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Tyson Fury Needed Just 2 Words When Asked If Oleksandr Usyk Is The Best He Has Ever Faced

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk engaged in two of the best fights of 2024.

The first one in May came after much build-up. It saw two unbeaten heavyweight greats go up against one another to contest the first undisputed champion status since Lennox Lewis claim that title back in 1999.

After 12 closely fought rounds, it was Usyk who had his hand raised. He was the one who landed the biggest shot in the 9th round and sent Fury reeling around the ropes to take a 10 count and then a split decision.

Back in December, the pair went at it again over another 12 rounds. Once again the Ukrainian pushed the fight with front foot pressure, landed more, cleaner shots and again got a points win, this time unanimously on all three of the judges score cards of 116-112.

READ MORE:Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk contract deals blow to …

The win meant he pretty much completed boxing as a former gold medalist turned undisputed cruiserweight in 2018 and now a still unbeaten heavyweight who has also beaten current IBF world champion Daniel Dubois by knockout.

Tyson Fury

In the post-fight press conference, Fury was asked if Usyk is the best boxer he has ever faced but didn’t agree.

“In that fight there he never hurt me once. I’ve got a couple of flesh wounds, they’ll be gone in two or three days. No mark on me.”

Despite that view, Usyk remains the only man to have beaten Fury in the ring. Options for ‘The Gypsy King’ should he decide to fight on now include a huge British showdown with Anthony Joshua which could well turn out to be a legacy fight.

Usyk meanwhile could well look to rematch Dubois to once again become undisputed champion, or go back down to cruiserweight for some of his old titles.

Fury fight has to happen this year – Joshua

Heavyweight Anthony Joshua says a fight with Tyson Fury “has to happen this year” as he looks to book his next bout.

A fight between the two British rivals has been spoken about for years, but has never come to fruition.

But with both men coming back from defeats in world title fights, Joshua confirmed Fury was the opponent he wanted to face next.

“It’s a fight I want to see because I am a fan of boxing. When I am in the gym, everyone is asking me [about this fight]. I ain’t got many years ahead of me. I want to leave the game with a bang and make an impact,” Joshua said.

“Everyone is asking me the same question. It’s up to me to deliver, that’s why I’m saying it has to happen this year.

“I think we can make this fight happen.”

READ MORE:Usyk Summed Up Deontay Wilder’s Chances Of Ever Beating Anthony Joshua In Just..

Joshua was speaking at the Ring Magazine awards in London, where Fury was also in attendance.

While speaking about Fury, Joshua admitted no talks had yet taken place with Fury’s team about a potential fight.

Fury lost to unified world champion Oleksandr Usyk in December while Joshua was stopped by IBF title holder Daniel Dubois in his most recent outing in September.

Chris Eubank Jr was also in attendance alongside his own rival Conor Benn.

Benn and Eubank Jr have held lengthy talks about their fight ever since Benn’s anti-doping suspension was officially lifted in November.

Tyson Fury Anthony Joshua

The camps have disagreed about the purse split, but Eubank Jr says the bout remains on track to happen in 2025.

“That fight will happen,” Eubank Jr said.

“We’re in negotiations and they are going very well. We’re at the last few things we’ve got to smooth out and then the fight will get announced. So yeah, big things are happening very soon.”

Heavyweight champion opens door to Jake Paul fight with two-word admission after DM

Heavyweight boxing champion Daniel Dubois has kept the door open to a potential fight with Jake Paul, admitting: “Money talks.”ul is looking for a new opponent after coaxing heavyweight icon Mike Tyson out of retirement and beating the 58-year-old by a unanimous decision in November. The bout, which saw a 31-year age between the fighters, drew huge criticism from boxing traditionalists.

However, the show, which was streamed on Netflix, was a huge commercial success, with both boxers and MMA stars now queuing up to face money-magnet Paul. Even Daniel Dubois, 27, who defends his IBF heavyweight strap against Joseph Parker in Saudi Arabia next month, has hinted he is open to facing the ‘Problem Child’ one day.

READ MORE:Mike Tyson’s friend claims fight with Jake Paul was ‘rigged’ – as he reveals..

  • Jake Paul rematch in tatters as Conor McGregor called out after $8m offer rejected
  • Mike Tyson looks very different just weeks after losing Jake Paul fight

Defeating Parker and then unifying the heavyweight belts with a rematch against Oleksandr Usyk are at the top of Dubois’s priorities list. But facing Paul is also possible, with the British fighter even contacting him directly via social media.

Asked why he reached out to Paul, a smiling Dubois told BoxNation: “You’ve got to, man. He’s taken liberties with Mike. [It’s for] For the boxing community, to make some noise.”

Asked if fighting Paul would be “free money”, Dubois added: “Yeah, easy money, as Floyd [Mayweather] says.”

