Heavyweight boxing

MIKE TYSON has sensationally opened the door to facing Anthony Joshua in a ‘mind blowing’ charity exhibition.
The heavyweight legend makes his stunning boxing return in November, but fancies a fight for the ages against WBA, IBF and WBO champion Joshua.

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Tyson told TMZ Sports: “I’m very interested. If doing that means we can have a bigger charity exponent, well so be it, I’m down to do that, too.
“I would love to [fight Joshua]. That would be mind-blowing.”
Here SunSport takes a look how the division’s past and current best compare with a combined age of 84 and 73 wins shared.
Mike Tyson
Tyson retired in 2005, following back to back losses against Danny Williams and Kevin McBride.

The youngest heavyweight champ of all time was a shadow of himself, so much so in both defeats he quit.
In his years in retirement, Tyson overcame a battle with substance abuse and depression to become a successful cannabis farm owner as well well as hosting his own popular podcast.
But the reformed Baddest Man on The Planet found the inspiration to start training again, and quickly announced a comeback – insisting he is back to his most destructive self.
He said: “I feel unstoppable now. I feel the same again. The gods of war ignited my ego and want me to go to war again.”

Tyson has been training under MMA coach Rafael Cordeiro, dramatically transforming his body, and sharing several viral videos on the pads.

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Mike Tyson is preparing to fight for the first time since 2015 Credit: @miketyson
It’s clear the legendary puncher stills posses the destructive speed and power that won him the belt aged 20.
But being fit to train and fit to fight are two completely different things – as explained by the man himself following his final loss.
Tyson said after being stopped against McBride: “I realised, I don’t think I have it anymore. I got the ability to stay in shape, but I don’t have the ability to fight anymore.”
Despite the harsh reality, Cordeiro is adamant the iconic puncher is still getting BETTER despite his vast experience.
He told TMZ Sports: “He’s fighting every single day in the gym and I believe the best still to come.
“He is improving every day. He does not look like a 54-year-old fighter.”

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Anthony Joshua
Joshua, who turned pro a year after winning gold at the London 2012 Olympics, was an unstoppable force 22 fights into his run.
With unified belts and wins over Dillian Whyte, Wladimir Klitschko, Joseph Parker and Alexander Povetkin, he was considered the No1 heavyweight.
But suddenly he was left fighting for his career after suffering a shock upset against Andy Ruiz Jr in June 2019.
Joshua would go on to slim down and switch tactics as he enacted revenge on Ruiz, reclaiming his trio of world titles.
It was a sign of AJ’s versatility in the ring, as he ditched his exciting, ruthless and aggressive style to outbox his opponent at range.

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Anthony Joshua is the current unified heavyweight champion Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Joshua has shown throughout his career that he is comfortable both at mid-range and on the inside, where he can use his physicality and speed.
But outthinking Ruiz on the back foot added a new element to AJ’s game, developing into a more well-rounded fighter, despite twice being crowned world champion.
Joshua has gone down in two fights, firstly against Klitschko and then FOUR times in his Ruiz loss, later showing vulnerability when taking one in his rematch win over the Mexican-American.
In his 23 wins, he has gone the ‘championship rounds’ four times, displaying that his size and work rate can hold up deeper into action.
With 21 stoppages Joshua is a certified heavy-hitter, but finds more success in combination punching or set up attacks, rather than a one-puncher KO artist.
Fight breakdown
Tyson’s comeback, against Roy Jones Jr, is signed for eight rounds.
The American has not boxed to that distance since 2002, against Lennox Lewis, meaning Joshua has a massive fitness and form advantage.
Tyson’s best chance of somehow shocking AJ would be looking to take him out early with an explosive shot on the outside or lethal combinations up close.
For Joshua, he has a good enough jab and the physical advantages to control the action at range.
And if Tyson did try and close the gap, AJ is strong on the inside and possesses dangerous combination punches.
All signs point to Joshua – 24 years Iron Mike’s junior – either bossing the fight on the outside or stopping his legendary opponent up close.
It remains to be seen whether Tyson is capable of rolling back the clock and rediscovering that ability to bob and weave his way into range and fire off lethal hooks.
But history will tell us that is impossible, making for a relatively comfortable night for Joshua should the Rocky 6-esque match-up materialise.

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MIKE TYSON revealed he ‘would love to fight’ Anthony Joshua in a charity exhibition despite a 24-year age gap.
The reformed Baddest Man on The Planet is two months away from his sensational boxing comeback, 15 years after retiring.

