Heavyweight boxing

OLEKSANDR USYK has taken up arms in Ukraine’s desperate fight against Vladimir Putin’s Russia.The 2012 London Olympic champion, undisputed cruiserweight king and September conqueror of Anthony Joshua for the WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight belts has joined the Kyiv Territorial Defence and slung a machine gun over his giant shoulder.
Oleksandr Usyk, second right, is joining the war effort in his homeland of Ukraine – on the left is Andrii Nebytov, the head of the Kiev PoliceCredit: Instagram @andrii_nebytov
Usyk has pleaded with Vladimir Putin to stop the war on Ukraine
The 35-year-old father-of-three has joined best friend and two-time Olympic champ Vasiliy Lomachenko and legendary heavyweight brothers Wladimir and Kyiv mayor Vitali in swapping gloves for guns.
Usyk flew into London last week to watch Chelsea beat Lille on Tuesday night and visit Sheffield on Wednesday.
But the fearless southpaw flew straight back into the warzone and posted a string of emotional videos to Putin and the invading Russian hordes, before finally arming himself on Monday.
The AJ rematch, which promoter Eddie Hearn has been hoping to stage in late May or early June, now seems certain to be delayed.
But 32-year-old Joshua – who smashed Wladimir into retirement in 2017 – sent his support to Ukraine’s boxing fraternity fighting for peace in Eastern Europe.
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“I have learned that sport and politics go hand-in-hand,” Joshua said.
“They have powerful voices and it is good that they are speaking up.
“They are not pushing for war, they are calling for peace. Good luck to them.”
Married father-of-three Usyk clearly has far more important things on his mind and he has appealed directly to the Russian people for help.
In an Instagram video the devout Orthodox Christian said: “Good morning to everybody. My name is Oleksandr Usyk. I’d like to speak to the people of Russia. 
“If we consider ourselves as brothers, Orthodox ones, do not send your children to our country, do not fight with us. 
“Also I’m addressing this to the President, Vladimir Putin. You can stop this war. 
“Please just sit down and negotiate it with us without claims. 
“Our kids, wives, grannies are hiding in the basements. We are here in our own country, we cannot do it any other way.
“We are defending. Stop this war, stop it. No War.”
Kyiv came through another night of siege as the brutal war between Ukraine and Russia enters day five.
It came as high level peace talks are expected to be held between Moscow and Kyiv on Belarusian-Ukrainian border.
Peace talks are expected to take place as Russia continues to invade UkraineCredit: AFP
Vasiliy Lomachenko has enlisted in the ‘Territorial Defence of his hometown’
Usyk’s rematch against Anthony Joshua could now be in serious doubt
Usyk easily beat Anthony Joshua to be crowned unified heavyweight champCredit: AFP
Anthony Joshua was at London’s o2 Arena on Saturday to watch some boxingCredit: ©Ian Walton Matchroom Boxing More

TYSON FURY enjoyed a day out with his family at the seaside as he took a rare break from his training camp.The Gypsy King will defend his WBC heavyweight title on April 23 at Wembley against fellow Brit Dillian Whyte.
Tyson Fury and his family enjoyed a day out at Blackpool Pleasure BeachCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
Fury will defend his world title against fellow Brit Dillian Whyte nextCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
He has now thrown himself into training, as well as starting a social media blackout.
But Blackpool Pleasure Beach shared a lovely family snap of the boxer with wife Paris and their six children.
Tyson was wearing a Manchester United shirt, topped with a blue blazer. The blue skies above Blackpool meant his sunglasses didn’t look too out of place.
Paris opted for a check pattern hat with a thick pink coat. The children all wore coats to keep out the biting north western wind.
Alongside the photo on Instagram, Blackpool Pleasure Beach wrote: “Good luck to Tyson Fury @gypsyking101 ahead of his fight with Dillian Whyte!
“Great to welcome @parisfury1 and the family back on park. Hope you enjoyed your White Knuckle Weekend.”
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Blackpool Pleasure Beach is around a 45 minute drive from Fury’s home in Morecambe.
Fury, 33, said in an Instagram video on Tuesday: “I’m about to go completely off social media for the next eight-and-a-half weeks.
“I’m gonna go into training camp to give Dillian Whyte all the respect in the world that he needs.
“I’ll train for him like he’s Muhammad Ali and Bruce Lee for this camp.”
Fury is brimming with confidence ahead of the domestic dust-up but is refusing to overlook his fellow Brit.
He said: “I’ve never underestimated anybody in my life and I’ll give this man all the respect he deserves coming as the No.1-ranked WBC heavyweight challenger in the world today.”
Family Fury decided to share some thrills and spills in Blackpool this weekendCredit: PA:Press Association More

