Heavyweight boxing

DANIEL DUBOIS has seen his chances of beating Oleksandr Usyk lengthen even further after he split from trainer Shane McGuigan.The WBA, whose heavyweight belt the Ukrainian holds along with the IBF and WBO straps, named Dubois as their mandatory challenger.
Daniel Dubois has split from trainer Shane McGuiganCredit: Getty
Oleksandr Usyk is mandated to fight Daniel DuboisCredit: Reuters
The pair were expected to clash in London in July.
But at a media day at McGuigan’s gym on Monday, the respected trainer responded “no comment” to every question about his star heavyweight.
Confusingly, Daniel’s superstar sister Caroline is still training at the Leyton gym.
SunSport understands a row between McGuigan and Stan Dubois, head of the fighting family, led to Daniel leaving around a month ago.
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Dubois, 25, has been training with veteran Don Charles, who faced criticism for sending Derek Chisora out for ten rounds of punishment from Tyson Fury in December.
Dubois, battered by Joe Joyce in 2020, has had three comeback wins.
But he was dropped three times in the first round by Kevin Lerena, 31, in December.
Although he turned the fight around to win by KO in round three to maintain his position as mandatory challenger for Usyk’s title.
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No deal has been agreed by the two camps so the WBA have scheduled purse bids for May 25.
McGuigan did confirm his split with Dubois and his successor Charles.
He told Boxing News: “I was put in a very compromising position
“I decided to continue my working relationship with Caroline at the expense of losing Daniel really. Which is a bit of a shame.
McGuigan added: “I’m happy that he’s going with Don Charles because Don Charles is a friend of mine.
“I can feel confident that he’s going to get looked after properly. I wish him all the best moving forward.”
Daniel Dubois with former trainer Shane McGuiganCredit: Instagram / @shanemcguigan More

EDDIE HEARN revealed Anthony Joshua could take a “risky” rematch to help him prepare to fight Deontay Wilder. Hearn has been locked in negotiations for Joshua to face Wilder in December in Saudi Arabia.
Eddie Hearn with Anthony JoshuaCredit: Splash
But the promoter remains open to AJ taking a summer bout in the interim to allow more time to gel with new coach Derrick James.
So Dillian Whyte – who Joshua knocked out in 2015 – could be be in line for a rematch if his rival fancies rolling the dice.
Hearn told  Samina For Sale: “We all believe he needs that fight in August and more time with Derrick James, more preparation for Deontay Wilder, and then that’s it.
“Who we choose will be dependent on if we get that Wilder deal done. I like the Dillian Whyte fight.
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“Whether he gets the Wilder fight done or not, I like that fight. I think it’s a fight that AJ will get up for.
“I think it’s a fight that he can have some spite for, and it’s a fight that is dangerous.
“There will be a lot on the line because if you sign a massive deal to fight Deontay Wilder in December and you’re fighting Dillian Whyte in August, it’s risky business.
“I don’t feel like a fight against someone that he’s not fired up for or not motivated for or someone who is going to roll over is going to prepare him for that Wilder fight.
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“That’s where we’re at, but we’re trying to work backward after getting the Wilder fight over the line first.”
Boxing bosses in the Middle East want Tyson Fury, 34, to fight Oleksandr Usyk, 36, on the SAME NIGHT as Joshua against Wilder.
But whether or not the heavyweight bonanza can be achieved or not, Hearn insisted AJ, 33, is still on course to face Wilder, 37.
He said: “The situation is, Saudi Arabia would like to do Fury against Usyk, AJ against Wilder on the same night.
“I went out there two weeks ago, they’re deadly serious, I’ve done two big fights with them before, I know they deliver.
“As I understand it, they’ve been doing their own negotiations with Deontay Wilder, which has gone very well.
“They’ve been talking to Usyk for a year, because he boxed AJ over there and they know the rough kind of numbers that we want based on what we received for the Andy Ruiz fight and Usyk fight in Saudi Arabia.
“Fury is another story altogether, but not my business. But all I’m concerned about is doing the deal for AJ against Wilder, because if they can’t get Usyk and Fury over the line they will still do AJ against Wilder.
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“This is what they want. They want this big quartet. AJ’s already told me ‘no problem’.
“You hit the numbers that we want for the fight, that aren’t unreasonable and not hugely out of proportion in terms of what he received there last time, we’re in.”
Dillian Whyte lost to Anthony Joshua in 2015Credit: NEWS GROUP NEWSPAPERS LTD
Deontay Wilder is in talks to fight Anthony Joshua in December in Saudi ArabiaCredit: Getty More

TYSON FURY’s second round of negotiations with Oleksandr Usyk over an undisputed heavyweight title fight have ground to a halt.The mouthwatering clash of undefeated heavyweights fell through in March after Team Usyk pulled the plug on their proposed Wembley war following Fury’s constant moving of the goalposts.
Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk recently talks over an undisputed heavyweight clashCredit: REUTERS
But Usyk has revealed that the negotiations have once again ground to a haltCredit: GETTY
SunSport understands talks resumed earlier this month, although they have since reached another standstill.
Former undisputed cruiserweight king Usyk told Vringe: “[‘We’re] at an impasse.”
Saudi boxing chiefs are trying to secure the fight as part of a four-man December tournament involving Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder.
And despite their first round of talks bearing no fruit, slick southpaw Usyk is confident he’ll eventually share the ring with the Gypsy King.
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He said: “The fight will take place sooner or later. And everything will be decided in the ring.”
Usyk and his team withdrew from their first round of negotiations with Fury after he demanded there be no rematch clause for their historic bout – which came after they agreed to a 70-30 purse split in his favour.
And Usyk, 35, believes Fury’s constant chopping and changing with his demands were borne out of fear.
He said: “A big man who has very good abilities in boxing and in life, but this big man is very afraid of losing.”
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Fury received plenty of flak after the fight fell through but is adamant he will dance with the undefeated Ukrainian later this year.
He said: “I don’t think anybody’s scared of anybody in a boxing match.
“The fight’s gotta happen, it’s gotta happen this year.
“I just think it’s an easy job.
“I’ll hit him, he’ll hit the floor, then I’ll go out and get drunk in the town centre.” More