Jake Paul

Still laughing, he added: “That would be a crazy shot, wouldn’t it? Giving a YouTuber a chance to become heavyweight champion of the world. Realistically, no. Let’s see, money talks.”

Former heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko, 48, who is said to be considering a comeback, has also been mooted as a potential opponent for Dubois, who said: “They were talking about it, but it’s gone quiet now. I reckon he don’t fancy it anymore, having me on his case.

 

“It would be interesting, though. Boxing’s in a position where people in a position of power can make it happen. [Facing] Wladimir or whatever makes the most sense for the team [is possible]. Wladimir Klitschko, the legend. That would be something else, wouldn’t it?”

Following his second victory over Tyson Fury, Usyk lies in wait for the winner of Dubois vs Parker. The Ukrainian, 37, intends to carry on fighting, saying after beating Fury again: “I still have the willpower to go further. But now I want to go home, rest, turn off my phone.

“In my house I will sit like this [stretches out his arms behind him] and look at the sky and look at how the trees grow. Now I want to rest, not think about boxing, Dubois, Tyson Fury. Just rest and play with my children.”

Devin Haney Agrees To Fight Teofimo Lopez Under One Condition: “Prove You’re The Best”

Devin Haney versus Teofimo Lopez is one of the best super-lightweight match-ups in the sport.

The pair missed out on a fight down at lightweight, with Lopez losing his unified titles in a shock defeat to George Kambosos Jr before Haney faced the Aussie star to become undisputed.

Both men moved up in weight to the 140 pounds ranks. Lopez won the WBO title from Josh Taylor with a statement performance while Haney went the WBC route, soundly beating Regis Prograis for the belt. Lopez still holds his belt. Haney is Champion in Recess.

READ MORE:Devin Haney set for ring return in March, ‘likely’ against..

Despite it now not being for a unification, the fight has been talked up for years. Haney’s coach and father, Bill, recently took to social media to reveal how it will get made: signing up to Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency testing.

“If it’s REAL beef, Teofimo Lopez stop barking and step up. Join VADA and show the world you’re clean and ready to fight Devin Haney. No excuses. No shortcuts. Champions prove they’re the best.”

Lopez responding saying he was willing.

Devin Haney

But I’m not in London! You guys are too cool. My alternative is to make a video of today’s time and date so I can get tested for all the same things Devin is getting. That good? (ABP) testing, to be exact, Mr. 2023 Manager Of The Year.”

Haney has said he will make his return in March – almost one year on from his fight with Ryan Garcia, initially a loss but subsequently a no contest due to doping violations on Garcia’s part and likely the driving reason behind Bill’s demand. His son recently enrolled in year-round VADA testing after bringing legal act.

Lopez has promised fans ‘something huge’ but seems more concerned with a contractual dispution to Garciae with his promoter, Top Rank. He last fought in June 2024, a points win over Steve Claggett.

Mike Tyson Names The One Heavyweight Whose Power ‘He Could Never Match’

Mike Tyson is seen as one of the most powerful heavyweights the division has ever seen.

Tyson was known as ‘The Baddest Man On The Planet’ throughout his career, partly due to his ferocious power and lightning quick speed.

He won his first 19 professional fights by knockout, 12 of them inside the very first round, leading to him becoming the youngest world heavyweight champion in history at the age of 20 years, 4 months and 22 days.

Tyson reigned as undisputed champion from 1987 to 1990, and ended his career with 44 of his 50 victories coming by knockout, showing just how powerful he was.

READ MORE:Mike Tyson posts eerie cryptic video as fans say he’s now in ‘war mode’ with just 20 days to go until Jake Paul fight

While that may be the case, ‘Iron Mike’ feels there is one other heavyweight that he couldn’t match when it comes to power, telling FightCamp that the legendary George Foreman takes that accolade.

“I can’t match somebody’s power who’s that big with that much mass. The only thing that allowed me to be exciting was because I threw faster than the other guys.”

Foreman was a two-time world heavyweight champion, with his first reign coming when he claimed a spectacular second round knockout of Joe Frazier in 1973.

Mike Tyson

After losing his titles to Muhammad Ali in the iconic ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ in 1974, Foreman then retired in 1977, but came back after a 10-year absence in an attempt to once again claim world honours.

He did just that when he became the oldest world heavyweight champion in history in 1994, knocking out Michael Moorer in round 10 to show that his huge power was still on display. Foreman retired with a record of 76-5, with 68 of those victories coming by knockout.

One man who took on and beat both Tyson and Foreman was Evander Holyfield, and ‘The Real Deal’ has revealed the difference between their power.

