Heavyweight boxing

AMIR KHAN and Kell Brook were twice pulled apart at their first public meeting ahead of their grudge bout.And things got so heated Sky had to cut their live coverage.
Amir Khan and Kell Brook will finally get it on on February 19Credit: Reuters
And the pair quickly got in each other’s faces after posing for photosCredit: PA
And security had to separate the pair before things goy physicalCredit: PA
The warring welterweights – with a combined age of 69 – came face-to-face in Mayfair for the first press conference to hype their February 19 clash.
And, as soon as they were introduced and forced to pose for photos, they went nose-to-nose, butted heads and were pulled apart by security.
A war or words quickly ensued after Sheffield slugger Brook vowed to retire the former unified light-welterweight champ.
Khan took exception to Brook’s vow to knock him ‘spark out’, saying: “You ain’t gonna do s**t. You ain’t gonna do s**t.
“You give it the big talk, but like I said, we’ll see what happens on the night.
“But you better get in the gym and start training. You look well overweight now. You need to lose some pounds.”
Khan then branded the soft-spoken Brook a ‘p***y’ as the pair went back and forth over their stoppage losses.

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Sky Sports were forced to issue a live apology for the foul language in the press conferenceCredit: SKY SPORTS
And moments after Khan’s X-rated insult, Sky Sports placed a banner on their live stream apologising for the offensive language.
It read: “Apologies for the strong language.”
Later their coverage on Sky Sports News was cut with the studio presenter apologising and promising viewers they would later show an ‘edited’ version of the press conference.
After years of build-up, Brook, 35, is elated the domestic dust-up has finally come to fruition.
The former IBF welterweight king said: “Seventeen years this has been talked about.
“Even during the negotiations, this has been unbelievably hard works. It’s on, it’s been off, it’s on been, it’s been off.

“But we finally got it across the line and I’m ecstatic that the fans are going to see this fight, that they’ve wanted to see for years.
“I’m just sick of people coming up to me saying, ‘When are you going to fight him? When is it happening?
“Now we’ve got a date, February 19 in Manchester, and that’s when Amir Khan hits the deck for the final time.”
He later added: “This is the icing on the cake, this is the grudge match.
“I’ve been in the ring with the best pound-for-pound fighters.
“So this is the icing on the cake. This is what I need, this fight.”

Bolton bruiser Khan has blasted Brook for years but finally admitted he has respect for his fellow Brit.
He said: “Look, I respect him, he’s a fighter. Whoever goes into that squared circle, you have to give them credit.
“You’re putting your life on the line Kell signed, we signed. And now it’s time on February 19.”
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Amir Khan shows off his speed in boxing ring workout More

JOHN FURY has warned Eddie Hearn he’ll ‘bury’ him if he continues to say bad things about his family.Matchroom Boxing chief Hearn is often asked about the fighting Furys and isn’t shy in giving his thoughts on Tyson and Tommy’s respective careers.
John Fury made distasteful comments about Jake Paul’s girlfriend during a presser last weekCredit: QUEENSBURY PROMOTIONS
Matchroom Boxing chief Eddie Hearn branded John’s rant ‘disgusting’Credit: MATCHROOM BOXING
And John has warned Hearn he’ll ‘bury’ him if he keeps discussing the FurysCredit: INSTAGRAM@GYPSYJOHNFURY
But passionate dad John has well and truly grown sick of hearing Hearn’s criticisms of his sons.
He said: “Eddie you have just got a problem with the Furys.
“Because you aren’t getting paid by them so you are jumping on any floating log you can to discredit a Fury.
“That is just you mate because you are Eddie the green-eyed monster.
“Look in the mirror and have a long hard think about your life and family before you call out others. You know what I’m talking about.
‘If we don’t want to go any further say nice things about the Furys because John Fury will bury you, you will wish you will never have heard the name.

