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Why Deontay Wilder Performs Major U-Turn On Retiring..

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Deontay winder

Why Deontay Wilder Performs Major U-Turn On Retiring From Boxing

Deontay Wilder hasn’t fought since back in June.

‘The Bronze Bomber’ was attempting to revive his career when he went up against big-punching Chinese heavyweight Zhilei Zhang in Saudi Arabia.

Prior to that fight, Wilder had seen his reign as WBC heavyweight champion brought to an end when he lost to Tyson Fury, with the American failing to win any of the three meetings they had.

READ MORE:Deontay Wilder Coach Makes Bold Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury..

He bounced back after that trilogy with a first round knockout win against Robert Helenius, but was then comfortably beaten on points by Joseph Parker in December 2023.

That set up the fight against Zhang, but it was another disappointing affair for Wilder, once again failing to display his trademark power that had seen 42 of his 43 victories end in knockout.

It ended in a fifth round knockout victory for Zhang, meaning that Wilder has now gone 1-4 in his last five professional contests.

Deontay winder

Speaking ahead of that fight with Zhang, Wilder had admitted that a defeat could have spelled an end for his boxing career.

“I would say that. It’s definitely a must-win fight, especially for me, and it sets up everything for the future.

“If I don’t get the win, we don’t know where we’ll go from here. Retirement could be a very big and serious conversation. This is a very important fight for me and in terms of my future.”

Despite the loss, Wilder has made a U-turn on those comments, after he confirmed to TMZ that he will definitely make a return to the ring.

“For me, the best is yet to come. Yeah, we’re still going. We’re still here, we’ll just get things together.”

While it’s currently unknown when Wilder could return, trainer Malik Scott has expressed interest in fights with Anthony Joshua, Francis Ngannou and Wladimir Klitschko.

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BOXING

Chris Eubank Jr Is Absolutely Certain How Usyk vs Dubois Rematch Goes: “If He ..

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Daniel Dubois vs Oleksandr Usyk

Chris Eubank Jr Is Absolutely Certain How Usyk vs Dubois Rematch Goes: “If He Fights Like That”

Daniel Dubois is keen to run it back with Oleksandr Usyk.

The pair first met in August of 2023 in Poland, with Usyk defending his unified heavyweight world titles.

Though he outboxed Dubois for large periods of the fight, scoring a knockdown in the eighth and stoppage in the ninth, the Brit’s side have held on to the low blow that put the Ukrainian down in the fifth as a claim to winning the fight, believing the shot to have been legal.

Since then, Usyk became undisputed with a win over Tyson Fury and, to honour the rematch, vacated the IBF belt, which was awarded to Dubois. The young Brit defended his new title with a fifth round knockout over Anthony Joshua.

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

It was after that performance that Chris Eubank Jr told Mail Sport Boxing that the younger man could beat Usyk now.

“With that type of performance, I think he could [beat Usyk]. I didn’t see that Dubois against Usyk. If that Dubois fought Usyk then there would’ve been a different outcome.”

Daniel Dubois

After Usyk’s second win over Fury, Dubois promptly entered the ring to call for a rematch after being ‘robbed’ in Poland. He was criticised not only for taking the spotlight but also overlooking Joseph Parker, who he faces on February 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Should ‘DDD’ come through former champ Parker as he clearly expects to, Usyk did verbally agree to run it back – a chance to become twice undisputed in the division. Many, though, feel he should retire on top.

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BOXING

Tony Bellew Has No Doubt Who Wins Prime George Foreman vs Oleksandr Usyk: “I ..

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George Foreman vs Oleksandr Usyk

Tony Bellew Has No Doubt Who Wins Prime George Foreman vs Oleksandr Usyk: “I Have To Go With Him”

George Foreman and care two of the best heavyweights that boxing has seen.

Foreman’s legendary career saw him first become undisputed world heavyweight champion at the age of 24 when he knocked out Joe Frazier inside two rounds in 1973.

Foreman lost his titles 18 months later when he was stopped by Muhammad Ali in the iconic Rumble in the Jungle event, before he then initially retired in 1977.

He returned a decade later, but initially failed in his bids to become world champion again, suffering defeats to Evander Holyfield and Tommy Morrison respectively.

READ MORE:Tony Bellew Makes New Fury-Usyk Rematch Prediction: “I’ve Never Seen Him Hurt Before”…

‘Big George’ eventually did manage to capture world honours again though, stopping Michael Moorer in the 10th round to win the WBA and IBF heavyweight titles in November 1994.

