Boxing Archives - Page 168 of 183

WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury will come face-to-face with the hardest puncher in the UFC, Francis Ngannou, on 28 October. The matchup is said to be the biggest crossover boxing event since Conor McGregor took on the undefeated Floyd Mayweather. But that’s not the only major development involving Tyson Fury. In September, promoter Frank Warren confirmed the fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Fury.

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However, amidst all the excitement about Fury’s two fights in Saudi Arabia, some questions have taken over the boxing world. Despite being the heavy crowd favorite, what if Fury were to lose the fight against former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in the upcoming fight? How would that unexpected result affect the showdown with Oleksandr Usyk set for late December? Would that fight even happen?

What if Francis Ngannou pulls an upset?

Back in March, when Fury’s fight with Usyk fell apart, Fury faced significant criticism from the public. However, Fury made good on his word by scheduling the fight with Usyk later this year. Nevertheless, the WBC champion will have to face Francis Ngannou just more than a week from today. So, what happens if Fury loses to Ngannanou in the upcoming fight?

To put it simply, Fury will lose his reputation as the best heavyweight champion in the world. What’s more, there are no titles on the line in the Ngannou fight. So Fury is not in a position to lose his titles to the Cameroonian mixed martial artist. However, he will become the laughing stock because he will be the first well-known and well-respected boxer to lose a boxing match to an MMA fighter.

Would the Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk fight even happen?

Francis Ngannou is one of the biggest names in the UFC world. There’s no doubt his punches pack significant power behind them. So, it’s not far-fetched to think that if Ngannou lands the right punch at the right spot, Fury can go down like anyone else. However, even if the inevitable happens in the upcoming fight, there are no indications that the result will cancel the fight between Fury and Usyk.

Will it dampen Fury’s supremacy in the heavyweight division? Absolutely! But the fact of the matter is that Fury has defeated other dangerous opponents like Deontay Wilder, Wladimir Klitschko, and Dillian White. Moreover, Oleksandr Usyk has shown eagerness to face Fury in the ring. So, the chances of him backing out despite Fury’s hypothetical loss should not change his mind. However, only time can tell what will happen if the unthinkable happens later this month

In the world of boxing, uncertainty often looms nearby. And the eminent clash between Fury and Ngannou is the best example. Regardless of what happens in the upcoming fight, indications are it will be the biggest spectacle of the year. However, the burning question is–who do you think will win the upcoming matchup? If Fury does what fans are expecting from him against Ngannou, will he be able to take down Oleksandr Usyk later?

BOXING

Eddie Hearn Reveals The Date “He’s Being Told” Fury-Usyk Will Happen On

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk look set to finally face each other in a fight to crown the first heavyweight undisputed champion since Lennox Lewis.

After talks between the pair suddenly collapsed in March, fans’ hopes of seeing one ruler in boxing’s blue-ribbon division began to fade. But, unbeknownst to the public, negotiations had continued behind the scenes and the boxing world was shocked when it was announced that both Fury and Usyk had put pen to paper for the historic clash.

Although both parties have agreed terms, no venue or date has been confirmed with much speculation that the fight could take place on December 23.

In an interview with Boxing Social, Matchroom promoter, Eddie Hearn, spoke about a potential date clash with Fury vs Usyk and Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn, and said the heavyweight fight was being targeted for the end of the year.

Fury must first come through unscathed in his crossover fight against Francis Ngannou on October 28 before attentions can turn to the history defining fight.

BOXING

After Living in Pitch Dark Room for 4 Days, Anthony Joshua Shares his Spiritual Retreat Experience

Anthony Joshua has been in the ring just four times in the last three years. His latest bout against Dillian Whyte fell through just days before fight night after the latter tested positive for banned drugs in the VADA test. On the desperate lookout for an opponent, his promoter, the much-abled, Eddie Hearn landed him a fight against Robert Helenius. A fight much in favor of Joshua, the fighter came out victorious through a knockout at Greenwich’s O2 Arena.

