Heavyweight boxing

ANTHONY JOSHUA spent his birthday in Los Angeles as he recovers from his Oleksandr Usyk defeat.The Watford icon turned 32 on Friday and woke up to cake and candles in the USA, after doing a photoshoot with fashion partner Hugo Boss on Monday.
Anthony Joshua posed for a picture with boxer Ronald Ellis at Eddy Reynoso’s gym in San DiegoCredit: Instagram @recklessellis
Joshua also was snapped alongside Rashidi Ellis on Saturday during his trip to AmericaCredit: Instagram @rashidiellis
A source in the camp confirmed to SunSport that the Brit hero chose to stay on in celeb-Mecca LA to “decompress” after a gruelling camp and fight.
The former WBA, IBF and WBO king lost his titles to the brilliant Ukraine southpaw on September 25.
But the instant rematch clause has been activated and a Spring 2022 fight is being worked on.
A UK football stadium is the front runner for the rerun but Saudi Arabia remains a strong possibility.
During his visit to America, AJ has been pictured in two notable gyms amid rumours he could change trainers for the rematch.
Joshua visited British compatriot Joshua Buatsi at Virgil Hunter’s gym in Hayward, California, before being snapped at Eddy Reynoso’s gym on Saturday.
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A link-up with Reynoso would see his train alongside Canelo Alvarez and former rival Andy Ruiz Jr.
Boxing brothers Ronald and Rashidi Ellis took to their Instagram accounts to post pictures of them alongside Joshua at Reynoso’s gym in San Diego, California.
And AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn was also there on Saturday to pay a visit to Canelo ahead of his undisputed super-middleweight bout against Caleb Plant on November 6.
There is no suggestion yet that Joshua will part ways with trainer Rob McCracken, but Hearn has not ruled out a change.
He told Boxing Social: “I think what AJ will want to do is analyse why he performed like that. Yeah, the tactics weren’t right, he underperformed, but why?
“It’s difficult just to say, ‘He didn’t get the tactics right and he underperformed,’ because let’s talk about the brilliance of Usyk as well.
“But AJ will always look at his preparation and see how he can improve.
AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn was also at Reynoso’s gym to pay a visit to client Canelo AlvarezCredit: Instagram @eddiehearn
“If that’s changing things up, looking at bringing people in, or whatever he’s got to do, he will do that.”
Apart from one post-fight post, AJ has remained absent from social media, to focus on resting and rebuilding for the rematch.
The two-time heavyweight champion insisted in the aftermath of his defeat to Usyk that nobody would see him sulking.
He said: “I am not a sulker, this is a blessed opportunity for me to fight for the heavyweight championship of the world again, so I will not go home and cry about it. 
“It’s war and it’s a long process, it’s not one fight and done, it’s back to the drawing board, not to sulk.
“I have already watched the fight and seen where I went wrong and thought of ways I can improve.
“I don’t care about being the underdog for the rematch, the belts don’t represent me. I just want to go in there improved, smarter and stronger and I believe I get a win from what I learned.
“I have no regrets, you have to trust the process, I cannot look at regrets, we had a process we went through and I can go again. 
“I have a chance to be a champion again so I am keeping a positive head on my shoulders.”
Bob Arum claims Anthony Joshua is ‘too chinny’ to win fight against Oleksandr Usyk More

THIS is Tyson Fury’s huge and loyal 11-man team that helped behind the scenes before he knocked out Deontay Wilder. The Gypsy King twice had to get up from the floor in round four before closing the show in style himself in the 11th.
Tyson Fury and his 11-man team pose for a picture in front of the T-Mobile Arena
Beforehand, Fury made America his second home as he prepared for his fifth consecutive dust-up Stateside.
It was the fourth time in a row that the unbeaten champion headlined in Las Vegas.
And, after the thrilling trilogy bout with Wilder, Fury’s uploaded a picture of his 11-man team which helped him to victory.
Here SunSport takes a look at his team from left to right.
George Lockhart – Chef
The cooking mastermind behind Fury’s 10st weight loss and continued commitment to calorie counting.
The American flies over to Fury’s Morecambe home to take care of all his meals in camp.
And the kitchen genius even knows how to sneak fruits and vegetables into every meal as the 6ft 9in Fury cannot stand them.
George Lockhart is Tyson Fury’s chef

