Heavyweight boxing

WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury enjoyed a spot of lunch with promoters Bob Arum and Frank Warren in London as they talked all things Dillian Whyte.The Gypsy King is set to defend his title against his old sparring partner in a grudge match on April 23.
Tyson Fury was dressed to the nines for a business meeting in LondonCredit: DARREN FLETCHER
The WBC heavyweight champ met with promoters Bob Arum and Frank Warren to talk all things Dillian WhyteCredit: Darren Fletcher
The Gypsy King even took the time to take a photo with an adoring fanCredit: DARREN FLETCHER
However, a venue for the eagerly-anticipated domestic dust-up – which has been years in the making – hasn’t been finalised.
And that could very well have been a point of discussion for Fury, Arum and Warren as they dined at Scalini’s in Knightsbridge on Friday afternoon.
Fury looked ready to chat business as he arrived in a Blackwatch tartan blazer along with a Louis Vuitton suitcase.
And he even took the time to pose for a photo with an eager fan who had spotted him.
Although Fury and Whyte’s clash has been mandated by the WBC, the pair have yet to turn in their respective contracts to the governing body.
Brixton banger Whyte is still contesting the 80-20 purse split in Fury’s favour.
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The interim WBC heavyweight titleholder is after the 70-30 split that is typically mandated by the WBC for championship matches.
Fury and Whyte have until February 21 to send their contracts to the WBC, which Warren is hoping both men will do.
He told The Mirror: “That’s all we want to do, get on with it.
“He’s been bleating and moaning that it’s been 1,000 days – I think it’s more like 1,200 days – that he’s been waiting.
“Well he’s got his shot now and he’s getting a record purse for it, plus that carrot of £4m if he wins, so go for it.
“All the nonsense that’s gone down from Eddie Hearn about the deposit, the deposit has been paid.
“The contract has been approved by the WBC and has been sent to them, so it’s up to Whyte’s people to send it back now. The ball’s in their court, absolutely.”
Fan favourite Fury is brimming with confidence ahead of his long-awaited showdown with Whyte, so much so he plans to decide his game plan on fight night.
Tyson Fury and Dillian Whyte were former sparring partners
He told Dubai Eye: “I don’t know, whatever I feel like on the night really.
“I don’t pay these bums too much attention to be fair, whatever I feel like on the night.
“Anyway or style I can definitely beat Dillian Whyte, even if I put one hand behind my back and one foot off the floor I still beat him.”
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ANTHONY JOSHUA is set to renew his rivalry with Oleksandr Usyk in a high-stakes rematch in May.The Watford warrior will bid to avenge the lopsided points defeat he suffered at the hands of the slick southpaw last September in just over two months’ time.
Anthony Joshua is set to rematch Oleksandr Usyk in the springCredit: REUTERS
Joshua suffered a lopsided points defeat to the UkrainianCredit: AFP
Promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed the pair’s rematch will take place in MayCredit: REX
Promoter Eddie Hearn told the BBC: “It’s clear AJ will be fighting Usyk, which is his preferred choice.
“May is when you’ll see that fight.
“There’s the UK, America, the Middle East – we’ve had offers all around the world for that fight.
“I’d like to do it in the UK and we’ll see.”
Although a date for the AJ’s potentially do-or-die bout hasn’t been finalised, several venues are in the running to host the contest.
So with that in mind, SunSport thought it’d only be right to reveal the venues in the contention to stage Usyk vs Joshua 2.
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Wembley Stadium
The home of English football would be a fitting venue for what possibly could be the biggest fight of Joshua’s entire career.
A possible 90,000 fans in attendance would make for a fine spectacle for the all-or-nothing contest.
AJ is no stranger to competing under the famous Wembley arch having fought Wladimir Klitschko and Alexander Povetkin there in April 2017 and September 2018.
Anthony Joshua locked horns with Wladimir Klitschko in front of a capacity crowd at WembleyCredit: Getty
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Spurs’ brand-spanking-stadium was the venue where Joshua’s second reign as unified heavyweight champ came to an end.
So it would make sense for him to return to the scene of the defeat and try to exact his revenge in exactly the same circumstances.

Emirates Stadium
The home of Tottenham’s north London rivals Arsenal is also in contention to host the bout, although the stadium has yet to stage a major boxing event.
Gunners fan AJ could, however, opt to change that as he will play a huge role in choosing the venue for his next outing.
The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was the venue for AJ’s defeat to UsykCredit: MARC ASPLAND
Arsenal fan Joshua could opt to fight at the EmiratesCredit: PA
Principality Stadium
Cardiff’s Principality Stadium is also a contender to land the eagerly-anticipated second meeting of Joshua and Usyk.
The old Millenium Stadium hosted back-to-back AJ fights in November 2017 and January 2018, staging his successful title defences against Carlos Takam and Joseph Parker.
Poor attendances for those fights, however, could sway Matchroom away from returning to the Welsh capital – despite the stadium’s retractable roof.
