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      Anthony Joshua ‘took his eye off the ball’ and ‘wasn’t fully dedicated’ to boxing due to sponsorships, Carl Froch says

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      CARL FROCH claimed Anthony Joshua “took his eye off the ball” and “wasn’t fully dedicated” to boxing due to focussing on sponsorships. The heavyweight superstar is fighting to revive his career following consecutive losses to pound-for-pound star Oleksandr Usyk.
      Anthony Joshua ahead of his boxing returnCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Carl Froch next to Ande Lee on commentary duty
      AJ returns on April 1 at the O2 Arena against Jermaine Franklin, 29, and has relocated to Dallas in preparation under new trainer Derrick James.
      Joshua, 33, was formerly coached in Sheffield by Rob McCracken, who was Froch’s long-time cornerman.
      And the former super-middleweight champion believes AJ may have become too distracted, leading to his recent downfall.
      Froch, 45, told BonusCodeBets: “Don’t get me wrong, I haven’t been around the camps, but looking at his performance and listening to him beforehand – it must be hard, he’s made a lot of money, a lot of commercial pressures, a lot of sponsorship outside, he’s doing adverts for Under Armour, Lucozade, Beats, Hugo Boss.
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      “These blue chip companies are behind him and brings massive pressure.
      “I just think he took his eye off the ball, off the boxing game. He wasn’t fully dedicated to his sport.
      “He’s got to get up and do the runs. Marvin Hagler said it’s hard to get out of bed when you’re wearing silk pyjamas.”
      Froch wants to see Joshua return to the same fighter beat Wladimir Klitschko, 46, in their 2017 thriller.
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      He said: “If AJ can go back to that fighter who climbed off the canvas against Wladimir Klitschko and then sent him into orbit with that uppercut, if he can rediscover his finisher’s instinct, and go back to using his size and combinations, he can still be a threat to anyone at heavyweight.
      “If he can set his mind right and banish the ghosts of Ruiz and Usyk, he has a chance to get back to the top of the mountain – but it’s a big ask.
      “He’s been a great ambassador for British boxing, only time will tell what he has left.”
      Wladimir Klitschko was beaten by Anthony Joshua in 2017Credit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      Tyson Fury sends Oleksandr Usyk ‘take-it-or-leave it’ ultimatum on Instagram as undisputed fight hangs in balance

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      TYSON FURY has confirmed he wants a greedy 70 per cent of the purse for an undisputed decider with Oleksandr Usyk.And the ruthless WBC Gypsy King will slash at his meagre 30 per cent cut every day until he caves.
      Tyson Fury has spoken out to give Oleksandr Usyk a ‘take-it-or-leave it’ ultimatum
      Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury are still locked in negotiationsCredit: @usykaa

      The 34-year-old Brit – who claims he has more money than he could spend in 50 lifetimes and would have boxed Anthony Joshua for free – turned down a 50-50 split for a showdown in Saudi Arabia.
      Usyk – the 36-year-old WBA, IBF and WBO champ who just did the double over AJ – signed up for the Riyadh row only for Fury to welch when he was told it was an even split.
      Morecambe’s monster has dragged the bout to Wembley stadium on April 29, on the proviso he gets the lion’s share of the mega-money deal that would sell out the 94,000 seater.
      But proud Usyk – a London 2012 gold winner and undisputed cruiserweight champ – is so far refusing to be financially bullied by the 6ft 9in showman.

      So Fury is trying even harder to underpay the Ukraine icon – who has spent time on his nation’s front line.
      While walking around a shopping centre he growled on Instagram: “I see all this talk of boxing fights and ‘Usyk wants 50 per cent’ and  ‘Tyson is being greedy’.
      “But – where I am standing – Usyk and his team are only worth 30 per cent.
      “You either take it or you leave it.”
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      Fury did incredible business in his last two bouts, convincing a combined total of 154,000 people to buy tickets to see him dominate Dillian Whyte at Wembley and then Derek Chisora at a freezing Tottenham stadium in December.
      So he feels like he should be able to call the shots on how the huge pot – made up of ticket and pay-per-view sales – will be carved up.
      He also shrewdly knows his Queensberry stablemate Daniel Dubois is the mandatory challenger for Usyk’s WBA belt.
      And the sanctioning body will order that fight soon, if the four-belt super-fight is not secured, while he is relaxed with no nominated contender for his green and gold single belt.
      “If you don’t want it, go and fight Daniel Dubois at the Copper Box and gert a few million dollars,” he added.
      “You want to make some real money, come and fight the Gypsy King.
      “I will say, for every day from today that you linger, mess around, I will deduct one per cent from the 30 per cent.
      “So every day I will deduct one per cent, until you take it. And if you don’t take it then fight Dubois for two million dollars, not a problem.
      “But how in the world could you ever offer me a deal? Not possible.  Tick tock, tick tock, p*****s.”
      Tyson Fury facing off with Oleksandr UsykCredit: Reuters More

