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Campbell Hatton believes Anthony Joshua is back to his best and would beat Tyson Fury on current form.

AJ put on a scintillating display knocking Francis Ngannou out cold in the second round of his latest fight on March 8 in Saudi Arabia.

He earned plaudits for the second outing in the row, having stopped Otto Wallin in equally commanding fashion in December 2023.

He is now on a blazing trail under new cornerman Ben Davison, and the days of despair when losing twice to Oleksandr Usyk have been firmly put in the past.

READ MORE ;‘Jake Paul beat you’ – Nate Diaz reminded of last loss as he threatens to ‘whoop’ Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder

Fans have now began placing Joshua back into a clash with British rival Tyson Fury, with some even going as far as suggesting he is now the ‘best heavyweight in the world’.

But Hatton, who returns in a huge central area title clash on March 23 against Jimmy Joe Flint, believes AJ must be given the edge on current form.

That's nonsense' - Anthony Joshua shares his thoughts on Tyson Fury vs Francis  Ngannou fight | talkSPORT

“He did what he was meant to do to Ngannou,” Hatton told talkSPORT.com.

“I think physically AJ never lost anything, it has always been a bit of a mental issue where he has been gun-shy and struggled to let his hands go.

“I got quite excited watching it [KO of Ngannou], he is fighting with a lot of confidence and he seems to have got over that mental block. I think this move to Ben Davison has been great for him.

RELATED ;Francis Ngannou predicts who would win between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua  after losing to both British heavyweights in the last six months

“I have always said if he gets his head right he would be back, and he seems to have done that. Going off current form, you have to say that AJ beats Fury.

“But we need to see Fury fight Usyk before we get too giddy, because Fury could look a million dollars.

“Based on their last fights, you have to say AJ is back and he looked a lot better than Fury did in his last fight.”

Boxing: Tyson Fury: I'll beat Joshua with two punches and I'll chew Ngannou  up and spit him out | Marca

H.E. Turki Alalshikh (chairman of Saudi’s General Entertainment Authority – GEA) confirmed that he intends to make Joshua the main challenger to the undisputed crown.

However, the 35-year-old may choose to fight for the IBF title against Filip Hrgovic, if the Ukrainian vacates the belt should he face Fury in a rematch of their undisputed clash.

UPDATE ;Tyson Fury is finished, according to former world champ who saw Anthony Joshua fight

Although the former two-time champion’s trainer Davison admitted he would relish the chance of helping him get revenge against Usyk if a trilogy was available.

Tony Bellew believes Anthony Joshua would knock out Tyson Fury if the two British heavyweights finally agreed to fight each other.

Joshua dispatched Francis Ngannou inside two rounds in Saudi Arabia earlier this month, and has now had three of his last five fights in the Middle Eastern country.

Fury also fought in Saudi Arabia last time out, beating Ngannou on points in October, and is set to return there in May for his undisputed heavyweight clash with Oleksandr Usyk.

A win for Fury could set up a fight against Joshua, a mouthwatering prospect for British boxing.

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

And Bellew believes Joshua’s recent performances would make him the clear favourite against Fury, who only beat Ngannou on points in the MMA star’s boxing debut.

‘I believe he faces the winner of Tyson Fury v Oleksandr Usyk and if that is Fury who comes out as the winner and the undisputed champion, then Anthony Joshua knocks him out,’ Bellew told Spinbet.

🚨 Tony Bellew makes bold Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk pick

‘I just think he will let his hands go and stop Fury. His power is ridiculous and he has once again proven how destructive he can be, it is scary.’

Joshua demolished Ngannou in Saudi Arabia two weeks ago, just four months after the former UFC heavyweight champion knocked down Fury and pushed him all the way before losing a razor-thin points decision.

But the 34-year-old delivered a dominant performance as he knocked down the MMA star twice and then finished him with a devastating right hand that left the Cameroonian-born star requiring medical attention.

JUST IN ;Eddie Hearn responds to Francis Ngannou claiming he was tricked ahead of Anthony Joshua fight

Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn suggested earlier this week that his client and Fury could sign a two-fight deal to finally face each other, with one of the bouts potentially taking place at Wembley Stadium.