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“At the end of the day let’s be nice to each other and work together, let’s not be jealous of others hard work because Tyson is the best in the world.
“He has proved it and he has had to earn his millions, so credit him not discredit him and you will go up in everyone’s estimations. It is bad to be jealous.”
John’s rant came after Hearn branded his actions during last week’s pre-fight press conference with Jake Paul ‘disgusting’.
Hearn told iFL TV: “I thought it was disgusting to be honest with you. You’ve got the younger generation watching that.
“Even, actually, for one time I felt a little bit for Frank Warren because I’ve been there on a much less cringe stage with KSI and Logan Paul.
“Frank was embarrassed. The language is terrible. I like beef, I love it, but for me it’s a bad look.
“It was disgusting, it was tasteless, the language was terrible – but me saying that it’s ‘Oh it’s Eddie, it’s just because he’s not involved in the event’.

“The fight’s not bad, I don’t mind it, but the production and everything was so bad. It’s a bad look for boxing, BT knows that and Frank knows that, we know that – but it’s none of my business.”
“Frank was embarrassed. The language is terrible. I like beef, I love it, but for me it’s a bad look.”
Tommy, 22, is just weeks away from his grudge match with Paul, which will take place in Tampa, Florida on December 18.
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Eddie Hearn rips into Tommy Fury vs Jake Paul press conference after John’s vile comments More

TOMMY FURY has revealed he’s open to having a rematch with Jake – if the YouTuber doesn’t retire from boxing after their grudge match.The Love Islander will fight the YouTuber-turned-boxer in a Florida showdown on December 18.
Tommy Fury and Jake Paul will collide in a grudge match on December 18Credit: INSTAGRAM@JAKEPAUL
YouTube sensation Paul has talked plenty of trash ahead of their showdownCredit: INSTAGRAM@JAKEPAUL
Tommy Fury beat Anthony Taylor in Cleveland, Ohio, back in AugustCredit: Getty
Fury, 22, will earn the biggest payday of his career for his clash with The Problem Child, who he’ll happily face again once he teaches him a boxing lesson.
When asked if he thinks this will be Paul’s last fight, he told Frank Warren TV: “Yes, one million per cent.
“Unless he’s completely stupid and he wants a rematch. Let’s hope I can rob the bank twice.”
Fury – the younger brother of WBC heavyweight champ Tyson – recently likened his showdown with Paul to a legalised bank robbery.
He told talkSPORT: “It’s an opportunity you can’t refuse.
“I’m getting a chance to rob a bank and not go to jail for it, on a massive worldwide stage.

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“It doesn’t get any bigger than this for me, it’s come early – seven fights, 22 years old – I’m living the dream!
“You can’t say I’m not; I’m getting paid millions of pounds to go out there and deal with a YouTuber, in the sunny state of Florida.
“Does it get any better? I don’t think so.
“Fight number eight on my journey, this is my coming-out party.
“I’m going to be known very well in America after this because to even mention this guy’s name in the same as mine, in boxing terms, is terrible.
“I’m going to prove that on December 18 and all these so-called people that know what they are on about – ex-world champions – I’m going to prove that they know nothing about boxing when I go in and dismantle this man.”
Fury plans to raid the bank in double-quick time, saying: “After our last fights on the same card, I rocked up with four people to his after-party.

“I saw him and what did he do? He didn’t [do anything].
“He sent a security man over to say: ‘Please leave’.
“When he gets in the ring with me, he will find his level. He’ll be out in the first round.”
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Tommy Fury compares Jake Paul showdown to legalised bank robbery More

FRANK SANCHEZ is quickly working his way up the heavyweight division, with the 29-year-old Cuban currently ranked No6 in the world by the WBC. He trains alongside Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and has been tipped to beat the unbeaten Tyson Fury if they fought TODAY by manager Mike Borao.
Sanchez has won 13 out of his 19 fights by knockoutCredit: Getty
He trains alongside middleweight king Canelo in the StatesCredit: AP
Sanchez could soon find himself in line for a shot at Fury’s WBC titleCredit: Reuters
Sanchez was the co-main event for Fury vs Wilder III, beating Efe Ajagba by unanimous decision to extend his record to 19-0.
And Borao believes Sanchez is the man who will inflict a first defeat on the unbeaten Fury, who’s record currently stands at 31 victories and one draw.
He told Sky Sports: “Frank Sanchez is one of the most active high-profile fighters today.
“Frank was the co-main event for Fury vs Wilder III, he has featured on Canelo’s pay-per-view fights, and he is now co-main event for the Charles Martin vs Luis Ortiz pay-per-view fight.
“His rise has been extraordinary, as well as his undeniable talent. I think Frank Sanchez beats Tyson Fury today.”
The Gypsy King is yet to confirm his next opponent after sensationally knocking out Deontay Wilder in October.

