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Tyson Fury is preparing to face Oleksandr Usyk in an undisputed heavyweight title fight on May 18.

Tyson Fury will be forced to pay a huge fee to Oleksandr Usyk if he withdraws from their upcoming fight at late notice.

Fury, 35, is due to face Usyk, 37, on May 18 in an undisputed heavyweight title fight in Saudi Arabia.

It was originally due to take place on February 17 but Fury was forced to withdraw from the bout after sustaining a cut above his eye during sparring.

Usyk’s promoter, Alexander Krassyuk, has expressed doubts over whether Fury will be ready for the rearranged fight and has claimed that Filip Hrgovic will be drafted in to face the undefeated Ukrainian if the ‘Gypsy King’ pulls out for a second time.

Hrgovic is scheduled to meet Daniel Dubois on June 1, but will get the call-up for the undisputed showdown should anything happen to the WBC title holder.

Oleksandr Usyk’s promoter exposes Tyson Fury on Instagram Live with old social media post
Credit: Instagram/@alex.krassyuk

“Usyk has actually had a triple camp for this fight,” Krassyuk said (via GB News).

“He started in September for the fight to take place last December. We showed up to the [Francis] Ngannou fight to step in the ring to announce the fight for the undisputed, but his team jumped and said he didn’t look that good, so Usyk gave him some space to prepare at his camp in Saudi Arabia.

“We were then meant to fight on Feb 17, then we were rescheduled for May.”

He added: “Tyson Fury has withdrawn four times already from this fight.

“Remember that we were looking to fight last April; he pulled out of it then, too. That’s why we fought Daniel Dubois. This will be the fourth camp we have had for Tyson Fury.

“I’ve not got too much confidence in the rematch happening, by the way. If Tyson Fury loses, will he have the confidence to step inside the ring again? Theoretically he can, but we all know what happened in the rematch with Wladimir Klitschko.”

Tyson Fury is preparing to face Oleksandr Usyk (Image: Getty)

Should Fury pull out of the fight, he could be forced to pay a huge fee as per the terms of staging the bout in Saudi Arabia.

During an episode of The MMA Hour With Ariel Helwani in February after the first fight was postponed, Saudi royal adviser Turki Alalshikh – the man responsible for bringing world-class boxing to the Gulf state – confirmed both fighters would be required to pay their opponent a huge sum if they pulled out of the second date.

“I guarantee both of the fighters £10m if someone escapes from the fight. This is the first thing, and the second thing – I guarantee a big fight on the same night for another one,” he added.

“Make the people around the world know if someone is scared and wants to escape from this fight.

“May 18 – we will have Tyson vs Usyk.”

Bob Arum is opposed to the rule change for Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk.

A major change which was proposed for Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk WON’T happen, according to Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum.

The blockbuster clash between Fury and Usyk is just a few weeks away as an undisputed heavyweight champion will be crowned in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Fury’s WBC belt and Usyk’s WBA (super), IBF, WBO and The Ring Magazine world heavyweight titles will be on the line when they go to battle on May 18.

Ahead of the championship tilt, WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman suggested SIX judges for Fury vs. Usyk following an ’emergency petition’ that was sent to each sanctioning body, the fighters and the promoters.

But Arum, who promotes Fury in the United States, is opposed to the idea and effectively ruled out having six judges for the undisputed bout.

“You don’t put in something like that for the first time dealing with a major fight from the standpoint of visibility and importance,” the 92-year-old explained.

“Maybe six judges are better than three. I doubt that, but maybe. Nobody knows because it hasn’t been done. But at least you experiment with that with fights that are not as prominent.”

Tyson Fury with Bob Arum at a presser. Image: Getty

The Top Rank boss added: “With all due respect to my friend Mauricio – who’s a really good guy, loves the sport of boxing and has done a great job with the WBC – I wouldn’t do it for this fight. I wouldn’t say that you don’t experiment with it for another fight. I don’t believe the judging becomes better because you have six judges rather than three.”

