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STRONGMAN Hafthor Bjornsson has revealed he would be open to fighting Mike Tyson and Tyson Fury ahead of his exhibition bout with Devon Larratt. The former Game of Thrones star, 32, is gearing up for his third exhibition bout against arm wrestling world champion Larratt, 46, this weekend. More
MARTIN BAKOLE revealed the ‘big difference’ between Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk is their differing power. The heavyweight contender has sparred both AJ and Usyk, making him an expert ahead of their unified title next Saturday.
Martin Bakole with Anthony Joshua’s next opponent Oleksandr Usyk
Anthony Joshua has used Martin Bakole in sparring several times
Bakole has been used by Joshua on several times with the pair even becoming good friends.
But it did not stop him from joining Usyk’s camp to help mimic AJ ahead of the Ukrainian’s mandatory title challenge at Tottenham’s stadium.
Bakole, 28, opened up on the sparring and admitted the former undisputed cruiserweight king, 34, never hit as hard as Joshua, 31.
He told iFL TV: “He’s a top guy, and he’s got good skills. He has a top record, and everyone knows he’s the best.
“But heavyweight is not like a cruiserweight. At heavyweight, one punch can change your stuff, but he’s good.
“I sparred him for two weeks, and I don’t know if it’s the way that he prepared for it, but he never hit me with a punch that hurt me.
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“Maybe he’s saving that for the fight, but cruiserweight is not the same as a heavyweight. If you see him, he looks small.
“He needs to put some weight on because at heavyweight, they have a nice punch.
“At cruiserweight, he has nice skill, but I don’t think he has the same power as AJ. AJ has more power than him.
“I sparred him, and I never see any big punch like when I sparred AJ. That’s the big difference.”
Bakole was once in a similar position to Joshua, when he fought Michael Hunter in 2018, the American who went from cruiser to heavyweight.
And Hunter scored an upset as he tired Bakole out before winning in round ten.
It leaves Joshua warned not to put all his eggs in the knockout basket with Usyk primed to go the distance.
I sparred him, and I never see any big punch like when I sparred AJ. That’s the big difference.” Martin Bakole on the difference between Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua
Bakole said: “You know boxing is more than a big punch. It’s skill as well. I learned a big lesson from that.
“When I fought Michael Hunter, I was only looking for a big punch to stop him.
“After that, my coach said, ‘What were you looking for that?’ We learned from that, and I started working on speed as well as power.
“That’s what Usyk was doing, and he was doing that at cruiserweight, and now he’s doing that at heavyweight.
“If he had enough power, he would have knocked out Chisora. Let’s see what he is going to bring on September 25th.
“I think he’s working on going the distance. I didn’t see anything where he can knock AJ out.”
Fans stunned by Anthony Joshua’s ‘lean’ physique ahead of Oleksandr Usyk fight More
EDDIE HALL has slammed Hafthor Bjornsson’s ‘fake’ exhibition fights, claiming The Mountain’s opponents are told to ‘TICKLE’ him.Speaking to Muscle and Health, Hall also took aim at Bjornsson’s ‘no snap’ punches, insisting they don’t hurt anyone.
Eddie Hall has branded Hafthor Bjornsson’s exhibition bouts as ‘fake tickle fights’Credit: Simon Howard – Muscle and Health magazine
Hafthor Bjornsson fights arm wrestler Devon Larratt this weekendCredit: EPA
And the Brit, 33, is confident of a win when the pair finally clash next year, declaring: ‘I can bang harder.’
Hall, who has lost six stone, was due to take on his strongman rival this weekend in a boxing grudge match.
But The Beast suffered a detached bicep earlier this summer, leaving him unable to compete.
Bjornsson, 32, will instead take on world No1 arm wrestler Devon Larratt on Saturday after shedding nine stone.
And it will be the Game of Thrones star’s third exhibition bout in front of an audience, with Tyson Fury already in his sights.
However, Hall has questioned the intensity and validity of the previous two fights, claiming Bjornsson’s opponents were instructed to go easy with ‘tickles’.