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Jorge Capetillo – Cutman
The boxing veteran was in Fury’s corner for the night he boxed Otto Wallin and had his eye split open.
Capetillo worked wonders on the 47-stitch gash and remains a close ally for Fury every time he visits Sin City.
He even cornered brother Tommy when the 2019 Love Island star made his US debut in August, with dad John unable to travel.
Tyson Fury pictured with his cutman Jorge Capetillo
Kristian Blacklock – Strength and Conditioning
The strength and conditioning genius is another crucial part of Team Fury who eschews the limelight as much as possible.
Fury trusts no one but this man to whip him into shape for sensational nights and the fitness whizz has never yet let him down.
Tyson Fury with his strength and conditioning coach Kristian Blacklock
Hughie Fury – Brother
Tyson’s little brother has lost a huge amount of weight in recent months and now joins his sibling on most of his gruelling runs around Morecambe and Las Vegas.
Hughie Fury next to brother TysonCredit: AFP
Big Shane Fury – Brother
Because dad Big John Fury is blocked from visiting the US and heading up the camp, Shane is his lieutenant running the show.
Tyson’s giant little bro is in charge of making sure the champ never catches Covid for a third time and runs his camp day-to-day.
Tyson Fury next to his brother ShaneCredit: Getty
Tommy Fury – Brother
The gorgeous Love Island celeb is grafting away at his own fight career and also learning everything he can off his big bro.
Tyson even joked that if he doesn’t beat YouTube boxer Jake Paul, he will make his little bro change his name from the legendary Fury moniker.
Tyson Fury and Love Island star TommyCredit: Instagram @tommyfury
Bob Arum – US-based Promoter
The legendary American fight maker is the chief of the Top Rank empire.
And, having worked directly with Muhammad Ali, it is no small thing when he compares Tyson to the Greatest for how they talk and fight.
Tyson Fury next to promoter Bob ArumCredit: Reuters
Brendan Lyons – Personal Bodyguard
Fury’s personal bodyguard is never far away from the undefeated champ and is clearly a very trusted member of the team.
The safety specialist has refrained from any interviews so remains a bit of a mystery man.
Brendan Lyons, far left, celebrates with the rest of the teamCredit: Reuters
Tim Allcock – Friend and Advisor
The friend and advisor Tyson lovingly refers to as ‘Timmy Boy’ has been a mainstay of his comeback.
Fury’s team is almost exclusively a family affair but Allcock has such huge respect among the group that he has a seminal role in all things happening around the camp.
Early on in the relationship Allcock was in charge of all camp meals and revealed to SunSport that peanut butter chicken was Tyson’s favourite.
Tim Allcock, pictured in the middle, with Tyson Fury
‘Sugar Hill’ Steward – Trainer
The nephew of legendary Kronk gym trainer Emanuel Steward, Sugar has been the mastermind behind Fury’s shock transformation into a power puncher.
The Detroit ace enjoys spending time in Fury’s Morecambe home now – but was so disappointed by Anthony Joshua’s performance against Oleksandr Usyk that he popped outside to BBQ some meat for the team.
Tyson Fury and his trainer Sugar Hill StewardCredit: Alamy
Spencer Brown – Commercial Manager
The head of Goldstar promotions, the memorabilia and events mogul has earned Fury’s total trust in a short space of time.
The North Londoner is now based in Blackpool and is a close friend as well as a business partner.
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Tyson Fury tells Anthony Joshua he will train him for free to beat Usyk More

OLEKSANDR Usyk is the current WBA, IBF, and WBO heavyweight champion after sensationally beating Anthony Joshua in September. And the champ has been enjoying some well earned downtime with his kids back in his native Ukraine after victory over AJ.
Usyk stunned Joshua with twelve expert rounds in SeptemberCredit: Reuters
And has now showed off his skills with a ball at his feetCredit: Twitter@MichaelBensonn
The heavyweight makes light work of a challenge by one of his kidsCredit: Twitter@MichaelBensonn
But the heavyweight champ is let down by his finishCredit: Twitter@MichaelBensonn
In a video posted to his Instagram account and re-shared by Michael Benson, the 34-year-old is seen having a kickabout back in his native Ukraine.
Usyk’s footwork caught the eye in his boxing masterclass against AJ at Tottenham Stadium, and the Ukrainian has once again been showing off his skills with his feet.
Usyk jokingly takes the ball past one of his children before being denied a goal by an impressive last ditch clearance by another one of his three kids.
One boxing nut was clearly impressed, replying: “It all starts with the feet..”
Other fans though were not as dazzled by Usyk’s clumsy finish, with one claiming: “Should have put it away, finish let him down.”
Another was more blunt in his response and simply chimed: “S*** finish.”

