Heavyweight boxing

ANTHONY JOSHUA has labelled the Tyson Fury fight ‘a warm up act’ and believes his fellow Brit is close to retirement.
It comes amid reports the two heavyweight champions are ‘on the brink’ of confirming the fight.

Anthony Joshua has promised to ‘close the show’ when he fights Tyson FuryCredit: Youtube

And Joshua has promised to ‘close the show’ when they finally get it on in the ring and take home all the belts.
Last time out AJ stopped gritty Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev in the ninth round – and all eyes immediately turned to the Battle of Britain with Fury.
Speaking to JD Sports’ Road To Undisputed, Joshua, 31, has promised the Fury fight is just the start, and not the end.
He said: “He (Fury) can bring whatever he wants, it don’t matter to me.

“The press conference antics, the fight antics, the hands behind the back, I love that stuff that’s all part of it you know that’s his job, but my job is to close the show.
“He’s a warm-up act [with his antics], he’s there to do all that stuff but ultimately my job is to close the show and that’s all that matters.
“For him, he said that after he fights me, maybe he fights Chisora, then he’s ready to go off into the sunset.
“For me, I’ve still got so much more I want to do in this boxing game, the road to undisputed is part of the journey it’s not the end to the journey.

AJ sat down with podcast star Savage Dan for a revealing interviewCredit: Youtube

“That’s why I know I will get past this fight because I’m looking past him, I want more, this isn’t where this stops.
“The fight, god-willing, will be this year, I’m saying it is going to be this year, I’m going to speak into existence and I will be victorious.”
SO NEARLY THERE
Last week, AJ revealed the Fury fight was close to being given the green light with the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO belts all be on the line for the first time in heavyweight history.
Joshua even hinted at an early summer showdown date, saying: “June should be the date.
“Trust me. For the fans, for the people that have been calling it on for many, many months.
“Shoutout to Fury and his team as well, hungry go-getters, that’s what we are.
“UK stand up. And to the world – we’re bringing it. I can’t wait. Undisputed.”
FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE

Tyson Fury battered Deontay Wilder in February last year to win the WBC heavyweight titleCredit: Reuters
A non-disclosure agreement has prevented both parties from sharing key details of the negotiations.
Both men agreed on a two-fight deal last June, although the finer details of their clash were only just recently finalised.
Fury set up the clash when he handed Deontay Wilder his first ever defeat as a pro with a seventh-round stoppage win in February 2020.

Anthony Joshua demonstrates his insane power as he pummels a punching bag More

ANTHONY JOSHUA’s eagerly-anticipated undisputed heavyweight title fight with Tyson Fury is on the ‘brink’ of being finalised.
Negotiations over the pair’s long-awaited meeting resumed last December after Joshua’s ninth-round KO victory over Kubrat Pulev.

Anthony Joshua celebrates his KO victory over Kubrat Pulev last DecemberCredit: AP

Tyson Fury celebrates dethroning Deontay Wilder in February 2020Credit: Reuters

The fine details of the lucrative £200million contract were ironed out last week.
And according to The Athletic’s Lance Pugmire, the biggest fight in the history of British boxing is on the verge of being a done deal.
He tweeted: “Pretty to cool to know that on the 50th anniversary of Ali-Frazier I, we are on the brink of having Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury heavyweight unification bout finalized, key source tells@TheAthleticBOX.”
SunSport understands the long-awaited Battle of Britain will be announced this month.

A non-disclosure agreement has prevented both parties from sharing key details of the negotiations.
Both men agreed on a two-fight deal last June, although the finer details of their clash were only just recently finalised.
CHELTENHAM SPECIAL OFFER – GET THE FIRST RACE FAVOURITE AT HUGE 50/1 PRICE

Fury’s co-promoter, Bob Arum, said last week: “As far as I’m concerned, all the points have been agreed to.

“That’s what each side has said. Now, we’re just scrambling around to get things signed.
“I can say clearly, based on my view of everything, there are NO more issues.”
AJ recently suggested he could finally share the ring with The Gypsy King in June, saying: “June should be the date.
“Trust me. For the fans, for the people that have been calling it on for many, many months.

Anthony Joshua lands a brutal straight right on Kubrat PulevCredit: AFP
“Shout out to Fury and his team as well, hungry go-getters, that’s what we are.
“UK stand up. And to the world – we’re bringing it. I can’t wait. Undisputed.”
Veteran promoter Arum, however, has since hinted the fight could be pushed back until July.
The 89-year-old recently told The Daily Mirror: “We’re nearly there.
“As far as I can ascertain, there are no issues separating the two sides.