Joshua has now won his last four bouts since losing his rematch to Usyk by split decision two years ago, an emphatic return to form that has impressed Bellew.

Tony Bellew ranks Anthony Joshua ABOVE Tyson Fury in new top five  heavyweights list after Francis Ngannou KO | talkSPORT

‘You have to say well done to AJ because he is the one going out there and knocking these guys out,’ the former WBC cruiserweight champion said.

‘The job he did with Otto Wallin was absolutely clinical, it was a brilliant performance from start to finish.

‘The finish was ridiculous and then we cross over to the Francis Ngannou fight and everyone thinks he’s going to be in a world of trouble. I pretty much said it would be over within six rounds but what I did also say was that if it went past six rounds.’

Hearn feels Joshua has put himself back at the top of the heavyweight division, and admits even he was shocked by how easy the Brit made it look against Ngannou.

RELATED ;FRANCIS NGANNOU: EX-UFC HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION LAMENTS EARLY ARRIVAL TIME BEFORE ANTHONY JOSHUA DEFEAT

‘The comeback for Anthony Joshua is unbelievable. I’m talking about the mental comeback,’ Hearn, who is Joshua’s promoter, told iFL TV this month.

‘I’m talking about the comeback from criticism. I’m talking about the comeback to form. Should he retire now, or is he the best heavyweight in the world? It’s one of the two.

Tony Bellew claims Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury is back on | Metro News

‘So, what this guy has done to come back to the position he’s in is unbelievable. Like a broken man after the second Usyk fight, searching for answers, searching for form. He has worked so hard to find it.’

Bellew echoed Hearn’s stance, suggesting Joshua is mentally much stronger than he was even when he won his two world titles.

‘Anthony Joshua is in a place now where the mental fragility that he’s had placed on his name has now gone,’ he said.

UPDATE ;I got stopped by Anthony Joshua during 41-fight career, but Joe Joyce’s comeback opponent is the only man who truly knocked me out

‘There is no mental side anymore. He doesn’t have much to think about because Ben Davison has taken care of most of that. He knows he’s fit and can go and let his hands go.’

Eddie Hearn has hit back at Francis Ngannou following his claim.

Eddie Hearn has responded to Francis Ngannou claiming he was ‘tricked’ ahead of his fight against Anthony Joshua.

Ngannou suffered a brutal second-round defeat to Joshua in their Saudi Arabia showdown earlier this month.

Joshua floored Ngannou twice before landing a devastating blow to secure a big win.

After the fight, the former UFC heavyweight champion made a revelation as he explained the reason behind his crushing defeat.

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

On Monday, he then claimed he was ‘tricked’ ahead of entering the ring against ‘AJ’.

“They come to the locker around 1 and Joshua [was just arriving around 1],” he told Ariel Helwani. “I’m like, ‘OK, we are fighting at the same time, how come I have a pickup time?’

Francis Ngannou fight an option for Anthony Joshua, says Eddie Hearn - BBC  Sport

“We received a schedule, an email, and then for some reason I was there at least one hour before. But for the fight, at least two hours beforehand. They do this kind of trick to get you tired. I was like cool, I was like, ‘Bro, it’s OK’.”

Hearn, who promotes Joshua, has hit back at Ngannou’s statement as he left a comment on Pro Boxing Fans’ post on Instagram.

“I’m not sure he has come round yet,” he wrote.

RELATED ; Anthony Joshua gets ‘very cosy’ with Brit hairdresser in Dubai desert after she congratulated him after brutal knockout

The Matchroom chief is clearly unhappy at the way Ngannou is conducting himself following his second defeat in the world of boxing.

Speaking after Joshua’s demolition job, the English promoter exclaimed: “You are looking at the baddest man on the planet. The No 1 heavyweight in the world.

“There’s a brilliant fighter down there in Tyson Fury. Please beat Oleksandr Usyk, because you will get the biggest fight of all time.”

Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou - Eddie Hearn provides major update on  potential heavyweight clash | DAZN News US

Despite suffering back-to-back defeats following his UFC departure, ‘The Predator’ is still looking to pursue a career in boxing, admitting the sport ‘owes him something’.

Francis Ngannou claims he was ‘tricked’ ahead of his crushing knockout defeat against Anthony Joshua.

Ngannou succumbed to Joshua, who secured two knockdowns before landing a devastating punch to record a second-round victory in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

UPDATE ;Francis Ngannou predicts who would win between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua  after losing to both British heavyweights in the last six months

It’s his second defeat in a row in the world of boxing following his controversial loss against WBC title holder Tyson Fury last year.

Tyson Fury has been punched by both Francis Ngannou and Deontay Wilder, and he knows who hits harder.

Tyson Fury has made one of the biggest comebacks we have ever seen in the boxing world since his return to the ring back in 2017. The Gypsy King reigns as the WBC heavyweight champion, a title he beat Deontay Wilder for in 2020. Since his championship victory, the 35-year-old has fended off multiple challengers, including a Wilder rematch, Dillian Whyte, and Derek Chisora.

READ MORE ;‘Jake Paul beat you’ – Nate Diaz reminded of last loss as he threatens to ‘whoop’ Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder

Fury’s last fight, however, was against a rather surprising opponent, former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, who was taking part in his professional debut in the sport. Many would even tell you that the champion was lucky to come away with the win after being knocked down in round three, but according to the judges, he did get the job done, winning in the end via split decision.

Tyson Fury says he wants Francis Ngannou to 'knock Deontay Wilder spark  out' because he's a 'piece of s***' | talkSPORT

After clashes with two powerhouses of combat sport, Fury has now answered the question many would want to know the answer to. Who hits harder between Ngannou and Wilder? Speaking to The Stomping Ground, the Brit had no doubts whatsoever about who was the harder puncher.

Ngannou’s Step Into the Boxing World

The former UFC heavyweight champion chose to swap the Octagon for the ring last year after a contractual dispute with the UFC and Dana White. Since then, it’s safe to assume that he will be feeling rather disappointed that he’s lost both of his fights inside the ropes of a boxing ring. The Cameroonian’s debut on the boxing scene caused controversy as he lost to The Gypsy King via split decision, despite knocking Fury down during their bout in the third round. That meeting between the two heavyweights was not a title fight, but that would not have impacted Ngannou’s desire to win, and he was unlucky not to have his hand raised at the end.

RELATED ;“He’s a Real One”: Deontay Wilder’s Inspiring Message on His “Character” Earns Him Respect From Fans

The 37-year-old then met Fury’s British rival Anthony Joshua in the ring in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia earlier this month, and suffered a knockout defeat in just the second round. Ngannou has bemoaned that defeat, claiming he was “tricked” and did not feel right in the dressing room moments before his entrance. He has also, however, admitted that he doesn’t remember much of the fight, claiming to only recall AJ’s very first punch.

Boxing: Deontay Wilder wants to fight Francis Ngannou inside both a ring  and an octagon | Marca

Deontay Wilder’s Reign

Wilder held the WBC heavyweight championship for two years before his loss to Fury in 2017. The American defended his title multiple times during that two-year reign, seeing off challenges from names like Luis Ortiz, Dominic Breazeale, and Eric Molina.

Since his second defeat at the hands of Fury, Wilder has stepped into the ring on two more occasions, recording one defeat and one victory. After a knockout victory over Robert Helenius in Brooklyn, Wilder met Joseph Parker in Saudi Arabia, losing via split decision. That defeat was his first that did not come at the hands of The Gypsy King.

UPDATE ;Gervonta Davis destroyed punch machine challenge and beat scores set by Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder

The American has recorded 43 wins from 47 fights, 42 of those by knockout, losing three times, and drawing once, which also came in a clash with Fury. Those 42 knockouts show testament to Fury’s comments on just how hard the American can hit.

Simone Biles says that she has no regrets at all following the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, but adds that she should have withdrawn ahead of the Games. The 24-year-old suffered from the ‘twisties’ during the team final and would also withdraw from the all-around, vault, uneven bars and floor finals. She would return to win bronze on the balance beam.

Simone Biles says that she should not have competed at the Olympics.
The 24-year-old gymnast pulled out of four individual Olympic finals during Tokyo to protect her mental health after suffering from the so-called ‘twisties’. She returned to compete in the balance beam final and won a bronze medal.
Simone Biles exclusive: "I came to the realization, I can still be a wife  and be out here." - Exclusive
However, in a profile with The Cut, Biles has said that given the strain she suffered in the lead up to the Olympics, she should have withdrawn from competition before the event.
“If you looked at everything I’ve gone through for the past seven years, I should have never made another Olympic team,” began Biles.
Biles, the most decorated gymnast of all time, prepared for the Olympics after coming forward as a victim of the Larry Nassar abuse scandal. That fallout continues, with Biles giving her testimony to a US Senate hearing regarding failings in the investigation and prosecution of Nassar just two weeks ago.
“I should have quit way before Tokyo, when Larry Nassar was in the media for two years. It was too much,” she adds.
However, Biles added that she would not allow the disgraced former doctor to undo years of hard work.
However, at the Games, Biles suffered with the so-called ‘twisties’, where athletes lose all perspective of where they are in the air. After pulling out of the team final after her opening vault, she later withdrew from the all-around, vault, uneven bars and floor finals.
The four-time Olympic gold medallist added that the destabilising effect of the ‘twisties’ was similar to a loss of eyesight in everyday life.
“Say up until you are 30 years old you have your complete eyesight,” she added.
Simone Biles withdraws from Olympic floor exercise final - The Japan Times
“Sometimes it’s like, yeah, I’m perfectly okay with it. Like, that’s how it works. That’s how it panned out. And then other times I’ll just start bawling at the house.”
Biles added that she would not “change anything because everything happens for a reason” despite some less than generous coverage of her decision, and the 24-year-old gymnast said that being Black will have affected that coverage.
Of the many statistics that Tiger Woods dominated throughout his early-career run from the late 1990s into the early 2000s, arguably none was more significant than his play on the par 5s. Tiger led the PGA Tour in par-5 scoring average in every season from 1997 through 2003, and not just by a couple hundredths. He led by wide margins, which when added up over the course of a round and a tournament, largely contributed to his dominance.

READ MORE ;Tiger Woods: How the absence of the heartbeat of golf at The Players Championship is being felt

In playing these holes well under par—he averaged around 4.4 during that stretch—it may surprise you to learn that he wasn’t focusing on making birdies. Sure, that was the end goal, but Woods was focused on limiting the number of bogeys he made on par 5s.

In fact, it was part of his five goals that he had for every round, which according to course-management expert Scott Fawcett, were:

Tiger Woods remains listed in field for The Masters | Reuters

Woods figured out that if he could make six of fewer of these mistakes in a tournament, then he would win. What’s shocking is how they are all about not making mistakes. They’re not about making more birdies and eagles.

On the par 5s specifically, it is fascinating that by trying to avoid bogeys, Woods made more birdies and dominated those holes compared to the rest of the tour. What can we learn from his strategy? That’s what Luke Kerr-Dineen and I discussed on this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, which you can listen to here

JUST IN ;Tiger Woods wins the 2024 Bob Jones Award the USGA highest honor  with the 15-time major winner set to receive the prize at this year US Open

Often we step up to the par 5s thinking that since these are the easier holes, we need to make something happen. Play aggressively, hit it close, make birdie or an easy par. Yet in trying to force good things, we actually make crucial strategic mistakes that cause our scores to balloon.

Instead of approaching a par 5 and thinking, How can I make birdie or par?, start thinking, How can I make sure I avoid bogey, double or worse? It will free you up to play less aggressively, and in turn, your scoring average will drop.

PGA Tour Players and Saudi Arabia PIF Boss Yasir Al-Rumayyan to Meet in the  Bahamas, Tiger Woods Likely Attending - Sports Illustrated

2. Getting too fancy on the layup: It’s easy to lose focus on a layup shot. You’re not aiming at any specific target like the hole or middle of the green, so you lose focus and simply swing with no real intention. That’s when bad things happen. You lay it up into the rough, bunker or water. Or worse, you top or chunk it right in front of you. There’s a quick bogey or double.

Instead, be sure to pick a very specific, conservative target for your layup. Don’t force the ball too close to water, trees or other hazards. Even if that means you have a longer approach shot, that’s fine. You’re avoiding the big number.

