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CRAWFORD MAY RETIRE WITHOUT CANELO FIGHT

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Terence Crawford Canelo Alvarez

Terence Crawford could retire if he does not get the Canelo Alvarez fight.

That is according to Eddie Hearn. Crawford is a four-weight world champion, having beaten Israil Madrimov in his last fight to win the WBA belt at 154. He is a two-weight undisputed champion, achieving it at 140 and 147. He became the first Undisputed Welterweight Champion of the four-belt era by beating Errol Spence Jr. last year.

Crawford called out Canelo after beating Madrimov. It would require him to move up two weight classes. A win makes him one of the best to do it, despite his current accomplishments. While it won’t be for undisputed after Canelo was stripped of his IBF belt, it is still a legacy-defining fight. Alvarez has only lost to Dmitry Bivol and Floyd Mayweather Jr., showing Crawford’s tough task.

Terence Crawford Canelo Alvarez

READ: Video Highlights: Floyd Mayweather replaces referee mid-fight, dominates John Gotti III in chaotic rematch

“I don’t think Crawford wants a Boots fight.  I don’t think Crawford will fight again unless he fights Canelo Alvarez because he’s got money, he’s getting on [in age]. He escaped one in the [Israil] Madrimov fight, and I don’t think he wants to fight Vergil Ortiz. I don’t think he wants to fight Boots Ennis because he’s looking at these fights and saying, ‘They’re not really legacy mega-fights. I want mega-money, mega-fights, or I’m chilled,’ and good luck to him,” Hearn said

Canelo appears to have dismissed the fight again. He was vocal about Crawford’s last fight, as he questioned whether he was suited to 154. Madrimov landed more power punches than Crawford,

while Bud’s punches were not enough to keep his opponent at bay. Crawford’s reluctance to fight the other 154-pounders suggests he wants to cash out with the Canelo fight. Alvarez said he would get no credit for beating a smaller fighter.

Canelo has also expressed his desire to face other opponents. The David Benavidez fight could still happen if the Saudis put up a big number. Alvarez has said he wanted $200 million to take the fight. The Saudis paid Tyson Fury over $100 million for the two Oleksandr Usyk fights, meaning that a similar figure could tempt Canelo into taking it. Meanwhile, Alvarez stated that he would box Dmitry Bivolagain at 175.

Canelo lost a one-sided unanimous decision in 2022. However, he admitted he had a hand issue which plagued him during the fight. The rematch never happened due to differences over the weight class. Canelo wanted to run things back at 175 to rule out claims that Bivol would be drained at 168.

As for Bivol, the boxer chased a fight at 168 to secure Canelo undisputed title at the time. Alvarez is now not undisputed, meaning a fight at 175 is more likely. Bivol boxes Artur Beterbievon October 12 for the right to become undisputed at 175. Canelo wanted to box the winner.

“Yes it’s possible. It’s the only fight I’d make one more time at 175lbs – the rematch with Bivol,” Canelo said 

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BOXING

THE OTHER GUY, LIKE A FART IN THE WIND: KLITSCHKO “HANDS DOWN JOSHUA” TO BEAT FURY

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 Anthony Joshua Tyson Fury

Wladimir Klitschko has picked Anthony Joshua to beat Tyson Fury. 

The Ukrainian has faced both boxers and came up short in those flights. Fury shocked the world to unify the heavyweight division when he outboxed Klitschko to a unanimous decision win in Germany. The rematch never happened, as  Klitschko later faced Joshua. The Ukrainian dropped Joshua and almost stopped him. However, Joshua recovered to secure a late stoppage.

Since then, Joshua and Fury have gone in different directions. Fury became the WBC Heavyweight Champion after beating Deontay Wilder. Joshua lost his belts after consecutive losses to Usyk. However, the Brit has bounced with wins over Otto Wallin and Francis Ngannou as he now boxes Daniel Dubois for the IBF belt on September 21.

