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Wainwright evaluates Oleksandr Usyk

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Oleksandr Usyk has strengthened his claim that the best gigantic man of his era is beating Tyson Fury for all the heavyweight crutches. (Photo: Mikey Williams – top position)

While the elderly saying, “A good gigantic un beats a good little un” remains true, Oleksandr Usyk’s victory over Tyson Fury reminded us that skill and will play a key role in balancing this equation.

Usyk remained peaceful throughout the week, while Fury was as erratic as ever; he remained hushed during the press conference before hurling profanities during the weigh-in.

It’s all part of the theater of the unexpected.

It’s not often that boxing is the main sporting event of the weekend, but this was one of those occasions. In the “The Ring’s Fight Picks” ranking, the experts were divided quite evenly.

Turki AlalShikh truly took boxing to the next level and made us believe that every fight is possible regardless of who the promoter is and which TV channel he works with.

Usyk and Fury were previously unable to finalize an agreement for a myriad of reasons, but His Excellency was able to break down those barriers and make the impossible possible.

We had to wait another three months when Fury was cut before the original February 17 date. It all added to the drama. After all, we have waited over 20 years for the undisputed heavyweight champion. What difference will three more months make?

There was also the Razzmatazz that goes hand in hand with such a fantastic show, as well as a pad that prepared everything perfectly.

Oleksandr Usyk did not withdraw from his fight with Tyson Fury at any point in the preparation for the May 18 fight. (Photo: Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

When the opening bell rang, Usyk was quick to step in and initiate the action, and that continued throughout. Despite giving up 30 pounds and other assorted physical advantages, he had no problem going into the fire.

The Ukrainian wizard started well and, for my taste, won the first three rounds. However, there were signs of life in the third game from Fury who then turned the tables on Usyk and I felt like I won rounds four to six with some uppercuts and good body work that seemed to bother Usyk, which leveled the fight.

We have seen in the past that when Usyk needed something, he responded matter-of-factly and that was the case here. The seventh round was a turning point for me, with Usyk successfully stopping the rot. There was no doubt in the eighth when Usyk bloodied Fury’s nose with a well-timed left hand, and at the end of the ninth Usyk rocked Fury strenuous, sending him drunkenly off the bar and into the ropes. Usyk’s unerring aim knocked Fury’s head back and into the ropes, where referee Mark Nelson intervened and counted Fury. These were the whispers Fury received when Nelson stopped the fight, which couldn’t really be argued with, but he was probably referring to Fury’s regenerative powers. Fury stood up and looked exhausted. It seemed to take forever for Nelson to count and by then the round was over.

A minute of rest didn’t prove to be enough, but to Fury’s credit he managed to survive round 10 and, although still shaken, managed to stay on his feet. Usyk chose not to empty his gas tank, outnumbered Fury and took the round.

Usyk dominated again in 11th place, and 12th place was again, for me, the turnaround. I had no doubt that Usyk would win, but it wasn’t my scorecard that mattered. Michael Buffer read 115-112 Usyk, 114-113 Fury, then 114-113 Usyk.

Fortunately, the right man won, but what’s disturbing is how Craig Metcalfe came up with Fury as the winner. I don’t remember anyone other than Fury claiming to have won in the post-fight interview.

Before the weekend, Naoya Inoue was number 1, Terence Crawford was number 2 and Usyk was number three.

The great performance even caught the attention of Crawford.

Both sides agreed before the fight to a rematch tentatively scheduled for October, and nothing changed during their post-fight interviews.

There seems to be little more that Usyk can do in boxing than topping up his bank account. After winning gold at the 2012 Olympics as part of the Ukrainian dream team along with Oleksandr Gvozdyk, Vasily Lomachenko and Denys Berinchyk, who added to his country’s joy a few hours later by winning the world title.

Usyk turned professional in tardy 2013. I clearly remember seeing him around when I attended Wladimir Klitschko-Kubrat Pulev in Hamburg, Germany in November 2014. We spoke briefly, but what always stuck with me was how valued I was at ringside when he was on the field. outer bowl, basically in the crowd. I had to go to him because he wasn’t allowed in the ring.

