Heavyweight boxing

Subterms

    More stories

    • 225 Shares179 Views

      in Boxing

      Tyson Fury’s dad urges fans to get behind Anthony Joshua and wants British super-fight after Oleksandr Usyk unification

      by

      ANTHONY JOSHUA has received shock support from Tyson Fury’s dad John – who is still holding out for a super-fight with his son. Joshua returns on April 1 against Jermaine Franklin following consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk.
      John Fury has urged fans to get behind Anthony JoshuaCredit: Getty
      Anthony Joshua returns on April 1Credit: Rex
      It has left AJ out of the title picture and fighting to revive his career, while Fury is in talks to unify the belts against Usyk.
      But his dad John urged British fans to get behind Joshua, 33, so he can bounce back and set up the bout the nation wants most.
      He told The Express, via Free Bets: “Listen, AJ’s a great kid, fans shouldn’t be turning against him and if they’re, then it’s wrong.
      “AJ has given the public some great nights and they should support the man.
      READ MORE IN BOXING
      “Let me tell you this, the best is yet to come from AJ, so the fans should get behind him and let’s get him back to winning ways again and make the super fight once Tyson is done with the Ukrainian rabbit.
      “It’s the biggest fight in boxing, absolutely. It’s bigger than Usyk. Joshua and Tyson is still a great fight.
      “So, I urge fans, get behind the man don’t kick him when he’s down.”
      Fury, 34, is still in talks to face Usyk, 36, on April 29 at Wembley, which would be the first four-belt unification in heavyweight history.
      Most read in Boxing
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL
      Meanwhile, weeks beforehand Joshua returns against American Franklin, 29, who was beaten by Dillian Whyte, 34, in November.
      It is the first step in AJ’s confidence-building comeback but John is no fan of the choice of opponent.
      He said: “If his name was Anthony Fury, he’d be selling them out, wouldn’t he? But unfortunately, his name is Anthony Joshua and it’s a s*** fight.
      “I’m only being honest. You know, who knows Jermaine Franklin over here? He’s a good fighter but he’s got no name and it’s a D-level fight.”
      Anthony Joshua, Eddie Hearn and Jermaine FranklinCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More

    • 200 Shares99 Views

      in Boxing

      Anthony Joshua training harder for Jermaine Franklin fight than Oleksandr Usyk clash ahead of ring return

      by

      ANTHONY JOSHUA is training even harder for the fight against Jermaine Franklin than he did for the bout versus Oleksandr Usyk.The 33-year-old London 2012 legend lost his WBA, IBF and WBO world titles to the Ukraine ace in 2021 and failed to regain them with a much-improved 2022 rematch performance.
      Anthony Joshua [left] will not underestimate Jermaine Franklin [right]Credit: Alamy
      Oleksandr Usyk beat Anthony Joshua twiceCredit: PA
      The rebuild begins at the O2 on April 1 and AJ admits he would be a fool to ever underestimate an opponent again.
      He said “I have to take Franklin even more seriously than I did Usyk.
      “Not comparing them, but now I just know better.
      “What I went through and how I trained was not enough, so I now know that I have to put even more pressure on myself to perform better.
      READ MORE IN BOXING
      “As long as I am fighting, I am going to have this level of self-expectation to improve as a fighter.
      “I know Jermaine Franklin is working in the trenches right now, so I have to remember that this is still a real fight.
      “Just because Jermaine Franklin is not yet a big-name brand, it does not mean he cannot perform.”
      New trainer Derrick James, who is rebuilding AJ at his Dallas gym, has been impressed with everything he has seen from his new student.
      Most read in Boxing
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL
      James said: “The first thing I noticed was his athleticism and how fast he is.
      “He’s a real guy, genuine and cool to be around. I told him at the start I would not be his cheerleader and he has never had a problem with that.” More

