Author: quyen1

  • Boxing fans make same complaint after Jose Mourinho spotted ringside for Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou

    Boxing fans make same complaint after Jose Mourinho spotted ringside for Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou

    Boxing fans have said the same thing after Jose Mourinho was spotted ringside in Riyadh before Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou.

    Boxing fans make same complaint after Jose Mourinho spotted ringside for Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou

    Joshua and Ngannou will do battle at around 11pm UK time in a fight billed as ‘Knockout Chaos’.

    A host of high-profile names from across the sporting world are in attendance at the event, including Manny Pacquiao, Tyson Fury, and even Real Madrid and Brazil legend Ronaldo.

    Mourinho, meanwhile, has been spotted sitting in the front rows of the venue alongside the chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, Turki Alalshikh.

    It has been a busy evening for Mourinho, who walked out with the trophy prior to the Egypt Cup final between Al Ahly and Zamalek – which also took place in Saudi Arabia.

    He made a rapid journey across to the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh to take in the boxing action on what has been a highly-anticipated card.

    But after seeing Mourinho and the reaction he received from those in attendance upon appearing on the big screen, plenty of boxing fans had the same complaint regarding the event as a whole.

    One fan wrote: “Biggest cheer of the night so far was for Jose Mourinho. Cracking atmosphere…”

    Another agreed: “Hahahaha only cheer of the night so far for Jose Mourinho.”

    A third opined: “The atmosphere for boxing in Saudi is absolutely shocking.”

    Mourinho is currently out of work after being sacked by Roma earlier this year.


    Getty

    The Portuguese icon delivered a Europa Conference League title to Rome in 2022, and reached the Europa League final last season, but a challenging run of form around the turn of the year into 2024 proved to be his undoing.

    He has admitted that he has received job offers since he departed the club, but has yet to accept one.

    Mourinho has been linked with a return to Chelsea, and with the soon-to-be vacant role at Bayern Munich once Thomas Tuchel leaves at the end of the current season.

    This article contains affiliate links and LADbible Group might make a commission on anything purchased.

    You can watch the Joshua vs Ngannou fight live on DAZN here.

  • Fans have Tyson Fury theory after Anthony Joshua’s stunning KO win over Francis Ngannou

    Fans have Tyson Fury theory after Anthony Joshua’s stunning KO win over Francis Ngannou

    Fans have come up with a Tyson Fury theory after seeing Anthony Joshua knock out Francis Ngannou.

    Fans have Tyson Fury theory after Anthony Joshua’s stunning KO win over Francis Ngannou

    On Friday night, all eyes were on the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as former heavyweight world champion Joshua took on ex-UFC star Ngannou.

    Leading up to the fight, many people felt it would be a close fight after Ngannou took Fury all the way last October.

    The Cameroonian felt he should’ve won after knocking Fury down but ultimately lost via decision.

    Against AJ, Ngannou was floored in the first round and was eventually dispatched in devastating fashion during the second round.

    Reacting on social media, one fan said: “This explains why Tyson Fury didn’t train for his fight against Ngannou.”

    Another tweeted: “Anyone who thought AJ was losing last night should never watch sport again. Blatantly obvious Tyson Fury didn’t train a day for his Ngannou fight.”

    A third fan added: “Tyson Fury did not train for that Francis fight, man.”

    Someone else wrote: “All I can see is that Tyson Fury didn’t train for his fight. AJ saving the face of HW boxing.”

    A fifth commented: “Pretty sure Tyson Fury didn’t train for Francis fight cause obviously Tyson is levels upon levels better than Joshua.”

    Image
    Getty

    As reported by talkSPORT, Fury said after Joshua’s victory over Ngannou: “I’m sure Oleksandr Usyk will have something to say something about that. I had a s*** performance against Ngannou.

    “AJ did absolutely fantastic and lit him up with a right hand. If he fights me after I beat Usyk twice then it will be a different game.”

    Joshua said: “I’m going back to my cage and when they let me out, I’ll fight again.

    “When I saw the fight with Tyson Fury I thought ‘I want some of that’. [Ngannou] is a great champion and this doesn’t take anything away from his capabilities.”

    He added: “I told him not to leave boxing. He’s two fights in and he’s fought the best.”

