List of All Articles with Tag 'boxing'

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Teofimo Lopez has made a U-turn on his early retirement, as the 25-year-old eyes a huge clash with Devin Haney. Lopez won the WBO super-lightweight title with a decision win over Josh Taylor in June, handing the Scot the first loss of his professional career. Lopez then claimed that he would be calling time on his boxing career, even informing the WBO that he was giving up his title. Now, however, the American has reversed that decision, telling the WBO that he will keep the gold. Lopez, who previously reigned as unified lightweight champion, is also targeting a bout with Haney, who is undisputed at lightweight. Lopez tweeted on Thursday (13 July): “Yo @Realdevinhaney , since you were so quick to jump in the mix for my WBO Championship belt! Let’s make the fight happen so the world can see who is about that action & no, you will not be on the A-side. I hold the King title of the division as well! So don’t run away!!” He continued: “Came out of retirement (I guess) because the next move was for Devin Haney to fight sorry-a** Arnold Barboza for my WBO championship title at 140lbs. F’ that. I’m tired of helping this kid be something that he is not. And that’s a real champion!” Twenty-four-year-old Haney, who retained his titles with a narrow decision win over Vasiliy Lomachenko in May, replied: “Let’s do it. [You] never retired in the first place.. let’s see if you really want the smoke. “I’m gonna b 140 champ regardless. U asked for 20 million last time my pops talked [to] u.” Lopez then responded to his unbeaten compatriot, writing: “What? 20 M’s? I didn’t even stat out the location of our fight let alone put a price on the fight. What you talking about man?! “Start losing weight and we’ll figure out the rest so we can give the fight fans a DREAM that will TAKEOVER the sport of BOXING!” Lopez, who also holds a decision win over Lomachenko, suffered the sole defeat of his professional career in 2021, when he was outpointed by George Kambosos Jr. With that loss, Lopez dropped the unified lightweight titles that he won from Lomachenko in 2020. Kambosos Jr then lost the belts to Haney via decision in 2022, and the Australian failed to regain them in a rematch later that year – again losing on points. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Why Fury vs Ngannou may tarnish the Gypsy King’s legacy forever Oleksandr Usyk recites poem and rap as Daniel Dubois vows to ‘unleash hell’ on champion Don’t be fooled by Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte’s calm reunion – this is a fight built on spite Josh Taylor plunged into the unknown as Teofimo Lopez earns redemptive win Why Fury vs Ngannou may tarnish the Gypsy King’s legacy forever Usyk recites poem and rap as Daniel Dubois vows to ‘unleash hell’ on champion

Oleksandr Usyk was the star of his press conference with Daniel Dubois on Thursday (13 July), reciting a poem and rap as he came face to face with his challenger in London. Uysk will defend the unified heavyweight titles against mandatory challenger Dubois on 26 August, when the pair clash in Wroclaw, Poland. Dubois, 25, is not the Briton that fans wanted to see take on Uysk, 36, but talks between the unbeaten Ukrainian and Tyson Fury fell through this spring. As a result, this match-up came about, as did Fury vs Francis Ngannou – which was announced on Tuesday (11 July). In any case, Dubois backed himself at Thursday’s press conference, saying: “One hundred per cent I’m ready, we’re ready to rumble. This is it, bring them titles back home, bring them belts. They’re coming with me, it’s my time. “Usyk’s been a great champion, [but] everything with a beginning has to end. I’ve got to outmanoeuvre him and everything. I’m younger, I’m stronger, I’ve got to unleash hell on this guy. “I’m different, you guys are gonna see it. The bookies can say whatever they want, it’s no pressure for me. I never listen to [the media] anyway. I’m gonna be on him, ready to take them belts away.” Meanwhile, Uysk recited a poem, which his promoter Alex Krassyuk said would take too long to translate, though Krassyuk did reveal that the passage was “about enemies who are going to be destroyed”. Yet Uysk (20-0, 13 knockouts) also paid respect to Dubois, saying: “I think really highly of my opponent. He’s a nice man, a nice guy, a nice athlete. He came to the position of mandatory, so he deserves it, but let’s stop talking; let’s see each other on 26 August.” When asked if he had a message for Dubois, Usyk simply said, “I am the message myself,” before launching into a rap after their face-off. The Ukrainian, an Olympic gold medalist, previously reigned as the only undisputed cruiserweight champion of the four-belt era. After moving up to heavyweight, he beat Anthony Joshua to win the unified titles, which he retained against “AJ” in their rematch last summer – again defeating the Briton on points. Meanwhile, Dubois last fought in December, stopping Kevin Lerena after recovering from three knockdowns, two of which were caused by a knee injury. Dubois (19-1, 18 KOs) has since had surgery to resolve the issue. Egis Klimas, Usyk’s manager, said: “We were introduced to Daniel Dubois as a killer. All that speed, all that power, he’s gonna come to knock Oleksandr Usyk out, as I understand it. First of all, to knock someone out, you need to touch them. Sometimes, it’s not easy for the big cat to catch the mouse.” Meanwhile, Dubois’s promoter Frank Warren added: “I look at it in a different way to everybody else. This is a test for Usyk against Daniel, fighting a young, hungry, up-and-coming fighter. He’s capable, he can punch, he can jab, he’s faster than people think. I genuinely believe that my man will win. This is gonna be a great fight, while it lasts.” Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Daniel Dubois believes he can cause upset against Oleksandr Usyk in Poland Why Fury vs Ngannou may tarnish the Gypsy King’s legacy forever ‘Nonsense’: Anthony Joshua reacts to Fury vs Ngannou fight announcement Why Fury vs Ngannou may tarnish the Gypsy King’s legacy forever Daniel Dubois believes he can cause upset against Oleksandr Usyk in Poland Anthony Joshua to face Dillian Whyte in rematch at The O2 on August 12

