BOXING Archives - Page 31 of 53

Delicious Orie will head to Paris 2024 as Team GB’s representative in the super heavyweight category and Anthony Joshua’s ex-trainer is guiding him

Team GB’s next super heavyweight boxing star Delicious Orie believes that Anthony Joshua’s former trainer is the right man to lead him to Olympic glory.

Every British super heavyweight boxer that has competed at the Olympic Games has won a medal. Orie is hoping to become the seventh at Paris 2024 and is the next cab off the rank in the division, following in the footsteps of the likes of Joshua, Audley Harrison and Joe Joyce.

JUST IN ;Francis Ngannou reveals true extent of Anthony Joshua’s power with worrying admission after knockout loss

“I know that I’m in a very good place, so all of my trust is in Rob and the team. I know I’m part of the best programme in the world.”

Parallels with McCracken’s former charge are proving hard to escape. Joshua and Orie have sparred together, and both came to boxing very late, with Orie starting aged 18, as well as sharing Nigerian heritage.

“The biggest thing I’ve learned from AJ is that anything is possible,” Orie says. “I’ve also learned that one of the biggest things in your career is who you have around you.

“What’s your primary goal? Is it the big commercial deals or just reigning as heavyweight champion of the world for as long as you can? It really matters who you listen to.

RELATED ;Tyson Fury responds to Ring Magazine heavyweight rankings after Anthony Joshua boost

“I’m not saying he’s made any right or wrong decisions because I don’t know him well enough personally to say that, but there are lots of things I’ve taken from his career.”

Born in Moscow to a Nigerian father and Russian mother, Orie’s family moved to London to escape racism and to seek a better life when he was seven. It is a remarkable backstory, but boxing didn’t turn Orie’s life around – or keep him out of trouble.

“The way I see it, you don’t have to be a brute to become a champion,” says Orie. “This scrapper is an A* student at A-Level and holds a first-class honours degree in Business and Management.

UPDATE ;Francis Ngannou accuses Anthony Joshua team of wasting his time before the fight

“In boxing, you don’t have to come from a background where you’re disobedient in school and can’t pay attention, because I wasn’t that kind of person. Sometimes you’ve got to grit your teeth and fight but I’m trying to push out the message that as long as you are dedicated and focused, you can achieve great things in this sport.”

BOXING

How Anthony Joshua dispatched Francis Ngannou with destructive second-round knockout victory

Relive coverage of Anthony Joshua’s explosive second-round victory over the former UFC world champion Francis Ngannou

Anthony Joshua propelled himself back into the heavyweight world title picture with a destructive second-round knockout win over Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia.

Joshua, the two-time former unified world heavyweight champion, sent Ngannou to the canvas in the opening round of their fight and then felled him a further two times in an emphatic second round.

RELATED ;Carl Frampton tells Anthony Joshua who to fight next and it’s not Tyson Fury or Oleksandr Usyk

Kila H: “Great win, but it’s pretty hilarious to see his manager say there’s no one in the world that can beat him and then in the next sentence show his record has 3 losses on it. Putting down Ngannou that early is no joke though, he’s got a serious chin on him. Now lets see them run it back in MMA.”

Isaac L: “That’s a perfect night for Joshua. A big knockout, embarrassing Fury and propelling himself back into the world title picture.”

Ngannou has switched back to an orthodox stance. His switch to southpaw wasn’t successful in the slightest. But it hasn’t done him much good — Joshua lands another right hand, which connects with Ngannou’s chin. The former UFC champion is once again in trouble.

UPDATE ;Francis Ngannou new boxing ranking confirmed after Anthony Joshua defeat

Ngannou rallies, but Joshua is making him look like a novice, and Joshua sends him to the canvas for a second time! Again it’s Joshua’s right hand. Ngannou gets to his feet but seconds over he’s down again, Joshua connecting with the right for a third time.

BOXING

3 Reasons Why Terence Crawford Should Face Tim Tszyu vs. Sebastian Fundora Winner

Terence Crawford is ready to mix things up and is on the move again. The American is leveraging his ‘Super Champion’ status to book a fight with the winner of Tim Tszyu vs. Sebastian Fundora next. But is it a right call when the likes of Jaron Ennis are waiting in the ranks? Is it a desperate decision to bag the legacy with Canelo Alvarez? It seems there is more to the star boxer’s move, and he might be better off making the switch.