Usyk Summed Up Deontay Wilder’s Chances Of Ever Beating Anthony Joshua In Just 1 Word

Anthony Joshua versus Deontay Wilder is in danger of being the match-up that got away in this heavyweight era.

The two big punchers could have, at one stage, faced off for the undisputed crown, but failed talks and different paths put paid to that and both men would lost their belts.

Joshua was first upset by Andy Ruiz Jr and, though he won the unified titles back in the rematch, Wilder was then embroiled in a trilogy with Tyson Fury that he would come out relieved of his WBC belt.

‘AJ’ then lost again to Oleksandr Usyk and couldn’t reverse the result in a return fight. The lack of belts seemed to then make talks easier with his American rival, as well as the introduction of Riyadh Season and its deep pockets, and the pair were put on a collision course, fighting on the same card against different opponents with wins setting up the clash.

READ MORE:Oleksandr Usyk Makes Final Anthony Joshua-Daniel Dubois Prediction After Beating Both

Joshua did his part, beating Otto Wallin by fifth round stoppage, but Wilder was upset over the distance by Joseph Parker. The Brit would instead face and knockout Francis Ngannou. Wilder again tried to build back by facing giant Chinese southpaw Zhilei Zhang. He was stopped inside five leaving not just the ‘AJ’ fight on the ropes, but his career entire.

Usyk, having shared the ring with the Brit for 24 rounds, made a prediction back in 2023 for if the pair of knockout artists were to face off at their best. He gave his former foe a chance, but leaned ‘60%’ to Wilder.

Anthony Joshua

“It would’ve been a phenomenal match. Wilder’s unique if he clips, one is unable to fight back. I’m going with Wilder on 60% for the contest. He’s a puncher and Joshua could be set on. Deontay’s able to send someone flying when he touches them. They usually have the flight.”

Joshua was recently stopped by now IBF Champion Daniel Dubois, once again opening the door to the fight after Wilder announced he will not retire. However, ‘AJ’ is much more likely to pursue another long-awaited clash with Fury instead.

Anthony Joshua Told ‘Be Careful What You Say’ By Feared Heavyweight: “I’ll Knock You Out Cold”

Anthony Joshua has been warned about who he calls out for future fights and has been told he will be “knocked out.”

Joshua is currently recovering from a few small injuries having been knocked out in the fifth round by Daniel Dubois back in September.

That was his latest shot at becoming a world champion having lost all his belts to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 over 12 hard fought rounds, then failing to win them back in the rematch the following year over another hard 12-round contest with the Ukrainian great.

READ MORE:Anthony Joshua’s trainer responds to critics of ‘roll the dice’ advice during defeat to…

Rather than taking a rematch with Dubois, it is believed that Joshua instead waited around to see how the Uysk versus Tyson Fury fight went with a view to a huge contest with The Gypsy King.

In the meantime, he has backed Efe Ajagba to beat well-ranked contender Martin Bakole when they potentially meet in a world title eliminator.

Anthony Joshua

“‘AJ’ before he accepted the Daniel Dubois fight, I called him out. Himself, he came and said we could fight in Africa but now I’m disappointed he got knocked out twice by someone I knocked out in the gym.

“Imagine if it was me, I would knock him out cold in the first round. Now he’s talking b****shit. I’m taking it serious this fight. I was looking for ‘AJ’ and now he’s saying Ajagba is going to beat me, I don’t know, disgrace. Be careful. I want him next.”

Bakole, who was branded ‘the most avoided fighter’ by his promoter, is on a good run that saw him stop hotly rated American prospect Jared Anderson last time out having beaten Carlos Takam before that.

Coco Gauff becomes latest Unrivaled investor

US tennis star Coco Gauff has become the latest athlete to invest in Unrivaled, the upcoming US-based three-on-three women’s basketball league.

Confirmed:

  • Gauff joins women’s soccer titan Alex Morgan, retired swimming icon Michael Phelps and basketball dynamo Giannis Antetokoumpo as athlete investors in Unrivaled
  • League secured more than US$28 million in its Series A investment round last month

Context:

Unrivaled was co-founded by Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier. The six-team league will give equity to its 30 players and claims it will offer the highest average salary – reportedly worth a minimum of more than US$100,000 – for a professional women’s sports league.

READ MORE:Coco Gauff ‘has absolutely put her hands up to be one of the favourites..

Now it brings on board Gauff, who ranked 13th in SportsPro’s 50 Most Marketable Athletes list for 2024, as its latest investor. Alongside a number of athlete investors, she joins the likes of Warner Bros Discovery, Marc Lasry’s Avenue Sports Fund and the Berman family as backers of the startup league.

Comment:

“I’m thrilled to be joining Unrivaled as an investor,” said Gauff. “Basketball is one of my favorite sports, and the chance to support a league that’s redefining the game is exciting. I look forward to being part of this movement and continuing to help elevate women’s sports to new heights.”

