Heavyweight boxing

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.
READ MORE IN BOXING
“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.”
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)
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.
READ MORE IN BOXING
“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.
Most read in Boxing
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
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.
READ MORE IN BOXING
“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.
Most read in Boxing
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST NEW CUSTOMER SIGN UP DEALS
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.
READ MORE ON ANTHONY JOSHUA
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.
Most read in Boxing
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST NEW CUSTOMER SIGN UP DEALS
“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

RIDDICK BOWE has revealed he believes Tyson Fury can be beaten.. and reckons he knows why his opponents haven’t won.Fury has become a dominant force in the heavyweight class and has an outstanding record to show for it.
World heavyweight champion Tyson Fury is not invincible, according to Riddick Bowe
Riddick Bowe only lost once in his career to Evander Holyfield in 1993
The 34-year-old has a 33-0-1 record and has garnered a serious reputation amongst the boxing community.
However, former undisputed world heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe thinks that he knows the key to beating him.
Bowe spoke to YouTube outlet ID Boxing about how he would’ve beaten Fury if the pair had ever come to blows.
He said: “That jerky-jerky style [wouldn’t have worked against me],
Read more on Tyson Fury
“The thing is, if he’s jerky-jerky with me, I’m going to pop him and guys aren’t doing that.
“I’d have jabbed him; then I’d have stepped in and broken a rib or two. Guys aren’t going to his body.
“They’re letting him stand strong, he’s keeping his posture, and, as the rounds go on, they aren’t breaking him down.
“They’re not busting his heart, stopping his liver. You’ve got to do the things that will make him tired. They’re not doing that.”
Most read in Boxing
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST NEW CUSTOMER SIGN UP DEALS
Fury beat Derek Chisora in December by TKO at Tottenham’s stadium.
The towering fighter is currently set to fight Oleksandr Usyk in March, with a venue yet to be decided.
The clash would see the two undefeated champions face off in a highly-anticipated bout.
Despite there being no current agreement on a location, it is thought Saudi Arabia is leading the race to host the super-fight. More

DAVID HAYE has hailed Deontay Wilder as the “hardest punching heavyweight ever” and revealed just how powerful he really is. Wilder has 42 knockouts in his 43 wins, establishing him as one of the most destructive hitters of all time.
David Haye and Deontay Wilder were former sparring partners
And former world champion Haye can attest to that, even if it was in bigger 18oz sparring gloves with headguards on.
The Brit hired Wilder as a sparring partner before his proposed fight with Tyson Fury, which he later pulled out of.
And Haye still remembers just how hard the Bronze Bomber hits, all these years later.
He told BT Sport: “I truly think he is the hardest punching heavyweight ever, I know that maybe sounds like an exaggeration.
READ MORE IN BOXING
“I got hit by Wilder in sparring. I’ve been hit by Wladimir Klitschko, on the chin with 10 ounce gloves on.
“There was more effect from Wilder hitting me on the top of the head, with 18 ounce gloves on and I was wearing a head guard – and it wasn’t even clean.
“After that, I remember thinking, ‘This guy is going to do something.’ He was wild and he was all over the place. . . but the power.”
Haye, now 42, withdrew from fighting Fury after suffering a cut in sparring and later a shoulder injury that required surgery.
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)
In the years following, Fury, 34, went on to three times fight Wilder, 37, drawing one and winning the subsequent rematches.
He is now set to face Oleksandr Usyk, 35, in the heavyweight division’s first four-belt title unification.
Wilder bounced back from consecutive defeats to Fury by knocking out Robert Helenius, 38, in round one of his October return.
Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder shared a trilogy seriesCredit: Getty More