Heavyweight boxing

ANTHONY JOSHUA has been backed to beat Tyson Fury with his ‘speed, power and jab’ by promoter Eddie Hearn.
Hearn is now working tirelessly with Fury’s matchmakers Bob Arum and Frank Warren to seal a deal for the AJ and the Gypsy King to finally fight.

Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua are on course to fight next year Credit: AFP or licensors

Eddie Hearn is now working tirelessly with Fury’s matchmakers Bob Arum and Frank WarrenCredit: PA:Press Association

Joshua, 31, sent out a message to his long-time rival after dropping Kubrat Pulev four times during his round nine knockout.
And Hearn is confident the same tactics which made sure the unified champion preserved the undisputed title decider will ultimately lead him to victory.
He told William Hill: “Because he has the technical ability to mix it with one of the best technical heavyweights of our time in Tyson Fury, who is big, awkward and clever.
“But (Joshua) has the speed on the inside and the outside, he has the jab to match him, he has the fundamentals, but he also has the speed and power to go in there.

“I’m not a buyer of Tyson Fury’s power. I’m not saying he can’t punch, but it’s not like this is a devastating puncher that’s been bojo-ing people out of the ring for years and years.
“Someone messaged me earlier on Instagram, saying: ‘Tyson Fury is going to knock Anthony Joshua spark out.’
“I said: ‘When was the last time Fury knocked anyone spark out or had them gone?’
“Probably (Steve) Cunningham? But when was that – six or seven years ago?

“I think under (trainer) SugarHill (Steward), he’s working a lot better on his power and aggression, so he’s dangerous.
“But for me, AJ has the speed and the power to get on the inside – and you have to get hold of him and that’s very difficult.”
Deontay Wilder’s case for a third fight with Fury is still being reviewed following a legal dispute.
And Joshua’s WBO mandatory challenger Oleksandr Usyk has also threatened to get in the way of boxing’s biggest prizefight.
But bullish Hearn has warned they will vacate the belt should it come to it, as fighting Fury is their No1 priority.
He said: “No, we don’t care. Because we’ll vacate a belt, if we have to.
“But we will do everything we can to see that (Fury) fight be undisputed. It’s not a problem, everyone wants it.
“You’ll see that fight next year.”

Anthony Joshua lashes out at Tyson Fury after his rival’s comments after Pulev fight More

GOLDEN BOY Promotions president Eric Gomez has proposed an exhibition match between Mike Tyson and Oscar De La Hoya.
Iron Mike returned to the ring last month for an exhibition with former four-weight world champion Roy Jones Jr.

Mike Tyson returned to the ring last month against Roy Jones JrCredit: USA TODAY Sports

Oscar De La Hoya is plotting a return to the ring in early 2021Credit: Reuters

Tyson, 54, rolled back the years in his long-awaited showdown with the future Hall-of-Famer, which ended in a draw.
The former undisputed heavyweight champion is eager to raise money for charity by competing in more exhibition bouts.
And Golden Boy chief Gomez has thrown out the idea of a lucrative exhibition between Tyson and De La Hoya.
Gomez recently posted a picture of himself and Tyson to Instagram with the accompanying caption: “Anyone interested in @oscardelahoya vs @miketyson???”

It didn’t take long for Gomez’s post to come to the attention of De La Hoya, who was quick to pour cold water on the possibility of sharing the ring with Tyson.
De La Hoya replied: “R u fuggin crazy homie.”
An exhibition bout between Tyson and De La Hoya would likely not be sanctioned given the huge weight difference between the pair.
De La Hoya weighed 145lbs (66kg) in the final fight of his career against Manny Pacquiao, a whole 65lbs (29kg) lighter than Tyson weighed last month for his clash with Jones Jr.

Former six-weight world champion De La Hoya retired from boxing in April 2009, four months after suffering an eighth-round TKO loss to Pacquiao.
De La Hoya, also known as ‘The Golden Boy’, recently revealed he intends to return to the ring in early 2021.
He told DAZN: “I’m 90 per cent positive that I’m coming back the first quarter of next year.
“The 10 percent is based on how Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. look in their upcoming fight. We’re almost the same age.
“Although I’m younger, our bodies have been through the same strain with workouts and training.”
De La Hoya has set his sights on facing reining IBF and IBO middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin, the long-term rival of Golden Boy’s former cash cow Canelo Alvarez.
But GGG has warned the 47-year-old to think twice about pursuing a fight with him.
The Kazakh told AFP: “You know Oscar, you know how dirty his mouth is.
“Everything involving Gennady Golovkin for him is a nightmare. He can say whatever.
“But let me put it this way – If I got an opportunity to legally kill a person in the ring, I might seize it.”

Mike Tyson vs Roy Jones – Round by round More

MIDDLEWEIGHT star Gennady Golovkin has issued a deadly threat in response to Oscar De La Hoya’s claims he could beat the IBF champion.
The retired boxer – who revealed earlier this year he is planning to make a comeback aged 47 – has GGG in his sights should he step back inside the squared circle.

