Heavyweight boxing

SKY SPORTS pundits expressed their fears over the ring canvas ahead of Anthony Joshua’s clash with Oleksandr Usyk.The ring floor at the King Abdullah International Stadium was soaked with sweat during Filip Hrgovic’ heavyweight clash with Zhilei Zhang.
Zhilei Zhang slipped on the canvas during his clash with Filip HrgovicCredit: Reuters
The canvas at the King Abdullah International Stadium caused chaosCredit: GETTY
And the sheer amount of liquid on the floor sparked serious concerns ahead of AJ’s rematch with the unified heavyweight champion.
Commentator Adam Smith: “They’ve have to sort the canvas out for what comes next, it’s really bad.”
Matthew Macklin chimed in: “It’s dangerous in there, you could slip onto a shot”
Smith then said: “‘Can they sort the canvas out please?”

Boxing fans also expressed their concerns. with one saying: “The canvas is soaking off the referees sweat.”
Another said: “This canvas – sweat stop play.”
And another said: “So are we going to see Usyk and Joshua slipping about on that sweat ridden canvas?”
One remarked: “The canvas in the ring is absolute ass. the logos are what’s causing the slip, the sweat is a factor too but it’s mostly the logos.”
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Another chimed in: “Slippery ring canvases are a problem on too many occasions.
“If fighters have oil/grease on their bodies and they sweat it’s impossible to clear it. OU and AJ will now slip too!”
SunSport’s Wally Downes Jr is on the scene and said: “Mike Goodall of Ringcraft was in the ring trying to sort out the canvas during the Saudi anthem.
“He and his firm do all the rings all over the country and built this one.
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“I don’t know what has caused it but if a fighter has oil or vaseline on when and it mixes with sweat it can be a nightmare to clean.
“Can’t just be dried with grease or oil on there Will fuck usyk footwork.”
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ANTHONY JOSHUA looked nervous as he chewed a mystery green object ahead of his showdown with Oleksandr Usyk, according to fight fans.AJ, 32, chewed on what appeared to be his gumshield inside the King Abdullah Sports City.
Anthony Joshua appeared to be chewing his gumshield ahead of the fight
Fans felt the chewing was a sign of AJ’s nervousness
The Brit was caught by the cameras as he walked to his dressing room, and some fans thought he had an anxious look on his face.
In response to the video one fan wrote on social media: “He looks nervous.”
Another added: “He doesn’t look confident.”
And a third said: “Joshua looks scared and nervous.”
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Joshua’s nervous chewing could be a bad omen as the last time he did so was before his first clash with Usyk which ended in a resounding defeat.
The Ukrainian took notice of AJ’s strange antics on that occasion, and revealed he thought it was strange.
Usyk said: “Of course, me and my team pay attention to that.
“They observe and analyse… I was surprised because he was kind of distracted, chewing on the mouthguard like he was.
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“That’s why I thought it was strange. But everybody behaves in their own way.
“But I don’t think about why it happens. Maybe it’s for some internal reasons. I don’t want to think about the reasons.” More

FORMER world champion Callum Smith produced a devastating left-hook knockout on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.The 32-year-old Liverpudlian was facing Frenchman Mathieu Bauderlique in a final eliminator for the WBC light-heavyweight title.
Smith connected with a devastating left hook to the face
Bauderlique was folded up on the canvas following the brutal shot

Smith is now in line to face Beterbiev for the WBC light-heavyweight titleCredit: Reuters
And the fans in Saudi Arabia were treated to an entertaining four-round brawl before Smith finished it in devastating fashion.
The ex-super-middleweight champ followed up a vicious left-hook to the ribs with a fight-ending headshot which folded 33-year-old Bauderlique up on the canvas.
It was a statement win from Smith – who is now the mandatory challenger to WBC title holder Artur Beterbiev.
Speaking after his KO win, the Brit said: “A good performance, another good knockout win here and puts me in line for a world title next time so a good night.
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“He engaged, caught me a few times but we move on, happy with the finish. It was a good shot, a good finish. He came out game, it was a bit of a shootout but I was confident of my ability.
“I want a world title, that’s what I’m in the game for – to be a two-weight world champion. I just want to keep winning and at some stage I will become a world champion.”
And the boxing world reacted to the sensational finish by praising Smith on social media.
Former super-bantamweight king Carl Frampton said: “What a finish from @CallumSmith23. Over early but probably got hit more than he’d have liked.
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“He’s brought the power up with him. Two weight world champ? Why not?”
And ex-cruiserweight world champion Tony Bellew, who is also from Liverpool, added: “Ruthless performance from Callum Smith Bauderlique is a good fighter who came to win!
“No one has stretched him like that before! 2 weight world champion incoming for our great city!”
Smith’s performance came on the undercard of Joshua’s bid to reclaim three versions of the world heavyweight title against Usyk. More