His talent was never in doubt and he won the WBO title in his 10th fight against undefeated Krzysztof Głowacki in the defending champion’s home country of Poland. After several defenses, he teamed up to defeat WBC counterpart Mairis Briedis again behind enemy lines, this time in Latvia. He became Ring Magazine’s undisputed champion after a near-flawless performance against Murat Gassiev in Russia and added the Muhammad Ali Trophy to the mix.

Initially, it took him some time to get used to fighting in the heavyweight division against the likes of Chazz Witherspoon and Dereck Chisora, but as he got the hang of it, he was able to defeat Anthony Joshua twice, Daniel Dubois and now Fury. Not bad.

Usyk is a first-ballot star who is probably in all-time great territory right now. Not bad for someone who couldn’t even stand ringside for a heavyweight title fight ten years ago.

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Boxing

The fight between Alexis Rocha and Raul Curiel will take place on December 14 at the Toyota Arena

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Rocha vs Curiel

In a clash of forces between two world title contenders, NABO welterweight titleholder Alexis “Lex” Rocha (25-2-0, 16 KO) will put his skills to the test against undefeated knockout and NABF welterweight titleholder Raul “El Cugar “. Curiel (15-0, 13 KO).

The 10-round main event will take place on Saturday, December 14, live from the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California, and will be broadcast worldwide on DAZN.

“‘The best versus the best’ is Golden Boy’s mantra and that’s what fans will see as Rocha and Curiel take on everything that’s on the table,” said President and CEO Oscar De La Hoya. “Rocha is a veteran whose goal is to win the world title, Curiel is an undefeated blue-chip prospect with huge potential. It’s really a 50/50 fight and I’m looking forward to it.”

Tickets for the Rocha vs. match Curiel will go on sale on Friday, October 11 at 10 a.m. PT and will be priced at $100, $75, $50 and $25, excluding applicable service fees. A confined number of Golden Boy VIP Experience tickets will also be available, including exclusive merchandise and fight night upgrades. Standard and VIP tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com, Toyota-arena.com, Goldenboy.com or at the Toyota Arena box office from Monday to Friday from 12:00 to 16:00

“I’ve seen Raul Curiel all these years and he never once mentioned my name,” Alexis Rocha said. “After my last defeat, he suddenly became interested in fighting me. If he thinks I’ve lost a step or somehow had an simple fight, he’s in for a rude awakening. I can’t wait to make a statement and show the world what I’m capable of.”

Santa Ana, California Rep. Alexis “Lex” Rocha comes from a struggling family. The younger brother of Ronny Rios, he was the youngest fighter to win a gold medal at the Junior Olympics at the age of 14 in 2012 and caught the attention of the boxing world by becoming a six-time national champion during his amateur career. Rocha signed with Golden Boy in January 2016 and made his professional debut in March 2016, defeating Jordan Rosario at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles. Since then, he has amassed an enviable record of powerful knockouts over top contenders and plans to return to world title contention, with his last fight being a victory over undefeated Santiago Dominguez on July 19 last year.

“The fans can expect a war,” said Raul Curiel. “I’m going to prepare well to put on a great show. This will be the most essential fight of my career so far. I know Alexis is a great fighter, a good opponent and will also show up prepared. My focus is on Alexis and if I can beat him, I know it will give me a chance to fight for the world championship.

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George Kambosos moves up to 140, adds Eddie Hearn to team

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George Kambosos beats Teofimo

Former unified lightweight champion George Kambosos approached promoter Eddie Hearn asking for more massive fights.

Kambosos has signed a co-promotional deal with Eddie Hearn, under which the Greek-Australian slugger will continue his association with DiBella Entertainment Inc. and his own company, Ferocious Promotions.

The 21-3 star will move up to the super lightweight division of Matchroom Boxing’s lively division. He aims to become a two-weight world champion in early 2025, and as part of the deal, a title fight is promised as long as he continues to win.

