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      Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury two-fight schedule released with plans for April clash and November rematch

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      THE schedule for Tyson Fury’s epic Battle of Britain heavyweight clashes against Anthony Joshua has been revealed.
      At the start of coronavirus lockdown, WBC heavyweight champ Fury announced that he had ‘agreed’ two fights with WBA, WBO and IBF king Joshua.

      Tyson Fury will have a homecoming fight in December – then concentrate on sorting the Joshua fightsCredit: Rex Features

      Anthony Joshua must first get rid of Kubrat Pulev in DecemberCredit: PA:Press Association

      Provided they both get throught their respective title defences, all the belts could be on the line in 2021.
      And AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn has already worked out when they mouthwatering fights will happen – and wants both to take place in the UK.
      Speaking to Sky Sports, the Matchroom boss said: “You break them up into probably May, June, and then November, December [for the rematch]. April, May, June, and then November, December.
      “I think it’s about where and of course they’re two British heavyweight world champions, and if one of those fights at least didn’t take place in the UK it would be a shame.

      “I know ultimately people think it’s my decision but it’s really not.
      “We will take all the offers that will come from all around the world and present them to both teams and both fighters.
      “Ultimately, normally, the biggest offer wins.”
      Both boxers have fought in the US – Joshua suffering one of the sport’s biggest shocks when he lost all his belts to Andy Ruiz Jr in 2019.

      Eddie Hearn has set the dates up for Tyson Fury’s two fights against Anthony JoshuaCredit: PA:Press Association

      Undefeated Fury has boxed five times in the States, with four wins and a draw.
      Saudi Arabia staged Joshua’s successful rematch against Ruiz Jr, and they could come in with an offer to stage the Battle of Britain too.
      Both Brits have their own title defences to get through first, however.
      On December 12 AJ will lay his belts on the line against Bulgarian veteran Kubrat Pulev.
      It is anticipated that Fury will have a fight on home soil following the collapse of his trilogy fight against Deontay Wilder.
      An opponent has not been named yet for that, though December 5 at London’s Royal Albert Hall will be the date and venue.

      Tyson Fury tells Anthony Joshua to grow a pair and step up to fight More

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      Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr to fight for WBC Frontline Battle Belt with ‘Black Lives Matter’ engraved on it

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      MIKE TYSON and Roy Jones Jr are competing for the WBC Frontline Battle Belt in their eight-round exhibition bout next month.
      The belt – which has been specifically created for the dust-up on November 28 at the Dignity Health Sports Park – also has the words ‘Black Lives Matter’ engraved on it.

      This is the belt that Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr are competing for next month

      Tyson hasn’t fought inside the ring since losing to Kevin McBride in July 2005

      Roy Jones Jr won world titles in four weight classes during his illustrious career

      The WBC regularly design new belts for blockbuster bouts, notably creating the ‘Adolfo Lopez Mateos’ strap for the rematch between Gennady Golovkin and Saul Alvarez.
      Meanwhile Tyson Fury got his hands on the WBC ‘Mayan’ belt when he outpointed Otto Wallin in September 2019.
      And who could forget the WBC ‘Money’ belt designed for the extravaganza between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor which cost £310,000 to create.
      Tyson – who hasn’t fought since his defeat to Kevn McBride in July 2005 – will walk out to his own song for the contest in California.

      Teaming up with Indie-electro duo Tiki Lau, the 54-year-old helped create a dance track for his return to the ring.
      The Baddest Man on the Planet is targeting THREE more fights in 2021 according to his trainer Rafael Cordeiro.
      Meanwhile Jones Jr, 51, has shown he still boasts incredible hand speed just two years after hanging up the gloves.
      A statement from the WBC per ESPN has explained how the scoring method will work, while also stating that former world champs will be the judges.

      It read: “WBC’s remote scoring system will be used to evaluate Tyson and Jones Jr’s performance.
      “Three champions will serve as the judges. Each round will be scored and announced to the public.
      “California State Athletic Commission will oversee, regulate, and sanction.”
      The statement also claimed that both men are voluntarily participating in the clean boxing programme through the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association.

      Mike Tyson releases dance track for Roy Jones Jr fight with crazy vid and ‘lend me your ears or I’ll eat them’ lyrics More

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      Oleksandr Usyk is ‘already in Anthony Joshua’s head’ and fight is just ‘a matter of time’ – says Ukrainian’s promoter

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      OLEKSANDR USYK is ‘already in Anthony Joshua’s head’ according to the Ukrainian’s promoter.
      Usyk fights Brit Derek Chisora this weekend, and a victory will set up his WBO mandatory shot againt the champ Joshua.

