Heavyweight boxing

TYSON FURY and Oleksandr Usyk will fight each other NEXT without any interim bouts, according to promoter Bob Arum.Fury, 34, defended his WBC heavyweight title with a 10th round stoppage of Derek Chisora earlier this month.
Tyson Fury’s promoter Bob Arum says he will face Oleksandr Usyk nextCredit: Getty
Usyk has beaten Anthony Joshua twice over the past 15 monthsCredit: Getty
Fury and Usyk squared up after the WBC champion’s win over Derek ChisoraCredit: Getty
The result paves the way for the undefeated Brit to face IBF, WBA and WBO champion Usyk, 35, – who beat Anthony Joshua for a second time back in August.
The WBA have ordered Usyk to fight Daniel Dubois next but Fury’s team believe an undisputed clash would allow that to be pushed back.
And Arum, 91, who has promoted Fury since 2019, has now insisted Fury and Usyk are on a collision course to fight in the coming months.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “The two fighters have agreed to fight each other next.
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“With Fury and Usyk we’re dealing with two adults, not a lot of [rubbish] back and forth.
“Usyk is a good friend of mine, he’s very intelligent and Tyson is Superman, both as an athlete and as an intellect.
“So they want the fight. Both of them want the fight and so there’ll be very little, if any, [messing] around.
“So we’ll be able to make that happen. I’m very, very confident.
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“As I said the fighters have both agreed to fight each other next without any interim fights.”
No date or location has been set – with the Middle East though to be the frontrunner ahead of the UK.
But Arum has said he expects it to take place before the end of April next year.
He continued: “Now the question is what’s the date and what’s the site. But that fight is definitely going to happen and it will happen in the first four months of next year.
“We are balancing a couple of significant offers from the Mid East and also there’s the possibility of doing the fight in the UK at Wembley [stadium] with a massive 95,000 crowd in attendance.
“Fighters have a relatively short life and money is important.
“So if the money which has been proposed to us is real that has to be taken into consideration.
“To go back to Wembley and do a fight before 95,000 people for me really stirs up the blood. It would be crazy. It would just be wonderful.”
He then finished: “We’ll have it all sorted out. I hope maybe by the end of the year.”
Both Usyk and Fury are undefeated as professionals – with the Ukrainian 20-0 and his British counterpart 33-0-1 – the one being a controversial draw with Deontay Wilder back in 2018.
However, Fury recently claimed Usyk will be an easier night’s work than his comfortable demolition of Chisora.
And he points to Usyk’s battling win over Delboy as evidence the 2012 Olympic gold medallist is not on his level.
He told iFL TV: “I don’t think it is a tough fight. I don’t think it’s nowhere near as tough as old Del Boy.
“He will not stand up to those punches that Derek did against me.

“When I watch the fight between him and Derek, whether people want to admit it or not, it was a 50/50 fight.
“It might have been 55/45, but it wasn’t a landslide. It wasn’t like he didn’t win a round, like he didn’t against me.”
Bob Arum has promoted Fury for nearly four yearsCredit: Getty More

DEONTAY WILDER has been urged by his coach to return against Anthony Joshua, who will be “in trouble if he signs the contract.” Wilder, 37, knocked out Robert Helenius, 38, in round one of his October comeback fight which followed after a year out.
Deontay Wilder has been urged by his coach to return against Anthony JoshuaCredit: Getty
Anthony Joshua is linked with fighting Deontay WilderCredit: AFP
But a month earlier, AJ was beaten for the second time on points by Oleksandr Usyk, 35.
Wilder’s coach Malik Scott expects the consecutive losses to ex-cruiserweight Usyk will have a major affect on Joshua’s confidence.
And he warned stepping into the ring against the Bronze Bomber would end painfully quick.
Scott told Kate Abdo: “This is what I do understand. The lack of mental strength might not be there because he lost to a smaller guy.
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“To go up against a specimen like Deontay Wilder, you may need to build yourself up to take on that kind of fighter. I get it.
“The advantages and the things I see Deontay doing to whatever AJ shows up, mentally tough, not mentally tough; it’s a three-round fight, in my opinion.
“He can’t get out of the way. Deontay is not a big guy. That is a big guy that punches slowly. It comes fast, and you can’t get out of it.
“If you can’t get out of the way of it, you’re in trouble. And I think AJ is in trouble if he signs the contract.”
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Joshua, 33, is expected to return in a confidence-building comeback fight in the spring.
But Wilder’s manager Shelly Finkel has kept the door open for talks with AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn following year of failed negotiations.
And Scott is ready to give the green light for his fighter to return straight into a super-fight with Joshua.
He said: “I’m very interested in that. At this level of his career, I would.
“One, the fight was supposed to have been happening, and two, he lost to Oleksandr Usyk two times.
“Three, I also believe Anthony Joshua is a big-time boxer. These guys are not getting old. Let’s get these big fights made.
“I would hate for so much time to go by, and we end up with another Riddick Bowe – Lennox Lewis type of situation.
“These greats didn’t get a chance to fight each other. These types of fights aren’t just good for boxing.
“They’re good for the world, for culture, and for the young kids that want to see this kind of fight.
“So, I just think it should happen, but we can want it all we want. AJ has to want the fight, his team has to want it, and Eddie has to want to do good business.
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“Him and Shelly have to connect to make this happen. Otherwise, Deontay is going to do bigger and better things, whatever that may be.”
Deontay Wilder pictured with his trainer, Malik ScottCredit: AP More