Foreman holds the record as the oldest world heavyweight champion in history at the age of 46 years and 169 days old, and retired in 1997 with a record of 76 wins and just 5 defeats, with an incredible 68 of those wins coming by knockout.

Usyk’s achievements are just as impressive, having initially reigned at cruiserweight, becoming undisputed champion in 2018 after defeating the likes of Mairis Briedis, Murat Gassiev and Tony Bellew.

The Ukrainian then moved up to heavyweight, beginning his time in the banner division with wins against Chazz Witherspoon and Derek Chisora, before he challenged Anthony Joshua for his world heavyweight titles.

Usyk beat Joshua to become WBA, IBF and WBO champion, before retaining them in a rematch a year later. He defended his belts once more against Daniel Dubois in August 2023, then took on Tyson Fury in an undisputed showdown in May 2024.

It was Usyk that claimed the win to add the WBC belt to his collection, before he then won the rematch against Fury this past December to again solidify his status as the current number one heavyweight in the world.

With all of that taken into consideration, former cruiserweight world champion Bellew has told Mail Sport Boxing who he thinks would win between Foreman and Usyk, and despite sharing the ring himself with the Ukrainian, he went with the legendary American.

“I’m going to have to go Big George.”

Usyk’s next move should be revealed in the coming months, but it may have already been revealed who he is expected to face.

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Usyk Didn’t Hesitate When Asked If Anthony Joshua Can Ever Beat..

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Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois

Usyk Didn’t Hesitate When Asked If Anthony Joshua Can Ever Beat Dubois: “There’s One Problem”

Oleksandr Usyk has shared the ring with both Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois, and watched from ringside as the latter knocked out the former at Wembley Stadium.

Dubois, though he lost to Usyk in a bid for the unified heavyweight titles, later picked up a belt when the Ukrainian vacated. His first defence was against two-time champion Anthony Joshua, who was the man Usyk won the titles from in the first place.

Dubois steamrolled Joshua in the first round, knocking him down and thus dictating how the fight would go thereafter. He dropped the favourite twice more on his way to a fifth round stoppage and career-best performance.

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

Though the 27-year-old looked like he wouldn’t be denied a

gainst anybody that night, some feel that Joshua looked off from the ring walk. That may include Usyk, who, in a recent interview with Mail Sport Boxing, backed the best ‘AJ’ to beat the best Dubois.

Speaking to Boxing King Media post-fight, Usyk had already pinpointed exactly why ‘AJ’ was making himself vulnerable to Dubois’ power punches.

Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois

“I’m not shocked because this is boxing. Daniel Dubois today was better. Anthony had one problem. Because this position [leans back with feet planted], it’s dangerous. If you want to, you step back like this [takes one foot back], not like this [repeats lean] because this is dangerous. We saw.”

Dubois is just as likely now to rematch Usyk as he is Joshua, having stepped into the ring to call out the Ukrainian after his most recent victory over Tyson Fury.

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BOXING

Canelo Reveals The One Thing He Saw In Crawford’s Last Performance That Made..

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Canelo Alvarez

Canelo Reveals The One Thing He Saw In Crawford’s Last Performance That Made Him U-Turn On Fight

Saul ‘Canelo‘ Alvarez is being pursued by Terence Crawford/tag] despite the two-division gap in weight.

In Crawford’s one bout of 2024 he made his debut at super-welterweight, outpointing Israil Madrimov to become the WBA World Champion.

In order to make the fight with Alvarez happen, the switch-hitter from Omaha, Nebraska would be required to pack on a further 14 pounds.:

READ MORE:Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov live updates: How to watch, predictions, analysis

“No. [I could make a lot of money from the fight] but they are going to criticise me….and that’s it, they love it. They criticised me because I fought [Jermell] Charlo who gained weight, who is bigger than me, because I’m a small fighter for these weights, and because he gained weight, but they didn’t criticise him when I went up in weight. So now if you imagine Crawford as a welterweight. 168 pounds, I have everything to lose and nothin Although he is more than willing, the Mexican has previously been dismissive of the fight, telling Boxing Azteca around a year agog to gain because if I win, they’ll say, ‘Oh, he was too small, and everything.’”

That was before Crawford’s debut at 154 pounds, closing the gap ever so slightly. And, speaking to Sway’s Universe, Canelo revealed that he is now ‘in’ for the fight if the money is right because he noticed ‘Bud’ employing a new all-action style against Madrimov in the new division.

