Boxing
‘Mentality is the most significant thing for me.’ Anthony Joshua is focused on beating Daniel Dubois this weekend
Published
2 months agoon
By: Sean Crose
“It’s just another day for me,” says former multi-title heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua on the eve of his IBF world title fight with hard-hitting Daniel Dubois. “We’ll do some media. The spirits are good. I’ve prepared for this, so it doesn’t take up much of my time. It fits perfectly. It’s just another day, another lion in the jungle. It’s just another lion ready to hunt. It’s just another day for me.”
Joshua has certainly had his ups and downs in his career – although there are definitely more ups than downs – but the towering Englishman has never presented himself as anything less than a consummate professional. And this one is no exception. “Preparation is everything,” Joshua says. “If you prepare, you’re relaxed because you’ve physically got there, you’ve mentally got there and you really believe in yourself. I’m good.”
This is a substantial fight for Joshua. If he wins against the perilous Dubois, the man will not only be a heavyweight champion – but a three-time heavyweight champion. That is no petite thing. Yet Joshua insists he is focused on the significant things.
“I don’t look that far ahead because that’s the cherry on the cake. I told myself, exactly, that the performance is the most significant thing for me. The mentality is the most significant thing for me. Everything else will come by itself… three times, I did it once, I did it twice – nothing has changed and I had to work very rigid to improve my performance, so I’m fully focused on my performance. That’s what will bring me all the glitz, glamour and glory.”
Many are hoping for glory when Joshua and Dubois answer the bell this weekend. Wembley Stadium, where the match will take place, has long been sold out for the event. What’s more, millions can also watch the fight live on pay-per-view. Joshua credits much of his success to promoter Eddie Hearn.
“Yeah, it was huge,” Joshua says of the partnership. “It was huge for my development in and out of the ring. It was sensational in the ring, even in the times that weren’t so great – but what a story. The guy knows boxing as well. Talking to him outside of the actual competition and the business, talking about boxing in general – that helped me grow. I met Eddie when I was probably, what, 20? 21? I’m 34 now, 35 next month, so it’s been a long journey and a fruitful one for both of us as well.”
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Boxing
The father of Floyd Mayweather’s grandson sentenced to a miracle in prison
Published
6 days agoon
November 6, 2024The father of Floyd Mayweather’s grandson is hoping for a Christmas miracle while expecting a significantly reduced prison sentence.
Rapper NBA Youngboy, who had a son Kentrell Gauldren Jr. with Mayweather’s daughter Iyanna, he faced 15 years in prison on federal gun charges. As previously reported in World Boxing News, KJ, 3, [also known as Meezy Mayweather] he would have been 18 if Youngboy had been made in its entirety.
But according to Kodak Black’s lawyer, celebrity attorney Bradford Cohen, the NBA could be out of business in as little as a year once the settlement is finalized.
“Being right is a bad habit of mine. [A] Global appeal [of] 27 months will have passed [for NBA Youngboy] over time of lending in [jail]. Probably [around] 12 months. [His] the attorney did a good job resolving this case successfully,” Cohen said.
It was initially thought that Floyd would have to take on more responsibility for his grandson if Youngboy ended up in prison for many years. Mayweather has already started spending more time with KJ, taking him shopping and to the gym.
This extra effort may not be necessary now, as NBA Youngboy could be released next year if all goes well for his legal team.
KJ will soon be able to divide his time again between his grandfather – a boxing legend and a musician. Youngboy, who recently welcomed his twelfth child at the age of 24, should be able to avoid the full scope of the law.
He previously told the court: “I want to plead guilty to the crime I am accused of.” He also signed a declaration that soon circulated on social media in connection with the currently winning bid [according to Cohen] to avoid a long stay behind bars.
The charges were brought against the rapper in connection with an incident that occurred in September 2020 in his hometown of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Gaulden, a convicted felon, is prohibited from possessing a firearm. The police arrested him along with a group of others while filming a music video. The 20-year-old was found to be in possession of a .45 Glock handgun and a 9mm firearm and taken to jail.
Another gun charge was later added before Youngboy fought to have the case transferred from Louisiana to Utah.
He should learn his full fate within the next few weeks. KJ will be able to have his dad in his life as long as Youngboy stays out of his nose.
Boxing
Deontay Wilder has only one option left or his career is over
Published
2 weeks agoon
November 1, 2024Deontay Wilder continues to deny that he has the only real chance to win another world title.