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After his easy win over Helenius and a fight against Deontay Wilder on the horizon, he embarked upon an atypical retreat that raised the eyebrows of many. As he awaits the Wilder fight’s date to be finalized, he splashed £2,000 to sit blindfolded in a dark room in chase of inner peace. Now that he’s out of this unique experience, here are some details that he revealed.

Anthony Joshua finds peace in the dark

After he wrapped up the Helenius fight, he quickly entered negotiations with Wilder to decide on a comfortable date for their fight. But with prospects of it looking over for sometime in March, he might have to land another interim fighter for the winters. Amidst this chaos, he thought it would be good to spend some downtime finding himself. And it was the dark that he thought would help him.

In a conversation with Men’s Health, he explained, “I’m about to do something, on 16 October, I’m going to a place for four days where I will be on my own in total darkness, pitch black for four days. At the time it will be the worst thing ever, but then I think when I come out, I will say I wish I had done more.” \

Why would he choose this novel sort of experience? He says, “Life is all about experiences. I want to have more character and go through more experiences. I’m doing it for character. If I go for a walk in the woods, enjoy the scenery, the birds chirping, I’m going for peace. In this, though, it’s just me and my mind.” The program includes him spending four days in a pitch-dark room, with a door through which he gets his food. The experience cuts him off from any technological interaction, including phones, audiobooks, and radio.

An update on AJ vs. Deontay Wilder

Both AJ and ‘The Bronze Bomber’ have spent the majority of this year in negotiations for their upcoming fight. Despite the heavy conversations between them, there has been no concrete date announced for it. But now, Hearn has come out with some clarifications. According to him, the Saudi fight, a multi-million dollar affair, was financed by Saudi Skill Challenge.

The promoters had big plans for the fight, however, they’ve been hurdled by Saudi’s General Entertainment Authority. While navigating through such issues, it seemed like that fight would take its course sometime in December or January. But now, clearing the air, he said, “So now we’re looking at it, myself and Shelly [Finkel] continue to talk, but we look at Vegas and we look at some people making offers, some people wasting time against out in the Middle East, but we have to explore those options. So all I can tell you is January is definitely not happening.

When the fight date is decided, the realm will turn its attention toward the much-awaited Anthony Joshua vs. Deontay Wilder clash. The only question that remains is if it will take its course in all the glory that Eddie Hearn has been chasing and promised. What are your thoughts on AJ’s method of recuperation? Let us know in the comments section below.

BOXING

Anthony Joshua Could Now Become A Three-Time World Champion In His Next Fight

Anthony Joshua has always made it clear his goal is to become a three-time heavyweight world champion and his promoter, Eddie Hearn, believes he could achieve that in his next fight.

Joshua first lost his titles in a shock upset to Andy Ruiz Jr back in 2019, but regained them just six months later in the rematch. Oleksandr Usyk then dethroned ‘AJ’ from this WBA, IBF and WBO belts two years later and that time the Brit wasn’t able to get them back as the Ukrainian once again out pointed him in their second meeting.

Since then Joshua has linked up with new trainer Derrick James and has had two victories over Jermaine Franklin and Robert Helenius as he looks to get back into world title contention.

Speaking to Boxing Social about who Joshua might fight next, Hearn said that a recent IBF ruling meant that Filip Hrgovic ‘was the fight’ that made the most sense.

Joshua had been expected to face American, Deontay Wilder, but after an offer from Saudi Arabia’s Skills Challenge Promotions was withdrawn that now looks unlikely to happen anytime soon.

BOXING

Anthony Joshua must face two names before he retires says Eddie Hearn

Eddie Hearn has big plans for his heavyweight star.

Anthony Joshua’s next move inside the boxing ring is still unknown, but Eddie Hearn believes his man has to fight Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder before his career is over.

