Heavyweight boxing

MIKE TYSON has labelled Hollywood star Michael Jai White’s 1995 movie based on his life as ‘garbage’ as the actor looks to fight the boxing legend in 2021.
The 54-year-old has been challenged by his American compatriot – who played the starring role in the HBO television film ‘Tyson’ – to an exhibition contest.

Mike Tyson returned to the ring for the first time in 15 years in November when he fought Roy Jones JrCredit: USA TODAY Sports

Michael Jai White portrayed Tyson in the 1995 HBO biopic about the boxerCredit: Alamy

White, 53, has even stated he would face the Baddest Man on the Planet for free as he spoke of his confidence that he would beat him.
Following White’s comments, a December interview of Tyson discussing the biopic made of him featuring the actor has resurfaced online.
The former heavyweight world champion praised the acting of The Dark Knight and Mortal Kombat: Legacy star, though he admitted he wasn’t a fan of the movie.
Speaking to VladTV, Tyson was asked about White’s portrayal of him, to which he said: “I don’t know.

“He did a good job, but I think the film was garbage.
“He did some things that I could assimilate that being me, but I think the movie was very bad.”
White – who boasts an impressive background in martial arts having first started Jujutsu at the age of seven – has revealed he is keen to try his hand inside the boxing ring.
And he let it be known of his desire to face Tyson – who stars alongside former professional strongman and actor Hafthor Bjornsson in their new movie ‘Desert Strike’.

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Mike Tyson’s incredible bodyweight workout routine

Asked by VladTV about whether he would want to fight Tyson, he said: “Of course.
“To box Mike Tyson, I would love that. Are you kidding me? Why would I not do something like that.”
When asked about what the outcome of the bout would be, he added: “Of course, I think I would win.
“If [Tyson] he whooped my a**, I would [just] laugh at the whole scenario.”
Before stating: “Of course, I’ll do it for free. That’s my point man. It’s not about somebody else’s entertainment.
“That’s why I don’t post this stuff [sparring sessions] with Jon Jones or me and a lot of fighters. I don’t post that stuff. This is something that can happen next week.”

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ANTHONY JOSHUA has vowed he would have been able to succeed in any era as he showed off his ripped physique on social media.
The 31-year-old is looking in great shape as he prepares to face heavyweight rival Tyson Fury later this year for all the belts.

Both men agreed to a two-fight deal last summer with a 50-50 split for the first bout and a 60-40 split going to the winner for the rematch.
Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn revealed last month that the two are close to agreeing a match-up in May or June with talks ‘progressing really well’.
Though he believes that the eagerly-awaited contest is likely to take place outside of the UK due to the latest coronavirus lockdown.
With the fight edging closer to be finalised, Joshua has given fans a look at how he’s shaping up, while also taking a mini-swipe at boxers from previous generations.

Posting two snaps of his ripped body, he tweeted: “A great modern day fighter will be able to compete in any era.”
Joshua has been subject to criticism from former world champions in the past, with Lennox Lewis one of those to take fire at him.
And the 1988 Olympic gold medallist even backed the Gypst King to beat AJ as he stated the unbeaten WBC champ is ‘more dangerous’.
Boxing legend Mike Tyson – who recently snubbed Joshua from his favourite fighters list – stated in the past how Joshua, Fury or Deontay Wilder wouldn’t have beaten him.

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Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury agreed to a two-fight deal last yearCredit: Refer to Caption

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.”
And Evander Holyfield claimed last year that only Fury would have been able to hold his own during his era.
Fans were split over Joshua’s comment online, as one said: “You’d certainly compete, but you would lose to Ali, Holmes, Frazier, Foreman, Tyson, Lewis, Holyfield, Bowe….”
Another said: “You have to prove yourself as a great modern day fighter first.”
A third backed AJ, as they commented: “This era is the AJ era, you’d be a champion in any era, Fury be found out soon enough.”
Meanwhile another added: “Legend in the making.”

