BOXING

Tyson Fury is fighting for his place in boxing history when he rematches Oleksandr Usyk next month.

The Usyk vs Fury II Riyadh Season event is live on Sky Sports Box Office on December 21.

The heavyweights first clashed in a dramatic undisputed world championship fight earlier this year when Usyk pipped Fury on a split decision.

JUST IN: Gervonta Davis insults opponent while announcing his next fight

Usyk subsequently had to vacate the IBF title, but Fury will challenge for the unified WBC, WBO and WBO world championships.

Beating Usyk in would be a crucial part of the British fighter’s legacy, which includes memorable victories in his first world title fight against Wladimir Klitschko and a trilogy with Deontay Wilder.

Victory in the December rematch with the Ukrainian would be his greatest triumph yet.

Promoter Frank Warren told Sky Sports: “All the doubters, all the journalists were saying Usyk is now up there with all the legends of the sport, the Muhammad Alis, the Fraziers, the Foremans, the Joe Louis, as being one of the greatest and certainly the greatest of his generation.

“And I’m pleased they’ve said that because when Tyson beats him no one can debate the fact that he’s beat the best of his generation which will make him the best of his generation.”

Even though Usyk did manage to badly shake him up in the first fight, Fury is not concerned.

“That punch, if he chucked that punch he hit me with maybe 100 times it would have not done any damage. But [that] one time it did,” he told Sky Sports.

The first fight was finely balanced and Fury believes a slight recalibration can see him win the rematch.

“I don’t think I can be any better than what I [was] because I think it was probably one of the best performances that I’ve ever done in my life. Although it didn’t get the result I thought it was a very fantastic performance against one of my best opponents,” he said.

“Can I be any better? Can I do any better? I can be more focused, less clowning and I think that’s enough.”

BOXING

Gervonta Davis insults opponent while announcing his next fight

Gervonta Davis has no chill.

Davis on Friday announced the date of his upcoming fight against Lamont Roach. While making the announcement, Davis insulted Roach with a comment he posted as his Instagram caption.

“My second home!!! Me vs 5head March 1st NEW YORK let’s goooo!!! #TheONE” Davis wrote as his caption on Instagram for the post.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gervonta Davis (@gervontaa)

JUST IN: Tyson Fury names two key changes he’s making to beat Oleksandr Usyk in rematch

What’s the insult? Davis called Roach “5head” in the caption. “Five head” is a play-on-words and insult for someone who has a large forehead.

The Davis-Roach fight was initially set to be held in Houston in December. However, the fight was pushed back and will now take place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., on March 1.

Davis is 30-0. This will be his fourth fight at Barclays Center and first there since 2022. Roach is 25-1-1.

BOXING

Tyson Fury names two key changes he’s making to beat Oleksandr Usyk in rematch

Tyson Fury has named two important changes he can make to beat Oleksandr Usyk in the pair’s rematch.

Fury will look to avenge his first-ever professional boxing defeat when he faces Usyk for the second time in Saudi Arabia this Christmas.

‘The Gypsy King’ missed out on the opportunity to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since 1999 when he lost in his historic meeting with the Ukrainian by split-decision.

JUST IN: Oleksandr Usyk knows Tyson Fury’s weakness and that’s the problem’

Usyk dropped Fury in the ninth round en route to victory as the latter stumbled all over the ring in both men’s bids to unite all four belts for the first time in 25 years.

“I don’t think I can be any better than what I did,” Fury said, speaking to Sky Sports.

“Because I think it was probably one of the best performances I’ve ever done in my life.

“Although I didn’t get the result, I thought it was a very fantastic performance against one of my best opponents.”

Fury will be the underdog in the pair’s December rematch and it will likely be tough to overturn his defeat against ‘The Cat’.

However, the 36-year-old Manchester native believes he did enough to overcome Usyk in their first bout and even had himself ahead on his own scorecard.

Many boxing fans called for the former two-time champion to make changes, especially to his corner where John Fury–his dad–joined Andy Lee and Sugar Hill Steward.

