Heavyweight boxing

MANNY PACQUIAO has announced his retirement from boxing as he bids to become President of the Philippines.Last Sunday, the former eight-weight world champion – who is already a senator in his homeland – publicly announced his intention to run for the Presidency.
Manny Pacquiao has announced his retirement from boxingCredit: GETTY
The pride of the Philippines announced his retirement during an appearance on Toni Talks
The Filipino retires as an eight-world champion and a sure-fire Hall-of-FamerCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Pacman began his professional career at the tender age of 16
Pacquiao’s run for office led many to believe his Hall-of-Fame career would soon come to an end.
And the beloved Pacman has confirmed he has indeed opted to hang up his gloves.
When asked about his fighting days, he told Toni Talks: “My boxing career?
“My boxing career is already over.
“It’s done because I’ve been in boxing for a long time and my family says that it is enough.
“I just continued [to box] because I’m passionate about this sport.

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“I will just support other boxers for us to have a champion again.”
Pacquiao, 42, was last in action in August against Cuba’s Yordenis Ugas.
The pride of the Philippines suffered a unanimous decision defeat to the Olympic silver medallist and hinted that his fighting days would soon come to an end.
In the post-fight press conference, a heartbroken Pacquiao said: “In the future, you may not see Manny Pacquiao fight again in the ring.
“I don’t know. But for how many decades, I’m so happy with what I’ve done in boxing.
“I contribute a record in boxing also and to make boxing the top. And especially bring honour to my country and the Filipino people.
“I’m so proud to be a Filipino and thankful to all the fans all over the world.”
The senator even dropped a hint that he could run for office when he was still licking his wounds.
My boxing career is overManny Pacquiao
He added: “I don’t know if I’ll fight again. Let me relax and think about it.
“I want to help my people.”
Pacquiao’s days fighting in the ring may be over, but the fight to bring change in Rodrigo Duterte’s Philippines has just begun.
He said: “I am a fighter, and I will always be a fighter inside and outside the ring,” Pacquiao.
“I am accepting your nomination as candidate for president of the Republic of the Philippines.”
Fan favourite Pacquiao retires as one of the greatest fighters of his generation.

The soft-spoken power puncher won 62 of the 72 bouts in his professional career, which he began at the tender age of 16.
But he came up short in the biggest fight of his career against Floyd Mayweather in May 2015, suffering a unanimous decision defeat to Money.
The highlight of Pacman’s career was undoubtedly his December 2008 demolition of Oscar De La Hoya, which catapulted him into global superstardom.

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Manny Pacquiao announces that he will stand to become Philippines president next year More

HEAVYWEIGHT Michael Hunter believes Oleksandr Usyk poses a genuine threat to unified champ Anthony Joshua.Hunter suffered his only career defeat to date against the undefeated Ukrainian in April 2017 and has warned AJ about his ability.
Joshua is defending his belts against the undefeated UsykCredit: PA
Michael Hunter fought the Ukrainian in April 2017Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Discussing Usyk’s talents with Sky Sports, Hunter, 33, said: “He is fleet-footed and defensive-minded.
“It will be very difficult to actually get a win over Usyk in a certain fashion.
“Joshua will have to have a concrete game-plan and follow it. It will be a very hard task.
“If he pulls it off? Give the man credit. Because this style of fighting, for him, is the most difficult.”
Joshua, 31, must avoid losing to Uysk, 34, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday to retain his IBF, WBA and WBO titles.
Ex-Olympic champ Usyk has won all 18 of his professional fights to date and boasts wins against Derek Chisora and Tony Bellew.

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He is also the only undisputed cruiserweight in history, dominating the division before making the step up to heavyweight level in 2019.
Hunter added: “Even though he doesn’t focus on hitting hard, he has enough power to absorb and withstand punches.
“He is bulking up and he is taller than me, he has some length to him.
“He will do exceptionally well. He hasn’t taken any Ls [defeats] and hasn’t been in any trouble since he’s been pro.