  • Tyson Fury keeps it real in reacting to Anthony Joshua’s knockout win over Francis Ngannou

    Tyson Fury keeps it real in reacting to Anthony Joshua’s knockout win over Francis Ngannou

    Tyson Fury gave an honest reaction after witnessing Anthony Joshua’s devastating knockout victory over Francis Ngannou in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

    Tyson Fury keeps it real in reacting to Anthony Joshua's knockout win over Francis Ngannou

    Fury fought Ngannou at the Kingdom Arena back in October and despite winning a close decision on the judges’ scorecards, produced a sluggish display inside the squared circle.

    The WBC world heavyweight champion was knocked down by the debuting Cameroonian in the third round and many felt as though he did not deserve to win.

    Ngannou returned to the ring for a second time against Joshua on Friday evening and there was optimism given the level of performance he churned in last time out.

    But two-time world heavyweight champion Joshua put on a boxing clinic and got the job done in just two rounds.

    Image: Getty
    Image: Getty

    After two knockdowns, ‘AJ’ put the former UFC champion with a brutal right-hand that folded Ngannou.

    He required medical treatment following on from the stoppage and was fortunately able to get to his feet.

    Joshua moved to 28-3 professionally after a fourth win on the trot and made it clear afterwards that he wishes to finally fight Fury in what would arguably be the biggest bout in boxing history.

    Fury, who has two bouts with Oleksandr Usyk scheduled for the undisputed heavyweight titles coming up, praised Joshua for his impressive win.

    As per Michael Benson of talkSPORT, Fury told DAZN: “I’m sure Oleksandr Usyk will have something to say something about that. I had a s*** performance against Ngannou. AJ did absolutely fantastic and lit him up with a right hand. If he fights me after I beat Usyk twice then it will be a different game.”

    Image: Getty
    Image: Getty

    The contest was initially pencilled in for February 17 but a cut suffered by Fury in sparring led to it being postponed.

    The fight has been rearranged for May 18 but will remain at the Kingdom Arena.

  • Anthony Joshua has sent an X-rated response to Tyson Fury after his second round knockout victory over Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia on Friday.

    Anthony Joshua has sent an X-rated response to Tyson Fury after his second round knockout victory over Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia on Friday.

    Anthony Joshua issues response to ‘disrespectful’ Tyson Fury after he called him and Francis Ngannou ‘two sausages’ before their heavyweight bout

    Knocking Ngannou down in the first round for the first time in his career, AJ proceeded to put the former UFC champion onto the canvas another two times in the second round.

    His third knockdown was enough to stop Ngannou from getting back up as Joshua claimed a fourth consecutive victory in the ring.

    Fury was spotted in the crowd applauding AJ’s brutal knockout, but Joshua has refused to talk about his foe.

    Speaking to IFL TV, Joshua was asked about Fury’s reaction to his knockout and simply replied: ‘F*** Tyson Fury.’

    Anthony Joshua knocked Francis Ngannou down three times in his impressive victory

    Speaking after the fight, Joshua sent an X-rated message to Tyson Fury

    When asked to expand on the reason for his hostile reply, Joshua said: ‘You know what it is? I don’t like trash talking people but I heard him say something like “I’m here to do commentary about these two sausages”.

    ‘That guy that I fought (Ngannou), that he fought, is an ex-UFC heavyweight champion. A phenomonal story. Someone who changed his life around.

    ‘It’s too disrespectful. Forget anything about him.’

    It remains to be seen as what is next for AJ, but a fight against Fury is on the cards.

    The heavyweight champion faces Oleksandr Usyk next, with the winner of the bought likely to take on Joshua.

    Speaking after Joshua’s victory, Fury confirmed he would be interested in an all-British bout.

    ‘I had a s*** performance against Ngannou. AJ did absolutely fantastic and lit him up with a right hand,’ he said on Friday night.

    ‘If he fights me after I beat Usyk twice then it will be a different game.’