JUST IN ;Conor Benn Doubts Terence Crawford vs. Chris Eubank Jr. Fight; Eyes World Title

Ennis, 26, has a thin resume. You could argue the current IBF champion hasn’t fought any of the big names or importance. While he boasts an impressive undefeated record, his fights have gone under the radar. His record of 31-0 with 28 KOs is an eye-popping stats, but if you dig deep, no name attracts eyeballs. You can debate whether he has done enough to bag a fight with Crawford. Ennis is a remarkable fighter, but he is not a draw yet.

What’s more? The Philadelphia native has the power, talent, speed, and reach to unleash punishment on Crawford. Whether he can do that is a debate for another day. So, it doesn’t make sense for Crawford to fight for a belt with less money and more chances of sustaining damage. With the illustrious career he had, he deserves to fight for money. That assumes more importance when the 40-0 record is already charting his retirement and he is looking to solidify his legacy.

RELATED ;Boxing pundit explains exactly why Terence Crawford could fight Chris Eubank Jr as Canelo Alvarez fight looms

9 world championship belts, champion at 3 different weight classes, and undisputed at 2. Crawford’s legacy is set in stone, but he is still hungry for more. He wants to add more laurels to his resume. He wants a historic 3 division undisputed status.

Moreover, the Omaha native also craves a huge payday and can retire comfortably. Not only does he have the opportunity to fight Tim Tszyu and add another title to his waist, but he also has the chance to leave the arena with heavy pockets. Tszyu might emerge victorious against Fundora, and a fight against him in Australia could guarantee huge PPV numbers and revenue windfalls.

BOXING

Jake Paul boldly challenges Mike Tyson to test his chin: “I want to see how hard he hits”

Social media sensation Paul has never been dropped in 10 professional fights and he challenged boxing legend Tyson to try and put him down in their July fight

Jake Paul has challenged Mike Tyson to try and break his ‘iron chin’ in their boxing fight.

YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul has divided opinion since ditching his internet fame for a career in the ring and he will face 57-year-old boxing legend Tyson in his next fight. There will be over a 30-year age difference come the fight, which takes place at the 80,000 seat AT&T Stadium in Texas on July 20.

RELATED ;Jeff Goldblum Reflects on Witnessing Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield Infamous Bloody Fight Firsthand

Fine details for the fight, such as the amount of rounds and contracted weight, are yet to be revealed. Paul and Tyson are hoping for it to be sanctioned as a professional bout but the Texas Commission will have the final say. The fight will air live on Netflix and Paul thinks it won’t be the streaming giant’s only venture into combat sports.

“I did the face-off, and then I walked away and I just laughed to myself. I was like, ‘Ha! This is insane.’ On my screen, my eyeballs are the ones facing off against Mike Tyson, and I just couldn’t believe it. The fact that it’s on Netflix, I think that’s going to really revolutionise the game in boxing. I think streaming could eventually be a very bright future for the sport,” he added.

BOXING

Jake Paul Draws Scathing Response From Fans After Saying Ryan Garcia Quit Against Gervonta Davis

Jake Paul’s bold comments on boxing have stirred the pot again. This time, it’s about Ryan Garcia’s defeat. Garcia, floored by Gervonta Davis with a body shot, couldn’t rise on 20th April 2023. The moment was intense, and pivotal in the bout’s outcome. Meanwhile, Paul gears up for an unexpected ring return on 20th July.

His opponent? Boxing legend Mike Tyson. Yes, Tyson, 30 years older than Paul, is stepping back into the fray. Could Paul’s critique of Garcia come back to haunt him? Fans definitely are making him regret that.

RELATED ;Gervonta Davis Might Find It Hard To Break His Own $22.8 Million Record if He Fights Ryan Garcia Again

Firstly, one fan expressed disdain, highlighting the irony in Paul’s critique, “Jake has no room to talk about lack of heart shown in a fight while he’s about to fight a 60-year-old man 😤.” Next, another fan reminded everyone of Paul’s own ring challenges, “Dude, you lost to Love Island Tommy Fury.” This comment cut to the core of Paul’s credibility, questioning his standing to critique others after his own defeats.

Furthermore, another fan offered a blunt prediction, “He’d cook you Jake, even with the weight difference.” This highlighted doubts about Paul’s capability to withstand fighters like Garcia, despite the bravado. This fan added a touch of humor to the critique, “If dude got hit with that same body shot he’d probably be in the hospital straight up😂.”

UPDATE ;Gervonta Davis Warns His Opponent Frank Martin for Making Bold Claims About Sparring

Whereas this person summed up the community’s sentiment with biting sarcasm, “Lack of heart but dude is gonna fight someone 30 years older than him😂😂😂😂😂.” This underscored the perceived absurdity of Paul’s upcoming bout with Tyson, contrasting it with his criticism of Garcia’s performance.