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      Tommy Fury ‘not in boxing for money’ as he talks down future crossover fights despite Jake Paul rematch rumours

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      TOMMY FURY claimed he is not in boxing for the money as he talked down future crossover fights – despite rumours of a Jake Paul rematch. Fury – who shot to household fame for his 2019 stint on Love Island – has spent the last two years feuding with YouTuber-turned boxer Paul.
      Tommy Fury celebrates beating Jake PaulCredit: Reuters
      But he looks to have buried their rivalry in the Saudi Arabia desert after edging out a split-decision win in their grudge match.
      Fury is said to have made around £3-4million for the pay-per-view fight, which included the option to rematch if Paul was beaten.
      The likes of YouTube superstar KSI have also since called out the younger brother of world heavyweight champion Tyson.
      Fury admitted he is taking future celebrity bouts into consideration… but favours the traditional boxing route.
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      He said on BT Sport’s Chatterbox: “It’s definitely something that’s crossed my mind but it always leads me back to why I got into boxing after what happened in the fight.
      “I’m not in boxing for money anymore because you know I don’t live the most extravagant lifestyle, I don’t live on yachts I don’t buy all these fancy things and I’m not really interested in that. 
      “I’ve got a car, I’ve got a place to put my head down at night and I’ve got a family and that does me.”
      Paul, 26, has confirmed he will exercise his rematch clause, which is being eyed for the summer.
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      That would mean Fury, 23, will have to once again shelve his goals of winning world titles, despite wanting to be remembered as “a proper boxer”.
      He said: “The money now is not really important. I’m in boxing for my name to go down in history.
      “I’ll be in boxing because it’s a passion of mine and I’ll always revert back to being that old man and saying, ‘Did I really give it my best shot?’
      “Because I know if I give it my best shot my name can go down in history. I can achieve winning one world title belt because there’s a lot worse men than me who have done it and I’ve got the drive and determination to get me there.
      “I’m still eager to learn, win titles and go down as a proper boxer. I don’t want to be known as one of these guys who made a lot of money fighting idiots and then retired and left the sport. 
      “I want to be remembered as Tommy Fury, ‘He made great money fighting YouTube stars and then stuck to boxing and retired with a world title’. That’ll be happiness for me and I will achieve it.”
      Jake Paul was beaten on points by Tommy FuryCredit: Getty More

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      Eddie Hearn reveals surprise reason why Fury vs Usyk is at risk of collapse and brutally slams Gypsy King over demands

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      EDDIE HEARN has claimed Tyson Fury’s showdown with Oleksandr Usyk is on the brink of collapse as there is “not that much money” in the fight.The first undisputed heavyweight title fight in nearly 25 years is at risk of falling through due to a row over the purse split, which Fury wants the lion’s share of.
      Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk’s historic showdown is hanging on a knife edgeCredit: REUTERS
      Fury has rejected a proposed 60-40 purse split in favour of the winnerCredit: GETTY
      Eddie Hearn believes there isn’t as much money in the fight as first thoughtCredit: GETTY
      Fury has, however, also rejected a proposed 60-40 split for the winner of the historic bout, which Hearn believes isn’t as lucrative as first thought.
      He told BetFred: “One of the reasons we’re not seeing Usyk vs Fury is because there’s not that much money in it.
      “It’s not as big a fight as people think. AJ vs Fury, there’s fortunes in that fight. Let’s get it on.
      “I know what Tyson Fury wants and that’s money and he wants as much money as possible.
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      “It’s not rocket science and I don’t blame him.”
      Hearn doesn’t begrudge Fury for wanting more money but insists The Gypsy King must make some concessions if he wants to become undisputed heavyweight king.
      The Matchroom Boxing chief said: “If you want to become undisputed, then it’s 50-50 as one guy has three belts and the other has one, and yes I know you’re the bigger draw but who cares?”
      Going off Fury’s refusal to split the pie evenly, Hearn is adamant he doesn’t want to dance with the undefeated Usyk.
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      He continued: “Do you want it or not? The answer is not really.
      “If Usyk really isn’t that good and he’s just a little middleweight, then would you not take £60, £70, £80million to become undisputed?
      “What’s the game become?”
      Team Usyk are hopeful an agreement will be reached in the coming days but are beginning to weigh up a potential showdown with Brit Daniel Dubois.
      Manager Alexander Krassyuk told iDBoxing: “This is actually what’s next for Usyk. So what can I say? We have to comply with it.