Anthony Joshua vs Wladimir Klitschko announcement being held off until Tyson Fury's future resolved - Mirror Online

 

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Fury suffered the first loss of his career against Usyk in his last fight as the Ukrainian became undisputed. They will rematch on December 21. If Joshua and Fury win their next fights, it sets up an undisputed British fight.  Klitschko felt Joshua would come out with a win.

“Hands down Joshua. He is getting to be the complete fighter. Technically, size-wise, weight-wise, power-wise. And he is a good learner. The other guy [Fury], like a fart in the wind it is there and it is gone. In the history of boxing there are a lot of examples of this kind of guy.

“They can be successful for a time but are not disciplined enough to continue to be successful. I

wish Tyson well but I think there is a lack of discipline there, and discipline is more important than motivation. Drawing from my experience I would say it is going to be very difficult for Tyson because there’s that lack of discipline,” Klitschko said

The difference in discipline was shown by how Joshua and Fury reacted to their respective losses to Usyk. Joshua would change trainer, going to Derrick James and then Ben Davidson as he remained undefeated since then. However, Fury was pictured getting thrown out of a bar in his hometown after being drunk. Fury also struggled to accept the loss. He felt Usyk only got the decision due to the Russia-Ukraine war.

The Gypsy King also said he rewatched the fight and still felt he won, labelling Usyk as an amateur boxer. Fury’s previous struggles with mental health concerns are also something to keep an eye on. The drunken incident raised concerns that he may have been going through a tough period. While the Gypsy King appears in better spirits now, his brother Shane Fury has said he wants to see Fury retire after the Usyk fight regardless of the result. That would rule out a Joshua fight. But Fury has the motivation to come back from the loss for the first time.

“Counting down the days until I can get my redemption on Usyk. December the 21st is going to be my time. I’ve done everything in boxing, but I ain’t come back from a loss. And I relish it, the chance to come back and redeem myself. Get up! December 21st is all me. Undisputed here we come,” Fury stated

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Anthony Joshua ‘won’t sleep at night’ until he beats Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk winner to become undisputed

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Anthony Joshua Tyson Fury Oleksandr Usyk

Anthony Joshua has once again set his sights set on becoming undisputed heavyweight champion, according to Barry Hearn.

The Watford powerhouse faces Daniel Dubois for the IBF heavyweight title on September 21, while Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk duke it out for the other three major sanctioning body world titles (WBC, WBA and WBO) on December 21.

Providing he beats ‘Triple D’, a fight against the winner of Usyk vs Fury 2 for all the marbles is expected to come next.

Anthony Joshua Tyson Fury Oleksandr Usyk

READ: Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois: Beating AJ will make me ‘legit champion’ – Dubois

British boxing fans will be hoping Fury can avenge his split decision defeat to Usyk and set up the long-awaited domestic showdown between him and AJ.

However, Joshua is just as motivated by a trilogy bout with the Ukrainian slickster after dropping a pair of decisions to him in 2021 and 2022.

“He wants to beat Usyk,” Hearn Sr told Sky Sports. “Because the first fight he had with Usyk, frankly he came out second best.

“He went away, he regrouped, he learned, he studied and he still got beat in the second fight. That’s why he got so disappointed in the second fight.

“It’s a split decision and it was close, but Anthony Joshua’s a very special type of sportsman. The money’s great.

“He’s got more than enough money, you could float a battleship if you put all his cash in one locker. But they want to win.

“These people want to win and they want a legacy. I don’t think Anthony Joshua will sleep at night until he is unified.”

Even if ‘The Gypsy King loses the rematch, there is a chance Joshua vs Fury could happen next.

“Joshua against Tyson Fury in early 2025 is the fight that we have a responsibility to deliver and we don’t walk away from our responsibilities,” Hearn added.

“Yes, I think it’s all of our duty, those involved. We have to keep delivering the very best product.

“We need to do that fight. I think personally that Usyk beats Fury in the rematch.