ANTHONY JOSHUA has revealed he wants Dillian Whyte to beat Tyson Fury even though he ‘hates him’. After weeks of speculation, Fury and Whyte’s fight is officially confirmed for April 23 at Wembley Stadium.
Joshua (R) will be supporting Whyte (L) against FuryCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Fury and Whyte face off for the WBC heavyweight title on April 23Credit: PA
And one man sure to be keeping a close eye on developments is former unified heavyweight world champion Joshua.
Speaking ahead of Lawrence Okolie’s cruiserweight showdown against Michal Cieslak at the O2 Arena on Sunday night, Joshua revealed who has his backing in the Fury vs Whyte battle of Britain.
AJ also hinted he is keen to come to blows with Whyte again after the pair first fought as pro’s back in 2015.
He told iFL TV: “It’s a good opponent [for Fury], it’s a good [title] defence against Dillian Whyte.
“Dillian Whyte needs to come in, look at what Tyson Fury does and reacts to, and do the complete opposite. Maybe work the body, and be conditioned to go the distance. 
“But I hope Dillian trains hard [and] doesn’t underestimate Tyson. Because it’s his first shot for Dillian, I think he’ll be hungry, do you know what I mean?
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“This ain’t like his tenth time fighting for a title, you can have a little hiccup along the way. This is his first time fighting for the title.
“I’m rooting for Dillian, even though I hate him, and I want to smash him one of these days.
“Go on Dillian, I’m with you all the way.”
AJ and the ‘Brixton Bodysnatcher’ met in the ring for the British title over six years ago, with Joshua winning via a seventh-round TKO.
Plans were also in place for Joshua and Fury to fight in a mouthwatering undisputed clash last year, before a court of arbitration ordered the latter into a trilogy battle with Deontay Wilder.

Joshua is currently gearing up for a rematch with Oleksandr Usyk, but Russia’s invasion of Usyk’s home country, Ukraine, may cause uncertainties regarding that bout.
When asked whether he was concerned for Usyk, AJ seemingly referenced Usyk and his countrymen, and former heavyweights, Vitaly and Wladimir Klitschko.
AJ said: “I’ve learnt [that] sport and politics go hand in hand, and they’re powerful voices, and it’s good that they’re speaking up.
“They’re not pushing for war, they’re saying ‘let’s find peace’. 
“So good luck to them, and that’s it really, before I go on and say something wrong.” More

THE British Boxing Board of Control will launch an investigation into the scoring of Josh Taylor’s controversial title defence against Jack Catterall next week.The Scot retained his light-welterweight titles in Glasgow on Saturday night via a controversial spilt-decision victory over the Chorley clubber.
Josh Taylor controversially retained his light-welterweight titles on Saturday nightCredit: REUTERS
Many thought Chorely clubber Jack Catterall did enough to have his hand raisedCredit: GETTY
The BBOBC will investigate the scoring of Taylor’s controversial title defenceCredit: REUTERS
The scorecards turned in by experienced judges Ian John Lewis and Victor Laughlin caused outrage in the boxing community, so much so BBOBC will ask the pair to explain their scoring of the bout.
BBOBC General Secretary Robert Smith told the Daily Telegraph: “We will be looking into it.
“There were some very close rounds, it was a very close, very scrappy fight, and I have asked for reports from the judges which we will be studying this week.
“Our judges are honest people, and scored it as they saw it. I was there, and I thought Catterall pipped it.”
A heartbroken Catterall turned in a stellar performance on enemy territory and many thought he’d done enough to end Taylor’s reign as undisputed 140lb king.
The 28-year-old wrote on Instagram: “You know what hurts the most, it wasn’t for me, I done all of this for my family my team, my town and country.
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“My baby girl and misses, our future. Today I should of been waking up with all of the belts. 15 months out the ring, they all wrote me off.
“F**k me in every way possible for over two years, finally got the fight.
“Sacrificed everything to fight one of the top p4p ranked fighters, gave him a lesson. For what. Boxing shame on you.”
Prestonpans pounder Taylor looked a shell of the fighter who became undisputed champ against Jose Ramirez last September but insists he did more than enough to retain his titles.
He said: “I thought I’d done enough – 100 per cent. I started slow as I tried to get my timing.
“I caught him with the bigger shots. “He tried to spoil, he leaned in a lot and there was a clash of heads.
Josh Taylor insists he did more than enough to retain his titlesCredit: KENNY RAMSAY
“I’m not going to lie, he caught me with a couple of good shots.
“It wasn’t my best performance. I put a hell of a lot of pressure on myself this week with the homecoming and my first fight here in three years.
“I just put too much pressure on myself to put on a good show but it didn’t matter in the end. I got the result. It was close.
“I allowed him a bit of success by loading up but I landed the more meaningful shots.
“He put up a good fight but he knows he didn’t win the fight. I took over in the second half.”
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RUSSIA will not be allowed to host boxing contests sanctioned by the WBC, WBA, WBO or the IBF.The four leading boxing organisations have called for peace and an end to the conflict in Ukraine.
Former boxers Vitali Klitschko (left) and brother Wladimir have called on the world to support UkraineCredit: Getty
A statement released by the WBC reads: “The four boxing governing organisations in the world join together to express their position with regards to the tragic war which is taking place as Russia has invaded Ukraine.
“Just as the world calls for cease of fire, our organizations have decided to not sanction any boxing championships in Russia.
“Just as this war has put a stop to boxing in Ukraine, our organisations will not sanction fights in Russia until further assessment of the situation.
“May God bless everyone and bring peace to our world.”
Former heavyweight world champions Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko are heavily involved in defending Ukraine, with Vitali the mayor of Kyiv.
The pair called on the world to support Ukraine against Russian invasion with Vitali to take up arms and fight in the army.
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Wladimir also put out a defiant message to Vladimir Putin on Twitter stating “Ukraine’s will to exist is infinite”.
Other sports have also taken action against Russia with Formula One cancelling the scheduled Grand Prix in Sochi.
Uefa have also moved the Champions League final from Saint Petersburg to Paris.
The Polish FA have refused to play Russia in next month’s World Cup play-off with Sweden and Czech Republic joining them in their stance.
FIFA is under pressure to ban Russia from playing in the 2022 World Cup play-offs altogether and has been accused of pandering to the country. More

