Heavyweight boxing

TYSON FURY has been called out for a rematch by the man who left him needing FORTY-SEVEN stitches on his forehead.
Otto Wallin is back in action on February 20 when he fights former heavyweight world title challenger Dominic Brezeale.

Otto Wallin took a bloodied Tyson Fury to points in 2019Credit: Getty Images – Getty

And the Swede is hoping a star performance will put him back into world title contention himself – and a chance of a rematch against the Gypsy King.
In September 2019 Fury took on Wallin in what many presumed was a ‘warm-up’ for the Deontay Wilder rematch.
But Fury was taken all the way to points by the gritty 30-year-old and left with a horror gash above his eye from a head clash that required 47 stitches.
Now Wallin fancies round two against the reigning WBC king.

He told Sky Sports: “My dream is to fight and win the world title so for right now I just have to keep fighting and improving so when I get the shot I’ll be ready to grab it with both hands.
“The Tyson Fury rematch is not my top priority but I truly hope I get another shot at him.
“I just have to keep fighting and winning and show that I’m worthy of a rematch and when the time comes I’m ready to go in and beat him.”
In the opposite corner on February 20 will be Breazeale – a man who has only lost to Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder in his career.

Wallin is chasing a world title rematch against Fury down the lineCredit: Reuters

Fury needed 47 stitches in a cut above his eyeCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Meanwhile talks are continuing to set up the undisputed super-fight between Fury and Joshua.
And Wallin is predicting his former opponent to triumph if the two Brits actually meet.
The 21-1 boxer added: “They are the two best heavyweights in the world right now and we need that fight.
“I’ve been watching AJ’s fight with Breazeale lately and AJ has got a great style and he’s got all the tools to beat Fury but I’m not sure how much AJ trusts himself.
“I think Fury has a strong mind and good confidence and sometimes that’s more important than anything. That’s why I believe Fury would win.”

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EVANDER HOLYFIELD predicted his trilogy fight with Mike Tyson will bring in £73million.
The pair are set to renew their rivalry, 34 years after Holyfield’s ear was bitten by Tyson, with talks over a Middle-East backed rematch.

Evander Holyfield is in talks to fight Mike TysonCredit: Instagram

Mike Tyson pictured on his comeback trailCredit: Instagram

Both American legends claim the demand from fans is so high for a third bout they have decided to face each other once more.
And Holyfield is confident – even with the two at a combined age of 112  – they will bank $100MILLION (£73m).
He told the Last Stand Podcast:  “I think it will be a lot of money and a lot of millions.
“I think, a hundred million. The fight would be big because so many people want the fight.

“The only thing that I hear people talking about [is] they want to Tyson and myself. And you know, this is what the world want to see.
“But you’re not in that situation, so you have to want to do it. So, I guess we have to come together and do it.”
Tyson, 54, made an astonishing comeback in November when he came out of retirement for an exhibition bout with Roy Jones Jr, 52.
It inspired Holyfield – who twice beat Iron Mike – to do the same with the heavyweight great training for a return of his own.

And he does so with the intention of sealing a trilogy with Tyson as negotiations between the two continue.
Iron Mike was dramatically beaten in round 11 by Holyfield, an underdog at the time, in 1996.
But their rematch a year later will forever be remembered for Tyson’s disgraceful third round disqualification, as he sunk his teeth into Holyfield’s ear.
They later patched things up and even featured in a Foot Locker advert together in 2013 where Tyson attempts to give Holyfield’s ear back.
Despite the reconciliation, both former champions will put friendship aside as they prepare to add another chapter to their long-standing history.

Evander Holyfield beat Mike Tyson in 1996Credit: Reuters

Mike Tyson biting Evander Holyfield’s ear in 1997Credit: Sky

Mike Tyson looks sharp and powerful as 54-year-old shows off brutal power preparing for £200m Evander Holyfield rematch More

DEONTAY WILDER’S sacked trainer Mark Breland has sensationally labelled the deposed heavyweight champ ‘untrainable’ in an extraordinary rant.
Breland, 57, was axed from Team Wilder following the American’s battering at the hands of Tyson Fury last year.

