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      Anthony Joshua must go ‘toe to toe’ with Oleksandr Usyk in rematch as Joe Joyce recalls intense sparring with Brit rival

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA will have to go on the “offensive” against Oleksandr Usyk if he’s to have any hope of winning their high-stakes rematch.The Watford warrior will bid to become a three-time heavyweight champion in his make-or-break Saudi showdown with the undefeated Ukranian on Saturday week.
      Anthony Joshua will renew his rivalry with Oleksandr Usyk next weekendCredit: GETTY
      A tentative AJ was turned over by the slick southpaw last SeptemberCredit: GETTY
      Former sparring partner Joe Joyce has urged Joshua to be more “offensive” in the rematchCredit: NEWS GROUP NEWSPAPERS
      A tentative AJ was outboxed by the slick southpaw in their Tottenham tussle last September, a scenario Brit rival Joe Joyce can foresee playing out again if he doesn’t put his foot on the gas.
      He told Sky Sports: “Unless Joshua can really change his style and also become an offensive fighter again.
      “When we were on the GB squad I always used to like going to toe to toe with him, that used to be fun.
      “But then all of a sudden he was kind of bit more [on the] back foot.
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      “[Against Usyk] he seemed very tidy in his technique and his footwork and everything. But he was trying to outbox Usyk.
      “Maybe it was Usyk that was keeping him away. But he seemed very clinical.
      “He could have roughed him up a bit more inside and took a few chances with pot shots.”
      Joyce reckons his former sparring partner needs to implement aspects of his old aggressive style to win the desert dust-up.
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      He recalled: “There was a stage especially early where we were going toe to toe all the time
      “Then it got to a point, kind of when he turned pro he started to be a bit more on the back foot and not really willing to engage.
      “Especially with the (Andy) Ruiz Jr rematch he probably went into that defensive on the back foot [mode].
      “[He] was kind of scared to engage. I guess rightly so because he must have seen the shadow of Ruiz putting him down.

      “Even (Wladimir) Klitschko put him down and he was in trouble for a whole round when they fought.
      “Klitschko, if he’d been more an offensive fighter, he could have taken him out there.”
      Joshua has brought in multiple-time world champion coach Robert Garcia to cook up an aggressive game plan for the Saudi showdown.
      But Joyce believes it’ll take more than brute force for AJ to wrestle the titles back from the undefeated Usyk.
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      He said: “[Usyk] already knew what to do in the first fight, he went straight to work. So this fight he’s already beaten him.
      “So he knows exactly what to do again. He’s probably three, four moves ahead of him. “So it’s a tough one.” More

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      ‘The king is coming back’ – Tyson Fury demands Derek Chisora trilogy at Man Utd’s Old Trafford in homecoming fight

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      TYSON FURY has demanded a homecoming at Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium when he fights Derek Chisora. The heavyweight boxing legend has already confirmed he will end his four month retirement to return for a trilogy with Chisora.
      Man Utd fan Tyson Fury wants to fight Derek Chisora at Old TraffordCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Derek Chisora is in talks for a trilogy with Tyson Fury in DecemberCredit: Reuters
      The fight is targeted for December in Wales, where Anthony Joshua has twice headlined, according to ESPN.
      But Fury himself wants it at United’s 70,000-seater home in front of his home supporters.
      He said: “This fight with Chisora should be in Manchester, in my opinion at United football ground.”
      Training partner Isaac Lowe, 28, added: “Definitely, because obviously, he is the king and he’s returned.
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      “He’s already been back in London so it’s only right he comes back to his hometown in Manchester.
      “And there’s nowhere else better than Manchester United football ground. So, it’s the Theatre of Dreams and the king is coming back.”
      Manchester United fan Fury, 33, announced his retirement in April after knocking out Dillian Whyte, 34, at Wembley, his first UK fight in four years.
      But the Gypsy King CONFIRMED he is coming back for an unlikely trilogy with Chisora, 38, who he already beat in 2011 and 2014.
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      It is claimed Goldstar Promotions – the company that handles Fury’s meet-and-greets across the UK – are behind the offer.
      That is despite Hall of Fame pair Frank Warren and Bob Arum leading the WBC champion’s career in recent years.
      Arum has confirmed he is NOT leading negotiations for Fury to fight Chisora once more.
      He is instead awaiting the result of Joshua’s August 20 rematch with Oleksandr Usyk, 35, where the winner is in line for an undisputed decider.
      Arum told Dan Rafael: “Of course not. Nothing. What are we, crazy?
      “Everybody is waiting for the fight and then we’ll explore whether it’s feasible to do the complete unification.”
      Derek Chisora has been beaten twice by Tyson FuryCredit: Getty More