So, barring any last-minute alteration, there will be three judges scoring Fury vs. Usyk.

The self-proclaimed ‘Gypsy King’ went to a decision in his last fight as he controversially beat former UFC champion Francis Ngannou.

The Ukrainian, meanwhile, hasn’t fought since his stoppage victory over Daniel Dubois last summer.

Tyson Fury eked out a points victory in one of his most controversial fights of his career.

Footage of Tyson Fury’s controversial fight against John McDermott that many believe he lost has emerged ahead of his undisputed clash against Oleksandr Uysk.

Fury puts his WBC world title on the line when he takes on unified champion Usyk in their blockbuster undisputed showdown in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on May 18.

The British star is one fight away from undisputed status as he looks to capture the WBA (super), IBF and WBO belts.

But the course of his career could have been very, very different had he lost the eighth fight of his professional career.

Back in 2009, Fury fought McDermott for the English heavyweight title.

The self-proclaimed ‘Gypsy King’ claimed a narrow points win that fans and critics alike think he lost.

McDermott, who went into the bout off the back of two losses, put the pressure on Fury and bulled him around the ring.

However, his efforts were ultimately in vain as referee Terry O’Connor scored the contest 98-92 in favour of Fury.

Speaking in 2020, McDermott bemoaned the decision not going his way as he revealed his post-fight struggles.

“Of course it still annoys me. I’m not saying I would have gone onto fight for the world title but it would have helped me, at the time. A bit more money when there wasn’t much money in boxing. He’s a millionaire now and I’m struggling,” he said.

“They thought I’d be an easy fight. They didn’t think I could dig deep.

“I remember walking up to the punch bag and my trainer drew a line at 6’9” and said: ‘This is how tall Tyson Fury is’.

“I remember thinking: ‘How am I going to hit the bloke?’”

Fury had an off night against McDermott – something he can’t afford to have against Usyk.

He was also underwhelming in his victory over Francis Ngannou and will need to be at the top of his game if he wants to become undisputed champion.

Joshua has also confirmed the date and venue for his next fight.

Anthony Joshua has confirmed he has a four-man shortlist for his next boxing fight amid rumours that he could take on Tyson Fury.

Joshua’s last fight came on March 8, where he defeated Francis Ngannou via a stunning second-round knockout in Saudi Arabia.

That win over Ngannou, and his previous three victories over Otto Wallin, Robert Helenius and Jermaine Franklin, have re-established the Watford-born boxer as a key player in the heavyweight division following consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk.

Usyk is scheduled to take on Fury in a heavyweight title unification bout, also in Saudi Arabia, on May 20. The fight had to be rescheduled after ‘The Gypsy King’ suffered a cut in sparring back in February.

Joshua has now announced that he will not face the winner of Usyk vs Fury, but will instead take on either victor of two other major heavyweight clashes.

The 34-year-old has confirmed he will face either the winner of Deontay Wilder vs Zhilei Zhang, or Filip Hrgovic vs Daniel Dubois.

The match will take place on either September 20 or 21, and be staged at Wembley Stadium.

All four fighters would be first-time opponents for Joshua at professional level, with a fight against Wilder in particular having long been mooted by those involved with the sport.

But Wilder has lost two of his last three fights since his first defeat to Fury, including December’s clash against Joseph Parker via unanimous decision.

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Hrgovic, meanwhile, is the mandatory challenger for Usyk’s heavyweight titles, with the Ukrainian having beaten Dubois last year.

Usyk’s promoter, Alexander Krassyuk, has confirmed that Hrgovic will take on Usyk in Riyadh if Fury pulls out of their planned fight for a second time inside three months.

He explained: “He is getting ready for Daniel Dubois on June 1, but instead he will have to be ready on May 18 to replace Tyson for any reason.”

Speaking about the upcoming fight, Joshua stated: “The one who looks the best, Turki Alalshikh told me, ‘I want you to fight him’.”