      Oleksandr Usyk fights Derek Chisora in his second fight at heavyweightCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

      Anthony Joshua takes on Kubrat Pulev in December – and could fight Usyk next yearCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      And it is a fight that will definitely happen, according to Usyk’s co-promoter Alexander Krassyuk.
      Speaking to Sky Sports, the boxing chief said: “Usyk is already in AJ’s head.
      “Their fight will happen anyway, this is just a matter of time.
      “There is no difference how big Usyk’s win is [versus Chisora] – AJ knows that this guy is a real threat for him.”

      After becoming undisputed cruiserweight champ Usyk decided to step up to heavyweight.
      With the move up the automatically became the WBO’s mandatory challenger – and of course it is AJ who holds that strap.
      Joshua has his own business to take care of on December 12 with a title defence against Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev.
      Then there is the ‘two fights agreed’ with Tyson Fury for 2021 – though Usyk could throw a spanner into those works.

      First up for the 33-year-old Ukrainian is the daunting figure of Chisora, with the two clashing at Wembley Arena.
      And that should be a good test on how far Usyk can go in the heavyweight division against a seasoned banger.
      And it’s something Usyk’s co-promoter Eddie Hearn is intrigued about.

      He added: “What do we know about Usyk? Genius. Amazing footwork. Punch selection, timing, mental capacity.
      “What we don’t know? How tough he is under heavyweight firepower.
      “When he boxed Chazz Witherspoon [in his heavyweight debut last year] there were a few signs that he didn’t like what was coming back.
      “Witherspoon is nowhere near as good or fast as Chisora.
      “There are a lot of questions for Usyk to answer at heavyweight but he is a genius who will go down as one of the greatest fighters of our generation.”

      Oleksandr Usyk bizarrely calls out Derek Chisora while CANOEING as he targets October 31 showdown with Brit boxer More

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      Derek Chisora ditches Smart car for beefy 4×4 to focus on mammoth Oleksandr Usyk challenge

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      DEREK CHISORA has parked his Smart car to focus all his road rage on smashing into Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday.
      The 6ft, 18st fans’ favourite usually squeezes himself into the tiny motor to run errands, visit London gyms and pose for photos.

      Derek Chisora has swapped the Smart car for a chauffeur-driven 4×4

      But in the final fortnight of camp, heavyweight Chisora beefed up the horsepower and handed over the reins.
      With his chauffeur-driven 4×4 waiting outside the Hayemaker gym, the 36-year-old said: “A couple of weeks out from every fight, I put that Smart in the garage and get myself a big car and a driver.
      “If I have been training hard all day, then it can be hard to concentrate in the car when you are driving yourself home.
      “This close to a fight I just want to train and relax and keep myself and other drivers safe.

      “It’s not about me being a danger on the road but you never know what can happen, it’s better to take no risks.”
      The Chisora v Usyk build-up — which has been running most of the year after their original May date was postponed due to coronavirus — has not just been respectful, it has been hilarious.
      Ukraine’s 2012 Olympic heavyweight gold medallist and undisputed cruiserweight king uploaded an Instagram video of him running on the beach and shadow boxing, while growling “Derek! Where are you, Derek?”.
      Fellow heavyweights Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte then posted their own versions on social media, with Del Boy firing back with clips of his own to help lift lockdown spirits.

      After a tough day of training, Del Boy, here with David Haye, reckoned he was safer to be dropped home instead

      Chisora is preparing to face Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk in their heavyweight showdown on SaturdayCredit: ©Mark Robinson Ltd

      He said: “Usyk started it with the video of him running on the beach. I have seen fighters and people make their own versions now and when I have been out driving and shopping, have had people yelling ‘Derek!’.
      “The whole country seems to have enjoyed it and, right now, people need that.
      “This week people can forget their problems by enjoying the build-up, making predictions and the day after, can say to their friends ‘Did you see the fight? Wasn’t it unbelievable?’.
      “People need fun things to take their attention right now, even just for a split second, because we are in the s***.”
      A few weeks ago Chisora’s manager, David Haye, posted a video offering £100 to any heavyweight southpaw who could last a round — and a grand if they could floor him.
      A few oddballs offered their services but Chisora insisted the reward for dropping him should have been £20,000.