  • Tyson Fury claims that it’s ‘nine weeks until Oleksandr Usyk gets ‘f***ing BATTERED’ while training for May 18 showdown… as the Gypsy King cranks up the pressure before undisputed heavyweight bout

    Tyson Fury claims that it’s ‘nine weeks until Oleksandr Usyk gets ‘f***ing BATTERED’ while training for May 18 showdown… as the Gypsy King cranks up the pressure before undisputed heavyweight bout

    Tyson Fury boasted that it was ‘nine weeks until Usyk gets f***ing battered’ on a training run on Saturday morning.

    The Gypsy King will face Oleksandr Usyk on May 18 as the heavyweight world seeks to elect a unified champion for the first time in 24 years.

    Usyk will bring the WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO titles while Fury holds the WBC heavyweight crown – and there will be a new ‘undisupted’ belt up for grabs.

    Fury has been chomping at the bit since the fight was postponed from its original date of February 17 after he suffered a nasty cut above his eye in training.

    ‘So today, it’s our nine-week anniversary until Usyk gets f***ing battered,’ Fury said in an Instagram video, trailed by fellow runners.

    Tyson Fury out running today, training for the Oleksandr Usyk fight on May 18th: “Nine weeks until Usyk gets f***ing battered.”[🎥 @Tyson_Fury] pic.twitter.com/tzWpnZNDqX

    — Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) March 16, 2024

    Tyson Fury has claimed that it is ‘nine weeks until Usyk gets f***ing battered’ by him

    The Gypsy King will face Usyk on May 18 in the first unified heavyweight title contest in 24 years

    ‘And we’re out on the front this morning, little team of us, and we’re going to jog about, I don’t know, eight, nine, ten miles.

    ‘Might even do a half-marathon today, who knows?

    ‘But the one thing I do know is it’s absolutely fantastic weather, nice and fresh, on the bay.

    ‘Come on!’

    Fury and Usyk’s fight will be a historic moment for boxing and the crown jewel in Saudi Arabia’s growing boxing influence.

    They will finally meet in the ring as part of Riyadh Season in Saudi Arabia to crown the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-belt era.

    WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has backed a new judging system for the undisputed heavyweight title clash to avoid controversial decisions which ‘will kill boxing’.

    Both fighters are gearing up for what has the potential to be the biggest fight in recent times with a reported £100million purse on offer.

    Usyk and Fury are unbeaten and will compete for a reported £100million purse

    The fight was postponed after Fury suffered a gruesome cut above his right eye while sparring

    Fury has said he wants to fight Usyk twice, leaving Anthony Joshua to try and fill the time before he will face his fellow Brit.

    Usyk has a perfect record of 21 wins and no defeats with 14 knockouts.

    Meanwhile, Fury 34 wins – 24 via knockouts – and one draw.

    His credibility is unquestionable but the public perception of him took a slight knock with how quickly Joshua finished off Francis Ngannou.

    AJ floored Ngannou down three times with a second-round knockout when they met earlier this month, while Fury hit the deck himself before only beating the former UFC champion on points last year.

  • Tyson Fury is “forced to defend the WBC title”, Anthony Joshua or who will be the opponent?

    Tyson Fury is “forced to defend the WBC title”, Anthony Joshua or who will be the opponent?

    Tyson Fury may face the prospect of having to fight to defend the WBC title, but is the opponent Anthony Joshua and is that the “English civil war” of his dreams?

    According to plan, Tyson Fury will fight a classic title unification match with Oleksandr Usyk on May 18 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, after the February 17 match was postponed due to Fury tearing his eyelid. Fury currently holds the WBC belt, while Usyk holds the WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO belts.

    It is almost certain that the Fury – Usyk match will have a “part 2” this year, because the contract between the two punches has a clause allowing the loser to trigger a rematch immediately afterward.

    The head of the prestigious boxing organization WBC, Mauricio Sulaiman, announced that the agency “accepts the Fury – Usyk rematch”. Sulaiman said, WBC will wait for Fury – Usyk to fight both matches (if any) and then arrange the WBC title defense match for the new absolute champion of world heavyweight boxing. And the head of the WBC did not hide his desire to see it be a fight between Tyson Fury – Anthony Joshua.

    “WBC accepts their (Fury – Usyk) request for a rematch. If there are no problems with contracts, or negotiations with promotional companies (promotions, boxer representatives), we will complete it.” Fully agree to let the winner of the Fury match – Usyk fight Anthony Joshua,” Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed.