Joshua has enjoyed a successful 2023 so far with wins over Jermaine Franklin and Robert Helenius, but it’s expected that he’ll feature in bigger fights next year.

Joshua had been expected to face Wilder in December but any hopes of that bout taking place this year have now gone.

Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, is still confident that a Wilder meeting can occur in 2024 and he’s insistent that his man must take on Wilder and Fury before walking away from the sport.

“There’s two fights that AJ needs to have before he retires and that’s Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury,” said Hearn when speaking to talkSPORT.

“I think he has to have those fights next year and that’s the plan, but what he’s not going to do is be inactive like a lot of these guys.”

BOXING

Tyson Fury vows not make Anthony Joshua mistake in Francis Ngannou fight

Tyson Fury insists he’ll not make the same mistake against Francis Ngannou that Anthony Joshua made against Andy Ruiz.

The Gypsy King is set to put his WBC world heavyweight title on the line against WBA, WBO and IBF champ Oleksandr Usyk — potentially as early as December — to sort out who is the division’s undisputed top dog. But that’s only providing he comes through Saturday’s clash with Ngannou in Saudi Arabia unscathed, because he knows only too well from AJ’s experience that boxing rings are littered with banana skins.

Fury said: “I am not looking past Ngannou. I don’t look ahead to other fights or get involved in boxing politics. When you count your chickens before they hatch you usually come unstuck. I remember a few years ago, when Anthony Joshua was in New York to box a little unknown called Andy Ruiz, all he could talk about was fighting Deontay Wilder and me.

He didn’t concentrate on the little fat fella in front of him and ended up getting wiped out. I don’t do stuff like that. I don’t care if Usyk is ringside, I am only looking forward to a good fight with Francis Ngannou. Whether it is easy or hard I will be prepared for it, but I won’t be taking my eye off of it, especially not for some middleweight guy when I have a giant in front of me.”

Fury, already a very wealthy man, is making some serious lolly from the Saudis for his next two fights, and he has also trousered a fair few quid from his Netflix show. But he is adamant that at this stage it isn’t about the money. He added: “I just do my job, get paid and get out of there. In the trade we call it ‘getting paid and getting laid’.

“But even if someone gave me £10trillion it wouldn’t affect my lifestyle. I can’t do anything more than I can do. Where I live in Morecambe, if you had £100tn, you couldn’t do anything different to what I do. I’m just not interested in anything other than what I’m doing. “People have seen that in the Netflix documentary — that’s my life down to a T. And I’m fortunate enough that sometimes I get a fight scheduled in and I go into a training camp and it gets a bit glitzy, but other than that it’s very structured and routined.”

Fury needs that structure. He said: “It’s just the same old bulls**t day in, day out, year in, year out, but if you take it away my life’s not worth living anymore. I’m sick when I’m in camp and even sicker when I’m out of camp so make what you will of that.” But he’s also trying to enjoy each camp now given there won’t be many left.

He added: “I know there will be a time when training camps are no more and I won’t get to enjoy the banter with all my training partners and mates and employees. In 10 years, I want to be able to look back on these camps and remember them fondly because time passes so quickly. I made a vow to myself a few years ago to enjoy every camp and every sparring session because I am 35, so there are not many more to come.”

BOXING

Devin Haney Predicts Canelo-Crawford: “You’ve Got To Respect Him”

Former undisputed lightweight world champion Devin Haney has weighed in with his two cents on a potential blockbuster fight between undisputed champions Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Terence Crawford.

Despite the fact there are a whopping three weight classes between the two stars, talk of a meeting has gained big traction over the last couple of months, with both men coming out publicly and saying they would be up for the task.

And Haney hinted to Fight Hub TV that, though he admires Crawford for “daring to be great,” he believes the weight difference would prove too difficult an obstacle to overcome.

Though it would undoubtedly be one of the biggest fights for many years, talk of Alvarez vs Crawford has slowed up significantly following the Mexican’s dominant win former undisputed light middleweight champion Jermell Charlo – a significantly bigger man than Crawford.