“It’s easier to make if Fury beats Usyk, because then if Joshua has beaten [Daniel] Dubois then you’ve got the unification fight because Joshua will hold the IBF belt.

“Usyk is a top-class world champion as a boxer, but doesn’t have the commercial appeal of Tyson Fury.

“So whatever happens in Fury-Usyk still assuming that AJ has won – and mustn’t get carried away with that, it’s not a foregone conclusion – assuming that AJ is victorious in that fight, there is no bigger fight in the world still than Fury and AJ.

“It’s the one the world’s waiting for. There isn’t a venue big enough to stage the number of people that would like to attend that. It will be colossal.”

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BOXING

‘IMAGINE WHAT HE DOES’ – FURY WILL GET BULLIED BY USYK

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Tyson Fury Oleksandr Usyk

Tyson Fury will get bullied and lose to Oleksandr Usyk in their rematch on December 21. 

That is according to Tony Bellew. Usyk won the first bout to become the Undisputed Heavyweight Champion in a split decision win. While it was a split decision, the consensus was that it should have been unanimous. Usyk almost knocked out Fury in round nine, only for the referee to impose a standing eight count. Fury was outfought, aside from the middle rounds, in impressive fashion.

Usyk was fighting on the front foot, attacking the body, and pushing Fury back. This was despite being 40 pounds lighter and having a seven-inch reach disadvantage. That was a departure from the tactics expected. There was a perception that Fury would try to impose his size on Usyk, who would look to fight off the back foot.

Tyson Fury Oleksandr Usyk Undisputed Heavyweight Champion

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When Bellew fought Usyk, he sought to counter him and stay with him until the full distance. However, he did not have the stamina to do so. Bellew felt Fury would now play into Usyk’s hands by changing tactics as the Ukrainian is better on the back foot.

“If I’m being totally honest, do I think he’ll win? No. I think he’ll lose again. And this time, I think he’ll lose really, really clearly. Because Usyk this time will go on the back foot. And that is the worst nightmare for Tyson Fury because that’s one that he can’t control. You’ve got to understand, he pressed the whole fight. He walked the 6ft 9ins, 20 stone man down. He walked him down and bullied him,” Bellew said 

Fury entered the fight in the best condition of his career. He had been training for the fight since his win over Francis Ngannou. That was a timeline from November to May to get ready for that bout. There were no excuses heading into the fight, with suggestions Fury did not train properly for Ngannou as he may have overlooked him.

Fury also was the favorite coming into the fight, full of confidence. He claimed he would bully a ‘middleweight’ and called him a rabbit. He also said he would retire if he lost to Usyk. Another loss to Usyk may well do that. His brother, Shane Fury, wants him to retire after the Usyk bout, regardless of the result. Given how much punishment Fury took in the first fight and the stamina required to stay with Usyk, they could not see how the Gypsy King would do that.

“Imagine what he does when he fights to his attributes and fights to his best. Because his best is fighting on the back foot. Anyone who studies him and knows Usyk the way I know him, and I studied him, you’ll know that you’ve got to bring him to you.

“And that’s the way to beat him. But you’ve got to counter him and feint and you’ve got to be able to sharpshoot with him. You’ve got to be able to box with him. You’ve got to be able to offset him. But you’ve got to be able to continuously do all these things round after round. I couldn’t,” Bellew stated

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‘I GET PUMPED FOR SUCH THINGS’ – USYK EXPECTS A TOUGH REMATCH FROM FURY

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Tyson Fury Oleksandr Usyk Undisputed Heavyweight Champion

Oleksandr Usyk does not expect the December 21 rematch with Tyson Fury to be easier.

Usyk won the first fight in a split decision to become the Undisputed Heavyweight Champion. It was Fury’s first loss, as Usyk became a two-weight undisputed champion following his feats at cruiserweight. Usyk dominated the fight, aside from the middle rounds, as he almost stopped Fury in round nine.

