Heavyweight boxing

OLEKSANDR USYK wants to fight Deontay Wilder next – NOT Tyson Fury.WBC champion Fury had been targeting a mouthwatering undisputed bout with the Ukrainian early next year after his December showdown with Anthony Joshua.
Oleksandr Usyk has picked out his next opponent after beating Anthony JoshuaCredit: AFP
The Ukrainian wants to fight Deontay WilderCredit: Getty
An undisputed match with Tyson Fury appears off the cards, for nowCredit: Getty
But Usyk has turned his attention elsewhere after learning of Fury and AJ’s epic meeting.
The IBF, WBA, WBO and Ring heavyweight champ now has Wilder in his sights and slammed Fury for denying fans of a fight for the ages.
Usyk’s manager Egis Klimas claimed the Ukrainian had been keen to fight Fury next until he arranged his Battle of Britain with Joshua instead.
That dust-up includes a rematch clause, meaning a meeting between Fury and Usyk could be some time away.
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Usyk though is eager to get back on the canvas, and told The Ring that he had already picked out his next opponent in Wilder.
Through manager Klimas, Usyk said: “I’m not p***** off at all (about being bypassed by Fury for Joshua). The bigger problem is Tyson Fury is not letting fans see one of the best historical bouts in boxing history.
“That’s his fault. Not mine. So, I’m not p***** off at all. Tyson Fury can fight whoever he wants to fight.
“From the standpoint of sportsmanship, of course it’s not correct.”
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Then when asked who he wanted to fight next, Usyk himself responded: “Deontay Wilder.”
Usyk went on to say: “Wilder is a dangerous fighter, and that fight would most likely be in the United States.”
The former cruiserweight confirmed he is likely to be ringside when Wilder returns to action on October 8 against Robert Helenius in New York.
The Bronze Bomber has not fought since being knocked out in his trilogy fight with the Gypsy King last October.

When will Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua take place? All you need to know on blockbuster bout
Usyk’s manager Klimas labelled Fury as “afraid” of the Ukrainian, and his potential two fights with AJ delays the prospect for an undisputed bout.
He said: “What happens when Joshua beats his ass? What will happen next?
“They will go to a rematch, which will push back the chance to have an undisputed world champion.
“I think Fury is most likely afraid of Usyk. Why does he run away from Usyk? Why? Because Fury sees danger in Usyk.
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“Usyk wanted to fight Fury by the end of the year. You know what, we’re not running after him. We have three belts. He has one belt.
“Who cares? It’s a situation Fury created. Not Usyk. Usyk would fight Tyson Fury in his backyard. Usyk would fight anyone in their backyard.” More

ANTHONY JOSHUA’S trainer Robert Garcia would have liked his man to have “two or three” fights before facing Tyson Fury.Talks are progressing over AJ’s Battle of Britain bout with the Gypsy King, likely to take place in Cardiff on December 3.
Anthony Joshua is trained by American Robert GarciaCredit: PA
Joshua could face Tyson Fury on December 3Credit: PA
The fight hands Joshua an instant opportunity to reclaim a heavyweight belt following two straight defeats to Oleksandr Usyk.
Garcia, however, would have liked Joshua to step down a level before going in with Fury.
Speaking to Izquierdazo, he said: “Yes, I have spoken with Joshua’s team.
“But I am the newest member of the whole team, and they are decisions that they have to make between them.
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“For my part, I would like to do about two or three fights before [Fury], but obviously it is a business and a huge fight in Europe.
“I can’t stop them from taking something if it’s a huge fight and the purse I think would be a lot of money.
“I’m the newest on the team, I don’t own the decisions, they have a very smart management team and they will make the right decision and it’s their decision really.”
Garcia, 47, is eager to add training Joshua to a heavyweight title to his impressive resume – and hopes to take AJ’s camp to the US.
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When will Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua take place? All you need to know on blockbuster bout
He added: “I told them what I think: that it would be better, and because of my work in California, I recommended doing the camp here.
“He liked the idea and they will take it into account. But for me to go back [to London] is difficult for me.
“I have a lot of work, fighters who fight every weekend.
“But I know that with my dad’s team, my son Mikey, I know I can do it and go another couple of months. I know I can, but I would rather stay. Let the preparation be here.”
Promoter Eddie Hearn offered fans a positive update about fight negotiations – but is wary that Fury is “unpredictable”.
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On a similar cautious note, Garcia said: “For me, if you want to know what I think: I think Fury is doing all this to put pressure on Usyk to make the unification.
“It’s a great fight, and I also think Fury started talking. And they have talked about it with Joshua ‘s team, because they told me about it, but it could be part of the strategy of putting pressure on Usyk and thinking that he is losing the opportunity.” More