‘Bud’ has more urgent issues at hand regardless, with a second fight with Errol Spence Jr in the offing for February after Spence triggered a contractual rematch clause, though it is unclear as of yet what weight this will take place at.

Most fight fans want to see Alvarez lock horns with WBC Interim champion David Benavidez next, with Benavidez having long been considered his biggest threat at 168lbs – so much so that some have even accused ‘Canelo’ of ducking him.

However, ‘The Mexican Monster’ must get past two weight world champion Demetrius Andrade next month if is to have a hope of landing a career high payday against the Guadalajara icon.

BOXING

Tyson Fury already has a new KO artist in sight after fighting Ngannou and Usyk

Perhaps a decade ago, Tyson Fury was already thinking about retiring as he was fighting depression. But right now, he is about to fight Francis Ngannou in a sensational crossover boxing match and Oleksandr Usyk is already locked in for his next fight. In a recent interview, Fury already stated he is willing to sign in for 10 more fights as long as he keeps making millions of dollars. mongst the rivals he will probably fight, there are many great boxers that include Oleksandr Usyk, Anthony Joshua, Andy Ruiz, Zhilei Zhang, amongst others. But there is one specific heavyweight who is currently 17-0 with an impressive 16 knockouts to his name. Most people who haven’t followed boxing in the last couple of years won’t even have this name on their list

The name of this boxer is Russian KO artist Arslanbek Makhmudov. Looking at his 16 knockouts, it’s easy to see why many consider him the next great challenge for champions like Tyson Fury or Oleksandr Usyk himself. We are talking about a relatively new fighter to the boxing scene. He started his career in 2017 but he is already 34 years old. Makhmudov has an agile quality to his boxing style that is similar to what Oleksandr Usyk does but he is slightly bigger in size. Plus, he has speed that is not typical for a 6 foot 5 inches boxer and this could play in his favor against a massive fighter like Tyson Fury. Certainly, watching these two fight in the future should be entertaining, to say the least. The Russian Heavyweight will be on the same card as Tyson Fury, he is fighting Anthony Wright and still has much to prove in order to get a shot against the champ.

Tyson Fury thinks Makhmudov will be an easy pray

As Tyson Fury gets ready for the Oct. 28 boxing match against Francis Ngannou, he is also being questioned about the possible next opponents. The big man already confirmed he is keen on fighting at least 10 more times, that will definitely put his undefeated status at risk. As far as Makhmudov goes, here’s what Fury said about the Russian heavyweight on a Boxing King Media interview: “He’s Ar**hole-sniffer Makma-c**k. Listen, Arslanbek Makhmudov, when I get through all my fights that I need to, if he’s still around I’ll chop him up like a butcher’s block. Chop him up like piece of carcass with a big sharp knife on a butcher’s block. No match for me. Just because he’s lifted some weights, he don’t mean a lot to me. Tougher they come. He’s half of me. Absolutely blitz him.”

BOXING

Anthony Joshua Names The Fight He Felt The Most Pain: “I’ll Never Forget That Punch”

Anthony Joshua has taken some big licks in his professional boxing career, but one punch stands out to the former heavyweight champion.

From the beating he sustained at the hands of Andy Ruiz Jr, the 24 rounds he shared with pound for pound great Oleksandr Usyk, the war he had against Wladimir Klitschko where he was hurt on numerous occasions and getting clipped by Russian dynamo Alexander Povetkin – ‘AJ’ had been on the receiving end of some heavy leather.

However, in a recent feature with Men’s Health when asked the most pain he ever felt in the ring, he revealed it was a punch he took in his amateur days which was one he will “never forget.”

The opponent Joshua is referring to was Azerbaijani amateur stalwart Mahammadrasul Majidov, who actually also turned professional with Eddie Hearn, though did not enjoy nearly the same level of success as the Brit.