Francis Ngannou will make more money in his fight with Tyson Fury than in his entire UFC career, according to the Cameroonian’s longtime representative. Ngannou, 36, will box WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, 34, in Saudi Arabia on 28 October, marking the “Predator”’s first fight since January 2022. In that bout, Ngannou beat Ciryl Gane to retain the UFC heavyweight title, which he won in 2021 and vacated this January upon leaving the promotion. Ngannou has since signed with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) – a rival to the UFC – which has granted him the chance to box before he makes his debut with the company in 2024. And per Marquel Martin, Ngannou’s longtime rep, Ngannou will earn more from boxing Fury than he did in his 14 UFC fights combined. Responding to past claims that Ngannou ‘fumbled the bag’ by leaving the UFC, Martin told The MMA Hour on Wednesday (12 July), “Let’s just say this: The bag is so big, he may actually just drop it on the way to the bank. “I don’t know what the haters are trying to say right now, I kind of just blocked it out, but they’ll just be proven wrong again. This is life-changing. This is exactly what we planned and visualised, so we’re happy.” When asked if Ngannou would earn more in the Fury fight than in all of his UFC bouts combined, Martin said: “Oh, my God. I mean, by far – by multiples. Just to make [this money] even while being champion, he would’ve had to fight multiple times, just to [be in this ballpark].” As it stands, Fury’s WBC title will not be on the line in Riyadh, where he fights Ngannou, and it is unclear whether the bout will count towards the Briton’s professional record. However, Martin and Frank Warren – who promotes Fury – have insisted that the contest is not an exhibition fight. “This is an actual fight,” Martin said. “What happens with the WBC belt, we plan on talking with the WBC to get licensed. That’s our plan, and we never know, we may have the opportunity to maybe put his [belt] on the line. I don’t know, that’s for his side. “But I know that, from our side, we plan on hopefully having those conversations and making sure that we do everything in our power to. We want this to go on on [Fury’s professional] record. But again, I’ll set the record straight: This is a real fight.” Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Why Fury vs Ngannou may tarnish the Gypsy King’s legacy forever ‘Nonsense’: Anthony Joshua reacts to Fury vs Ngannou fight announcement Jon Jones vs Stipe Miocic confirmed as seismic UFC title fight looms

