Heavyweight boxing

CHRIS LOVEJOY is the unbeaten heavyweight with a 100 per cent knockout ratio – yet no one has seen him fight. The American, 19-0 since his 2016 debut, has boxed only in Mexico, with little to NO footage of his action.
Chris Lovejoy is the unbeaten heavyweight with a 100 per cent knockout ratio
Chris Lovejoy has only ever fought in Mexico
Lovejoy did not even have an amateur career, instead heading to Floyd Mayweather’s Las Vegas gym with only a mean reputation on the streets.
He was trained by Mayweather’s uncle Roger and dad Floyd Sr, but without a promoter or amateur credentials he was unable to get fights.
It led to him instead taking his business to Mexico, where he had to PAY to box, leaving him ultimately out of pocket.
Lovejoy, 37 – who takes on Manuel Charr for the WBA ‘Regular’ title in Cologne, Germany on Saturday – told Sky Sports: “It was the only route I had. It was on-the-job training. I was learning how to fight.”
The heavyweight has since beaten only journeyman with losing records, but insisted he would have to win by KO to ensure he was not robbed.
He said: “There are good fighters with bad records. And terrible fighters with good records.
“They come to fight because they have a lot of pride. I know people who went down there and lost.
“I know a heavyweight who went down to Mexico and lost by disqualification.
Chris Lovejoy was once trained by Floyd Mayweather Sr
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“In Mexico, you’d better go for the knockout because you’re in their country. The judges don’t care about you.”
Lovejoy’s talent still remains a mystery, having never boxed on televised shows.
Perhaps his biggest tests have come in the gym, sparring the likes of Tyson Fury, 32, and Luis Ortiz, 42.
But, as has been the theme of his career, Lovejoy is tight-lipped about those secret sparring sessions, only adding to his mystique.
He said: “There is a secret society in gyms. ‘Tyson Fury knocked him out! Or he knocked out Tyson Fury?’
“It is a mystery and you don’t know unless you were there. These are the rules of our brotherhood.
“If I had a good day against one of the top guys, I would never say.”
Chris Lovejoy has sparred Tyson Fury
Luis Ortiz has sparred with Chris Lovejoy
Lovejoy was finally set to prove whether he was the real deal or not last October, as he was lined up to face Dave Allen.
That was until legendary promoter Don King – who famously guided Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson – got involved just ONE day before the bout.
King claimed Lovejoy did not have his permission to box, and phone calls until 4am failed to resolve the matter and the fight was cancelled.
Lovejoy has since split with the veteran matchmaker, after he ruined his biggest showcase and forced him to file for bankruptcy.
He said: “It’s to my advantage. They can’t strategise to any weaknesses or flaws that I might have.”
Lovejoy will at last graduate out of Mexico when he travels to Europe to face Charr this weekend.
Charr, 36, himself has not fought in four years and has also become some what of a forgotten man in the heavyweight division.
Derek Chisora pictured with Chris Lovejoy
Chris Lovejoy with promoter Eddie Hearn
Manuel Charr fights Chris Lovejoy in GermanyCredit: Getty
Lovejoy, determined to do things on his own, has travelled without a trainer, cut-man or anybody at all for that matter.
He said: “I’m here to shock the world. This has never been done before. I’ve travelled into No Man’s Land, this guy’s back yard, by myself.”
Lovejoy confesses to not caring about the secondary belt on the line, instead prioritising a world ranking.
And having failed to capitalise on the intrigue surrounding his deadly-looking yet unproven record, he is targeting the big boys this year.
He said: “Once I beat him, that catapults me onto the next level with the top guys.
“The top two guys, Joshua and Fury, won’t be available. After that there is Deontay Wilder, Dillian Whyte, Alexander Povetkin and Andy Ruiz Jr.
“Preferably the fights I want? Joe Joyce or Jarrell ‘Big Baby’ Miller. I saw flaws in those guys a long time ago.
“Maybe Filip Hrgovic, he needs a fight too. Immediately after this fight I will say: ‘Who’s next?'”
Mahmoud Charr works out in gym ahead of fight against Christopher Lovejoy More