AJ had back-to-back fights in Cardiff in November 2017 and January 2018Credit: NEWS GROUP NEWSPAPERS LTD
Saudi Arabia
Should a UK stadium show fail to come to fruition, a return to the Middle East could very well be on the cards for Joshua.
Joshua’s must-win rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr was held in Saudi in December 2019, with the Clash on the Dunes being staged in a purpose-built arena in Diriyah.
And it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that the fight could be staged in the modern port city of Jeddah.
A return to Saudi Arabia could be on the cards for AJCredit: GETTY
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RICKY HATTON is on course to make a sensational return to the ring later this year at the age of 43.The legendary Manchester Hitman hung up his gloves in 2012 after a ninth-round loss to Vyacheslav Senchenko but has kept himself in decent shape.
Ricky Hatton is set to return to the ring aged 43Credit: AP
The Hitman retired from boxing in 2012 after a ninth-round TKO loss to Vyacheslav SenchenkoCredit: THE SUN
But he’s set to lace up his gloves for an exhibition bout with fellow legend Marco Antonio BarreraCredit: Mark Robinson – The Sun
And the former two-weight world champion is set to lock horns with fellow boxing great Marco Antonio Barrera in an exhibition bout later this year.
SunSport understands talks over a shock bout with the 48-year-old Mexican have reached an advanced stage but a deal has yet to be finalised.
Hatton’s imminent comeback is the latest in a long line of legends of yesteryear returning to the ring.
Former heavyweight champs Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr kicked off the trend in November 2020 when they returned for a lucrative exhibition bout.
Ex-Tyson rival Evander Holyfield also made a shock return to the ring last year at the age of 58 but was wiped out by former UFC light-heavyweight champ Vitor Belfort.
Golden Boy Oscar De La Hoya has also set his sights on a comeback bout, which was due to be against Belfort before he was hospitalised with Covid.
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Fan favourite Hatton flirted with the prospect of returning to the ring last year, saying: “I am all for these dream fights we keep hearing about.
“I have youngsters coming up to me, saying, ‘I’ve watched your fights on video but I never got to see you live!’
“And I think that is why I’m a fan of these exhibitions.
“You’re not going to see your heroes get seriously hurt, it is a chance to see them showcase their skills one last time and you can raise a bit of money for charity too, so I’m all for it.
“There’s a couple of picks that spring to mind for me. “If we are talking domestically, I would still love to see Joe Calzaghe vs Carl Froch.
“They very nearly came close to fighting, Joe was coming to the end, Carl was coming to the forefront.
“There is always those what-ifs, so if it were an exhibition between those two I think that would be quite a nice one for fight fans.
“If you are looking at heavyweights, we saw the talk of Mike Tyson vs Evander Holyfield.
“Tyson blew the cobwebs off against Roy Jones Jr and Evander always looks in wonderful condition every time you see him on social media.
“He’s always training, he’s always on the pads. But I’m not sure if Evander has enough of his ear left to do 8 or 10 rounds!”
Hatton’s career-defining fight was his unforgettable war with Kostya Tszyu in front of a capacity crowd at the MEN Arena in June 2005.
The Hitman produced a sensational display in the 11th round to force the Australian to quit on his stool and relinquish the IBF and The Ring light-welterweight titles.
Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera will welcome Ricky Hatton back to the ringCredit: Reuters
Ricky Hatton beat Kostya Tszyu in 2005 to claim the IBF and Ring light-welterweight titlesCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
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ANTHONY JOSHUA took a break from preparations for his next fight by spending some time with his nieces and nephews in Dubai.AJ, 32, has made Dubai his home away from home he gears up for his high-stakes rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.
Anthony Joshua has been preparing for his rematch with Anthony Joshua in DubaiCredit: INSTAGRAM@HINEYB
But the former heavyweight champ recently took some time away from the gym to enjoy the beach with his familyCredit: INSTAGRAM@ANTHONYJOSHUA
AJ helps his niece with her life jacket before getting on a water raftCredit: INSTAGRAM@ANTHONYJOSHUA
AJ and his younger family members seemed to have a whale of a timeCredit: INSTAGRAM@ANTHONYJOSHUA
But the former unified heavyweight champion has made sure to have some fun in the sun with some of the youngest members of his family before he fully immerses himself in training camp.
Joshua shared a reel of himself and his nieces and nephews enjoying themselves on a water raft to his Instagram on Thursday.
His accompanying caption read: “I just realised, I’m that fun uncle now. How time flies!!!”
Boxing fans were quick to comment on the heartwarming clip, with one saying: “Family first.”
Another said: “That’s amazing, family is everything! Stay humble champ.”
And another said: “That uncle that drops £20 to you on your birthday and says, ‘Don’t tell Mum.'”
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One came up with a neat pun based on Joshua’s full name, saying: “Funcle Fem.”
Olympic gold medallist Joshua suffered a lopsided points defeat to the undefeated Usyk in their Tottenham tussle last September.
AJ flirted with the prospect of stepping aside from his rematch with the Ukrainian to pave the way for a blockbuster undisputed fight with Tyson Fury but opted not to take the £15million offer.
Joshua will have a new head coach in his corner for his potentially do-or-die rematch with Usyk after ditching long-time trainer Rob McCracken.