EDDIE HEARN has revealed exactly where negotiations stand for Anthony Joshua’s fight with Tyson Fury.AJ is desperate to take on the Gypsy King, fuelled by a worry that his chance to take on Fury may never come again.
Anthony Joshua wants to fight Tyson FuryCredit: PA
The Gypsy King is ‘unpredictable’Credit: PA
Talks remain on-going for a fight which is pencilled in for December with Cardiff’s Principality Stadium the front-runner to stage the Battle of Britain. 
On where things stand, Hearn said: “We’ve accepted the terms in principle, there’s not a lot more to go in the agreement.
“The broadcasters – DAZN and BT, have got to get together and make that happen, which they’re all saying, the basis of sharing the pay per view is not a problem.
“So I actually think that we’ll be okay. I think it’s just with Fury you just never know.
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“He could decide now I don’t fancy fighting this year or retire again, or is this a ploy to get the Saudis to pay more money to bring in Usyk?
“I don’t know. But all I can go on is what I’m being told by George Warren, which is 100 per cent they want this fight.”
Hearn added that Fury’s unpredictable nature means anything is possible.
He said: “I don’t know whether this guy is for real because you just never do.
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“But AJ said ‘well, one I want the fight and two if he’s not for real then let’s find out.’ 
“So I think from Anthony’s point of view, he’s played it great. 
“If the contract is what they said it will be, we’re fighting. 
“And if Fury chooses not to fight, AJ looks like he’s accepted the fight but it didn’t come off.
“He does want the fight and he just felt that he doesn’t think he will get the fight again if he doesn’t accept it now.” More

TYSON FURY destroyed the punch machine challenge – sending a clear message to Anthony Joshua. The WBC champion was filmed leathering the target with his weaker left arm but still scored a record of 993.
Tyson Fury destroyed the punch machine challengeCredit: INSTAGRAM
The WBC champion sent a clear message to Anthony JoshuaCredit: INSTAGRAM
In comparison, when AJ went on the Graham Norton show in 2017 he racked up a score of 848.
Although it has to be said, each machine is different making any comparisons hard to gauge.
Whatever the pair scored on the punch machine will count for little if they end up sharing the ring this year.
Fury, 34, surprisingly turned his attention to AJ after Oleksandr Usyk, 35, ruled himself out of an undisputed bout to nurse an injury. 
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And Joshua, 32, has since conceded to a 60/40 split for a shot at the title on December 3 in Cardiff, with official paperwork to be sent his way.
Fury’s promoter Frank Warren said on talkSPORT: “The contracts are on their way. 
“But I’m not going into great detail about this because we saw what happened last time round with people making statements and so forth and it all fell apart.
“This fight won’t be on until it’s signed, but everybody wants it to happen. 
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“There aren’t any obstacles in the way, so hopefully very quickly we can get it over the line, but until it’s signed, it’s not on.
“When you’re a promoter, you’re an optimist. That’s what you do. You’re in the business of trying to make events happen, so we’re all excited about it.
“I’m excited about it as a fight because I always felt that Tyson has the beating of AJ and now we’re gonna find out if we get this over the line.” 
Anthony Joshua doing the punch machine challenge on Graham Norton’s show More