Anthony Joshua has given his prediction for the undisputed heavyweight title fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.

Anthony Joshua has given his prediction ahead of the undisputed heavyweight title fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.

On May 18 the two champions will collide in Saudi Arabia for the first heavyweight boxing match of its kind this century.

The bout was initially scheduled to take place in February but Fury was forced to pull out after he sustained a cut in sparring.

Now it’s been rescheduled all eyes in the boxing world are fixed on it and the rematch which is set to take place later in the year no matter the outcome.

Fury will defend his WBC title with Usyk putting his WBA, WBO and IBF titles on the line.

The eventual winner could end up facing former champion Joshua later down the line and he’s given his say on who he thinks that could be.

“I’ve fought Usyk so I can only speak on what I’ve experienced with him – phenomenal fighter, I would say he’s gonna do a really good job,” AJ told TalkSport.

“I’ve never fought Fury, so I can’t speak on what it’s like to face him. Only speaking on what I know, I have to say Usyk will be victorious.”

Joshua’s two fights against Usyk went the distance but he ultimately lost both. His poor performance in the first bout drew criticism but he improve massively by the time they met again.

Given he’s fought Usyk before AJ would surely have a greater chance of beating the Ukrainian compared to Tyson Fury.

Fury v Joshua is a fight that everyone wants to see in the future so if the Gypsy King does become undisputed champion there will be big calls for it to happen in 2025.

There have been negotiations about a potential fight between the British pair before but nothing came of them.

 

In less than three weeks, one of both Prince William and Prince Harry’s closest friends will tie the knot in the social event of the season.

Billionaire Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster, and his fiance, Olivia Henson are set to wed on June 7 in Chester, in England’s north-west, in front of the who’s-who of British aristocracy.

 

Just as conspicuous as the future King’s appearance at the event will be his brother’s absence – and new details have shed light on exactly how the awkward invitation scenario played out behind the scenes.

The UK’s Times revealed on Sunday that not only is William attending as a guest – with his wife, the Princess of Wales, likely to stay home amid her cancer treatment – but he has also been honoured with a role as an usher on the day.

Meanwhile, Harry, who has been close friends with Hugh – or “Hughie” as he’s known within his inner circle – since childhood and even appointed him as his son Prince Archie’s godfather, was reportedly kept from the guest list to avoid any discomfort.

(Sources close to Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, have previously disputed their lack of invitation, insisting that they had received a “save the date card” but declined attendance as it would be “too awkward”.)

According to the Times, Hugh had been keen on both brothers coming to his nuptials, but was conscious that their high-profile rift could overshadow the festivities, and had therefore deciding against inviting the Sussexes.

When their looming absence was first reported last year, a friend of the warring brothers described the situation as “incredibly sad”.

“It’s incredibly sad it has come to this. Hugh is one of the very few close friends of William and Harry’s who has maintained strong bonds and a line of communication with both,” the source told the Times.

“He wishes they could put their heads together and patch things up, but realises it’s unlikely to happen before the wedding. He wanted to avoid anything overshadowing the day, especially for Olivia, and doesn’t want any awkwardness.”

There’s been no sign of any easing of tension between Harry and William, with the latter reportedly still furious about his brother’s heavy public criticism of himself and Kate since leaving royal duties.

Meanwhile, Harry’s absence at the Duke of Westminster’s wedding may be the most high-profile, but he’s not the only royal unable to attend.

King Charles, who is the duke’s godfather, is also likely to skip the occasion. The monarch, who recently returned to public-facing engagements during his cancer treatment, will be travelling to France alongside Queen Camilla and William for D-Day commemorations the day prior.

Regardless, it’s still on track to be a lavish event, with over 400 guests invited to witness the nuptials at Chester Cathedral.

Following the service, guests will attend an opulent reception at the Grosvenors’ nearby 11,000-acre estate, Eaton Hall, the couples’ new home.

On June 8, a second, more intimate reception will be held at the same venue.