“I’m in. Why not? Don’t get me wrong, he’s a great fighter, but for me, in my weight class, it’s an easy fight. Easy money. If the money is right, I’m in because I don’t like to fight guys like Crawford; he moves a lot, and the fight is not that great. I saw in his last fight, and he doesn’t move that much now. So, if the money is right, I’m in right now … there are weight classes for a reason.”

Canelo will explore options for his next opponent this month, with IBF Super-middleweight World Champion also in the running.

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

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devin Heney vs Adrien Broner

Devin Haney set for ring return in March, ‘likely’ against Adrien Broner

The next fight of Devin Haney has been set for March 25. Bay Area’s former two-division boxing world champion steps through the ropes for the first time since facing Ryan Garcia.

Haney and Garcia met last April in Brooklyn, where the latter took a decision victory on the night, dropping his opponent three times over the course of the fight. Las Vegas-based former undisputed lightweight champion Haney didn’t lose his WBC 140-pound belt, as Garcia missed weight and was ineligible to take the title.

READ MORE:‘Crazy’ – Gervonta Davis gives first reaction to Devin Haney filing lawsuit against Ryan Garcia

In June, the result was overturned to a no-contest due to a failed drug test by the Victorville, California native, Garcia. The same month, the San Francisco native Haney was declared “Champion in Recess.”

Devin Haney (31-0, 15 KOs, 1 NC) posted on X, “March… I’m back.” Additionally, Boxing News 24 reported that BLK Prime announced, in what appears to be a now-deleted post, that the fight was to be held on March 25. The location and venue are yet to be determined.

Devin Heney

Meanwhile, Ray Jackson reported (also via post on X) that Adrien Broner was “likely” Haney’s next rival. The 35-year-old former multi-division champion of Cincinnati, Ohio dropped a unanimous decision against Blair Cobbs last June, which snapped his two-fight winning streak.

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Klitschko third opponent to back Joshua against…

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TysonFury-AnthonyJoshua

Klitschko third opponent to back Joshua against Fury

Former heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko has become the third high-profile boxer to back Anthony Joshua to defeat Tyson Fury in their potential 2025 showdown, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The Ukrainian legend, who lost his world titles to Fury in 2015 before being stopped by Joshua in his final fight two years later, believes AJ’s all-round abilities would prove too much for the Gypsy King.

“Hands down Joshua,” Klitschko told Sky Sports. “He is getting to be the complete fighter. Technically, size-wise, weight-wise, power-wise. And he is a good learner.

“The other guy (Fury), like a fart in the wind, is there and it is gone. In the history of boxing, there are a lot of examples of this kind of guy.

READ MORE:Deontay Wilder Coach Makes Bold Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury..

Klitschko’s is similar to predictions from undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk and former UFC star Francis Ngannou, who have both faced the British rivals.

The highly anticipated all-British clash is being targeted for Wembley Stadium next year, with Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn describing it as “the biggest fight probably in the history of British boxing.”

Both fighters are looking to rebuild following recent setbacks, with Fury losing his unbeaten record after consecutive defeats to Usyk, while Joshua suffered a shock knockout loss to IBF champion Daniel Dubois at Wembley in September.

Anthony joshua vs tyson fury

Klitschko, who reigned as unified heavyweight champion for over a decade, expressed concerns about Fury’s commitment to the sport.

“I wish Tyson well, but I think there is a lack of discipline there, and discipline is more important than motivation,” the Ukrainian added.

“Drawing from my experience, I would say it is going to be very difficult for Tyson because there’s that lack of discipline.”

This was evident when Fury nearly suffered an embarrassing defeat to boxing novice Ngannou last year, struggling to a controversial decision victory after entering the ring at a career-heaviest weight.

The potential clash could generate over $300m in revenue, with Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh expressing interest in staging the fight during Riyadh Season.

Joshua, who has one fight remaining on his lucrative Riyadh Season contract, won’t return to action until at least May 2024, according to Hearn, with multiple options available including potential clashes with the winner of the WBC interim title fight between Zhilei Zhang and Agit Kabayel.

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

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Daniel Dubois

Heavyweight ‘Obliterated’ Daniel Dubois In Sparring Before ‘Breaking His Nose And Making Him Quit’

Daniel Dubois has a long line of top contenders looking for a shot at his IBF Heavyweight World Title.

The 27-year-old Brit was one of the division’s success stories in 2024, entering the year with a win over Jarrell Miller and building on that by defeating Filip Hrgovic for the interim belt. He was then upgraded to full champion when Oleksandr Usyk vacated the title.

To legitimise his status as one of the best on the scene, Dubois knocked out Anthony Joshua in five rounds for his first defence.

