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      Anthony Joshua can OUTBOX Oleksandr Usyk with surprise new tactic in rematch fight, says ex-Tony Bellew trainer

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA has been told he can OUTBOX Oleksandr Usyk in their heavyweight rematch. Joshua was beaten by Usyk last September but faces the Ukrainian pound-for-pound star again on August 20 in Saudi Arabia.
      Anthony Joshua was beaten by Oleksandr Usyk last September
      Promoter Eddie Hearn, Tony Bellew and Dave ColdwellCredit: PA:Press Association
      AJ was questioned for trying to outfox the famously slick southpaw, 35, instead of looking for the knockout.
      But Dave Coldwell, the mastermind behind Tony Bellew’s fight with Usyk in 2018, claimed there are chinks in the champion’s armour.
      And he warned Joshua, 32, that coming out aggressive is actually playing into Usyk’s hands.
      Coldwell told talkSPORT: “Normally, with a lot of fighters, there’s always something.
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      “But when you look at Usyk you don’t see any weaknesses, which makes you focus on every minor detail. I spent hours and hours watching him.
      “The majority of his career, everyone’s come at him – that’s what he’s used to; he’s comfortable with that and that’s what his style’s built for.
      “If Bellew went at him we’d walk into traps.
      “It’s different to AJ, because he’s got the height, the reach, the physicality; the one-punch danger.
      “I came across the Michael Hunter fight. It was the first [Usyk] fight I thought, ‘He can be outboxed’, because the first few rounds Hunter was in a negative style that gave him a lot of difficulty.
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      “It can’t just be negative, because mentally Usyk will tire you out, so you’ve still got to put a thumbprint on him as well.
      “So, I almost wanted to mirror what Usyk does to his opponents.
      “Bellew’s very, very disciplined, so I knew he was capable, and I also wanted him to land body shots, because I came across something in the amateurs, which nobody talks about – Usyk went down with a body shot.
      “When I saw that I thought, ‘There’s the chink’. But he’s very good with his defence, so if you just try and bludgeon him he knows how to cover.”

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      Coldwell continued: “Marco Huck; Mairis Briedis; these good fighters couldn’t get to grips with him. Bellew’s smart, and hits hard enough to drain you at the same time.
      “The game plan was to set traps for Usyk, because he’s more comfortable going backwards. With AJ it’s different, because of his physical attributes.
      “If he catches you he’s going to at least knock you off-balance and wear you down – if he uses those physical attributes, which he didn’t really do in that first fight.
      “[But] it’s [also] the effort, and the concentration it takes in those first six rounds to stay with him.
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      “You’re working so hard to stay with him you’re f*****, and then mistakes creep in because you’re fatiguing.
      “It’s not that he’s going up in gears. It’s that that’s his game – to outlast you, mentally.”
      Tony Bellew was knocked out by Oleksandr Usyk in 2018Credit: PA:Press Association
      Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua ahead of their rematchCredit: Mark Robinson More

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      Anthony Joshua is not at same level as Oleksandr Usyk with Brit ‘regressing since fighting Wladimir Klitschko’