ANTHONY JOSHUA and Tyson Fury have finalised August 14 as the date for their undisputed heavyweight clash, Eddie Hearn has confirmed.Matchroom promoter Hearn described the super-fight as “a done deal” and revealed the pair will meet in a specially-created stadium in Saudi Arabia.
Eddie Hearn revealed that Anthony Joshua’s fight date with Tyson Fury has been agreedCredit: Rex
The promoter revealed the Gypsy King will fight AJ in a new stadium in Saudi ArabiaCredit: Rex

He told Sky Sports: “They want to build a new stadium. They have indoors options.
“In August at 11pm it will be about 23 degrees.
“They want to create something very, very special. Last time they built a stadium for the Andy Ruiz Jr fight in just seven weeks and it held 18,000.
“This will be a similar set-up.
“They have the opportunity to hold it indoors but they want to create something that will shock the world. They want to build a stadium just for this fight.”

AJ recently exchanged barbs with Fury on social media where he blamed the Gypsy King for the delay in officially annoucing their dust-up.
And Hearn claimed the Olympic gold medalist will relish the opportunity to verbally spar with his British compatriot in the next few months.
He added: “You will get a different AJ in this build-up.
“He’s excited because he’s never really, apart from the Dillian Whyte fight, been in a trash talk environment. He will enjoy it.
He’s excited because he’s never really, apart from the Dillian Whyte fight, been in a trash talk environment. He will enjoy it.Eddie Hearn on AJ
“AJ has got the bit between his teeth, goading him a bit.
“I’m sure these two DM each other, goading each other. I get DMs from Fury – sometimes pleasant, sometimes unpleasant!
“When the announcement comes and the press conferences start, the pleasantries will go away and it will become personal.
“It doesn’t matter who respects who. Both sides are desperate to win because this is everything.
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“There are no fun and games. It’s ‘them and us’.
“AJ will go to war with Fury. He has plans to absolutely demolish him. That’s what I believe he will do.
“In the meantime we will go through the build-up, which will be a lot of fun, before the biggest event of 2021.”

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JAKE PAUL has once again mocked Floyd Mayweather for allowing him to steal his hat – turning his newfound catchphrase into a song.The YouTuber knicked Mayweather’s cap shortly after the boxing legend faced off with his elder brother Logan.
Jake Paul reaches to grab Floyd Mayweather’s hat, an act that sparked a mass brawlCredit: AFP
sing the melody in your head It’s everyday broIt’s everyday broI gotcha hat broI gotcha hat bro I gotcha hat broI gotcha hat bro— GOTCHA HAT (@jakepaul) May 12, 2021

A mass brawl ensued and saw a fired-up Mayweather attack the younger Paul brother, who was left with a black eye.
Paul, 24, immediately made light of the ruckus by tweeting ‘gotcha hat’ moments after the incident.
And the former Disney star has continued to use the phrase as a reminder to Mayweather that he’s still in possession of his cap.
He tweeted: “Sing the melody in your head.
“It’s everyday bro. It’s everyday bro.
“I gotcha hat, bro. I gotcha hat, bro
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Jake Paul was attacked by Floyd Mayweather and his crew after stealing the boxer’s hatCredit: Getty
“I gotcha hat, bro I gotcha hat, bro.”
Paul’s antics at the pre-fight press conference enraged Mayweather, who said: “When I catch you, motherf****r, I’ll kill you motherf****r! You crazy?!
“I don’t know who the f**k he thinks he’s playing with, but I don’t play no motherf***ing games!”
Paul initially made light of Mayweather’s threat, tweeting: “Word on the street already is that Floyd is sending goons after me to try and kill me or hurt me.”If I die……. I died for the hat.”

But he and brother Logan are taking the threat very seriously, so much so they’ve hired round-the-clock security.
When asked if he and his sibling have beefed up their security, Logan told TMZ: “Yeah [we’re taking precautions]. Everywhere at all times.
“Dawg, when you have a guy with the resources and the wealth that Floyd Mayweather has and the connection and the network and he’s saying, ‘I’mma kill that motherf***er.’
“Kill?! Death?! You’re gonna kill my brother over a f***ing hat?!
“Yo, we take that s**t seriously man!”
Mayweather will get the opportunity to take out his frustrations on Logan on June 6 when they meet for an exhibition bout at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
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CANELO ALVAREZ’s head coach Eddy Reynoso has wished Billy Joe Saunders a speedy recovery from his orbital injury.Hatfield hitman Saunders suffered a quadripod fracture to his right orbital in his ill-fated super-middleweight unification fight with the pound-for-pound king last weekend.
Billy Joe Saunders suffered a fractured orbital bone in his defeat to Canelo AlvarezCredit: Reuters
On behalf of the entire team that make up the canelo team, we wish you a speedy recovery and that you continue on in your wonderful champion career !!Blessings @bjsaunders_ 🙏🏻🙏🏻👊🏼🇬🇧🇲🇽👊🏼— EDDY REYNOSO (@CANELOTEAM) May 12, 2021