Tyson Fury hasn’t fought since his seventh-round TKO win over Deontay WilderCredit: Getty

“There has been consensus agreement in all issues.
“We hope very shortly that the fight will be signed. Then we will pick the site and we’ll be up and running.
“I’m looking towards late June or early July for the actual fight to take place.”
Joshua and Fury, 31 and 32 respectively, are currently hard at work in the gym ahead of their mouther-watering showdown.
AJ recently shared a mid-workout photo to Instagram, which showcased his hulking biceps.
The snap’s accompanying caption read: “Unruly.”

Anthony Joshua demonstrates his insane power as he pummels a punching bag More

ANTHONY JOSHUA has showcased his bulging biceps ahead of his blockbuster showdown with Tyson Fury.
The unified heavyweight champion is currently hard at work in the gym ahead of his multi-million-pound unification bout with The Gypsy King.

Anthony Joshua is on a collision course with WBC heavyweight champion Tyson FuryCredit: Reuters

And the Olympian has shown off his hulking arms in a recent post-workout photo, which he shared to his Twitter and Instagram pages.
The snap, which showed a huge vein running down AJ’s left bicep, included the accompanying caption: “Unruly.”
SunSport understands Joshua’s long-awaited Battle of Britain with Fury is expected to be announced later this month.
A non-disclosure agreement has prevented the pair from revealing details of their mega-money bout.

Both parties agreed on a two-fight deal last June, although the finer points of their clash were only just recently finalised.
Last week, Fury’s co-promoter Bob Arum said: “As far as I’m concerned, all the points have been agreed to.
CASINO SIGN UP OFFER: CLAIM UP TO £800 IN CASINO BONUS CASH

“That’s what each side has said. Now, we’re just scrambling around to get things signed.

“I can say clearly, based on my view of everything, there are NO more issues.”
Joshua, 31, recently teased a June showdown with the WBC king, saying: “June should be the date.
“Trust me. For the fans, for the people that have been calling it on for many, many months.

Anthony Joshua knocked out Kubrat Pulev in his last outingCredit: AFP
“Shoutout to Fury and his team as well, hungry go-getters, that’s what we are.
“UK stand up. And to the world – we’re bringing it. I can’t wait. Undisputed.”
But Arum has since suggested the biggest fight in the history of British boxing could end being held in July.
The Top Rank Boxing chief told The Daily Mirror: “We’re nearly there.

Bob Arum recently revealed that Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury could be pushed back to JulyCredit: Getty

“As far as I can ascertain, there are no issues separating the two sides.
“There has been consensus agreement in all issues.
“We hope very shortly that the fight will be signed. Then we will pick the site and we’ll be up and running.
“I’m looking towards late June or early July for the actual fight to take place.”

Bob Arum says that Tyson Fury fight with Anthony Joshua is on with agreements all settled and announcement in coming days More

DEONTAY WILDER is ‘bidding his time’ for a trilogy fight with Tyson Fury that will earn him a staggering £60million, according to Derek Chisora.
The former WBC heavyweight king sought legal action late last year to land a third match with The Gypsy King.

Deontay Wilder is seeking a trilogy fight with Tyson FuryCredit: Getty

Team Fury are adamant Deontay Wilder’s rematch clause has expiredCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Team Fury, however, believe Wilder’s rematch clause expired last October and are currently finalising a deal for a heavyweight title unification bout with Anthony Joshua.
But Chisora believes the biggest fight in British boxing history will be delayed by The Bronze Bomber.
He told iFL TV: “Frank [Warren], Bob, and Arum might say the fight is signed.
“The guy with the glasses [Wilder’s manager Shelly Finkel], he’s a top dog in boxing, and he knows the law in boxing.

“He hasn’t said anything, has he?
“Because he knows if that fight [between Wilder and Fury], he’s going to get at least $80million (£60m) just sitting down, so he’s biding his time.
“He’s got a three-fight deal. Yeah, the legal side is there, bro.
“I’m telling you, man, we all want this fight [Joshua vs Fury] to happen, but it’s not going to happen now.”

CASINO SIGN UP OFFER: CLAIM UP TO £800 IN CASINO BONUS CASH

Wilder, 35, hasn’t fought since losing the WBC strap to Fury in February 2020.
Chisora reckons it’s only a matter of time before the Olympian returns to the ring, adding: “Wilder is going to come back, he’s taking his time.
“He’s a wounded animal right now, his pride is off ‘to this day.’
“So his pride is off the key, and things are not happening right. So he’ll come back anyway.”
Despite the very real prospect of Wilder’s legal action scuppering plans for Joshua facing Fury in the summer, Matchroom Boxing chief Eddie Hearn is confident the fight will come to fruition.
Last month, he told Sky Sports: “That’s a problem and a question really for Top Rank, and Bob Arum.
“We’ve been assured by them, that’s not going to be an issue in making this fight.

