Heavyweight boxing

DILLIAN WHYTE has called out Anthony Joshua for a rematch.The 34-year-old beat AJ in the amateurs but lost their 2015 British title battle.
Whyte teased the upcoming fight by posting a pic with the caption ‘let’s run it back’
The Brixton Body Snatcher beat Franklin to set up the all-Brit boutCredit: Getty
Now a third clash is all but secured after the London 2012 legend turned up to be ringside to watch Whyte scrape past Jermaine Franklin on points at Wembley Arena last month.
And Whyte has teased fans by posting a snap from their last bout.
He captioned the photo: “Lets run it back.”
But after Whyte drastically underperformed against Franklin as he edged a majority decision 115-115, 116-112 and 116-112 on the cards, and Joshua will not fear his own Spring comeback against his oldest foe.
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Franklin showed a clever jab, a decent left hook and all the fundamentals to pose Whyte a problem, and was adamant he had be “robbed” after the judges handed the Brit the fight.
AJ could be spotted in the VIP seats smiling at his potential prey and pointing out weaknesses to his pals.
Joshua has been taking a break from boxing following consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk and failed talks to face Tyson Fury.
And Whyte wasted no time in igniting a war of words with the man he beat in the amateurs but lost to six years later in their 2015 thriller.
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He told JOE: “You could be speaking to him, and he just looks a bit spaced out and a bit absent-minded and a bit vacant.
“He’s done a few weird things as well. We all do weird things but there’s no consistency to what he does.
“He puts on this act and pretends he’s a good boy, and all of a sudden, he wants to be a bad boy and he wants to rap, and he wants to talk about notorious gangsters and stuff.
“But at the same time, he’s a good boy and an advocate. There’s no consistency.
“That’s what I mean, he’s weird, no consistency, no real spine or backbone, just a bit all over the place.” More

ANTHONY JOSHUA has split with coach Robert Garcia – as promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed the Brit is in the US building a new team.The two-time heavyweight world champion ended his relationship with long-term trainer Rob McCracken following his first defeat at the hands of Oleksandr Usyk last year and brought in Garcia.
Joshua is said to have split from Garcia and is in the US putting a ‘new’ team togetherCredit: PA
Joshua lost the rematch to Usyk via split decisionCredit: EPA
He then tried to get revenge over Usyk in August and went with a gameplan formulated by Garcia, but ultimately came up short in the rematch, losing in Saudi Arabia vis split decision.
Rumours of a split sparked after Garcia was mistranslated as criticising Joshua in a Spanish interview.
However, Joshua’s promoter, Matchroom chief Hearn, confirmed the heavyweight is in the US putting a new team together.
Hearn told Behind The Gloves: “No, he is good. He is out in America at the moment working on his new team.
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“He is getting that together and then we will get an opponent sorted and the date is pretty much locked in.
“It is pretty much sorted and we are looking forward to seeing him return.”
Joshua is expected to make a return to the ring next year.
A second fight with Dillian Whyte has been talked up.
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However, trainer Shane McGuigan reckons Joshua might be tempted to fight fellow Brit Daniel Dubois.
McGuigan told Sky Sports: “Maybe. If we can have that [Anthony Joshua] fight, why not? Definitely.
“It comes down to getting people at the right time.
“AJ might think he’s getting Daniel at the right time when he hasn’t got the experience and potentially he might think [Dubois’] confidence might be lacking.
“But we also would have to look at that fight and think, we’re getting him at the right time.
“It’s down to Martin Bowers [Dubois’ manager] and Frank [Warren, his promoter], that are going to be matching his next move. Obviously, we sit down and we discuss it.
“No one’s ever been queuing up to fight Daniel. Especially the big names because they think, ‘I’m going to walk into heavy shots there and he’s got a puncher’s chance and what’s there really to gain from it?’
“He’s got the WBA ‘regular’ title. He’s also showed in their eyes a bit of weakness in that last fight.” More