But Fury doesn’t seem to think there is much room for improvement following the first clash of titans.

“Can I be any better? Can I do any better?” he added.

“I can be more focused, and less clowning and I think that’s enough.

“Maybe if he chucked that punch he hit me 100 times and maybe not done any damage, but you know the one time it did and that’s all she wrote really.”

Fury was asked about his corner’s advice in a face-off with Usyk on TNT Sports, after the pair met in their October press conference.

He admitted that ‘people can have their opinions’ and talk however they like, but quite frankly ‘they’re not in there doing the fighting’.

Fury’s rematch with Usyk will not be for the undisputed titles after the latter was stripped of his IBF belt once he agreed to the fight

The winner of the clash could face Daniel Dubois next after he retained the IBF title in style by knocking out Anthony Joshua at Wembley in September.

Former world champion Billy Joe Saunders is a friend of Fury’s and recently told talkSPORT’s Jim White and Simon Jordan that the heavyweight great has a better game plan in place now.

“Listen, I’ve been keeping a close eye and I’ve been talking to his nutritionist Greg Marriot,” he told talkSPORT’s White & Jordan.

“His weight is looking good and his sparring is going well and he’s looking good.

“I think the game plan they’ve got now for this fight after speaking with Tyson the other day makes a lot more sense.

“It makes a hell of a lot more sense to me, the game plan last time was pickey-pokey and running around.

“It was about showing off in the ring and I think he was enjoying himself a bit too much.

“He let Usyk back in it, but this time I don’t think Usyk will get back in the fight if Tyson is up in the first six rounds this time.

“Definitely not.”

BOXING

Oleksandr Usyk knows Tyson Fury’s weakness – and that’s the ‘problem’

**Oleksandr Usyk has the power, the pace and the plan to beat Tyson Fury, says Sky Sports boxing expert and former world champion Johnny Nelson…**

You can tell Fury doesn’t like to play second fiddle to anybody. I’m quite sure this is a lot more personal now for Tyson Fury no matter how he tries to look at it, because now he’s come up against a guy that he can’t intimidate. He’s come up against a guy that just doesn’t give him anything.

Fury knows now it’s about all his skills, all his ability, experience and the fight that he’s got left inside him. That’s got to be enough because if it isn’t, it’s quite clear this fight will probably go shorter than the last fight did.

READ: Eddie Hearn offers Anthony Joshua update amid surprise Daniel Dubois news

Now Usyk’s tasted his strength, his speed, his pace once, he has a better measure of him.

Remember what he did with Anthony Joshua. Anthony Joshua tried the same tactics as Fury, tried to outbox him, outsmart him and then in the second fight, even though AJ’s performance was great, Usyk’s performance was better. It was more calculated and it will be the same here.

Now he has the measure of the man in Tyson Fury, he knows that Tyson Fury is probably going to try and jump on him. Use his strength, use his size, use his physicality, which is what he should have done in the first place and that’s what he needs to do now.

Tyson needs to make sure that, combined with his boxing ability, puts the pressure on him from the off. Because the longer the fight goes, there’s more chance of him not being able to maintain that constant pressure, that physical pace on Usyk. Whereas Usyk, what he said in the first fight was: I’m not going to leave you alone. I’ll make you work for your supper and that’s what he did.

BOXING

Eddie Hearn offers Anthony Joshua update amid surprise Daniel Dubois news

Eddie Hearn has predicted that Anthony Joshua will return to the ring in “May or June”, with the former champion set to miss out on February’s planned mega-card in Saudi Arabia.

Boxing journalist Dan Rafael reported this week that Daniel Dubois will defend the IBF heavyweight title against Joseph Parker on 22 February, with Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol 2 among the other planned bouts in Riyadh.

Dubois’s first title defence came in September, when he knocked out Joshua at Wembley Stadium, and talk quickly turned to a rematch. But Joshua will have to wait to get his hands on his fellow Briton again, it seems – while Hearn suggested that AJ vs Fury could be an alternative move.