But he could find himself in a bout with Sanchez soon if the 6ft4in ‘Cuban Flash’ continues on his current trajectory.
Borao went on to say: “At Frank’s current pace, I have no doubt he will become No 1 contender in short order.
“The day Frank Sanchez gets the opportunity and fights for a world title is the day he becomes heavyweight champion.”
Sanchez returns to the ring against Carlos Negron on New Year’s Day as he works his way towards a world title shot.
Fury meanwhile is expected fight again in the spring of next year.
Dillian Whyte, 33, and Joe Joyce, 36, are among the contenders to have called out The Gypsy King.
Fans are desperate for a unification bout between Fury and the winner of Anthony Joshua v Oleksandr Usyk II, with that possibly on the cards for the end of 2022.
But Fury himself has called for AJ to step aside and let him fight Ukrainian Usyk.
Although recently speaking on his next opponent, Fury said: “I’m not really interested, because to be honest it doesn’t really make much sense who I want to fight at this moment.
“It’s who’s available and what makes sense later on.”
Tyson Fury urges Anthony Joshua to let him fight Usyk next fearing British showdown will collapse if rival loses again More

EDDIE HEARN has brushed off fans’ concerns after Anthony Joshua unfollowed him on social media.AJ recently went on a ruthless unfollowing spree on social media and now only follows a combined total of 45 accounts on his Instagram and Twitter accounts.
Anthony Joshua went on a big unfollowing spree on Instagram and now only follows 20 accountsCredit: INSTAGRAM
And promoter Eddie Hearn fell victim to the mass cullCredit: MATCHROOM BOXING
But the Matchroom Boxing chief insists he still speaks to the former champion ‘every day’Credit: MATCHROOM BOXING
Among those no longer followed by the former unified heavyweight champ is long-time promoter and good friend Hearn, who isn’t in any way, shape or form bothered by the unfollowing.
When asked if he had any feelings on the unfollowing, the Matchroom Boxing chief said: “Nothing.
“I think he’s unfollowed everyone but his sponsors, hasn’t he?”
Hearn, 42, grinned before adding: “Don’t worry, we still talk every day.”
Joshua, 32, is currently licking his wounds from his September defeat to Oleksandr Usyk at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The Watford warrior suffered a lopsided points defeat to the slick southpaw and lost his grip on the unified heavyweight titles.

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SunSport understands a rematch is in the works for the spring, although WBC heavyweight champ Tyson Fury has urged his fellow Brit to step aside and allow the division to be unified.
But AJ isn’t sold on the idea of foregoing his immediate shot at redemption.
He told iFL TV: “In terms of step-aside, I don’t know if that goes in line with what I morally stand for.
“But let me be real with you, I want to be known as one of the smartest businessmen as well.
“If the money’s right, we have to look at it, but respect for me has a lot more value than just money.
“It’s about respect first, it’s about what I’m known for when I leave this heavyweight division, and the third thing is the smartest businessman.
Anthony Joshua is currently on course to have a rematch with Oleksandr UsykCredit: REUTERS
“Would I take the step-aside money? If it’s a smart business move?
“Will it affect my reputation and my respect?
“Will I still get to fight the best fighters?
“I have to consider these three things in my career.
“They’re the three things and three principles I truly stand by when it comes to fighting.”
Joshua is hellbent on exacting revenge on his fellow Olympic gold medallist, saying last month: “I have one thing in my mind, that’s war, that’s murder, that’s war, let’s go out there and hurt the guy.

