Heavyweight boxing

OLEKSANDR USYK’s promoter has warned Tyson Fury that he would be making a massive mistake by not pushing for a fight with the Ukranian.Alex Krassyuk has said that it would be “one of the biggest mistakes” of his career following the breakdown in talks over an undisputed fight.
Alex Krassyuk has warned Tyson Fury (pictured) about not fighting Oleksandr UyskCredit: Getty
He claims it would be a ‘mistake’ not to fight the Ukrainian boxer (pictured)Credit: Getty
Fury, 34, and Usyk, 36, were in negotiations over a bout that would have seen the first four-belt heavyweight champion of the world.
Usyk currently holds the WBO, IBF and WBA while Fury has the WBC title.
It was the Ukrainian side to end the talks after disagreements on the financials of the fight.
However, they claim it was down to unacceptable demands from the Gypsy King’s end.
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Despite the collapse, Krassyuk believes that Fury should push for a fight with Usyk “for the boxing fans”.
He told BT Sport: “We know that Tyson Fury is a complex personality and it’s probably not a surprise for anyone, and we can see it in his behaviour within the last probably seven or ten years.
“Yes, he is the champion. Yes, he has the right to do things that he wants to do.
“But at the end of the day, he is a professional boxer, and his main assignment is to perform for the boxing fans.
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“That is why I think if this fight does not take place, that would be one of the biggest mistakes that Tyson Fury could ever make in a professional boxing career.”
However, Krassyuk has insisted that he would still “love” to make the in-demand fight happen.
He added: “I would love to see it as a boxing fan. As Usyk’s promoter, I would love to make it happen.
“As just a normal Ukrainian I would love my compatriot to become the undisputed champion in the second weight division. From our side, it’s only plus, plus, plus.” More

EDDIE HEARN reckons boxing fans are “MAD” to have Deontay Wilder as the favourite for his proposed showdown with Anthony Joshua.A December dust-up between the pair is understood to be in the works – nearly five years after they were first on course to face one another.
Anthony Joshua is on course for a massive December dust-up with Deontay WilderCredit: RICHARD PELHAM
The Bronze Bomber has been tipped by many to win the boutCredit: GETTY
Eddie Hearn has been baffled by the number of people tipping Wilder to win the fightCredit: Rex
Joshua’s display in his return to the win column against Jermaine Franklin earlier this month – his first outing since back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk – has done little to convince fans he’d get the better of Wilder
But the notion of Joshua having no chance of beating the former WBC heavyweight champion has baffled Hearn, who told ESBR Boxing: “He’s boxed everybody that he’s been asked to box.
“And now it’s a fight to ‘avoid’ against Deontay Wilder.
“If you think ‘AJ’ is an underdog in that fight, in my opinion, you’re mad.”
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Wilder returned to the win column last October with a brutal first-round knockout of former sparring partner Robert Helenius.
And Hearn believes the Bronze Bomber is still very much a force to be reckoned with in the division.
The Matchroom Boxing chief said: “Wilder’s very dangerous. AJ will box his ears off.
“But if he gets caught – like anyone else in the division – he could get stopped.
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“But if he hits Wilder on the chin, he’s knocking him clean out.”
Joshua, 33, has gone on record with his eagerness to finally settle the score with Wilder – whose sole losses have come at the hands of Tyson Fury.
And Hearn believes their dust-up will be one of the “greatest fights” in recent heavyweight history.
He said: “It’s just one of the greatest fights in boxing. Do you want to see the most exciting fights? Because they come with a bit of risk.
“So let’s roll the dice and see AJ put it on the line in a massive fight.”
Joshua is confident the mouthwatering showdown will come to fruition, saying: “From my experiences with Saudi, if they say they are going to do something, they are more than likely going to do it.

Anthony Joshua believes a fight with Deontay Wilder is ’95 per cent there’Credit: RICHARD PELHAM
“So, that’s one end of it.
“And then you let the other guys do what they do. But as the man behind the scenes, it is important to start getting ready.
“In terms of it getting delivered, I honestly believe it is 95 per cent there.
“He is good, I respect him, I don’t undermine him. That will make me raise my game.