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA won’t be able to “make the adjustments” required to win his do-or-die rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.The Watford warrior, 32, will bid to reclaim the unified heavyweight titles from the slick southpaw a week on Saturday in a high-stakes Saudi showdown.
      Anthony Joshua will renew his rivalry with Oleksandr Usyk a week on SaturdayCredit: GETTY
      AJ suffered a lopsided points defeat to the Ukrainian last SeptemberCredit: REUTERS
      And boxing promoter Dmitry Salita reckons the Brit has regressed over the last five yearsCredit: GETTY
      AJ has brought in a new head coach to try to get the better of Usyk second time around, although boxing promoter Dmitry Salita doesn’t believe the addition of Robert Garcia will guide the Brit to victory.
      He told Boyle Sports: “Usyk is the better fighter and I just don’t see how AJ can make the adjustments to beat Usyk, I don’t see it.
      “Usyk is a very experienced fighter, had a tremendous amateur career, and is an Olympic gold medalist.
      “He has been taught the science of boxing as a kid and really knows boxing like a scientist, on a scientific level.
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      “He’s a boxing master, one of the most educated boxers in the world, maybe even of all time.
      “He’s really, really well educated in terms of the sweet science.”
      Joshua axed former long-time trainer and pal Rob McCracken in the wake of his lopsided points defeat to Usyk last September.
      But Salita believes the former unified heavyweight champ’s skills have been on the decline for the last FIVE YEARS.
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      He said: “This isn’t to take anything away from AJ, he’s a great fighter and did some amazing things in his career, but when he beat [Wladimir] Klitschko that was the peak of his career.
      “And after that, he’s been progressively slipping down just a little bit every fight.
      “Ever since the day that AJ was supposed to fight Jarrell Miller but he fought Ruiz, he’s been on the way down.
      “Even in his last win against Pulev he looked okay, but he did not look great and did not look like the old AJ.”
      Joshua tried to outbox former undisputed cruiserweight king Usyk in their Tottenham tussle but paid the price for trying to outfox the smooth operator.

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      But he’s vowed not to make the same mistake the desert dust-up, saying: “The goal now is to go back to basics and go for the knockout.
      “I always feel, when I’m sparring or fighting people, I actually see their spirit get dampened.
      “Honestly, when you’re looking at this person directly in their eyes and watching their body, you can read the body and punch after punch this person is slowly fading.
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      “Now when you’re boxing, the art of boxing is to hit and not get hit. So you’re kind of boxing to stay away. That’s not really my style.
      “My style is to be up close and personal and make it difficult for the person. So that’s the game plan.”
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      Tyson Fury ‘has itchy feet’ and already wants to come out of retirement to fight winner of Anthony Joshua and Usyk

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      TYSON FURY is getting “itchy feet” and could make a U-turn on his retirement to face either Anthony Joshua or Oleksandr Usyk, Frank Warren has revealed.The Gypsy King called time on his illustrious career in April following his knockout win over British compatriot Dillian Whyte.
      Tyson Fury retired in April after stopping heavyweight rival Dillian Whyte at Wembley
      Fury could return to the ring to face the winner out of Olekssandr Usyk and Anthony JoshuaCredit: Getty
      But the 33-year-old has constantly been linked with a return to the ring, with Derek Chisora called out for a trilogy bout.
      Chisora’s promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed that Fury’s team had contacted him, with talk that a bout could take place in December.
      But after Del Boy allegedly rejected the match-up, Fury delivered an X-rated rant where he blasted his old pal in a video released on social media.
      His co-promoter Warren has now stated that the unbeaten Mancunian is keen to step back inside the squared circle after four months out.
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      He told talkSPORT: “He’s got itchy feet at the moment, he wants to fight.”
      Warren then said that Fury could be tempted to face the winner out of Usyk and Joshua’s unification fight on August 20 in what would be an undisputed showdown.
      Fury’s US-based promoter Bob Arum has already revealed that they are in talks with Usyk’s team ahead of a potential scrap.
      Warren added: “I think what’s going to happen is, see what happens on [August] 20th and the outcome of that and that’ll determine what he intends to do in the future.
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      “My opinion, this is not from him, it’s from me. I think he will [return] because he’s a fighting man and he misses it.
      “That’s what he does, he wants to fight.”
      He continued: “I don’t want him to retire and come back in three years. If he’s going to retire, don’t come back.
      “If you’re going to come back, fight in your prime.
      “Three years later you change. I genuinely don’t think he’s at his peak yet.” More

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      ‘Get the f***ing contract signed’ – Tyson Fury blasts ‘s***house’ Derek Chisora for swerving trilogy fight