Wilder has a sedate chance of becoming a two-weight world champion after losing for the fourth time in his career.
The American was dominated by Joseph Parker in Saudi Arabia before being knocked out by Zhilei Zhang.
Wilder remains adamant that he can still become a two-time ruler of the weight class, despite the obvious possibility of being relegated to the bridge division.
“I need to get my killer instinct back. I’m too composed; I’m too joyful. When I had this dog inside me, no one had a chance. I will be a two-time heavyweight champion of the world,” Wilder told 78SPORTSTV.
At just Parker’s 213 pounds, Wilder was eleven pounds under the bridge weight benchmark. He could enter the rankings right away at 224 pounds and finish high in the rankings.
Due to his standing in the World Boxing Council, which means he is ranked in the top 15 despite one victory in five years, World Boxing News understands that Wilder could even be rated number one if he ever decides to cut weight.
He had previously ruled out fighting at super cruiserweight, but that was before he lost three times in his last four fights.
The “Brown Bomber” can’t cope with bigger heavyweights who operate the right tactics. Therefore, his fixation on the world champion may finally cause Wilder to swallow his pride and go down.
If he ever did, WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman would undoubtedly rate the huge boxer as capable of immediately fighting for the belt.
For now, Wilder still believes he can compete in the top flight.
“I want to give the fans what they want to see,” Wilder added, before delving into Joshua’s career. “There is a difference between being born a champion and becoming one.
“Once you become one, you are very selective about who you choose. You move carefully through the jungle.
“When you are born a King, you don’t give because you are a King. I am a born king. He is [Joshua] became king, and if not, then [the fight] would happen.”
The current bridgeweight champion is Łukasz Różański. The undefeated Pole in his current form would still be a complex proposition for Wilder.
But Wilder will never lose his punching power. This means he will always have a chance to continue his legacy as the ruler of the two-weight boxing world.
It all comes down to pride.
Boxing
Canelo vs Chris Eubank Jr fight falls apart after ‘completely false’ claims
Published
2 weeks agoon
October 31, 2024Canelo Alvarez fighting Chris Eubank Jr. is out of the question as coach Eddy Reynoso claims the Briton missed his chance.
Reynoso was reacting to claims by Eubank and his team that the fight could take place at Wembley Stadium in England next May. According to Reynoso, who told former World Boxing News chief writer Dan Rafael, Canelo is looking in a different direction.
Eubank said before rejecting Reynoso Heavenly sports“This fight could happen within the next year. There is no available fighter pool and no more names that fight fans want to see.
“After [David] Benavidez, there are no other boys. Maybe [Artur] Beterbieva and [Dmitry] Bivol, but they’re not in his weight class and he probably wouldn’t defend these guys.
“Me and Canelo would be a damn good combination. Two very different personalities and very different backgrounds. That would be great fun. This will be great fun.”
. @Canelo he doesn’t talk @ChrisEubankJr According to Canelo’s manager, there are no plans to meet with him @CANELOTEAMwho spoke to Fight Freaks Unite and dismissed the comments made by @boxxerBen Shalom. Read my story and sign up for mine #box bulletin: https://t.co/5pBHOLKluW pic.twitter.com/7robTlh0y1
— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) October 30, 2024
In an interview with Rafael for his daily newsletter, Reynoso firmly stated that the fight would never happen and that Eubank would no longer be considered.
“It’s completely false. Eubank had his chance to fight Canelo in September. All he did was complicate the negotiations. We will not contact him again before a future fight.”
When asked if they had a successor in line, Reynoso replied, “Anyone but Eubank,” to make sure the son of a legend knew his place in line.
Eubank may turn to Conor Benn again after his recent clash with his nemesis in Saudi Arabia. Promoter Ben Shalom also spoke to Sky Sports about Canelo before Reynoso ended the fight.
“The two fights for me are Canelo and Conor Benn. We have already started brief talks about fighting Canelo,” Shalom told Sky Sports.
“Of course [Canelo] last time it was close. I believe this is a fight that interests Canelo. You can imagine a press conference in the UK and the US. It would be absolutely huge.
“I think Canelo needs dance partners, but he also needs stars. I don’t think his last few opponents were the biggest stars. Chris Eubank Jr. he is definitely a large star.
“If he ever fights in the UK it will be a sell-out fight at Wembley Stadium. For me, that’s number one on the list.”
Judging by Reynoso’s comments, Benn is taking the reins again as Eubank’s next opponent.
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