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HOLLYWOOD star Michael Jai White portrayed Mike Tyson in the 1995 HBO movie about the boxer… and now he wants to fight him.
The 53-year-old actor – who took up the starring role for the biopic ‘Tyson’ – has even suggested he would beat the Baddest Man on the Planet.

Michael Jai White (middle) is confident he would beat Mike Tyson in a boxing matchCredit: Alamy

Known for his role as Gambol in The Dark Knight, Al Simmons in Spawn and Jax Briggs in Mortal Kombat: Legacy, the American has stated he is up for a new challenge.
White boasts an impressive background in martial arts having first started Jujutsu at the age of seven, but he has revealed he is keen to try his hand inside the boxing ring.
Speaking to VladTV, White was asked whether he would be willing to compete against Tyson, to which he said: “Of course.
“To box Mike Tyson, I would love that. Are you kidding me? Why would I not do something like that.”

When asked about what the outcome of the bout would be, he added: “Of course, I think I would win.
“If [Tyson] he whooped my a**, I would [just] laugh at the whole scenario.”
White then insisted he would be willing to pit his wits against the former world heavyweight champion for free.
He also claimed that the exhibition contest could happen as early as next week.

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Mike Tyson returned to the ring in November where he drew against Roy Jones JrCredit: USA TODAY Sports

Mike Tyson’s incredible bodyweight workout routine

He remarked: “Of course, I’ll do it for free. That’s my point man. It’s not about somebody else’s entertainment.
“That’s why I don’t post this stuff [sparring sessions] with Jon Jones or me and a lot of fighters. I don’t post that stuff. This is something that can happen next week.”
Tyson – who drew in his comeback fight against Jones in November – confirmed earlier this month that he will box again this year.
And he has also teased a potential switch into MMA after footage emerged of him sparring inside the octagon.
The 54-year-old has previously described UFC as ‘sexy’, but insisted the money in boxing is better.

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FORGOTTEN heavyweight world champion Mahmoud Charr has been told he will be stripped of his WBA belt should he fail to fight this month.
The 36-year-old – who is the only strap holder besides Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury in the heavyweight division – hasn’t fought since November 2017.

Mahmoud Charr won the WBA ‘regular’ belt after beating Alexander UstinovCredit: Alamy Live News

Anthony Joshua is the recognised WBA champion as he holds the ‘super’ strapCredit: ©Mark Robinson

His last fight saw him pick up the WBA ‘regular’ belt after he outpointed Alexander Ustinov in his native Germany.
Brit star Joshua holds the ‘super’ version of the WBA belt, which he originally won after he stopped Wladimir Klitschko seven months prior to Charr’s victory.
Charr’s lengthy absence from the ring is due to promotional wrangles, while he was also suspended for an adverse VADA drug test.
Though his suspension from the squared circle was later lifted by the WBA.

But the WBA have grown impatient by his inactivity, and have ordered him to face mandatory challenger Trevor Bryan before January 29.
A statement read: “The heavyweight title fight between champion Mahmoud Charr and the mandatory challenger Trevor Bryan will have to be held by January 29, 2021, according to a statement issued by the World Boxing Association (WBA) Championships Committee, and signed by Carlos Chavez.”
With time running out to make the fight, there has been no mention on when it could take place or where the two would compete.
Bryan – who is the interim WBA champ – hasn’t fought since he knocked out BJ Flores in August 2018.

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Only Tyson Fury, Joshua and Charr hold world titles in the heavyweight divisionCredit: AFP or licensors

But the unbeaten 31-year-old has stated it won’t be long until he ends his hiatus away from the ring.
In a recent Instagram post showing off his belt, he said: “Don’t Quit.
“Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a CHAMPION – Muhammad Ali.
“It won’t be long now people it won’t be long now.”

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HOLLYWOOD star Michael Jai White portrayed Mike Tyson in the 1995 HBO movie about the boxer… and now he wants to fight him.
The 53-year-old actor – who took up the starring role for the biopic ‘Tyson’ – has even suggested he would beat the Baddest Man on the Planet.

