Heavyweight boxing

ANTHONY JOSHUA’s blockbuster undisputed heavyweight title fight with Tyson Fury is reportedly on course to take place in Saudi Arabia in August.The long-awaited Battle of Britain moved a huge step closer to coming to fruition this week after the pair agreed on a venue for the first of their two showdowns.
Anthony Joshua’s long-awaited showdown with Tyson Fury is set to take place in Saudi ArabiaCredit: PA
Tyson Fury agreed on a venue for the undisputed heavyweight title fight earlier this weekCredit: PA
And according to talkSPORT reporter Jim White, the first instalment of Joshua vs Fury is on the brink of being snapped up by the Saudis.
White tweeted: “Saudi offer ‘real and acceptable to all parties’. Minor details to be agreed.
“Looks like August, fight expected to generate 200m dollars.”
Saudi Arabia has been the frontrunner to land the blockbuster fight ever since the two-bout deal was announced last June.
ESPN’s Mark Kriegel said earlier this week: “What’s been agreed is that both Anthony Joshua’s camp and Tyson Fury’s camp want to fight in Saudi Arabia.
“Saudi Arabia was the frontrunner from the beginning, and that’s where everybody wants to go now.

“It’s not real until someone under the auspices of the Saudi government puts money into escrow.
“Both sides have yet to sign – this is a crucial document – a memorandum of understanding.
“I’ve had several sources tell me today that they’re, ‘waiting for the paperwork from Saudi.’
“There is obviously great optimism from Eddie Hearn and there’s great optimism from Bob Arum.”
Despite all signs pointing to a Saudi showdown, AJ is still clinging on to the faint hope of a Wembley war with The Gypsy King.

During an appearance on The Jonathan Ross show, he said: “I’ve signed my side of the deal.
“We’ve sent him a good offer, one I’m sure he won’t refuse.
“He wants the fight, no doubt about it.
“So do I and more than me and him, the whole public want it.
“I put my crystal ball out there and I say it’s going to happen this year 100 per cent.
Anthony Joshua hasn’t given up hope of a Wembley war with Tyson FuryCredit: Reuters

“I’m pretty sure it’ll be this year. End of July, early August.
“Where? That’s what’s the delay, because of this pandemic. We want to have people coming to the venue.
“It’s just finding the right location. For me, Wembley would be ideal.”
Joshua, 31, hasn’t fought since his ninth-round stoppage of Kubrat Pulev last December.
Fury, meanwhile, has been on the sidelines even longer than AJ – last taking to the ring in February 2020 for his WBC title fight with Deontay Wilder.
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ANTHONY JOSHUA is still clinging to the faint hope his summer undisputed showdown with Tyson Fury is at Wembley.The Watford icon insists his local stadium, which hosted the iconic 2018 KO win over Wladimir Klitschko, remains top of his wish list for the clash with the Gypsy King.
Anthony Joshua tells Jonathan Ross he hopes the showdown with Fury will be held at WembleyCredit: Rex
Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua have signed to fight each otherCredit: Instagram
Anthony Joshua says he is ‘100 per cent’ sure the fight will happen this yearCredit: Rex
Promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed a UK venue would cost both fighters a pay cut of up to 50 per cent as countries like Saudi Arabia – the front runner – are willing to pay huge site fees to host.
But 31-year-old AJ told Jonathan Ross the home of English football would be his first choice for the all-English clash.
“I’ve signed my side of the deal,” Joshua confirmed.
“We’ve sent him a good offer, one I’m sure he won’t refuse. He wants the fight, no doubt about it.
“So do I and more than me and him, the whole public want it.
“I put my crystal ball out there and I say it’s going to happen this year 100 per cent.
“I’m pretty sure it’ll be this year. End of July, early August.
“Where? That’s what’s the delay, because of this pandemic. We want to have people coming to the venue.
“It’s just finding the right location. For me, Wembley would be ideal.”

