The former WBC heavyweight champion knocked former sparring partner Robert Helenius unconscious in Saturday night’s blisteringly brief main event from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn: landing clean with a short sharp counter right-hand late in the first round of his comeback bout – 53 weeks on from his frenetic trilogy bout against current titlist Tyson Fury.
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Tag: Deontay Wilder
Deontay Wilder talks up Robert Helenius challenge before his long-awaited comeback on Oct. 15
After hinting at potentially retiring, former WBC world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder is back this weekend against a familiar face in his long-time sparring partner Robert Helenius. Gone are the aggressive soundbites and violent sentiments heading into fight week but the most important question given his comeback is, how will he fare against an in-form opponent? Continue reading
Juggernaut rolls on: Joyce’s R11 KO weekend win over Parker sets up intriguing 2023 title shot
Joe Joyce remains unbeaten at 15-0 with 14 KOs, the latest a thunderous one after softening up a gamely Joseph Parker effort in Manchester last weekend with overwhelming pressure and body shots. Now the WBO interim champion, again calling for Oleksandr Usyk or Tyson Fury, the 37-year-old is finally starting to gain the respect his heavyweight work has long warranted. Continue reading
Ruiz scores three knockdowns during UD win vs. Ortiz, Wilder ringside is open to possible bout
It wasn’t the most memorable heavyweight tussle, but former world champion Andy Ruiz Jr produced a trio of knockdowns and displayed troublesome punch power ending a 16-month layoff with a UD win over a gamely Luis Ortiz effort in Los Angeles. Afterwards, the 32-year-old reaffirmed his desire for activity before a fellow former world titlist ringside – Deontay Wilder – said he’d be open to a matchup, provided he beats Robert Helenius on his return Oct. 15.
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Here we go again: Ruiz ends 16-month layoff against Ortiz this weekend, needing continuity
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Having promised more activity yet eventually spending 16 months of his boxing prime sidelined with injuries and various other teething problems, former heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz has a stiff return challenge awaiting him this weekend against two-time title challenger Luis Ortiz. Having dealt with tricky times outside the ring, will the 32-year-old have the last laugh? Continue reading
Usyk weathers spirited Joshua display to retain world HW titles, calls for Fury unification
Anthony Joshua produced a better overall showing and had the champion in duress on a few occasions, but Oleksandr Usyk’s dizzying movement and skilled defiance under pressure helped him to what should’ve been a unanimous decision win: eventually edging it 113-115, 115-113, 116-112 on the three judges scorecards. Afterwards, he reaffirmed a desire to face Tyson Fury.
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Same result or three-time champ? Usyk-Joshua 2 poses questions before tonight’s title rematch
329 days since Oleksandr Usyk seized Anthony Joshua’s three world heavyweight titles and boxed brilliantly to suck the air out of a capacity crowd in north London, the pair will finally do battle in their rematch tonight – albeit 3,825 miles away in Saudi Arabia. Joshua has fond memories from the last time he was here, but his upcoming Ukrainian foe isn’t Andy Ruiz Jr. Continue reading
Joyce-Parker set for September 24, with nowhere to run an apt tagline for upcoming PPV bout
After protracted negotiations, politics over their broadcasting situations and undoubtedly contract complications, an eagerly-awaited WBO title eliminator between Joe Joyce and former world champion Joseph Parker is now confirmed for September 24. Seven weeks out from fight night, the ‘nowhere to run’ tagline fits this PPV bout perfectly given what’s at stake. Continue reading
Frank Warren interested in exploring Wilder-Joyce contest, with opponent for Sept. 24 still TBC
Heavyweight contender Joe Joyce’s near year-long absence was ended on Saturday with a fourth-round TKO win over Germany’s Christian Hammer. While it’s unclear whether former world titlist Joseph Parker faces him next in a WBO title eliminator as previously planned, the 36-year-old’s promoter Frank Warren likes the sound of a potential Deontay Wilder matchup. Continue reading
Fury fires R6 uppercut to TKO Whyte, retains WBC belt again before retirement talk resumes
Messy and slow rather than the barnstormer both promised, Tyson Fury asserted full control early and retained his WBC heavyweight strap with a sixth-round TKO win over British rival Dillian Whyte as a record 94,000 crowd watched at Wembley. Afterwards, he insisted it’s now time to retire before leaving the door open for exhibition fights, like a hybrid matchup vs. UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou: who was among the interested audience ringside. Continue reading
Whyte typically bullish ahead of long-awaited title fight vs. heavily favoured Fury
When you cut through all the noise, from underhand tactics and disingenuous politics to multiple legal issues and controversy besides, Dillian Whyte’s excruciating wait for a WBC heavyweight title shot finally ends this Saturday on home soil at Wembley against compatriot and former sparring partner Tyson Fury. Will the wait be worth it? Not many believe so. Continue reading
Francis Ngannou’s desire for boxing clause in future UFC deal an unwelcome distraction
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
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