BOXING

Christmas came early for the children staying in Starfish Ward at Watford General Hospital. Former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua visited the hospital where he was born on Thursday and handed out gifts to young patients admitted to the hospital. This was part of his Clean Hearts Community program, which he founded some years earlier.

It wasn’t Joshua’s first charitable effort in his hometown either. The ongoing initiative aims to uplift the people where the Watford native grew up. Joshua has previously used this initiative to launch a plethora of physical and educational programs this year. It included football camps, cooking, and science classes, to name a few.

“Today we went to visit Watford General Hospital,” Joshua told Daily Mail Sports about his latest charitable effort in the hospital where he once unveiled the Leigh Warman Mural in the Children’s A&E department following his Olympic win in 2012. “There were a few kids there on the ward. Some have serious illnesses and some others were actually going home today which was nice to hear.”

The 35-year-old suggested that the main purpose of his visit was to acknowledge the children there. “I always try to put myself back to when I was four years and if someone came down with some gifts it would have made my day,” Joshua said. Meanwhile, he also shared a post on Instagram, with a bunch of pictures from his visit.

We brought Santa Claus with us, since I’m sure they don’t know who I am. Seeing their faces light up when we handed out gifts was such a nice feeling,” Joshua wrote in the caption. Paediatric Consultant Lynn Sinitsky praised Joshua’s visit and the impact it will have on the children, especially on one who woke up to find the world champion at his bedside.

“The joy Anthony has spread is truly healing,” Lynn Sinitsky said. “The smile on that ten-year-old’s face was priceless.” Meanwhile, ward manager Kerry Beasley also chimed in, highlighting the boost in morale Joshua’s visit gave to the children and staff present. “It’s amazing for everyone—both the staff and the patients. It really lifts morale and spreads the Christmas spirit,’ she said. ‘We couldn’t get him out.”

BOXING

Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk undercard fight cancelled as failed drugs test confirmed

Dennis McCann has provided an “adverse analytical finding” in his Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) test.

British fighter Dennis McCann has provided an adverse analytical finding in a Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) test – resulting in the cancellation of his upcoming super-bantamweight bout with Peter McGrail – which was set to take place on undercard of Tyson Fury’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk next weekend.

Promoted by Frank Warren and the world-renowned Queensberry Promotions, 23-year-old southpaw McCann is now facing up to an investigation. Queensberry released a statement on the news via social media.

“The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) has today informed all relevant parties that Dennis McCann has returned an adverse finding following an anti-doping test conducted in advance of his upcoming bout,” read their statement. “McCann’s scheduled fight next Saturday will no longer take place while the relevant parties investigate the matter further. No further comment on this will be made at this time.”

No further details have been provided on the substance that was found in McCann’s sample – nor the date the a sample was provided. McCann has fought twice in 2024, beating Ionut Baluta and Brad Strand.

McCann had been training in Liverpool with coach Joe McNally ahead of the fight, which was expected to be a centrepiece of the Fury vs Usyk build-up in Riyadh. McGrail – who made his name as an esteemed amateur from Liverpool – is now without an opponent unless a last-minute replacement can be arranged.

McCann, meanwhile, will now face up to a full investigation, and the matter is likely to be referred to the Board of Control and UK Anti-Doping, who will handle any procedure in the case. He will be handed a temporary suspension once an investigation formally begins.

BOXING

Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk 2 thrown into chaos as undercard fighter fails anti-doping test just days before event

A SCHEDULED undercard bout for Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk 2 has been cancelled due to a failed drugs test.

British super-bantamweight Dennis McCann has been pulled from his meeting with Peter McGrail after an “adverse finding” was discovered in his anti-doping test.

An update from Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority and the mastermind behind the huge battles that take place in Saudi Arabia, on Friday evening read: “The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) has today informed all relevant parties that Dennis McCann has returned an adverse finding following an anti-doping test conducted in advance of his upcoming bout.

“Mr. McCann’s scheduled fight next Saturday will no longer take place, as the relevant parties investigate the matter further.

“No further comment on this will be made at this time.”

The Brit’s promoter, Frank Warren’s Queensberry, also confirmed the cancellation.

At just 23 years old he is also British and Commonwealth champion.

McCann vs McGrail was one of five scheduled undercard fights for Fury vs Usyk 2.

The main event is set for next Saturday, December 21, in Riyadh.

Fury insists he won’t make the mistake of trying to outbox Usyk in their crunch rematch.

The former unified heavyweight champion said: “I’ve always been a bad man my whole life, and I’m still one today at nearly 40 years old, a few years off 40.

“I’m going to go in there with destroy mode. Last time I went to box him, I was being cautious.

“But this time I’m not going for a points decision. I’m going to knock that motherf****r out.”

