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David Haye sends a heartfelt message to Deontay Wilder

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Zhang stopped Wilder in five rounds Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

David Haye rushed to the defense of his former sparring partner Deontay Wilder following his devastating defeat to Zhilei Zhang on Saturday
David Haye rushed to the defense of his former sparring partner Deontay Wilder following his devastating defeat to Zhilei Zhang on Saturday

David Haye has praised Deontay Wilder for his “outstanding” career amid widespread expectations that the Alabama player will hang up the gloves.

Wilder suggested his future in the sport depends on victory Zhilei Zhang on Saturday in Saudi Arabia, the 38-year-old was crushed after a fifth-round defeat, his fourth loss in five fights.

The ‘Brown Bomber’ sparred with Haye on the eve of the Briton’s scheduled fight against Tyson Fury in 2013, before ‘Hayemaker’ ultimately withdrew due to injury.

Haye believes the former WBC heavyweight world champion should be respected if indeed Saturday’s defeat to Zhang was his final bow.

“Deontay Wilder started boxing at the age of 20 to earn some money to take care of his daughter, who was born with spina bifida,” the 43-year-old said in an interview for post on Linkedin.

“When he started boxing, he worked two jobs: as a waiter and a cleaner.

“Then Wilder traveled around the world as a sparring partner, and one of those sparring partners was me.

“He won a bronze medal at the 2008 Olympics.

Zhang stopped Wilder in five rounds.  Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Zhang stopped Wilder in five rounds. Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

“After winning the WBC heavyweight world title in 2015, he made 10 successful title defenses.

“No matter what comes next for Deontay after yesterday’s defeat, this is a truly exceptional career and an inspiring story that you will never forget.”

Wilder was caught with a counter right hand by Zhang and then sent to the canvas with another right hand and despite beating the count, referee Kieran McCann spared him further punishment.

The “Brown Bomber” has not yet commented on his future plans, although the prospect of a long-awaited fight with Anthony Joshua, who was watching the event from ringside, seems all but gone after the American’s devastating defeat.

Joshua is now expected to face Daniel Dubois on September 21 at Wembley Stadium after his compatriot stopped Filip Hrgovic in eight rounds to win the interim IBF heavyweight title, with a card prepared by His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority.

Undisputed world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has asked the IBF for an exception to keep his belt on the line for his December 21 rematch with Tyson Fury, but if the governing body rejects it, Joshua and Dubois could collide for the vacant IBF heavyweight division crown.

“We will go and talk to His Excellency [Turki Alalshikh]”, Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn told professional boxing fans on Saturday.

“I have to go to a meeting with him and then we will see what happens next.

“I think if the fight [for Joshua] against Dubois could give a shot at the world heavyweight title, and two Brits at Wembley could be an option.”

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UK Boxing

Jake Paul’s body language speaks volumes when he comes face to face with Conor McGregor

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Jake Paul seemed noticeably disinterested as he and his older brother Logan were on the same bus as their fierce rival, former UFC two-division champion Conor McGregor.

The three were connected on Monday before Donald Trump’s inauguration in Washington. The 78-year-old is scheduled to be sworn in today as the 47th president of the United States, eight years after he first took the oath of office.

Due to the presence of many stars at this historic event, emotions are still growing. However, fans were stunned when McGregor was seen posing next to the Paul brothers and riding in the same vehicle. Both Jake and his older brother Logan were accompanied to the ceremony by their mother, Pam Stepnick.

In a post sent to X – formerly known as Twitter – ‘The Problem Child’ shocked the combat sports community after posting a photo of the Irishman sitting behind him and his brother. Jake captioned the photo: “Inauguration going great.” One user responded to the snapshot: “I never thought I’d see a photo like this, with all the beef over the years,” while another wrote: “I can’t believe what I’m seeing.”

Despite the ongoing feud between brothers Paul and McGregor, it seems like “The Problem Child” wasn’t too concerned about being in the same distance as the UFC legend.

The photo surfaced shortly after Jake decided to take a swipe at McGregor online and posted: “Now it all makes sense why Conor Mcgregor and his management team were desperately trying to get MVP to negotiate a fight between us. As we’ve told them privately and now I’m saying it publicly… the only way we’re willing to compare me to Conor in a professional boxing/MMA fight is if Dana White/UFC are directly at the table or make it clear that everything ok with the discussions. Conor needs Logan if he wants.

Despite Paul’s choice of words, it seems the Irishman is more focused on his older brother Logan. Last month, it was reported that McGregor was negotiating to fight Paul’s older sibling. On the way to I have made preliminary arrangements with the Ambani family to face Logan Paul at a boxing event in India. I have agreed, and then I will try to return to the octagon.”

Even though “The Maverick” recently joined WWE, the tempting offer of going toe-to-toe with McGregor might just lure him back to the boxing ring. The 29-year-old directly approached Ari Emanuel, the head of Endeavor, owner of the UFC and WWE, for a chance to face “The Notorious”. In a video uploaded to YouTube, “The Maverick” and Emanuel can be seen warmly hugging and shaking hands before saying, “Ari, I need one favor from you,” to which the Endeavor boss replied, “Yes.” Paul made the following request: “I want you to give me the green featherlight to fight Conor.” There was a shared laugh and they both said “seriously.”

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UK Boxing

“Anthony Joshua is finished and I would love to withdraw him,” says his rival

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Whyte wants to run it back with Joshua Photo Credit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

UK Boxing

Anthony Taylor collapsed minutes after Darren Till KO and viewers were left terrified

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There were disturbing scenes during the last Misfits Boxing gala in Manchester on Saturday evening when Anthony Taylor collapsed after being stopped by fellow MMA fighter Darren Till.

The American took up the fight shortly after Tommy Fury withdrew, but he was no match for Till, who dominated from the very beginning.

In his first boxing fight, the Liverpudlian looked outstanding from the bell, displaying impressive hand speed and having no trouble countering Taylor’s aggressive approach.

Threatening to KO from the start, Till secured a stoppage in the sixth round.

But what happened next shocked those who watched the event. Taylor, who entered the fight with a 7-4 boxing record, broke down in post-fight interviews. He was later taken away from the Co-Op Arena in a wheelchair.

Many assumed that Taylor was then taken to the hospital for tests. However, according to Ariel Helwani, after being given oxygen and found to be stable, he was allowed to return to his accommodation.

Misfits co-founder Mams Taylor later confirmed that Taylor had regained consciousness. He also said Taylor did not need a hospital visit because he was “conscious and well” when he entered the locker room.

He later posted a video on social media in which he spoke clearly and promised to bounce back from the shocking defeat. “It’s OK, I took the L (loss) like a motherfucker,” he said.

“I’ll be back. I’m fine. Thank you all for your love and support, thank you to everyone who makes fun of me too. I don’t give a damn. I deserve it. But at the end of the day, I’ll fucking come back.”

“Pretty Boy,” who has a professional MMA record of 7-5 but has not fought since August 2019, also took aim at Fury. WX wrote, “Now we know why Tommy Fury backed out,” along with two laughing emojis.

The Misfits Boxing 20 main event was only organized after the Manchester fighter withdrew. The younger brother of former heavyweight champion Tyson stated that he was not content with Till’s claim that he would resort to “MMA tactics” if he lost the fight.

Do later denied that he wasn’t stern when giving the warning, saying it was simply a marketing tactic. It wasn’t until December 29 that it was confirmed that Taylor had stepped in as a replacement.

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