DANIEL DUBOIS could be out for SIX MONTHS after suffering a horror ACL injury during a fight he went on to win, Barry McGuigan said. Dubois was floored THREE times in the opening round of his bout against Kevin Lerena at the start of December.
Daniel Dubois is set for six months out after suffering a horror ACL injuryCredit: Getty
But two of the knockdowns were self-inflicted, as the British heavyweight took a knee after struggling to stay on his feet.
Dubois, 25, somehow rode out the storm and went on to knock out Lerena, 30, in round three.
It is set to keep him out for half a year, ruling out a mandated title fight against Oleksandr Usyk, 35.
McGuigan, father to Dubois’ trainer Shane, told Pro Boxing Fans: “Well, it’s interesting.
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“Dan has a tear on his ACL, and as soon as we got the news that he had a tear on his ACL, suddenly he was offered the fight – which he can’t have, he can’t box for six months now anyway because of the repair time.”
Dubois was dropped with a shot on the top of his head against Lerena, which caused his knee injury after an awkward landing.
McGuigan said: “He got hit on top of the head the last time, and when he stepped back he tore his ACL and his balance was very badly affected.
“He had to come back from adversity and he showed that he could do that. He kept his cool.
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“Shane’s advice in the corner was great, kept him nice and relaxed, used his boxing skills, and walked Kevin Lerena onto that right hand and the finish was spectacular.”
Dubois is the WBA’s “regular” champion, meaning he is mandatory for Usyk’s full title.
But the Ukrainian is set to unify the division against Tyson Fury, 34, next year.
Although McGuigan prefers a fight against Fury or Anthony Joshua, 33, when Dubois makes his return.
He said: “I don’t think it’s fair to make him fight when he’s unwell, so he’ll need a leave of absence as it were, but he’s ready to fight the top guys.
“I’d rather he fought someone like Joshua or Tyson Fury rather than Usyk, cause Usyk is a bag of tricks and he’s a southpaw, but I’ve no fear of him fighting any of these guys.”
Daniel Dubois is the WBA ‘regular’ championCredit: Getty More

SHANE McGUIGAN said Anthony Joshua is going through a “CRISIS” and could be “blaming the trainer” for his losses. AJ is on the hunt for a new coaching team Stateside following consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk.
Anthony Joshua is scouting for a new coaching teamCredit: Instagram @anthonyjoshua
Before the first, in September 2021, Joshua left long-time cornerman Rob McCracken for esteemed American Robert Garcia.
But following a repeat result in the rematch, AJ is taking some time off ahead of a return next year.
And the 33-year-old will do so with another new team having split with Garcia.
Top trainer McGuigan told Boxing King Media: “The fact is he’s been around a few different trainers and that automatically makes you think he is blaming the trainer for not performing.
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“The bottom line is it is with you. You are responsible for your performance.
“Robert Garcia has an unblemished record, he’s incredible, he has produced many world champions and is a great coach.
“But if you’re not listening to him, you’re not taking on board what he is saying then it is hard to implement his tactics.
“I think Joshua is going through a crisis, he needs to stop questioning himself. He’s got to knuckle down and get on with it.
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“And whomever he goes with he has to concentrate on fighting aggressively whether he fights Usyk again or fights Tyson Fury.
“He has got to be better at coming forward and he’s got to be more confident to stand in punching range and move his head and not always bounce back out again but that takes time to learn.
“But really, it’s a waste of time talking about it. He needs to settle down with someone and get on with it.”
British boxing trainer Shane McGuiganCredit: Sportsfile More

TYSON FURY claimed Oleksandr Usyk is “nowhere near as tough” as Derek Chisora – as their war of words begin. Usyk was ringside this month in Tottenham when Fury stopped Chisora in ten one-sided rounds.
Tyson Fury after beating Derek Chisora in their trilogy fightCredit: Getty
And the win has subsequently kept the pair of unbeaten champions on track for a historic title unification next year.
Usyk, 35, in 2020 beat Chisora, 38, but was taken to the wire.
And Fury, 34, insisted his old friend – who he has now beaten THREE times – is a tougher challenge Usyk.
He told iFL TV: “I don’t think it is a tough fight. I don’t think it’s nowhere near as tough as old Del Boy.
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“He will not stand up to those punches that Derek did against me.
“When I watch the fight between him and Derek, whether people want to admit it or not, it was a 50/50 fight.
“It might have been 55/45, but it wasn’t a landslide. It wasn’t like he didn’t win a round, like he didn’t against me.”
The two are still in talks for what would be the first four-belt undisputed decider in heavyweight history, set for the Middle East.
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But Fury is already plotting a sequel at Wembley, where in April he sold 94,000 tickets for his knockout over Dillian Whyte, 34.
He said: “You can never underestimate anybody but from where I am in my life at the moment, I would want to take him out quite quickly. 
“I’d like to get him in there in February, make an example out of him, then give him a rematch at Wembley.”
Oleksandr Usyk facing off with Tyson FuryCredit: Getty More