BOXING

Gervonta Davis’ Legacy Tarnished Under One Minute as Floyd Mayweather, Lomachenko Roped In to Prove a Point

WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis is often regarded as the ‘Face of Boxing’ today. But there are countless in the community who feel the Baltimore native is not deserving of the prestigious title. Well, YouTuber Showbizz The Adult is one of them. In his latest rant on YouTube, Showbiz tore apart Davis’ legacy while roping in Floyd Mayweather and Vasyl Lomachenko. The 30-year-old puncher is about to get in the ring against Lamont Roach in Brooklyn, New York for Davis’ WBA title. However, there has been criticism towards the bout, which claims the fight is too easy for Davis and he is avoiding any real challenge, mainly because Roach normally fights in the super featherweight division.

Regardless, before Roach, Davis had his eye on someone else. ‘Tank’ was in talks with Ukraine’s Vasyl Lomachenko to unify their belts. This also came hand-in-hand with criticism that, now that ‘Loma’ is too old, Davis decided to fight him. Anyway, Lomachenko decided to pull out of the fight talks, claiming he wanted a break and would like to spend more time with his family.

Fast forward to today, Showbizz accused Davis of fighting nobodies, despite having backing from one of the greatest boxers in recent history. What did he say?

Can you imagine, bro?” he began. “You [have been] fighting from six years old. You meet a legend in Floyd Mayweather. You think all is about to be right with the world. I’m about to clean everybody up. And you fight none of them? And you look around and you [are] 30-31 years old and you know that you are the best one. I’m not saying that he is the best one, I’m saying that he knows he is the best one,” he stated.

Notably, Mayweather discovered Davis back in 2015 and immediately offered him a contract with his promotional company, Mayweather Promotions. Regardless, Showbizz insinuates that while Davis thinks he is the best, the reality is very different.

“We got time for Lomachenko. That was four years ago. All of a sudden, he gets his chance. Lomachenko. Lomachenko like [looking uncertain]. Because Lomachenko fought Kambosos, Devin ‘The American Dream’ Haney, Teofimo Lopez, Garry Russell, Linares, Rigondeaux.”

“He done fought them all. He’s like, ‘I don’t feel like [fighting Davis]’. He can afford not to feel like. He ducked him but he is kinda like… And Tank’s like, ‘Damn! Hey Shakur’ and then he looks up, Lamont Roach. Another situation like this again. He like, ‘Man, I’m done,’” Showbizz added, referencing to Davis’s latest move. ‘Tank’ announced a week ago that he would retire in 2025.

BOXING

Floyd Mayweather Agrees Fight Result Against Canelo Would Be Different If He Was In His Prime

Floyd Mayweather and Saul ‘Canelo‘ Alvarez faced off on September 14, 2013 at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas.

The fight – billed as ‘The One’ – saw pound-for-pound king Mayweather take on rising star Canelo for the WBA and WBC Super-Welterweight World Titles.

It generated massive hype and captivated the boxing world, with many believing the Mexican’s youth and power could pose a serious threat to Mayweather’s dominance. That was not to be.

The fight unfolded as a masterclass in defensive boxing by Mayweather. He neutralised Canelo’s aggression on his way to a majority decision victory, though most feel a unanimous call would be much more appropriate.

As a victory for Floyd, it has aged incredibly well. Canelo is now a four-weight world champion who has dominated the super-middleweight ranks for some time and won a belt as high as light-heavy. Many feel a match-up for Mayweather with this more seasoned Alvarez would play out entirely differently.

However, speaking to Bet Online, ‘Money’ dismissed the idea that Canelo wasn’t in his prime when the pair met in the ring. In fact, he believes he was the one at the disadvantage being 36-years-old. Had it happened years earlier, he says he would have scored the knockout.

“Canelo Alvarez is a hell of a fighter. [People talk about] a prime Mayweather vs a prime Canelo. I fought the prime Canelo. I was the older Mayweather fighting the prime Canelo. If it was a prime Mayweather vs a prime Canelo, the fight wouldn’t have gone the distance.”

As for Canelo, he too believes that the outcome would have been different, telling DAZN:

“Simply, it was down to experience. If I compare that Canelo with Canelo today, they are completely different. It’d be a completely different fight now [against Floyd].”

He has taken just one more loss in his campaign, which totals 66 fights so far, and that came against Dmitry Bivol at light-heavyweight.

BOXING

Claressa Shields next fight official: Danielle Perkins set as opponent for Feb. 2

Claressa Shields will face Danielle Perkins on Feb. 2 in Flint, Michigan.

Claressa Shields is set to return to action on Sunday, Feb. 2, headlining a DAZN-streamed event from her hometown of Flint, Mich.