    Tyson Fury was present in Saudi Arabia to witness Anthony Joshua knock out Francis Ngannou last Saturday

    As for Anthony Joshua, the former world champion has expressed his intention more than once to “fight to the end” with “his arch-compatriot” Tyson Fury. A week ago, Joshua knocked out Francis Ngannou after just 2 rounds. That was Joshua’s fourth consecutive victory and now this 34-year-old boxer is even more eager to regain the prestigious belts as well as the world No. 1 position he achieved twice in the past.

    But in addition to Joshua, in case Tyson Fury retains the WBC title after his match with Usyk, this 35-year-old puncher is also likely to have to defend the title against another formidable opponent.

    It is known that the puncher currently ranked 2nd in the WBC heavyweight rankings right behind Fury, Frank Sanchez, has been assigned to fight Agit Kabayel (ranked 4th). This will be a match where the winner will become the designated challenger for the title against the boxer holding the WBC title.

    Frank Sanchez is ranked 2nd in the WBC heavyweight rankings and has animpressive undefeated record

    Frank Sanchez, 31 years old, holds the WBC Americas title with an impressive record of 24 wins, including 17 wins by knockout. The last time Frank Sanchez entered the ring was at the “Day of Reckoning” event on Christmas 2023, when Joshua also fought Otto Wallin. In that match, Sanchez technically knocked out Junior Fa in round 7.

    Agit Kabayel is also in very good form with a series of 24 unbeaten matches, of which he won 16 matches by knockout. The 31-year-old German boxer also fought at the “Day of Reckoning” event nearly 3 months ago and won by technical knockout over Makhmudov in the 4th round, thereby winning the WBC North American title and the WBA Intercontinental title.

  • Tyson Fury’s remarkable body transformation as he hits the gym for £100m Oleksandr Usyk fight… looking in his best shape EVER after he struggled last time out

    Tyson Fury’s remarkable body transformation as he hits the gym for £100m Oleksandr Usyk fight… looking in his best shape EVER after he struggled last time out

    Tyson Fury‘s body transformation ahead of his undisputed fight with Oleksandr Usyk has left fans in disbelief.

    The Gypsy King looks as ripped as ever with just under two months until his bout with the Ukrainian.

    The heavyweight world will seek to elect a unified champion for the first time in 24 years on May 18, with a reported £100million purse up for grabs.

    Boxing followers believe Fury is taking his fight with Usyk much more seriously after he scraped through his fight with Francis Ngannou, winning via split decision after being knocked down.

    His long-time sparring partner Martin Bakole claimed that Fury didn’t prepare properly for his fight with Ngannou, telling IFL TV: ‘Tyson was not 100 per cent focused in the gym.’

    Tyson Fury’s incredible body transformation ahead of the Oleksandr Usyk fight has been revealed

    His physique is radically different to when he fought Francis Ngannou back in October

    Usyk himself suggested that Fury didn’t take the fight seriously, asking: ‘Was he playing around trying to fool me?’

    However, Fury appears to have stepped up the intensity of his training and posted a video at the weekend promising that he would ‘f***ing batter’ his undefeated opponent.

    In an exclusive chat with Mail Sport last year, Fury said: ‘I would love to have a good body. But, I don’t have any hope of having a good body.

    ‘I am fat now, I was fat as a baby and I will be fat on my death bed. We’re all fat. Hughie is fat, Shane’s fat, my dad’s fat and even my mum’s fat. I hope she’s not watching this. But, we’re a fat family.’

    The Brit doesn’t appear to have even a spare ounce on his muscular physique and fans have been left amazed by his transformation.

    ‘Tyson looks hungrier than ever to prove himself after that Ngannou fight. We’re about to see another historic Fury performance,’ one wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

    ‘Never seen Tyson that cut,’ said another.

    ‘That doesn’t even look like the same person,’ one said, adding a shocked face emoji for emphasis.

    Even this update from early February shows Fury’s body looking far more toned than it had previously

    Fury started his dedicated training camp for the Usyk fight earlier this week

    Many think Fury didn’t prepare for the Ngannou fight properly, especially after his long-time sparring partner Martin Bakole said so

    Fans have been raving about Fury’s attitude and new physique ahead of the Saudi Arabian bout

    ‘Tyson Fury over here looking like The Rock,’ another commented.