“Take his soul to the point where he wants to give up. That’s what boxing’s about, I’ve learned that.
“You hit people constantly, keep on applying a certain amount of pressure, before they know it they’ll realise you aren’t going anywhere, you’re here to stay.
“With the game plan, that’s all I have in my mind at the minute, that one track, stay on course, take this guy to places he doesn’t want to go.”
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Anthony Joshua admits he would consider stepping aside for Fury vs Usyk if the ‘money’s right’ More

ANTHONY JOSHUA has revealed he would think about pulling out of his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk if it were a ‘smart business move’. Tyson Fury has recently called for Joshua to stand aside and let him take on Usyk in an undisputed super-fight.
Joshua has admitted he could be convinced to stand asideCredit: PA
Usyk inflicted a second defeat of AJ’s career on the Brit in SeptemberCredit: Reuters
Fury has called for Joshua to step down and let him fight UsykCredit: YouTube / iFL TV
Joshua, 32, triggered his rematch clause with Usyk after being outclassed by the Ukrainian over 12-rounds at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in September.
But speaking to iFL TV, AJ said: “I think people know not to approach me with that rubbish. People know not to approach me with that bull****.
“It may have come to my team but I think they know not to bring to me at the minute.  
“At this stage of my career it’s not about the money, it’s about the respect. You’ve got to look at what I want out of this game; number one is respect, you don’t have to like me but you will respect me.
“The second is to go down as a throwback fighter, someone who was willing to fight the best in their division so that when I walk the streets with my son, my cousin and my nephews, people will know I’m a real fighter. 

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He went on to confess: “In terms of stepping aside, I don’t know if that goes in line with what a morally stand for… but I want to be known as one of the smartest businessmen as well.
“I want to make the smart decisions and if the money is right we would have to look at it but respect has more value than money.
“Will I take the step-aside money? If its a smart business move… will it affect my reputation and respect?
“Will I still get to fight the best fighters? Those are the three things I have to consider.”
Joshua is currently expected to return to the ring against Usyk early next year.
But Fury fears another AJ defeat would end all hopes of an all-British bout for the ages.
Joshua therefore is possibly weighing up taking the offer were it to make sense business wise, and not tarnish his legacy as a fighter.
Although standing aside could leave AJ in limbo and without a fight.
Joshua lost his WBA, IBF and WBO titles for a second time earlier this year following his shock defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr in June 2019.
Tyson Fury urges Anthony Joshua to let him fight Usyk next fearing British showdown will collapse if rival loses again More

KUBRAT PULEV returned to action with a brutal first round standing knockout over former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir. Somehow the referee didn’t wave the fight off after a crunching overhand right from Pulev had Mir stunned.

Mir was sent stumbling backwards by a vicious blow from Pulev
Shannon Briggs joined Pulev in the ring after the fightCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Pulev has touted a potential bout against Brit Joe Joyce for his next fightCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Pulev, 40, then missed with a fierce uppercut but connected with a brutal left hook that had Mir careering backwards and onto the ropes.
Still referee Dan Miragliotta did nothing, and it took Pulev showing mercy not to pile in with more follow-up punches for Miragliotta to finally wave off the fight.
Pulev and Mir were facing off in Texas in a Triad Combat Rules fight.
Both fighters wore the lighter MMA gloves, and were allowed to hit and hold in a triangular shaped ring.
It was Bulgarian Pulev’s first fight since being stopped by Anthony Joshua in December last year.
And fans were left stunned that the referee had not spared the 42-year-old Mir sooner.