Derek Chisora reckons Deontay Wilder will land a trilogy fight with Tyson FuryCredit: Route One Ltd

Deomay Wilder hasn’t fought since losing his rematch with Tyson Fury in February 2020Credit: Getty

“I do believe that Deontay Wilder, he was supposed to be fighting in January.
“Now we’re in the middle of February, so how much longer is he going to wait?
“He’s been out of the ring for a year now, and he’s slowly imploding in every single interview that he gives. He should get back in the ring.
“That’s a Fury problem, a Team Fury problem. We’re confident that it won’t impact our fight, or the announcement.”

Deontay Wilder vows to ‘clean out’ heavyweight division by facing Joshua and Ruiz Jr More

ANTHONY JOSHUA ‘will do a job’ on Tyson Fury, claimed Eddie Hearn.
And the Matchroom chief revealed Joshua is tailoring his training regime to give himself the best chance of beating his British rival.

Eddie Hearn is backing his man Anthony Joshua to ‘do a job’ on Tyson FuryCredit: Mark Robinson Ltd

AJ and Fury are finally set to step into the ring this year to put all the heavyweight belts on the line.
Hearn reckons it could be one of the ‘biggest fights of all time’ but is naturally backing his man to do the business.
He told Sky Sports: “Anthony would say that he’s tailoring his training for his career.
“He is training, sleeping, resting. I want to rein him in for a rest.

“He is so focused. Although he’d tell you that he’s training just to improve as a fighter, I know that all he’s thinking about is Fury.
“He’s working on the plan to beat this guy and become undisputed.
“I love the work he’s doing, the improvements he’s making, the mind-set.
“He has the mind-set of a winner, of a champion.

“Fury is a fantastic fighter but AJ will do a job on him.
“The preparation starts now. Don’t think Fury isn’t doing the same. He knows. This may be the biggest fight of all time.”
FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE

The blockbuster bout is expected to take place this summer.
June was originally pencilled in but with UK lockdown restrictions potentially lifting at the end of the month, it may get pushed back to July.
A two-fight deal, which will see both men split the purse from their first meeting evenly, was agreed last June with contract negotiations near completion.
‘NEARLY THERE’
Fury’s co-promoter Bob Arum told The Daily Mirror: “We’re nearly there.
“As far as I can ascertain, there are no issues separating the two sides. There has been consensus agreement in all issues.
“We hope very shortly that the fight will be signed. Then we will pick the site and we’ll be up and running.
“I’m looking towards late June or early July for the actual fight to take place.”
Arum’s update on the potential date for the fight comes a few days after he revealed the fine details of the £200million bout had been ironed out.

Fury holds the WBC and The Ring titles put will be hoping to wrestle the WBA, WBO and IBF belts off AJCredit: Richard Pelham

Anthony Joshua all but confirms Tyson Fury undisputed fight is ON and should take place in June ‘for the fans’ More

ANTHONY JOSHUA could knock out Tyson Fury, according to the Gypsy King’s uncle and former trainer Peter.
Peter Fury was in attendance in December as his son Hughie beat Mariusz Wach on the AJ vs Kubrat Pulev undercard.

Peter Fury reckons Anthony Joshua could knock out his nephew Tyson

He then watched on as Joshua emphatically beat Pulev – knocking him out in the ninth with a devastating straight right.
Focus has now switched to this year’s potential Battle of Britain between Joshua and Tyson.
But speaking in the aftermath of the AJ win, Peter warned his nephew about the Londoner’s devastating power.
Asked for his thoughts on the unification bout, Peter said: “It will be a great fight.

“Both up for it, aren’t they. So it’ll be a great fight if it happens. Both have different styles though, Tyson is a totally different style to Pulev.
“It would be a great fight. Those shots [AJ landed wouldn’t be landing on Tyson so clean. He’s an exceptional talent but if AJ can land, anyone is going down.
“But the same for Tyson – he’s a puncher as well. So it works both ways. It’s a pick’em fight to be honest.”
Joshua and Fury will reportedly bag £100MILLION EACH if the fight is held in the Middle East.

Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Dubai are believed to be in the race to host the bout which is expected to be staged in June.
A deal could be done imminently once minor tweaks to the contracts are ironed out.
British fans are desperate for it to be staged in the UK although that looks increasingly unlikely due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Wherever the fight of a lifetime is put on, it is sure to be an epic and Fury offered advice to AJ on how he might improve against his nephew.
Fury added: “I think he’s a little bit hesitant in there. I think when he fires those jabs, he needs to fire them in combinations and let his hands go.
“He didn’t seem to let his hands go much tonight in there, but when he did let them go he was lethal. He waited too long for me. But every fighter has things to work on.
“For me, he’s too upright. There’s no lateral movement, he needs a lot more of that because Tyson has got a lot of that. He’s got that in abundance, actually. He can bend right down there and fire a shot! He’s very awkward.
“Listen, Lennox Lewis is the last undisputed heavyweight champion. The fans want to see this fight so let it happen. I think it would be a great fight.”

