Heavyweight boxing

TYSON FURY has sent Anthony Joshua another offer for the biggest fight in British boxing history.The 34-year-old WBC Gypsy King tried to lure the former WBA, IBF and WBO king into a short-notice showdown in December.
Tyson Fury is looking for a pay-day and they won’t come bigger than taking on fellow British heavyweight Anthony JoshuaCredit: EPA
Joshua could bounce back to the top if he lands a shot at the Gypsy KingCredit: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp0c2sVDVf4/
But that all-English spectacular – and Saudi and Wembley undisputed deciders withs Oleksandr Usyk – all collapsed.
Fury has now been out of the ring since his December win over Derek Chisora and the 6ft 9in super-dad must need a payday as he has ordered his team to make AJ – who has been planning a December dance with Deontay Wilder – a real rumble.
He wrote on Instagram: “A few days ago I sent a draft contract to Anthony Joshua for a fight in September at Wembley Stadium.
“It’s a fight that everyone wants to see, including myself.
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“Come on AJ, let’s give the world what they want to see. 
‘This time I’m not gonna make a million vids & keep putting pressure on. 
“The ball is now on your side.”
US promoter Bob Arum admitted this week, while in Belfast to promote another show, that the giant showman was impossible to guide or control.
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But now the chance of an overdue Fury vs AJ spectacular has been revisited, with Fury matchmaker George Warren contacting AJ man Eddie Hearn to briefly discuss a monumental bout.
Fury was tipped to fight Usyk for the four-belt decider in Saudi Arabia in December – with AJ and Deontay Wilder to meet in a fantasy four-man spectacle the same night.
That dream appears to be fading so Fury has told his team to explore the biggest money options and AJ remains the most golden goose in the game.
But fans are unlikely to get excited after so many dull disappointments.
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JAMES TILLIS is not a name that rolls of the tongue for many boxing fans – but he is someone that Mike Tyson certainly remembers.However, the now 65-year-old American is adamant that the Baddest Man on the Planet was not the hardest puncher he took on.
Former boxer James Tillis took on the biggest names in boxingCredit: Getty
He took Mike Tyson the distance back in 1986Credit: Getty
The former heavyweight boxer amassed a 20-0 record to land a WBA title shot against Mike Weaver in 1981, a bout he lost on points.
In an attempt to bounce back and get back into championship contention, Tillis took on the late Earnie Shavers.
Shavers was 37 at the time but he still possessed incredible punching power – something Tillis felt first hand in round nine as he was floored.
Despite that, he managed to climb off the canvas to win a ten-round unanimous decision.
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Unfortunately, he was unable to continue that progress and suffered three defeats in 1982 and 1983 to fall out of the title picture.
He then lost five out of six between 1984 and 1986 – the last of which came against a then 19-year-old Tyson.
Iron Mike was a wrecking machine at the time and had recorded 19-straight knockouts as he surged towards superstardom.
But the stubborn Tillis managed to stand firm and go the distance, surviving a fourth round knockdown, where he lost via a unanimous decision.
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Tyson went on to become the youngest-ever heavyweight champ while Tillis would later take on other legendary names such as Evander Holyfield and Frank Bruno.
Even though he has faced all of the big guns, Tillis is in absolutely no doubt who possessed the hardest punch.
Speaking previously to Boxing News 24/7, he said: “People ask me about Tyson and Shavers – let me tell you, there’s no comparison. None whatsoever.
“Shavers, he hit so hard he could turn horse p*** into gasoline. He hit so hard he could bring back tomorrow.
“Tyson hit like a sissy in comparison.”
Tillis added: “I beat Shavers, and I know I beat Tyson. I wanted a rematch with Tyson real bad, but Shavers? No way.
“When he hit me and knocked me down, I saw pink mice and rats smoking cigarettes.
“That fight was the toughest 30 minutes of my life. The Acorn was one bad dude, let me tell you.”
Tillis claims that Tyson refused to give him a rematchCredit: Getty
The American says that Iron Mike was nowhere near the hardest punch he ever tookCredit: Getty
He claims that Earnie Shavers ‘hit so hard he could turn horse p*** into gasoline’Credit: Getty More

EDDIE HEARN has revealed the targeted date for Anthony Joshua’s next fight. However, it has also come to light that his opponent will not be Dillian Whyte.
Eddie Hearn has revealed the target for Anthony Joshua’s next fightCredit: Rex
But a summer showdown will mean he will not fight Dillian WhyteCredit: Getty
According to the Mail, AJ is currently in camp following his win over Jermaine Franklin in April.
The same, meanwhile, cannot be said for Whyte.
Whyte was rumoured to be in line to face Joshua next but no official offer has been tabled from Whyte’s camp yet, as revealed by Hearn when speaking to Boxing News.
The report adds a replacement fighter has not yet been identified.
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Speaking to Boxing Social, promoter Hearn revealed target dates for AJ’s fight: “We’ve got May 27th, we’ve got June 10, we’ve got July 1st.
“We’re probably going to go July 29 as well.
“AJ’s probably fighting August 12th. It’s the summer period and we’re smashing out shows left, right and centre.”
And on the location of the fight, Hearn hinted at a London showdown, telling IFLTV: “I think it will be in London and depending on who it could be in a stadium.”
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Hearn’s hint at a summer showdown comes despite AJ claiming he would not be fighting again until December – when a potential Saudi-funded heavyweight tournament will take place.
The August 12 date would also conflict with Oleksandr Usyk’s fight against Daniel Dubois. More

