pair seems a way off once more, with Fury set to face Usyk for the undisputed crown in early 2023.
But Smith, 34, still feels there is a good chance we see the WBC king take on Joshua – although he feels the result would be settled before they stepped through the ropes.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “Yeah it could happen. They’re still both young heavyweights.
“It’s got to happen. It might not happen next or in the next six to eight months but it will happen.
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“It’s a great fight for the British public but you’d have to go with Fury.
“He doesn’t know how to lose. He’s psychologically so strong.
“Joshua has mental vulnerabilities and Tyson could probably beat him before he stepped into the ring to be honest with you.”
Meanwhile, Smith is gearing up to face Chris Eubank Jr in a middleweight contest on January 21.
The Liverpudlian, who boasts a record of 32 wins, one draw and three losses, is the bookies underdog heading into the clash.
But promoter Ben Shalom has warned Eubank he will be in for a hard night as Smith heads into the contest off the back of wins over Anthony Fowler and Jesse Vargas.
Speaking about Smith, Shalom told Sky Sports: “This is a big, big fight for him, he’s had a wonderful career, he’s done everything that he’s dreamt of, but he’s almost having an Indian summer.
“The past 12 months for him have been an amazing 12 months so people will have enjoyed watching him box.
“He’s one of the most intelligent boxers I would say in British boxing at the moment and he feels that this is a fight ready-made for him and this is the fight that he wanted.
“Liam is a big guy, he’ll be more than comfortable at that weight, it’s a weight I think he feels more comfortable at now so it’s a serious fight and Eubank will be glad that he can fight at his chosen weight as well.
“I really believe the real boxing fans know that’s a real 50-50 fight, it could go either way.
“Liam as I say is an extremely smart fighter. One thing’s for sure, they’re both come-forward fighters and it’s going to be explosive from round one. Delighted that we’re going to see it.
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“This is a real fight, this is a boxing fans’ fight. This is two big names in the sport. Liam Smith former world champion and has achieved things I think Eubank will want to achieve in the next year or two.
“So I think it’s the perfect fight at the right time.”
Liam Smith, right, will face Chris Eubank Jr on January 21Credit: Getty More

TYSON FURY and Oleksandr Usyk are set to fight in an unprecedented title unification – and one man is perfectly placed to predict the fight. The pair of unbeaten champions are in talks for the heavyweight division’s first four-belt undisputed bout.
Tyson Fury is in talks to fight Oleksandr UsykCredit: Getty
It would be the heavyweight division’s first four-belt undisputed boutCredit: Getty
British heavyweight Dave Allen knows all about the two, having sparred both of them in the past.
And while hailing both Fury, 34, and Usyk, 35, he said there is only one winner in his mind.
Allen, 30, told Boxing UK: “I think Fury wins to be honest. I think he’s too big.
“I sparred Usyk and, as brilliant as he was, he’s not a big unit. He’s not physically the strongest man in the world. I think Tyson would get to him.
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“They’re both outstanding. Two best talents of this generation I think, as heavyweights.
“As special as Usyk is, Tyson, being around him as I have over the years, he’s just a special fella really.
“He has vibes of other special athletes that can just do everything.
“Usyk is probably in the same bracket, but can’t get away from the size difference, cause it is massive.”
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Allen sparred Usyk as recently as 2020 as was almost knocked out by the Ukrainian.
The incident helped inspire his boxing retirement a year later, although he has since returned for two comeback fights.
And Allen revealed, despite his friendship with Fury, he could be back in Usyk’s camp for sparring ahead of the historic unification.
He said: “They did tell me if they fought Fury I would be brought over because stylistically I’m perfect for Fury.
“So that tells you how I box in the gym compared to how I fight in the ring.
“So, if the fight happens that will be a couple of interesting phone calls – one from them to me and me to Tyson saying, ‘I’m going to go to Ukraine, mate, if you don’t mind.’”
Dave Allen pictured with Tyson Fury
Dave Allen, middle, next to Oleksandr Usyk More