ANTHONY JOSHUA is bidding to become a three-time world heavyweight champion when he takes on Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia tonight.The 33-year-old Brit lost to his Ukrainian rival by unanimous decision at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last September.
Pabon officiated Joshua’s win over Ruiz Jr in Saudi Arabia back in 2019Credit: Getty
Pabon has taken charge of countless world title fights in the pastCredit: Getty
Now he is set to meet former undisputed cruiserweight champion Usyk again in a highly-anticipated rematch in the Middle East.
Once both men walk into the ring, their teams will step out of the ropes and only three individuals will remain – Joshua, Usyk and referee Luis Pabon.
But who is the official who will take charge of this mouth-watering clash?
Well, Puerto Rican official Pabon is no stranger to a Joshua bout.
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He was also up close and personal with AJ the last time he went to Saudi Arabia to try and reclaim his belts.
On that occasion, back in December 2019, Joshua beat Andy Ruiz Jr by unanimous decision with an impressive boxing display – albeit against an overweight and undertrained Ruiz.
Pabon let the fight flow as Joshua picked apart his Mexican opponent in a clash which had no controversy whatsoever.
Joshua and Usyk will be hoping for much of the same from the referee on Saturday night.
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The three judges for the contest have also been announced.
They are American Glenn Feldman, Briton Steve Gray and Ukrainian Viktor Fesechko.
When the first fight went to the cards, all three saw it in favour of Usyk – 115-113, 116-112 and 117-111.
Fesechko was one of the judges for the first fight and scored the bout the widest of the three officials – handing in the 117-111 card. More

TYSON FURY and his dad John have jetted to Menorca ahead of Anthony Joshua’s showdown with Oleksandr Usyk.The Gypsy King, 34, has spent the week feuding with Derek Chisora but appeared to be in a happier mood at the airport.
Tyson Fury shadow boxed in the airport ahead of his flightCredit: @tysonfury
Father John is joining the Gypsy King in MenorcaCredit: @tysonfury
He filmed a short video of his father which he uploaded to Instagram, asking the 58-year-old where they were headed.
Fury Snr. revealed the Spanish island of Menorca as their destination and his son responded excitedly, shouting one of his favourite phrases: “Get up!”
The Gypsy King also showed off in the airport and was filmed shadow boxing as he waited for his flight.
The Fury’s are set to watch AJ take on Usyk as he looks to reclaim his heavyweight world title belts and John had some words of advice for his compatriot.
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He said: “I’d go for body punches, I’d work the body. Plenty of punishment downstairs, bring them up through the middle and around the sides. If he gets that game plan, who knows, I think he can do it.
“But it’s going to take devil in his work, aggression and him to be a bully and the worst form of human being he’s ever been in that night.
“He’s got to change his character completely. He’s got to be a demon when he’s in there, otherwise he’s going to come up second best because you can’t outbox Usyk as he’s just too tricky.
“But what he can do is out strength him, out game him and use his size and his weight to his advantage. He needs a lot of that [heart], if he gets all of this, you get an AJ win. Anything less, Usyk [wins].”
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Fury has backed Usyk to win again – just as he did ahead of the first fight last September.
In June the heavyweight world champion claimed the Ukrainian is “too cute, smart and quick” for Joshua, and he believes Usyk’s southpaw stance will cause problems again.
But this week Fury has been more preoccupied with his war of words with Chisora.
After going back and forth with Delboy this week Fury said on Friday: “I see Delboy’s at it again. He’s confused because he lost that £2m I offered him because stupid 258 [MGT] said no, they wanted three.
“Talking like absolute mugs. Never seen idiots like them in my life.
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“He wants some smoke does he? I’ll tell you what to do then Derek, when you get back from Saudi Arabia s***ing off AJ [Anthony Joshua] get yourself down to Morecambe, I’ll have you a bare-knuckle straightener in there for f all.
“I’ll show you who wants smoke you little s***house. You were offered £2m and you s*** yourself you big sausage. Carrot, You’re a carrot muncher you little p****.” More