      He said: “Guys turned up but nobody got the grand. I was never going to pay that.
      “I had MMA middleweight Darren Till message me but he was too late — I even had cabbies knocking on the gym door.
      “Everybody wants that £1,000 but I don’t get dropped in sparring — it was David’s money anyway.
      “I would have £20,000 of my own money on the line and not get dropped in sparring, anyone could give it a go.”
      Sounds like Smart money.

      Derek Chisora takes repeated punches to the stomach to show he’s ready for upcoming fight More

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      Tyson Fury’s promoter Bob Arum claims Deontay Wilder’s team ‘never read contracts’ with trilogy fight in balance

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      TYSON FURY’S promoter Bob Arum has hit out at Deontay Wilder’s management with their trilogy fight on the brink of collapsing.
      The Gypsy King announced he had ‘moved on’ after failing to finalise a date in December to take on the American.

      Tyson Fury KO’d Deontay Wilder in their second fight in FebruaryCredit: Reuters

      Wilder, 35, immediately activated a clause in the contract to land a third fight after his February knockout.
      But the coronavirus pandemic and Wilder’s bicep injury meant a date could not be agreed before the rematch clause expired.
      Despite this, Wilder’s manager Shelly Finkel insisted the show will go on.
      But Arum has slammed these suggestions and claimed Finkel hasn’t even bothered to read the contract.

      Speaking to iFL TV he said: “Fury has Robert Davis as his lawyer in the UK.
      “He’s read the contract. The contract has expired. It’s clear. Shelly can say what he wants.
      “You know the thing that’s crazy about it is, the last time I talked to Shelly Finkel was the night of the fight after Wilder had been beaten.
      “And I haven’t talked to him since.

      Fury’s promoter Bob Arum has hit out at Wilder’s management teamCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      “Shelly hides in the bushes and then when something that he sees as being averse to his fighter or himself happens, then he comes out and makes statements.
      “I am sure, I am absolutely sure, not knowing, but I think Shelly Finkel has never read the contract.”
      Fury is still likely to fight on December 5 with Carlos Takam his most likely opponent.
      He will then prepare for a double header of fights in an all-British showdown with Anthony Joshua next year.

      Tyson Fury tells Anthony Joshua to grow a pair and step up to fight More

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      Chisora desperate for win over Usyk so he can get third fight with Fury that Gypsy King ‘owes’ and ‘promised’ him

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      DEREK CHISORA is desperate to get past Oleksandr Usyk so he can fight Tyson Fury for a third time.
      And he even claimed the Gypsy King ‘owes’ and ‘promised’ him a trilogy bout.

      Derek Chisora believes he is ‘owed’ another fight with Tyson Fury if he beats Oleksandr UsykCredit: ©Mark Robinson Ltd

      Chisora suffered defeats in London to Fury in July 2011 and again in November 2014 – but reckons he is due another shot at the WBC heavyweight king.
      Del Boy told Sky Sports: “I think it would be a great fight to have with The Gypsy King because he’s always promised me a third fight. 
      “He owes me anyway because we speak every day, and he owes me that fight.
      “He’s always saying he wants to give me another fight, so he’s a man of his word, so that would be the fight I would like to have.

      “It’s just business. After all, so if it happens, it happens.”
      But first Chisora needs to get past the mighty challenge of Usyk.
      The pair will go head to head in their rearranged bout next Saturday night.
      However, even if he does upset the odds and land a win against the 17-0 Ukrainian making his second fight at heavyweight, Chisora will surely have to wait to face Fury.

      Del Boy reckons the Gypsy King promised a trilogy fight – but the WBC king will not fight him anytime soonCredit: Rex Features

      The Gypsy King is on course to make his first defence of his WBC belt before Christmas with a performance at the Royal Albert Hall on December 5.
      Carlos Takam and Agit Kabayel are among the fighters touted to challenge the 6ft 9ins giant with the Deontay Wilder trilogy looking off the cards.
      Takam most memorably lost to Anthony Joshua in 2017 while the unbeaten Kabayel’s highest-profile win came over Chisora that same year.
      But after that – assuming both Brits win – boxing fans could finally be treated to a mammoth showdown between Fury and Joshua.
      The rivals agreed a two-fight deal earlier this year with all the world heavyweight belts on the line.

      The latest Ring Magazine P4P rankings

      Eddie Hearn reveals hilarious story of ‘s***ting himself’ when Chisora made move to attack him on A League of Their Own More

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      Floyd Mayweather slams Conor McGregor-Manny Pacquiao fight rumours and reveals he’s in talks with UFC chief Dana White

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      FLOYD MAYWEATHER has rubbished the potential fight between Conor McGregor and Manny Pacquiao – and revealed he is in talks with UFC chief Dana White.
      The Money – who outclassed BOTH McGregor and Pacquaio in the boxing ring – reckons Notorious will not make anywhere near the money he made from his clash with Mayweather by fighting the 41-year-old Filipino.