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      TYSON FURY has told “s***house” Derek Chisora to get the “f***ing contract signed” and to stop “running” from their trilogy fight.The Gypsy King insisted that he was retired after his sixth-round TKO victory over Dillian Whyte in April.
      Derek Chisora has been sent an X-rated message by Tyson FuryCredit: Reuters
      The Gypsy King told Chisora to stop running scared and sign a contractCredit: Instagram
      However, there is intense speculation suggesting the Gypsy King will soon return to the ring and the latest rumour is that he wants to fight Chisora this year.
      The two British stars have already faced off twice with Fury winning both times in 2011 and 2014.
      They became friends after their second fight but the undefeated star told talkSPORT recently they have fallen out.
      This happened after Chisora, who beat Kubrat Pulev via split decision last month, predicted Whyte would beat Fury.
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      Del Boy’s promoter Eddie Hearn recently claimed that the 33-year-old’s camp has made an official offer for a third fight.
      But Chisora is not keen as the money “wasn’t enough” and another meeting is unlikely.
      However, Fury has no left nobody in any doubt that he wants to beat Chisora for a third time as he delivered a message to the Londoner via Instagram.
      In the video clip, the WBC heavyweight chap said: “This one goes out to Derek ‘The s***house’ Chisora; you’re running Derek, from the trilogy.
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      “You call yourself ‘War’ but you should call yourself chicken because you’re running from the trilogy and from a career-high pay day. Get that f***ing contract signed.”
      Not many believed that Fury would stay away from the ring – although most thought it would be a unification fight against the winner of Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua that would entice him back.
      He has also hinted at an exhibition bout with former World’s Strongest Man Thor ‘The Mountain’ Bjornsson, which was rumoured to be happening in November. More

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      Deontay Wilder’s manager gives green light for ‘enormous’ Anthony Joshua fight even if Brit LOSES Oleksandr Usyk rematch

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA has been given the green light to fight Deontay Wilder – even if he LOSES his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk. Joshua faces Usyk for a second time on August 20 in Saudi Arabia, following defeat last September.
      Deontay Wilder could fight Anthony Joshua
      Oleksander Usyk and Anthony Joshua rematch on August 20 in Saudi ArabiaCredit: Mark Robinson
      A win would regain the WBA, IBF and WBO belts and put AJ back on course for an undisputed decider with WBC champion Tyson Fury.
      But a second consecutive loss at the hands of Ukraine’s pound-for-pound star would leave Joshua’s stock at an all-time low.
      Despite that, Wilder’s Hall of Fame manager Shelly Finkel would still be interested in pitting the long-time rivals together.
      Finkel told SunSport in New York: “I believe that fight is enormous even if he loses to Usyk.” 
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      Wilder, 36, is yet to return since defeat to Fury, 33, in their epic Las Vegas trilogy bout in October.
      Whereas the Gypsy King beat Dillian Whyte, 34, in April but announced his boxing retirement after.
      Fury still remains linked with a comeback, to challenge the winner between Usyk, 35, and Joshua, 32.
      But the likes of Eddie Hearn reckon the unbeaten champ will only fight again if AJ is victorious in the Middle East.
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      Although Finkel believes if the Saudis front the right amount of cash, Fury would return against Usyk or anyone else in the division.
      He said: “I don’t know anyone else’s numbers or money, it’s not my business but I heard that the Saudis put up a lot of money for Joshua to fight Usyk over there. 
      “I don’t believe Joshua – Usyk now is as big as Fury – Usyk is. And, being for all the belts, the Saudis may step up. Who knows? 
      “So there’s a lot of moving pieces but what I do know is there’s four big names at this point and that is Fury, Usyk, Joshua and Deontay. 
      “And this month, two of those guys will be fighting and that will clarify what the future is.” 
      Wilder’s boxing future looked up in the air after his brutal 11th round knockout loss to Fury and a state of radio silence afterwards.
      But the hard-hitting American is back in training and already in talks for a return fight.
      Finkel said: “Spoke with him on Tuesday, he couldn’t be happier.
      “He’s having a great time and he’s getting more attention now than ever before. He’s out in Vegas training and he’s very happy.
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      “He’s at the UFC gym training, we’re not exactly sure where the next fight will be yet but I would hope to have that together in the next week or so.
      “I think next week we’ll probably have an agreement and then an announcement.”
      Boxing manager Shelly Finkel and Deontay Wilder in 2018Credit: AFP or licensors More