‘An old Mike Tyson is still Mike Tyson’: Jake Paul Was Defeated By Mike Tyson Just 31 Seconds Into The Match (VIDEO)

In a match that had the boxing world buzzing with anticipation, Jake Paul faced off against the legendary Mike Tyson, only to suffer a surprising defeat just 31 seconds into the bout. The outcome sent shockwaves through the sports community, prompting intense speculation and analysis of the event.

Leading up to the match, expectations were high as both fighters brought their own unique backgrounds and skill sets to the ring. Jake Paul, known for his presence in the boxing world and his outspoken nature, was confident in his abilities and eager to prove himself against one of the sport’s all-time greats. On the other hand, Mike Tyson, with his storied career and unmatched reputation in the ring, was seen as a formidable opponent despite his age.

As the bell rang to start the match, anticipation reached a fever pitch. However, the outcome was swift and decisive. In a stunning display of power and precision, Tyson unleashed a flurry of punches that caught Paul off guard, ultimately leading to his defeat in a mere 31 seconds.

The aftermath of the match was filled with speculation and debate. Some questioned Paul’s readiness to face such a seasoned opponent, while others marveled at Tyson’s continued dominance despite his age. Regardless of the opinions expressed, one thing was clear: the match had captured the attention of the sports world and left fans eagerly awaiting the next chapter in the careers of both fighters.

For Jake Paul, the defeat served as a humbling experience and a reminder of the unforgiving nature of the sport. However, it also provided an opportunity for growth and reflection as he looks to bounce back from this setback.

As for Mike Tyson, the victory only added to his legendary status and further solidified his place in the annals of boxing

A FORMER world boxing champion has offered to step in to replace Mike Tyson and fight Jake Paul.

It comes after Tyson experienced a medical emergency this week on his plane from Miami to LA.

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Tyson vs Paul could be under threat after Tyson’s recent health scareCredit: Getty

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Sakio Bika has offered to step inCredit: AFP – DDP
The incident saw paramedics rush to the plane once it landed.

But Tyson emerged from the plane walking unaided and not looking too worse for wear.

He had become dizzy and nauseous on the flight stemming from a stomach ulcer flare-up.

The medical emergency caused immediate concerns that Paul vs Tyson would be off, particularly given the thirty year age gap between Paul, 27, and Tyson, 57.

But a defiant Iron Mike posted on X on Tuesday he was: “Now feeling 100% even though I don’t need to be to beat Jake Paul.”

Paul himself reacted angrily to rumours the fights would be cancelled on social media.

He took to X to address rumours that the July 20 fight would be called off and said: “You love to make s*** up before knowing the facts for clicks/likes. Nothing changed #PaulTyson”

But now a surprise contender has thrown his hat into the ring should Tyson prove to be too ill to fight.

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Paramedics were called to Tyson’s plane but he walked away unaidedCredit: instagram @miketyson

Credit: The Sun

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Sakio Bika is a previous IBO super-middleweight champion and held the belt from 2008 until 2010.

Bika, 45, has not fought since 2021 and that was after four years out.
Everything we know about Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul fight
But he said: “If Jake Paul is serious about fighting a former champion, look for someone a lot younger or active within the last decade. I can fight Jake Paul at any weight he wants.”

Despite his former championship status, he hardly has the pull of Tyson.

His most famous match saw him lose by unanimous decision to Joe Calzaghe in 2006.

Born in Douala, Cameroon, Bika has fought as an Australian national since 2000.

He has a 22-7-3 record.

JAKE PAUL has been accused of stealing boxing fans’ “money” ahead of his crossover clash with Mike Tyson.

The YouTuber-turned-boxer will throw down with the former undisputed heavyweight champion in a controversial Texas tussle on July 20.