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      UFC champ Kamaru Usman prefers to ‘gamble’ with £83m boxing switch against Canelo Alvarez instead of Jake Paul

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      UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman admits he’d prefer to “gamble” in the boxing ring with Canelo Alvarez than Jake Paul.The UFC’s pound-for-pound king has been calling for a clash with undisputed super-middleweight king Canelo for close to a year but has yet to seriously get the Mexican’s attention.
      UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman wants to test himself in the boxing ringCredit: GETTY
      Usman is eager to test himself against former pound-for-pound king CaneloCredit: GETTY
      The prospect of facing YouTuber Jake Paul doesn’t interest The Nigerian NightmareCredit: AFP
      Usman, however, has also been subjected to multiple taunts from YouTuber turned boxer Paul during that time – although the social media star has done little to entice The Nigerian Nightmare to fight him.
      During an appearance on The Athlete Podcast, Usman said: “Me fighting Jake Paul, I’m helping him.
      “I beat Jake Paul, nobody cares. You’re supposed to beat him. I still get a bank account now, I still get that.
      “I beat Canelo, biggest athlete in the world, not even close, 100 million in the bank. If I’m gonna gamble, I’m gonna gamble well.”
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      Former Disney star Paul has made serious waves in the boxing world since making his pro debut in January 2020.
      The Problem Child brutally knocked out former UFC 170lb champ Tyron Woodley – who Usman dethroned in March 2019 – in the sixth round of their rematch last December.
      Usman said of the YouTuber: “Absolutely [fighting Jake Paul is a risk]. Listen, me and him get in a scrap right now, he could touch me.
      “I’m not naive or ignorant enough to think – let them put it on the news. I’m a realist.
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      “I know I’m gonna dog walk him, but at the same time, everyone has a puncher’s chance.”
      Usman’s eagerness to test himself against Canelo stems from his desire to become “the face of fight game”.
      The UFC star recently told SunSport said: “Obviously, the bigger the dream, the bigger the manifestation.
      “And the more it scares me, the more I’m willing to prepare and go through [hell] to achieve it.
      “It’s no surprise. Canelo is a tall glass for anybody – a tall pint.
      Fighting Canelo scares and excites Kamaru UsmanCredit: AFP
      “And it scares me, it scares me to death. But the real reason [I want the fight] is: I wanted to be welterweight champion, I got it.
      “I wanted to be pound-for-pound, I got it.
      “I always thought this phrase was special, and the phrase that I’m after now is: ‘The Face of the Fight Game’.
      “And Canelo, right now, can’t say [he’s the face of the fight game].
      “Yeah, he’s the face of boxing, but he can’t say he’s the face of the fight game.
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      “And I can’t claim to that as well. So, there’s only one way for me to stake claim to that.
      “And that’s taking on something that seems astronomically impossible to everyone, except myself.”
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      Inside Deontay Wilder’s $1.2million Alabama mansion on Lake Tuscaloosa, with hot tub and panic room from Fort Knox