TYSON FURY has been backed to beat Oleksandr Usyk when the pair face off due to his ability to “destroy anyone.”The Gypsy King and Ukrainian Usyk are set to face off in a hotly-anticipated unification bout next year.
Tyson Fury has been backed to beat Oleksandr Usyk when they fightCredit: Getty
The pair faced off after Fury beat Derek Chisora in his comebackCredit: Reuters
Carl Froch believes no one comes close to FuryCredit: AFP
And with the pair holding each of the heavyweight belts between them, the fight would make boxing history as the first to see all heavyweight belts contested at once.
But former super-middleweight champion Carl Froch has backed Fury to come out on top.
Taking to Twitter, he revealed the reasons which he believed would give Fury an edge over his rival, before delivering his verdict.
Froch said: “Tyson Fury is absolutely the best heavyweight in the world right now.
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“Whoever you think is number two, would not even come close to beating him.
“He’s too big, too strong, too skilful, has complete self belief when he climbs over that top rope and quite simply destroys anyone!”
Fury won his comeback bout after battering Derek Chisora until the fight was stopped in the 10th round.
Following the fight, he called out Usyk who was in attendance in the crowd before they faced off with one another.
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During their face-off, Fury let rip with an astonishing explicit rant in an attempt to goad Usyk.
However, Usyk simply responded by taking a phone call in the middle to leave fans in hysterics. More

SHANE MCGUIGAN reckons Anthony Joshua might be tempted to fight fellow Brit Daniel Dubois.AJ has lost his last two fights to undefeated Ukrainian powerhouse Oleksandr Usyk.
Shane McGuigan reckons Daniel Dubois could fight Anthony Joshua in 2023Credit: Reuters
Joshua has lost each of his last two fights to Oleksandr UsykCredit: Reuters
He’s recently been taking time out the ring, but the former two-time world heavyweight champion is hoping to return in 2023.
However, he’s yet to find an opponent after his eagerly-anticipated fight with Tyson Fury was called off in September.
Eddie Hearn recently spoke about who AJ could face in his next fight by saying: “It will be a top 15 guy and he’ll be ready to show the world he’s coming for the heavyweight title again.”
But trainer McGuigan reckons that Dubois, who beat Kevin Lerena on Fury’s undercard last weekend despite being put down three times, could come into the conversation.
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He told Sky Sports: “Maybe. If we can have that [Anthony Joshua] fight, why not? Definitely.
“It comes down to getting people at the right time.
“AJ might think he’s getting Daniel at the right time when he hasn’t got the experience and potentially he might think [Dubois’] confidence might be lacking.
“But we also would have to look at that fight and think, we’re getting him at the right time.
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“But it’s down to Martin Bowers [Dubois’ manager] and Frank [Warren, his promoter], that are going to be matching his next move. Obviously, we sit down and we discuss it.
“No one’s ever been queuing up to fight Daniel. Especially the big names because they think, ‘I’m going to walk into heavy shots there and he’s got a puncher’s chance and what’s there really to gain from it?’
“He’s got the WBA ‘regular’ title. He’s also showed in their eyes a bit of weakness in that last fight.
If Joshua isn’t ready to fight, McGuigan hinted that another all-British bout could be on the cards.
He added: “I think Dillian Whyte’s perfect. He’s just come off a win. Apparently he doesn’t want the AJ fight at the moment.
“I don’t know if AJ’s going to be ready in that timeframe. That would be great for us.” More

ANTHONY JOSHUA is set to make his boxing return in spring at the O2 Arena. The two-time heavyweight champion took some time away from the ring following consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk.
Anthony Joshua is set to make his boxing return in spring at the O2 ArenaCredit: Reuters
Names like Dillian Whyte and Deontay Wilder have been linked with AJ, who alongside Hearn is plotting for a massive 2023.
But such quality would warrant stadium shows in the UK and Joshua is set to head back to the O2 for the first time since 2016.
Discussing Matchroom’s plans, boss Hearn told International Boxing News: “Lot’s going on, Liverpool coming up, O2 again with AJ. Much to do.”
Joshua, 33, has not boxed at the O2 since knocking out Dominic Breazeale, 37, in his first-ever title defence.
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He has since headlined at Wembley, The Principality and Tottenham’s Stadium as well as Madison Square Garden and in Saudi Arabia.
With a return to the O2 eyed, it all but rules out Whyte, 34, and Wilder, 37, as immediate opponents for AJ.
Otto Wallin, 30, is another potential alternative after revealing talks with Joshua’s team.
But Hearn has names in the pipeline for a comeback fight lined up for the first quarter of 2023.
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He said to iFL TV: “He’ll be fighting in the spring for sure.”
Hearn added: “I don’t want to give you too many names, because people get excited, disappointed, moan.
“Just wait and see. It will be a top 15 guy and he’ll be ready to show the world he’s coming for the heavyweight title again.”
Eddie Hearn pictured at Josh Warrington’s fight in LeedsCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing More