A picture-perfect counter uppercut from Canelo in the eighth round caved in Saunders’ skull and brought about the end of the Dallas dust-up.
Saunders underwent surgery the day after the injury, which Reynoso hopes he recovers from quickly.
He tweeted: “On behalf of the entire team that make up the Canelo team, we wish you a speedy recovery and that you continue on in your wonderful champion career !!
“Blessings @bjsaunders_.”
The severity of Saunders’ injury will keep him on the sidelines for the foreseeable future.
His promoter, Eddie Hearn, told iFL TV: “You could see as soon as he hit him that he’d done his eye socket.
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Canelo shattered Billy Joe Saunder’s right orbital with a brutal counter uppercutCredit: Getty

“I think because he couldn’t see, the next round was going to be a bad situation.
“I think he would have got badly hurt in that round.
“He’s gone to hospital and I believe he’ll have that operated on immediately. So he’s going to be out for a long, long time.
“But he’s a world-class fighter who lost to the pound-for-pound number one. He’s a two-weight world champion.
“If he wants to carry on there’s some big fights out there for him.
Billy Joe Saunders has vowed to continue fightingCredit: Reuters

“He may feel he has got to a stage where he’s been there, he’s done it, he’s seen it all. We’ll back him 100 per cent.”
Despite coming up short in the biggest fight of his career, the previously undefeated Saunders has vowed not to walk away from the sport.
He wrote on his official Facebook page: “Thanks everyone for msg.
“Broken eye socket and broken cheekbone in three places – operation yesterday, all went well.
“You win some and lose some. Didn’t feel out my league but got caught with a good shot and couldn’t see.
“Thank you all who watched. I’ll be back, God bless you all.”
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ANTHONY JOSHUA showed off his ripped physique and branded himself ‘cold blooded’ ahead of his fight with Tyson Fury. The heavyweight champions are both in training camp for an undisputed title decider on August 14.
Anthony Joshua showed off his ripped physique
Anthony Joshua branded himself ‘cold blooded’ ahead of his fight with Tyson Fury
Tyson Fury is in talks to fight Anthony JoshuaCredit: Instagram
Fury, 32, has been in America, spending time in Las Vegas, Texas and now Miami with his brother, Love Island star Tommy, 22.
But AJ is a world away from the coastal and sunny scenery Stateside, instead putting in the work in his hometown.
Joshua, 31, kicked off his preparations at Finchley Amateur Boxing Club, his first ever gym.
Alongside two topless pictures on social media, AJ posted: “Cold blooded.”
The unification, which for the first time in heavyweight history with have all four belts on the line, is set for Saudi Arabia.
To avoid a clash with the Olympics and a UFC pay-per-view, Fury’s promoter Frank Warren revealed the date has been moved a week from August 7.
But he admitted Fury will not put pen to paper until certain reassurances are guaranteed.
Warren told talkSPORT,: “I don’t think the date is the problem at all, I think everyone’s agreed that can be moved to August 14.