Since his stunning victory over Teofimo Lopez, Kambosos has never shied away from competing against the best. Those three losses on his resume came to Devin Haney [twice] and Vasily Lomachenko, all at home and all for world titles.

The 31-year-old is now set to face compatriot Liam Paro after defending his IBF title against Richardson Hitchins in December in Puerto Rico.

“I am thrilled to be working with Matchroom Boxing. I am excited to have signed a three-way promotional cooperation agreement with my long-time promoter DiBella Entertainment Inc. and Ferocious Promotions,” Kambosos said.

“I made great success and history when I moved up the Matchroom shows by winning my UK elimination fight against Lee Selby. The most noteworthy and unforgettable is my victory against Teofimo at Madison Square Garden in Up-to-date York to become the 135-pound world champion.

“I am officially announcing that I will be moving up to 140 pounds and signing with Matchroom will ensure my continued success and the legacy I want to leave in the sport of boxing.”

Hearn, who adds an experienced campaigner to his stable, added: “I am delighted to welcome George to the team. George’s victory over Teofimo tore up the script and showed that George was the man for the massive time. He has proven to be a huge attraction in Australia and one of the real driving forces behind the rapid growth of boxing Down Under.

“The 140-pound division is full of massive names and massive potential fights. Adding George to the mix only elevates the level, and a possible fight with Liam Paro is a truly appetizing prospect. If Liam manages to win in a great fight against Richardson on December 7th [the fight could be on].

Lou DiBella, who has worked with Kambosos for years, said: “I’m glad I was able to make a deal with my antique buddy Eddie to work with George Kambosos Jr. and Ferocious Promotions.

“Throughout his career, George has been a fighter who has never shied away from a challenge, and now he wants to test himself against top junior welterweights.

Matchroom works with top 140-pounders, including George’s compatriot Liam Paro, and, like DiBella Entertainment, is heavily invested in Australia.

“It’s a natural partnership,” added the Up-to-date Yorker.

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Boxing

Mike Tyson had absolutely no chance of knocking out Jake Paul

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Mike Tyson comeback black

One of the hottest topics surrounding Mike Tyson’s return at the age of 58 was the possibility of the boxing legend scoring a knockout of Jake Paul.

WBN has weighed in on this topic several times, questioning the validity of five-second training clips that revealed nothing about Tyson’s abilities at this overdue age. One of the most intriguing observations during the preparations was the opinion of UFC commentator Daniel Cormier.

Speaking on his show “Funky and the Champ,” Cormier reflected on Tyson’s social media videos and offered an informed opinion on the meaning of the clips.

“I understand that [he is in amazing shape at 58]and I understand what he is saying [he feels as though he can compete]– Cormier said. “And I agree that when he hits the pads with Rafael Cordeiro, it looks like there’s still something left in him.

“But then I watch Jake Paul fight Mike Perry. I saw Jake Paul get overwhelmed to the point where he started to feel uncomfortable. It looked like Mike Perry had a chance. But Jake has a reserve tank he can go to and benefit from because he’s 28 years ancient. Then he comes back and finally finishes Mike Perry.

“At the beginning of the fight, Mike Perry gets beaten up and dropped. He looks trained and unmatched. This worries me because what if it looks like a 58-year-old man fighting a 28-year-old man while Mike can’t employ the backup tank to stay and compete with this newborn kid? I think it’s a failure for Jake Paul because if you beat Mike Tyson, everyone will love him.

He added: “What if Mike knocks him out? It’s over. Everything is ready. This would be the backfire of all time. If he gets knocked out, nothing like that has ever happened in the history of the sport.”

Unfortunately for Tyson, this revenge backfired spectacularly, as the former heavyweight champion’s return was the only event that bombed. Tyson had nothing left twenty years after he had nothing left in his tank and no desire to box in his mind.

Paul parlayed this into a money-making scheme that would forever be a success for him and his company, but would be poorly received by the die-hard boxing fraternity.

Cormier’s words resonate, especially after what happened in the ring when Mike Tyson struggled to shift into first gear, warning former fighters thinking about returning after 50.

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