Deontay Wilder sacked trainer Mark Breland after his shattering loss to Tyson FuryCredit: Getty Images – Getty

It was Breland who threw the towel in as Wilder was taught a boxing lesson by the Gypsy King to suffer his first ever loss.
Wilder has since accused Breland of ‘spiking his water’ and accused him of betraying him.
In a lengthy post shared on Instagram, Breland, who had 39 fights as a pro winning 35, described that as a ‘ludicrous allegation’ and ‘outlandish and ridiculous’.
He also opened up on what life was like in Wilder’s training camp in what is sure to stoke the fires between the pair still further.

Breland wrote: “I’ll use my own platform since I’ve been ‘opened like a can of sardines’.
“Deontay had become untrainable because he was at the point of ‘he knows more about boxing than all of us’.
“So teaching a correct jab was not a priority to learn once he continues on his knockout streak. So a coach can only teach someone if they’re willing to learn.
“We would wait for the champ hours before he arribed at the gym and Jay [Deas, Wilder’s manager] would inform us of his mood.

Breland worked with Wilder for 12 yearsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

“If he had a bad day we had to ‘be quiet’ to not be on the receiving end of ‘his wrath’ in an effort to not be ‘fired’.
Breland added that Wilder didn’t fancy doing much cardio with ‘running not high on the list for him’.
Former WBC king Wilder was hurt by Breland’s blistering rant about his boxing career being ‘done’ and can’t fathom why he’s turned on him
But Breland has now moved to state that he meant his working relationship with Wilder was ‘done’ and not the boxer’s career.
He finished the statement by adding that he ‘won’t be speaking about it anymore’.

Breland has been left stunned at Wilder’s claims that his water was spikedCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Fury won by TKO after Wilder’s corner threw in the towel in the seventh round to stop the systematic beating – with many boxing fans believing the deposed champ was ‘concussed’.
The American was furious with the decision – but no-one inside the MGM Grand would have any arguments on a sensational night for Fury and British sport.
Even two of the judges who had come in for some stick before they had even started their night’s work gave EVERY ROUND to the Gypsy King.
The other kindly threw the second Wilder’s way.

Deontay Wilder lists five alternative opponents to ‘cheater’ Tyson Fury as he vows to return to ring at start of 2021 More

DANIEL DUBOIS has confirmed trainer Martin Bowers has been made the scapegoat for his November loss to Joe Joyce.
The 23-year-old heavyweight lost his British title and unbeaten record when The Juggernaut’s brilliant jab cracked a hole in his eye socket and forced him to take a knee and be counted out in the tenth round.

Joe Joyce’s brilliant jab cracked Daniel Dubois’ eye socket and he took a knee in the tenth.Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Dubois’ harshest critics accused him of being a quitter who ducked out as soon as the going got tough against the 35-year-old Olympic silver winner.
The young prospect’s supporters argue Peacock Gym boss Bowers should have thrown in the towel to pull him out of the contest, to protect his shattered face and reputation.
The unarguable fall-out is a move into respected Mark Tibbs’ stable – the son of British training legend Jimmy – and a fresh start, with Bowers and brother Tony retaining managerial duties.
Dubois, who hopes to return to the ring in April, said: “I am moving on now with Mark and Jimmy Tibbs as my trainers and I think their experience will really help me, moving forward in my career.

“I want a fresh start and hopefully they can show me things.
“Mark and Jimmy are deep in boxing and have been at world title level with people like Billy Joe Saunders and Dillian Whyte.
“I really need a fresh start and I need to do what is best for me really.
“Martin and Tony did a tremendous job, it was a great few years and I am very grateful, we had a fantastic journey.”