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One fumed: “Disgraceful refereeing. That kind of thing will get boxing stopped.”
Meanwhile another said: “That ref need to have a look in the mirror. If Pulev had have gone back in and launched him again Mir could have been seriously injured.”
Pulev himself was also praised for spotting Mir was not fit to continue and held back before the fight was eventually waved off.
A fan lauded him by saying: “Credit to Pulev, showed mercy.”
The Bulgarian will now reportedly turn his attention back to conventional boxing, and could find himself facing off against 36-year-old Brit Joe Joyce.
Pulev’s promoter Ivaylo Gotzev told Sky Sports: “We’ve been getting a lot of offers. Joe Joyce is looking for us.
“Kubrat is definitely not a stepping stone for no-one, so we’re going to pick and choose our battles, and get him back to where he feels great.
“It’s all about how he wants to enter the ring and how long he wants to keep going for.”
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MANUEL CHARR’S name has flown so far under the heavyweight boxing radar he’s been able to change it without anyone noticing.The Germany-based, Lebanon-born Syrian was a huge success story at the start of his career.
Mahmoud Charr is the forgotten heavyweight trying to make a comebackCredit: Getty Images – Getty
He fled the civil war that claimed his father’s life, overcame a crippling hip condition – and a near-fatal shooting – to clinch a world honour, albeit a second-rate version.
But, since outpointing Alexander Ustinov for the World Boxing Association’s trinket title in November 2017, he has not had a single fight while the likes of Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, Andy Ruiz Jr and Deontay Wilder have won and lost titles and made millions.
In April 2019, in the middle of his hiatus, Charr reverted to his childhood name of Mahmoud, stating: “Manuel is a name given to me by German marketers. I didn’t choose it, and I didn’t want it.
“I am Mahmoud, the name my parents chose for me, it means beloved of God.”
And that is sadly the closest the 37-year-old has got to making headlines in four long years, as boxing has been able to bypass him during a booming time for his division.
It started off so well, too, Charr was a prodigious young muay thai and Thai boxing fighter before turning pro in 2005 and his 18th consecutive win came against Britain’s infamous journeyman Danny Williams.
Seven years into his career he dived in too deep and was brutalised by WBC champ Vitali Klitschko over four one-sided 2012 rounds.
The elder Klitschko brother thumped him to the floor at the end of the second round and then clipped him with a left hook that opened a relentless gash that squirted blood all over his torso.
Charr was well beaten by Vitali Klitschko in 2012Credit: AFP – Getty
Charr beat Brit journeyman Danny Williams – his 18th consecutive winCredit: Getty Images – Getty

When the ringside doctor waved the fight off over fears for Charr’s right eye, he went on an angry rampage, kicking and punching the Moscow ropes and offering Dr Ironfist the chance to decide the fight outside of the rules and regulations.
Little brother Wladimir even jumped into the ring to keep things cool.
After four rebuilding bouts, Charr relocated his career to Russia where he lost three out of six when he stepped up against Alexander Povetkin, Johann Duhaupas and Mairis Briedis.
Then, in September 2015, Charr’s life was almost snuffed out by a cowardly trigger-happy Facebook troll.
After repeated insults, Charr dared the critic to meet him face-to-face.
Instead, while eating a late night kebab in Essen, he had four bullets pumped into his stomach instead of a chicken shish with extra chilli sauce.
Incredibly Charr was only out of the ring a total of nine months, proving his current lack of action is not the result of a lack of courage.
But after two tune-ups he was informed the chronic pain in his pelvis was congenital hip dysplasia and he needed a double replacement, at the age of just 32.
Charr was shot in 2015Credit: Instagram / @mahmoudcharr
The incident came after an argument with a Facebook trollCredit: Instagram / @mahmoudcharr
Charr had a double hip replacement at just 32-years-oldCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Revitalised by the surgery, Charr faced a fading Ustinov and earned a unanimous decision after dropping him in the eighth.
His first defence was set to follow a year later after against Fres Oquendo but VADA found steroids epitrenbolone and drostanolone in his system and he served a six month-ban.
In the summer of 2020, Charr chased a fight with Andy Ruiz Jr but was repeatedly rebuffed by the little Mexican who dethroned Joshua for the last six months of 2019.
And now, after four long years out the ring, he returns to face unbeaten American Christopher Lovejoy in Cologne.
Charr still sleeps with his beltCredit: Instagram / @mahmoudcharr
Charr does not look like a man who is finished with the sport, he was still parading his black and gold belt proudly and visits schools in Germany to discuss his inspirational story until he was stripped for inactivity.
But any momentum the 32-4 fighter once had, in and out of the ring, is long gone.
Of course, a win against Christopher Lovejoy back in May recaptured the attention of fight fans around the world.
And the Arabic community, taking a growing interest in boxing, would go wild for a heavyweight boxing champion to call their own.
With Saudi Arabia now providing the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Al-Turaif, Riyadh, how the locals would love to cheer Charr on to victory.
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