READ MORE:Heavyweight Rival Slams Daniel Dubois Antics At Usyk vs..

He now faces Joseph Parker on February 22 and then will likely be called to fight a mandatory challenger. That just may be one Martin Bakole, but trainer Billy Nelson told Seconds Out that the champ will avoid his charge due to a much-discussed past sparring session.

“Usyk will not fight Martin and it wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest if Daniel vacated rather than fight Martin as well. They’ve been in the ring with each other before. Martin will stop Usyk and he’ll obliterate Daniel Dubois.

Daniel Dubois

Martin wasn’t fully fit when he sparred Daniel, about 70% fit, and schooled him. Stopped him, made him quit and broke his nose. It’s fact. Martin’s already told people what happened. I was there. Barry McGuigan was there. I’m not telling lies.

And he’s also stopped Usyk as he’s told you before, albeit I wasn’t there. But why would he come out publicly, live on Sky Sports, and say that he stopped Usyk if he didn’t? Either way, what a fantastic fight that would be. Usyk’s number one in the world for a reason.”

Dubois’ promoter Frank Warren strongly denies the broken nose claim.

Bakole – who has been criticised by some for revealing sparring details – scored a statement stoppage of rising star Jared Anderson in August. He has now been ordered to fight a final eliminator against Efe Ajagba to determine the number on contender for Dubois.

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Zhilei Zhang Didn’t Hesitate When Asked If Joseph Parker Will Beat Daniel DuboisTo..

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Daniel Dubois v sJoseph Parker

Zhilei Zhang Didn’t Hesitate When Asked If Joseph Parker Will Beat Daniel Dubois To Win World Title

Dubois beat Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic to become interim champion before being elevated to full titlist when the belt was vacated by Oleksandr Usyk. His first defence was a huge statement – a fifth round knockout of Anthony Joshua.

Another form man in the division is ex champ Parker, who has beaten both Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang in his most recent outings.

Asked by Seconds Out who wins, Zhang – who put Parker down twice but lost on points – backed against his former opponent in favour of the 27-year-old Brit.

READ MORE:Heavyweight Rival Slams Daniel Dubois Antics At Usyk vs..

“My personal opinion is Dubois, I think he will get the victory.”

In a separate interview with Box Nation, ‘Big Bang’ said he has ‘a gut feeling’ Dubois will retain his belt.

“I like both fighters. I respect both fighters. But somewhere in my gut feeling is telling me that Dubois is doing to win this one. I admire his style. I like how he approaches fights. I like Parker as well but subconsciously I believe Dubois is going to win it.”

Zhang returns on the undercard in a high stakes heavyweight bout of his own against Agit Kabayel.

Dubois is already making plans for the future having called out Usyk for an undisputed contest and rematch. The Ukrainian recently beat Tyson Fury for the second time to retain his unified titles. Many in the sport feel Dubois was both disrespectful and naive to mention the fight ahead of a stern test in Parker.

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Chris Eubank Jr Is Certain Who Wins Anthony Joshua vs…

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TysonFury-AnthonyJoshua

Chris Eubank Jr Is Certain Who Wins Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury Fight

Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua could be set to meet in 2025.

It’s a fight that has been teased for a number of years, and it now looks like each fighter has no other option than to face one another.

Fury is fresh from another defeat to Oleksandr Usyk, coming up short by unanimous decision in their second meeting in December after losing their first encounter by split decision back in May.

‘The Gypsy King’ missed out on the chance to become undisputed champion when he lost that initial fight to Usyk earlier this year, and the defeat in the rematch means that Fury still holds no world title belts.

READ MORE:Deontay Wilder Coach Makes Bold Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury..

Joshua knows full well himself what it is like to lose back-to-back fights against Usyk, having been beaten by the Ukrainian great twice in 2021 and 2022.

Those defeats saw ‘AJ’ lose his unified world heavyweight titles, but he did have an attempt to win one of them back when he challenged IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois in September.

It wasn’t to be though for Joshua, as Dubois dominated the action at Wembley Stadium and picked up a fifth round stoppage win.

TysonFury-AnthonyJoshua

Their recent defeats mean that a fight between Fury and Joshua doesn’t hold as much glamour as it once did, but still remains a fight that fans would be interested in seeing.

One big name that has weighed in on the clash is Chris Eubank Jr, and he has didn’t hesitate when telling MailSport who he sees as the better of the two

Fury and Joshua have shared six opponents during their respective careers, and they have all given their thoughts on who would come out on top.

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