      UFC legend Conor McGregor says he will fight Manny Pacquiao in the boxing ring next yearCredit: Instagram / @thenotoriousmma

      Manny Pacquiao will come out of retirement to fight Conor McGregor in the Middle East next year claims the FilipinoCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Floyd ‘Pretty Boy’ Mayweather reckons Conor McGregor will make nowhere near the amount of money he paid when he fought him in 2017Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      American legend Mayweather fought UFC star McGregor in 2017 – but the Irishman was eventually stopped in the tenth round of a one-sided contest.
      McGregor reportedly picked up $100million (around £70m) for that fight, with the unbeaten Money – acclaimed as the greatest pound-for-pound boxer of all time – earning $300m (around £210m).
      That has not stopped McGregor looking to make another ring return by taking on PacMan, who fought Mayweather in one of the biggest PPV fights of all time.
      But Mayweather told American daily USA Today: “He’s not going to get the money he got with me if he go with Pacquiaio. It’s not going to be as big.

      “You know, it gets no bigger than Floyd Mayweather.”
      Pretty Boy then revealed he has been messaging UFC president White.
      “Me and Dana talk. I wouldn’t say always, but we’ll text and talk on the phone every once in a while.
      “Dana’s a cool guy, he’s a great guy. And he’s doing a helluva job with the UFC and I’m proud of him.

      “We look forward to working with each other in the future. Are we going to work? Absolutely.”
      Pacquiao confirmed he expects to fight McGregor next under Queensberry rules in the Middle East next year.
      The Irishman, 31, has also said he expects his next fight to be against the Filipino – but not in the octagon.
      McGregor actually landed more punches on Mayweather than Pacquaio managed – but the Filipino was a shadow of his sensational best when he fought the Money in 2015.
      The pair have often talked up a rematch but this has not been able to be fixed up.
      Mayweather has also been linked with another fight with the PacMan.
      McGregor had been linked with a fight with unbeaten UFC fighter Khabib, but this looks to be ditched after the Russian retired after his win over Justin Gaethje last night.
      Pretty Boy, 43, officially retired in 2015 with an unblemished record of 49-0.

      How McGregor and Pacquiao stack up ahead of their proposed fight

      The latest Ring Magazine P4P rankings

      Khabib has calls ‘every month’ from Middle East with $100m offer to face Floyd Mayweather but wants to be ‘loyal’ to UFC More

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      Tyson Fury confirms ring return on December 5 at Royal Albert Hall as talks with Frank Warren continue over opponent

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      TYSON FURY has confirmed he will make his homecoming on December 5 – with an opponent to be announced soon.
      The Gypsy King has decided to walk away from his trilogy bout with Deontay Wilder to focus on facing Anthony Joshua.

      Tyson Fury has confirmed he will make his homecoming on December 5Credit: Reuters

      But first Fury will take a warm-up fight at Royal Albert Hall before moving on to the undisputed title decider next year.
      He said: “Can’t wait to get back in the ring and get back to what I do best.
      “I would just like to announce that I am definitely fighting December 5 in London, opponent to be announced very, very soon.
      “Just working on some opponents and will let you all know who it is going to be shortly. Watch this space.”

      Fury, 32, dethroned Wilder, 34, for the WBC title in February and the pair were already signed to an immediate rematch.
      But with paying fans unable to return due to the coronavirus pandemic, the fight faced continuous delays.
      And with Fury’s US promoter Bob Arum claiming Wilder’s rematch clause had expired, they decided to cancel the trilogy.
      WBA, IBF and WBO champion Joshua, 31, defends his title against Kubrat Pulev, 39, on December 12.

      Should Fury and AJ emerge victorious, they have already verbally agreed a two-fight deal for 2021.
      Carlos Takam, 39, Agit Kabayel, 28 are frontrunners to land the WBC title shot, but Oscar Rivas, 33, has been deemed too short.
      Arum told BoxingScene: “Fury should beat Takam but Takam is at least known and he has been on ESPN. And he looked pretty good in the last fight.
      “[Kabayel] is undefeated and he has fought some fairly decent guys. I haven’t come up with anybody else.
      “I discussed Oscar Rivas but the theory is he’s too small. Too small, too short.”

      Tyson Fury sparred Daniel Dubois when he weighed 26 stone! More