Heavyweight boxing

KATIE TAYLOR has claimed victory over Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Canelo Alvarez… by being named the world’s most marketable boxer. London-based media company SportsPro released their annual list of the most marketable athletes.
Katie Taylor was named the world’s most marketable boxer.Credit: Sportsfile
Tyson Fury was named the 75th most marketable sports star in the worldCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
And Irish hero Taylor, the first boxer to appear on the list, was ranked No 47.
That was ahead of Canelo, who was placed at 64, Fury at 75 and Joshua at 88.
Canelo, 32, was last year placed at No4 most marketable athlete with unbeaten American Gervonta Davis at No75.
Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo, 37, topped the list with tennis legend Serena Williams, 41, second and F1’s Lewis Hamiton, 37, third.
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The marketability rankings take in a number of factors including performances, engagement with followers, consumer perception and growth potential.
Taylor, 36, celebrates an iconic year, having headlined Madison Square Garden alongside Amanda Serrano, 34.
She defeated Serrano on points to become undisputed lightweight champion.
The 2012 Olympic gold medalist now returns against Karen Elizabeth, 32, on October 29 at Wembley Arena.
Top 10 Most Marketable Athletes of 2022

CRISTIANO RONALDO
SERENA WILLIAMS
LEWIS HAMILTON
LEBRON JAMES
LIONEL MESSI
NAOMI OSAKA
VIRAT KOHLI
ALEX MORGAN
SAM KERR
TOM BRADY

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Taylor said: “It’s hard to believe it’s been almost six years since I made by pro debut there so it’s great to go back now and headline.
“It’s been an amazing journey so far but there are still lots of great fights out there for me and I’m excited about what’s still to come.”
Eddie Hearn added: “I’m delighted to see Katie back in action following her epic victory over Amanda in a historic night in New York.
“Katie is one of the superstars of boxing and more than that a pioneer for women’s sport, and it’s great to have her return to the arena that she made her debut in 2016.
“It’s always an honour to stage Katie’s fights and I have no doubt that after her fight of the year with Amanda in April, a new wave of fans will pack the Wembley Arena to see this icon perform against the tough, hungry and unbeaten Argentine.”
Katie Taylor beat Amanda Serrano on points More

THE WBC are set to order a fight between Deontay Wilder and Andy Ruiz Jr, according to President Mauricio Sulaimán.Wilder returned to the ring after more than a year out on Saturday and brutally knocked out Robert Helenius in the first round.
Deontay Wilder returned to the ring and knocked out Robert Helenius on SaturdayCredit: EPA
Andy Ruiz Jr last fought in September when he beat Luis OrtizCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The winner of Wilder v Ruiz will be the WBC mandatory challenger for Tyson FuryCredit: Instagram / @tysonfury
Sulaimán was impressed with the American’s power and revealed he will be ordered to fight Ruiz at a WBC convention in Mexico next week.
The winner of that clash will become the mandatory challenger to face Tyson Fury, assuming the Gypsy King beats Derek Chisora on December 3.
However, Wilder has other targets in his sights including Anthony Joshua.
Wilder’s manager Shelly Finkel revealed he had an offer from Eddie Hearn to make a fight between the pair, but he wanted Wilder to get the Helenius bout under his belt first.
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Talks in 2018 over a proposed bout fell through but both parties now seem up for it with Wilder eyeing a fight in Africa.
He said: “It’s still the number one fight in the world for everyone. Everywhere I go, people always talk about me versus Joshua.
“We both have roots from there, I think it would be an amazing place to have it, to go back home. To go back to the motherland.
“A continent full of our people. I can just see that being an amazing fight, win, lose or draw.
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“I think we’ll get the respect and love from all the people over there.”
Meanwhile, Fury is set to face Chisora in Cardiff and showed he is getting into good shape after working hard in the gym. More

TYSON FURY is looking “solid as a rock” as he continues his preparations for a trilogy fight with Derek Chisora on December 3.The Gypsy King, 34, will seek to beat Del Boy for a third time when they meet at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at the end of the year.
Fury claims he is “solid as a rock” ahead of his bout in DecemberCredit: INSTAGRAM / TYSONFURY
The Gypsy King showed off his abs while wearing just his boxersCredit: INSTAGRAM / TYSONFURY
Fury beat Chisora in 2011 and then again three years laterCredit: Getty
And the WBC champion is looking in tremendous shape as he showed off his abs in a post-workout video on Instagram on Tuesday.
Fury could be seen wearing just his boxers as he updated fans on how his training is going.