Tyson Fury will box ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou in a seismic crossover fight in Saudi Arabia in October, it has been announced. Fury, who reigns as WBC heavyweight champion, has been struggling to find an opponent for his next title defence and will stay active by boxing Ngannou, one of the biggest names in mixed martial arts, in Riyadh on 28 October. Per a press release on Tuesday (11 July), the fight will be contested “under the official rules of professional boxing, with three judges ringside adopting the 10-point must system”. “Both fighters, however, are promising to meet in the middle of the ring, go to war, and win by knockout in devastating fashion.” It was not stated that Fury’s WBC title will be on the line. Ngannou, 36, held the UFC heavyweight title between 2021 and 2022, and he retained the belt in his most recent fight – a decision win against Ciryl Gane in January last year. The Cameroonian then left the UFC earlier this year amid a pay dispute, before signing with the Professional Fighters League (PFL). As part of his deal with the MMA promotion, Ngannou is allowed to box before he makes his PFL debut in 2024. As such, the “Predator” will take on the unbeaten Fury. Ngannou is widely seen as the most devastating puncher in MMA history. His professional record stands at 17-3, with 12 of his wins having come via knockout. Of those KO victories, eight took place in Round 1 – with three having been achieved inside the first minute. Meanwhile, Fury last fought in December, beating Derek Chisora for the third time to retain the WBC heavyweight title. The Briton, 34, has since been in talks over fights with Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua, with neither bout materialising. Usyk is instead set to defend his unified heavyweight titles against Daniel Dubois in August, with Joshua planning to face Dillian Whyte in August then Deontay Wilder in late 2023 or early 2024. Fury’s pro boxing record stands at 33-0-1 with 24 knockout wins. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Anthony Joshua not ‘wasting time’ waiting for Tyson Fury or Deontay Wilder Anthony Joshua to face Dillian Whyte in rematch at The O2 on August 12 Tyson Fury reacts to footage of Anthony Joshua using mattress as heavy bag

Anthony Joshua against Dillian Whyte is a fight with tremendous risk, great rewards and the type of rivalry that creates history. In 2009, above a pub, Whyte beat Joshua when the pair were raw amateurs. In 2015, Joshua got revenge with a brutal stoppage in Round 7. It was a great event, a genuine and rare fight to determine who moved on and moved on fast. They were both unbeaten and it was a big risk for both. After the fight, Whyte was angry and Joshua won the heavyweight world title in his next fight. It is a harsh and unforgiving world at the top of the heavyweights; Whyte had to wait seven years for his chance at the gold, ultimately losing to Tyson Fury. In that time, Joshua has had 12 heavyweight title fights. In many ways, this third fight between the Britons has been inevitable since the finish that night at the O2. Joshua has dominated British boxing since then, Whyte has been in his great rival’s shadow. It’s harsh, but true. “I still have never had the respect I deserve,” said Whyte on Monday, at the press conference to officially announce the fight. It will be on 12 August, back at the O2 and – like the first fight – it has sold out. “We could have gone outside, no problem,” confirmed Eddie Hearn, the promoter both then and now, referencing the potential to stage the bout in a stadium. “This is the decider. It has everything, and all talk of world title fights and massive fights for big money mean nothing. They both have to win.” Joshua does have a big fight scheduled for December in Saudi Arabia against former champion Deontay Wilder. It is meant to be worth close to $100million, and it would be in jeopardy if he lost. “I’m not thinking about anything other than Dillian,” said Joshua, who flew to London for less than 28 hours from his training base in Dallas. “I just have to do what I do. It’s just another fight. Dillian is a real fighter, he took the fight; others have just been talking.” Whyte also flew in from America for just a day and is going straight back to Florida. The pair refused to be baited at the oddly good-natured press conference, but that calm is deceptive. “This is a must-win fight for both,” Hearn stressed. The heavyweight division with its factions, its millions and its endless riddles is seldom easy to solve. However, every now and again a fight with spite, meaning and relevance is made. Whyte’s chance at redemption against Joshua is one of those fun fights: Joshua’s chance at losing so much is also a very real possibility. It makes for a very good fight. Read More Anthony Joshua vs Dillian Whyte rematch made official – eight years after last clash Tyson Fury reacts to footage of Anthony Joshua using mattress as heavy bag Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder’s teams meet in London for talks over Saudi Arabia fight