The referee intervened with a standing eight count just when Usyk was going for the finish. After having shared 12 rounds with him, Usyk still expects a tough fight. The Ukrainian admitted Fury was his hardest fight, as he was giving up 40 pounds going into the ring.

Tyson Fury Oleksandr Usyk

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He also had a seven-inch reach disadvantage. This time around, Usyk will go into the fight as the favorite. There is a different pressure, knowing that Fury performs best when he is the underdog. But Usyk is preparing for a much tougher fight.

“No, it won’t be easier. I think it will be even more difficult. Look. I always set myself up for a hard night, never an easy one. I’m expecting the cosmos that will crush me so only my eyes will see what happening. I get pumped for such things. I don’t think that it will be easier for me, but I don’t need it to be easier. Diamonds cannot be found in easy, because they are not there. You cannot succeed without hard work, everything that is given easily does not grow,” Usyk said

Usyk’s comments do have some credence. If Fury comes out second best again, it will confirm the narrative that he is not the best heavyweight of his era. He infamously referred to Usyk as a blown-up middleweight. Usyk lost to Shawn Porter in the amateurs in that weight class. Further, derogatory comments included rabbit, playing into the narrative that Fury would impose his size on Usyk, who would be running.

Fury even went further, saying he would retire if he lost to Usyk. While he has not done so, it could happen with another loss to Usyk. There is plenty on the line as a Fury fight against Anthony Joshua is possible.

The Saudis have said they want to make that fight next. In order for the demand to remain, Fury must beat Usyk, while Joshua must overcome Daniel Dubois on September 21. That sets up the narrative for an undisputed fight between Fury and Joshua. But Usyk has his views, as he could give Joshua a third fight if the results play out that way.

“I don’t particularly want any rematches, but when we beat Tyson Fury for the second time and when Anthony Joshua beats Daniel Dubois, of course they will want to do a third fight. From my point of view, I have no right to deny Anthony a third fight because he gave me two incredible fights. Anthony helped me become even more famous in the world. Anthony did it, and if it happens with God’s help, then I am ready for a third fight with Anthony,” Usyk stated  

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Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury: Turki Alalshikh gives clear answer on whether fight will happen if ‘Gypsy King’ loses to Oleksandr Usyk

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Anthony Joshua Tyson Fury

Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury is still one of the most hotly anticipated fights in boxing.

Fans have been clambering to see the contest for several years and it appears both men are now on the cusp of finally sharing the ring together.

If Joshua can beat Daniel Dubois on September 21 and Fury can exact his revenge over Oleksandr Usyk on December 21, then Saudi boxing chief HE Turki Alalshikh has always insisted they will fight each other next.

Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury

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“Joshua if he wins, he will wait for the result of Tyson and Usyk, this is the big fight and everyone will wait for it,” HE Alalshikh told Charlie Parsons via an X Space.

“If Tyson wins then that means we must see Joshua vs Tyson. One of the biggest fights in boxing,all the people want to see it.”

What wasn’t as clear was what would happen if one of them fell to defeat.

Clarifying Saudi Arabia’s stance on the fight if that scenario were to play out, HE Alalshikh added: “I will tell you the clear answers.

“Even if they lost before it doesn’t mean everyone doesn’t want to see it.

“First of all if Usyk wins then he deserves to choose a big fight and this will be his right, right?

“If he chooses Joshua and Joshua accepts then we want to do this fight but still at the same time we want to see Tyson vs Joshua.

“Let’s see what Tyson will do on this night and whether he will give us on December 21 a great fight then for sure we want to see him against Joshua.

“This would be huge for the fans and for boxing.”

Clearly, it is dependent on the manner in which they lose.

A devastating defeat that doesn’t offer much in terms of redeeming qualities may spell the end of the much-anticipated all-British showdown altogether.

But a tight and competitive loss wouldn’t dim interest too much.

