Heavyweight boxing

FRANK WARREN has slammed the “silly” and “ridiculous” antics between Tommy Fury and Jake Paul in Dubai. Paul was a special guest commentator at the Coca-Cola Arena last weekend as Fury boxed late replacement Rolly Lambert in an exhibition.
Tommy Fury and his dad John in DubaiCredit: Lee Hamilton-Cooper
Jake Paul heckled from ringside at Tommy Fury’s fightCredit: Lee Hamilton-Cooper
The American heckled from ringside and the two later clashed post-fight with security having to restrain them as their rivalry hit new heights.
Fury’s dad John at one point even ripped off his shirt and offered to fight Paul bare-knuckle in the ring.
Promoter Warren was not present at the event in the Middle East, headlined by Floyd Mayweather, and was happy not to be.
He said on talkSPORT: “I’m glad I wasn’t there.
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“It’s all a bit silly and gets a bit ridiculous, but I don’t know, but for some reason it is what it is.
“This sort of YouTube type of thing, remember I come from the purest boxing background, and I look at it sometimes and I just scratch my head, but maybe I’m just getting older and I’m missing the point.”
Paul publicly stated online that he is ready to travel to the UK to face Fury at the third time of asking.
And he has given his celebrity boxing rival just a week to return a signed contract by.
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Warren reckons the seven-day deadline is enough time to get a deal over the line.
He said: “It will probably be in late February or March.
“The reason why it didn’t go [before], the contracts were all signed, because of the problems he had with the US immigration.
“We are all past that now. Jake is up for coming over here and we have to get the deal finalised in the next week or so.”
Twice the famous boxing foes have signed to fight but both times Fury, 23, was withdrawn.
He suffered a rib injury last December and then was pulled out in the rehashed date in August amid a US visa issue, which still persists.

Fury’s dad and coach John claimed he shook hands with Paul’s manager Nakisa Bidarian over a bout in February.
And the YouTuber-turned 6-0 boxer insisted he has no problem crossing enemy territory to finally commence battle.
He tweeted: “I agree to fight Tommy in Manchester or London in February.
“I’ll come to his country, no more running. His baby is due then and you’ve said it’s no issue.
“Since John is adamant we’ve agreed, I am giving you seven days to present a signed contract by Tommy or I’m moving on.”
Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions company revealed they will pay their man while Warren will take care of Fury’s financials.
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MVP posted: “John Fury has asked for February. Jake Paul has agreed.
“All that is needed now is for Frank Warren to get Tommy Fury to sign. MVP is paying Jake Paul and Frank Warren is paying Tommy Fury.”
Tommy Fury and Jake Paul are still linked with a grudge match in FebruaryCredit: BT SPORT More

TYSON FURY has revealed the brief conversation he had with Dillian Whyte moments before knocking him out.The Gypsy King locked horns with his former sparring partner in front of a record crowd at Wembley in April.
Tyson Fury and Dillian Whyte finally locked horns with one another at Wembley in AprilCredit: GETTY
The pair exchanged words before Whyte was knocked flat on his backCredit: PA
Fury registered the second defence of his WBC heavyweight title with a scintillating sixth-round KO, which came courtesy of a vicious uppercut.
But he exchanged a few words with the Brixton Body Snatcher minutes before putting his lights out.
He recalled the in-ring chat in his new book, Gloves Off, saying: “Timing was everything in a war like this.
“Although my opponent was obviously vulnerable, there was no point in me playing up to the crowd, or toying with him like a mouse.
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“My priority was to get the job done, with no messing around, but I had to strike at the right time.
“In the fifth I hit him with a left hook to the body, slipping inside and breaking him with the shot.
“He was hurting. I could tell because his arms dropped immediately.
“‘I’ve just hurt The Bodysnatcher with a left hook to the body.’ I said, ‘Are you hurting, Bodysnatcher?’
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“Whyte grimaced through his gumshield. ‘I am,’ he mumbled.”
Fury, 33, was flummoxed by Whyte’s admission, saying: “I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. He’d admitted it. ‘Right then, you’re going to get some more now.’
“I took my time and picked the strikes, snapping Whyte’s head back again, waiting for his weaker side to open up for the perfect bomb.
“He was swinging it wildly and missing by miles. I laughed at him. ‘You think that’s ever going to hit me? You must be joking.’
Victory over Dillian Whyte saw Tyson Fury retain his WBC heavyweight titleCredit: REUTERS
“The other glove then pulverised him with a sledgehammer right, an uppercut.
“The hit was so powerful that one of Whyte’s teeth was smacked clean out – anyone watching on the telly would have seen a little white spot spiralling up into the air in slow motion – and it was all too much for him.”
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Fury flirted with the prospect of retirement after his brutal demolition of Whyte – hanging and unchanging his gloves several times over the last few months.
But The Gypsy King will be back in action a fortnight on Saturday in a Tottenham trilogy fight with Derek Chisora. More

