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UK Boxing

Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois suffer huge loss as former world champion withdraws

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The Anthony Joshua vs. Daniel Dubois show has been dealt a major blow when former WBO welterweight champion Liam Smith pulled out of the fight ahead of the event. The 36-year-old was due to face Josh Kelly at Wembley but the former contracted the virus.

The night of the blockbusters is set to be one of the most anticipated of the year, with an estimated 96,000 people expected to turn up at the National Stadium. In Joshua’s 13th world title fight, the Watford-born star will attempt to wrest the IBF belt from his upcoming opponent in what promises to be a thrilling heavyweight clash.

However, with the night under the Wembley lights now a week away, organisers are facing a overdue scramble to potentially find a solution after Smith’s fight with Kelly was unexpectedly cancelled. The Scouser was looking to avenge last year’s defeat to Chris Eubank Jr, but it has now been confirmed that illness will prevent him from fighting.

The man known to fans as ‘Beefy’ revealed the extent of his problems when his planned fight was postponed, revealing he was in ‘pain’ due to the virus. He said: ‘I’ve got the virus now and my ribs are in a lot of pain from all this coughing.

“I’d be cooked if someone gave me a little punch to the body right now,” he revealed, admitting he felt too ill to risk getting in the ring. “So maybe it’s my personal empathy that I’m diseased now, but I think it’s a valid reason next week.”

Earlier, the Liverpool native seemed confident of silencing his doubters after suggesting he felt written off by observers. Claiming the opposition team felt they had underestimated him, he said: “Josh would never say that because he’s not that type of person and he’s a fighter so he can’t say that.

“But you can clearly see… Josh’s team is trying to catch me at the right time,” he continued, honestly assessing the sounds coming from the enemy camp, adding, “They’re looking for a name on the scene that will make Josh a huge name.”

“I’m going to show them that it’s a huge mistake. Whether it’s Josh’s team or Josh himself. That’s the only thing that frustrates me a little bit. You’re only known for your last fight.”

Regarding his previous loss to Eubank Jr, the Merseysider said: “I couldn’t get off. The weight cut just took its toll on me. From the minute I hurt my back to the minute the date was postponed. It was like a race against time, from our point of view, the deadline for Chris to walk away from the rematch.

“It was always a race against time anyway and I just feel like that played its part. It didn’t take a genius to see how flat [I was] 40 seconds of fighting, you know what I mean? I just couldn’t move, I feel. I feel like the weight killed me.

He added: “I think everyone knows, and Chris knows, how I was with the weight, let’s say at the weigh-ins. After the injury I lost three stone (42 pounds) and so [that is] “a lot of weight to carry in a miniature time.”

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UK Boxing

“I was knocked out by Oleksandr Usyk – here’s how Tyson Fury can beat him” – EXCLUSIVE

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Tony Bellew has highlighted where Tyson Fury needs to improve to have a better chance of beating Oleksandr Usyk the second time around.

The Gypsy king suffered the first defeat in his career when he was defeated on points by Usyk earlier this year. He will have the opportunity to avenge his loss when both fighters resume their competition in Saudi Arabia next month.

Bellew is well placed to provide insight into where Fury needs to improve after being knocked out by Usyk in his last professional fight in 2018.

Asked how Fury should approach the rematch, Bellew told Express Sport: “He can’t afford to be bullied. It surprised me. I was one of the few analysts who picked Usyk before the fight.

“Everyone thought Fury would be too huge, too powerful and too massive. I told anyone who would listen that Usyk would win. I just couldn’t imagine him winning by tormenting Tyson Fury.

“It surprised Fury and everyone. He didn’t get away with it again. This time he will be much more pointed and aware.

“It’s crazy that a man six-foot-three and barely 100 kilograms was able to abuse this twenty-stone, six-foot-nine monster and did just that. He won’t have that element of surprise when he walks in. revenge.

“But ultimately he did [Usyk] this is the best natural heavyweight boxing I have ever seen. I never thought he would be huge enough to fight in the heavyweight division.

Do I think Fury is completely out? Absolutely not, but do I think he will win? NO. Again, I would lean towards Usyk. I think it’s going to be a really close fight and I think Usyk will win it on points.”

Bellew spoke to Express Sport as a brand ambassador Men on a mission campaign in conjunction with DRINKiQ AND Men’s shedsraising awareness of mental health and unhealthy drinking patterns among men over 50.

“We know that statistics tell us that one in four men aged 50 to 75 think almost nothing about their well-being and mental health,” he explained.

“It’s not really talked about. It’s like a taboo topic. They don’t really want to talk about it, they don’t feel the need to. They actually think it’s frail. These are the guests who turn to drink.

“Before you know it, the problem is upon you, it’s getting worse, and you have to do something about it. We need to be out there talking to men of this age and letting them know there are other things to do, because it is, it’s so strenuous.”