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He told Muscle and Health: “I’ve been doing some good exhibition fights as well, not just sparring, so I’m actually getting in the ring with guys who want to take my head off and that’s what it’s all about.
“It’s about trying to take someone’s head off. Unless you’re actually in the ring with someone trying to take you down, you’re never going to experience that.
“You can be like Thor and you can set all these fake exhibition fights where guys are told to tickle you and not really take your head off, but that won’t do you any favours. That’s just teaching you to be tickled.”
Hall also fired shots at Bjornsson’s punching technique, claiming the Icelandic giant hasn’t thrown a single one that could cause damage.
And that will give the British behemoth the edge next year.
Hall added: “Since we started prepping for this fight 18 months ago, I have not seen one single punch that Thor has thrown on a heavy bag, on a person, or on a mitt that’s made me think, ‘wow, that could hurt somebody.’
“Not one punch have I seen that I think could hurt anyone. Thor just pushes everything. There’s no snap in his punches.
“I’m the complete opposite. Every punch I throw is snappy. It lands a crisp sound on the bag or a crisp sound on the opponent’s headgear.
“I know I can bang quicker and harder than he can – evidently.”
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Eddie Hall suffers detached bicep ahead of fight with rival Hafthor Bjornsson More
FORMER UFC star Tyron Woodley wants to box Logan Paul after missing out on a rematch with the YouTuber’s brother, Jake.Ex-Disney actor Jake agreed to have a rematch with the MMA star if he made good on their pre-fight tattoo bet and inked ‘I love Jake Paul’ on his skin.
Tyron Woodley recently had his hopes of a rematch with Jake Paul dashedCredit: Getty
And The Chosen One has set his sights on a clash with Paul’s older brother, LoganCredit: Getty
The former UFC welterweight champion likes the idea of beating up both Paul brothersCredit: Getty
But The Problem Child has moved on from a second clash with Woodley as the former UFC welterweight champion has yet to get the tatt.
And with a lucrative bout against Jake no longer on the table, The Chosen One is hoping to take his frustrations out on Logan.
He told TMZ: “Logan, you can get it, too!
“They both could, to be honest. But I gotta beat Jake up first because that’s just something, I just hate that he can walk around and say he beat me in anything.
“Thumb wrestling, craps, dice, spades. I just hate that he can say that because I don’t feel like he won.”
Woodley, 39, was supposed to get inked by Jake’s tattoo artist, Tatu Baby, immediately after the fight.
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But according to the MMA vet, the artist never showed up.
He said: “I wasn’t willing, I was waiting.
“We was in the basement of the hotel waiting, no food, up late, looking stupid. Nah, it was not willing, it was waiting.
“I was waiting on him to follow through with they end of the deal.”
Woodley – who parted ways with the UFC in April – is still willing to get the tatt, which he plans to put on his knuckles.
Logan, you can get it, too!Tyron Woodley
He said: “I should get it on my knuckles so when I punch him in the face, he’ll see how much I love Jake Paul.
“I’m gonna put these knuckles all across his little temple and that big ass jawline.”
Woodley isn’t surprised Paul has performed a U-turn on a potential rematch and believes the social media star is afraid to share the ring with him again.
The Missouri mauler told MMA Fighting: “It went from, ‘Get the tattoo, and it’s a rematch,’ to ‘get the tattoo and we’ll think about a rematch,’ to, ‘Oh, he didn’t get the tattoo, so there’s no rematch.’
“It sounds like he’s just f***ing scared to fight.
Jake Paul’s boxing ‘hit-list’
“He knows he squeaked out by the hair on his chinny chin, chin; a lot of people thought he lost the fight. He got saved by the ropes.
“Man, s**t, if I was him, maybe I’d just run off into the wind, as well.
“But if he’s sitting there acting like that’s not why we’re doing the fight, he’s a iar.”
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Jake Paul blasts MMA fighters after beating Tyron Woodley More
ANTHONY JOSHUA reckons Oleksandr Usyk will provide him with the second toughest test of his professional career.The Watford warrior will defend his unified heavyweight titles against the undefeated Ukrainian a week on Saturday at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium.