READ: Tyson Fury on how he’s “More Skilled Than Anthony Joshua”

Fury is due to box on 21 December, aiming to avenge his May defeat by Oleksandr Usyk, as the pair vie for the Ukrainian’s unified titles.

“I think the camp will start at the beginning of next year now,” Hearn told Pro Boxing Fans. “There’s a lot of work to do for AJ. He’s very motivated, he’s had a good rest, and he’ll have another rest [in] December as well.

“I think you’ll see him back around May or June. For me, the two fights are Daniel Dubois and Tyson Fury.

“Obviously we’ll be watching, he’ll be there ringside on 21 December, and I think it’ll be one of [Dubois and Fury] next. I always get asked every day, on the street, petrol stations, wherever it is: ‘When are we gonna see AJ against Fury? We don’t care about [Dubois and Usyk’s roles]; when are [Joshua and Fury] gonna fight each other?’

“I think win or lose [for Fury against Usyk], you’re going to see that fight. But we’d much rather Tyson Fury won, because he’d be world heavyweight champion again. Either way, I think we need to see that fight in 2025, and I believe we will.”

Usyk held the unified titles before taking the WBC belt from Fury in May, becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champion in almost 25 years. He was then forced to vacate the IBF title, however, meaning Dubois was upgraded from interim champion to regular champion.

Should Usyk and Dubois win their upcoming fights, they could be set for an undisputed bout in 2025 – two years after the Ukrainian stopped the Briton in Poland.

That could open the door for Joshua to fight Fury, in a clash that has been desired by fans for years.

BOXING

Claressa Shields knocked out Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse in second round to secure light-heavyweight and heavyweight world titles

Claressa Shields floored Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse on three occasions in second round knockout win in Detroit; the American star stepped up two weight classes to fight for the WBO light-heavyweight title and also claimed Lepage-Joanisse’s WBC heavyweight belt

Claressa Shields knocked out Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse with ease in the second round to secure world titles in a fourth and fifth weight division.

Shields stepped up two weight classes to fight for the WBO light-heavyweight title and also claimed Lepage-Joanisse’s WBC heavyweight belt after flooring the Canadian on three occasions in Detroit.

Spiteful combinations from Shields troubled Lepage-Joanisse from the opening bell and she ruthlessly ended the fight in the following round.

With her back to the ropes, Shields unloaded a flurry of punches that sent Lepage-Joanisse crashing to the canvas.

Lepage-Joanisse rose unsteadily and was floored again by a follow up attack from Shields that ended with a short, sharp right hand.

Another overhand right sent Lepage-Joanisse down again and the referee waved it off, sparking celebrations from Shields and her hometown fans.

“Looking at Vanessa in her fights, she pushed girls back because her legs are very strong,” said Shields.

“We made sure I have the power in my legs to push her back, and not get pushed back, and also really worked on the strength in my arms.”

Shields, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, had previously won won titles at 154, 160 and 168 pounds.

On the undercard, Julian Smith, a deaf boxer from the Chicago area, improved to 9-2 with an upset split-decision victory over Shohjahon Ergashev at super-lightweight.

BOXING

Gervonta Davis Says There Is Only One Man Who Can Beat Him: “The Others Can’t Touch Me”

Gervonta Davis has been dominant throughout his professional boxing career.

Having been world champion from super-featherweight all the way up to super-lightweight, he is now focusing on being one of the top dogs at 135lbs and is the reigning WBA lightweight champion.

His record currently stands at 30-0 with 28 of those wins coming by knockout, having stopped the likes of Ryan Garcia, Leo Santa Cruz, and most recently Frank Martin during his career.

There are several fighters that fans still want to see him in the ring with though, including current WBC champion Shakur Stevenson and former undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney.

With those big names in mind, ‘Tank’ has now revealed who he believes to be the only man that is capable of beating him.

“The only person that can beat me is Gervonta Davis. The others can’t touch me at all. They have all been in the ring with me and I cracked both of them. It ain’t no 50-50 fight. How you going to keep me off when you don’t have any power?”