Michael Jai White (middle) is confident he would beat Mike Tyson in a boxing matchCredit: Alamy

Known for his role as Gambol in The Dark Knight, Al Simmons in Spawn and Jax Briggs in Mortal Kombat: Legacy, the American has stated he is up for a new challenge.
White boasts an impressive background in martial arts having first started Jujutsu at the age of seven, but he has revealed he is keen to try his hand inside the boxing ring.
Speaking to VladTV, White was asked whether he would be willing to compete against Tyson, to which he said: “Of course.
“To box Mike Tyson, I would love that. Are you kidding me? Why would I not do something like that.”

When asked about what the outcome of the bout would be, he added: “Of course, I think I would win.
“If [Tyson] he whooped my a**, I would [just] laugh at the whole scenario.”
White then insisted he would be willing to pit his wits against the former world heavyweight champion for free.
He also claimed that the exhibition contest could happen as early as next week.

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Mike Tyson returned to the ring in November where he drew against Roy Jones JrCredit: USA TODAY Sports

Mike Tyson’s incredible bodyweight workout routine

He remarked: “Of course, I’ll do it for free. That’s my point man. It’s not about somebody else’s entertainment.
“That’s why I don’t post this stuff [sparring sessions] with Jon Jones or me and a lot of fighters. I don’t post that stuff. This is something that can happen next week.”
Tyson – who drew in his comeback fight against Jones in November – confirmed earlier this month that he will box again this year.
And he has also teased a potential switch into MMA after footage emerged of him sparring inside the octagon.
The 54-year-old has previously described UFC as ‘sexy’, but insisted the money in boxing is better.

Watch Mike Tyson pummel sparring partner in cage as boxing legend, 54, hints as sensational MMA switch More

EDDIE HEARN admits Anthony Joshua’s blockbuster showdown with Tyson Fury could be held at a “wacky” location outside of the UK.
The eagerly-anticipated heavyweight title unification fight is currently in the works, and both parties are confident a deal will soon be finalised.

Eddie Hearn admits Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury could take place outside of the UKCredit: PA

Anthony Joshua would like to face Tyson Fury at Wembley StadiumCredit: Getty

Wembley Stadium is the preferred location for the fight, although Hearn admits the ongoing coronavirus pandemic – which has plunged the nation into a third lockdown – could lead to the bout being held in a “wacky” location.
He told IFL TV: “There have been meetings taking place on where this fight is going to be held.
‘There’s various countries. I’ve visited a few of them in the last few weeks and days and I think we’re in a good position. There’s some wacky stuff.
‘There’s some stuff you’d expect and again, I know everyone wants it in the UK but at the moment they aren’t even allowing boxing so we’ve got a long way to go.”

Although an agreement has yet to be finalised, Hearn believes the biggest fight in the history of British boxing is almost a done deal.
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He added: “We’ve been drafting contracts, it’s not signed but the deal has been agreed for a long time, we’ve confirmed that in writing.
“I feel like the fight is virtually there, to be honest with you. We’re in the final stages of everything that’s got to be worked out.”

WBC king Fury continued his mind games with AJ this week by vowing to stop him inside two rounds.
Hearn is loving the pre-fight build-up, saying: “I think it’s hotting up nicely. The mind games are starting.

“AJ is working tirelessly away in London and I think Tyson has gone to Miami to train and I think AJ will be going somewhere to train soon as well.
“I think everything is great. There’s been conversations every day for the last two weeks on that fight.
“A lot of the travelling I’ve been doing lately has been looking at where that fight can be staged as well.
“As we have done for a long time, we have an agreement on that fight. We have an agreement, which was agreed a long time ago. Nothing has changed.
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“We are not looking to go back on that agreement, I don’t think Tyson Fury is looking to go back on that agreement.
“We’re in the position now of drafting paperwork to try and move forwards with that fight so I think from a pandemic point of view it’s difficult because the world is changing every day. One minute something is opening, another something is closing.”
Despite the prospect of Covid-19 delaying the long-awaited Battle of Britain, Hearn is confident the fight will take place this year.
The Matchroom chief said: “That fight is planned for the end of May, early June and I don’t see anything getting in the way of it.”

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