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      Mike Tyson’s pet tiger tried to eat his neighbour’s DOG which caused boxing legend to lose his famous white Bengal

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      MIKE TYSON lost his famous pet tiger after the white Bengal tried to eat his neighbours’ DOG. The boxing legend was convinced into buying the wild cat after coming out of prison in 1995 following a three-year stretch.
      Mike Tyson with his pet tiger in 1989Credit: Getty – Contributor
      The boxing legend is believed to have owned three white bengalsCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Tyson is believed to have had three tigers in all, costing him over £50,000 each.
      But, according to his former boxing manager Shelly Finkel, he was forced to give them up after one fateful walk.
      Finkel, who SunSport spoke with in New York, recalled: “His house was between two houses in Vegas. 
      “And on the right side, facing the street was a famous Vegas performer. And on the left side was a businessman who had some dogs. 
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      “Mike decided to walk one of his Bengal tigers, he’s walking the tiger, and the tiger saw the dog and scales the wall to go and eat the dog. 
      “The man is looking out his window and sees a tiger coming over the wall to try and eat his dog and Mike is pulling him down. 
      “He gets him off the fence and that night Mike calls me and says, ‘Shelly, the ASPCA is here, I’m not allowed to keep cats in captivity, how do you think they found out?’ 
      “I said, ‘How do you think they found out? Your neighbour sees him coming over the wall to eat his dog. How do you think they found out!’ 
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      “That to me was my favourite story with Mike.”
      Finkel managed Tyson right up until his retirement in 2005.
      But their history dates back to when Iron Mike was a teenage amateur sensation.
      And they first worked together in 1988 when Finkel brokered a closed-circuit pay-per-view deal for Tyson’s win over Michael Spinks.
      But following the heavyweight’s infamous 1997 disqualification for biting Evander Holyfield’s ear, Finkel became his full-time manager.
      He said: “It was one of of the greatest trips of my life. The adventures with Mike Tyson were phenomenal.”
      Finkel was in touch with Tyson as recently as two years ago, when the boxing icon made a shock comeback.
      Tyson, now 56, drew over eight exhibition rounds with Roy Jones, 53, and talk of a trilogy with Holyfield emerged.
      But following Holyfield’s painful beating against former UFC champion Vitor Belfort, 45, the plug was rightfully pulled.
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      Finkel remains managing, most notably with ex-WBC champ Deontay Wilder, 36, who is set for a return fight this year.
      Whereas Tyson continues to train amid rumours he could fight YouTuber-turned prizefighter Jake Paul, 25, who is 30 years younger.
      Mike Tyson pictured with boxing manager Shelly Finkel in 1998Credit: EPA More

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      Mike Tyson claims he slept with prison counsellor and had to ‘do some really nasty stuff to her’ to reduce sentence

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      FORMER heavyweight boxing champ Mike Tyson claimed he had sex with a prison counsellor after being found guilty of rape in 1992.And shockingly the 56-year-old said he had to “do some really nasty stuff” to the woman in the hope of having his sentence reduced.
      Mike Tyson was found guilty of rape in 1992 and sentenced to six years insideCredit: AFP
      The American’s boxing career came to a juddering halt in 1992 when he was sentenced to six years in prison after being convicted of rape in Indiana.
      But he was released in 1995 after serving less than three years of his sentence.
      Speaking to Vlad TV, Iron Mike, who made a return to boxing aged 54, revealed all about life behind bars – and sleeping with one of the counsellors at the time.
      He explained earlier this year: “I got in trouble like the first six months and stuff, cursing, getting written up. And then by that time, I got the hang of the place. ‘Hey, I know how to do this.’