    • 238 Shares109 Views

      in Boxing

      Joe Joyce vs Zhilei Zhang: Date, UK start time, live stream, TV channel and undercard for big heavyweight fight

      by

      JOE JOYCE is back in heavyweight action as he faces Chinese heavyweight Zhilei Zhang next. The Juggernaut hasn’t been in the ring since he dismantled Joseph Parker in 11 rounds back in their September slugfest.
      Joyce is undefeated but is still looking for his first world title shotCredit: Getty
      Zhang has only lost once as a professional against Filip HrgovicCredit: Getty
      Undefeated as a pro and with some beefy names on his resume, Joyce is still looking for his first world title shot.
      And he’s set to wait a little longer as he faces all-action fighter Zhang at the Copper Box in London.
      The winner, however, is expected to be ordered by the WBO to face the winner of Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk.
      With Zhang standing in Joyce’s way, the Putney man will have to be switched on if he wants to compete for his first world honours as a pro.
      When is Joyce vs Zhang?
      Joyce’s clash with Zhang will take place on Saturday, April 15.
      The main card gets underway from 7pm, with ring-walks for the main event expected at around 10pm UK time.
      Joyce vs Zhang will be held at the Copper Box Arena in London.
      What channel is it and can it be live streamed?
      Joyce vs Zhang will be shown live on BT Sport 1 in the UK.
      Most read in Boxing
      You can live stream the action from the BT Sport app, which is available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.
      Joyce vs Zhang full card

      Joe Joyce vs Zhilei Zhang
      Mikael Mayer vs. Christina Linardatou
      Denzel Bentley vs. Kieran Smith
      Dennis McCann vs. TBA
      Sam Noakes vs. TBA
      Eithan James vs. TBA
      Sonny Liston Ali vs. TBA
      Joel Kodua vs. TBA

      What has been said?
      “He bangs so I will have to watch out for it,” Joyce said. “As Hrgovic and I have a similar style, they had a great fight, so when we fight it should be entertaining.
      “It will be carnage in the centre of the ring! I have lost my temper a few times in sparring and once was against a come-forward southpaw who was trying to knock me out. It was an exciting spar.
      “I think with me and Zhang there will be real heavy punches exchanged and I am sure it will be a good fight.”
      “I am always up for the challenge and when the opportunity rings the bell,” Zhang said.
      “Joe Joyce and I share a lot in common – we both are Olympic silver medalists, both are big punchers, and are nearly the same size. This is going to be an explosive, epic and tremendous fight.” More

    • 200 Shares179 Views

      in Boxing

      Oleksandr Usyk’s wife sends chilling warning to Tyson Fury on Instagram ahead of world title fight

      by

      OLEKSANDR USYK’S wife has sent a bold message to Tyson Fury ahead of his undisputed clash with her husband.Fury, 34, and Usyk, 36, are trying to finalise a fight for all four world title belts at Wembley Stadium on April 29.
      Tyson Fury is expected to face Oleksandr Usyk nextCredit: PA
      Yekaterina Usyk has sent a chilling message to FuryCredit: Instagram
      This is the meme Yekaterina has shared on social mediaCredit: Twitter / MichaelBensonn
      But while the finer details are sorted out between both teams, Usyk’s partner Yekaterina posted a chilling Instagram story addressing Fury.
      Yekaterina, who has three children with Usyk – Kyrylo, Mykhalio and Yelizaveta – shared a boxing meme showing four doors with British boxers on the front of each.
      Usyk, pictured as the grim reaper, has opened three of the doors with Tony Bellew, Derek Chisora and Anthony Joshua behind them.
      And trails of blood depict his victories over them – which came between 2018 and 2022.
      READ MORE IN BOXING
      There is then one final door with Fury’s face on it that Usyk is shown to be knocking on.
      However, the door remains closed, perhaps signifying that the Ukrainian is still waiting for Fury to accept the fight.
      Usyk retained his undisputed cruiserweight crown by knocking out Bellew in 2018.
      He then moved to heavyweight and won by unanimous decision against Chisora.
      Most read in Boxing
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL

      🥊 Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk – Date, live stream, TV channel and all you need to know about heavyweight bout
      Next, the Olympic gold medallist went and challenged Joshua in London for three versions of the heavyweight crown.
      And he outboxed the Brit to become a two-weight world champion, before defending them successfully against AJ in Saudi Arabia in August.
      But many still argue Fury is the best in the division following his wins over Wladimir Klitschko, Deontay Wilder, Chisora and Dillian Whyte.

