Heavyweight boxing

ANTHONY JOSHUA has been offered a third crack at Oleksandr Usyk once the city of Kyiv and AJ’s confidence are rebuilt.The 32-year-old Watford hero has lost back-to-back 12-rounders to the 35-year-old Ukraine ace.
Oleksandr Usyk opened the door to a trilogy fight with Anthony JoshuaCredit: Getty
It could be staged at the Olympic Stadium in Kyiv once the city recovers from the warCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Even though the August showdown in Jeddah ended awkwardly – with the Brit icon slinging a couple of Usyk’s belts on the floor and snatching the mic for a rambling speech – they parted on fine terms.
And Usyk is now far more annoyed with WBC champ Tyson Fury for dodging their undisputed showdown.
Usyk is even worried that AJ’s team – no longer spearheaded by Team GB mentor Rob McCracken who was axed after the original September 2021 Tottenham defeat – are too busy hanging on to work on a serious fight back.
The WBA, IBF and WBO boss said: “If Fury doesn’t agree to fight me I think me and Joshua could try to have another fight.
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“We already had a match in London and in Saudi Arabia as well.
“So the next one could be at the Olympic Stadium in Kyiv.
“He has powerful potential for his development, but he just needs to get rid of people who prevent him from progressing.
“These extra people around him who want to give the best piece of advice, who all want to share his success, he just doesn’t need them.
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“He has to think about his team.
“But above all he is such a great guy and I wish him good luck.”
The end of the second fight ended in strange fashion with AJ’s rambling speechCredit: Getty
Usyk holds the WBA, IBF and WBO world heavyweight beltsCredit: Getty More

MIKE TYSON was all smiles as he enjoyed a night out on the town in New York City.The former boxer, 56, has suffered with health issues in recent months but looked fighting fit as he went out for dinner in the Big Apple.
Mike Tyson was in a great mood as he enjoyed an evening in New York CityCredit: BackGrid
The former fighter was joined by a female friendCredit: BackGrid
Tyson looked to have recovered from a flare up of sciatica which had him wheelchair-boundCredit: BackGrid
Tyson ate at SONA in the Flatiron DistrictCredit: BackGrid
Tyson had to use a wheelchair while at an airport last monthCredit: TheImageDirect.com
Tyson was accompanied by a female friend as he walked into luxury Indian restaurant SONA in the Flatiron District.
The restaurant offers private dining and boasts an art gallery as well as a menu that includes crab caviar and mouthwatering lamb chops at an eyewatering £56.
So it was little surprise Tyson beamed from ear to ear as he walked into the establishment wearing a blue leather jacket.
Iron Mike also wore a blue striped T-shirt, jeans and white trainers, while his friend wore a black crop top and matching trousers with a long black and white cardigan.
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Tyson was also able to walk without assistance from a stick, which he has used in recent weeks to support himself.
The former heavyweight world champion revealed he is suffering from sciatica and a flare-up of the condition causes pain that prevents him from walking unaided.
Tyson also had to use a wheelchair as he made his way through an airport terminal last month.
In a recent interview Tyson explained the health problem and the issues it causes.
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He said: “I have sciatica every now and then, it flares up. When it flares up, I can’t even talk! Thank God it’s the only health problem I have. I’m splendid now.
“Everybody in my house is truly blessed and we’re all very grateful for whatever we have.”
Sciatica is a condition that causes nerve irritation and seems to be affecting Tyson’s back.
Tyson retired from boxing in 2005 due to a back issue, while he also struggled with a knee injury late in his career.
Despite the issue Tyson returned to the ring in 2020 to fight Roy Jones Jr in an exhibition bout. More

EDDIE HEARN has insisted that he is still working with Tyson Fury’s team to deliver a fight between Anthony Joshua and the Gypsy King.Fury’s camp sent Team AJ a contract on September 16, believing all Joshua and Co had to do was sign on for a Cardiff bout on December 3.
Eddie Hearn is still trying to get his man Anthony Joshua a fight with Tyson FuryCredit: PA
Frank Warren remains in talks with Hearn despite Fury’s ‘deadline’Credit: Reuters
But Hearn blocked his man from doing so, insisting that the details of the contract itself were all over the place.
Growing impatient, Fury set a deadline for AJ to sign, which passed at 5pm yesterday.
The Gypsy King subsequently claimed the fight is OFF and hurled insults at Joshua, labelling him: “Idiot. Coward. S***house. Bodybuilder.”
Fury has now insisted that he wants to fight Mahmoud Charr instead.
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But his promoter Frank Warren remains in talks with Hearn over delivering the fight with Joshua.
Last night, Hearn said: “There were various positive calls today between promoters and broadcasters who are all working hard to finalise the fight.
“There has been no talk of a deadline between the parties, but we are moving at pace to try and conclude the deal.”
Warren, 70, also claimed to still be in talks with Hearn – but admitted that his man Fury had “lost patience” with the negotiations.
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The Gypsy King reiterated his stance on Instagram last night.
He wrote: “Deadline is up suckers. It’s a pitty (sic) AJ got no balls.”
Fury, 34, then added: “If I give a sucker a chance @ the big time I expect them to sign when I told them to #nuffsaid.”
And he previously blasted: “Always knew you didn’t have the minerals to fight the Gypsy King.
“Regardless of what the f*** you say now, I don’t really care.
“Good luck with your life. End of.” More

