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Emotional Freddie Flintoff opens up about ‘guilt’ over Ricky Hatton’s death and their last chat

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6 months ago

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Freddie Flintoff revealed ‘feelings of guilt’ over Ricky Hatton’s death. The former England cricket team captain paid an emotional tribute to the boxing legend during a recent installment Piers Morgan Uncensored show.

He said: “I was sitting on a train with him a while ago. I got on the train and he was somewhere. We sat together all the way back to Manchester, which was quite unexpected.

“I think it’s like all these things when something like this happens. You say and everyone says, ‘He seemed fine, he seemed fine, he was looking forward to fighting in the next few weeks in Dubai.’

“Almost a feeling of guilt… How didn’t people know? One thing I’ve found over the last few years has been happening to more and more people.

“With Graham Thorpe in cricket… an absolutely wonderful man, someone who is so highly thought of by everyone he played and coached with. You just feel like we only know. But you know, it’s terrible.”

Greater Manchester Police confirmed Hatton died on September 14 after he was found unconscious at his home in Gee Cross, Hyde. Since the police concluded that there were no suspicious circumstances related to the death of the boxing legend, an investigation was launched.

However, on Thursday morning, at a hearing before the coroner’s court, Alison Mutch gave the provisional cause of death as “hanging”. A full inquest into Hatton’s death will take place on March 20 next year.

Last weekend, thousands of mourners took to the streets of Manchester as Hatton’s cortege traveled to Manchester Cathedral, where a service was held for the Englishman. On the way to the service, Hatton’s coffin made multiple stops at several locations, including the Cheshire Cheese Pub, Betta Bodies Gym and the AO Arena.

Many of Hatton’s close friends were present at the service, including Flintoff, Tyson Fury, Liam Gallagher, Tony Bellew, Frank Bruno, Wayne Rooney and Paddy McGuinness, to name just a few. Meanwhile, Sky Sports’ Adam Smith delivered a moving eulogy at the cathedral.

After the service, Hatton’s coffin was taken to the Etihad Stadium, where it was then given a private ceremony attended only by Hatton’s family and closest friends.

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UK Boxing

Anthony Joshua had “no intention” of fighting Deontay Wilder

Published

1 hour ago

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April 28, 2026

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Joshua and Fury have signed a contract to fight. Photo: Mark Robinson

Eddie Hearn did not contact Deontay Wilder about fighting Anthony Joshua after signing a contract to fight Tyson Fury, his manager Shelly Finkel claims.

There has been speculation that Joshua could return against Wilder before he faces Fury.

Instead, the 36-year-old will return to the ring on July 25 against Kristian Prengi, before facing Fury in November.

Wilder called out longtime rival “AJ” after his victory over Derek Chisora ​​earlier this month.

The pair have been linked to a clash since both men held world heavyweight titles in 2018, and Finkel believes Joshua had no interest in fighting the “Bronze Bomber.”

“You can’t be disappointed with something that never happened,” Finkel said Heavenly sports.

“Eddie never contacted us and Joshua obviously had no intention of fighting Deontay Wilder.

“Same antique story, just modern date.”

Joshua and Wilder were scheduled to fight in March 2024, but the American was defeated by Joseph Parker in December 2023.

Joshua and Fury have signed a contract to fight. Photo: Mark Robinson

“AJ” will fight for the first time since he knocked out Jake Paul in the sixth round in December.

Ten days later, the two-time world heavyweight champion was involved in a tragic car accident that killed two of his close friends and left him with minor injuries.

Saudi Arabian boxing boss Turki Alalshikh announced that Joshua and Fury have signed a contract for their mega fight in a post on the website X on Monday, which read: “To my friends in the UK – it’s happening. This is signed.

Moments later, Joshua’s return was announced against unknown Albanian Prengi.

“It’s no secret that I’ve taken some time to consolidate and rebuild to be ready to get back into the ring, and today is the next step in that journey,” Joshua said.

“I am delighted to have agreed to a multi-fight contract starting on July 25 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Deontay Wilder defeated Derek Chisora ​​by split decision at the O2 Arena Photo: MF Pro/David Cavan
Deontay Wilder defeated Derek Chisora ​​by split decision at the O2 Arena Photo: MF Pro/David Cavan

“I’m looking forward to competing and continuing where I left off.

“Like I said. The landlord will collect rent. That’s for sure.”

Fury defeated Arslanbek Makhmudov on points in his return to the ring following his retirement earlier this year.

“The Gypsy King” called “AJ”, who was watching the gala from the side of the ring, and declared that he would retire again if the fight with his rival did not take place.

However, his manager Spencer Brown revealed that he may fight again ahead of his fight with Joshua.

The post Anthony Joshua “had no intention” of fighting Deontay Wilder appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.

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UK Boxing

Naoya Inoue vs Junto Nakatani – Odds and Betting Guide

Published

6 hours ago

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April 28, 2026

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Inoue said goodbye to Picasso in December. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

Naoya Inoue is the hefty favorite to defeat Junto Nakatani in an undisputed title clash on Saturday.

Inoue defends all four of his super bantamweight world titles in a huge all-Japan fight against Nakatani at the Tokyo Dome, live on DAZN.

Inoue, a top-three top-ranked pound-for-pound leader, is a 1/4 favorite Bet365 emerge victorious and inflict his first professional defeat on his rival.