      Usyk and Fury are set to meet for the undisputed crown this yearCredit: Getty More

    • 238 Shares159 Views

      in Boxing

      Tyson Fury’s trainer SugarHill Steward flies to UK and links up with Gypsy King for Oleksandr Usyk training camp

      by

      SUGARHILL STEWARD has jetted into the UK to link up with Tyson Fury for his fight camp ahead of the clash with Oleksandr Usyk.The Gypsy King, who holds the WBC title, has vowed to end his reign of online terror by going on a social media blackout after declaring that the unification bout is ON.
      Tyson Fury and SugarHill Steward have linked back up ahead of the Oleksandr Usyk fightCredit: Alamy
      The Gypsy King posted this snap of them together earlier today in MorecambeCredit: Instagram
      The unbeaten champions have been going back and forth on Instagram, seemingly negotiating their title unification in the open.
      And Usyk’s team believe they have called Fury’s bluff by accepting his “greedy” offer of 70/30 to fight on April 29 at Wembley.
      The Ukrainian’s camp even doubt whether the undisputed title decider will go ahead as the clock ticks on.
      But Fury, 34, has attempted to ease up on Usyk, 36, and cool concerns as he promised to focus solely on training and not trash-talking.
      READ MORE ON TYSON FURY
      He has now started training for the showdown with the WBA, IBF, WBO and Ring Magazine champ in his hometown of Morecambe.
      And his trusted trainer is now in town to prepare the undefeated star.
      Fury confirmed the American’s arrival by posting a snap of them together on Instagram, with the Gypsy King posing in an England football shirt.
      “The Brothers Of Destruction,” he wrote in the caption, before following it up with: “Name a more dynamic boxing duo…”
      Most read in Boxing
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL
      The Kronk gym mastermind – who turned the WBC champ from a cautious jab-and-mover to a Gypsy KO King – is now running the six-week plan for undisputed glory.
      Steward arrived in the UK on Thursday from Florida, where he has been training Hackney’s WBO cruiserweight champ Lawrence Okolie.
      The 30-year-old defends his crown on March 25 in Manchester so Steward will have a busy month in England.
      Fury has previously let American Steward, who is a former Detroit police officer and the nephew of legendary boxing trainer Emanuel Steward, stay in his Las Vegas mansion RENT-FREE.
      Fury previously revealed how he hired Steward, the mastermind of Detroit’s notorious Kronk Gym, to help reinvent himself.
      He said: “When I brought Sugar in for the last few fights, he made me feel like a rank novice.
      “He made me feel like a piece of s***. He made me feel a terrible boxer. He took the undefeated lineal heavyweight champion of the world and made me feel like a bum — like I had never had a fight in my life.
      “He’s the only man in the world who could ever have done it. It takes a special mentality to strip it all back to basics and start again.”

      🥊 Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk – Date, live stream, TV channel and all you need to know about heavyweight bout More

    • 188 Shares199 Views

      in Boxing

      Joe Joyce gives hilariously awkward response after opponent Zhilei Zhang storms interview for intense face-off

      by

      JOE JOYCE reacted in hysterical fashion after his upcoming opponent Zhilei Zhang stormed into his gym during an interview.Briton Joyce, 37, will take on Chinese heavyweight Zhang, 39, at the Copper Box Arena on April 15.
      Joe Joyce was conducting an interview when Zhilei Zhang turned up at his gymCredit: Twitter @Queensberry

      Zhang confronted Joyce but the pair were soon laughing at one anotherCredit: Twitter @Queensberry
      Neither man is particularly known for his trash talking outside of the ring.
      But Zhang, nicknamed Big Bang, attempted to whip up a bit of attention on Wednesday when he turned up uninvited to Joyce’s training facility.
      Olympic silver medallist Joyce was being interviewed by Queensbury Promotions when Zhang bowled into the room.
      A perplexed Joyce looked over and said: “Oh, here he is!”
      READ MORE IN BOXING
      Zhang then proceeded to rather confrontationally ask the Brit: “Big Bang is here. Are you ready?”
      But Joyce did not quite understand the remark as he hilariously responded: “I don’t know what you said, but yeah, let’s go!”
      Zhang then awkwardly said: “You’re ready? I’m ready.”
      Before Joyce added: “You’re here. You flew over here? And you’re ready for action, yeah?”
      Most read in Boxing
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL
      The pair were then urged to move closer together as they took part in a face-off for the cameras.
      Joyce has won all 15 of his professional fights to date – the last of which came against Joseph Parker in September.
      And he has his sights firmly set on the winner of the undisputed fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk – which is expected to take place in the first half of 2023.
      Meanwhile, Zhang suffered his first pro loss last time out against Filip Hrgovic, losing a close decision on the undercard of Usyk’s win over Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia in August.
      Before that, he had won 24 and drawn one of his 25 contests.
      And Zhang will be hoping he can spring a surprise on Joyce in what would be a devastating blow to the Brit’s world title ambitions. More