ANTHONY JOSHUA has been tipped to knock out Deontay Wilder, by Tyson Fury’s dad.A long overdue grudge match between the pair is being targeted for December – with the showdown expected to land in Saudi Arabia.
Anthony Joshua is seemingly closing in on a grudge match with Deontay WilderCredit: GETTY
The pair’s showdown is current in the works for DecemberCredit: GETTY
Tyson Fury’s dad John has tipped AJ to KO The Bronze BomberCredit: PA
Joshua’s chances of getting the better of the former WBC heavyweight champion have been written off by many following his scrappy points win over Jermaine Franklin last month.
But John Fury reckons his fellow Brit will batter the Bronze Bomber, saying: “AJ will knock [Wilder] out.”
John is adamant son Tyson has already done enough damage to Wilder for one of AJ’s power punches to lay out the American.
He continued: “You know why? Because Deontay Wilder can’t take shots on the side of his head.
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“Tyson, ‘The Gypsy King’ cracked his skull. If AJ lands in the same place, AJ knocks him out.”
John’s prediction for the fight comes just days after Tyson ruled out his long-time rival’s chances of beating his WBC predecessor.
When asked to give his prediction for the Saudi showdown, Tyson said: “Do you need me to answer that?
“I think we all know what happens. I’d love for AJ to knock him out, because Wilder’s a little b****.
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“He’s a moaning p***y, forgive me for my language.
“But I just see [Joshua] getting chinned to be honest.
“When I met him man to man, his a***hole fell out.
“He come over and cuddled me, like the little b**** that he is.
“It was like, ‘All right, it must be done. He’s given me the cuddle, forget about it.’
“Then a week later he goes, ‘Tyson’s still a piece of s***’ this that and the other.

“I thought you little slimy… Deontay Wilder is Deontay Wilder and that’s it.”
“I’ve beat him three times. I’ve absolutely done his record right in.
“Give him two knockout losses and a draw, which I won anyway.
“It is what it is. I don’t hate the guy, he’s just a bit of a t***er.”
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Joshua and Wilder were due to throw down with one another five years ago when they held all the heavyweight marbles.
Their grudge match, however, never came to fruition – although AJ is confident this round of negotiations will seal the deal. More

EDDIE HEARN said boxing bosses in Saudi Arabia are “deadly serious” about hosting a tournament-style series of heavyweight fights. Hearn has been locked in negotiations for Anthony Joshua, 33, to face Deontay Wilder, 37, in the Middle East in December.
Anthony Joshua with promoter Eddie HearnCredit: Rex
Deontay Wilder is in talks to fight Anthony JoshuaCredit: Getty
And organisers want it to sensationally fall on the same night as a bout between Tyson Fury, 34, and Oleksandr Usyk, 36.
Hearn told Stamina for Sale: “The situation is, Saudi Arabia would like to do Fury against Usyk, AJ against Wilder on the same night.
“I went out there two weeks ago, they’re deadly serious, I’ve done two big fights with them before, I know they deliver.
“As I understand it, they’ve been doing their own negotiations with Deontay Wilder, which has gone very well.
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“They’ve been talking to Usyk for a year, because he boxed AJ over there and they know the rough kind of numbers that we want based on what we received for the Andy Ruiz fight and Usyk fight in Saudi Arabia.
“Fury is another story altogether, but not my business. But all I’m concerned about is doing the deal for AJ against Wilder, because if they can’t get Usyk and Fury over the line they will still do AJ against Wilder.
“This is what they want. They want this big quartet. AJ’s already told me ‘no problem’.
“You hit the numbers that we want for the fight, that aren’t unreasonable and not hugely out of proportion in terms of what he received there last time, we’re in.”
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Fury and Usyk saw the heavyweight division’s first ever four-belt unification collapse due to a row over the split for a potential rematch.
Now Usyk has been ordered by the WBA into a mandatory title defence against Daniel Dubois, 25, with talks ongoing.
Meanwhile Fury has been left scrambling to find an opponent for his planned return fight in the summer.
But the WBC champion has not lost hope in finally facing Usyk and insisted it will happen before the year closes.
Fury said in a press conference: “There’s a lot going on in Saudi Arabia, massive amounts of money being talked about.
“I just think that got the better of it, the temptation of £75million/£100million down the line rather than doing it now.
“These prizefighters fight for a few quid, they’ll fight anybody so I don’t think anybody’s scared of anybody in a boxing match.
“The fight’s gotta happen, it’s gotta happen this year. I just think it’s an easy job, straightforward job.
“I’ll hit him, he’ll hit the floor, then I’ll go out and get drunk in the town centre.”
Tyson Fury facing off with Oleksandr UsykCredit: REUTERS More