    ‘It’s obvious he didn’t take Ngannou seriously,’ one said after seeing his transfromation.

    ‘Ngannou actually knocked sense into him,’ another wrote.

    The clash between Usyk and Fury promises to be one of the biggest in memory.

    Usyk will bring the WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO titles while Fury holds the WBC heavyweight crown – and there will be a new ‘undisupted’ belt up for grabs.

    They will meet in the ring as part of Riyadh Season in Saudi Arabia to crown the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-belt era.

    Fury has been chomping at the bit since the fight was postponed from its original date of February 17 after he suffered a nasty cut above his eye in training.

    He has 34 wins – 24 via knockouts – and one draw on his ledger.

    Meanwhile, Usyk has a perfect record of 21 wins and no defeats with 14 knockouts

  • Who next for Anthony Joshua? From Filip Hrgovic to three potential domestic dust-ups, AJ has plenty of options after scary Francis Ngannou KO, but here’s why it will NOT be Tyson Fury ?

    Who next for Anthony Joshua? From Filip Hrgovic to three potential domestic dust-ups, AJ has plenty of options after scary Francis Ngannou KO, but here’s why it will NOT be Tyson Fury ?

    So, what next for Anthony Joshua?

    That’s the question on everybody’s lips – and firmly in his mind – after his ferocious second-round knockout of Francis Ngannou on Saturday morning in Riyadh.

    Three knockdowns in a matter of minutes revealed a relentless, untamed fighter, but he was in no mood for celebrating this demolition job.

    ‘I’m not even buzzing about the win. On to the next, go,’ he said in the wake of his victory.

    In an ideal world, that ‘next’ would entail a bout with the winner of Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, who bash gloves on May 18.

    But the world isn’t ideal. Fury and Usyk are bound for a rematch, meaning Joshua will have to fill the gap.

    Mail Sport takes a look at his options.

    Who could Anthony Joshua’s next opponent be after his stunning win over Francis Ngannou?

    Joshua obliterated Ngannou on Saturday morning in Riyadh, knocking him down three times. The third time, in the second round, was the last

    His next fight won’t be against Tyson Fury, because he will fight Oleksandr Usyk and then have a rematch with him

    Deontay Wilder

    Wilder is a name that Joshua has long been linked with but a bout has never materialised. Yet.

    Instead of Ngannou, AJ was supposed to be fighting the Bronze Bomber as his March assignment.

    But Wilder’s shock defeat to Joseph Parker on the ‘Day of Reckoning’ in December stopped that idea in its tracks, at least temporarily.

    The likelihood of AJ and Wilder meeting next looks slim, but not impossible. Had AJ lost to Ngannou, it would have looked more likely.

    Ultimately, Joshua wants to be the undisupted heavyweight champion of the world, and a 38-year-old Wilder – who is himself some distance from holding a title – probably isn’t the quickest route there.

    A bout with Deontay Wilder would appeal to British fans and has been long desired, but is he the right opponent for AJ’s goal of being an undisputed champion?

    Dillian Whyte

    Joshua was supposed to face Whyte last August at the O2 Arena in London.

    However, the punch-fest was cancelled when Whyte returned an ‘adverse finding’ to a random doping test.

    At short notice, Robert Helenius stepped up and was duly beaten by AJ. Joshua has since won two more fights, while Whyte, 35, hasn’t fought since November 2022.

    Whyte has reportedly been cleared to return to the ring after a contaminated supplement was found to have been the cause of his positive drugs test, and he will be eager to prove a point.

    With a record of 29-3, the Body Snatcher is a fearsome and worthy opponent but whether it would happen is unclear. The two previously fought in 2015, with Joshua winning.

    Dillian Whyte would be a worthy, high-profile opponent but hasn’t fought since November 2022

    Filip Hrgovic

    Hrgovic is a serious contender, with 17 wins – 14 by knockout – and no defeats in his career to date.

    After Joshua beat Otto Wallin in December, Eddie Hearn suggested that Joshua will likely take on Filip Hrgovic for the vacant IBF heavyweight world title next.