AJ and Fury shared a now legendary sparring session back in 2010 and then bumped into each other while holidaying separately in Marbella last year.
Apart from that their only dealings have been FaceTime calls, with the 6ft 9in WBC champ admitting he sometimes calls to prank his rival.
And AJ hints Fury is not as brave in person as he is over the phone.
When asked if he considers them friends, he said: “I have met him. I don’t even know what we are.
“I’ve seen him face-to-face and people on video and social media are different than face-to-face.”
Soon-to-be-father-of-six Fury is currently in training camp in Las Vegas with eldest son Prince shadowing him and learning the family trade.
AJ is grafting away at his favourite Finchley amateur gym and is too busy to add any children to his family – yet.
But he has plans to overtake his nemesis in the sprog stakes, once he has achieved all he targets in the hurt business.
Eddie Hearn has revealed a UK venue would cost both fighters a pay cut of up to 50 per centCredit: Getty Images – Getty
He said: “I want to have loads.
“Someone said to me ‘when you’re young you don’t want to have kids but, when you’re older and settled down and retired, you wish that you had more kids around you’.
“So I’m just looking ahead – loads for me is probably another six.”
Little JJ is Joshua’s pride and joy and the London 2012 Olympic golden boy wants his lad to watch the Fury fight, once it finally comes around, as the hurt business provides so many life lessons.
He said: “JJ is five, I would like him to watch me fight, I don’t mind.
“What I’d explain to him, more so being a fighter, it’s about chatting to him and saying, ‘This is where I lost, this is how I felt, but I didn’t give up.’
“He’s at that age now where if he’s not good at something he doesn’t want to do it.
“So I try to express to him, ‘Even though you’re not good at it yet, practise makes perfect’.”

THE JONATHAN ROSS SHOW, SATURDAY 17TH APRIL, 9.35PM ON ITV and ITV Hub

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TYSON FURY has proven time and again that he is a man who will just not stay down. The Gypsy King is unbeaten in 31 fights, with just one blemish on his record, a 2018 draw against Deontay Wilder.
Steve Cunningham floored Tyson Fury in 2013Credit: Action Images – Reuters
Tyson Fury got up from the floor and beat Steve CunninghamCredit: Action Images – Reuters
That night Fury – who was only two fights in during his sensational comeback – was twice floored by Wilder.
But each time he got back up to fight on, and in the eyes of many was unfortunate not to win the WBC title on points.
In the final round, a three-punch combination looked to have laid out Fury, until he miraculously rose to beat the count.
It left those watching on stunned – but it is not the first time he has hit the deck, brushed himself down, and boxed on.
Fury made his US debut in 2013, when he travelled to New York to face former cruiserweight champion Steve Cunningham.
In round two, disaster struck as the visiting Brit moved off with his hands down and was nailed with a looping hook over the top.
Clearly not as ferocious as Wilder’s right hand in Los Angeles, but still Fury was on his backside.
Amazingly, as he did with the Bronze Bomber, the 6ft 9in switch-hitter retaliated with pure aggression and ended the round on top.

Fury eventually closed the show in the Big Apple against Cunningham, battering him on the ropes before a right hand finished the job.
And despite his 12th round heroics against Wilder, 35, he would have to wait until the Las Vegas rematch to enact revenge.
But he did so in fine fashion, dropping the American twice before beating him into submission in round seven in February 2020.
It has set him up with an undisputed title decider against long-time rival Anthony Joshua.
Fury, 32, and Joshua, 31, are both being presented with site deals to host their lucrative unification.
Tyson Fury picked himself up off the deck in round 12 against Deontay Wilder in 2018Credit: AP:Associated Press
Deontay Wilder was twice dropped by Tyson Fury in their 2020 rematchCredit: Getty More

HATHFOR BJORNSSON will throw down with Brit Simon Vallily following Alex Simon’s withdrawal from their heavyweight tussle.Bjornsson, 32, was due to trade leather with Simon next month before a torn bicep ruled his fellow strongman out of the bout.

Hafthor Bjornsson has trimmed down following his venture into the boxing worldCredit: Instagram / @thorbjornsson
But Commonwealth Games gold medallist Vallily has stepped up to ensure the Game of Thrones star will take to the ring in May.
The pair’s titanic tussle will take place at the Conrad Hotel in Dubai on May 28.
A delighted Bjornsson wrote on Facebook: “After Alex Simon’s unfortunate injury, I still wanted to get the experience in.
“Thankfully, Simon Vallily, the heavyweight pro boxer with a 17-3-1 record stepped up and agreed to step into the ring with me in Dubai.”
Bjornsson’s exhibition with the Middlesbrough mauler, who was stopped by heavyweight prospect Fabio Wardley last August, will serve as further preparation for his grudge match with Eddie Hall.
The Mountain is due to throw down with the former World’s Strongest Man this coming September in Las Vegas.
The Mountain is gearing up for a September grudge match with Eddie HallCredit: CORE SPORTS
But a date for their clash, which has been dubbed ‘The Heaviest Boxing Match in History’, has not been finalised.
Bjornsson and Hall used to be on good terms until the former accused the latter of cheating during the Viking Press portion of the 2017 World’s Strongest Man competition.
Hall felt stabbed in the back, recently saying: “This is what people don’t sort of get.
“We used to be good friends. He’s been round my house and we’ve had parties. We’ve travelled around the world together.
“But what happened at World’s Strongest Man 2017 just threw all that friendship out the window.