Providing both men win their next fights then their showdown will likely be for all four major sanctioning body belts.

Usyk defeated Fury via split decision in May to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-belt era.

However, he vacated the IBF strap to pursue his rematch with Fury.

As a result, Dubois was elevated from ‘interim’ to full IBF champion and will defend his title against Joshua, while Fury and Usyk duke it out for the WBC, WBA, and WBO belts.

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Tyson Fury ‘knows’ how to beat Oleksandr Usyk in rematch as victory plan is laid out

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Tyson Fury Oleksandr Usyk

Frank Warren is more than confident that Tyson Fury will exact his revenge on Oleksandr Usyk.

‘The Gypsy King’ lost on a split decision to Usyk in May as he was denied the opportunity to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-belt era.

Usyk got off to a bright start in the four-belt shootout, but was outboxed in the middle rounds by a confident Fury.

Tyson Fury Oleksandr Usyk

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The Ukrainian then rallied in the second half of the fight, winning the eighth frame before dropping and nearly stopping Fury in the ninth stanza en route to a hard-fought victory.

In the end, the tight scorecards read 115-112 to Usyk, 114-113 to Fury, and 114-113 to Usyk with the knockdown proving to be decisive.

“People talk like he was slaughtered or something in that fight, there was nothing in the fight, it was a split decision,” Warren told the Queenberry Promotions YouTube channel.

“There was nothing in the fight and I’m telling you next time around it will be a really, really keenly fought fight, there’s no doubt about that.”

Fury blamed his loss on having ‘too much fun’ in the ring and there were moments in the fight where the Brit intentionally let down his guard to taunt and mock his foe.

Warren insists that remaining focused and sticking to his boxing will be his client’s keys to victory.

“Yep, yep [he can win] all he’s got to do is do what he did in the earlier rounds and stay focused,” he added.

Fury and Usyk are now set to run it back on December 21 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia with only the WBA, WBO and WBC belts on the line after Usyk vacated the IBF strap to pursue the rematch.

“Immediately after the fight he wanted the rematch, that’s how he is,” Warren continued.

“He wants to put it right because he knows how close the fight was. He felt he won the fight, I felt he just nicked it, but irrespective of that he didn’t get the decision, but it was a close fight.

“I know he genuinely feels he should have won it, and I’m not talking about the decision, I’m talking about he should have won it and he could have won it.

“And he knows what he’s got to do next time to make that happen.

“At the end of that seventh round when they went back to the corner I genuinely thought that was it.

“Everybody around him as well. There were a few of Usyk’s people sat behind us and they all felt the same thing.

“But Usyk got it together, he came out, caught Tyson on the nose and Tyson seemed to lose a bit of focus for some reason.

“And Usyk had a big round the next round when he nearly had Tyson out.”

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‘I definitely knocked him out’: Deontay Wilder includes Tyson Fury in his top three KOs,

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Deontay Wilder Tyson Fury

Deontay Wilder included his draw with Tyson Fury when he was asked to rank the top three knockouts of his boxing career.

Many felt the former WBC heavyweight world champion was fortunate to escape with his unbeaten record after his first fight with the Brit, in which he scored two knockdowns but looked to have been largely outboxed for most of the rounds.

The second knockdown, in round 12, has always been contentious with Wilder.

Wilder knocked Fury down twice in their first fight, but many still believed Fury did enough to win

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He previously said he believed referee Jack Reiss counted slowly and so gave Fury a chance to get up.

When asked to name his best KOs, Wilder told Marcus Watson on Instagram Live in 2021: “Coldest knockouts? There’s so many.

“I’m gonna give you the ones that pop out in my mind.

“Bermane Stiverne II – I transformed, I had an outer experience with him. It was so crazy.

“Artur Szpilka, Szpilka was another one.

“And the 12th round knockout of Fury, because I definitely knocked his ass out…

“I won that fight hands down.

“Not only with me knocking him out and the ref giving him more time because he felt like it would be the right thing to do because of the type of fight that it was.