Oleksandr Usyk’s next fight has been made official, as the Ukrainian defends the unified heavyweight titles against Daniel Dubois in Poland in August. Usyk, 36, will put the belts on the line against the 25-year-old Briton at the Tarczynski Arena in Wroclaw on 26 August. The bout came together following the collapse of talks between Usyk and WBC champion Fury, who were expected to clash in London in April. A fight between the undefeated pair, to crown an undisputed champion, is still on the cards, with Saudi Arabia the frontrunner to host the contest this winter. However, many in boxing doubt that the fight will materialise. In any case, Usyk’s focus is now on Dubois, who is the mandatory challenger to the WBA title, which Usyk holds alongside the WBO, IBF and IBO belts. “Ready for my chance!” Dubois wrote on social media. “I hope you are @usykaa.” Usyk simply wrote: “See you 26 august.” Dubois has a professional record of 19-1 with 18 knockout wins, while the sole defeat of his pro career came in 2020, when he suffered a fractured eye socket en route to a TKO loss to Joe Joyce. Last time out, Dubois recovered from multiple knockdowns to stop Kevin Lerena in December. Meanwhile, Usyk is 20-0 as a pro with 13 KO wins. The Olympic gold medalist most recently fought Anthony Joshua in August, outpointing the Briton for the second fight in a row. With that result last summer, the southpaw retained the unified titles that he took from “AJ” in the pair’s first clash. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Tyson Fury’s ‘game-changing’ return to be announced in ‘next week or so’, Frank Warren says Tyson Fury reacts to footage of Anthony Joshua using mattress as heavy bag Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder’s teams meet in London for talks over Saudi Arabia fight

Tyson Fury has mocked Anthony Joshua over a video of the latter using a mattress as a punching bag. Joshua is training in Dallas, Texas as he prepares for a potential August clash with Dillian Whyte, and when footage emerged on Wednesday (4 July) of “AJ” hitting a mattress, Fury was unable to resist commenting on Instagram. “Proper sausage,” Fury wrote, alongside a series of laughing emojis. And the WBC heavyweight champion was not the only user to poke fun at the former unified title holder. “Even gun shy with a mattress,” one user wrote, while another said, “Nearly as stiff as the mattress.” “Joshua lost his killer instinct,” one commented, and another added, “You still have time to delete this...” One user took aim at Fury instead, however, writing: “Coincidentally that is Tyson Fury’s next announced opponent. [Fury] should take it easy on it.” Joshua is in talks to box Whyte, whom he knocked out in 2015, in August before a potential winter bout with Deontay Wilder in Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, Fury’s promoter Frank Warren said last week that the “Gypsy King”’s next fight would be announced very soon, and that it would be a ‘game-changer’. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Savannah Marshall wins scrappy clash with Franchon Crews-Dezurn to gain undisputed gold Anthony Joshua removes stumbling block in Dillian Whyte negotiations Tyson Fury’s ‘game-changing’ return to be announced in ‘next week or so’, Frank Warren says

A boxing match between KSI and Tommy Fury is ‘very close’ to being agreed, per promoter Kalle Sauerland. KSI last fought in May, knocking out Joe Fournier with a controversial elbow that led the YouTube star’s win to be overturned. Meanwhile, Fury – half-brother of world heavyweight champion Tyson – most recently competed in February, outpointing Jake Paul. KSI, 30, and Fury, 24, faced off in the ring after the former’s fight with Fournier, and a bout between the Britons is edging closer. “CONFIRMED: weights agreed today for @KSI v @tommytntfury... very close now!” Sauerland wrote on Twitter on Monday (3 July). KSI (real name Olajide Olatunji) has only fought once professionally, beating Logan Paul on points in 2019 after fighting the American to a draw in a 2018 amateur bout. He has fought several times in exhibition contests, however, including against businessman and ex-boxer Fournier in May. Meanwhile, Fury is 9-0 as a professional with four knockout wins. In his most recent fight, he was dropped late by Jake Paul but beat the YouTuber via split decision. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More KSI and Tommy Fury separated after heated face-off at Misfits boxing event KSI and Joe Fournier react as fight result is overturned Nate Diaz ‘looked like he was dying’ in training for Jake Paul fight, sparring partner says