Mark Tibbs with Dillian Whyte after he beat Oscar Rivas in 2019Credit: Reuters

Daniel Dubois has left trainer Martin Bowers following the November loss to Joe JoyceCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Dubois has not had to have surgery or any of the steel plates Kell Brook had to rebuild his shattered orbital bones after similar injuries.
But he insists the pain he felt shooting through his face was enough to make the 17st powerhouse fold to the canvas and surrender the lead he had on two of the judges’ scorecards.
“You have to feel that pain to understand it,” he said.
“I felt that final shot come and I felt my eye go and took the knee.
“I didn’t even think about the fight then, I took a knee, maybe it was inexperience, maybe I panicked, it just happened at that moment.
“The pain happened and I was discombobulating, I panicked and took a knee.
“But I am not going to let this hold me back, I want to come back and improve.”

Aside from the keyboard warriors online, some of Dubois’ most ruthless criticism came from his fellow fighters.
Some, like fellow Brit heavyweight Dillian Whyte, he might be able to get revenge on one day inside the ring.
Others, like super-featherweight Carl Frampton, he will just have to defy with his comeback performances.
He said: “When I come back I will see those people and maybe even get in the ring with some of them, to show me how much of a quitter I am. 
“I have to set things right, I need to iron out some flaws but I don’t think I am too far off.
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“It has made me want it even more and made me stronger. I won’t let this break me. I will train even harder and be even more disciplined.
“It was a massive set back for me and I have to take on board the positives and negatives.
“Now I want to vent my frustrations out in the gym and get myself back on course. I want to start afresh again, like I have just turned professional again.”

Dillian Whyte blasts ‘coward’ Daniel Dubois for ‘quitting’ as he stops fighting in shock defeat to Joe Joyce
Watch the full Daniel Dubois interview here on the Unibet Lowdown. More

DEONTAY WILDER has accused his former coach Mark Breland of spiking his water before his defeat to Tyson Fury last February.
Following his seventh-round TKO loss to The Gypsy King, Wilder claimed his lacklustre performance was down to his water being spiked.

Deontay Wilder has accused his former coach Mark Breland of spiking his water before his rematch with Tyson FuryCredit: Getty

Deontay Wilder was dethroned by Tyson Fury last FebruaryCredit: Reuters

The American suggested Breland – who he axed for throwing in the towel – was the man responsible for the alleged drugging, a claim the former WBA welterweight champion has vehemently denied.
And The Bronze Bomber has revealed he told his head coach Jay Deas he believes Breland ‘did something to the water’.
Wilder told 78 Sports TV: “He was saying something about Jay pouring the water and s*** like that and the glove wasn’t tampered with and stuff like that, it’s crazy how you can say another man did something that we really don’t have no proof of.
“Although we know what the deal is. We know what’s up, man.

“But it ain’t really no proof, but you want to debunk something that we have all the proof and evidence of.
“It’s crazy. And I told Jay. I told Jay, ‘Man, I believe Mark did something to the water, man. Jay, I can’t believe it. He don’t want to give me the water’ and stuff like that.”
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Wilder, 35, insists he wasn’t himself in his rematch with Fury, adding: I know how I felt in that ring. That wasn’t me.

“If people understood how I felt in that motherf***er and what I was able to do under all that pressure and shit that was going on with me man, they’ll look at me today and salute me every time they see me and say, ‘Champ, I don’t know how the f**k you did it.’
“But you know, people will never know. They’ll never know.”
Former WBC king Wilder was hurt by Breland’s blistering rant about his boxing career being ‘done’ and can’t fathom why he’s turned on him
He said: “It’s crazy, bro, it’s crazy. Because I had this man around me for so long. Do you know what I’m saying?
“I had him around my family, around my kids – I fed this dude.
“Even when many people thought I outgrew him, many wanted me to fire him but I kept him on board. To hear all these things that he’s saying is crazy.