ANTHONY JOSHUA was so confused for his first Oleksandr Usyk showdown he needed a NOTEPAD to warm-up for, according to promoter Eddie Hearn.The 33-year-old London 2012 Olympic legend went into the 2021 Tottenham showdown with the WBA, IBF and WBO belts and three trainers giving him advice in the corner.
Anthony Joshua lost his Saudi Arabia rematch to Oleksandr UsykCredit: Getty
After the shock stoppage loss to Andy Ruiz Jr in 2019, AJ diluted decade-long mentor Rob McCracken’s influence by adding unproven coaches Angel Fernandez and Joby Clayton to his team.
The new voices in the corner helped Joshua cautiously outpoint the 20st Mexican and regain his belts.
But 19 months later there seemed to be an information overload as Joshua spent crucial moments before the bout checking a book, in between hitting the pads.
Matchroom boss Hearn revealed: “He went into the first Usyk fight just confused, really.
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“I remember when he was warming up for the fight and he had a pad of notes that he and the team had put together.
“He would be hitting the pads and every now and again he would go over and look at the book.”
The Spurs loss to the 35-year-old Ukraine mastermind cost McCracken his job.
Mexican-American Robert Garcia was brought in for the August 2012 Saudi rematch, where AJ improved but suffered another compounding loss.
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But Joshua has just been on another US tour looking for another trainer to add to his corner.
Hearn admits the constant confusion in Joshua’s corner, since the 2019 reshuffle, is harming his star attraction’s career.
He said: “The best AJ thinks ‘I know exactly what I am doing’. 
“But to do that you need a tutor. 
“That’s why Rob McCracken was so important for him. Remember when he boxed (Wladimir) Klitschko, 
“Rob McCracken was a big part of winning that fight, in rounds five and six. 
“As a fighter you have to be able to look into a trainer’s eyes and say ‘I am in trouble here, tell me what I need to do’. 
“Not go back to your corner and have five or six voices telling you what to do.”
Eddie Hearn pictured with a beaten Anthony JoshuaCredit: PA More

ANTHONY JOSHUA has been told he does not fit in Tyson Fury’s plans for 2023 – but can fight Joe Joyce and Daniel Dubois instead. Fury is in talks for the heavyweight division’s first four-belt title unification against Oleksandr Usyk, who is coming off two wins against AJ.
Anthony Joshua has been told he does not fit in Tyson Fury’s plans for 2023Credit: PA
Tyson Fury is in talks to fight Oleksandr UsykCredit: The Mega Agency
It leaves Joshua, 33, on a rebuilding job this year, starting with a return in April against a top 15 contender.
Eddie Hearn said a super-fight against Fury, 34, or Deontay Wilder, 37, could follow by the end of the year.
But rival promoter Warren warned AJ faces being frozen out, unless he looks towards Dubois, 34, and Joyce, 37.
He told SecondsOut: “The obvious question is: is he going to figure in (Fury’s plans)?. I can’t really see him figuring.
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“Tyson’s [busy] in his next couple of fights, that’s for sure. Tyson’s a bit p***ed off with what went on in the time we wasted.
“So, we are where we are with that. But if [Joshua] wants to fight Joe Joyce or Daniel Dubois we’ll do those in a heartbeat.”
Warren expects Fury to challenge Usyk, 35, in early March with negotiations between the opposing camps continuing.
Meanwhile, AJ is in the last stages of finalising his return as he also searches for a new coaching team.
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Hearn told DAZN: “We are down to three or four opponents.
“He is ready to start camp and will likely start that camp this week. Honestly, I couldn’t give Anthony Joshua an opponent he will turn down.
“It’s all about putting together the right training team.”
Anthony Joshua pictured with promoter Eddie HearnCredit: PA More

ANTHONY JOSHUA is in talks to face Otto Wallin as part of a three-fight plan for 2023, according to the Swede’s promoter.AJ, 33, has been out of the ring since August when he lost his second fight against Oleksandr Usyk.
Anthony Joshua could face Otto Wallin in his next fight this springCredit: PA
Wallin fought Tyson Fury in 2019 and seriously threatened the Gypsy KingCredit: Reuters
Talks over a British showdown with Tyson Fury in December collapsed.
And now the Watford ace is set to return to competitive action in April before a likely rematch with Dillian Whyte and then either Fury or Deontay Wilder in a mouthwatering end to the year.
His promoter Eddie Hearn revealed there were “three or four opponents” Joshua could face next.
And Wallin’s counterpart Dmitry Salita revealed his Swedish heavyweight could be AJ’s next challenge.
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Salita told Ice36 Live Casino: “Eddie Hearn and I have discussed Otto and Joshua potentially taking place and I’m waiting to see if an offer will materialise.
“Eddie’s talking about a three-fight plan for AJ in 2023 to build him back up after defeats to Usyk.
“Eddie says he wants a top-15 opponent in spring.
“If they want a credible challenge, a familiar name, and a fighter ranked highly by the organisations – Otto Wallin fits that description perfectly.
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“A fight is a big possibility.”
Wallin, 32, faced Fury in 2019 before the Gypsy King beat Wilder in their first rematch.
“All In” hurt Fury by cutting him above the eye as he took the 6ft 9in giant all the way to the final bell.
But he suffered the only defeat of his 26-fight pro career via unanimous points decision.
Wallin was due to fight Whyte in 2021 but the Body Snatcher pulled out due to a shoulder injury.
Salita could not resist a subtle dig at Joshua by hailing Fury as the best boxer in the division.
He added: “Otto almost stopped the best heavyweight in the world and Joshua’s countryman, Tyson Fury, and is quietly confident of going one better against AJ if we can get the fight signed.” More