If a fight between Joshua and Deontay Wilder ever does materialise, Majidov may be relegated to inflicting the second hardest punch ever landed on ‘AJ,’ so devastating is the power of Wilder.

However, despite assurances all year that the fight is “locked in,” talks appear to be at a complete standstill at the moment.

BOXING

Regis Prograis Tells Tank Davis ‘No Catchweight’

Regis Prograis says he will not agree to a catchweight if Gervonta Davis shows interest in fighting him in the light welterweight division.

If Tank wants the fight with WBC champion Prograis (29-1, 24 KOs), it will need to be at 140. Tank wouldn’t just be asking for a catchweight. There would be the obligatory rehydration clause to go along with itin a double whammy.

It’s a bit early for Prograis to be talking about fighting guys like Gervonta, because Regis still needs to defend his WBC title against Devin Haney on December 9th. Fans & the oddsmakers have Haney (30-0, 15 KOs) as the favorite in that contest.

Even if Prograis does beat Haney, it’s doubtful that Tank Davis would move up to 140 to face him. It’s believed that the Baltimore native’s promoters at Mayweather Promotions & PBC carefully select his opponents, and they tend to go in the direction of weaker fighters or guys with obvious flaws in the chin department, like Ryan Garcia.

Prograis’ best bet for a big money fight if he successfully defends against Haney would be Teofimo Lopez, but even that match likely won’t happen. Top Rank will want Ryan Garcia or Haney for Teofimo, and it likely won’t matter if Prograis defeats Devin.

Regis might be stuck with a lackluster opponent like Jack Catterall, Sandor Martin, or Richardson Hitchins. Those are good fighters, but they’re not popular.” From 135 to 147 is that glamour. There are so many big fights that could be made just around us,” said Regis Prograis to the media when asked if 140 is the best division.

“I think it’s going to be all big fights going on around these three weight divisions. No, no catchweight. 140 it is,” said Prograis when asked if he’d be open to fighting Gervonta Davis at a catchweight between 135 & 140.

It would be interesting to see if Prograis changes his mind about not being agreeable to a catchweight if Tank Davis shows interest in fighting him and he realizes how much money he can make from that fight. Money changes everything.

If Prograis can get $30 million like Ryan Garcia just got fighting Tank Davis, he’ll probably agree to a catchweight, even if it’s as low as 136.

“I told you. I want to be like the Hagler of my division. No, we’re not doing no catchweight. It’s going to be 140, and that’s it,” said Prograis.

“Of course,” said Prograis when asked if Tank Davis is the biggest fight for him. “You’re talking about the ‘Face of Boxing’ between him and Canelo. So, I can’t fight Canelo. So, him. It would probably be the biggest fight between him, Ryan, or Teo. That is the biggest fight.”

It’s too bad that PBC & Mayweather Promotions would never match Tank Davis against Prograis because that would be an interesting fight, and a lot better than watching the Baltimore native fight Isaac Cruz or Ryan Garcia again.

“He got his a** whipped by an old a** man,” said Prograis when asked about his thoughts on the Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero vs. Ismael Barroso last May. “He [Barraso] said he was 30? That man was 50-something. He was old as s**t, and Rolly got his a** whipped by an old man.”

Rolly lucked out when the referee Tony Weeks jumped in and stopped the Barroso fight in the ninth round because he was on his way to losing the fight.

“I wouldn’t want to fight Rolly, but he does have a belt, and that would be an easy a** belt to pick up,” said Prograis. “I want money, obviously, legacy, and stuff like that. If it happens, it happens. I think he’s s***ty. Rolly? I don’t think he’s that good. He has power, but as a fighter, I don’t think so. He fights like a martial artist or something like that.

“I don’t think he can keep the belt. He should have either an easy a** fight or cash-out, get a big fight. Maybe after I beat Devin, I can go fight him, and he can cash out, get a lot of money, and go do what he got to do,” said Prograis