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“What we’re all trying to do is get this over the line, but the only way we’ll get it over the line is by the fighter, Tyson, getting certain assurances.
“If he gets them, he’ll put pen to paper, but as it is now, he’s waiting for the other side’s lawyers to confirm what he wants.
“We want the fight, everybody wants the fight, for once Eddie Hearn and I agree that we have a common aim here.
“But it hasn’t been signed, I don’t know why he’s saying it has been signed…
“There have to be assurances given and confirmation given that Tyson is happy with.”
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MIKE TYSON has declared himself ‘invincible’ following his successful return to the ring last year.The former undisputed heavyweight champion returned to the squared circle last November for an exhibition bout with fellow boxing great Roy Jones Jr.
Mike Tyson returned to the ring last November for an exhibition bout with Roy Jones JrCredit: Reuters
Mike Tyson turned in a better than expected performance against Roy Jones JrCredit: EPA
Tyson’s clash with the four-weight champ ended in a draw, although the 54-year-old turned in a much better performance than expected.
And Iron Mike still feels on top of the world after getting himself back in shape and back in the ring.
During a recent episode of his Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson podcast, he said: “F**k the comeback.
“Everybody knew I was in the gutter, everybody knew I was doing dope, it’s about this.
“I want to be up more than anybody in the f***ing world deep down.
“No one can stop me, I’m invincible.”
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Tyson was in talks over a trilogy fight with former rival Evander Holyfield later this year.
But The Real Deal has agreed to box Kevin McBride, the man who retired Tyson in 2005.
Tyson has since claimed he’s set to have a rematch with Lennox Lewis, telling TMZ: “I’m going to fight Lennox Lewis. Yeah, September.”
Lewis recently confirmed talks over a blockbuster bout are underway, saying: “We’re talking.”
Lewis, 55, is open to the fight but admits he has no real motivation to get back inside the ring.

How Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis stack up ahead of their proposed rematchCredit: SUNSPORT

The last undisputed heavyweight champion of the world told TMZ: “If the public wanted it then we would probably talk.
“I don’t know. I don’t really have nothing pushing me in the ring right now.
“People would love to see that fight but I don’t know.”
Tyson and Lewis fought one another 19 years ago at the Memphis Pyramid in Tennessee.
Lewis came out of the bad-blooded contest on top, knocking out Tyson to retain the WBC, IBF, IBO, The Ring, and lineal heavyweight titles.
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TYSON FURY’s eagerly-anticipated undisputed heavyweight title fight with Anthony Joshua can only take place on August 14, according to his co-promoter Frank Warren.The long-awaited Battle of Britain – which is set to take place in Saudi Arabia – was originally in the works for July 24.
Frank Warren has claimed Tyson Fury will likely lock horns with Anthony Joshua on August 14Credit: AFP
Tyson Fury’s long-awaited clash with Anthony Joshua is set to take place in Saudi ArabiaCredit: PA
But delays in finalising the site deal – coupled with the Olympic commitments of Joshua’s coach Rob McCracken – have forced the multi-million-pound contest to be pushed back.
And Warren has claimed August 14 is the likely date for the biggest fight in the history of British boxing.
During an appearance on talkSPORT, he said: “It definitely won’t be on August 7 because that’s when the Olympic games are on and that’s gonna be a problem for TV.
“Besides that, you’ve got a UFC PPV in the States and UK so if it goes on, it’ll be on August 14.
“I don’t think the date is the problem at all, I think everyone’s agreed that can be moved to August 14.
“What we’re all trying to do is get this over the line, but the only way we’ll get it over the line is by the fighter, Tyson, getting certain assurances.
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“If he gets them, he’ll put pen to paper, but as it is now, he’s waiting for the other side’s lawyers to confirm what he wants.
“We want the fight, everybody wants the fight, for once Eddie Hearn and I agree that we have a common aim here.
“But it hasn’t been signed, I don’t know why he’s saying it has been signed…
“There have to be assurances given and confirmation given that Tyson is happy with.
“It’s no different to if it were a footballer going to a football club, he would want certain assurances.
Anthony Joshua’s head coach Rob McCracken will be tied up at the Olympics until August 8Credit: Getty

“It will be there [in Saudi Arabia] if the contract is signed, if Tyson’s wishes are met with what he wants to be assured…
“I really do feel there’s a way forward on this, I do feel having spoken with one of the principles there that he desperately wants to do this deal.
“But as I say there’s just a couple of things that need to be addressed and I’m quite sure we’ll get them addressed and get it over the line and we can get it on.”
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has been working hard to get the deal across the line and is confident the fight will be announced before the end of the week.
Eddie Hearn expects Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury to be announced this weekCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

Speaking after Billy Joe Saunders’ defeat to Canelo Alvarez on Sunday morning, he told Boxing Social: “We thought about making some noise tonight.
“But, I think because of the various broadcasters, it wouldn’t have gone down too well.
“But I will tell you, it is 100 per cent being announced this week.
“Yes, I’ve said that a few times. I’m going one better than that – by our Manchester show…oh f***ing hell I’ve put myself in it now.
“I think I am safe to say that. We had a good meeting with the governing bodies where we confirmed that position to them.
“I’m not going to say too much, but..”
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