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      FOR Deontay Wilder, home’s where the heart is.The Bronze Bomber lives in a stunning $1.2million mansion in Alabama which backs onto the famous and picturesque Lake Tuscaloosa.
      Inside Deontay Wilder’s $1.2m mansion in AlabamaCredit: Realtor
      The property boasts stunning views of Lake TuscaloosaCredit: Realtor
      The 36-year-old heavyweight boxer was born and raised in the southern state, and always has his training camps there.
      Wilder said: “I like being in Alabama.
      “I was raised here and have been here all my life, though I have homes in other states.
      “I love doing my camp here, I started out here as far as boxing is concerned and my career is concerned, and we’re going to live that out until the end of my career.”
      And with an incredible house like this, who can blame him.
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      Built in 2012, the 5,600 square-foot property boasts four bedrooms, four bathrooms and a two-car garage.
      Sadly, that won’t be enough to house Wilder’s mega car collection, but at least he has a huge driveway that he can park them on.
      Hardwood floors, an outdoor kitchen perfect for a BBQ are other ace features, as well as a lift to take you down to the basement.
      However, the home’s biggest selling point though is its location – sitting above Lake Tuscaloosa.
      The property boasts four bedroomsCredit: Realtor
      There are also four bathroomsCredit: Realtor
      The outside kitchen is perfect for a BBQCredit: Realtor
      Wilder has his own office to negotiate his fights inCredit: Realtor
      A lift takes you down to the basementCredit: Realtor
      The property is open planCredit: Realtor
      The views are unparalleled, with trees surrounding the abode – ensuring his complete privacy.
      There’s even his personal tram that takes him down into the lake.
      PANIC STATIONS
      Standing at 6ft 7in tall, and with a record of knocking out 41 of his 44 opponents, you wouldn’t think anyone would be brave enough to break into Wilder’s home.
      But as a family fan, he has to think about his children and reality TV missus Telli Swift.
      Wilder has his own panic room in his mansionCredit: Realtor
      A tram takes you through to Lake TuscaloosaCredit: Realtor
      The kitchen is spaciousCredit: Realtor
      An island seats up to six people at one timeCredit: Realtor
      Hardwood floors can be found throughout the propertyCredit: Realtor
      That’s why he has a panic room installed in case of intruders.
      Fitted with a steel door from the legendary Fort Knox it’s the perfect spot to hide until help is on its way.
      That said, we can’t see Deontay ducking anyone.
      The vault door is made to the same high specification as a Fort Knox safe, named after the famous gold reserves fortress in Kentucky. More

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      Tyson Fury ‘piping up again’ to take the shine away from Anthony Joshua’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk, says Eddie Hearn

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      EDDIE HEARN claimed Tyson Fury is “piping up again” to take the shine away from Anthony Joshua’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk. Joshua, 32, was beaten by Usyk, 35, last September but the two prepare to do battle again on August 20 in Saudi Arabia.
      Tyson Fury has confirmed he will return to boxingCredit: Getty
      Anthony Joshua, Eddie Hearn and Oleksandr UsykCredit: Reuters
      As the huge unified heavyweight world title bout edges closer, Fury, 33, has come out and announced he will make a return to boxing.
      And the timing of the Gypsy King’s revelation – who insisted he is still the best heavyweight in the world – comes as no surprise to AJ’s promoter Hearn.
      He told iFL TV: “‘I’m the best heavyweight in the world?’
      “Yeah, because Anthony Joshua is obviously fighting in a couple of weeks, so he’s going to start piping up again.
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      “All eyes are on AJ in Saudi in two weeks tonight. It’s unbelievable how quickly it’s come around.
      “A little week this week of us locking in our schedule for September, October, and November, and then off to Saudi to see AJ do the business.”
      Fury has been linked with a return fight to challenge the winner between Joshua and Usyk in what would be an undisputed title decider.
      But the 6ft 9in unbeaten star has instead turned his attention to Derek Chisora, 38, the man he beat in 2011 and 2014.
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      It is believed the pair are closing in on a deal for a trilogy bout in December at Cardiff’s 75,000-seat Principality Stadium.
      Fury said on Instagram: “I spoke to your management team, we’re all good.
      “Everything is sorted, looking good. Contract be over or a day or so. Peace out, you’re getting knocked out.”
      Derek Chisora and Tyson Fury are in talks for a trilogy fightCredit: Getty More

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      Tyson Fury shows off stunning £300,000 Ferrari as boxing legend prepares to sign contract for Derek Chisora trilogy