    Vacant, you say? Well, that’s not set in stone, but it is a likelihood.

    Usyk currently holds the IBF title, as well as the WBO and IBO belts. Fury is the WBC champion.

    After their contest in May and their pencilled-in rematch, if Usyk ultimately wins, he will likely retire and vacate the belt. If Fury wins, he will likely vacate the belt so that he isn’t forced to fight its mandatory challenger – Hrgovic – and so he can seek a more lucrative fight elsewhere.

    The likelihood is that Hrgovic will have to scrap with somebody for the vacant IBF title, and that somebody could well be Joshua.

    Filip Hrgovic looks among the more likely options. Joshua will likely have to beat him at some point to claim the IBF title if Usyk or Fury desert it after their fight in May

    Joseph Parker

    Parker did so well to recover from two knockdowns to beat Zhilei Zhang on Friday night, beating Big Bang by majority decision.

    That makes the New Zealand puncher the interim WBO heavyweight champion – and therefore the mandatory challenger for the winner of Fury and Usyk.

    Obviously, if they vacate the belt, that could bring him into contention with Joshua for it instead.

    It has been dubbed a ‘high risk’ fight for Joshua – by Parker’s promoter, no less – and he may well steer clear of the 32-year-old, who is on a five-fight winning streak.

    Would Parker be up for it? Absolutely. ‘I’ll 100 percent fight Tyson Fury,’ he said after his dominant points win over Wilder in December.

    Joseph Parker has bolstered his reputation after wins over Wilder and Zhilei Zhang

    The outsiders

    Joe Joyce

    Joe Joyce, 38, is probably only on this list because he is British. The Juggernaut has not been doing what juggernauts do recently, taking two defeats to Zhang in 2023.

    That gives him a record of 15-2, and realistically he probably isn’t in the position to propel Joshua onto greater things. Beating Joyce would not be a statement in the same way it would be of Wilder, even if he has declined.

    Two defeats to Zhilei Zhang in 2023 have seen Joyce’s status drop but British fans might like the idea of him fighting AJ

    Daniel Dubois is on the up at the age of 26 and beat Jarrell Miller in December last year

    Daniel Dubois

    Dubois was considered good enough to fight Usyk as of last August, though he lost. He has since beaten Jarrell Miller with a dramatic late stoppage in December.

    Frank Warren previously suggested that AJ vs Dubois would be more appealing to British fans than a clash with Wilder. At 26, Dubois’ trajectory is on the up and it would be a stern test of his credentials.

  • Anthony Joshua Teases Upcoming Fight with Enigmatic Instagram Post, Raising Speculation about Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk Showdown.

    Anthony Joshua Teases Upcoming Fight with Enigmatic Instagram Post, Raising Speculation about Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk Showdown.

    Within weeks of decimating Francis Ngannou, Anthony Joshua has hinted at a bout announcement.

    Earlier this month, the Watford fighter easily defeated the former UFC heavyweight champion, knocking him out cold in the second round of their match in Saudi Arabia.

    Anthony Joshua brutally knocked out Francis Ngannou earlier this month.

    Boxing fans are eagerly awaiting Anthony Joshua’s next move.

    On Instagram, AJ hinted to an upcoming bout announcement.

    The 34-year-old AJ is now in a great position to challenge the victor of May’s historic undisputed heavyweight title match between Alexander Usyk and Tyson Fury.

    However, the gold medallist from London 2012 has made hints that he would return to the ring soon.

    On Friday night, AJ posted a photo of himself on the phone to his Instagram story with a caption suggesting he may have received a “call” about his next fight.

    It read: “Incoming call from @258management. AJ: ‘How can I help?’ @258mgt: ‘They want you to fight.’

    “AJ: ‘I will get ready.’”

    Joshua’s cryptic post spread like wildfire on social media, with some boxing fans fearing it meant bad news for the previously postponed Fury vs Usyk.

    One asked on X: “Fury or Usyk is dropping out of the fight?”

    Another said: “Which ones pulled out? Fury or Usyk? I’ll go the latter this time?”

    AJ’s cryptic post sparked fears for Tyson Fury’s undisputed straightener with Oleksandr Usyk.

