Heavyweight boxing

TYSON FURY admits his long layoff ahead of his undisputed heavyweight title fight with Anthony Joshua is far from ‘ideal’.
The Gypsy King hasn’t set foot in the ring since his emphatic dethroning of former WBC king Deontay Wilder last February.

Tyson Fury hasn’t fought since he ended Deontay Wilder’s reign as WBC champ last FebruaryCredit: Reuters

Tyson Fury admits his layoff is far from ideal ahead of his showdown with Anthony JoshuaCredit: PA

And ahead of his blockbuster showdown with Joshua, which is slated to take place in the summer, Fury admits his inactivity could come back to haunt him.
The 32-year-old told ESPN: “I should have boxed, because I’ve been so inactive.
“By the time I fight again, looking at maybe June if this Joshua fight happens, that will be a year and six months out of the ring, which is not ideal preparation for any super-fight.”
Fury’s long-awaited Battle of Britain with Joshua has yet to be finalised, although the fighters’ respective teams are confident an agreement will soon be reached.

But despite a two-fight deal being agreed last year, Fury claims there has been no further progress in making the biggest fight in the history of British boxing.
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The former unified heavyweight champion said: “They’ve had a full year to try and make this fight happen. It is what it is.
“We’re no further forward today than we were a year ago.

“The way it is at the moment [with COVID-19], I don’t think it has got much to do with the fighters.
“It’s to do with the venue, date, place, site fees. It’s to do with everything but the fight itself.”

Fury is itching to compete this year, so much so he’s willing to fight all comers.
He said: “If that fight [against Joshua] doesn’t happen this summer, it’s got to happen sooner or later.
“But Top Rank has to give me two fights this year. I will fight two times on ESPN. I don’t care who it is.
“If it’s not Joshua, we’re looking to fight in April or early May, and the end of the year.

Tyson Fury is on course to face Anthony Joshua in a summer unification fightCredit: PA

“If it is Joshua, then June and the end of the year. Bang, bang. So, 2021 is looking bright.”
SunSport understands Fury’s multi-million-pound dust-up with Joshua is set to be announced at the start of March.
A non-disclosure agreement is preventing both parties from revealing key details about the ongoing negotiations.
It’s understood Saudi Arabia are the frontrunners to land the fight, although Qatar, the USA, Dubai, Singapore and China have all expressed an interest in staging the bout.

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IT IS 25 years on from the fight that ended Frank Bruno’s career — but he has now learned to love former foe Mike Tyson.
Iron Mike — the Baddest Man on the Planet — halted the British hero’s six-month WBC heavyweight title reign by battering him into retirement in March 1996.

Mike Tyson pictured during his 1989 win against Frank BrunoCredit: AFP – Getty

Frank Bruno in his loss against Mike Tyson in the 1996 rematchCredit: Getty Images – Getty

It was the second defeat inflicted on him by Tyson in Las Vegas, the first coming seven years earlier.
But Bruno, 59, claims the pair are bound together by brotherly love after he flew to meet him in the USA for a new Sky documentary.
Bruno told SunSport: “It was sad watching what happened to Mike after he retired — but I had my own situation going on for a lot of that time too.
“Back then, people with mental health problems did not really come forward to talk about it.

“So it was very sad with Mike. Because underneath the bad-boy image, the massive puncher, he is not a nasty guy — he is a very good and humble person.
“It’s just a shame when you get in the ring with him that he turns into an animal!
“If you think I have been through a hard time, you need to check out Mike and see what he has been through. But now he is happy.
“I don’t feel any malice towards Mike, I feel far more like a brother to him.”

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The sibling-like rivalry between the pair goes back 40 years, to when a 19-year-old Bruno was taken on a tour of US gyms — and sparred with a wayward teen dragged off the mean streets of Brooklyn to live and train in the Catskill mountains in New York.
That early meeting with the quiet, lisping 15-year-old — who was being morphed into history’s youngest heavyweight champion (20) by trainer Cus D’Amato — meant Bruno, unlike most of Tyson’s victims, was never afraid of the human tornado.
With his trademark booming laugh, Bruno added: “If someone pulled a gun on me and held it to my head, yes I would be scared.
“If a crocodile walked up my garden path and into my bedroom, I would be s***ing myself.
“But going in the ring with Mike Tyson was OK.”
Until Bruno finally became a world champion in 1995 by beating American Oliver McCall at Wembley Stadium, plenty of fans wrote him off as a glass-jawed nearly man who had more catchphrases than title wins.