“The Monster” has stopped 27 of his 32 opponents and is expected to stop Nakatani 11/10.

The undefeated 33-year-old has gone the distance in his last two outings and is valued at 7/4 for a third straight decision win.

Inoue said goodbye to Picasso in December. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

Nakatani is also a star fighting for world champion titles in the fourth weight category.

The 28-year-old southpap is a 3/1 underdog to cause a seismic shock.

“Substantial Bang” has won five of his last six fights at the distance, and he sees his best chance of winning after a stoppage at 6/1.

Nakatani defeated Sebastian Hernandez Reyes on points from Inoue’s undercard defeated Alan David Picasso in Saudi Arabia in December, and a decision victory is valued at 10/1.

Nakatani looks like a four-weight world champion. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Nakatani looks like a four-weight world champion. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Full Bet365 odds
The result of the fight
  • Naoya Inoue will win the fight: 1/4
  • Naoya Inoue by KO/TKO/DQ: 11/10
  • Naoya Inoue by decision or technical decision: 7/4
  • Junto Nakatani will win the fight: 3/1
  • Junto Nakatani by KO/TKO/DQ: 6/1
  • Total cut by decision or technical decision: 10/10
  • Draw or technical draw: 14/1
Round bets

Naoya Inoue

  • To win round 1: 80/1
  • Win in round 2: 50/1
  • To win in round 3: 33/1
  • To win in round 4: 25/1
  • To win in round 5: 20/1
  • To win in round 6: 16/1
  • To win in round 7: 14/1
  • Win in round 8: 12/12
  • To win in round 9: 1/12
  • To win in round 10: 12/12
  • To win in round 11: 14/1
  • To win in round 12: 16/1
  • Win by Decision or Technical Decision: 7/4

Junto Nakatani

  • Win in round 1: 100/1
  • Win in round 2: 100/1
  • Win in round 3: 100/1
  • To win in round 4: 80/1
  • Win in round 5: 66/1
  • Win in round 6: 50/1
  • Win in round 7: 50/1
  • To win in round 8: 40/1
  • To win in round 9: 40/1
  • To win in round 10: 40/1
  • To win in round 11: 50/1
  • To win in round 12: 50/1
  • Win by Decision or Technical Decision: 10/10

The post Naoya Inoue vs Junto Nakatani – Odds and Betting Guide appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.

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UK Boxing

Eddie Hearn responds to the announcement of the Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua fight with three words

Published

14 hours ago

on

April 28, 2026

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Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua are expected to fight this year (Photo: 2026 Mark Robinson)

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Eddie Hearn has confirmed that the fight between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury has been “signed, sealed and settled.” The explosive announcement was made this afternoon, shortly after Joshua’s next opponent was revealed.

The former world champion and Olympic gold medalist will face Albanian boxer Kristian Prenga on July 25, before turning his attention to his fight with the Gypsy King in overdue 2026. The date of the clash between the two British heavyweights has not yet been confirmed, but it is expected to take place in the last quarter of this year.

This fight has been more than a decade in the making, especially after the 2021 undisputed heavyweight bout between the two fighters was canceled following an arbitrator’s ruling that Fury must face Deontay Wilder in a trilogy series, with the Bronze Bomber also rejecting the fee amount.

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Joshua was also scheduled to fight Oleksandr Usyk in a mandatory defense of the WBO title, which ended with the Ukrainian completely defeating him and winning the belt. Fury then defeated Wilder and Joshua met Usyk in a rematch, but again suffered defeat.

There have been discussions about a 2022 fight, but the situation became complicated when Fury repeatedly imposed his own stringent deadlines for a contract to be signed between the pair. That didn’t happen this year, as Hearn confirmed on social media.

The Matchroom boss shared a photo of himself with the chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority, Turki Alalshikh, and a beaming Joshua. He wrote: “Signed, Sealed, Delivered! AJ v. Fury continues!”

Joshua has already begun psychological warfare with Fury, writing: “It’s no secret that I’ve taken some time to consolidate and rebuild to be ready to get back into the ring, and this is the next step on that journey. I’m looking forward to competing and picking up where I left off. Like I said. The landlord will collect rent. That’s for sure.”

Fury has yet to respond directly, but he re-posted Alalshikh’s Instagram video confirming the news on X. Nevertheless, given the way he challenged Joshua immediately after he defeated Russian giant Arslanbek Makhmudov by unanimous decision earlier this month, Fury will be brimming with confidence.

After his triumph, he turned to Joshua and roared, “I want you, AJ, Anthony Joshua. Let’s give the fight fans what they want – the Battle of Britain. I challenge you, Anthony Joshua, to fight me, the Gypsy King, next. Do you accept my challenge?”

Of course, Joshua will first have to beat Prenga, a relatively unknown 35-year-old who has built a reputation as a formidable knockout specialist. His record is 20-1, and 20 of his victories ended by knockout. His only defeat came in February 2017, when he lost to Giovanni Auriemma in the Netherlands.

Hearn has repeatedly insisted that Joshua should have a “warm-up” fight before any fight with Fury. He most recently stepped into the ring against Jake Paul in a very lucrative bout before he survived a devastating car accident in Nigeria that tragically killed his friends Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele.

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