In the clip, the unbeaten heavyweight said: “Just finished work hard Wednesday.
“Getting there, getting in shape, getting as solid as a rock.
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“Working hard every day, cannot wait for December the 3rd. Come on, bring it on, let’s end this year with a big bang.”
Fury has battled with his weight throughout his career, famously losing 10 stone for his comeback in 2018.
And he even poked fun at his own body shape ahead of his clash with Dillian Whyte in April – a bout he won by sixth-round knockout.
In the pre-fight press conference, Fury said: “I’ve been the underdog my whole life, look at me!
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“I’m still the underdog. Look at me! I’m as fat as anything. But the old fat boy can fight.”
Fury will be the overwhelming favourite heading into a clash with Chisora given how their previous fights ended.
Back in 2011, Fury outboxed Del Boy and beat him comfortably by unanimous decision.
Then, when the pair met for a rematch in 2014, Fury produced a punch-perfect display and forced Chisora to retire on his stool at the end of the 10th round. More

DEONTAY WILDER will “kill” Andy Ruiz Jr. if the pair fight, claims Luis Ortiz.The Bronze Bomber returned last weekend with a trademark bang, knocking out Robert Helenius inside three minutes in New York.
Deontay Wilder returned to the ring in epic fashion last weekendCredit: EPA
Andy Ruiz Jr. has been warned by Luis Ortiz that the Bronze Bomber will ‘kill’ him if the pair clashCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The 36-year-old is now ready to negotiate a super-fight at Wembley next year against Anthony Joshua.
But Ruiz, who won and then lost the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO titles to AJ in 2019, has also declared his desire to face the KO artist Wilder.
Wilder’s stunning win over Helenius was a WBC eliminator and now sets him up to face Ruiz, 33, for the mandatory challenger spot to Tyson Fury.
That is after the Mexican’s victory via unanimous decision over 43-year-old Ortiz in September.
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The two are both signed to Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions stable, making negotiations for the showdown that much easier.
However, Ortiz has predicted that Ruiz could suffer much more than just defeat if he faces Wilder.
He told Blue Blood Boxing TV: “He’ll kill Andy Ruiz.”
Wilder has also suggested that he hopes to bypass Ruiz in order to face WBA, WBO, and IBF champ Oleksandr Usyk.
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Ortiz also believes that his would be the best route for the ex-WBC king – and that Ruiz needs to get back in the ring with him first before even thinking about battling anyone else.
He said: “Andy Ruiz needs to give me the rematch. Give me the rematch.”
Following his comeback win, Wilder said: “I’m down for whatever, whether it’s Andy Ruiz, or Usyk or whoever. Lets bring it on.
“Deontay Wilder is back. The excitement in the heavyweight division is back. There’s no heavyweight division without Deontay Wilder.” More

TOTTENHAM Hotspur Stadium has been selected as the venue for Tyson Fury’s trilogy bout with Derek Chisora on December 3.The Gypsy King will again fight on home soil, having defeated Dillian Whyte at Wembley Stadium back in April.
Derek Chisora and Tyson Fury will do battle again on December 3Credit: Getty
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is set to host boxing for a second timeCredit: Marc Aspland – The Times
Fury vs Chisora 3 will be the second boxing event to take place at Tottenham’s shiny £1bn stadium.
The 62,850-seater arena was the setting for Anthony Joshua’s first defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in September 2021.
Booking the fight at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium means that it will take place outdoors – despite potentially freezing December conditions.
The ring will be under cover, but fans seated on the pitch could be open to the elements.
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When Frank Bruno fought Joe Bugner at the old White Hart Lane in October 1987, fighters wrapped themselves in blankets between rounds.
Not too many fans will be bowled over by Fury’s opponent, considering how comfortably the Gypsy King won his first two clashes with Chisora.
But after Joshua refused the fight and Usyk ruled himself out with injury, the 6ft 9in Morecambe giant was short of options.
Fury had the Cardiff stadium booked for December 3 – in the hope of luring AJ into the biggest fight in British boxing history.
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But plans were rearranged to North London once Finchley slugger Chisora became the frontrunner for a crack at the famous green and gold belt.
And hall-of-fame promoter Frank Warren explained how he could not let his golden boy get rusty, after going eight months since a sensational knockout win over Whyte.
“He’s got to fight this year,” the Queensberry boss said.  “We’ve tried to make two significant fights (Joshua and Usyk) and they’ve both fallen through. Nothing to do with Tyson, nothing to do with us, so this is where we are now.
“He can’t have one fight in a year, he last fought in April, which will mean it will be a year out the ring more or less by the time this fight comes around with Usyk.
Derek will give a good account of himself but I don’t think anybody out there can beat Tyson FuryFrank Warren
“He needs to fight and he will fight, we’ve said that from day one.
“Derek will give a good account of himself but I don’t think anybody out there can beat Tyson Fury.”
Despite twice comfortably seeing off Chisora earlier in his career, Fury insists that Del Boy is “every bit as dangerous” as Usyk.
Before the fight was announced, the Gypsy King told told Secondsout: “In my opinion Chisora at least got a draw with Oleksandr Usyk, so I see Chisora as every bit as dangerous as Usyk – if it is Chisora.
“I thought Chisora deserved a draw at minimum. Chisora is no pushover. If you’re not on your A-game, Derek will beat you.
“There’s a few southpaws that I’m looking at, which would obviously help.”
Prior to his fights with Joshua, Usyk beat Chisora via unanimous decision.
The judges scored the bout 115-113, 115-113, and 117-111 in the Ukrainian’s favour.
Frank Bruno beat Joe Bugner at White Hart Lane in 1987Credit: Getty More