Mike Tyson and Frank Bruno filmed a Sky documentary

Frank Bruno has now learned to love former foe Mike Tyson
He admits the doubters hurt him more than he let on — but he also knows his never-say-die style has secured his status as a national treasure.
Bruno explained: “Sometimes you have to lose to really win.
“I won it the hard way, nothing came on a plate.
“Looking back now, it might have been nice to not have Mike Tyson right there waiting for me around every corner!
“But I am still just thankful for getting that title finally — and for all the fans who supported me through those years.”
Bruno v Tyson is available on Sky Documentaries and NOW TV from tomorrow at 9pm.

Mike Tyson meets Frank Bruno in March 1987Credit: Getty Images – Getty More

TYSON FURY is adamant he will fight twice in 2021 – with or without Anthony Joshua.
And the WBC heavyweight champion opened up his frustration having seen a summer trilogy bout with Deontay Wilder and comeback in December cancelled.

Tyson Fury is adamant he will fight twice in 2021, with or without Anthony JoshuaCredit: AP:Associated Press

Fury, 32, told ESPN: “It was just a big mess-up. I should have boxed, because I’ve been so inactive. I’ve been out for over a year.
“By the time I fight again, looking at maybe June if this Joshua fight happens, that will be a year and six months out of the ring, which is not ideal preparation for any super-fight.”
Fury, 32, won the title in February 2020 but amid the coronavirus pandemic an immediate rematch never materialised.
Wilder, 35, has since launched a legal dispute after it was argued the clause in his contract for a shot at revenge expired in October.

Fury was then due to face a tune-up opponent in December but again it fell by the wayside, while AJ knocked out Kubrat Pulev, 39, the same month.
The heavyweight champions are still in talks for a historic undisputed title decider this year.
But to make up for time, Fury is demanding two fights in 2021 from his US promoters Top Rank – whether it be against Joshua or not.
He said: “If that fight doesn’t happen this summer, it’s got to happen sooner or later.

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“But Top Rank has to give me two fights this year. I will fight two times on ESPN. I don’t care who it is.
“If it’s not Joshua, we’re looking to fight in April or early May, and the end of the year.
“If it is Joshua, then June and the end of the year. Bang, bang. So, 2021 is looking bright.”
For the first time in heavyweight history, all four WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO belts are due to be on the line.
SunSport understands the deal is set to be announced at the start of March and a non-disclosure agreement is keeping negotiations top secret.
Saudi Arabia, which hosted AJ’s December 2019 rematch win over Andy Ruiz Jr, is leading the race to hold the fight.
America, Qatar, Dubai, Singapore and China have also all expressed their interest in hosting.

Tyson Fury beat Deontay Wilder in FebruaryCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Kubrat Pulev was knocked out by Anthony JoshuaCredit: Dave Thompson/Route One Ltd
But like many fans, even Fury is sweating on overcoming all the obstacles in order to deliver the biggest fight in British boxing history.
He explained: “They’ve had a full year to try and make this fight happen.
“Since the last Wilder fight, even before the Wilder fight, they were talking about a fight potentially between me and Joshua.
“They’ve had a full year to make something happen, and it hasn’t happened as of yet.
“It is what it is. We’re no further forward today than we were a year ago.
“The way [the pandemic] is at the moment, I don’t think [negotiations] got much to do with the fighters.
“It’s to do with the venue, date, place, site fees. It’s to do with everything but the fight itself.”

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BRITISH featherweight Isaac Lowe has tipped Tyson Fury to knock out Anthony Joshua inside four rounds and claimed it would be one of his easiest fights.
The 27-year-old – who is close friends with the Gypsy King – has stated that AJ is too ‘robotic’ and tires quickly, which will help Fury pick him apart.