ANTHONY JOSHUA has been urged to learn the “system” that propelled Tyson Fury to the top of the heavyweight division.Joshua, 33, opted for a change of tack following his Tottenham tussle with Oleksandr Usyk last December, bringing in renowned American coach Robert Garcia for their rematch in August.
Anthony Joshua is looking to reinvent himself following back-to-back losses to Oleksandr UsykCredit: GETTY
Joshua is seeking the help of former four-weight champion Roy Jones JrCredit: GETTY
But ex-sparring partner Rydell Booker doesn’t see Jones Jr adding much to AJ’s gameCredit: INSTAGRAM@RYDELL_BOOKER
Garcia’s inclusion in the camp wasn’t enough for AJ to overcome the slick southpaw, with a second defeat to the undefeated Ukranian prompting the Brit to seek out the help of boxing great Roy Jones Jr.
But former sparring partner Rydell Booker doesn’t forsee former four-weight champ Jones Jr guiding Joshua back to the top of the heavyweight heap.
The American told Betway: “Joshua is allegedly going to work with Roy Jones. I don’t see how that is going to work out.
“I don’t think Roy Jones is a good trainer or teacher.

“He just had natural abilities other people did not have. It’s very rare that someone can teach boxing.”
Booker reckons Joshua would be better served learning the legendary Kronk style, which was engineered by the late Emanuel Steward and being taught by his nephew Sugarhill – the coach of WBC heavyweight king Tyson Fury.
He continued: “I’m not saying I know everything, but I was taught by one of the best of all time, Emanuel Steward.
“His system worked for everyone; Lennox Lewis, Oscar De la Hoya, Tommy Hearns and it worked for Tyson Fury too.
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“You see Sugar Hill with Tyson Fury and Ben Whitaker over there, putting the Kronk style in the UK fighters.
“The Kronk style would be beneficial for Joshua because Joshua is big, long and strong.
“The method that Emanuel taught would work well for those types of builds and I know it would work well for Anthony Joshua.”
Former two-time unified champion Joshua is expected to return to the ring early next year, although an opponent has yet to be finalised.
The Watford warrior said earlier this month: “I don’t know [when I’ll be back].
“I was supposed to be in the ring this year, I’m going to be in the ring next year. I’ll be in the ring when I’m in the ring.
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“I don’t want to make statements today and then I’ll get held to the cross.
“Do you know what I mean? When I’m ready, I’ll be back in the ring.” More