“It was a highly anticipated fight, had a lot on the line and sometimes these referees go out of their character feeling like, ‘I’mma do what’s best for the sport,’ instead of what is in the rules.

Fury floored Wilder twice and stopped him in round seven of their rematch in February 2020

“I definitely knocked him out. The referee was Jack Reiss and if you go back and look at any of his fights, he stops a lot of fights early.

“Sometimes they don’t even get to get up and he’s waving it off.

“When I knocked Fury out I literally seen it with my own self, that’s one of the reasons why I was so surprised.

“Not only with the count, but I seen this man’s eyes rolled back into his head, that’s how this s*** was.

“I seen his veins popping out his head and I knew he had a concussion. He was gone, that’s a wave off, period.”

Unfortunately for Wilder, he’s more recently been on the receiving end of highlight-reel KOs.

In 2020, he was stopped by Fury and lost his WBC heavyweight world title in their rematch.

Then, in 2021, he again floored the Brit twice in their trilogy fight, but was unable to finish the job,

Fury survived once more and brutally KO’d Wilder in the 11th round.

The American returned in 2022 with a KO of Robert Helenius, but has since lost twice more.

He was outboxed by Joseph Parker last year and then brutally knocked out by Zhilei Zhang in June.

His future is now unclear with many expecting him to retire, though he has shown no indication of doing so.

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‘It’s Going To Be Tough’ – Joshua Doubts Fury Can Beat Usyk

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Anthony Joshua Tyson Fury Oleksandr Usyk

Anthony Joshua has given his take on Tyson Fury’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.

Fury lost the first fight via a split decision as Usyk became the Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World. The scorecards suggested it was a close fight, but Usyk dominated most of the bout. Aside from the middle rounds, the Gypsy King was out-fought for most of the fight, as Usyk almost stopped him in round nine. The referee imposed a standing eight count just when Usyk went for the stoppage.

Joshua also lost to Usyk in consecutive fights, losing his Unified Heavyweight Title. But Fury has the chance to redeem himself. He rematches Usyk on December 21. Meanwhile, Joshua takes on Daniel Dubois on September 21. If Joshua and Fury win, they could fight each other next for undisputed. But before that can happen, Joshua has told Fury to focus on himself.

Heavyweight star Anthony Joshua gives his prediction for the highly anticipated bout between Tyson Fury and

READ: Anthony Joshua: ‘I’m not here to be friends with anyone’

“It [Fury-Joshua] needs to happen, it’s just taking a long time, it needs to happen. But he’s got his hands full and so have I. Let’s both do our jobs and we’ll see a positive 2025 I’m sure of it because we know that the people that are listening want to make good things happen. So potentially we might see Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury enter into a ring in collaboration with Riyadh Season, here in London. But let’s get focused on Daniel, that’s our main objective and we’ll see what happens there,” Joshua said

Fury is the underdog in his rematch, where he was the favorite in the first fight. The Gypsy King maintained that he had beaten Usyk, arguing the Ukrainian had only been given the decision due to the war with Russia. Fury also watched the fight again and alleged he had won around ten rounds. He referred to Usyk as an amateur boxer who refused to accept defeat.

He was seen getting thrown out of a bar in his hometown of Morecambe after appearing to be drunk. Meanwhile, Joshua is in great form. He has bounced back from his loss to Usyk and is unbeaten in his last four bouts.

Two of his wins have been under his new trainer, Ben Davidson. Since working with Davidson, he has stopped Otto Wallin and Francis Ngannou. Since Davidson was Fury’s trainer, it has set up an intriguing fight with the Gypsy King. But Joshua felt that Usyk would be too much for the Gypsy King.