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Jake Paul throws down with boxing Mike Tyson on July 20Credit: Rex

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The fight has caused uproar among boxing fansCredit: GETTY

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Floyd Mayweather has accused Paul of stealing people’s money with his fightsCredit: GETTY
The latest chapter of the former Disney star’s boxing career has sparked outrage as he’ll be 31 YEARS Tyson’s junior come fight night.

Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather is far from a fan of the youngest Paul brother but admits he can’t knock his hustle of taking on older fighters for boatloads of cash.

The former five-weight world champion told Treasure Hustle: “What he’s doing is kinda cool.

“If he can continue to steal money and they match him the way they match him, I can’t knock his hustle.

“If they can match him the way that they have been, more power to him.”

There were fears the fight would be cancelled after Tyson suffered a health scare during a flight from Miami to Los Angeles last Sunday.

Tyson’s ulcer flare-up prompted a slew of big-name fighters – including Ryan Garcia – to put themselves forward to replace him.

And three-time UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen has sensationally claimed he’s already contracted to replace Tyson should he pull out of the bout.

Credit: The Sun
He wrote on X: “I guess it was wise of Jake Paul to write me into the contract as Tyson’s backup, wasn’t it???

“If Jake Paul realises he might be fighting ME in a month, HE may be the one having a heart attack.”
Tyson’s mid-air emergency
Sonnen, 47, is set to make his professional boxing debut in a trilogy fight with former foe Anderson Silva on June 15.

And Paul was quick to shut down suggestions he’s the backup for Tyson.

Responding to Sonnen’s post, he wrote: “You love to make s*** up before knowing the facts for clicks/likes.

“Nothing changed.”

Tyson himself has downplayed suggestions he’ll withdraw from his Dallas dust-up with ‘The Problem Child’.

He took to social media to say: “Now feeling 100% even though I don’t need to be to beat Jake Paul.”

MIKE TYSON’S fight with Jake Paul has been called off.

The bout was scheduled for July 20 but Tyson’s health issues mean he has had to put his training on hold.

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Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul has been cancelledCredit: Getty

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Iron Mike claims he is in the best shape he has been in since the 1990sCredit: AP
The former world champion suffered a medical emergency on board a flight this week as a result of an ulcer flare up.

Netflix, who were set to show the fight, released a statement announcing the cancellation.

It reads: “Unfortunately Jake Paul and Mike Tyson will not face-off on July 20 as planned. Tyson’s recent ulcer flare up has limited his ability to train fully for the next few weeks.

“The fight will be rescheduled for a date later this year after Mike’s able to resume training with no limitations and both fighters can have equal time to prepare for this once-in-a-lifetime matchup!”

Tyson required medical assistance from paramedics on board a flight from Miami to LA earlier this week.

He felt nauseous and dizzy though his publicist said he was feeling “very good” after treatment.

Iron Mike took to social media claiming he was feeling 100 per cent and ready to take on Paul.

But a top doctor recommended the 57-year-old postpone the fight, suggesting ulcer flare ups require four to five weeks of rest to recover from.

Credit: The Sun
And Tyson confirmed he has decided to postpone the fight after consulting his own doctor about his health issue.

He said in a statement: “I want to thank my fans around the world for their support and understanding during this time.
Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul lifestyles compared
“Unfortunately , due to my ulcer flareup, I have been advised by my doctor to lighten my training for a few weeks to rest and recover.

“My body is in better overall shape than it has been since the 1990s and I will be back to my full training schedule soon.

“Jake Paul, this may have bought you some time but in the end you will still be knocked out and out of boxing for good.

“I appreciate everyone’s patience and can’t wait to deliver an unforgettable performance later this year.”

Paul also spoke on the postponement, promising an exciting clash when they do eventually meet in the ring.

He said: “I fully support postponing the event so Mike Tyson has no excuses come fight night.

“My fans know I don’t want to face Iron Mike at anything but his best, but let there be no mistake – when he steps into the ring with me, I will be ready to claim my W with a sensational finish.

“Paul vs Tyson will be one for the ages and I promise to bring my best for this once-in-a-lifetime matchup.”