Davis then revealed how he has got the better of Haney during sparring sessions between the two in the past.

“I sparred him twice, the first time his father took him out the ring. I almost knocked him out in Floyd’s gym.”

‘Tank’ is currently expected to return to the ring in March to defend his WBA lightweight title against current 130lb champion Lamont Roach, and the challenger has made a defiant knockout prediction ahead of the bout.

BOXING

IShowSpeed claims Floyd Mayweather won’t accept a fight with him because ‘he might be scared’

Mayweather has been active in the exhibition boxing scene since retirement, fighting both Conor McGregor and Logan Paul

IShowSpeed, the popular Twitch streamer known for his wild challenges to professional athletes, has set his sights on one of boxing’s all-time greats: Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Following his numerous antics, including racing sprinter Noah Lyles, taking on WWE’s Randy Orton, and sparring with Manny Pacquiao, IShowSpeed is now eyeing an exhibition match against the undefeated former world champion.

In a recent interview with NFL legend Shannon Sharpe, IShowSpeed discussed the possibility of fighting Mayweather. When asked if he would face the boxing icon in an exhibition bout, the 18-year-old didn’t hesitate.

“Yes,” he responded confidently.

“I believe, but I’m a Manny Pacquiao fan. I think Manny Pacquiao is the GOAT in boxing, in my opinion… I take Manny over Floyd.”

Despite his admiration for Pacquiao, IShowSpeed was still excited by the idea of facing Mayweather. Sharpe, eager to stir up the conversation, quickly called on Mayweather to make the match happen.

“Floyd, make it happen,” Sharpe urged, while IShowSpeed followed up with a direct challenge.

“Floyd, hey Floyd, you don’t want the work either, bro. I promise you, Floyd. 6 months, let’s go.”

IShowSpeed would be ready to face Mayweather within six months

IShowSpeed remained firm in his intentions, stating that if Mayweather’s team reached out for a potential match, he would be ready to go.

“100%,” he confirmed, adding that he had been looking forward to an opportunity like this for a long time.

Sharpe, recalling Mayweather’s previous exhibition fight with Logan Paul, seemed to hint that the 50-0 champ might consider a challenge from IShowSpeed.

IShowSpeed acknowledged the possibility but expressed doubt about Mayweather taking up the offer, suggesting that Floyd may be “scared” of facing him.

BOXING

Tyson Fury on how he’s ‘More Skilled Than Anthony Joshua’

By Admin November 27, 2024

Tyson Fury has described Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois as limited fighters while expressing confidence in his superior boxing skills ahead of his December rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.

The ‘Gypsy King,’ who will challenge Usyk for three heavyweight titles in Riyadh, dismissed calls to alter his approach, instead highlighted his unique style as the key to victory.

“Pretty much the same as I did before – good boxing. For someone of my size and weight, it’s unusual to be able to box and slip, so why would I take that out of my game?” Fury told TNT Sports.

READ: Jake Paul’s Next Opponent May Be 54-Win Former Champ Who Fought Canelo

“People say I should walk forward on Usyk, chase him down and hit him, but if it were that easy, why didn’t Joshua, who is a big, strong man, do it? Why didn’t Dubois manage it? Those men are limited compared to me – very limited.”

Fury, whose loss to Usyk in May saw the Ukrainian claim the undisputed heavyweight crown, remains confident in his strategy, citing his agility, focus, and versatility as decisive factors in the rematch.

“A man who charges straight at him is like Christmas come early. I’m a side-on boxer – slipping, sliding, throwing uppercuts, and hooking. I’ll do all that, but with more focus. That’s my route to victory,” he added.

Fury also dismissed criticism of his corner team, which includes his father, John Fury, alongside trainers SugarHill Steward and Andy Lee.

“People can have their opinions, but at the end of the day, they’re not the ones stepping into the ring. If I’m happy, the world’s happy – and I’m happy,” he said.

Meanwhile, Usyk has played down the impact of Fury’s power in their first encounter – a claim Fury disputes. Despite the rivalry, Fury has accepted his earlier defeat with humility.

“I believe God has a plan for everyone, and in that plan, Usyk was meant to win. He did, so fair play to him,” Fury remarked.

Fury’s comments about Joshua and Dubois come amidst ongoing speculation about their futures in the heavyweight division. Joshua,34, suffered a fifth-round knockout loss to Dubois in September, raising questions about his next steps.

Trainer Tony Sims recently suggested that a long-awaited bout between Fury and Joshua remains a possibility, regardless of the outcome of Fury’s rematch with Usyk.

BOXING

Jake Paul’s Next Opponent May Be 54-Win Former Champ Who Fought Canelo

By Admin November 27, 2024

Jake Paul‘s next opponent could be former middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

The son of the legendary Julio Cesar Chavez revealed that a meeting has been set this week with Paul’s camp.

“It’s an option, we’re looking into it,” Chavez told TUDN in Mexico. “Let’s see, this week I have a meeting. I’d be interested in fighting a champion, but fighting Jake Paul for the fame and the media would put me in a position to fight against others. I’m not looking for it, it’s been presented. It’s not concrete, but let’s see what happens.”

READ: Daniel Dubois to defend IBF heavyweight belt in February – and not against Anthony Joshua

The 38-year-old former boxing champion holds a 54-6-1 record with 34 wins via knockout.

Chavez Jr. dethroned Sebastian Zbik in 2011 to capture his first WBC middleweight title. He defended the belt three times before losing to Sergio Martinez in 2012 for the unified WBC and The Ring middleweight championship.

In 2017, he lasted 12 rounds against Saul “Canelo” Alvarez but lost via unanimous decision.

Now at the tailend of his career, Chavez Jr. fought two former UFC fighters in his last two fights with contrasting results. He lost to former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva via split decision in 2021. Then he defeated Uriah Hall by unanimous decision in the Paul-Mike Perry undercard in July.

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson has called out Paul for mocking Conor McGregor.

“Yo Jake Paul, watch how you talk to MMA royalty. I’ll fight you in MMA. No weight class for no pay. That’s a great deal. But I bet YOU won’t. Stop disrespecting people in my [expletive] sport, homie. Fighting [ Mike] Tyson was your last straw. Go back to boxing wrestlers,” Jackson wrote in a post on X.

Jackson, 46, held a 38-14 record in his colorful MMA career, winning 20 by knockouts, four by submission, and 14 via decision. He captured the UFC light heavyweight title with a first-round stoppage of Hall of Famer Chuck Liddell in 2007. He also won the Bellator Season 10 light heavyweight championship and unified the UFC light heavyweight championship and the Pride FC middleweight championship.

Jackson was irked when Paul mocked McGregor following his unanimous decision win over Tyson, the 58-year-old boxing legend.

“Dear Conor, I know you told my team you would fight me at 170lbs. That’s never happening. But let’s run it in MMA. No weight class. Just like how it used to be done. But you won’t,” Paul wrote on X.

Alvarez is not ruling out a potential mega-fight with Paul but on one condition.

It just won’t happen while he is the WBA, WBC and WBO super middleweight champion.

“When I’m done with boxing, why not?” Alvarez said on Full Send Podcast. “Maybe, maybe I’ll do it.”

Alvarez clarified it still could happen before he retires from the sport.

“Yeah [when I’m done competing at the top],” Alvarez said. “I think it’s good because what happens is there are other people who never watch boxing or they don’t know anything about boxing, [and] they want to watch Jake Paul because he brings fans from another world, right? That’s good because everybody [gets to] enjoy it. Maybe [I’ll fight Jake Paul in the future]. Maybe.”

Paul has repeatedly challenged Alvarez in the past, and most recently after he beat Mike Tyson via an eight-round unanimous decision on November 15.

“Canelo needs me, so I’m not even going to try and call him out,” Paul said in the post-fight interview with MMA journalist Ariel Helwani. “He knows he wants a payday. So, he knows where the money man is at.”