Anthony Joshua will lock horns with Oleksandr Usyk a week on Saturday
And AJ reckons the Ukrainian will give him one of the toughest tests of his careerCredit: Getty
Unified heavyweight champ Joshua is relishing his showdown with the former cruiserweight king
Slick southpaw Uysk, 34, has bamboozled all of his opponents with his footwork, with none of his 18 professional foes able to solve his unique puzzle.
Joshua is all too aware of the skills possessed by The Cat, telling the BBC: “On paper, he sits number two, behind Wladimir Klitschko.
“They’re very different technically, but on paper he’s an Olympic gold medallist, he reigned for over 10 years, he’s number one.
“But Usyk is number two because of his success at cruiserweight and then his success so far at heavyweight.”
“One of his strengths is that he’s getting in the ring with me.
“I’ve got to give him credit for that, it’s going to be tough.”
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Joshua, 31, has put a special emphasis on ring work in his latest camp in preparation for the fleet-footed and elusive Usyk.
He added: “He’s a southpaw, he’s been fighting orthodoxes his whole life, we fight southpaws once in a blue moon.
“I’m doing a lot of ring work, certain fighters do a lot of road works, pads, bags, shadow boxing.
“But with a southpaw, it’s all to do with positioning and we’re doing ring work, a lot of southpaws are counterpunchers.”
AJ is relishing his upcoming clash with his fellow Olympic gold medallist, saying: “The date is set and we are fully locked in.
“September 25, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, I put it all on the line again and it’s time to defend my crown.
“We are two Olympic gold medallists who have fought our way to the top and never avoided challenges.
“The stadium is exceptional, the atmosphere will be electric, I’m honoured to be the first person to fight in such an awe-inspiring venue.
“The stage is set and I am ready to handle business.”
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Fans stunned by Anthony Joshua’s ‘lean’ physique ahead of Oleksandr Usyk fight More
ANTHONY JOSHUA will defend his world heavyweight titles against unbeaten Oleksandr Usyk in a big showdown NEXT WEEKEND.AJ, 31, saw talks for his big fight with Tyson Fury collapse and now takes on No 1 contender Usyk instead in North London.
It’s Oleksandr Usyk up next for Anthony Joshua
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When is Joshua vs Usyk and what time is fight?
Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk will take place on Saturday, September 25, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The ring walk is scheduled for 10pm.
Eddie Hearn his stated his belief that the fight will start bang on ten this time around, in contrast to most AJ bouts which end up commencing at closer to 11pm.
He said: “AJ’s ringwalk will probably be around 10pm, that’s reasonably early.”And I believe the broadcast will start around 7pm. So that will be five fights and then Anthony Joshua”
🥊 Boxing schedule 2021: Joshua vs Usyk NEXT WEEK, Fury vs Wilder 3 DATE 🥊
What TV channel and live stream is it on?
Who is fighting on the undercard?
The confirmed fights for the Joshua vs Usyk undercard are as follows:
Lawrence Okolie vs Dilan Prasovic
Callum Smith vs Lenin Castillo
Maxim Prodan vs Florian Marku
Campbell Hatton vs Izan Dura
How the fighters compare
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What have they said?
Joshua: “I wanted to go like August but change of opponent, completely different style, the team said push it back a little bit, prepare properly.
“This is a fight I need to win because I was at the final destination on that road to undisputed but now we have a pit stop we have to make with Usyk.” More
TYSON FURY and Deontay Wilder are ready to go to war for a THIRD time with a long-awaited re-match.The Gypsy King’s showdown with the Bronze Bomber, which was supposed to take place on July 24, was postponed because Fury, as well as other camp members, tested positive for Covid-19.
Tyson Fury stopped Deontay Wilder in brutal fashion back in early 2020Credit: Getty
Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder will complete their trilogy
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Fury demolished Wilder inside seven rounds to inflict the first defeat of the American’s career back in February 2020.
Neither man has fought since then, and both have been busy in longer training camps.
When is Tyson Fury vs Deontay Wilder 3?