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      TYSON FURY showed off his stunning £300,000 Ferrari as he prepares to sign a contract to fight Derek Chisora. Fury is a known car lover, owning a collection of luxury motors with his black Ferrari GTC4Lusso among his favourites.
      Tyson Fury showed off his stunning £300,000 Ferrari
      The Gypsy King posted the supercar onto his Instagram after confirming he will make a boxing comeback to face Chisora again.
      He twice beat his heavyweight rival – in 2011 and then 2014 – before the pair later went on to enjoy a friendship.
      But lately, the relationship has soured leading to talk of an unlikely trilogy bout between the two.
      According to ESPN, the fight is targeted for December in Wales, where Anthony Joshua has twice headlined.
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      And it is claimed Goldstar Promotions – the company that handles Fury’s meet-and-greets across the UK – are behind the offer.
      That is despite Hall of Fame pair Frank Warren and Bob Arum leading the WBC champion’s career in recent years.
      It remains unknown if Fury is still contracted to Arum’s Top Rank stable or Warren’s Queensberry Promotions.
      The Gypsy King and Chisora always maintained they had a verbal agreement in place for a third fight together.
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      But after Chisora picked Joshua, 32, and Dillian Whyte, 34, to beat Fury, their friendship was no more.
      It has led to recent back and forth between the two and Chisora, 38, demanded a contract be sent his way.
      He said: “Tyson, stop talking s***e, mate. Phone mummy and daddy – mummy’s Frank Warren, daddy is f***ing Bob Arum.
      “Tell them you want to hang out with me, OK? And send me the paperwork bitch.”
      But Fury, 33, hit back: “I don’t need to speak to anybody.
      “I spoke to your management team, we’re all good. Everything is sorted, looking good. Contract be over or a day or so.
      “Peace out, you’re getting knocked out.”
      Derek Chisora and Tyson Fury are in talks for a trilogy fightCredit: Getty More

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      Anthony Joshua sent chilling warning by Oleksandr Usyk from Dubai training camp with heavyweight in frightening shape

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      OLEKSANDR USYK has sent an ice-cold warning to Anthony Joshua ahead of their clash.The 35-year-old Ukraine ace dethroned AJ of his WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight world title belts in September, so they rematch in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on August 20.
      Oleksandr Usyk pictured with Amir Khan in Dubai
      The defending champion, who spent time on the front line repelling Russian invaders before beginning his training camp, is tapering off preparations in Dubai.
      And when British boxing legend Amir Khan visited the gym and asked if the former undisputed cruiserweight king was ready, he growled: “I was born ready”.
      The undefeated 2012 Olympic gold winner also revealed he has been waking up at 4:45am to squeeze in THREE punishing sessions every day.
      The ex-14st 4lbs boss – who boxed as light as middleweight in his early amateur days – has bulked up again for the Rage on the Red Sea.
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      Before his 2021 points win over Derek Chisora, he explained his ideal weight would be 16st.
      But for that Halloween London clash he could only reach 15st 7lbs.
      When he dominated AJ at Spurs’ stadium he had managed to hit 15st 11lbs of pure muscle and still be freakishly fast around the ring – while AJ was 17st.
      But now he looks well in excess of his dream weight, which could mean Joshua is in for an even rougher night.
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      After his unanimous decision over Del Boy, Usyk said: “I feel more powerful, since moving up from cruiserweight. 
      “I put extra weight on my body when I train in the gym and I don’t feel as flexible or sharp as I should but that is only because of the hard work.
      “When it comes to sparring and boxing, me and my team will decide on the optimum weight me to fight at. 
      “I will stay at that weight and it will be ideal for my movement because that is my main skill.”

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      When Usyk visited London for the launch press conference for the rerun, he bumped into Chisora at a Russian spa where they shared a sauna and steam.
      And the 38-year-old revealed the crazy training regime Usyk was inflicting upon himself to guarantee success against the Watford icon.
      Chisora said: “I was just about to leave the Russian bath house that I go to for recovery stuff, when I am tired and hurt from training, and the owner told me to wait because he had a surprise.
      “I sat down on the all I heard was ‘Derek, Deeeerrrrrek’, like he kept saying during the build-up to our fight.
      “I started talking and laughing with him and I told him he looked tired.
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      “He told me he had just finished swimming for five hours. I told him he was lying, he couldn’t swim for five hours..
      “But his trainer told me it was true and then showed me a video of him in this huge Olympic pool just going up and down for five hours.”
      Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua ahead of their rematchCredit: Reuters More

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      Anthony Joshua says he axed Rob McCracken and hired Robert Garcia to create a happy camp for Oleksandr Usyk rematch