“I respect what he has done and what he has done in this division.
“It is hard to become a champion, and he did it, so I have to respect that.” More

TYSON FURY has reportedly lined up a shock FOURTH FIGHT with Deontay Wilder for his return to the ring later this year.The WBC heavyweight champion is gearing up to return to action in July and is understood to have Wembley Stadium on standby for two potential dates.
Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder have shared the ring three timesCredit: REUTERS
But the pair are reportedly on course for a shock FOURTH fightCredit: ALAMY
Fury and Wilder enjoyed a warm embraceCredit: BOXING KING MEDIA
An opponent for Fury’s first outing of the year has yet to be finalised, although it’s claimed The Gypsy King’s team have lined up a shock quadrilogy bout with long-time rival Wilder.
That’s according to World Boxing News, who claim preliminary negotiations over a fourth meeting have taken place.
It’s said that “sound-out” talks between the pair’s respective representatives recently took place in Saudi Arabia.
Fury and Wilder, 34 and 37 respectively, were in Saudi in February for Tommy Fury’s grudge match with Jake Paul.
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And the once fierce rivals had a brief embrace with one another after crossing paths in Diriyah.
Fury, however, recently took aim at Wilder after getting wind of the American’s predictions for a potential fourth fight.

He wrote on Instagram: “You are a [piece] of s**t! No good bum! I’ve spanked you three times.
“You have had a lot to say but when we came face to face your a*e fell out. Nuff said.”
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News of the reported talks come not long after Wilder’s head coach claimed the American was in line to face a “mystery opponent” for his first outing of the year.
Malik Scott told Best Sports Boxing Canada: “It’s down to the mystery opponent and Andy Ruiz Jr.
“Since AJ [Anthony Joshua] has made up his mind and does not want to fight Deontay right now, we’re down to Andy Ruiz and the mystery guy [Fury].
“The mystery fighter is not as guaranteed to happen as the Ruiz fight.
“If you’re looking at it from the business perspective, it will most likely be the mandatory shot, Ruiz.”
Former unified heavyweight champion Wilder and current WBC king Fury first began their rivalry back in December 2018.
Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder’s rivalry began five years agoCredit: ACTION IMAGES
Gypsy King Fury is 2-1 up in his series with the AmericanCredit: GETTY
The first fight, in which Fury rose from the canvas in the 12th round like Lazarus, ended in a controversial draw.
Fury got his revenge on the Bronze Bomber in February 2020, stopping him in the seventh round of their Las Vegas rematch.
Alabama slammer Wilder was given the opportunity to level their series in October 2021 after winning his arbitration for a trilogy fight – which scuppered a blockbuster Battle of Britain between Fury and Anthony Joshua.
The Olympic bronze medallist knocked Fury down twice in their Sin City rubber match but ended up suffering a brutal 11th-round knockout loss.

Wilder bounced back from the consecutive losses with a brutal first-round knockout of former sparring partner Robert Helenius last October.
Fury, meanwhile, has fought twice since his last tussle with Wilder – registering back-to-back stoppage victories over Brit rivals Dillian Whyte and Derek Chisora. More

ANTHONY JOSHUA has hinted at a shock new date for his next fight.But the British bruiser is adamant he “won’t lie to fans” after revealing he wants to evolve his style into that of a “box fighter.”
Anthony Joshua has dropped a hint over a possible new date for his next fightCredit: Getty
Joshua, 33, is on the up again after bouncing back from two consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk with victory over Jermaine Franklin.
AJ is now in line for a Saudi Arabia super-fight, with December touted as a potential date by promoter Eddie Hearn.
Joshua is expected to finally face off against ex-WBC heavyweight king Deontay Wilder.
And there could even be a SECOND all-star fight on the same night between division champions Usyk and Tyson Fury.
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However, Joshua now admits he could potentially fight as soon as July or August.
New coach Derrick James is putting the Watford lad through his paces in training.
And should he be pleased with AJ’s progress over the coming weeks, a possible winter fight against Wilder could indeed be brought forward.
But Joshua refuses to “lie” to fans by noting a summer bout is currently “off the cards”.
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He told Sky: “I thought as I’ve changed maybe three coaches in three years, it would be good to develop and work under the guidance of my new coach and by the time I’m back in the ring, I’ve cemented and implemented everything he wants.
“But the only way we’re going to put everything he’s teaching me to the test is through fighting.
“So rather than putting pressure on myself, and I don’t want to lie to the fans at the time, I’m fighting this date when there’s still conversations, I just wanted to draw a line in the sand and say I’m not fighting until this date.
“If I, my coach, decides to change my mind… I feel I’m able to change my mind right? So I’m able to fight in July or August if I want, but right now it’s off the table, but we are subject to chance providing my coach is happy with what he sees.”
Joshua also admits he is working on becoming more aggressive as he transitions into a “box fighter”, adding: “I’m quite tall, I’ve got a long range but I’m not going to be a bruiser.
“I’ve always tried to develop my boxing IQ but over 12 rounds there are times where you have to fight and I want to become a box fighter.” More