Mark Breland launched a blistering attack on Deontay Wilder last weekCredit: Getty
“It’s like, I was the one who fed you, bro. I was the one who kept you around. He should’ve been gone a long time ago.
“But because of the love that I have – to continue to give you a job and all of that. Even after the fact of all his medical issues that he’s personally going on with himself, I still kept him around.
“For him to betray me and say crazy stuff, man, you know, it is a little hurtful.
“Only for the fact of how close I had him around family and even playing with my kids. My firstborn, he used to play with her and s**t like that.
“I can’t understand why. What the f**k did I do? What did I do but nothing but bless? And he knows what type of person I am.
“He knows I blessed him. He knows I look out for people. I keep people in their homes. Many families, even fighters.

Deontay Wilder insists he wasn’t himself in his rematch with Tyson FuryCredit: PA

“There are many fighters I keep in their homes but people will never know about it because I don’t exercise my axe enough reaching out to media and to say, ‘Hey, get this story to show the world what I’ve done or what I contribute to.’
“I don’t care about that. I don’t care about people’s, whatever, their opinions or what they say about me. I never have. I’m just one of them peoples.
“I don’t care about opinions because my actions are going to speak for it all. Before it be deeper and better of him to feel a certain type of way, it’s like, ‘Where is it all coming from?’
“Is it because of where I am in life and your career was short? It could be a jealously thing. I can’t understand where it’s coming from.
Wilder hasn’t fought since his stunning defeat to Fury last year but is in the process of trying to land a trilogy fight with the Brit, which he believes he’s contractually entitled to.

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MIKE TYSON has been tipped to win his multi-million-pound trilogy fight with Evander Holyfield via a brutal knockout.
SunSport exclusively revealed the former heavyweight rivals are set to renew their decades-old rivalry in an exhibition fight later this year.

Mike Tyson (R) and Evander Holyfield (L) are set to renew their rivalry this yearCredit: Getty

Danny Williams reckons Mike Tyson will get the better of Evander Holyfield at the third time of askingCredit: Reuters

And Danny Williams is backing Iron Mike, 54 to get the job done against Holyfield in brutal fashion.
Williams, who KO’d Tyson in 2004, told RT Sport: “Tyson, Holyfield trilogy is a great match!
“This fight will make over $100 million. Everyone is excited to see these two legends go to war again.
“I think Tyson will KO Holyfield! Tyson is looking great in sparring and pad work.”

Tyson returned to the ring last November for an exhibition against former four-weight world champion Roy Jones Jr and looked impressive in his first outing in over 15 years.
And the third instalment of Tyson vs Holyfield has been in the works since that controversial draw with Jones Jr.
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But according to the former Baddest Man on the Planet’s good fried Zab Judah, the fight is a done deal.

The former IBF light welterweight champion told The Metro: “The fight is made, the fight is done, Mike Tyson versus Evander Holyfield part three, amazing.
“Everything about that fight interests me, you just got to look at one and two and there’s no doubt why you wouldn’t want to watch number three, no doubt.
“The fight is signed, sealed and delivered and Mike is training every day and Evander is training every day and both men are coming in there to do their job, they are not playing brother, there will be no playing.

Mike Tyson lost both of his meetings with Evander HolyfieldCredit: Getty

“Mike Tyson versus Evander Holyfield part three, it’s going down, it’s going to be real. It’s going to be a great fight for a third time.”
SunSport revealed last month that Tyson and Holyfield’s lucrative trilogy is on course to take place in Dubai.
Judah added: “It’s going to be in Dubai, that’s what I’m hearing. That’s what the advertisement said.”
Tyson and Holyfield’s first meeting took place in November 1996, with the former undisputed cruiserweight king scoring an 11th-round TKO victory over Iron Mike.
The pair rematched a year later but the fight ended in chaos as Tyson was disqualified in the third round for biting Holyfield’s ear.
The duo have since buried the hatchet and have attended multiple functions together.

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