ANDY RUIZ JR is unfazed by Deontay Wilder’s brutal power with the American pair ordered into fighting. The WBC have called on the two to meet in a final eliminator for the title held by Tyson Fury.
Andy Ruiz Jr is unfazed by Deontay Wilder’s brutal powerCredit: AP
Deontay Wilder has been ordered into fighting Andy Ruiz Jr by the WBCCredit: Getty
Ruiz, 33, returned to the ring in September by beating Cuban veteran Luis Ortiz, 43, on points following three knockdowns.
Wilder, 37, was ringside and a month later brutally knocked out Robert Helenius, 38, inside the opening round.
Following the pair of WBC eliminator bouts, the governing body pitted Ruiz with Wilder and he has the backing of Eddie Hearn to win.
Ruiz told Boxing Social: “For me, I feel like I can take a punch. I’m not saying that he doesn’t hit hard or nothing, damn well he hits hard.
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“But just how Eddie Hearn was saying, I’m gonna get in, I’m gonna throw my combinations, I’m gonna be fast, explosive, and I throw that right hand, in his temple, he’s gonna go down.”
Wilder’s team were eyeing Anthony Joshua, 33, or Oleksandr Usyk, 35, for the heavyweight’s return but are confident in beating Ruiz.
Coach Malik Scott told ESNews: “It’s exciting news.
“It’s no secret that I wanted the Usyk or the Anthony Joshua fight for Deontay, it’s big time boxing, but if Andy Ruiz is who we have to line up and get rid of then so be it.
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“Andy has fast hands, he’s explosive. Usually when you describe a fighter and say he’s short or he’s shorter, that can come across as a disadvantage.
“But in Andy’s case, being short he [knows] how to use his height to get under.
“I’ve already begun drawing it up and we’re going to get in the lab, and we gonna put him on his ass.”
Andy Ruiz Jr and Deontay Wilder are in line to fightCredit: Ryan Hafey More

OLEKSANDR USYK plans to still push ahead with a fight against Tyson Fury despite being faced with a new opponent. Talks are ongoing for the Ukrainian to put his WBA, IBF and WBO belts up against WBC champion Fury next year in a unification.
Oleksandr Usyk plans to still push ahead with a fight against Tyson FuryCredit: EPA
Tyson Fury is set to return against Derek ChisoraCredit: PA
But a spanner was thrown in the works following the news the IBF are set to order Usyk into fighting mandatory challenger Filip Hrgovic.
Although the pound-for-pound star’s promoter Alex Krassyuk expects the historic undisputed bout to supersede a mandatory.
Krassyuk told Sky Sports: “At this stage I can anticipate that it will not influence the undisputed anyhow.”
Usyk, 35, set for himself up for the heavyweight division’s first four-belt unification after twice beating Anthony Joshua, 33.
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But he ruled himself out until next year to spend time with his loved ones having returned to war-torn Ukraine after months training away.
Fury, 34, instead returns on December 3 in a trilogy bout against Derek Chisora, 38, who he beat one-sidedly in 2011 and 2014.
Despite the world title fight at Tottenham’s stadium, negotiations are commencing for next year’s unification.
And Usyk’s manager Egis Klimas even claimed they have agreed to terms, leaving the ball in Fury’s court.
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Klimas told SecondsOut: “Everything is done from our side – everything, absolutely.
“So, there’s only one guy who can say, ‘Yes, we’re going [ahead]’ that’s Fury.”
Chisora earned the shot with Fury after pushing Usyk all the way and could even land himself a rematch if he pulls off an upset next month.
If Chisora beats Fury, Klimas said: “Then we’re gonna go and unify the titles with Chisora.
“We [beat him comfortably in 2020], but again: Boxing is boxing; one time you beat them, one time you can lose, one time you can draw – and all kind of different things happen.”
Derek Chisora lost to Oleksandr Usyk in 2020Credit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing More

ANTHONY JOSHUA was torn apart by Dillian Whyte for having “no real spine or backbone” amid rumours of rematch between them. Joshua is taking a break from boxing following consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk and failed talks to face Tyson Fury.
Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte are linked to a rematchCredit: https://twitter.com/DillianWhyte
His promoter Eddie Hearn said the winner of Whyte’s November 26 fight with Jermaine Franklin would be a frontunner to box AJ next year.
And Whyte has 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.
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.
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“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.”
Whyte, 34, returns for the first time since defeat to Fury, also 34, at Wembley Arena.
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And with a rematch against Joshua, 33, in the pipeline if he beats American Franklin, 29, he wants his old rival to stick around.
Whyte said: “I hope he stays in boxing, and I hope he stays of solid mind because I want to fight him.
“I want a chance to get my rematch, so I hope he stays of solid and sound mind.
“I don’t want him to go crazy and then retire and f***ing become a rapper or a priest or something.”
Dillian Whyte was beaten by Anthony Joshua in 2015Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd More