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Oleksandr Usyk Taking Anthony Joshua Punch is a Warning to Tyson Fury

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Oleksandr Usyk Anthony Joshua

Usyk may only have fought five times as a heavyweight, but he’s already proved his chin..

Tyson Fury firmly believes that he will have a major advantage over former cruiserweight Oleksandr Usyk when the pair meet on the 18th of May for the undisputed world championship – with the Brit suggesting that his opponent will struggle to deal with the power of a fully-fledged heavyweight.

“Size is what really matters, and we have weight divisions for a reason,” claimed ‘The Gypsy King’ in a press conference last month, per BBC Sport. “You can beat the average big ones, but you can’t beat the elite big ones.”

READ NEXT :Malik Scott: Deontay Wilder Would Fight Anthony Joshua at Wembley

While there is some truth to Fury’s point, Usyk has defeated former two-time world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua twice – and it would be a stretch to call the Londoner “average”! The Ukrainian comfortably outpointed ‘AJ’ both times they shared the ring and certainly proved the quality of his chin when he was caught with a massive right hand from Joshua in the 10th round of their first meeting. As the footage below shows, the 37-year-old brushed off the huge blow in mere seconds and continued his march towards victory.

Anthony Joshua v Oleksandr Usyk 'Rage on the Red Sea' venue confirmed, set to take place in Saudi Arabia - Eurosport

Oleksandr Usyk Proved his Chin After Being Caught Flush by Anthony Joshua in September 2021

The world champion was hardly troubled by the huge blow

Fury v Usyk will be the first time all four major world heavyweight titles have been on the line in the modern era. The Morecambe fighter may believe that his size and reach advantage will allow him to take home all the gold, but former cruiserweight world champion – and Usyk opponent – Tony Bellew disagrees.

Speaking to talkSPORT, the Liverpudlian admitted that Usyk was the only opponent he ever faced in h

JUST IN :Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua target date revealed by Turki Alalshikh

is professional career that he felt “out of his depth” against. Bellew also highlighted the ability of ‘The Cat’ to perform under pressure, pointing out: “He’s gone to every single champion’s backyard and their patch and beat them up! He didn’t even take a punch against Murat Gassiev.” In fact, if it wasn’t for Fury’s seven-inch reach advantage, Bellew wouldn’t give his fellow countryman much chance of victory at all.

Joshua-Usyk results: Full round-by-round scores as Oleksandr Usyk upsets Anthony Joshua for title - DraftKings Network

The showdown between Fury and Usyk in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia is one of the most highly-anticipated in modern boxing history. Neither man has ever lost a professional contest – and they won’t be planning on that fact changing next weekend.

RELATED NEWS :WILD THING New Anthony Joshua vs Deontay Wilder hurdle arises as Saudi boxing chief throws massive spanner into works

Fury has scored stoppage victories in 24 of his 34 wins and undoubtedly has the power to end the contest at a moment’s notice. However, Usyk has shown himself to be a top-class operator during his five-fight stint at heavyweight and will be intent upon proving the doubters – including Fury – wrong once again.

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Mike Tyson undergoes drastic diet change ahead of Jake Paul fight

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Mike Tyson Jake Paul

Mike Tyson is eating ‘raw meat’ ahead of his upcoming clash with Jake Paul.

Paul and Tyson square off in a highly controversial professional bout at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on July 20.

The 57-year-old, who hasn’t competed in the paid ranks since losing to Kevin McBride in 2005, will box Paul at heavyweight over eight, two-minute rounds.

Following his retirement from the sport, his diet spiralled out of control.

READ NEXT :Jake Paul bulking up to same weight as Anthony Joshua ahead of Mike Tyson clash

A staple of steak, alcohol and drugs saw the former undisputed heavyweight champion balloon up to 27 stone.

After five years of binge eating, he adopted a vegan diet to help him shift the weight and alleviate some of his health problems.

Mike Tyson v Jake Paul sanctioned as professional boxing match - and rules announced | Ents & Arts News | Sky News

During an interview with Damon Elliott, Tyson was asked what he was eating in preparation for his next fight.

A topless Tyson responded: “Raw meat.”

Elliott replied: “Seriously, Mike? You’re eating raw meat?”

To which, Tyson exclaimed: “I’m going to have to eat it now because my opponent’s going to be raw meat.”

Paul is also undergoing a big shift in his eating habits.

JUST IN :Lennox Lewis fight was a turning point for Mike Tyson as one moment paved the way for The Hangover and a whole new fanbase to lead to Jake Paul

The YouTuber-turned-boxer is plowing through food as he piles on the pounds for his heavyweight debut.

Jake Paul makes promise to 'end' Mike Tyson | Marca

“It’s just like shocking to people that that is how much I weigh,” Paul said on his podcast.

“I think just because normally I’m fighting at 200 and walking around at 210. It’s weird to me that I’m weighing 230.

“But since this was noodling after my last fight I’m just getting to eat as much as possible and it turns out my body carries this weight super well.

RELATED NEWS :Jake Paul is not satisfied with Mike Tyson alone and sends a clear message to Canelo Alvarez after his win over Munguia

“And I’m only growing. I think I’ll get up to 240 and probably cut down so I’m like way faster.

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What problems does Tiger Woods have with Rory McIllroy? The keys to their bad relationship

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Tiger Woods Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods’ relationship is reportedly ‘souring’ amid ongoing efforts to increase revenues for the PGA Tour.

In-fighting is said to have taken place amid Mcllroy’s attempts to return to the tour’s player advisory board. According to Golf Digest, Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth and Patrick Cantlay have all resisted the move.

On Wednesday, following the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Club, Mcllroy confirmed he would not be rejoining after all, after he left in November.

Golf Digest have reported that while the two are still ‘cordial’, their relationship has ‘soured’ over the last six months amid a “falling out” over their differing views on how to take the sport forward.

READ NEXT :Is Tiger Woods playing at the 2024 PGA Championship? Icon set to play at Valhalla as one event per month plan continues

It’s claimed that some players discussed the idea of veteran Webb Simpson vacating his seat on the condition it would go to Mcllroy, despite the fact the positions are usually voted upon.

Rory McIlroy hails Tiger Woods' involvement in PGA Tour discussions on LIV Golf | CNN

That won’t be the case, though, and as a result, Woods will be the only player negotiating with PIF, the Saudi Arabian consortium, along with a transaction subcommittee that also includes PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan, board chairman Joe Gorder, John W. Henry of Fenway Sports Group and Joe Ogilvie, a former tour player turned director liaison.

Mcllroy on staying away

Discussing his decision not to stay in the run for a seat on the board, Mcllroy has said: “I think it just…it got pretty complicated and pretty messy and I think with the way it happened, I think it opened up some old wounds and scar tissue from things that have happened before.

“I think there was a subset of people on the board that were maybe uncomfortable with me coming back on for some reason … I think Webb just stays on and sees out his term, and I think he’s gotten to a place where he’s comfortable with doing that and I just sort of keep doing what I’m doing.

Tiger Woods-Rory McIlroy relationship souring in PGA Tour drama

“So yeah, I put my hand up to help and it was – I wouldn’t say it was rejected, it was a complicated process to get through to put me back on there. So that’s all fine, no hard feelings and we’ll all move on.”

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Novak Djokovic hoping to hit peak form for French Open, Wimbledon, Olympics and US Open stretch this summer

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Novak Djokovic

Twenty-four time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic is yet to win a tour title in 2024, the 36-year-old having featured in only three tournaments so far this year; watch Djokovic face Corentin Moutet at the Italian Open from 6pm Friday, live on Sky Sports Tennis

Novak Djokovic says he is yet to find his highest level as he prepares for his opening match of the Italian Open on Friday, live on Sky Sports.

The men’s world No 1 has played in only three tournaments so far in 2024, losing in the semi-finals of both the opening Grand Slam of the season, the Australian Open, and on the clay at the Monte-Carlo Masters last month.

READ NEXT :Tennis legend praises Novak Djokovic’s ‘remarkable achievement’ after latest world No 1 record

The Italian Open represents Djokovic’s final tune-up ahead of his title defence at the French Open, where the 36-year-old is hoping “to arrive ready to fight for a title”, with further Slam opportunities at Wimbledon and the US Open, as well as the Olympics, lying in wait this summer.

Novak Djokovic sets sights on two successes in Paris and why Jude Bellingham is a 'great champion' | Tennis News | Sky Sports

“I’m yet to find the highest level of tennis,” Djokovic told Sky Sports.

“Obviously the block of Roland-Garros, Wimbledon, Olympics and US Open is the most important of the year for me. That’s the priority and what I’m setting my form for.

“Hopefully I can find that desired level of tennis this week; Roland-Garros is definitely where I want to arrive ready to fight for a title.”

JUST IN :Novak Djokovic dreaming of incredible ranking milestones amid Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner woes

Since the Australian Open in January, Djokovic has played only six matches in the subsequent three and a half months, which included suffering a shock third-round exit to qualifying lucky loser Luca Nardi at Indian Wells in March.

Novak Djokovic Is Fighting For The Future Of Tennis

The Serb isn’t worried about the possibility of being undercooked, however, going into his opening match against Corentin Moutet in Rome – live on Sky Sports Tennis from 6pm, Friday.

“It maybe takes a little bit more time to find that desired level because you’re lacking that competitive match play,” he added.

RELATED NEWS :Novak Djokovic Decides to Truly Fly Solo As He Drops Bombshell by Splitting with Long-Time Teammate

“But it’s a conscious decision I’m making [to play less]. I’m almost 37 and I want to spend more time with the family, and I want to pick and choose a little bit more from this season onwards – where I want to play, where I enjoy playing and where it suits my schedule so I can set my form for the biggest tournaments in the sport.”

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Core Hydration Classic can be first gymnastics meet with 3 U.S. Olympic all-around champs

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Simone Biles Suni Lee Gabby Douglas

Simone Biles, Suni Lee and Gabby Douglas all registered to compete at next week’s Core Hydration Classic, which would mark the first gymnastics meet to ever feature three American Olympic all-around gold medalists.

The Core Hydration Classic, which kicks off the lead up to next month’s Olympic Gymnastics Trials, airs live from Hartford, Connecticut, on CNBC and Peacock on May 18 from 7-9 p.m. ET. It also streams on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app for CNBC subscribers.

The registered field, which is subject to change, also includes Tokyo Olympic floor exercise gold medalist Jade Carey, Olympic team silver medalist Jordan Chiles and two-time world all-around medalist Shilese Jones.

READ NEXT :“Blindsided” Simone Biles Stunned Over How Her Comeback Season Played Out

The Classic is followed by the Xfinity U.S. Championships from May 30 to June 2 in Fort Worth, Texas, and the Olympic Trials from June 27-30 in Minneapolis.

Olympic champions Suni Lee, Simone Biles, Gabby Douglas set for U.S. Classic

The Olympic Trials all-around winner automatically makes the five-woman Olympic team for the Paris Games.

A committee selects the rest of the team, taking into account results from domestic and international competitions dating to last September, including the Core Hydration Classic.

Biles, the 2016 Olympic all-around gold medalist, is set to make her 2024 competition debut at Classic. At last year’s Classic, she won the all-around in her first competition since the Tokyo Games. She then won her eighth U.S. all-around title and her sixth world all-around title later in 2023.

JUST IN :Fighting Deadly Gymnastics Scare, Simone Biles And LSU’s Konnor McClain’s Coaches Saved Their Paris Olympics Hope

Lee, the Tokyo Olympic all-around gold medalist, competes for the third time in 2024 after taking part in February’s Winter Cup and April’s American Classic. In early 2023, Lee was diagnosed with two different types of kidney diseases, which has made training and competing difficult.

Olympic champs Simone Biles, Gabby Douglas, Suni Lee headline Core Hydration Classic

Douglas, the 2012 Olympic all-around gold medalist, returned to competition at the American Classic on April 27, her first meet since the 2016 Rio Games. Douglas performed best on vault (second place) and balance beam (tied for fifth) against a field that did not include most of the contenders to make the Paris Olympic team.

RELATED NEWS :OLYMPIC ALL-AROUND CHAMPIONS SUNI LEE, SIMONE BILES, GABBY DOUGLAS SET FOR U.S. CLASSIC

Correction: An earlier version of this post reported that the Core Hydration Classic could be the first gymnastics meet with three Olympic all-around champions from any country. It would not be the first. At the 1936 Olympics, the men’s all-around champions from 1924, 1928 and 1932 all competed.

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TYSON FURY V OLEKSANDR USYK: GEORGE GROVES SAYS ‘BEST VERSION OF FURY HAS BEEN AND GONE’ AND USYK IS ‘FAVOURITE’

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TYSON FURY V OLEKSANDR USYK GEORGE GROVES

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will face off in an undisputed heavyweight title fight in Saudi Arabia on May 18, live on TNT Sports Box Office. Ahead of the showdown, George Groves, Carl Froch and Fabio Wardley have given their views on the fighters and how they think the contest might play out. Froch says “Fury is going to struggle to land clean and that will be a problem for him”.

George Groves believes the “best version of Tyson Fury has been and gone” and thinks Oleksandr Usyk is the favourite for their undisputed heavyweight fight.
Fury and Usyk will meet in Saudi Arabia on May 18, live on TNT Sports Box Office, in a highly-anticipated contest.

READ NEXT :Eddie Hearn makes U-turn on prediction for Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk as he reassures fans there is ‘no doubt’ will happen

Both fighters are undefeated in their professional careers, but former super-middleweight champion Groves has questions about Fury’s recent form.
Since the start of 2022 the 35-year-old has beaten Dillian Whyte and Derek Chisora, while his most recent fight was a controversial split-decision win over former UFC champion Francis Ngannou.
Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk: Former world champion explains why he backs Usyk to win | DAZN News US
“I think the best version of Tyson Fury has been and gone,” said Groves on The Breakdown on TNT Sports.
“In the last couple of years he had the win against Dillian Whyte and Derek Chisora but they weren’t as competitive as this fight. Against Ngannou he was awful and was fortunate to get the win. That’s going to be tough to come back from.
“If I am Fury and I have to pick my feet up and match the foot speed of Usyk that is a tough job. Being able to compete with the punch output of Usyk, who goes through the gears throughout the fight, that’s a hard thing to do. He is calm and composed. He knows it is a 12-round fight and can build into the fight.
“I would rather be Usyk coming into this fight than Fury. He has a better chance and is in better form. I think Usyk is the favourite.”
Carl Froch thinks Usyk’s “intelligence and ring craft” could give him the edge against Fury in the fight live on TNT Sports Box Office.
“Usyk has got the tougher job to do, he’s shorter in height, not got as long a reach, but I think Tyson Fury is going to struggle to land clean and that will be a problem for him and the difference,” said the former super-middleweight champion.
George Groves on Fury: 'I think it's either Ngannou or that's the last of Fury'
“He might try and be a bit smarter because he’s not physically as capable as he was back in that second fight with Wilder. But he’s getting on, he’s slowing down, the sharpness and reflexes go, I think it’s catching up with him.

JUST IN :Anthony Joshua backed to ‘wipe the floor’ with Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury by Derek Chisora due to key change

“Usyk is 37 but he has the ability to have a couple of close rounds and then say ‘right I say struggled here’, and he goes back to his corner and then puts it on and gets behind more feints, more footwork, more aggression with the body language. I think he will do that with Fury and won’t allow Fury to lean on him and bully him.”
Usyk was last in action in August 2023 when he beat Daniel Dubois.
That fight was not without incident as Usyk was floored by a shot from Dubois that was ruled to be a low blow.
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Gervonta Davis Claims He’s Richer Than Floyd Mayweather At The Age Of 29 (WATCH)

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Gervonta Davis Floyd Mayweather

Gervonta Davis is raising eyebrows on social media after saying he’s richer than Floyd Mayweather Jr. at the age of 29.

Davis appeared as a guest on a recent episode of the ‘Cigar Talk’ podcast, which was published via YouTube on Sunday, May 5. During the 13-minute sitdown, Davis mentioned Mayweather while speaking about his financial standing and a deal he recently signed. To note, the boxers have had a long-standing rift since 2022, per MARCA.

“Floyd… feel as though I’m at that point where I start to pass him,” he said about ten minutes into the interview. “And I’m doing it at a young age. When Floyd was 29 — you’ll see, bro.”

READ NEXT :Claressa Shields Ropes In Gervonta Davis’ Mother to Prove a Point Against His Offensive Remarks

Davis paused on finishing his statement and instead added, “That deal I’m talking about — that deal? He don’t know nothing about that yet. But that’s bigger than his deal.”

Floyd Mayweather and Gervonta Davis Told to Fight Like Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson to Settle Their Beef - EssentiallySports

The professional boxer ultimately explained that the details about his recent signage will be released soon.

According to talkSPORT, Davis recently signed a six-to-seven-fight deal with the Premier Boxing Champions network. At this time, the figure he signed for appears to be under wraps. However, reports are circulating that Davis’ deal is expected to be worth around $250 million.

MARCA notes that Mayweather also signed a six-to-seven-fight deal with Showtime in 2013. However, his deal was worth $200 million, and at that time, he was 36 years old.

JUST IN :Shakur Stevenson predicts a rude awakening for Gervonta Davis when they meet

As The Shade Room previously reported, Davis recently made headlines in December 2023. At the time, the 29-year-old revealed that he formalized his conversion to Islam.

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Tyson Fury: How WBC heavyweight champion rose to fighting Oleksandr Usyk for undisputed status

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Tyson Fury Oleksandr Usyk

Ahead of fighting for the right to be crowned undisputed heavyweight champion, WBC title holder Tyson Fury reflects on his journey to the top of boxing; watch Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk live on Sky Sports Box Office on Saturday, May 18

At 20-years-old, Tyson Fury had already declared his intention to be world champion. Now, 16 years on, he has the opportunity to do something no heavyweight has achieved for a quarter of a century.

The WBC heavyweight title holder faces WBA, WBO and IBF unified king Oleksandr Usyk in Riyadh on Saturday May 18, live on Sky Sports Box Office, in a bid to become the first undisputed champion in boxing’s blue-ribband division since Lennox Lewis beat Evander Holyfield in 1999.

READ NEXT :Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk: Timing, pricing, booking details for undisputed heavyweight showdown on Saturday May 18

Watching back a video of himself talking about those ambitions at a time when he had barely a handful of professional fights under his belt, Fury is in no doubt what he would tell his younger self as he stands on the verge of making boxing history.

Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk - Lennox Lewis makes his prediction for undisputed heavyweight title clash | DAZN News CA

“What would I say? I think I had it all figured out, didn’t I?” Fury told Sky Sports. “You’re going to be world champion, yes.

“I can be world champion, be No 1 in the world, be the best and prove it – a young kid, a long time ago. I’m 36 this year so that was 16 years ago.

“I always believed, even when other people didn’t, that I would be a star and make millions of dollars from fights.

“I always believed I’d be heavyweight champion, I’m the best fighter in the world. First, you’ve got to believe, then you’ve got to achieve.”

JUST  IN :TYSON FURY WILL BE CHASING A GHOST OLEKSANDR USYK BACKED TO WIN UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT FIGHT BY TONY BELLEW

Fury, whose professional record stands at 34-0-1 (24), with the sole blemish being a draw in the first part of his epic trilogy with Deontay Wilder, has not had a simple road to the top though.

When is the Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk fight? Date, fight time, live stream & where to watch on TV | Goal.com Nigeria

Notably, there were his two and a half years out of the ring after defeating Wladimir Klitschko to become unified champion where he was embroiled in a legal fight with UKAD, which was resolved in December 2017, and battled his own personal demons.

However, he has been in the ascendancy since his return to the ring in May 2018 and believes the good times and the bad have served to shape the fighter he is now.

RELATED NEWS :Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk undisputed title fight will end in controversy, says Johnny Nelson

“You live and learn from your experiences – nothing happens overnight,” Fury said. “Back then, I wanted to fight [Wladimir] Klitschko and I did get to seven years after that.

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Joseph Parker’s Epic Video After Missing Out on Anthony Joshua Fight

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Joseph Parker Anthony Joshua

Joseph Parker has once again shown why he’s the king of the internet with yet another hilarious and creative video that has gone viral on social media.

The New Zealander went viral last month for his attempt to convince Dillian Whyte to step back in the ring with him with a parody of the Take That hit ‘Back For Good’.

He then took inspiration from Ed Sheeran’s 2011 chart-topper ‘Lego House’ and mimed the lyrics in an attempt to convince Anthony Joshua to a rematch.

READ NEXT :EXCLUSIVE :Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury date announced but fight depends on three conditions

The clip includes Parker playing the guitar and painting while pretending to sing the song. There’s also footage of his defeat to Joshua spliced into the video as the lyrics: “And it’s so hard to say it, but I’ve been here before,” play in the background.

Joshua vs Parker: Preview for world heavyweight title unification fight | Boxing News | Sky Sports

Parker even took a swipe at ‘AJ’ for holding during the first fight as Sheeran sings: “Don’t hold me down, I think my braces are breaking and it’s more than I can take!”. Elsewhere, shots of his wins over Wilder and Zhang are included to illustrate his return to the top of the pile.

The 32-year-old lost his WBO heavyweight title to Joshua back in 2018. After struggling to get his career back on track for several years following the defeat, he’s found his feet again over the last year. He shocked the world with a win over Deontay Wilder in December and has since gone on to beat Zhilei Zhang earlier this year.

JUST IN :WILD THING New Anthony Joshua vs Deontay Wilder hurdle arises as Saudi boxing chief throws massive spanner into works

In his latest trending video, Parker took inspiration from the UK’s hit television series ‘The Office.’ The expertly crafted clip includes the heavyweight star playing the guitar while pretending to sing the song from the episode ‘Training.’

Whyte vs Parker: Joseph Parker says Anthony Joshua did not show him respect after their unification fight | Boxing News | Sky Sports

David Brent – played by Ricky Gervais – performs ‘Freelove Freeway’ during an employee seminar. In Parker’s version, he’s surrounded by several members of his team in a hilarious parody of the original scene.

He captioned the video: “Team Parker office meeting discussing next fight options went really, really well!” The post was then accompanied by a few ‘The Office’ themed hashtags.

While the 32-year-old was seen recreating the famous scene, he never actually called anyone out, and judging from his caption, the New Zealander is itching to get back in the ring.

With His Excellency Turki Alalshikh and the rest of the Saudi boxing chiefs eyeing up a big event at Wembley in September, it looks as if Joshua is set to headline the potential card.

RELATED NEWS :Anthony Joshua predicts phenomenal rival to win Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk fight

Joshua, 34, went on to discuss his potential next opponent, and it appears Parker is not in his plans, revealing: On June 1 in Saudi Arabia they’ve got the 5 vs 5 card. You’ve got Filip Hrgovic vs Daniel Dubois, and you’ve got Zhilei Zhang vs Deontay Wilder.

Anthony Joshua vs Joseph Parker prize money: how much of the fight purse will the winner get?

“So providing one of those looks good – the one who looks the best, His Excellency Turki Alalshikh said to me, ‘I want you to fight [him].’ What he says is, ‘In the future I want people to look back at your record and say that you took on the best.’

“I said, ‘Now you’re speaking my language.’ So out of that pool, I believe that’s who I’m gonna be fighting, one of those. We’re on the same page and he’s on the same page as the fans as well. He’s trying to deliver what the fans want, I know they want that big fight with Tyson Fury and he’s working on it.

UPDATE :Anthony Joshua announces next fight date and teases Tyon Fury showdown

“But Fury’s got his obligations with Oleksandr Usyk so I’ve gotta make sure I stay focused and disciplined, keep steamrolling through opponents so I can get closer and closer to having the opportunity of me vs Tyson Fury.”

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Why Tiger Woods’ relationship with Rory McIlroy ‘has SOURED over recent months’

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Tiger Woods Rory McIlroy

Tiger Woods‘ relationship with Rory McIlroy has ‘soured over recent months’ amid reports that the four-time major champion won’t rejoin the PGA Tour board due to other golfers feeling ‘uncomfortable’ with his potential return.

That’s according to Golf Digest, which claimed on Wednesday that the two former No. 1s ‘remain cordial’ but have opposing views on the future of professional golf, leading to a fall out of sorts.

On the same day, McIlroy, who stepped down from the PGA Tour board in November, revealed that a plan to replace Webb Simpson was met with resistance from board members.

Simpson, one of six player-directors, recently offered to give up his seat – but only if McIlroy were to replace him. McIlroy would have needed board approval to be reinstated to his old position.

READ NEXT :Is Tiger Woods playing at the 2024 PGA Championship? Icon set to play at Valhalla as one event per month plan continues

But McIlroy said ahead of the Wells Fargo Championship that conversations surrounding his potential return became ‘pretty complicated and messy,’ which reminded him of why he left in the first place.

Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy lead Monday night TGL committed players

‘I think with the way it happened it opened up some old wounds and scar tissue from things that have happened before,’ McIlroy said. ‘I think there was a subset of people on the board that were maybe uncomfortable with me coming back on for some reason.’

McIlroy’s reinstatement would have been viewed as a chance to help improve the PGA Tour’s stalled negotiations with the Saudi financial backers of LIV Golf.

The world’s No. 2 player said when he stepped down he could no longer commit the time and energy that board work required with the PGA Tour trying to finalize an agreement with the Public Investment Fund.

JUST IN :Tiger Woods Sun Day Red officially goes on sale with prices revealed as golf icon appears on Jimmy Fallon for launch

Unable to finalize a deal by the end of last year, the PGA Tour brought in Strategic Sports Group as a minority investor. That deal could be worth as much as $3 billion.

9 questions and answers on the Rory McIlroy, PGA Tour board drama | Golf News and Tour Information | GolfDigest.com

 

‘I put my hand up to help and it was, I wouldn’t say it was rejected, (but) it was a complicated process to get through to put me back on there,’ McIlroy said of potentially returning the board.

‘So that’s all fine, no hard feelings and we’ll all move on.’

Simpson said he now plans to finish out his three-year term on the board. He said he offered to give up his seat to McIlroy because he’s a ‘global superstar’ and would give Europeans a needed voice in major tour decisions.

RELATED NEWS :Tiger Woods victim of blackmail as court hears New York vs Trump trial testimony

‘Rory always had great ideas of how do we move forward, how do we get the love and attention from fans back from where we had it maybe two years ago, how do we grow our business, all things related to the PGA Tour,’ Simpson said.

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