Tyson Fury vs Deontay Wilder 3 was originally slated to take place on July 24, but it will now take place on October 9.
Expect the main event of Fury vs Wilder 3 at around 4am BST.
The T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas plays host.
What TV channel and live stream is Tyson Fury vs Deontay Wilder 3 on?
Tyson Fury vs Deontay Wilder 3 is most likely to be broadcasted live on BT Sport Box Office in the UK, though it has not yet been confirmed.
In the US the event is expected to be live on ESPN+ and Fox PPV.
How the fighters compare
Who is on the undercard?
The event, cross-promoted by Top Rank and Premier Boxing Champions, will see a host of heavy-hitters featuring on the undercard.
That includes the battle of unbeaten heavyweights in Cuba’s Frank Sanchez meeting Nigeria’s Efe Ajagba.
Sanchez, a training partner of Canelo Alvarez who is promoted by Top Rank, will put his 18-0 record against PBC’s Ajagba, who stands 15-0.
Robert Helenius will also rematch Adam Kownacki on the bill.
Polish prospect Kownacki, 32, was defeated for the first time and stunned by veteran Helenius, 37, in March 2020.
American star Jared Anderson will return, with an opponent yet to be confirmed.
Anderson, 21, is 9-0 and was credited as a huge part in Fury’s win against Wilder last year.
He provided the Gypsy King with expert sparring Stateside, winning the praise of the WBC champion.
What have they said?
Fury, after Wilder’s silence during their press conference: “It shows how weak of a mental person he is.
“It shows how much the beating from the last fight has taken an emotional and physical effect on his life.
“I was worried about Deontay Wilder for quite a while after the defeat I gave him.
“Obviously he’s doing his little thing with his earphones on and he doesn’t want to answer any questions, that’s up to him. I’m here to promote a fight and talk to the press – what I always do.” More
DEONTAY WILDER plans to target Tyson Fury’s belly in their Las Vegas trilogy fight.The former WBC heavyweight champion will bid to avenge his seventh-round TKO defeat to the Brit on October 9 at the T-Mobile Arena.
Deontay Wilder will renew his rivalry with Tyson Fury on October 9Credit: AFP
And Team Wilder plan to take out the Gypsy King will with body shotsCredit: Rex
Former UFC cutman Don House was recently added to Wilder’s campCredit: Instagram @malikkingscott
Wilder, 35, was battered from pillar to post in his rematch with Fury last February but plans to strategically ‘break down’ the Gypsy King with nasty body shots.
His new assistant coach, Don House, told 78SPORTSTV: “Malik [Scott] has done a wonderful job with him.
“He’s done a wonderful job—those body shots.
“I’d rather get hit in the head than the body. Deontay has always been focused on knocking guys out to the head.
“We’re not going to do that in this fight. We’re going to box him and going to break down the body.
“He [Wilder] loves the body. It’s a bigger target, and you’ve seen Fury’s body on how big a target it is.
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“It’s an easy target to hit. We’re going to maintain and stay in that area, and put the money in the bank, then break him down and knock him out.”
Wilder recently enlisted the services of House in a bid to help avenge his sole professional loss.
And the former UFC cutman believes the Bronze Bomber has made great strides since he was brought into camp.
He added: “As a trainer for Deontay Wilder, everyone knows he’s got that bomb. If he catches you with that, you’re going to sleep.
“I saw a lot of things in Deontay that he didn’t see himself.
“But when you have that bomb, when you can crack with that right hand a lot of times, you rely just on that.
“But when somebody can take that from you, it makes it difficult to win a fight. Listen, Deontay is a pure athlete.
“By saying that, there are a lot of things that he can get away with that a lot of fighters can’t get away with.
“This guy [Deontay] is fast, and he’s got power with both hands.
“I don’t want to give away all the secrets, but all the fundamental things, he’s picking up easy.”
Olympic bronze medallist Wilder is hellbent on returning to the win column in devastating fashion, saying: “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 tells Tyson Fury to ‘burn in hell’ for using Covid as an ‘excuse’ to delay fight More