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UK Boxing

Darren Till threatens to kick Tommy Fury in the head after the match and risk disqualification

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Former UFC welterweight fighter Darren Till has shockingly stated that he will utilize illegal tactics in his upcoming boxing match with Tommy Fury. Tommy, the younger brother of heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, is set to return to the ring following his recent victory over YouTuber KSI.

The fight was officially announced on social media by Fury and in a press release, which confirmed that Till, who triumphed over Mohammad Mutie in his boxing debut, will face “TNT” at next year’s Co-Op Live event in Manchester. An excited Fury commented: “It’s great to finally say I’m back! I’ve been out of the ring too long.”

He added: “I have itchy ankles so I’m excited to announce my return and headline a huge event in my hometown and in front of my fans. Till has had a good career in the UFC, but he steps into the boxing ring now against a real professional and he will quickly realize that he has reached his limit and this is not the game for him. “I plan to deal with Till decisively and then compete in even bigger fights in 2025.”

The highly anticipated fight is scheduled for January 18, and tensions already rose during the first press conference on Tuesday evening.

During a fiery press conference, Till boldly threatened Fury, stating: “At the end of the day, I can’t beat you, I’ll just kick you in the face,” and continued with a cheeky declaration of his fighting skills: “How about this? I’m a real fighter, not a boxer. I don’t go into a room like that, watch boxing and say “f**k.” I’m going in, no one here is a threat to me. Not a single person in this room, security, you and your dad, pose a threat to me. I’m an MMA fighter, so if I want to kick you or elbow you in the face, I’ll do it and there’s nothing anyone can do about it.”

Fury quickly responded, dismissing the threat: “Well, it’s not going to happen if it’s Darren. Because we are not in a cage now, we are in a boxing ring and you will find that boxing is very different from MMA.”

However, Till stood by his earlier statement: “Well, it’s obvious, how are you going to stop me? If I lose the fight, I’ll kick you right in the face. You won’t know what will happen.” he hit you.”

Tensions escalated further when Tommy’s father, John Fury, caused a stir by throwing water at Till, leading to a fight requiring security intervention. Despite heated exchanges and a physical altercation, the fighters were eventually separated and serene was restored.

At the age of 31, Darren Till stepped into the MMA spotlight, quickly rising to prominence as a top fighter in the sport. The Liverpool fighter made headlines in 2018 when he challenged for the welterweight title but was defeated by Tyron Woodley.

After this match, Till moved to the middleweight division. His last win in the Octagon came in 2019 against Kelvin Gastelum, after which he recorded a three-fight losing streak.

His eight-year stint with the UFC ended last year when he was released from the organization. Despite his transition to boxing, Till foresees a return to his MMA roots in the future.

He confirmed his intentions, stating emphatically: “Yes. “100 percent,” when asked about a potential return to the UFC. “Of course I want to return to MMA. In a few years I will come back and fight again. I want to make a lot of money, but it wouldn’t work in the UFC, it’s all about the money. I want to have some good fucking fights there again. That’s what I want to do.

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UK Boxing

Jake Paul could fight Anthony Joshua next if the YouTuber’s stance on the British boxer is clear

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Jake Paul has decided to fight the sport’s established elites after defeating Mike Tyson, his promotional partner has revealed.

Paul won last week’s big-money fight in Texas by unanimous decision, but the YouTuber-turned-boxer was criticized for taking on the 58-year-old.

However, after the fight, it is believed that Paul will be looking to take his boxing career to the next level and will want to “test the limits of what is possible” in the ring.

I’m talking to Heavenly sportspromoter Nakisa Bidarian said: “He has a lot of options. He will take a few days off and next week we will meet with him, his advisors and coaches to determine next steps.

“It was an opportunity to capture the world’s attention and remind them why it is such a stunning sport. Jake was instrumental in this during the Mike Tyson match and we strategically placed Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano right in front of them.

“As for Jake’s future – honestly, whatever he wants.”

Speculation is rife as to who Paul might face next, with Daniel Dubois and Anthony Joshua among his potential opponents.

Dubois even called out the 27-year-old after the Tyson fight, posting on social media: “Hi Jake, good business this weekend, but how would you feel about fighting for the legitimate world heavyweight championship, Daniel Dubois calling you out Let’s get into it.

Bidarian revealed that this is something his client would like to get involved with.

He continued: “Jake gave me the word that I wanted to do this fight [against Dubois]. Not now. But I want to fight this fight.

“I want to do this by wanting to become the world cruiserweight champion. The second is to test the boundaries of expectations. Testing the limits of what is possible.

“That event with Mike Tyson, which tested the limits of what the world could see, and his fight with Anthony Joshua or Daniel Dubois, are in a way the same thing.

“Jake weighed 227 pounds, but he actually weighs 215 pounds. But he will do it under the right conditions and within the right framework.”

According to reports, Paul earned £32 million for the fight with Tyson, but Bidarian would like to emphasize that the American is not involved in the sport for the money.

When asked about Paul’s motives, Bidarian stated: “It’s not about the money. He has made a lot of money since he was 18. It’s really about disruption.

“It’s really about doing things that make you say, ‘Wow, that really happened.’ That excites us.”

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