TYSON FURY has confirmed he will fight Manuel Charr after Anthony Joshua missed his deadline to agree a deal.The Gypsy King, 34, told AJ their proposed fight was OFF after Joshua failed to sign the necessary paperwork before 5pm on Monday.
Tyson Fury is looking forward to fighting Manuel Charr instead of Anthony JoshuaCredit: Reuters
Manuel Charr challenged Fury to a fight as he claimed AJ would pull out of talksCredit: Getty
And he has now announced he will be fighting 37-year-old Charr – who has 33 wins and four losses from his 37 fights – on December 3 instead.
In an Instagram post Fury wrote: “Looking forward to fighting a man who wants to fight and has fire and desire.
“Fought some of the best fighters and now stepping up again. Get in there Charr.”
Charr had challenged Fury to a fight after claiming AJ was likely to withdraw from the proposed bout.
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He wrote on social media: “Salam Alaikum, Tyson Fury.
“You know and I know that Anthony p***y boy will not sign the paper tomorrow.
“Take my challenge. I am ready for you.”
Fury blasted Joshua for failing to meet the deadline he set him and said their proposed fight was “officially over”.
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The heavyweight world champion said: “Well guys it’s official, D-Day has come and gone.
“It’s gone past five o’clock Monday, no contract has been signed. It’s officially over for Joshua. He is now out in the cold with the wolfpack.
“Forget about it. Idiot. Coward. S***house. Bodybuilder. Always knew it. Always knew you didn’t have the minerals to fight the Gypsy King.
“Regardless of what the f*** you’re saying now, I don’t really care. Good luck with your career and your life. End of. Peace out.”
However, Fury’s promoter Frank Warren has dimissed his client’s suggestion that there is no chance of a deal being reached.
Warren revealed Fury has lost patience but that the two parties held “positive” talks, with Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn in agreement.
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TYSON FURY branded Anthony Joshua a “coward” and an “idiot” whose top-level career is over after calling off their world heavyweight title showdown.Fury set Joshua’s camp a deadline of 5pm on Monday to sign the contract for their all-British December 3 fight in Cardiff – or he would find an alternative opponent.
Tyson Fury branded Anthony Joshua a coward as he revealed their fight is offCredit: Instagram @tysonfury
Joshua said he would sign the contract in a rap videoCredit: Instagram / @anthonyjoshua
But after the deadline passed, undefeated WBC champ Fury snapped: “Well guys, it’s official, D-Day has come and gone.
“It’s gone past 5pm on Monday and no contract has been signed.
“It’s officially over for Joshua, he is now out in the cold, with the wolfpack. Forget about it.
“Idiot. Coward. S***house. Bodybuilder.
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“Always knew you didn’t have the minerals to fight the Gypsy King.
“Regardless of what the f*** you say now, I don’t really care.
“Good luck with your life. End of.”
The Gypsy King and his promoter Frank Warren had delivered Team Joshua a contract on September 16 that they felt was simple to sign.
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Joshua, 32, had insisted on Sunday he would sign it, but his promoter Eddie Hearn was adamant there was “no chance” it would  be done by Fury’s self-imposed deadline, claiming the details “were all over the place.”
Fury’s BT Sport broadcasters and AJ’s streaming app DAZN also met yesterday to  plot a mutually beneficial pay-per-view TV plan for the £75million superfight after AJ had verbally agreed a 60-40 purse split.
Team Joshua will now accuse Fury of bluffing all along and never being serious with the offer.
But Fury, 34, added: “You’ve had this contract 10 days now, b**** and still not signed it.
“I have had Frank on the phone and I am not extending until tomorrow. Tomorrow it is off the table.”
Fury is now most likely to fight Germany-based 37-year-old Manuel Charr after iconic recent wins over Deontay Wilder and Dillian Whyte.
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Hearn wants to take his star attraction on a rebuilding world tour, following two successive defeats to Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk.
But two-fight foe Whyte – who beat AJ in the amateurs but was knocked out in the pros – has already offered him a December trilogy decider. More

DEREK CHISORA claims he has retired from boxing despite his ongoing rivalry with Tyson Fury.Chisora, 38, returned to the ring in July and defeated Kubrat Pulev via split decision at the O2 Arena where he picked up his first win in almost three years.
Derek Chisora has sensationally claimed he has retired from boxingCredit: Reuters
Tyson Fury has been embroiled in a heated rivalry with Derek ChisoraCredit: Getty
The British star has also been embroiled in a heated rivalry with former friend Fury that has seen them exchange some heated barbs at each other.
The pair had been in talks to complete a trilogy, with The Gypsy King winning their previous two fights in 2011 and 2014.
However, Del Boy cast doubt on an imminent clash when he repeatedly stated that he is done with the sport when he attended Joe Joyce’s fight against Joseph Parker in Manchester.
Chisora told BT Sport when he was asked if he will be back in the ring “any time soon”: “I’m retired.”
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The heavyweight boxer was then asked if that’s official and he responded: “Yeah, I’m retired.”
However, Fury and Chisora’s feud heated up after Joyce dispatched Parker with a stunning knockout.
Del Boy confronted the undefeated heavyweight on camera and challenged him to a bare knuckle fight.
Chisora doubled down by claiming Fury will lose to Anthony Joshua if the two Brits meet in the ring.
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The 34-year-old has stated he wants to defend his crown against Joshua in Cardiff.
But the Morecambe giant says he won’t wait any longer for AJ to return the signed contract that was sent last Friday. More