The Watford warrior has yet to reveal the identity of the new man in charge, which promoter Eddie Hearn insists will soon become public knowledge.
He recently told DAZN: “AJ will do that himself in due course when camp starts, there’s been training in the US, there’s been training in the UK.
“He’s, he’s got a good idea in his mind now what his team will look like for that training camp.
“I think he’s buoyant. He’s excited. He feels like he’s done the research. He’s done the work.
“In the next three or four weeks, it’ll be time to enter camp and I’m sure we’ll make an announcement about who’s on the team.
“It’s a camp which is going to be very important for his career and one he’s very excited about.”
Anthony Joshua will renew his rivalry with Oleksandr Usyk in MayCredit: AP
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MIKE TYSON has officially walked away from a showdown with Jake Paul.SunSport revealed last month that former world champ, 55, was in advanced negotiations with Paul, 25, about a big-money exhibition fight in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Mike Tyson was in talks with Jake Paul over a Las Vegas showdown earlier this yearCredit: REUTERS
The pair were set to take home a total of £36millionCredit: AFP
But Sun Online understands Tyson decided to turn his back on the deal because the numbers didn’t add up.
A source close to the former ‘Baddest Man on the Planet’ said: “Mike did not want to resume full-scale training to a level that the world would expect, unless he thought the money was right.
“But what seemed like a good idea at the turn of the year is now no longer a top priority.”
Tyson and Paul’s reps had been secretly thrashing out plans for the pay per view bout, expected to happen later this year, with a potential windfall of £36million ($50million).
But a business associate of Tyson told Sun Online: “The last few weeks have seen a change for Mike. He was on board for an exhibition bout with Jake in Vegas, but word is that the deal is not quite what he expected.”
Tyson also isn’t keen on putting his body through the rigours of gruelling training sessions similar to those he did ahead of his victory against Roy Jones Jr. fight.
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The source said: “It is not about him not being able to physically dominate Jake, but rather his life is not conducive to training to the level that would be required.
“Mike has so much else going on too in his business life, especially with the expanding marijuana empire.”And at this moment in time the maths don’t add up.”
Tyson has been building a cannabis empire since 2016 through his Tyson Holistic label.
It’s believed he earns around £500,000 per month through his business that offers premium marijuana strains, edibles and extracts.
‘Iron Mike’ is also building a 418-acre weed-themed holiday resort he hopes will be home to a music festival to rival Coachella, as well as the world’s longest lazy river.
And aside from a luxury hotel and the lure of ‘glamping’ tents, there will be a Tyson University on site that will aim to teach cannabis cultivation tips to wannabe farmers.
In recent weeks Tyson played down the story about him talking with Paul’s team.
Iron Mike has walked away from the negotiations for a showdown with The Problem ChildCredit: INSTAGRAM@MIKETYSON
The source added: ”There is one significant factor in all this for Mike. He does not need or want to take this fight simply to enhance the image of Jake’s fighting credentials.”
In November, Tyson hinted that he was prepping to fight in the Spring when he attended the unveiling of a metal statue of himself at Mulberry Street Pizzeria, Las Vegas.
Tyson added fuel to rumours that Jake or his brother Logan could be his next opponent, admitting: “I am going to have a return fight in February and we are pretty skeptical about the opponent but it will be a really stimulating opponent.”
Former undisputed heavyweight champ Tyson made a spectacular return to the ring in November 2020 for an exhibition bout with fellow boxing great Jones Jr.
Tyson rolled back the years as he fought the former four-weight world champion to a draw.
Tyson had hoped to return to the squared circle last September for a clash with old rival Lennox Lewis.
But 15 months after his triumphant return to the ring, The Baddest Man on the Planet is seemingly no longer keen on lacing up his gloves again.
He recently admitted: “I’m not even interested in doing this stuff. It was just fun at first.
Mike Tyson is seemingly not interested in fighting againCredit: Rex
“If it was back when I first started, yes, and we were both fighting on the same card and both active, yeah, we could do it.
“But, it just turned … it just turned bad. It didn’t turn outright.
“I wanted to do it the first time just for fun to have fun and then some people took it to another level and made it financial, and then the fun went out of it.”
YouTuber turned boxer Paul, meanwhile, hasn’t set foot inside the ring since his viral KO of former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley last December.
But The Problem Child – who is currently promoting Amanda Serrano’s eagerly-anticipated clash with Katie Taylor – is seemingly eyeing a September return.
During a recent appearance on The MMA Hour: “There’s a lot going on in other aspects of my life.
“I’m going to do these press conferences over the next two weeks here to help with the promotion around Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano and I’m very busy on the business side of things with my venture capital fund.
Jake Paul is eyeing a September return to the ringCredit: REUTERS
“So I haven’t even got back into the gym or been training at all.
“I need to have a discussion with my coaches but probably I would say August-September maybe. Maybe later. I’m trying to figure it out.
“Obviously if the stars align in some sort of way or I have a change of heart, then things can obviously move around but right now I don’t feel like that motivated to just go right back into another training camp.”
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