JOHN FURY has given fresh hope for son Tommy’s proposed fight with Jake Paul taking place and claimed they are even willing to be “underpaid”. The pair of celebrity boxing rivals are in talks to reschedule their grudge match once again.
John Fury pictured with his son TommyCredit: Rex
Jake Paul is still in talks to fight Tommy FuryCredit: Rex
And John said although Paul is lowballing them at the negotiation table they are happy to strike a cut-price deal.
He told FairBettingSites: “Jake Paul’s underpaying us but we’ll take an underpayment to get him in the ring.
“We’re trying to put it together now. We’ve said whatever the money is, let’s take it.
“We’re not bothered. We’re being underpaid, we know that. But we’re going to say let’s get on with it.
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“Whatever the money is he’s got to get Jake Paul in that ring in 2023 and get him knocked out. He knows it. Jake Paul will take some nailing down.
“Even though we know we’re getting underpaid by millions of pounds basically because he’s getting all the millions Jake Paul – and we’re the A-side of conventional boxing.
“He’s crossing over to our side of the road, not the other way around.
“He thinks he’s the A-side, how is he the A-side when Tyson’s the most popular sportsman in the whole world?
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“What gives Jake Paul to command, say, an 80-20 split because that’s what he’s offering.
“Whatever he wants to give Tommy – peanuts – we’re not bothered.”
Twice the duo have put pen to paper on a fight but both times Tommy has been forced to withdraw.
Last December he suffered a rib injury and in their rehashed date of August, the Brit was hit with US visa issues which are still to be sorted.
Paul, 25, in October beat UFC legend Anderson Silva, 47, in the biggest win in his 6-0 career.
A month later he travelled to Dubai to watch Tommy, 23, box in a late-notice exhibition and the two camps agreed to fight in 2023.
But Paul recently took to Twitter to accuse Fury of “ducking” him after sending out a “seven-figure” fight contract.
YouTuber Wade Plem later claimed the sum was $2million, or £1.6m, in a report which was “liked” by Paul on Twitter.

That was the purse Tommy demanded when they negotiated this summer – only for it to fall out of bed again.
With the Fury family still faced with a travel ban, John wants to see the bout staged at Tottenham’s 62,000-seat stadium or in Saudi Arabia.
He said: “I’d like it to be at Tottenham but knowing them they like fighting abroad where they can get away with certain stuff.
“What they can’t get away with in Britain they can get away with abroad. And that’s why they opt to go overseas.
“We want it at Tottenham. We want it in England, but he decides, doesn’t he? Because all of a sudden, he’s become the A-side.
“We’re not bothered about who is the A-side or the Z-side, we’re willing to follow him all over the globe to get him in the ring.
“Whether London or Saudi Arabia, the only place we can’t do it is America because we’re not allowed there.”
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Tommy Fury and Jake Paul are still linked with a grudge matchCredit: BT SPORT More

DEREK CHISORA shared a FaceTime call with heavyweight legend Mike Tyson after his brutal loss to Tyson Fury. Chisora was dismantled in ten rounds at Tottenham’s stadium, losing for the THIRD time against Fury.
Mike Tyson on FaceTime with Derek Chisora
The veteran fan-favourite – who refused to retire – was left with gruesomely bloodshot eyes just days after the savage stoppage.
But Chisora, 38, was all smiles as he spoke on the phone with boxing’s youngest heavyweight champion of all time.
Fury, 34, first beat his old friend in 2011 and then 2014 but saved the best till last.
He left Chisora spitting blood but the rugged Londoner has no plans to call it quits in his career.
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He said:  “The ref was right, I was not doing much.
“Fighters never want to stop but that’s why the refs are there, because we have to go home to our kids.
“It was fun, I did enjoy it. I’m not retiring yet. F*** that s***. I want to go on the road now for more fights.”
Promoter Eddie Hearn has had Chisora headline several of his pay-per-view and subscriptions fights.
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And Hearn believes with the heavyweight refusing to step down a level in competition, it should signal the end of his storied road.
He told iD Boxing: “You’re putting him in tough fights for a lot of money and I don’t think he should be in those fights necessarily anymore after a payday like that and after getting beat like that.
“So in my opinion, I think it would be a good time for him to step away. But Derek’s his own man and he’s a great man.
“And he will make the decision with his family.”
Derek Chisora was stopped in ten rounds in his trilogy fight with Tyson FuryCredit: Getty More