JOE JOYCE has made a U-turn in his Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua fight prediction. The pair of British heavyweight rivals are closing in on a deal for December 3 at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.
Joe Joyce backs Tyson Fury to beat Anthony Joshua
Joyce has an inside track, having sparred the pair in the past and at one point favoured former Team GB training partner Joshua, 32.
But following a public fallout with AJ, which coincided with two losses to Oleksandr Usyk, 35, his prediction has changed. 
Joyce, 36, told talkSPORT:  “I originally thought AJ would do the business but I’m definitely favouring Fury.
“Just because of his boxing ability. But I still think it’s a great fight and Joshua has a puncher’s chance, as always.
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“He has very damaging punching power and if he goes on the offensive, it will be a very exciting fight.
“But it’s down to Fury. He can box on the back foot, he can switch. If he goes at him, he can stop Joshua.”
Fury, 34, surprisingly turned his attention to Joshua after Usyk ruled himself out of an undisputed bout to nurse an injury. 
And AJ has since conceded to a 60/40 split for a shot at the WBC title with official paperwork to be sent his way.
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Fury’s promoter Frank Warren said: “The contracts are on their way. 
“But I’m not going into great detail about this because we saw what happened last time round with people making statements and so forth and it all fell apart.
“This fight won’t be on until it’s signed, but everybody wants it to happen. 
“There aren’t any obstacles in the way, so hopefully very quickly we can get it over the line, but until it’s signed, it’s not on.
“When you’re a promoter, you’re an optimist. That’s what you do. You’re in the business of trying to make events happen, so we’re all excited about it.
“I’m excited about it as a fight because I always felt that Tyson has the beating of AJ and now we’re gonna find out if we get this over the line.” 
Anthony Joshua next to ex-sparring partner Joe Joyce More

ANTHONY JOSHUA is ALREADY in training to fight Tyson Fury – after promoter Frank Warren revealed a deal is 90 per cent done. AJ has agreed to concede to a 60/40 financial split after being offered a WBC title shot on December 3 at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium. 
Anthony Joshua sparring with Richard Riakporhe
And it seems he is wasting no time in getting to work as he was pictured in a conditioned sparring session with Richard Riakporhe, 32.
His promoter Eddie Hearn met with Frank Warren’s son George and the pair have since been thrashing out a deal. 
And Warren is now in a position to send off official paperwork but warned the fight is not guaranteed until both sign on the dotted line. 
He said on talkSPORT: “The contracts are on their way. 
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“But I’m not going into great detail about this because we saw what happened last time round with people making statements and so forth and it all fell apart.
“This fight won’t be on until it’s signed, but everybody wants it to happen. 
“There aren’t any obstacles in the way, so hopefully very quickly we can get it over the line, but until it’s signed, it’s not on.
“When you’re a promoter, you’re an optimist. That’s what you do. You’re in the business of trying to make events happen, so we’re all excited about it.
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“I’m excited about it as a fight because I always felt that Tyson has the beating of AJ and now we’re gonna find out if we get this over the line.” 
Fury, 34, announced his retirement from boxing in April after knocking out Dillian Whyte, also 34, at Wembley. 
But five months later Oleksandr Usyk, 35, beat Joshua, 32, on points for the second time in the space of 11 months. 
It then set up the heavyweight division’s first four-belt unification bout, although Usyk ruled himself out until next year. 

When will Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua take place? All you need to know on blockbuster bout
That caused Fury to unexpectedly turn his attention to Joshua, seemingly ending his latest retirement claim. 
Warren said: “I knew he would fight because Tyson is a fighting man and he’s in the gym all the time.
“He keeps himself really well and he doesn’t get out of condition.
“I believe his mentality is that when he’s in the gym he needs something to aim for and what does he aim for if he’s a world champion boxer, it’s to fight and that’s what it was.
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“He made it very clear to me a couple of weeks ago that he wants to fight and we were talking about a couple of opponents.
“We were getting quite close to announcing something and then we had this conversation and he just said, ‘make that happen’.”
Tyson Fury with his promoter Frank WarrenCredit: PA More