    And another said: “Fury out again? Usyk AJ 3?”

    Most fight fans, however, were convinced AJ is teasing a rematch with the resurgent Joseph Parker, who has won his last five on the bounce.

    One said: “It means he’s fighting Joseph Parker in July.”

    Another said: “Means Parker 2 man I’ve tried to deny it but that’s probably what’s happening.”

    And another said: “Joe Parker if [Deontay] Wilders taking on [Zhilei] Zhang.”

    Former two-time heavyweight king AJ faces a long wait to face the winner of Fury vs Usyk as the pair have a rematch clause in their lucrative contract.

    He could find himself fighting for the IBF heavyweight title later this year as the sanctioning body is set to strip the winner of Fury vs Usyk of the belt.

    That stripping will take place in order for their long-time mandatory challenger – Filip Hrgovic – to vie for the strap.

  • Tyson Fury calls Jake Paul’s shock fight with Mike Tyson ‘FANTASTIC for boxing’… and predicts both fighters

    Tyson Fury calls Jake Paul’s shock fight with Mike Tyson ‘FANTASTIC for boxing’… and predicts both fighters

    Tyson Fury has described the controversial upcoming fight between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson as ‘fantastic for boxing’ – despite a number of his peers criticising the surprising match-up.

    The fight – which will take place on July 20 and be broadcast on streaming service Netflix – will see the 27-year-old YouTuber turned fighter go up against an opponent 30 years his senior, who has not fought since his exhibition bout against Roy Jones Jr in 2020.

    Paul’s promoters are claimed to be pushing for the fight itself to be made a professional contest, despite the fact that Tyson has not been seen in a professional ring since 2005.

    By contrast, Paul has compiled a record of nine wins and one defeat over the last four years, with six of his victories ending in a knockout to highlight his punching power, despite his lack of experience.

    While some are excited to see the return of Iron Mike to the ring, many have raised eyebrows about the unlikely pairing.

    Tyson Fury has applauded the proposed July meeting between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson

    There is a 30-year age difference between the rivals, with Tyson set to turn 58 before the bout

    The contest will take place at the A&T Arena in Arlington, Texas and stream live on Netflix

    But Fury was more energised about the prospect, as he stressed that it wasn’t his place to judge whether the fight should go ahead or not.

    ‘I think it’s fantastic for boxing,’ Fury said on The Stomping Ground. ‘You’ve got a legend in Mike Tyson, you’ve got a YouTube boxer who’s come into the game and blew it up and has got millions of followers and millions of views and millions of eyes – good, bad or indifferent.

    ‘Some people love (Paul), some people hate him.

    ‘So, I think it’s a really good spectacle for boxing, brings a lot of people to the game. Listen, who am I to say Mike Tyson shouldn’t be boxing, or Jake Paul shouldn’t be boxing?

    ‘Good luck to them, they’re both gonna make what I call “a s***-ton of money” out of it, so isn’t that what it’s about?’

    The heavyweight champion also had high praise for the stadium the pair will meet in, the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

    ‘I’ve been to that stadium, when Billy Joe (Saunders) fought Canelo (Saul Alvarez),’ Fury continued. ‘It’s a great stadium, it’ll be fantastic for the guys.

    ‘Both are getting paid, both are gonna put on a show. I just don’t know what’s not to like.

    ‘Okay, (one) guy is 57 years old, but he’s a former undisputed world heavyweight king.

    ‘(Paul has gone) from being a kid on the Disney channel to fighting Mike Tyson, who wouldn’t want to do that? You’ve got to admire them both.’

    Tyson has not fought a professional bout since 2005 and hasn’t stepped in the ring since 2020

    By contrast the YouTuber has won nine times and been defeated once over the past four years

    Fury – who is due to contest his own big-money match-up when he meets Oleksandr Usyk in their delayed undisputed heavyweight champion clash on May 8 – suggested that the contest itself will be’pretty even’.

    But the Gypsy King also hinted at the real reason both Paul and Tyson might have agreed to face off against one another in July.

    ‘People say, “Ah, it’s s***,’”and this, that and the other,’ Fury suggested. ‘But I bet they still watch it.

    ‘Who’s not intrigued?’