RELATED ;Will Tiger Woods Use a Golf Cart at Seminole Pro Member After Worrying Illness That Forced Genesis WD?

So, during your next round, change your par-5 mindset and adopt Tiger’s approach, and remember, it’s OK to adapt your goal to your handicap. Tiger was trying to avoid bogeys, but if you’re a 10- or 20-handicap, maybe that means trying to avoid doubles or triples on par 5s. Whatever it is, the strategy remains the same.

Simone Biles is savoring precious moments before her husband Jonathan Owens flies to Chicago Bears. Recently, the couple enjoyed a romantic getaway in Oahu, Hawaii. But after a happy ending to this tropical vacation, the festivity extended with the most celebrated gymnast’s birthday bash. On March 14, Simone Biles completed her 27th spring, and the occasion held a special notation with many wishes from different fans.

Recently, Olympic gymnast Simone Biles found herself at the center of a fun controversy when a fan humorously accused her of stealing the latter’s birthday. Biles didn’t wait to respond to her fan’s claim with a diplomatic approach.

READ MORE ;Simone Biles’ Nostalgia Hits Best Friend Jordan Chiles From Their Team Together at the Olympics

The gymnast shared her celebrations for her belated 27th birthday. Posting on Instagram, she wrote, “365 days but this one is mine 🎂🎉🍾🧁✨”. In just 2 hours, the post was showered with love and affection from her fans and other athletes. Amid this one of the fans whose birthday was on the day she shared the post reacted with a witty and sarcastic comment, “Not you stealing my birthday from me”. The 27-year-old gymnast replied to the comment, “@kalyn.www mines actually 3/14 so you’re good lol – happy birthday! im just late to posting”. 

Simone Biles exclusive: "I came to the realization, I can still be a wife  and be out here." - Exclusive

As Biles marked her birthday on March 14, her husband Jonathan Owen’s heart-warming post got a lot of eyes upon it. However, Biles forgot to share the moments from her precious day on the 14th itself and decided to post about it a few days later. While the late post drew a comment from a fan, her fitting reply was applaudable.

Simone Biles’ love and support for her fans

The gymnastic GOAT has always shown love towards her fans. She always shares her thoughts and feelings for her fans openly. One such incident took place in April 2023, when one fan posted a video of her daughter wearing the Simone Biles × Athleta T-shirt, with the caption, “We love you”. The gymnast re-shared the post to her story with an appreciative gesture.

Simone Biles withdraws from Olympic floor exercise final - The Japan Times

This wholesome nature of Simone Biles always wins hearts. Except for having so many achievements, the athlete has not lost touch with her fans and leaves no chance to do so even now. Even at the peak of her career right now, her ability to navigate such situations with grace and maturity solidifies her legacy as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time.

In the boxing world, eyes are on Ryan Garcia as he preps for Devin Haney. Their fight is slated for April 20th, stirring anticipation. Recently, Garcia’s behavior has sparked discussions. His social media is a mix of erratic and intriguing posts. A notable clip showed him shadowboxing in slow motion.

Derrick James, his trainer, watched, visibly annoyed by the spectacle. This wasn’t typical training footage. Yet, Claressa Shields saw potential in Garcia’s mitt-hitting session. The champion boxer shared the clip, signaling approval. Her recognition shifts the narrative, suggesting Garcia is more focused than perceived.

READ MORE ;Claressa Shields completes epic body transformation ahead of MMA comeback fight: ‘I conquered depression’

Ryan Garcia recently took to social media, flashing speed in a compelling mitt workout video. He captioned the post with a blend of humor and self-awareness, stating, “Nothing to see here 👀👀👀 I’m crazy remember 😆😆😆 A lunatic that boxes oh shoot watch out 🤜 Who knows what this manic may do 😅.” This post emerges amidst the boxer’s series of enigmatic and controversial social media activities, sparking widespread speculation about his state of mind and readiness for the upcoming bout.

Claressa Shields' Predicts Ryan Garcia's Fate Against “Better Boxer” Devin  Haney - EssentiallySports

In response, Claressa Shields, the GWOAT, shared Garcia’s clip on her story, offering her stamp of approval. She wrote, “Now this actually looks good,” tagging Ryan, thereby aligning her credibility with his displayed skills. Her endorsement serves as a significant morale booster.