      🥊 Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk – Date, live stream, TV channel and all you need to know about heavyweight bout
      “It’s probably not the worst fight for the UK. Dubois is English.
      “Usyk fought a couple times here, so he’s probably a bit known.
      “This is a fight where an Englishman is fighting for three belts at heavyweight.
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      “It’s a bit more than just a normal heavyweight fight.
      “Because Usyk and Tyson and all this stuff occurred, that’s why it doesn’t look that big because we have something to compare with. On the other hand, it’s still huge.” More

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      What Tyson Fury told Jake Paul in the ring moments after fight with brother Tommy in behind-the-scenes footage

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      TYSON FURY was captured sharing a brief embrace with Jake Paul after his brother Tommy had beaten him. The WBC heavyweight world champion was ringside in Saudi Arabia to watch the celebrity grudge match.
      Tyson Fury embracing with Jake PaulCredit: Top Rank
      And behind-the-scenes footage from Top Rank caught the moment Tyson, 34, went over to Paul, 26, to congratulate him on the fight.
      He said: “Well done Jake. Good fight, brother. Very, very impressed. Well done.”
      A nervy wait then followed before Tommy was declared the winner via split-decision.
      It ended two years of feuding between the boxing rivals and the two also came together to pay their respect.
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      Tommy, 23, told Paul: “You’re a tough man, you’ll go a long way. You started three years ago, I started when I was six.
      “I’ve got nothing but love and respect for you. Great build-up, great fight.”
      The fight is believed to have been a box office blockbuster, bringing in a reported 775,000 pay-per-view buys.
      And Paul looks set to exercise his right to a rematch, with a second fight rumoured to be eyed for the summer.
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      The YouTuber-turned boxer suffered defeat for the first time in seven professional bouts but vowed to return with revenge on his mind.
      Paul said: “Ladies and gentlemen, don’t worry, I’ll be back. I’m going to come back, work harder, get the rematch and get the W.
      “I love you guys, thank you for the support through the highs and lows. Peace.”
      Tommy Fury and Jake Paul embracing post-fightCredit: Getty More

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      Jake Paul says Tommy Fury ‘didn’t win the fight’ as YouTuber reveals reasons he lost and vows to bounce back in rematch

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      JAKE PAUL claimed Tommy Fury “didn’t win” their fight – and listed a number of reasons why he felt he had “lost it”.Fury returned home from Saudi Arabia with bragging rights and his unbeaten record intact after edging the celebrity grudge match on points.
      Jake Paul was beaten by Tommy Fury on points in their Saudi blockbusterCredit: Getty
      But Paul has come out swinging in defence of his first ever loss, insisted the result was solely down to his own shortcomings in the ring.
      He said on his brother Logan’s podcast: “Tommy didn’t win the fight, I lost it.
      “I was not good, I was not on my A-game. I didn’t implement the gameplan, my legs were weak going into the fight.
      “I think I cut the weight improperly, in a seven-week camp where normally we do a 12-week camp.
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      “We squeezed in this camp, but I don’t want to sit here and make excuses. I lost the fight, I wasn’t at my best and it’s that simple.”
      Paul, 26, saw a point deducted in round five due to punches in the back of the head.
      Fury, 23, was also docked a point in the sixth for holding and was floored in the final round but still won a split decision.
      Paul stepped up to face a recognised professional boxer for the first time in his seven-bout career and admitted he felt the occasion.
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      He said: “I think a little bit of pressure is good but I had a lot of pressure and the stakes kept getting higher and higher each fight.
      “Now there is definitely more relaxation going into the next one. A lot of things played into the [loss], even getting a point deducted in the beginning of the fight.
      “I don’t know, it’s the hardest sport in the world and you have to have a peak moment.
      “You’re only able to show up in that one moment on that one night. Whatever you’re feeling then you can’t really fake it.
      “I was flat, very very flat. I beat him like eight to nine times out of ten, this just happened one of those times. He stepped up to the plate.”
      Paul is set to exercise his rematch clause amid rumours of a sequel after the first fight sold around 775,000 pay-per-views.
      He said: “I don’t see where there is not a reason to run it back at some point.
      “The business side of it was massive, it was one of the biggest events in boxing in recent years. It’ll probably be the biggest fight of this year, it’s massive.”
      Tommy Fury and Jake Paul are set to rematchCredit: Getty More