BOXING

Francis Ngannou’s new boxing ranking confirmed after Anthony Joshua defeat

A savage knockout defeat versus Anthony Joshua has proven costly to Francis Ngannou’s burgeoning reputation as the fallout from a memorable bout continues.

Francis Ngannou has learned his fate in the WBC rankings following his savage knockout loss versus Anthony Joshua as he dropped down 14 places following his brutal defeat. The Cameroonian came into the bout against the Brit boasting a burgeoning reputation after causing Tyson Fury a scare on his boxing bow.

UPDATE ;Francis Ngannou reveals true extent of Anthony Joshua’s power with worrying admission after knockout loss

Looking to respond quickly to a wounding loss, Ngannou is now set for his debut in the PFL as he makes a return to MMA to face off against Renan Ferreira. Speaking about the prospect of the ex-UFC heavyweight champion making his comeback in the cage, the PFL founder Donn Davis appeared excited to see what is in store.

Speaking previously on ‘The MMA Hour’, he acknowledged: “I’m rooting for Francis all the time, but now he’s coming back early. Will it be as early as July? Maybe. Will it be as late as September? No later, but you’ll see Francis now in 2024, in PFL, against Renan Ferreira in what I believe is going to be the fight I’m looking forward to the most in the heavyweight division of all of MMA.”

BOXING

Francis Ngannou accuses Anthony Joshua’s team of wasting his time before the fight

The MMA star didn’t appreciate his opponent arriving late and making him struggle before the fight

That brutal knock out Francis Ngannou suffered against Anthony Joshua was seen by the entire world that enjoys boxing. It is an image that will be hard to erase from his memory and he is even starting to look for excuses. More than the KO itself, Ngannou’s ego was hurt bad after his impressive debut against Tyson Fury. In a recent

Eddie Hearn responds to Francis Ngannou’s accusations

Anthony Joshua did not respond to these accusations, nor do we think he ever will respond because that is how the game is played. Fighters who know this sport will all tell you that they need to be prepared for anything. Ngannou wasn’t prepared for getting his time wasted and that played a significant role in his defeat. For promoter Eddie Hearn, he only responded with a poignant quip: “I’m not sure he has come around yet.”

BOXING

GOAT lessons from Claressa Shields and Katie Taylor have Sandy Ryan primed for Terri Harper showdown

The glitz, glamour and tall tales of Las Vegas are like nothing else in boxing folklore. Saudi Arabia may be throwing mega money at blockbusting fights in 2024 but Sin City’s allure remains unmatched for the fight game.

That draw of a neon wonderland steeped in boxing is part of what persuaded Britain’s WBO welterweight champion Sandy Ryan (6-1-1, 2 KOs) to turn her life upside down in pursuit of greatness, changing her training and management team and relocating to the Mojave Desert ahead of Saturday’s showdown with two-weight world champion Terri Harper.

RELATED ;Claressa Shields “Can’t Breath” as Ryan Garcia Makes Unexpected Admission During Devin Haney Press Conference

That journey towards the summit continues this weekend against Harper (14-1-2, 6 KOs), another elite combatant Ryan has faced behind closed gym doors. The 27-year-old had her super featherweight reign ended by Alycia Baumgardner in November 2021 before leaping up four weight classes to dethrone Hannah Rankin the following year.

Despite those exploits, this fight being back down at 147 lbs arguably moves Harper back towards her more natural weight. The confidence of both fighters heading into the matchup has lent a spiky edge to the build-up.

“She knows who I am and what I’m bringing to the table. I’m looking forward to getting the best of Terri Harper,” Ryan proclaimed.

“I feel like she’s going to try and box me but if she wants to stand there and fight me, either way I don’t mind. I’m confident in both, whichever way the fight is going to end up. I’m going to be dictating, I’m confident what I bring to the table will be enough to defeat Terri Harper.”

Harper’s previous title defence up at super welterweight ended in a disputed draw with Cecilia Braekhus at the same Sheffield Arena where Saturday’s blows will be traded.

Outcomes such as that and Ryan’s deeply questionable draw with McCaskill have added weight to arguments that the elite female fighters should be able to compete over three-minute rounds, allowing their range of skills more time to shine and decisively claim an upper hand.

“I don’t mind, I can fight two minutes or three minutes,” Ryan said. “I train three and four minute rounds in the gym so I don’t mind going to three minutes, but it’s not my call. I’m just doing what I’m told to do.