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Mike Tyson is preparing to fight for the first time since 2005

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Anthony Joshua was called out by Tyson

He has dramatically transformed his body under the coaching of Rafael Cordeiro – who believes the 54-year-old is BETTER than ever.
Cordeiro even claimed Tyson could challenge for the heavyweight title again.
And the man himself is open to the ‘mind blowing’ task after confirming an interest in taking on unified champion Anthony Joshua, 30.
Tyson told TMZ Sports: “Listen, I’m very interested.

“If doing that means we can have a bigger charity exponent, well so be it, I’m down to do that, too.
“I would love to [fight Joshua]. That would be mind-blowing.”
Tyson faces Roy Jones Jr, 51, in an eight-round pay-per-view spectacle on November 28.
It will be his first fight since 2005, when he hung up the gloves immediately after defeat against heavyweight journeyman Kevin McBride.

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Before signing to fight former four-division champion Jones, current WBC king Tyson Fury was approached for an exhibition bout.
Fury, 32, revealed ESPN put up £10million for the battle of the ages before negotiations swiftly collapsed.
Tyson’s chances of facing either heavyweight champion do appear slim, as Joshua ruled himself out of facing the ‘greatest modern boxer’.
In an exclusive interview with The Sun in May, AJ said: “With all due respect I wouldn’t.
“Even if I fought Iron Mike and beat him, I think I’d be the only one cheering.
“People would boo. He is a legend. He is the greatest boxer of the modern era.
“There are only two recognised champions the world knows of, Ali and Mike Tyson — the most recognised faces in the world when it comes to boxing.”

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DERECK CHISORA will finally face pound-for-pound star Oleksandr Usyk with their fight confirmed to take place on October 31.
The pair had been scheduled to headline the 02 Arena on May 23, only for their bout to be postponed due to the coronavirus crisis.

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Oleksandr Usyk and Dereck Chisora will face each other next month

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But they will now pit their wits against each other on Halloween, with a venue to be announced shortly.
The winner will keep themselves on course for a WBO mandatory title fight against unified champion Anthony Joshua.
With the fight expected to take place in the UK, Usyk knows it is a place where he has experienced much joy in his career.
As well as scooping gold in the Olympics in London 2012, Usyk defended all four cruiserweight belts against Tony Bellew at Manchester Arena in 2018.

But he knows he faces a tough competitor in Chisora, who has blasted away Artur Szpilka and David Price in his last two contests.
Speaking of the upcoming dust-up, unbeaten Ukrainian Usyk said: “I have really missed boxing.
“I am working hard in my training camp to show a spectacular performance on October 31.
“I expect a real test in Dereck – he is strong, tough and resilient. He is a really big guy and he hits hard.

FACE THE USYK
“As a cruiserweight, I reached the highest heights as undisputed champion and now I am following the same path as a heavyweight.
“I need to test myself against world class heavyweights on my new road to undisputed and Dereck stands in front of me. “Many people say that Dereck is a monster, but deep down he is a kind man. I don’t expect to see that good side of him.
“I know that he wants to break me, but I am water, wind and fire all together. Dereck Chisora, I am coming for you!”
Meanwhile Chisora roared: “Hello, Usyk, I’m ready for you, hello Usyk!
“Usyk, I’ve been ready for you all year. It’s my home turf and after such a tough year for everyone, I’m going to give the British public the Halloween party they deserve and finally get revenge for my boy Tony Bellew!”
Promoter Eddie Hearn said of the match-up: “Yesterday’s news from the Government was a kick in the nuts, so to bounce back with this fight at this time is so important for boxing.
“You’ve either got to sit back and say ‘it’s not possible’ or find a way to make it happen, and I’ve got to say a big thanks to Team Usyk, ‘Del Boy’ and David Haye for staying patient and helping get this over the line.

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“It’s an absolute firecracker and a fight that’s so important to the heavyweight division over the next few months.
“We saw a stunning victory from Povetkin recently to shake up the mandatory situation, can WAR Chisora spring the upset and KO the undefeated undisputed World Champ?
“I know he will do everything he can to try and get the victory and this will be another night of heavyweight drama!”

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DILLIAN WHYTE’S rematch against Alexander Povetkin cannot be made official until he passes a medical check once his suspension is over.
Whyte was brutally knocked out in the fifth round against Povetkin last month, but has exercised his right to an immediate rematch.

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Alexander Povetkin knocked out Dillian Whyte in round five Credit: Mark Robinson Ltd

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Whyte is set to rematch Povetkin on November 21

Promoter Eddie Hearn announced the rerun is set for November 21 – but the fight is yet to be signed off by the British Board of Boxing Control.
Boxing News editor Matt Christie revealed BBoBC chief Robert Smith has stressed that Whyte is suspended for 48 days, not the widely reported 28.
After those 48 days are completed on October 9, he will undergo medicals before his licence can be reinstated and the rematch officially confirmed.
Whyte is not only fighting for revenge but also his right to challenge for Tyson Fury’s heavyweight title.