“A lot of people are saying he hasn’t performed to the best of his abilities. Against Joshua, he will have to.
“He has done it a few times before, like at the Olympics. He is a Grade-A boxer. Joshua is still learning on the job, going through experiences.
“There is an element of surprise because we don’t know what type of Joshua will come out.
“We know what type of Usyk will come out, we just don’t know at what level.”
Boxer Martin Bakole says Oleksandr should fear Anthony Joshua’s explosive power More

DEONTAY WILDER took a break from preparing for his trilogy fight with Tyson Fury for a spot of dune buggy racing.The former WBC heavyweight champion is gearing up for an October 9 showdown with The Gypsy King.
Deontay Wilder is currently gearing up for a trilogy fight with Tyson Fury
But The Bronze Bomber took some time off of training to go dune buggy racing with his pals
The former WBC heavyweight champ ended up being covered in mud
Wilder had to help free his pal’s buggy after nearly crashing into him
But to take his mind off the rigours of camp, Wilder – along with a few of his friends – decided to hit the race track.
The Bronze Bomber live-streamed the race on Instagram and was clearly having the time of his life.
As he zoomed around the track, he repeatedly shouted: “Y’all can’t hang me with me.”
But things almost took a turn for the worst when the American nearly crashed into the back of one of his friends.
After seeing his pal crash into the side of the muddy track, Wilder said: “Oh s**t, wipeout.
“Wipeout, wipeout. Oh, man, you stuck.”

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Wilder didn’t let his friend stay stuck in the mud, getting out of his buggy and helping pull out the vehicle.
Moments later, he said: “This you have fun on a Friday when it’s a long day at work.”
Breaking into song, Wilder added: “Please don’t blow up on me, I’ve got a fight to go to.”
He then asked his followers: “Are y’all ready for October the ninth?”
Wilder, 35, suffered a brutal seventh-round TKO loss to Fury in their rematch last February.
And the Alabama slammer is hellbent on avenging his first professional loss in devastating fashion.
He said: “My mind is very violent.
“We built a whole facility to commit a legal homicide and that’s just what it is, my mind is very violent at this time.
How Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder stack up ahead of the trilogy fight
“I can’t wait, when you’re contemplating and pre-meditating about harming a man and you see that person, what you’ve been thinking and feeling will come out.
“The only thing about it is, at that point in time, I have to wait until I get in the ring to really release because I can’t do it on the outside, it’d defeat the purpose.
“The baby’s got to eat, but when I do get in the ring, this is what I love about it, I’m able to release everything I’ve been feeling, everything I’ve been thinking, and get paid to do it.”

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Deontay Wilder demands his full share of fight purse if Tyson Fury pulls out of rescheduled trilogy bout More

BOXING legend Ricky Hatton has demanded an investigation be launched into the sanctioning of Evander Holyfield’s short-notice fight with Vitor Belfort.The former undisputed cruiserweight champion of the world returned to the ring earlier this month at the age of 58.
Evander Holyfield returned to the ring earlier this month aged 58
But the former undisputed cruiserweight champion was obliterated by ex-UFC star Vitor BelfortCredit: AFP
Ricky Hatton believes the fight shouldn’t have been sanctionedCredit: THE SUN
Holyfield – who sparked concerns with his open workout during fight week – looked a shell of his old self and was stopped inside two minutes.
Hatton was saddened to see the all-time great decimated by a man 14 years his junior and believes the Florida State Athletic Commission shouldn’t have sanctioned the fight to begin with.
He wrote in his Metro column: “I wasn’t very happy to see Evander Holyfield get knocked out in the first round at the weekend, not at all.
“The board of control in Florida needs investigating for allowing that to happen.
“I’m all for exhibitions. I’ve said I’m open to one myself, two former champions showcasing their skills one last time for the fans with the understanding that no one will get seriously hurt.
“But this was very different. It was a 58-year-old Holyfield, coming in on a week’s notice to replace Oscar De La Hoya at the very last minute.

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“I wrote something on Instagram this week saying the people who allowed this Holyfield fight to happen should hang their heads in shame.”
Prior to his return, Holyfield had expressed an interest in having a trilogy fight with fellow legend Mike Tyson.
That fight, however, is unlikely to come to fruition given how slow and frail he looked against former UFC champ Belfort.
Hatton added: “We have to move with the times. I understand that.
“Floyd Mayweather fought Conor McGregor, then he fought [a YouTuber].
The board of control in Florida needs investigating for allowing that to happenRicky Hatton on Holyfield vs Belfort
“Mike Tyson fought Roy Jones.
“We can get away with that. Tyson and Jones was an exhibition, both were well prepared, and the conditions were right.
“Floyd and [YouTuber] probably had some sort of understanding of what was actually going to go on in there.
“But Holyfield got put in a very bad situation by his people. Exhibitions are fine, as long as there are boundaries to protect and maintain the boxer’s health.
“This is a social media world. We have to move with the times. But I don’t care if you’re a boxing purist or a fan of YouTubers.

“If you find that entertaining, then you want to have a look in the mirror.”
Despite putting up little resistance against a reinvigorated Belfort, Holyfield believes the stoppage in their fight was premature.
He said: “I thought it was a bad call. I don’t think the referee should have stopped the fight that quick.”

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