Ahead of his first title defence against former training partner and interim titlist Ciryl Gane on January 22, UFC’s heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has stressed a need for there to be provisions allowing him to box professionally, if and when he agrees terms on a new deal with the promotion. While his wishes have been well-documented, this added noise helps no-one. Continue reading
Tag: Deontay Wilder
Fury’s camp posturing over Whyte title defence shows why the best often hibernate
Needless posturing about a prospective title defence against domestic rival Dillian Whyte next year by co-promoters Bob Arum and Frank Warren surrounding Tyson Fury’s homecoming has only served to shine a light on why The Gypsy King’s resume remains flimsy at the highest level – as well as why the bulk of the world’s best often hibernate much longer than they should. Continue reading
Tyson Fury defends WBC title with R11 KO vs. Deontay Wilder in crazy trilogy bout
In a trilogy bout with dramatic momentum shifts, Tyson Fury survived two fourth round knockdowns to defend his WBC strap, building up a plethora of sustained punishment before knocking out former champion Deontay Wilder with a looping right flattening him in R11. Continue reading
Fury-Wilder 3: After several delays and legal arbitration, the trilogy is finally here
596 days after their rematch saw an unbeaten streak emphatically ended, Deontay Wilder looks to reclaim gold against the always-jovial Tyson Fury this weekend, who expects to leave the US with a WBC title defence and boosted in pursuit of being crowned king of the heavyweights. Continue reading
Oleksandr Usyk outboxes Anthony Joshua to points win, new world heavyweight champion
Spoiler role played perfectly. Former unified cruiserweight champion Oleksandr Usyk produced a boxing masterclass, with fantastic movement and a series of stinging left-hands – almost stopping Anthony Joshua on his feet in the twelfth round before ultimately winning the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight titles: 117-112, 116-112, 115-113 on the three judges scorecards.
Continue reading
Even after patchy Carlos Takam weekend win, time is of the essence for Joe Joyce
After ending Carlos Takam’s night with a sixth-round TKO finish on Saturday, he called for a title fight against the AJ-Usyk winner ringside. Nonetheless, British heavyweight contender Joe Joyce (13-0, 12 KOs, #2 WBO) knows it’s not that straightforward – as much as he’d like it to be – considering he’s 36 in September and doesn’t have time to waste hovering below the top guys. Continue reading
Joshua-Usyk title fight date set for Sept. 25, but don’t overlook the Ukrainian
After the September 25 date for Anthony Joshua’s latest title defence was announced earlier today, he’ll defend his heavyweight belts against an unbeaten Ukrainian and fellow Olympic gold medallist in former cruiserweight king Oleksandr Usyk (#1 WBO). AJ will be favoured to win on home soil again, but it’s not difficult to imagine Usyk silencing critics in two months’ time.
Continue reading
Dillian Whyte return mooted for August-September, Chris Arreola linked
Despite insisting that he’d find an opponent to fight over the summer, eager to remain active, WBC interim heavyweight champion Dillian Whyte’s in-ring return could be as late as early September if his promoter Eddie Hearn is to be believed.
Continue readingAfter comeback win vs. Chris Arreola, Andy Ruiz Jr namechecks Luis Ortiz next
.jpg)
Having shaken some of his ring rust off – recovering from a round two knockdown – before outstriking Chris Arreola in their WBA heavyweight title eliminator, former unified world champion Andy Ruiz Jr (34-2, 22 KOs) expressed an interest in fighting another dangerous veteran – Luis Ortiz (32-2, 2 NC), who attended Saturday and is equally up for the challenge.
Continue reading
Andy Ruiz Jr: I let a lot of people down but now? More motivated than ever
Ahead of his return on May 1 against Chris Arreola (38-6-1, 2 NC), former heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr (33-2) believes he owes those who supported him before and after losing handily to Anthony Joshua in their rematch to deliver on his potential, as his career resurgence begins.
Continue reading
Revenge is sweet: Dillian Whyte clinical in R4 TKO win vs. Alexander Povetkin
He had a seven-month wait and three rescheduled dates, but heavyweight title hopeful Dillian Whyte (28-2) produced a much-needed display to avenge his shock summer KO loss by Alexander Povetkin (36-3-1) with a fourth-round TKO win, reclaiming the WBC interim title as 500-odd fans cheered him on from Gibraltar’s Europa Point Sports Complex.
Continue reading
Joe Joyce eyes Oleksandr Usyk rematch next, according to manager Sam Jones
Olympic silver medallist Joe Joyce (12-0, 11 KOs) is targeting a rematch with Anthony Joshua’s WBO mandatory Oleksandr Usyk (18-0, 13 KOs) next, but is unprepared to wait around forever before that proposed bout takes place according to manager Sam Jones. Time is of the essence for the 35-year-old Brit, if he’s to ultimately achieve his world heavyweight title aspirations. Continue reading
Mo and Sports 