Subtly suggesting that behind Garcia’s erratic public persona lies a focused athlete who is seriously honing his craft for the high-stakes clash against Devin Haney. Although Ryan looks good in this clip, he still has things going on with him outside the ring.

Ryan Garcia claims that his ’emotional clip’ was shortened to make it look different

Ryan Garcia recently addressed the misconceptions surrounding a particularly emotional clip circulating online. On his X account, he clarified the tears shed were an expression of his deep religious fervor, not mental health concerns. “Praise Jesus, those who know the Holy Spirit will make a grown man cry. You shortened the video I was worshipping God on my TikTok live with my community,” Garcia expressed, emphasizing the spiritual context misunderstood by many.

Weekend takeaways: Wilder, Shields, Haney, Baumgardner, more - Bad Left Hook

 

He criticized the misleading portrayal, stating, “I love God and you titled this as if I was crying due to mental instability. I find it distasteful, and disrespectful to my beliefs. But again, get your clicks and views. See you 4/20.” The Victorville native called out famed journalist Michael Benson for posting the clip to gain views. This statement also reflects Garcia’s attempt to set the record straight, reinforcing his connection to his faith over unfounded speculations.

UPDATE ;“Are You Fighting Me or Not?”: Claressa Shields Sends Separate Challenges to Alycia Baumgardner and Cris Cyborg

As Garcia continues to fight the demons, what’s more important is the upcoming Brooklyn fight between the former undisputed lightweight champion and the current WBC Super Lightweight Champion. Will this blend of vulnerability and strength propel ‘King’ to new heights? Garcia’s fight against ‘The Dream’ goes down to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY.

The much-anticipated fight between YouTube star Jake Paul and former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson is still months away at this point. However, this will not be your average, ordinary, every day fight. After all, there’s a 30-year age gap between the fighters and one of them hasn’t boxed in nearly two decades.

There were rumors early on that the fight would give heavy advantages to Paul, who has still only participated in 10 fights in his career (albeit, he’s 9-1 with six KOs). Those advantages have not been confirmed though, with some being flat out denied. Regardless, as it stands, what do experts believe will happen in the fight? Will “Iron Mike” be able to turn back the clock and show us what made him the most feared man in boxing three decades ago?

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

Here is everything we know about the upcoming fight between Paul and Tyson.

Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson:Preliminary odds and what to know ahead of Netflix boxing match

As soon as he hits him it's over' - UFC legend Chuck Liddell weighs in on  controversial Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson fight | talkSPORT

When is the Paul-Tyson bout?

The fight is slated for Saturday, July 20, 2024. The fight will take place at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, in Arlington, TX. It will be available for streaming on Netflix.

When was the last time Paul and Tyson fought?

Paul’s last fight was a TKO victory over Ryan Bourland on March 2, 2024. It was Paul’s third win in a row, with his only career loss coming via split decision against Tommy Fury on February 26, 2023. Paul has previously fought as a cruiserweight for most of his fighting career. He will look to gain weight to classify as a heavyweight for the fight against Tyson.

JUST IN ;Francis Ngannou drops Mike Tyson bombshell ahead of Anthony Joshua fight

Mike Tyson, who will be 58 years old at the time of the fight, has not fought professionally since 2005, where he lost in the sixth round via corner retirement to Kevin McBride. Tyson did participate in an exhibition bout against Roy Jones Jr. on November 28, 2020. The upcoming fight against Paul has yet to be classified as an exhibition or pro match yet.

Daniel Cormier: Jake Paul in a 'no-win situation' boxing Mike Tyson

What will the rules for the fight be?

Though early rumors indicated that both Paul and Tyson would wear headgear for the fight, those rumors have since been contested by Paul’s business partner, Nakisa Bidarian.

“Unequivocally there is no headgear for Paul vs Tyson,” Bidarianwrote on Instagram. He continued. “Haters spreading fake news but it won’t stop the 10’s of millions of views.”

There were also rumors that Paul and Tyson would be using bigger gloves (18 ounces) in order to help prevent serious injury from either fighter. Those rumors have been neither confirmed nor dispelled.