Oscar De La Hoya (right) is considering making a comeback to the ringCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Gennady Golovkin defends his IBF middleweight belt against Kamil Szeremeta on FridayCredit: AFP

And speaking last month, the 1992 Olympic gold medallist – who won a whopping 11 world titles in six weight classes – stated it would be ‘easy’ to beat Golovkin.
He said: “You know how easy GGG would be for me? Oh, my gosh. It would be a high-profile fight, that’s for sure.
“I always took a good shot and I always took apart fighters like him. In my mind it would be that easy. I would definitely consider it, that’s for sure.”
Golovkin was asked about De La Hoya’s comments ahead of his IBF defence against Kamil Szeremeta on Friday in Florida.

And he didn’t hold back as he issued a grave warning to De La Hoya by insisting he could ‘seize’ his chance to ‘legally kill a person in the ring’.
He told AFP: “You know Oscar, you know how dirty his mouth is.
“Everything involving Gennady Golovkin for him is a nightmare.
“He can say whatever. But let me put it this way – If I got an opportunity to legally kill a person in the ring, I might seize it.”

SunSport’s pound for pound top ten

De La Hoya – who has also been linked with a fight to face Marcos Maidana – hasn’t fought since 2008 after being beaten by Manny Pacquiao.
Golovkin meanwhile has been out of action since winning the vacant IBF title against Sergiy Derevyanchenko in October 2019.
Commenting on his return to the ring, he said: “‘It was a long pause.
“There was enough time to miss boxing and forget certain things. The training was good.
“I went through my standard training and it went well and I’m ready.”

The ‘monster’ Edgar Berlanga shows what he is made of as he works out in training More

MIKE TYSON met with Frank Bruno as the legendary boxers filmed a feature-length documentary looking back at their brutal heavyweight showdown 31 years on.
The two giants of the boxing world collided in Las Vegas in February 1989 for the WBA, WBC, IBF and lineal heavyweight championships

Frank Bruno met Mike Tyson in the US to film a documentary for Sky

Tyson and Bruno rekindled their friendship 31 years after their first, pulsating fight

Tyson beat Bruno in a breathless fight in 1989 via fifth-round TKOCredit: AP:Associated Press

The American, then just 22, eventually beat the British hero, 27 at the time of the fight, via fifth round TKO.
And now they have come face-to-face once more to film a feature-length documentary looking back at their fight more than three decades later.
Bruno, 59, shared the incredible pictures of the pair reunited on Facebook, as they shook hands and posed for photos ahead of the release of Tyson Bruno on Sky.
The Brit captioned the post: “I am delighted to say after almost 9 months waiting we have filmed the Sky film special of Mike Tyson & myself.

“I went to the USA last week. It will be on Sky in Jan 2021.
“Yes we were all tested a number of times!”
Plans for the documentary were revealed in the summer to give fans a sporting fix in the peak of the lockdown.
But the making of the film itself was delayed – and with it, the release.

Tyson has been busy since the summer after he announced he was making a comeback to the ring.
Following months of tough training, Iron Mike returned to boxing at the age of 54 when he fought fellow veteran Roy Jones Jr to a draw in November.
A host of former heavyweights, including Evander Holyfield, have since been linked with a comeback of their own.
But for now, the boxing showcase we’re all dying to see won’t be a fight. At least, not a new one.
Instead, fans will be treated to a recap of Tyson’s enthralling 1989 fight with Bruno, including the build-up to the clash with both fighters’ career on the upward trajectory.
Tyson knocked Bruno to the floor in the first round of the fight with a vicious right hook, with the Brit bouncing back on the count of four.

Tyson forced the ref to call off the fight after pummelling Bruno into the ropesCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Tyson and Bruno were two of the biggest names in heavyweight boxing in the 1980s and 1990sCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Tyson and Bruno fought for a second time in 1996, with the American also winning that clash via TKOCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Bruno himself inflicted some real damage as both boxers exchanged hefty blows.
The British star sent Tyson staggering back late in the first round for the first time in the American’s career.
But once Tyson got on top of Bruno, he refused to relent and would go on to dominate, with his opponent merely surviving each round.
Eventually, the referee stepped in late on in round five with Tyson pinning Bruno up against the ropes.
The pair would fight again seven years later, with Tyson winning that 1996 fight with incredible skill and determination.
In the end, The Baddest Man on the Planet unleashed a 13-PUNCH combination to force the referee to award him the fight via TKO, with Bruno on the ropes.

Mike Tyson feels ‘guilty’ over Tupac death as he ‘pressured him’ to watch his Vegas fight where rapper was killed More

DEREK CHISORA is eyeing a 2021 bout with fellow Brit Joe Joyce.
That’s according to his manager David Haye, who reckons Joyce will be “salivating at the opportunity” to face Chisora in a heavyweight epic next year.