TYSON FURY has been set a March deadline for his undisputed heavyweight title fight with Oleksandr Usyk.Talks for The Gypsy King to face the undefeated Ukrainian early next year are currently ongoing but have yet to bear fruit.
Tyson Fury is currently in negotiations to face Oleksandr Usyk next yearCredit: REUTERS
Talks, however, have so far failed to bear fruitCredit: JAMIE MCPHILIMEY
Usyk’s promoter Alexander Krassyuk has set a March 4 deadline for the fightCredit: INSTAGRAM@ALEX.KRASSYUK
The historic bout is currently in the works for late February, but Team Usyk insist they’ll move on to a different fight if the bout doesn’t take place before March 4.
Promoter Alexander Krassyuk said: “This fight happens till [the] 4th of March or it never happens.”
He added: “Both parties [have] agreed to fight.
“Should happen before March 4th. Location: Any place in the universe.”
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WBC heavyweight king Fury, 34, suggested the mouth-watering showdown could be delayed due to a linger elbow injury.
But Team Usyk are adamant the fight can go ahead as currently planned as the Wythenshawe warrior is “safe and sound.”
Like Usyk’s rematch with Anthony Joshua, the lucrative showdown is expected to land in the Middle East.
But there’s an outside chance it could take place in the UK as a site deal has yet to be finalised.
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Krassyuk said: “If Saudi want to grab it, they have to be faster.
“Otherwise it will land elsewhere (I.E Emirates, Qatar or UK).”
Despite being at a massive size disadvantage, former undisputed king Usyk ran rings around AJ in their back-to-back fights.
And Krassuyk is confident the slick southpaw will do the same thing to man mountain Fury, saying: “Usyk never loses to Fury.”
Fury, however, is adamant he’ll wipe the floor with the former undisputed cruiserweight champ, who he’s repeatedly branded a “blown-up middleweight.”
Fury insists Usyk will be easier to beat than old rival Derek ChisoraCredit: Getty
He told iFL TV: “I don’t think it is a tough fight: “I don’t think it’s nowhere near as tough as old Del Boy [Derek Chisora].
“He will not stand up to those punches that Derek did against me.
“When I watch the fight between him and Derek, whether people want to admit it or not, it was a 50/50 fight.
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“It might have been 55/45, but it wasn’t a landslide.
“It wasn’t like he didn’t win a round, like he didn’t against me.” More

OLEKSANDR USYK has sought advice from the legendary Klitschko brothers as he sent out a warning to Tyson Fury. The Ukrainian star is in talks to fight Fury next year in what would be the first ever four-belt heavyweight unification.
Wladimir Klitschko with Oleksandr Usyk and brother VitaliCredit: Twitter
Tyson Fury is in talks to fight Oleksandr UsykCredit: Getty
Wladimir, 46, and Vitali Klitschko, 51, know all about reigning over the blue ribband division, once simultaneously owning all the titles.
So Usyk, 35, has had a word with the pair ahead of his proposed undisputed decider with Fury, 34.
He told Parimatch: “I have been talking to both of them, of course.
“Wladimir supports me with advice about the sport and the techniques and Vitali supports me with advice about life and the sport, of course.
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“I listen to it carefully and I decide what to use. Me and my team determine the strategy.”
Vitali, now the mayor of Kyiv, retired in 2013, a year after his last fight.
Meanwhile, Wladimir walked away in 2017 following his thrilling loss to Anthony Joshua, 33.
It was only two years prior that he was stunned in defeat to Fury, with Vitali in the corner that night.
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So Usyk is ready to enact revenge for his countrymen and finally get one over on the Gypsy King.
He said: “I’ve been coming for Fury for a long time and we’ve been watching him since he’s fought as an amateur and later a professional.
“Since when I fought at cruiserweight, I’ve been watching him.
“Fury is hurling insults at me, but I know what to do in the ring. If I pay attention to anybody who’s trying to offend me, I will feed my anger.
“Rage doesn’t help when fighting, it just worsens the condition. I’m motivated by the opportunity to fight this giant.
“Though there are some people who are not so optimistic in my chances, it has no matter for me. I’m doing my job.
“I choose my way as a samurai does. The way consists of many objectives, but the essence is your way that you have to make.”
Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk are in talks to fight in 2023Credit: REUTERS More