Boxing

Usyk-Fury 2 undercard: Itauma blasts McKean in a round, Bohachuk bullies Davis

Serhii Bohachuk knocks down Ishmael Davis during the Super Welterweight fight between Serhii Bohachuk and Ishmael Davis as part of Oleksandr Usyk v...

On an eight-fight undercard preceding the much-anticipated heavyweight rematch, it felt fitting Moses Itauma wasted no time with a career-best victory in the night’s co-feature just days before he turns 20 after Serhii Bohachuk capped an unforgettable 2024 campaign with another all-action showing against a brave short-notice opponent, showing the difference in levels. Continue reading “Usyk-Fury 2 undercard: Itauma blasts McKean in a round, Bohachuk bullies Davis”

Boxing

Usyk-Fury 2: Warren hopeful they haven’t pulled the trigger too early with Itauma

Moses Itauma looks on ahead of his heavyweight fight against Demsey McKean during the grand arrivals as part of Oleksandr Usyk v Tyson Fury 2 at BLVD...

Much has been said about the inclusion of a rematch clause if, in the event of a disastrous outcome, they want to run it back. Frank Warren is hopeful that they aren’t making a mistake, thrusting his prodigious teenage heavyweight into the evening’s co-feature against a world-level operator who boxed in an IBF final eliminator for world championship honours last August. Time will tell… Continue reading “Usyk-Fury 2: Warren hopeful they haven’t pulled the trigger too early with Itauma”

Boxing

Usyk-Fury 2 presser: A tantalising heavyweight rematch needing few words

Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury pose for a photo during the Usyk v Fury 2 Press Conference ahead of the IBO, WBC and WBO World Heavyweight titles'...

They did battle in Riyadh five months ago to widespread acclaim and rightly so, as an undisputed world heavyweight champion was crowned for the first time since Lennox Lewis 25 years prior. While a strict sanctioning body means not all the marbles – just unified titles – will be on the line a second time, that doesn’t detract from another compelling clash. Will we get a definitive ending here? Continue reading “Usyk-Fury 2 presser: A tantalising heavyweight rematch needing few words”

Boxing

Exclusive: Bentley open to Sheeraz-Denny winner as six boxers give return updates

Fresh after a fantastic knockout win over Derrick Osaze and armed with a proud support team celebrating his latest highlight reel finish to close another York Hall show, I spoke with Denzel Bentley as he surveys the middleweight scene. Beforehand, there were several boxers ringside sharing updates about their respective return timelines, fight dates and what they would like next. Continue reading “Exclusive: Bentley open to Sheeraz-Denny winner as six boxers give return updates”

Boxing

Late-notice opponent or not, Joshua aware of stakes vs. Helenius in presser

As the rebuild back to the top table at heavyweight continues with far from ideal circumstances, Anthony Joshua is in must-win territory this weekend against Robert Helenius. We all know that, but it can’t be like his UD12 Jermaine Franklin victory on April 1 either – it’s got to be an emphatic, confidence-boosting knockout. Isn’t always so simple though, really? Continue reading “Late-notice opponent or not, Joshua aware of stakes vs. Helenius in presser”

Boxing

Robert Helenius steps into the breach, will face Anthony Joshua on Saturday night

Swedish-Finnish boxer Robert Helenius gestures during a press conference in New York City on October 13 ahead of his WBC heavyweight championship...

Three days after the rematch between former two-time heavyweight Anthony Joshua and long-time rival Dillian Whyte was cancelled after Whyte returned an ‘adverse finding’ in a drug test, an announcement today confirms Robert Helenius – one of Joshua’s previous sparring partners – will step up on less than a week’s notice to box him in Saturday’s headliner from London’s O2 Arena.
Continue reading “Robert Helenius steps into the breach, will face Anthony Joshua on Saturday night”

Boxing

Andy Ruiz, Otto Wallin open to late-notice Anthony Joshua fight as Whyte returns ‘adverse finding’ in random drugs test

Anthony Joshua, promoter Eddie Hearn and Dillian Whyte pose during the Anthony Joshua v Dillian Whyte 2 Press Conference at Hilton London Syon Park...

The heavily-anticipated rematch between former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and long-time rival Dillian Whyte, set for next weekend, has today been cancelled after news broke the latter returned an ‘adverse finding’ in a random VADA drugs test. Andy Ruiz Jr, who stunned Joshua in the summer of 2019, and respected Swedish contender Otto Wallin are among those who’ve expressed a willingness to step up on short-notice. Continue reading “Andy Ruiz, Otto Wallin open to late-notice Anthony Joshua fight as Whyte returns ‘adverse finding’ in random drugs test”