Derek Chisora is eyeing a fight with Joe Joyce, says his manager David HayeCredit: ©Mark Robinson Ltd

Joyce is one of the heavyweight division’s brightest stars after beating Daniel DuboisCredit: Richard Pelham – The Sun

Joyce, 35, has become the division’s latest star after his impressive stoppage of highly-rated youngster Daniel Dubois.
The former Olympian cleverly outboxed his less experienced foe, who is now out for five months with a cracked eye socket and a bleed on his retina.
Joyce is now looking for his next fight and has made no secret of his desire to take on Oleksandr Usyk.
However, the Ukrainian is in line to face Anthony Joshua should Tyson Fury be forced into a trilogy fight with Deontay Wilder.

But Chisora, 36, whose last fight was a brave defeat to Usyk, is now ready to take on Joyce as he aims for another crack at the top.
Chisora’s manager Haye told Sky Sports: “Possibly Joyce. He looked great the other night against Dubois.
“I’m sure Joyce’s team would be salivating at that opportunity. That’s a great fight out there.
“Chisora wants to fight four times in 2021. He wants to get going as quickly as possible and he doesn’t care who he fights.

“As long as they are big fights, meaningful fights, he’s good to go.
“That’s music to my ears. It makes it very easy for me as a manager to navigate his trajectory to a heavyweight title. That’s always the plan.
“The heavyweight division is looking really bright at the moment, it’s looking really healthy and Derek Chisora is a part of it, so it’s very important who the next couple of fights are.”
Promoter Eddie Hearn added: “Chisora loves challenging himself, he loves being part of these big nights and he’s always in great fights.
“The search goes on for the new opponent and I think you will see him in March or April time.”

Joe Joyce throws his hands up in celebration after Dubois is forced to quit due to his swollen eye More

DILLIAN WHYTE’s hopes of rematching Alexander Povetkin in January have gone up in smoke after the Russian was hospitalised for a second time with Covid-19.
Brixton bruiser Whyte was set to renew his rivalry with the 41-year-old in November but saw his shot at redemption delayed until January 30.

Dillian Whyte’s rematch with Alexander Povetkin has been delayed againCredit: PA

But according to the Russian’s promoter Andrey Ryabinsky, a return to the hospital for the veteran has seen those plans go up in smoke.
Ryabinsky said: “There will be no fight with Whyte in January.
“We underestimated the consequences of the virus, everything did not go as smoothly as we thought.
“We will discuss and appoint the date of the fight when we understand at what pace we can move with preparation.”

Three-time world title challenger Povetkin is training again but Ryabinsky insists he’s in no shape to be fighting in the near future.
He added: “‘Sasha’ had to go to hospital again for examinations. The other day he was discharged and is now starting training.
“We’ll increase the workload in stages, under the supervision of doctors. Boxing is a serious load on the body, I won’t allow Sasha’s health to be risked.”

Dillian Whyte suffered a brutal KO loss to Alexander Povetkin in AugustCredit: MATCHROOM
Povetkin’s latest hospitalisation will be a hammer blow to Whyte, who suffered a devastating fifth-round KO loss in their first encounter in August.

Whyte was furious with the first postponement of their rematch and publicly doubted Povetkin’s Covid diagnosis.
He told Sky Sports: “I personally don’t think he’s got Covid.
“I think he just needed more time to get ready, because he took a lot of damage in the first fight.

“After the first fight, he took a lot of time off. Even though I got stopped, I went straight back to training and I got straight back on it.”
Whyte’s comments enraged Ryabinsky, who said: “This can happen to any athlete.
“Sasha was in the hospital, we have all the documents at hand. If Eddie Hearn has any question of this kind, I am ready to submit all these documents.”

Dillian Whyte’s coach reveals incredible reaction to shock Povetkin KO that left him asking ‘What’s happened?’ More

HUMBLE Anthony Joshua returned to see his old coach just hours after destroying Kubrat Pulev.
The world champion produced an explosive performance to destroy the challenger on Saturday night.

Anthony Joshua destroyed Kubrat Pulev at Wembley on Saturday nightCredit: AP:Associated Press

And just hours after his show stopping performance in the ring, AJ headed to Finchley ABC to see old coach Sean Murphy.
Writing on Instagram, Murphy said: “Look who came down the gym tonight.”
AJ replied: He is the king 👑.”
The Watford heavyweight boxer has not forgotten his roots and bought a car for Murphy a couple of years.

AJ also paid for a new club minibus as he showed his gratitude for their contribution to his road to stardom.

The 31-year-old superstar was a teenager when he first strolled into Finchley ABC and credits the club for changing his life.
Joshua said: “It was at my first boxing club where I learned discipline.
“How to forget your ego and listen to instructions if you want to achieve things.

“Sean would say, ‘Shut up, get on the bags, stop talking’. He told me to stay focused.
“These guys will always have their door open for me, no matter what. I’ll never forget who has been there when no one was.”
Joshua’s explosive win against Pulev has put him on a collision course to face Tyson Fury in a huge undisputed world heavyweight title fight next year.

Anthony Joshua lashes out at Tyson Fury after his rival’s comments after Pulev fight More