Savannah Marshall became undisputed super-middleweight champion with a narrow decision win over Franchon Crews-Dezurn on Saturday. Two of the judges in Manchester scored the bout for Marshall, while the other had the main event as a draw – enough for the Briton to take all the major belts from Crews-Dezurn. Marshall entered the fight on the back of a points defeat by Claressa Shields in October – the first professional loss of the 32-year-old’s career, and a result with which Marshall lost the WBO middleweight title as her rival became undisputed in the division. But Marshall got back on track on Saturday, moving up in weight and reaping the rewards as she overcame a tough start to beat a tricky, physical opponent at the AO Arena. Crews-Dezurn, 36, had only lost once before as a professional (also to Shields, in 2016), and the American looked on course for another win as she got the better of Marshall at close range in the early rounds. Crews-Dezurn, the stronger of the two boxers, was punishing Marshall in the clinch, but the challenger began to find her timing and range as the fight progressed, ultimately doing enough to sway two of the three judges. Ultimately the scorecards read 95-95, 99-92, 97-93. Marshall then called for a rematch with Shields, who had been cheering on Crews-Dezurn from ringside, suggesting that such a bout should take place at super-middleweight – rather than at middleweight. On the undercard, Natasha Jonas became a two-weight world champion by stopping Kandi Wyatt in Round 8 to win the vacant IBF welterweight title. The Briton, 39, also holds the WBC and WBO titles at super-welterweight. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Ben Whittaker on his life-changing moment: ‘I was bleeding and crying – it flipped a switch’ Anthony Joshua removes stumbling block in Dillian Whyte negotiations Tyson Fury’s ‘game-changing’ return to be announced in ‘next week or so’, Frank Warren says Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder’s teams meet in London for talks over Saudi Arabia fight

Savannah Marshall and Franchon Crews-Dezurn go head to head in Manchester tonight, with the latter’s undisputed super-middleweight titles on the line. Marshall is aiming to bounce back from the first loss of her professional career, a points defeat by Claressa Shields in October, and to regain her status as a world champion. The Briton, 32, lost the WBO middleweight title in her clash with Shields, who became undisputed in the division by outpointing Marshall. Now, however, the Hartlepool fighter has another shot at becoming an undisputed champion herself, as she moves up a weight class. Like Marshall, Crews-Dezurn suffered the only loss of her pro career when she squared off with Shields, but that was back in 2016, in Crews-Dezurn’s pro debut. Since then, the American has won eight straight fights, most recently beating Elin Cederroos on points in April 2022. The 36-year-old, despite her sporadic bouts in recent years, took exception to Marshall’s claim this week that she is ‘lazy’, as the opponents took part in a heated press conference. Follow live updates from the main-event fight, and its undercard, below. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Savannah Marshall and Franchon Crews-Dezurn trade barbs before huge title fight Ben Whittaker on his life-changing moment: ‘I was bleeding and crying – it flipped a switch’ Anthony Joshua removes stumbling block in Dillian Whyte negotiations Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder’s teams meet in London for talks over Saudi Arabia fight

Savannah Marshall will bid to reclaim her status as a world champion this weekend, as the former middleweight title holder moves up a division to challenge Franchon Crews-Dezurn for her undisputed belts. Marshall was unbeaten until she suffered a decision loss to Claressa Shields last year, a result that saw the Briton lose her WBO middleweight title as Shields became undisputed in the division. Now, the Hartlepool fighter takes on another American in Crews-Dezurn, who will put all four of her super-middleweight belts on the line against Marshall in Manchester. Marshall will take encouragement from an amateur victory over Crews-Dezurn, whom she outpointed in 2011. The event marks another big night in women’s boxing, with Natasha Jonas also in action and seeking to become a two-weight world champion. Here’s all you need to know. When is it? The fight will take place on Saturday 1 July at the AO Arena in Manchester. The main card is scheduled to begin at 7pm BST (11am PT, 1pm CT, 2pm ET), with ring walks for the main event due at approximately 10pm BST (2pm PT, 4pm CT, 5pm ET). How can I watch it? In the UK, the event will air live on Sky Sports and on the broadcaster’s website and Sky Go app. In the US, ESPN+ will air the fights live. Odds Marshall – 1/4 Crews-Dezurn – 16/5 Draw – 14/1 Full odds via Betway. Full card (subject to change) Franchon Crews-Dezurn (C) vs Savannah Marshall (WBC, WBO, WBA and IBF women’s super-middleweight titles) Natasha Jonas vs Kandi Wyatt (vacant IBF women’s welterweight title) Zak Chelli vs Mark Jeffers (super-middleweight) Ben Whittaker vs Vladimir Belujsky (light-heavyweight) Callum Simpson vs Boris Crighton (super-middleweight) Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Dillian Whyte reveals why Anthony Joshua rematch is being delayed Carl Froch criticises Tyson Fury legacy — and outlines what he needs to become ‘the best of a generation’ The Independent’s pound-for-pound boxing rankings Savannah Marshall and Franchon Crews-Dezurn trade barbs before huge title fight Savannah Marshall looks to move on from Claressa Shields defeat What time does Marshall vs Crews-Dezurn start in UK and US this weekend?