“It was a big dagger in the back.
“That’s irreparable, three or four years with a cloud over my World’s Strongest Man win.
“What’s that cost me in terms of my career? He just doesn’t care. I still haven’t had an apology from him, he’s not denying it.
“He keeps saying he was robbed, hard done to. At the end of the day, if he’s got solid evidence bring it up. He’s full of c***.
“Thor is not my friend. He was and I can safely say, even with an apology, I don’t want to break bread with this man.”
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JAKE PAUL is adamant Floyd Mayweather has ‘lost his mind’ after the legendary boxer challenged him to an exhibition fight.Back in February, the former four-division world champion revealed his intention to face the YouTuber and his friend turned enemy 50 Cent.

Jake Paul was left baffled by Floyd Mayweather’s decision to call him outCredit: AP
Mayweather’s call-outs of the pair baffled fight fans, who were supposed to see the boxing great take on Paul’s older brother, Logan, later this month.
Paul was equally as stunned, telling TMZ: “This guy is out of his mind! He just calls me out, out of nowhere — same with 50 Cent!
“I mean, he hasn’t even fought my brother yet. It just seems like he’s losing his marbles … like what the f*** is this guy doing?!”
Paul, 24, reckons the Money man is desperate to box him because he’s strapped for cash.
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The former Disney star added: “It just seems like this guy is money hungry. He just wants to fight everyone.”
Paul, who entered the boxing world last year, is open to facing Mayweather, but only if the 50-0 legend agrees to a professionally-sanctioned bout.
The YouTube star said: “I’m 2 and 0 with 2 KO’s with pro fights. Floyd wants to do these exhibitions, ya know … cool!
“But, I’m a real fighter. He has to take me seriously and I think the reason he wants to do these exhibitions is because he’s afraid to risk his legacy of his 50 and 0 record in case he were to lose.
“But, I’m not doing the exhibition s**t. It doesn’t interest me. Those are like fake patty-cake fights.”

Paul is gearing up to face former UFC welterweight Ben Askren in an exhibition bout on April 17.
And he’s brimming with confidence after scoring back-to-back stoppages in his first two pro fights.
He told ESPN: “I don’t even think he’ll hit me. I haven’t been hit one time in the face in my past two fights.
“So I haven’t even been punched as pro boxer one time. Nate Robinson landed one body shot in a clinch.
“I don’t think Ben Askren will even hit me. That’s my prediction.”
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WITH 44 KOs across 50 wins in his career, it’s fair to say Mike Tyson will forever be known as one of boxing’s greatest heavyweights ever.Fans forever argue as to who would win in their prime: Iron Mike or Muhammad Ali.
Mike Tyson has revealed how he thinks he would fare against AJ, Wilder and Fury
But Tyson, 54 – who made his comeback against Roy Jones Jr last year – has also had his say on how he’d fare against some of the current best in the heavyweight division.
From British stars Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, to the Bronze Bomber, Deontay Wilder, “The Baddest Man on the Planet” has revealed how each fight would go.
Check out what he makes of the hypothetical super-fights…MIKE TYSON vs TYSON FURY
Tyson reckons he’d have Fury’s number in the ring in his prime
BACK to his dangerous best, 6ft 9in Fury beat Wilder in Las Vegas to clinch the WBC and The Ring magazine belts.
But Tyson has been a fan of Fury’s since before his win – having watched the controversial draw in his first fight with Wilder.
Tyson claimed: “In the first fight I was hoping for Tyson Fury, I always pulled for him because he was named after me, that is the natural thing to do, right?
“He amazed a lot of people by getting up. He showed he is tough, he got up and won the final round.
“I thought it was over, then he got up and it was like Rocky, he then fought back.
“It was amazing, it made me a fan. It takes great fortitude and belief.”
But, as with AJ, Tyson revealed he’d beat his namesake if he was in his prime – while admitting it would have been tough.
The American said: “Listen, if you’re asking me if I was 20 years old, then yes, there’s no doubt.
“They’re really good fighters and I respect all these skills. It would have been very tough fighting them.”