Isaac Lowe has backed WBC king Tyson Fury to beat Anthony Joshua inside four rounds

Both heavyweights have agreed a two-fight deal in 2021, with Eddie Hearn revealing their first bout is likely to place in June.
Commenting on the eagerly-anticipated domestic dust-up, Lowe – who has featured on a number of Fury’s recent undercards – has backed his pal to destroy Joshua.
He told Pro Boxing Fans: “I’ve said it from day one, I think Joshua is one of Tyson’s easiest fights.
“Because, he’s robotic, he hasn’t got good feet and when he throws threes and fours he gasses up.

“If you notice when he hurts someone or if he does hurt them, that’s his weakness, he gets caught and he can’t deal with it. I think Tyson will knock him out in the first four rounds, honestly I do.
“[I’ll] just say first five [rounds] I genuinely do. I think when [Wladimir] Klitschko knocked him down and hurt him, Klitschko could’ve got him out of there.
“But with the old age and that maybe he was thinking about his legs and saving them a bit.
“But, if Tyson catches him or hurts him, anything at all he’ll be all over him like a rag doll and he won’t be getting Tyson off.

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Anthony Joshua is the current WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight championCredit: AP:Associated Press

“Tyson is seven foot tall, 20 stone, 20 stone plus, all over you grabbing you, leaning all over you. He’ll show him who’s the boss.”
The boxing community is divided over who will come out on top between the two.
AJ, 31, hinted on Tuesday that an announcement for the fight is close to being announced following a ‘positive meeting’.
He tweeted: “Another positive meeting with @258mgt.
“They’ve informed me things are shaping up nicely.
“They will be sharing the update with Eddie (Hearn) and you’ll be hearing from me soon.”

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BOXING legend Mike Tyson has revealed his decision to buy pet tigers stemmed from ‘insecurities’ he had about himself.
The former undisputed heavyweight champion owned three white Bengal tigers during the ’90s and early 2000s.

Mike Tyson had three white Bengal tigers during the ’90s and early 2000sCredit: Getty

Mike Tyson bought the big cats while he was doing time in prisonCredit: Getty

Tyson’s acquisition of the big cats, Kenya, Storm, and Boris, epitomised his excessive spending habits before he squandered his riches.
And during a recent episode of his Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson podcast, the 54-year-old admitted he bought the predators because he wanted to receive love from a wild beast.
He said: “[It was] all down to my insecurities, I guess. I wanted something that ferocious to love me.”
Iron Mike added: “If you look at him and he see you like acting weird, he’s going to kill you. He don’t want you, only wants to be alone.

“And I want that to love me. Exactly, hundred percent.”
Tyson, who returned to the ring last November for an exhibition bout against Roy Jones Jr, arranged to buy his tigers when he serving time in prison for his 1992 rape conviction.
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He said: “This is how it happened, I was in prison and I was talking to one of my friends who I bought exotic cars from.

“He was saying a friend he knew owed him money.
“And he said, ‘If he doesn’t pay me any money I’mma take some of these cars and trade them in for some animals.’
“I said, ‘What kind of animals?’ He said, ‘Horses and stuff.
“‘Mike they have some nice tigers and lions too. If you got one of those that would be so cool.’

“I said, ‘Yeah that would be true. Why don’t you order me a couple? I’m getting out in a couple of months.’
“So when I got out I came home and I had two cubs.”
Tyson was forced to get rid of Kenya after she ripped off the arm of a trespasser, who he paid £176,000 following the horrific incident.
He added: “Somebody jumped over my fence where the tiger was and jumped in their habitat and started playing with the tiger.

Mike Tyson had to get rid of one of his tigers after it attacked a trespasser

“And the tiger didn’t know the lady so it was a bad accident. She jumped in the property where the tiger was at.
“They tried to [sue me] until they found out she jumped over the fence and she trespassed the tiger.
“And listen, when I saw what the tiger did to her hand, I had a lot of money back then, so I gave her $250,000 or whatever it was.
“Because she was just f***ed up.”
After putting on an impressive display in his clash with Jones Jr, fan favourite Tyson is set to return to the ring later this year.
A blockbuster trilogy fight with Evander Holyfield is in the works, with SunSport understanding the former rivals will throw down in the Middle East.

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