Reports indicate that both Paul and Tyson want the fight to be an official professional bout, but that decision must be made by the Texas commission. As of March 19, no decision has been made.

Will there be other fights prior to the main event?

No other fights have been announced. If any other fights will join the undercard, they will be announced in the coming weeks.

Boxing: Jake Paul reveals the probable reason Mike Tyson doesn't want to  fight him | Marca

 

Predictions:

Joe Rogan: Mike Tyson wins

During an episode of his podcast, Rogan, said regarding the Paul-Tyson fight “I don’t give a f**k if he’s 55, that’s still Mike Tyson. He trains with Rafael Cordeiro, who’s a legend in MMA. He runs Kings Mixed Martial Arts. Rafael is a world-renowned trainer. When you see him holding the mits for Tyson and Tyson is smashing the mits. Jesus! That guy can still f*** you up.”

Amir Khan: Mike Tyson by knockout

UPDATE ;Mike Tyson urges Biden to free thousands locked up over cannabis: ‘Right these wrongs’

The former world champion Khan said last week, “Is it just hype with Mike and Jake posting it at the same? This is unreal and I hope that Mike doesn’t end up hurting him because at the end of the day, I like Jake, but Mike is not a person you want to mess with or do an exhibition with, especially when you’re a lot smaller and lighter.”

Paul isn’t smaller than Tyson though. Sure, he was lighter in his last fight, but Paul has the height and reach on Tyson, so perhaps Paul has a better chance than Khan is giving him credit.

Bud raised his hand to fight Canelo in September, but was ruled out because he would have to move up three divisions

Terence Crawford appears to have given up on seeking the undisputed title in three different divisions in a fight that, on paper, looked like a big money contest against Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez for the 168-pound super middleweight title.

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

A few weeks ago, his name was discarded by Canelo himself, under the argument that the weight difference was excessive, and now, ‘Bud’ has given signs that he does not want to move up a division, ‘no matter what’ to force a fight as mandatory challenger.

Canelo his also chosen his next opponent in Mexican Jaime Munguía, while for Crawford there could be a fight against another Mexican, David Benavidez, in September.

Terence Crawford has doors open for a shot against Canelo Alvarez, would  take it "in a heartbeat" | Marca

Even Jermall Charlo, who was dropped as a possible opponent for the Mexican champion for the May 4 show, would have a better chance of challenging Canelo than Crawford himself.

If Crawford had fought in the 80’s he would have moved up the ranks in a short time, as Tommy Hearns and Sugar Ray Leonard did, beating all the available challengers and earning himself a chance against the Mexican. But Canelo continues to ignore him and he seems to have given up hope

Meanwhile, many pundits believe Crawford just wants to move up from welterweight in search of a big retirement cheque and do it right away, without proving his quality is undiminished despite a considerable pound-for-pound payday.

RELATED ;David Benavidez vs. Terence Crawford? Floyd Mayweather shares surprising alternative for a potential mega-fight at 168 pounds

Canelo also moved up to welterweight, but unlike Bud, he did beat all the quality opponents – David Morrell Jr. and Caleb Plant – to get there. Crawford should be looking for such opponents first, not getting favors from Canelo, because at this point, he poses no real threat to the Mexican: if he beats him, everyone will say it was because of the significant weight difference between them.

Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford timeline: Will undisputed boxing  champions fight one another in 2024? | Sporting News Canada

Besides, Bud is 36 years old and is no longer at the top of his game, but is looking for big money to forge his legend.

Instead, some experts believe a fight against Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis in his own division is more feasible, unless he feels it is too risky for him.

Terence Crawford’s manager discredits possible fight against Chris Eubank Jr.

Another possible opponent is Chris Eubank, but the trainer of the undisputed welterweight champion Brian McIntyre was quite adamant that it was all “fake news”.

UPDATE ;Boxing Update: Terence Crawford Gets Special Recognition From WBO – Receives ‘Ring Of Power’

This would be a big jump for Crawford as he looks to establish himself in new divisions. However, McIntyre believes it’s just Eubank Jr. having fun with the current trend, and there has been no discussion about this fight.