“I think it’s going to be a tough fight early on and then I feel like Usyk will edge it again. He’s a class operator and I feel like Usyk’s one of the best out there. That’s why I think he’ll win,” Joshua added

A Fury vs. Joshua fight is not as big as it could be now that both fighters have been defeated. But given the rivalry’s long history, there is potential for fans to see a mega clash. That allows fans to see a big domestic clash to decide the best British heavyweight of his era.

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Anthony Joshua: ‘I’m not here to be friends with anyone’

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Anthony Joshua IBF heavyweight

When Anthony Joshua walks to the ring to fight Daniel Dubois for the IBF heavyweight title at Wembley Stadium in London, England, on September 21, 3,088 days will have passed since Joshua breezed past Charles Martin to first win the famous red belt. 

Lots has happened since that night in April 2016 but although things may feel different if he wakes up on Sunday morning with the belt at the end of his bed – for the time being at least – the thought of recapturing his original title doesn’t trigger any particular feelings in Joshua, nor does it hold any special significance.

When Joshua, 28-3 (25 KOs), beat Martin to first win the title it signified much more. It confirmed Joshua’s arrival on the world stage and was the first, significant step towards turning him into the global attraction he developed.

Anthony Joshua

READ: Ryan Garcia & Serhii Bohachuk Join Forces Against Boxing World as HE Turki Alalshikh’s Plan Sets in Motion After Vergil Ortiz Jr. Calls Out Terence Crawford

These days, the title belt would be a nice bonus but is part of a much bigger picture. Beating Dubois, 21-2 (20 KOs), won’t kickstart another long run of title defenses but it should earn him a straight shot at the winner of the upcoming rematch between Oleksandr Usyk or Tyson Fury and, depending on boxing politics, a crack at the undisputed heavyweight title for the first time in his career..

“I always say I would always compare and look back when it’s all said and done. At the minute I’m just very chilled. Everything’s a blessing so I just get on with it. It’s an opportunity to fight” Joshua told Queensberry.

“It’s going to be tough, it’s nerve-wracking but in terms of world titles I’m just like, ‘Here today gone tomorrow. Onto the next’ and then when it’s all said and done I’ll like, ‘Oh I remember when I won that and that was amazing and that was amazing,’ but as for now, conqueror’s mindset; win onto the next.”

Joshua and Dubois have a history dating back some seven years. The exact details of what really happened during their much talked about sparring session in Sheffield will probably end up being lost to time but although it probably means little given how much both fighters have changed since, it has certainly left an undercurrent of tension.

If Joshua has slowly changed and evolved as a fighter and person during his time at the top, Dubois’ transformation has been quick and startling. The 26-year-old’s gutsy, stoppage victories over Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic cast aside the doubts and questions thrown up by his stoppage defeats to Joe Joyce and Usyk.

Dubois is also beginning to develop that all important aura that a heavyweight champion must possess. He will never be as professional or as slick as Joshua is in front of the cameras but he seems to have decided to be himself and appears much more comfortable as a result.

During a long press day of set piece events to launch the fight, tempers flared as the two came head to head for a round table discussion.

Dubois – buoyed by the way he handled the domineering Filip Hrgovic – had clearly made up his mind not to show the more experienced Joshua even the slightest hint of weakness and refused to be intimidated as Joshua sought to impose his seniority, leaving his seat and warning the younger man that he doesn’t take being disrespected lightly.

Joshua respects the attitude that Dubois is bringing to the fight and revealed that a bit of pre-fight tension helps  him become the person he needs to be on fight night.

“Always been that way. This is what I feel people don’t really get to understand what it’s like to do our job,” he said. “It’s a very unique job. The glitz and the glamor of it is very unique but when you strip it down to the core of it, let’s say you’re going to get two men to stand up in the ring in front of people and we want you to fight for 47 minutes. A lot of people couldn’t even fight for two minutes. Start the clock and try and fight – try and throw punches – for two minutes.We’re going to do it for 47 minutes so, yeah, people couldn’t really grasp where that takes us as people but I’m straight warrior mindset the whole time. I’m not here to be friends with anyone.”

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