Coming next:

Unrivaled tips off its inaugural season on 17th January.

Mike Tyson’s friend claims fight with Jake Paul was ‘rigged’ – as he reveals the moment he believes proves bout was fixed

Jake Paul‘s victory over Mike Tyson in their November scrap was fixed, a friend of the boxing legend has alleged.

Paul beat Tyson via unanimous decision in Texas in front of 70,000 fans and millions more watching over Netflix in what was largely a drab affair.

Iron Mike, 58, had suffered life-threatening health issues in the months preceding the fight and, despite a promising opening round, only landed 18 punches against a man 31 years his junior. Paul later claimed he had held off knocking out the icon out of respect.

This was his grand return to professional boxing, 19 years after his retirement, and had to go down as a seventh defeat on a formidable ledger that tells tales of six world heavyweight titles.

READ MORE:Mike Tyson posts eerie cryptic video as fans say he’s now in ‘war mode’ with just 20 days to go until Jake Paul fight

Fan theories ran wild in the build-up and aftermath of the fight that it had been rigged in Paul’s favour, and now it seems that Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones, a former NFL star and friend of Tyson, buys into them.

‘I truly think the fight was rigged because if you look at the first round, Mike hit him with a couple and it looked like he told him to slow down,’ Jones told the Mirror US.

‘I like Mike Tyson. I love Mike Tyson. I love to see a real fight with Mike Tyson.’

YouTuber-turned-puncher Paul has been no stranger to fight-fixing allegations since turning professional in 2020, even if they are sometimes made in jest.

‘The Problem Child’ has won 11 of his 12 fights, with his only defeat coming from the fists of Tommy Fury via a controversial split decision in February 2023.

Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul

Given his age and Tyson’s health issues, it only seemed natural that the contest would head one way.

Tyson had already won 45 fights and won and regained two heavyweight belts by the time Paul was born in 1997. The fight was originally supposed to take place in July but a stomach alcer flare-up while on a plane meant that the 58-year-old was advised to delay the contest.

At the time, Tyson said: ‘I asked the doctor, “Am I going to die?”

‘I lost 25 pounds in 11 days. Couldn’t eat. Only liquids. Every time I went to the bathroom, it smelled like tar.

‘All my coordination, stamina, everything was hectic getting back. I was peaked already. I could have fought him that day. Now, I got to start from scratch. I had, like, eight blood transfusions. The doctor said I lost half my blood. I almost died.’

Less than 24 hours after the fight, he wrote on X: ‘This is one of those situations when you lost but still won. I’m grateful for last night. No regrets to get in ring one last time.

‘I almost died in June. Had 8 blood transfusions. Lost half my blood and 25lbs in hospital and had to fight to get healthy to fight so I won.

‘To have my children see me stand toe to toe and finish eights rounds with a talented fighter half my age in front of a packed Dallas Cowboy stadium is an experience that no man has the right to ask for. Thank you’.

Iron Mike, who became the youngest heavyweight title-holder at 20 years and four months old in 1986, has struggled with a series of health issues in recent years.

Despite showing his enduring class in an exhbition bout against Roy Jones Jr in 2020, Tyson has persistently battled with chronic knee and back problems.

Two years ago, he had a severe sciatica episode which left him in a wheelchair and then using a cane.

Daniel Dubois Is Certain Who Wins Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury Fight: “He Should Retire

Both fighters are coming off defeats, leaving them at a cross-roads and forced to make important decisions about their futures in the sport.

Fury suffered the second successive defeat of his career when he was beaten by Oleksandr Usyk once again on December 21. The heavyweight stars clashed for the second time after their first meeting in May, with ‘The Gypsy King’ falling short once again, although many felt the rematch was a lot closer than their initial showdown.

‘AJ’ experienced defeat for the fourth time in his career when he was knocked out by IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois last September, which came as a shock to the boxing world with many predicting a routine outing for the two-time world champion.

With both men now forced to decide their next steps, many fans and pundits have called for the British heavyweight icons to finally face each other in what could be one of the biggest fights in British boxing history.

READ MORE:Heavyweight ‘Obliterated’ Daniel Dubois In Sparring Before ‘Breaking His Nose And..

Speaking to Seconds Out, Dubois was asked to give his prediction on who he thinks would win between his former opponent ‘AJ’ and stablemate Fury.

Anthony Joshua

Dynamite’ did however follow up this prediction by claiming he thinks the 36-year-old from Morecambe should maybe consider walking away from the sport.

“He’s had a great career. It’s time for him to call it a day now.”The boxing world is eagerly awaiting news of a potential showdown between Joshua and Fury, with news on their respective futures expected to come very soon.

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