Following defeat, the 32-year-old surrendered his WBC mandatory position that guaranteed him a crack at the belt in 2021.
With the stakes raised even more in the rematch, Hearn conceded a second defeat against 41-year-old Povetkin would be ‘terminal’ for Whyte’s title hopes.
He told Sky Sports: “All of a sudden, the pressure is not just on trying to become the mandatory and fight Fury.
“This is the pressure of his career on November 21.

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“Controlling the fight, a brutal knockout, and all of a sudden like that, his career spins on its head.
“He’s hugely motivated to put this right, but it’s extremely dangerous and of course, moving into the rematch, just 13 weeks after the first fight is very, very dangerous.
“But Dillian Whyte wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I think [defeat] is terminal for his world title chances – and that’s obviously the ultimate aim for him. I think he knows the pressures.
“He was deeply disappointed with getting knocked out from an amazing bit of skill from Povetkin and he’s got to put that right.”

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SHANNON BRIGGS has volunteered to replace Roy Jones Jr and fight Mike Tyson after declaring: ‘Tag me in champ’.
Tyson, 54, prepares to fight for the first time in 15 years, having signed to box Jones, 51, in an eight-round exhibition.

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Shannon Briggs volunteered to replace Roy Jones Jr and face Mike TysonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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Tyson faces Jones in an eight-round exhibition in November

The pay-per-view spectacle was shifted from September to November, with Iron Mike continuing to share viral training videos online.
With the power and physical disadvantage, Jones admitted he could well have ‘made a mistake’ by agreeing to fight Tyson.
Briggs, 48, responded by putting his name into the hat to take his place.
He wrote on Instagram: “They say Champ having second thoughts.

“Tag me in Champ! I am from Brownsville too. Never ran, never will. Let’s go champ.”
Jones had threatened to walk away from fighting Tyson after the event was pushed back two month.
But the American great later agreed terms to remain involved.
And he has already started the kidology by insisting Tyson is the favourite going into the bout.

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Jones told Sky Sports: “He’s still Mike Tyson, he’s still one of the strongest, most explosive people who ever touched a boxing ring. 
“If anything, I made a mistake going in with him. He’s the bigger guy, he’s the explosive guy.
“When it comes time to fight, we’re going to fight. If it comes down to bite, we’re going to bite. 
“Whatever has to happen, is going to happen, that’s just what it is.”

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TYSON FURY’S next sparring partner will ‘most likely’ be Russian KO artist Apti Davtaev.
The Gypsy King is gearing up for a December 19 trilogy fight against Deontay Wilder and could get in the ring with 6ft 5in unbeaten Davtaev as part of his preparations.

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Tyson Fury is coached by SugarHill Steward (right)Credit: Getty Images – Getty

Both fighters are trained by SugarHill Steward and it could be a mutually beneficial partnership.
With Davtaev, 31, boasting an impressive record of 19 KOs in 21 professional fights he has the punching power to replicate the threat of The Bronze Bomber.
And the Russian heavyweight will benefit from the experience of getting up close and personal with world champ Fury, 32.

I want to feel his power but I also want to learn.”
Apti Davtaevon Tyson Fury

Davtaev was asked about his prospects of training in the ring with Fury and told RT Sport: “Most likely yes, it’s definite. Right now I can’t say anything officially, but most likely it’s definite.

“I expect [Fury] to move around a lot. I want to feel his power but I also want to learn. The main thing for me is to learn.
“I want to test myself. Without question Tyson Fury is the best heavyweight in the world. Wilder doesn’t have a chance in the rematch.
“I’ve been interested in sport since I was a kid. In our republic, everyone is and it’s not surprising that I chose the career of a professional athlete.
“I started training 19-20 years ago, right now I’m training at home.”

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Davtaev, a devout Muslim, grew up in the mountains of Chechnya and has had four fights in the US – three times on women’s world champ Clarissa Shields’ undercard.
Fury has also signed up to fight Anthony Joshua twice in 2021.
And he called on his British rival to vacate some belts if thats what it takes to get a colossal fight between the pair on.
Fury also slammed AJ by suggesting he would lose to Oleksandr Usyk but admitted he did not think the two would meet.
Joshua has to fight Kubrat Pulev before potentially being mandated to face former cruiserweight champ Usyk by the WBO.
Fury is scheduled to face Wilder for a third time at the new Raiders Stadium in Las Vegas at the end of the year.
The first bout ended in a spectacular draw after Fury climbed off the canvas in the last round, but he didn’t leave it to the judges in February – battering Wilder with a seventh-round KO.

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Fury beat Deontay Wilder in their second fight in FebruaryCredit: AFP – Getty

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