OLEKSANDR USYK’S mandatory clash with Daniel Dubois is set to take place on August 12, it has been announced. The heavyweight champ will defend his WBA, IBF and WBO titles with the fight set to take place in Poland.
Oleksandr Usyk beat Anthony Joshua twice on his road to the top of the heavyweight divisionCredit: Reuters
Daniel Dubois will be looking to upset the odds in the summer clashCredit: Jamie McPhilimey
Fans have been left surprised by the choice of location which was entirely in the control of Usyk’s camp.
But that is currently the plan of the Ukrainian after his promoter, Alex Krassyuk, won the purses bid.
One baffled fan said: “Out of all places Poland?”
Others have suggested the location made sense given the difficulty of holding a fight in Ukraine given the ongoing war.
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It is set to be Usyk’s first fight since last August when he beat Anthony Joshua for the second time to retain his heavyweight belts.
The 36-year-old has enjoyed a brilliant rise to the top of his weight division and holds a 20-0 record.
He will be the favourite to triumph over Brit boxer Dubois, whose only defeat came against Joe Joyce in 2020.
Triple D has otherwise won all 19 of his other fights, with his last victory coming against Kevin Lerena in December last year at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
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Reports have also suggested that the fighters will be taking home very different pay packets after the clash.
According to respected boxing journalist Dan Rafael there will be a 75/25 split in the fight purses.
It means Usyk is set to pocket just short of £5m while Dubois will take home around £1.6m.
The potential fight comes months after the negotiations for an undisputed bout between Usyk and Fury fell apart.
Between them the pair hold all of the belts in the heavyweight division and fans had been licking their lips at the prospect of seeing them in the ring together.
But after much social media name-calling, the negotiations came to nothing.
If Usyk beats Dubois, speculation is likely to begin again. More

ANTHONY JOSHUA is set for an August 12 return with Dillian Whyte in line for a rematch. Promoter Eddie Hearn has been in negotiations for a December super-fight in Saudi Arabia against Deontay Wilder.
Anthony Joshua could be set for a rematch against Dillian WhyteCredit: Getty
But no official offer has yet been made from the mega-rich backers in the Middle East.
And, with Joshua, 33, having just one fight under his new coach Derrick James, Hearn is eager to keep the newly formed pair busy.
Whyte, 34, has long been mentioned as an option for Joshua’s return, despite the Saudis preferring him to wait out for Wilder.
And Hearn may have let slip that they will press on with a summer fight when running down Matchroom’s list of upcoming shows.
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He told Boxing Social: “We’ve got May 27th, we’ve got June 10, we’ve got July 1st. We’re probably going to go July 29 as well.
“AJ’s probably fighting August 12th. It’s the summer period and we’re smashing out shows left, right and centre.”
Joshua beat Jermaine Franklin in his comeback bout in April, following consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk.
And Whyte then emerged as the frontrunner for AJ’s next fight, until shock talks to make the blockbuster bout with Wilder in the desert.
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Whyte – knocked out by Joshua in 2015 – questioned his old rival’s confidence.
He told SunSport: “Fans must be getting p***ed off because people are promising and pushing for these fights and then bottling it when they are close to happening.
“Lots of big fights don’t happen, it’s annoying but people see it coming and have to accept it.
“Inactivity is killing the sport and it needs a shake-up. I am waiting for my next fight and was meant to fight Joshua after Jermaine Franklin.
“Joshua and his team told everybody, ‘The winner of Whyte and Franklin fights AJ’ – and then they boxed the loser.
“But anyone who sees Joshua sitting around for nine months waiting for a Wilder cash-out will see a team that has lost its bottle.”
Joshua beat Dillian Whyte in 2015Credit: Reuters
Whyte wants a rematch with JoshuaCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing More

TYSON FURY is close to sealing a shock fight against Australian cruiserweight Jai Opetaia, according to reports.The Gypsy King has been searching for his next opponent since talks with Oleksandr Usyk broke down earlier this year.
Tyson Fury is open to fighting in AustraliaCredit: EPA
The Gypsy King could fight Aussie cruiserweight Jai Opetaia, right, nextCredit: Getty
Fury, 34, admitted he would be keen to fight in Australia and revealed he is looking at potential venues on his trip Down Under for pal Joseph Parker’s win against Faiga Opelu.
IBF cruiserweight champion Opetaia is a possible opponent with Tasman Fighters reporting a deal is all but agreed.
While Fury himself confirmed Demsey McKean is one of the favourites, with his southpaw style perfect for the Brit in his preparation to fight Usyk.
Fury said: “McKean’s a top ten heavyweight and definitely one of the frontrunners. If the Oleksandr Usyk fight is happening it’d be great preparation because he’s southpaw also.”
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However Opetaia’s manager Mick Francis is confident his fighter will fight Fury and he believes the Aussie can match the Gypsy King.
He said: “It’s a legitimate fight.
“Tyson Fury won’t get knocked out and Jai Opetaia won’t get knocked out. It’s a fight that will go the distance, it would be an absolute war.
“It’s all about bang for buck and you couldn’t wish for a better domestic fight.
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“Jai’s got nothing to prove in the cruiserweight division and he would take the fight in a heartbeat.”
Fury travelled to Australia this week and was ringside for Parker’s win.
He praised Aussie boxing fans and revealed he could fight in the country soon.
Fury said: “I’m definitely keen, it may even be my next fight, over here.
“I just haven’t got an opponent yet, so we’re going to figure it out. Over the next few days, we’re going to be travelling around to a few different states and looking at some potential venues for my next fight.
“Australians are always crazy boxing fans, so it would be great to get the Gypsy King Down Under.” More