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Others though were eager to praise the efforts of Usyk’s child in goal.
The youngster comes out of nowhere to deny his father a goal right on the line.
One joked: “More impressed by the goaly. He watched everything posted up, and then casually stopped Usyk from scoring #TheRealMVP.”
Another said: “We need VAR. I think the keeper saved that.”
Usyk is set to return to action in the spring of next year after Joshua activated his rematch clause in the contract from the first fight.
Tyson Fury’s promoter Frank Warren though believes Joshua should dodge the rematch with the skilled Ukrainian as he only sees it going one way.
During an appearance on Sky Sports, he said: “I think Usyk will beat him again. If there had been another 20 seconds, Usyk would have stopped AJ.
“He wobbled him early and nearly took him out. Next time around he will fancy knocking AJ over.
“The only way AJ can beat him is to do what Wilder did – to impose himself. I can’t see AJ winning that rematch.”
‘He shouldn’t go through with it’ says Frank Warren as he urges Anthony Joshua to dodge Usyk More

OTTO WALLIN has vowed to hijack Dillian Whyte’s world title shot against Tyson Fury by beating his heavyweight rival.The Body Snatcher is currently the Gypsy King’s WBC mandatory and will earn a shot at the belt should he beat the Swedish southpaw later this month.
Swedish heavyweight Otto Wallin is desperate to face former foe Tyson Fury for the WBC titleCredit: Getty Images – Getty
WBC interim champion Whyte will set up a bout against the Gypsy King should he beat WallinCredit: Dave Thompson Matchroom Boxing
But Wallin, who was outpointed against the unbeaten Mancunian in their 2019 Las Vegas affair, is confident at producing a shock at London’s O2 Arena.
The 30-year-old has labelled Whyte, 33, as ‘basic’ – insisting he will put the pressure on the heavy-handed Brixton bomber.
Commenting on the fight, he told the Knuckles and Gloves podcast: “To me Whyte is a basic guy – he’s got a decent jab, a good left hook and is a good body puncher.
“He’s an aggressive guy but, other than that, he’s pretty basic. I can say I’m not basic. I’m a smart fighter with fast hands and fast feet.
“I don’t know if Dillian has fought any southpaws in his career.
“Maybe he did early on, but nobody really at a high level. I’m different from a lot of the fighters he’s faced.

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“I don’t want to let Dillian be comfortable in there, I want to make it hard for him, just like I did against Fury.
“If I beat Dillian, they might exercise the rematch but that doesn’t mean I’m locked into him. If I beat him, I’ll be the interim champion and maybe then I can go after Fury.
“I’m in boxing to become a world champion. I’ve worked myself to this level but I don’t want to stop here.”
Interim WBC champ Whyte has urged the governing body to finally grant him the opportunity to fight for a world title should he beat Wallin.
He told Sky Sports News: “Fury has the belt. [Deontay] Wilder had the chance to fight me for three years but didn’t.
“Hopefully now the WBC forces my position and Fury has no choice. It’s a massive British fight, a major fight for Britain.
“Fury is an unpredictable man who might say: ‘I am done!’
“I hope we can make a fight when I get past Wallin. But Fury is a difficult guy to plan. I haven’t heard a word from him about making a fight.”
Before adding: “I would be lying if I said I wasn’t looking at them. I am definitely looking at fighting Fury.
“Wallin is a dangerous operator – he pushed Fury all the way.
“I am looking to fight Fury next if everything goes according to plan. I’m always up against it, I’m always in hard fights. I’m used to it.”
Tyson Fury’s promoter rules out Dillian Whyte fight in UK and insists it works better with 10,000 Brits in Las Vegas More