UK Boxing
“I’ve faced Joshua, Dubois and Klitschko – there’s one man who hits harder than all of them”
Published
2 months agoon
Kevin Johnson has faced some of the biggest names in boxing, including Anthony Joshua, Daniel Dubois and Tyson Fury. But he says none of those heavyweights are the strongest he’s ever faced.
Johnson, 45, has a 36-22-2 professional boxing record spanning two decades. He has gone head-to-head with many of the world’s top heavyweights during his career, suffering his first unanimous decision loss in 2009 to Vitali Klitschko, and Fury defeated him in the same manner three years later.
In 2014, Johnson lost again by unanimous decision to Derek Chisora, and then was knocked out by AJ in the second round the following year. The star also lost by unanimous decision to former champion Andy Ruiz Jr. in July 2018, and a few months later lost on points to Dubois.
Despite facing some big-name heavyweights in his career, Johnson revealed that none of them has hit as demanding as the lesser-known Australian boxer. Speaking to Sport Express, the former IBO heavyweight champion revealed that Alex Leapai is the “strongest” opponent he has ever shared the ring with, reports Mirror.
He explained: “Alex Leapai is the physically strongest boxer I’ve ever met in my life. Not only in the fight, but then I came back to Australia, I lived there for a while and we sparred every day. He’s powerful.”
While not as well-known as Klitschko, Fury or Joshua, Leapai boasts an impressive 31-8-4 record from 2004 to 2019, securing the IBF Australasian, WBO Asia Pacific and WBO Oriental heavyweight titles. The highlight of his career came in April 2014 when he challenged Wladimir Klitschko, brother of Vitali, for the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO and The Ring heavyweight titles.
However, he lost to the Ukrainian via fifth-round TKO, his first and only attempt at a world title. Leapai and Johnson had fought two years before this fight at Doomben Racecourse in Brisbane, and the Australian was on a 17-fight unbeaten streak.
Despite Johnson’s ninth-round TKO victory, Leapai has earned the respect of his opponent as the toughest opponent he has ever faced. Meanwhile, two of his previous opponents, Dubois and Joshua, are set to fight for the IBF heavyweight title this weekend at a packed Wembley Stadium, both eyeing an undisputed chance to fight either Oleksandr Usyk or Fury, depending on the outcome of their rematch in December.
Joshua, at 34, enters the fight with a record of 28-3 – including 25 knockouts. A thrilling encounter is expected when he faces Dubois, who has a record of 21-2 with 20 knockouts.
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UK Boxing
“I was knocked out by Oleksandr Usyk – here’s how Tyson Fury can beat him” – EXCLUSIVE
Published
3 hours agoon
November 24, 2024Tony 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.”
UK Boxing
Darren Till threatens to kick Tommy Fury in the head after the match and risk disqualification
Published
23 hours agoon
November 23, 2024Former 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.
UK Boxing
Jake Paul could fight Anthony Joshua next if the YouTuber’s stance on the British boxer is clear
Published
1 day agoon
November 22, 2024Jake 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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