Shields (15-0, 3 KO) will defend her WBC heavyweight title against Danielle Perkins (5-0, 2 KO), a 42-year-old who turned pro at age 37 in 2020.

If you’ve never seen Perkins fight and are wondering if she has a legitimate shot at beating the 29-year-old Shields, who is arguably the single best women’s boxer in history, the answer is no, barring an injury, miracle, or more likely injury and miracle combined.

But this is the position that Shields’ boxing career is in, basically. She’s been undisputed at 154, 160, and 168, and is now essentially fighting at “Claressaweight,” because there are no contenders at proper weights she hasn’t beaten, and she just has no real incentive to cut any more than she feels like, because the competition and box office potential are capped at a pretty clear level from this point.

BOXING

‘I think it’s going to be a banger’: Lennox Lewis breaks down Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury 2

Lennox Lewis says Tyson Fury has a lot of natural tools to make things harder on Oleksandr Usyk in rematch.

Former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis shares his breakdown of the upcoming title fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury. Lewis says he expects this fight to be perhaps even better than the first one as he expects Fury to take this rematch much more seriously, and even come better prepared. Here’s some of what Lewis had to say about the fight.

Oleksandr Usyk will rematch Tyson Fury for heavyweight supremacy on Dec. 21.

“It’s going to be a tough fight for both guys,” said Lewis. “It’s going to be mentally tough, it’s going to be physically tough. They’re going to push each other on the mental basis far, they’re going to push each other physically far. Both guys want to win this fight…Both guys want something from this and it’s going to be a mental challenge and a physical challenge.

“I think it’s going to be a banger, it’s going to be a serious fight…one guy was more serious than the other guy (in the first fight) — you could say Tyson Fury lost that fight and Usyk won it. Now it’s a situation where they’re having another fight, Tyson Fury has to win that fight so he’s going to be more focused, he’s going to put a little bit more weight on to get through this fight and he’s a lot more serious.

“Usyk is a mover, he’s hard to hit and he knows what to do. He goes in there, he’ll punch with you for a second and then he’s out of range. So it’s a tit-for-tat. Both guys are going to be using their intelligence, their ring IQ. Tyson Fury, he’s got the size, he’s 6’9”, he moves well. He needs to get that jab going.

“I like Tyson with a little bit more weight. Maybe he’ll come in with more weight this time. He’s always a good fighter even with weight on and with weight he can push the little guy back, he can put his weight on the little guy, there’s a lot different things that Tyson Fury can do to unhinge Oleksandr Usyk and make it a harder fight for him to win.”

BOXING

Lennox Lewis slams Jake Paul-Mike Tyson’s bout but says it won’t ‘tarnish great boxing’

Lennox Lewis is the latest name in boxing to join the criticism of Jake Paul and Mike Tyson’s fight. However, he thinks that the spectacle won’t hurt “great boxing,” such as the upcoming match between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.

While heavily controversial, Jake Paul and Mike Tyson’s fight is still the talking point of the boxing community. As the Youtuber-turned-boxer became one of the most sought-after rivals, many big names of the sport have slammed the spectacle. The latest to join the list is Lennox Lewis.

The former undisputed world heavyweight champion compared the Paul-Tyson fight, which was viewed on Netflix by 60 million people around the world, has nothing to do with the upcoming rematch between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk in Riyadh.

“At the end of the day you’ve got a big event that a lot of people were happy to attend, and they felt OK. The boxing purist didn’t feel OK, they didn’t feel it was the right thing to do,” he said, according to The Herald Scotland.

“Then you’ve got the real event which is the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world, where the two best fighters in the world actually meet and box and we can actually see who is the best out of the two, and who is the king of heavyweight boxing at the moment,” he added about the Fury-Usyk fight, which will take place on December 21st.

He added, “That type of boxing doesn’t tarnish great boxing such as Usyk and Fury, because you’ve got two different types of eras and things going on. You’ve got entertainment, and you’ve got real good fighting with drama.”

Tommy Fury challenged Jake Paul, Paul called him a ‘muppet’

While Jake Paul has officially retired from “influencer boxing” to be professional, Tommy Fury joined a long-list of boxers who called him out. Fury beat Paul in a split decision in 2023, but now he responded to Logan Paul’s podcast comments, in which he said that he was “scared” for a rematch.

“I beat you once already, I handed you your first loss. The minute you stepped up and fought a real boxer, you lost fair and square. I can give you a second loss, that’s not a problem, but let’s talk some serious numbers. If you want to get in touch, you know where I am,” Fury recently said in a video on his social media.