Joshua saw off Kubrat Pulev in his recent bout last DecemberCredit: PA:Press Association

Peter Fury says his nephew Tyson is also a big hitter

Tyson Fury reacts to Anthony Joshua win over Kubrat Pulev blasting he s— himself on TV, I’ll KO him in three rounds More

OLEKSANDR USYK has told heavyweight rival Joe Joyce he will fight him on MARS in a typically hilarious tweet.
The 34-year-old Ukrainian, who is known for his sharp wit, is expected to face Briton Joyce later this year.

Oleksandr Usyk (left) and Joe Joyce (right) fought before they turned pro in 2013Credit: Getty Images – Getty

Usyk and Joyce were rivals in the amateurs and fought over five rounds in the World Series of Boxing eight years ago.
As talk of a fight between Joyce and Usyk hots up, the Brit nudged the 2012 Olympic gold medalist on social media.
He said: “Ah you’re alive, you couldn’t fill a bath in Kiev let alone a stadium, see you in the UK very soon. PS I miss you.”
Usyk then replied on Twitter by saying: “My friend I am ready to continue teaching you boxing even on Mars.

“I hope you have improved since the last time our meeting. Miss you too.”
Alongside his message he put out an image of the pair on the Red planet – alongside a ring and rocket.
Joyce later replied with an image of his own, mocked up in an astronaut’s suit with the Union Jack planted in Mars.
The Londoner wrote: “I’m ready Usyk…”

FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE

How Usyk and Joyce match up ahead of their potential 2021 showdown
The pair could be set to clash for the WBO world title if the winner of Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury vacates the belt.
This is because AJ and Fury will be contracted to rematch one another, something that will not be possible with the WBO strap on the line – with Usyk set as the mandatory challenger.
Usyk, who showed himself training against two men earlier this week, is undefeated in 18 fights since turning pro.
He moved up to heavyweight after becoming undisputed cruiserweight champion in 2018 and has already produced a statement win in the division against Britain’s Dereck Chisora.
Meanwhile, Joyce also boasts a perfect pro record of 12-0 and earned his biggest victory in November of last year against Daniel Dubois.

Oleksandr Usyk spars two opponents at once and attempt insane double punch in amazing training video More

ANTHONY JOSHUA could knock out Tyson Fury, according to the Gypsy King’s uncle and former trainer Peter.
Peter Fury was in attendance in December as his son Hughie beat Mariusz Wach on the AJ vs Kubrat Pulev undercard.

Peter Fury reckons Anthony Joshua could knock out his nephew Tyson

He then watched on as Joshua emphatically beat Pulev – knocking him out in the ninth with a devastating straight right.
Focus has now switched to this year’s potential Battle of Britain between Joshua and Tyson.
But speaking in the aftermath of the AJ win, Peter warned his nephew about the Londoner’s devastating power.
Asked for his thoughts on the unification bout, Peter said: “It will be a great fight.

“Both up for it, aren’t they. So it’ll be a great fight if it happens. Both have different styles though, Tyson is a totally different style to Pulev.
“It would be a great fight. Those shots [AJ landed wouldn’t be landing on Tyson so clean. He’s an exceptional talent but if AJ can land, anyone is going down.
“But the same for Tyson – he’s a puncher as well. So it works both ways. It’s a pick’em fight to be honest.”
Joshua and Fury will reportedly bag £100MILLION EACH if the fight is held in the Middle East.

Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Dubai are believed to be in the race to host the bout which is expected to be staged in June.
A deal could be done imminently once minor tweaks to the contracts are ironed out.
British fans are desperate for it to be staged in the UK although that looks increasingly unlikely due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Wherever the fight of a lifetime is put on, it is sure to be an epic and Fury offered advice to AJ on how he might improve against his nephew.
Fury added: “I think he’s a little bit hesitant in there. I think when he fires those jabs, he needs to fire them in combinations and let his hands go.
“He didn’t seem to let his hands go much tonight in there, but when he did let them go he was lethal. He waited too long for me. But every fighter has things to work on.
“For me, he’s too upright. There’s no lateral movement, he needs a lot more of that because Tyson has got a lot of that. He’s got that in abundance, actually. He can bend right down there and fire a shot! He’s very awkward.
“Listen, Lennox Lewis is the last undisputed heavyweight champion. The fans want to see this fight so let it happen. I think it would be a great fight.”

Joshua saw off Kubrat Pulev in his recent bout last DecemberCredit: PA:Press Association

Peter Fury says his nephew Tyson is also a big hitter

Tyson Fury reacts to Anthony Joshua win over Kubrat Pulev blasting he s— himself on TV, I’ll KO him in three rounds More