      “Next thing you know, I’m dating one of the counsel workers now, she’s letting me have sex with her now.
      “So I’m going good. But the first six months I was getting write-ups, I have to pay that year back.
      “[Now] I’m like a star pupil prisoner. Trusty, everything. Then, ‘Hey Mike, remember the first six months you were a prick?’ Boom. They gave me another year.
      “So by passing the GED [General Education Department] they took that year away. So I flunked the f***ing GED and got mad, and so I had to start dating this counsellor and stuff, giving her money and doing really some nasty stuff to her, and she let me pass this test.”
      Tyson served less than three years of his original sentenceCredit: Reuters
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      Tyson then admitted his sentence kept getting reduced – that ultimately led to him continuing his boxing career.
      He added: “I came in with 50-something [years]. They cut it all the way down to three years.
      “I was doing 69 at first—they gave me 63. Then they took ten off, then it was 53. And then they gave me ten, I had to do three, I got seven on parole, I guess, yeah.”
      In an episode of Hotboxin’ With Mike Tyson, he told presenter Jim Gray how he “had a ball” inside.
      He said: “I thought that this was the worst thing that could happen to a human being.”
      He described how he felt “safe and secure” locked up.
      Tyson has always maintained his innocence – but a court saw differentCredit: AFP
      Mike Tyson made a boxing return in 2020 when he fought fellow Hall of Famer Roy Jones JrCredit: EPA
      Tyson then went on to explain a sexual encounter he had in jail with a woman “who worked there” – it is not known if this was the same female he discussed on Vlad TV earlier this year.
      He added: “I had a girlfriend and I got a girl pregnant in prison. I was living a life in prison.
      “It was just meant to be. I was Mike Tyson and everybody gave me what I wanted.
      “Everyone talking like I was some tough guy or some cool guy. I was just a pig.” More

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      Anthony Joshua told what he must do to beat Oleksandr Usyk in rematch with Brit needing to ‘be a bit of a bully’

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA must be a ‘bully’ if he wants to defeat Oleksandr Usyk in a dramatic rematch later this month, according to Carl Frampton.Joshua, 32, and Usyk, 35, will take to the ring on August 27 for their highly anticipated rematch less than one year after the Ukrainian defeated the Brit to claim the WBA, WBO and IBF championship belts.
      Joshua and Usyk will fight again in Saudi Arabia at the end of this monthCredit: Getty
      Usyk won the first boutCredit: Getty
      Usyk unanimously won the first bout, but many have tipped Joshua to come back with a completely different mindset this time around.
      Former featherweight champion Frampton believes the Watford-born boxer will pose a huge threat if he uses his size and power to ‘bully’ his opponent.
      He told Sky Sports: “A lot of people are saying Usyk [wins] and it would be hard to disagree with them.
      “It seems like it’s a hard fight for both guys but we know what Joshua has to do to try and beat Usyk – use his size and strength and be a bit of a bully.
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      Frampton claims AJ should be a ‘bully’ in the ringCredit: PA
      “But the thing that’s worrying me is I don’t think Joshua can do that for very long.
      “That he can’t fight at a high pace and push people around and get close to them for a long fight.
      “He needs to do it in spurts and I think when he does have a round where he uses a lot of energy, he has to take the next round off at times.
      “That’s just because of the size of him really, and his build and his make up.
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      “But I think that he has to get in close, he has to use roughhouse tactics and impose his strength.
      “A bit like [Wladimir] Klitschko used to be able to do, hit people, push them down and just tire them out.
      “But it’s whether he can do that or not.”
      Joshua appointed “bad boy coach” Robert Garcia ahead of the career-defining bout which will see him fight to regain his former titles.
      And training partner Frazer Clarke believes the new trainer has brought the “bad guy” out of AJ.
      He said: “I feel like [Joshua is] a nice guy. I think someone had to pull the bad guy out of him. I think Robert Garcia was good to do that.
      “He pulled out the not give a s**t about anyone apart from winning this fight. He’s brought it out of him.” More