“I also believe that if they did make it three minutes then they have to make the pay equal if they’re making the time equal.”

UPDATE ;Claressa Shields Threatens Cris Cyborg With Potential Lawsuit for Her Recent Remarks: “You Better Stop Lying”

Ryan vs. Harper is the co-main event alongside undefeated Sheffield super lightweight Dalton Smith’s step-up test against Jose Zepeda. It’s not quite equal billing, but a rejuvenated and re-focused Ryan might just end up stealing the show with a performance worthy of the Las Vegas fight fraternity to which she now belongs.

BOXING

Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson: Paul not worried about KO. ‘I’m too sharp and fast.’

Jake Paul says he’s not worried about Iron Mike Tyson’s power. “I have an iron chin.”

Jake Paul invited his girlfriend onto his latest podcast and she pulled no punches when talk turned to Paul’s fight against Mike Tyson scheduled for July 20.

“Hey babe, but what if he knocks you out?’ ’’ asked Jutta Leerdam, the Dutch speedskater.

JUST IN ;Jeff Goldblum Reflects on Witnessing Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield Infamous Bloody Fight Firsthand

In November 2020, Tyson fought Roy Jones Jr. in a eight-round exhibition. On the undercard that same night, Paul knocked out Nate Robinson. Since then, Paul has fought eight times. Tyson has not fought.

“I think just being active, and being the man in the arena for years and years now,’’ Paul said in explaining why he doesn’t think Tyson will knock him out. “Like I don’t even get nervous. The nerves are not even there anymore.”

Iron Chin vs. Iron Mike?

Paul reflected on a recent promotional shoot with Tyson that took place on a heli-pad in Los Angeles.

“Shaking his hand at the shoot, this (expletive) is strong as (expletive),’’ Paul said. “Like probably the strongest handshake…I don’t think he was trying not squeeze but you could just feel his hands were like bricks.’’

Saying he wants to see how hard Tyson hits, Paul looked at the camera while taping the podcast and said, “Mike, I really want to see, bro. Let’s see, all the legends, the myths, because you’re Iron Mike Tyson, but I have an iron chin.

RELATED ;I salute the trainer 57-year-old boxing legend Mike Tyson latest training clip leaves fans mighty impressed

“People know that. I take shots, so I think people are underestimating me being able to deal with his power. And that is something that is going to make it interesting.’’

Paul also addressed the 30-year-old age gap between him and Tyson and how that might impact the fight.

“I am biting off a lot,’’ Paul said. “This is definitely the toughest, most savage, lethal opponent regardless of age, because the power is the last thing to go.’’

Four months from the scheduled bout, Paul said he’s feeling no nervousness about fighting Tyson.

“Not at all,’’ he said. “I’m excited. I literally can’t wait to look across the ring and see him and give him an (expletive) death stare.’’

UPDATE ;‘Most avoided heavyweight on the planet’ will be a nightmare for Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk

But Paul’s girlfriend sounded less excited.

“I think you’re going to win,’’ Leerdam told Paul, “but he’s the competitor that’s, like, the most scary to me.”

BOXING

Gervonta Davis Warns His Opponent Frank Martin for Making Bold Claims About Sparring

After a year-long hiatus, Gervonta Davis is expected to return to the ring on 15 June against undefeated opponent Frank Martin. And the banter between the duo seems to have started with a sparring session. Earlier today, the Baltimore native turned to social media to warn his upcoming opponent for making some bold claims about their old sparring session.

‘Tank’ Davis hasn’t fought anyone since defeating Ryan Garcia in April last year, so fans have been eagerly awaiting his return. Even though nothing has been finalized yet, the back and forth between them points in the right direction. Meanwhile, one of Martin’s interviews with Naji seems to have rubbed Davis the wrong way!

‘Tank’ Davis confirms fight is in June

Despite no official word, as per reports, Davis and Martin may share the limelight with David Benavidez and his opponent Oleksandr Gvozdyk. The fight will also see Davis’ WBA lightweight title on the line. More importantly, Davis might have confirmed his fight date with a post on social media. He shared a picture from his fight against Ryan Garcia and simply wrote “June” in the caption.

Moreover, Davis’ fans interpreted the post in several different ways. While some thought he was teasing a rematch against Ryan Garcia, others thought it was a warning for Martin. However, given Garcia is slated to fight Devin Haney on April 20, that fight is unlikely to happen. The post most likely was Davis’ way of predicting what he would do to his next opponent, i.e. Martin.