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA says he had to end his 10-year relationship with mentor Rob McCracken to create a happy camp for the Oleksandr Usyk rematch.Following the shock June 2019 loss to Andy Ruiz Jr in New York, 32-year-old AJ added Spanish trainer Angel Fernandez and Wolverhampton coach Joby Clayton to his team.
      Joshua and his old trainer McCracken with the world heavyweight beltsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Joshua is now working with Garcia ahead of his rematch with UsykCredit: PA
      From the outside it looked like a worrying clash of styles, with Team GB boss McCracken a master of European fundamentals and the two unproven newcomers favouring a more elaborate Cuban style.
      But the cautious rematch win over the Mexican and December 2020 knockout of Kubrat Pulev papered over any cracks there were in the backroom team.
      September’s unanimous decision loss to the 35-year-old Ukraine southpaw was too punishing a loss for the Joshua and McCracken partnership to survive, with disjoint in the corner clear for anyone who watched the bout on TV to hear.
      And, ahead of the must-win rerun in Jeddah a week on Saturday, Saudi Arabia, AJ has revealed changes had to happen to ensure he is enjoying his re-education under new head trainer, Mexican-American Robert Garcia.
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      The two-time heavyweight champ said: “This time around, rather than taking control, I learned that what I want is not as important as what the coach wants.
      “The coach has to able to work in an environment where he can teach me.
      “I was willing to hand over the reins to guys and say ‘we need to work on x, y and z. But I want you guys to make the decisions’.
      “I am a sponge, I will learn from anyone, so I let them control the environment and – as long as it is a happy environment – I will get a good workout.

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      “If I come into a gym I have set-up but people are not getting along, he isn’t speaking to him or he doesn’t get along with him, I am not going to get the most out of the environment.
      “And that is how we have managed it this time around.”
      Joshua warmly referred to McCracken as ‘The General’ and also the ‘Alex Ferguson’ of Team AJ.
      But he hints that the tried-and-tested training methods became tiresome and the new faces were brought in to freshen up the regime.
      The London 2012 Olympic golden boy said: “Me and Rob would walk in and do skipping, shadow boxing, pads and the bag.
      “He would obviously say things like ‘hands up’ or ‘slip there’. But Angel and Robert Garcia break things down more.
      “Now I might get told ‘in this round, perfect that f****** jab. The goal in this round is to get that jab popping. The next goal is to tilt more when you throw the right hand’.
      “It’s more tactical like that, so there is reasoning behind the method.
      “It’s a lot to remember, it can be a bit brain fatiguing but nothing will fatigue me more than being in that ring and going through it for 12 rounds, for real, so I have to go through it.”
      Before appointing Garcia – who has trained 14 world champions, but never a heavyweight – Joshua went on a tour of America’s best gyms and met with a list of respected trainers.
      British fight fans were excited to see the Watford hero visit Mexican multi-weight star Canelo’s California gym.
      But AJ revealed trainer Eddy Reynoso’s total dedication to the pound-for-pound ace meant the Dream Team faded fast.
      He said: “I would want one-on-one time so I would not have been training alongside Canelo.
      “That was one of the reasons we didn’t go down that route as well, I need that one-on-one time and he is committed to his fighter at the minute.
      “He couldn’t come here and I am based in the UK, so we found someone who could and could work within the remit, alongside Angel when he is here or not.”
      It’s felt that most of the rebuild needs to happen between AJ’s ears, with his confidence on the deck after such a conclusive defeat to the former 14st 4lbs cruiserweight king.
      But the English icon insists his self-belief is not fuelled by cheerleaders, but hard spars against the four southpaws he flew in to prepare him for the unbeaten leftie genius.
      Josh said: “I don’t need the confidence.
      “I respect Garcia highly, that’s why his name was initially on the list, because of his name and credentials and experience.
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      “But I am happy with whatever my team decides. I can only get my confidence from my preparation and sparring.
      “A coach can tell a fighter a million good things but if he doesn’t do them then it’s pointless.”
      Joshua and Usyk came face to face at a press conference in late JuneCredit: PA
      The pair will clash in Saudi ArabiaCredit: Getty More