OLEKSANDR USYK’S preparations for his rematch with Anthony Joshua have been thrown into disarray after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.The WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight champion had been in England this week as talks continue with AJ over a fight date and location for their upcoming bout.
Oleksandr Usyk will defend his WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight titles against Anthony Joshua later this yearCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
Joshua was outpointed by Usyk at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in SeptemberCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
It’s believed the dust-up is likely to rake place in late May or June with Tottenham among the frontrunners to host the event.
In a blow for Usyk, the Daily Mail have claimed that he will not be returning to his regular training base just outside of Kiev.
That is due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine after Vladimir Putin declared war on their neighbouring country.
Usyk’s promoter Alex Krassyuk has told the Mail that he has ‘no idea’ what The Cat will do for his preparations.
And he suggested to them that coming back to Ukraine to train will be ‘impossible’.
Usyk could now relocate to Oxnard, California, where he and training partner Vasyl Lomachenko have had camps in the past.
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The former undisputed cruiserweight champion is back in Ukraine where he has pleaded for ‘no war’ with Russia.
Posting a video on Instagram captioned ‘NO WAR’, Usyk wrote: “Some wrote to me that I ran away.
“I didn’t, I was at work but I’m back, I’m home.
“Friends, we have to unite because it’s a hard time right now and I’m really emotional and worry about my country, and our people.
“Friends, we have to stop this war, all of us together.”
Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn has insisted that the conflict between Ukraine and Russia will have no impact on Joshua’s rematch with Usyk.
The tale of the tape ahead of Usyk’s rematch against Joshua More

MIKE TYSON wants to see Deontay Wilder take on Anthony Joshua before he hangs up his gloves.Wilder, 36, revealed in December he is considering retirement after losing to Tyson Fury for the second time in October.
Deontay Wilder is considering retiring from boxingCredit: PA
But Mike Tyson thinks he should fight Anthony JoshuaCredit: Reuters
Joseph Parker (left) and Derek Chisora want to fight WilderCredit: PA
But Tyson feels he still has something to give and should get back in the ring, despite losing his world champion status two years ago.
Tyson told Club Shay Shay: “I think Deontay Wilder should fight some other guys.
“He’ll do good, I just don’t want him to get discouraged.
“He should be very happy and be ready to fight somebody else right away.
“I would love to see that fight (with Joshua), yes.
“They’re gonna be winging. There ain’t gonna be much style, they’re gonna be winging.”
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Wilder was frequently linked to a Joshua fight when the pair were both world champions, but a deal could never be reached.
And if a fight happened now, heavyweight rival Fury reckons Wilder would knock out AJ inside three rounds.
But the American could instead fight another Matchroom boxer – Derek Chisora, who is keen to face Wilder.
Joseph Parker is also eyeing a bout with the Bronze Bomber – the Kiwi is determined to beat an American on US soil.
So Wilder is not short of options and could even get a shot at becoming world champion again if he fights Joshua, though the Brit must first win his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk. More