Paul fired back on X (formerly Twitter), dismissing Fury’s callout and questioning his credibility. “What an absolute muppet. Buddy, you just pulled out of a fight for the 3rd time. You have ZERO credibility. I offered you $8M dollars and you ran away from it. And now you got dumped by Molly, getting sued by DAZN and still can’t call a shot without your dad GTFOH,” Paul wrote.

If Paul and Fury’s rematch isn’t actually in the cards, Paul has plenty of offers from other boxers to continue his career. The “Problem Child” has been called out by Artur Bierberv, Daniel Dubois, Gervonta Davis, and even Ryan Garica.

BOXING

Gervonta Davis Announces His Retirement in 2025: The Undefeated ‘Tank’ Bids Farewell to Boxing After an Unstoppable Career

Gervonta “Tank” Davis, one of the biggest names in global boxing, has confirmed that his career is coming to an end. With an impeccable record of 30 fights undefeated and 28 knockouts, the 30-year-old fighter has announced that he plans to retire in 2025, leaving behind a legacy that has amazed fans and experts alike.

In a recent interview with Fight Hub TV, Davis revealed his dissatisfaction with boxing and his decision to hang up his gloves after his next fight scheduled for March 1, 2024, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, where he will defend his WBA lightweight title against Lamont Roach Jr. The fight, originally set for December this year in Houston, was postponed for reasons not yet clarified. However, this could be Davis’ last big opportunity to confirm his dominance in the lightweight division before retiring.

“After next year, I’m out of this… Out of the sport,” the champion said, visibly upset by the aspects surrounding his profession. “It’s trash… This stuff is trash, trash… Tired. Tired of all this crap,” he added in frustration.

Although many have speculated whether his retirement could tarnish his undefeated legacy, Davis appeared indifferent to such comments. In a previous interview with Fight Hype, the boxer made it clear that, for him, his status as the best will always be secured: “I don’t even care about that, bro. I don’t even care about that, and where I come from, bro, I’ll always be the greatest. I’ll always be a G for myself,” he stated.

Davis’ retirement, which comes at the peak of his career, has had a significant impact on the boxing world. His decision to step away from the sport at the height of his success has not been universally well-received. In an interview with Vlad TV, Bill Haney, father and trainer of Devin Haney, questioned Davis’ choices regarding his opponents. According to Haney, “Tank” has avoided the most dangerous boxers and downplayed the challenge presented by Lamont Roach Jr. “I don’t think Lamont has the quality to beat Davis. And if he fights Shakur Stevenson, it will be a good fight. I give it 50-50, but I think ‘Tank’ is avoiding real boxers,” Haney said, criticizing how Davis has managed his career.

Despite the criticism, Gervonta Davis remains one of the most charismatic and controversial figures in modern boxing. His aggressive style and impressive knockout ability have solidified him as one of the best in the sport today. With his retirement looming, the question of what kind of legacy he will leave in the sport will be one of the most debated topics in the coming months.

For now, Davis seems determined to end his career in the ring in 2025, before his name fades from boxing history as one of the greatest of his era. However, many hope that, at least in his final year, ‘Tank’ will give fans some of the most exciting battles of his already brilliant career.

BOXING

Floyd Mayweather Has No Doubt Who The Best Opponent He Faced Was During His 50 Fight Career

Floyd Mayweather fought a who’s who of boxing stars during his illustrious career.

After making his professional debut back in October 1996, Mayweather went on to become a five-weight world champion, before retiring with a perfect 50-0 record in 2017.

During that time, he took on all comers, sharing the ring with the likes of Manny Pacquiao, Canelo Alvarez, Oscar De La Hoya, Miguel Cotto, Shane Mosley, Juan Manuel Marquez and Ricky Hatton.

Despite the best efforts of them all, nobody could come close to defeating Mayweather, leading to him being widely regarded as one of the best boxers of all time.

Mayweather has now reflected on his incredible career whilst on the Million Dollaz Worth Of Game Podcast and picked the man who he felt was the best opponent he ever faced, and it was an obvious choice – Manny Pacquiao.

“It’s because of his movement. He’s a hell of a fighter, and I can see why he won so many fights, and I can see why he’s going down as a Hall of Famer. It’s just certain moves he makes.”

Mayweather and Pacquiao met back in May 2015, in an event that was dubbed as ‘The Fight Of The Century.’ The two had been linked to a showdown for a number of years, with many fans feeling it came a lot later than they would have liked.

It was a huge commercial success, setting the combat sports gate record with over 72 million dollars, and generating 4.6 million PPV buys.

Inside the ring it wasn’t the same spectacle, with Mayweather comfortably winning by unanimous decision in a rather uneventful affair.

While Pacquiao may have been the toughest opponent that Mayweather faced, he opted for a different man when naming who hit him hardest in his career.