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
Tag: Oleksandr Usyk
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
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.
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Build-up continues: Joshua better than before, but under pressure to deliver vs. Usyk
Ahead of his heavyweight title defence this weekend, Anthony Joshua – who holds three of the four belts at world level – warned mandatory challenger Oleksandr Usyk of what’s to come for the unbeaten Ukrainian, who many believe must box smart and go the distance to outlast AJ. Continue reading
Boxing round-up: Benn’s new deal, Usyk confident, Parker-Chisora 2 booked
Fresh from his ten-round decision win over Adrian Granados, unbeaten welterweight Conor Benn (19-0, 12 KOs) has agreed a new multi-fight deal with Matchroom Boxing. Elsewhere, there’s praise for Oleksandr Usyk ahead of his heavyweight title fight against Anthony Joshua next weekend while Joseph Parker vs. Dereck Chisora II has been confirmed for December 19. Continue reading
Sure thing: Joseph Parker welcomes possible bout with title-chasing Joe Joyce
With both men insistent on making big fights and an aim to eventually earn a heavyweight title shot, former WBO champion Joseph Parker is prepared to face Joe Joyce, per recent comments by his manager David Higgins. If they could agree terms, this would matchup #2 and #3 in the rankings for Anthony Joshua’s WBO belt, which he defends vs. Oleksandr Usyk later this month. Continue reading
Time to trim: Anthony Joshua preparing for Oleksandr Usyk’s movement
Ahead of his mandatory title defence vs. Oleksandr Usyk this time next month, WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has stressed the importance of keeping his weight trim as he prepares to face a bullish “12-round fighter” in the Ukrainian, whose excellent movement and tactical prowess has helped him remain perfect as a pro at 18-0 with 13 KOs.
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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.
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