ANDY RUIZ JR has warned Tyson Fury he’s “coming” for his WBC heavyweight crown.The former unified heavyweight champion is in the running to throw down with the Gypsy King at Wembley in July.
Tyson Fury is gearing up to return to the ring in JulyCredit: GETTY
Former unified heavyweight champ Andy Ruiz Jr is in the running to face the BritCredit: GETTY
The Destroyer has warned Fury he’s “coming” for himCredit: AP
It’s understood that serious negotiations have not yet got underway, but that hasn’t stopped Ruiz Jr from sending a message The Gypsy King’s way.
When reflecting on last weekend’s Las Vegas showdown between Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia, he said on Instagram: “We all risk our lives in there to f***ing feed our loved ones.
“Hell of a fight. Can’t wait, man, till I fight f***ing Wilder, Fury, everybody.
“All the people at the top. I’m coming.”
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Ruiz Jr, 33, began teasing a fight with the WBC king late last month, posting a mock-up fight poster of the pair to his Instagram.
The accompanying caption read: “Who would like to see this fight? LetsGo.”
Ruiz Jr hasn’t set foot inside the ring since his decision victory over elder statement of the division Luis Ortiz last September.
Fury, meanwhile, was last in action last December in a trilogy fight with Derek Chisora – who he stopped in the tenth round of their Tottenham tussle.
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The Gypsy King was due to throw down with unified king Oleksandr Usyk in a mouthwatering undisputed title fight later this month.
But the first undisputed heavyweight showdown in nearly 25 years fell through last after Team Usyk – who agreed to a 70-30 split – withdrew from negotiations after Fury’s constant moving of the goalposts.
Fan favourite Fury – who broke his social media silence last week to deny rumours of competing in a four-man heavyweight tournament in Saudi – recently teased an “imminent fight” announcement.
As he performed a heavy set of leg extensions in the gym, the 34-year-old said: “Got some massive, massive news coming.
“An imminent fight date, an absolutely monstrous fight.
“Keep tuned because the WBC world heavyweight king is back in action, coming very, very soon.” More

DEONTAY WILDER revealed Anthony Joshua is his “DREAM” fight but has “a lot of different options” tabled for his boxing return. Wilder has not boxed since knocking out Robert Helenius in the opening round of his October comeback bout last year.
Deontay Wilder revealed Anthony Joshua is his ‘dream’ fightCredit: GETTY
Anthony Joshua could fight Deontay Wilder in December in Saudi ArabiaCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
But the 37-year-old has been continually linked with a super-fight against Joshua following years of failed talks.
Now, the blockbuster bout could become a reality with Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn flying out this week for talks in Saudi Arabia.
And he claimed AJ is in line to face either Wilder or Fury as a result.
The Bronze Bomber’s team have already given their green light for the fight – and now so too has the man himself.
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Wilder told iFL TV: “We got a lot of different options right now at this moment in time. Joshua, everybody.
“I think a lot of people is going to get that dream fight everyone wants to see.”
Wilder has also been linked with a crossover bout with ex-UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.
But the American could be part of a heavyweight boxing bonanza in the Middle East.
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Boxing bosses in Saudi Arabia also want to host a undisputed fight between Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.
It would leave AJ – who beat Jermaine Franklin on points in his April return fight – free to face Wilder in a separate clash.
Wilder is back training ahead of his next move and refused to take the prospect of facing Joshua, lightly.
He said: “Nobody is an easy night.
“Nobody is easy because, on the night of the fight, you just never know what they might have in them that night.
“It might be like ‘I feel great!’ Stay training, man, stay focused and I wish you nothing but the best.”
Deontay Wilder in Las Vegas to watch Gervonta Davis vs Ryan Garcia More