MIKE TYSON vs ANTHONY JOSHUA
Mike Tyson reckons he’d beat Joshua in his prime, but admitted he’s a ‘beautiful’ boxer
THE current WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO champion, AJ bounced back from his shock defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr last summer to regain his belts in December.
Joshua is a fighter with many strengths and very few weaknesses – and Iron Mike knows it.
Earlier this year, Tyson revealed: “Hey, I really like him. You know what he is? He’s really a breath of fresh air.
“He’s really clean, he really looks clean, he’s a clean guy, he’s a clean fighter, he’s a good puncher.
“You just wish the best for him.
“I don’t know. My ego says, ‘nobody would beat you’ – but you look at him and… he just looks beautiful.
“He just looks like a fighter, you know? He looks like he was born to do what he has to do. He needs more experience of course, but that will come in life.”
Despite remaining fairly tight-lipped on that occasion – while speaking on his Hotboxin’ podcast – Tyson had previously claimed he would easily beat Joshua.
When asked if he’d beat AJ or Fury, Tyson replied: “Yes. Listen, if you’re asking me if I was 20 years old, then yes, there’s no doubt.
“They’re really good fighters and I respect all these skills. It would have been very tough fighting them.”
MIKE TYSON vs DEONTAY WILDER
Tyson has no doubts in his mind he’d beat Wilder in his prime
WILDER slumped to a seventh-round defeat in his last fight – at the hands of Fury – to lose his WBC and The Ring magazine belts.
But despite that, the Bronze Bomber recently claimed his hard-hitting style would see him beat Tyson.
Wilder claimed: “Me vs. Tyson in ’86, I’d kick the hell outta that guy.
“Listen, I’ve got to keep it real. I know people always go back to the old school or look at the new school and there’s no school where I’m not No1 on earth.”
Replying to those comments before his recent defeat by Fury, Tyson was typically diplomatic, saying: “I don’t know [whether I’d beat him].
“I love the fact that he thinks that, because that’s the way I would think as well.
“He’s supposed to think that way, he is the heavyweight champion of the world and that’s something very special.”

But Tyson’s former trainer, Jeff Fenech, was in no doubt as to who would win…
Fenech said: “Boxing’s not the same now. I’d guarantee that if Mike Tyson trained for six weeks, he’d knock Wilder out in a minute.
“He would hit them. If these guys are getting knocked out by Tyson Fury – who’s a great fighter, but not a huge puncher – Tyson would kill these guys.
“They’re not on the same level today. Mike today, I reckon if he trained he could still beat these guys.
“Fury’s got these other skills, but Deontay Wilder’s got a punch and nothing else. If you punch him, it’s over.
“And Mike don’t miss.”
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TYSON FURY has proven time and again he is a man who will just not stay down. The Gypsy King is unbeaten in 31 fights, with just one blemish on his record, a 2018 draw against Deontay Wilder.
Steve Cunningham floored Tyson Fury in 2013Credit: Action Images – Reuters
Tyson Fury got up from the floor and beat Steve CunninghamCredit: Action Images – Reuters
That night Fury – who was only two fights in during his sensational comeback – was twice floored by Wilder.
But each time he got back up to fight on, and in the eyes of many was unfortunate not to win the WBC title on points.
In the final round, a three-punch combination looked to have laid out Fury, until he miraculously rose to beat the count.
It left those watching on stunned – but it is not the first time he has hit the deck, brushed himself down, and boxed on.
Fury made his US debut in 2013, when he travelled to New York to face former cruiserweight champion Steve Cunningham.
In round two, disaster struck as the visiting Brit moved off with his hands down and was nailed with a looping hook over the top.
Clearly not as ferocious as Wilder’s right hand in Los Angeles, but still Fury was on his backside.
Amazingly, as he did with the Bronze Bomber, the 6ft 9in switch-hitter retaliated with pure aggression and ended the round on top.

Fury eventually closed the show in the Big Apple against Cunningham, battering him on the ropes before a right hand finished the job.
And despite his 12th round heroics against Wilder, 35, he would have to wait until the Las Vegas rematch to enact revenge.
But he did so in fine fashion, dropping the American twice before beating him into submission in round seven in February 2020.
It has set him up with an undisputed title decider against long-time rival Anthony Joshua.
Fury, 32, and Joshua, 31, are both being presented with site deals to host their lucrative unification.
Tyson Fury picked himself up off the deck in round 12 against Deontay Wilder in 2018Credit: AP:Associated Press
Deontay Wilder was twice dropped by Tyson Fury in their 2020 rematchCredit: Getty More