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      Oleksandr Usyk already has next opponent lined up with Tyson Fury demanding ‘too much money’ as unification faces axe

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      OLEKSANDR USYK already has an alternative opponent lined up with his title unification against Tyson Fury facing collapse. The pair of unbeaten champions have been locked in negotiations for the first ever four-belt undisputed heavyweight fight.
      Tyson Fury’s fight with Oleksandr Usyk faces collapseCredit: REUTERS
      But their purses took a massive hit when the mega-rich Saudi Arabian hosts pulled out of talks, leaving Wembley as frontrunner for the bout.
      Taking the fight from the Middle East to London would see the pot shrink dramatically and leave the two needing to renegotiate terms.
      And according to Usyk’s promoter Alex Krassyuk, Fury is demanding “too much money” leaving the deal hanging by a thread.
      The Ukrainian could now instead be forced to face WBA mandatory challenger and “regular” champion Daniel Dubois, 25.

      Krassyuk told iD Boxing: “This is actually what’s next for Usyk. So what can I say? We have to comply with it.
      “It’s probably not the worst fight for the UK. Dubois is English.Usyk fought a couple times here, so he’s probably a bit known.
      “This is a fight where an Englishman is fighting for three belts at heavyweight. It’s a bit more than just a normal heavyweight fight.
      “Because Usyk and Tyson and all this stuff occurred, that’s why it doesn’t look that big because we have something to compare with. On the other hand, it’s still huge.”
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      Fury, 34, and Usyk, 36, were heading towards an April 29 unification bout at Wembley’s 90,000-plus stadium.
      But Krassyuk claimed their opposition is asking for inconceivable sums which looks to KO the fight before it even gets started.
      He said: “I can tell you only the words that I hear from my negotiators, my partners, Frank and George Warren.
      “According to their reports Tyson Fury was asking for too much money. Even if Usyk would get zero for the fight, it would still not be sufficient for Tyson to cover what he wants.
      “That’s actually the point. Normally, when the fighter doesn’t want the fight, he asks for something impossible and then it’s not happening.
      “That’s according to my experience. I’ve been in boxing for a while, almost 20 years, and that’s what I’ve seen so many times.”
      Daniel Dubois could be next in line for Oleksandr UsykCredit: Jamie McPhilimey More

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      Boxing cult hero looks unrecognisable in throwback snap with long flowing locks and cheeky smile wearing dungarees

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      A former heavyweight boxer has stunned fans by looking unrecognisable in a brilliant old photo.The sport’s blue-riband division was thriving in the 1990s and early 2000s with the likes of Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield, Riddick Bowe and Mike Tyson.
      Eric Esch, known as Butterbean, was a fan-favourite heavyweightCredit: Getty
      He was a hard-hitting fighter with a KO ratio of 63 per centCredit: AFP
      But one man who gained a cult following for his short, stocky physique was American Eric Esch – better known as Butterbean.
      Standing at 5ft 11 1/2in, the large bald heavyweight never won a version of the world title.
      But that did not stop fans flocking to support the unconventionally-built fighter – who came up short against the legendary Larry Holmes in 2002.
      Now he has caught the public’s attention once more – a decade after hanging up the gloves.
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      Butterbean shared an old photo from back in the day which showed him with long, blonde hair and dungarees.
      And he added the hilarious caption: “Me in high school. Yes I had hair.”
      Reacting to the image, one fan said: “Who would’ve thought that this guy would turn out to be the heaviest hitter in boxing history next to Mike Tyson himself.”
      While another added: “Now imagine him fighting with that hair!”
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      Butterbean shared this brilliant picture on his social mediaCredit: Instagram @butterbeanboxer
      Butterbean retired from professional boxing with a record of 77 wins, 10 defeats and four draws.
      He was linked with a return to the ring in 2021 when Tyson was looking for an opponent to face in an exhibition bout.
      And before Iron Mike landed on Roy Jones Jr, Butterbean came out to quash the rumours.
      Speaking to Fred Talks Fighting, he said: “No! I’m totally retired.
      “There’s a lot of talk about me being in that fight with Tyson, [it] was all actually offered to me [as] an exhibition.
      “But I know when it’s time, I know I’m old, I’ve got grandkids, I’ve got nine grandkids.
      “I’m just enjoying my life right now.”
      Butterbean came up short in his pursuit of a world titleCredit: AFP More