THERE was controversy in one of the fights on the Oleksandr Usyk versus Anthony Joshua undercard when the bell failed to ring to end a round.Badou Jack and Richard Rivera were forced to box for FOUR MINUTES in round eight when the timekeeper went awol.
Badou Jack and Richard Rivera were forced to box four minutes in a roundCredit: AP
The clock on the Sky Sports Box Office screen disappeared when the round was supposed to end.
But the two cruiserweights were forced to slug it out for another 60 seconds.
It was not good news for Rivera, as he chose to stand up between rounds so might have fancied a little rest.
And Jack began to take advantage of his opponent’s tiredness by hammering in a barrage of shots as the clocked ticked well past the three minutes.
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Fight fans were less-than impressed on social media.
One asked “where the f*** is the bell”, while Jeremy Padawer posted on Twitter that it was “the first time I’ve ever seen a mistake like that”.
“Shocking”, “s**t” and “disgraceful” were just some of the other comments on the oversight.
Fan anger didn’t stop there either when the result was read out.

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Most had Rivera, who goes by the nickname Popeye and had a pipe in his mouth at the end of the fight, springing the shock, but the judges awarded it to the veteran Jack.
The Swede won 96-94, 96-94 on two of the judges’ scorecards, with the other giving it to Rivera by the same score.
It was Rivera’s first pro defeat.
Daniel Smith posted on Twitter: “What on earth is that result by the way.”
“Travesty of a decision” “daylight robbery” and “unbelievable” were other comments by frustrated fans.
Anthony Joshua will be attempting to get his revenge against Oleksandr Usyk later on in their rematch.
Jack got the result – but fans felt he was luckyCredit: PA More

FIGHTERS on the undercard of Oleksandr Usyk’s rematch with Anthony Joshua are struggling to deal with FLIES.Commentator Adam Smith made the stunning revelation with the bumper night of fights well underway in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Badou Jack lands a blow on the undercardCredit: AP
Ramla Ali defied the flies to grab a stunning winCredit: Getty
During Badou Jack’s clash with Richard Rivera, the broadcaster said: “flies are affecting boxers in the ring”.
In addition to battling the bugs, Jack and Rivera were also forced to fight for an extra 60 seconds during round eight… when the timekeeper went awol.
The clock on the Sky Sports Box Office screen disappeared at the end of the allocated three minutes, but the two fighters were made to slug it out for an extra 60 seconds.
With the fight going to a decision, it was Jack who managed to follow Ramla Ali in defying the flies to grab a big win.
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AJ’s crunch rematch with Usyk is set to go ahead in stifling 32 degree heat later tonight at King Abdullah Sports City.
The Brit will be desperate to thrive in the sticky conditions to earn back his heavyweight belts.
Joshua, 32, weighed in at 244lbs for the crunch bout – 4lbs heavier than the first fight at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Usyk, meanwhile, came in at 221lbs – exactly what he weighed last September.
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In the immediate aftermath of the weigh-in, AJ said: “I’ll be honest, all of this stuff doesn’t matter, it’s just about the fight. Real talk.
“All of this stuff, weight, face-off, none of it matters to me. Just looking forward to the fight.”
AJ then added: “I’m just ready for 12 rounds, 100 per cent ready for 12 rounds and anything short of that is a bonus.”
Joshua engaged in mind games during the face off – asking Usyk about his weakness.
Amid rumours that the Ukrainian was hurt by a shot to the body while sparring with Martin Bakole, AJ asked: “How’s your bodyshot? In sparring…” More