    • 263 Shares159 Views

      in Boxing

      Logan Paul tried to ‘talk s*** and get in Tommy Fury’s head’ during fight with brother Jake… but admits it backfired

      by

      LOGAN PAUL admitted he tried to “talk s*** and get in Tommy Fury’s head” during his brother Jake’s fight – only for it to backfire. The American watched from ringside in Saudi Arabia as Fury won the celebrity grudge match by split-decision.
      Logan Paul tried to ‘talk s*** and get in Tommy Fury’s head’ during his brother Jake’s fight
      Tommy Fury beat Jake Paul on pointsCredit: Getty
      But Logan did his best to try and goad his brother’s opponent during an interview mid-fight.
      In full voice, he shouted: “Tommy, if you can hear me, you a b****, bro and you’re gassing out.
      “You a b****, the whole Fury family are a b****.”
      Fury, 23, responded in the best way possible by dominating Jake, 26, that round on his way to a points win.
      READ MORE IN BOXING
      And Logan, 27, admitted his masterplan proved to only inspire Fury.
      He said on his podcast: “Some people seem to be upset that I cut a promo mid-fight.
      “What I was trying to do was – because I was on the mic – and you can hear it in the arena and I knew Tommy was sitting in his corner.
      “And Jake was losing, so I just tried to talk s*** and get in Tommy’s head. The issue is, it just p***ed him off.
      Most read in Boxing
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL
      “Because the round started and he just f***ing unleashed a gnarly combination on Jake. I was like, ‘I just made him mad.'”
      Fury’s dad John was also left fuming with Logan’s comments and accused the YouTube star of looking for attention by any means necessary.
      John told The Express, via Free Bets: “Absolutely disgusting.
      “Him piping up in a fight like that is not professional, but it just shows you that you are dealing with adolescent children, aren’t you?
      “Because the comments during the fight are just ridiculous. That’s not professional.
      “It doesn’t work, it’s bad for the viewers, it’s bad for everybody involved in it, in the game.
      “But it is what it is, they are what they are, they’re YouTubers. They’ll do anything.
      “They’ll give their left nut up for a viewing figure and he obviously thought it would enhance his status as a YouTuber coming out with all that stupidity. But we knew it was coming anyway.” More

    • 250 Shares139 Views

      in Boxing

      Hulking Anthony Joshua poses with Eddie Hearn as promoter stops off in Texas to watch heavyweight in training for return

      by

      ANTHONY JOSHUA posed with Eddie Hearn as the promoter stopped off in Texas to watch the heavyweight in action ahead of his return. Joshua is fighting to revive his career following consecutive defeats to pound-for-pound star Oleksandr Usyk.
      Promoter Eddie Hearn with Anthony Joshua in Dallas, TexasCredit: @eddiehearn
      And he will do so on April 1 against Jermaine Franklin back at the O2 Arena for the first time in seven years.
      And for the first time in Joshua’s career, he will complete his whole training camp away from home after linking up with Texas’ Derrick James.
      Hearn is in America to promote Canelo Alvarez’s May 6 undisputed super-middleweight world title fight with Britain’s John Ryder.
      And he used the Stateside trip to meet up with AJ in James’ gym.
      READ MORE IN boxing
      He posted on Instagram: “Popped to Dallas to see the big man @anthonyjoshua finish off his US camp..ready to fly back to the U.K. to prepare for April 1st.”
      Joshua, 33, lost the unified titles to Usyk, 36, in September 2021 and failed to regain them in the Saudi Arabia rematch last August.
      But he looks to bounce back against Franklin, 29, who was controversially beaten by Dillian Whyte, 34, in November.
      Hearn warned to expect a rejuvenated Joshua when he returns from his training camp in America.
      Most read in Boxing
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL
      He told DAZN in January: “This guy is out there, he’s in Texas, he’s working and grinding every day.
      “This guy’s got money in the bank, he’s got world championship belts on the wall, he don’t care about either of them.
      “He cares for the sport of boxing, he cares for regaining his world heavyweight title, and I’m telling you, he’s coming back with a vengeance.”
      Anthony Joshua in training to fight Jermaine FranklinCredit: Instagram More