Tyson Fury appears to be dealing with some pre-fight jitters in the days before returning to the ring after watching Deontay Wilder fight Derek Chisora.
The “Gypsy King” will end another boxing career on Saturday evening when he faces Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Fury announced his retirement from the sport last year after consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk.
However, the 37-year-old’s dramatic turnaround didn’t last long and he’s now preparing for a busy 2026 in the ring. Nevertheless, the former two-time world heavyweight champion appears to have some minor worries ahead of this weekend’s clash with the Russian, following Wilder’s odd fight with Chisora.
The two boxing veterans traded blows in a wild fight at the O2 Arena last weekend, with Wilder ultimately securing victory via split decision.
Both men traded punches for over 12 rounds in what was far from a technical fight. Fury admitted that the match was complex to watch and he hopes to play a little better when he returns.
“By the time the fight takes place on Saturday, I will have been out of the ring for 16 months,” Fury said InsideRingShow. “And at 37, 16 months is a long time, so I have some things to do and think about in my own mind to see how I feel.
“After watching the Deontay-Chisora fight, it was strenuous for me to watch. It was gloomy, it was heartbreaking, and I have never in my life seen two men slip up as badly as they did. And I’m like, am I f**king next? Is it me? So I told the guys, ‘If I’m even 10 percent as bad as these guys in my fight, take me to the field and shoot me.’
The build-up was overshadowed by confusion in the Fury camp after Tyson’s father, John, revealed he was no longer speaking to his son. Fury senior criticized his son for returning to the ring after a 16-month absence and believes he has not been the same since the trilogy with Wilder.
However, Fury told The Ring: “For my father, he wants the best for me. He wants me to retire and walk away, but if it were that basic, I would have quit five times already. But I don’t have that ability to let go. It could affect a lot of things, including family. My dad says he doesn’t talk to me – I guess he’s trying to encourage me not to fight anymore. But fighting is all I’ve ever known and all I’ll ever know.”
“It’s an obsession and sometimes you become selfish because in the beginning you want something in your life – you want to be a champion, you want to make money, have a house, cars and so on. Then it becomes an obsession. You want more, more, more. It starts to affect your family, home life, your wife, your children – everyone. It has to end, but for me it has no end. Mike Tyson fought recently at the age of 60, man.”
Jaron Ennis is the bookmakers’ main favorite to defeat Xander Zayas in their highly anticipated world title clash on Saturday in Brooklyn.
Ennis challenges Zayas for the WBO and WBA super welterweight belts at the Barclays Center live on DAZN pay-per-view.
The undefeated resident of Philadelphia enters the game as the favorite on February 11 Bet365 give the 23-year-old his first professional defeat and become world champion in two weight categories.
“Boots” has stopped 31 of his 35 opponents, including Uisma Lima in his 154-pound debut in October, and is expected to stop the Puerto Rican on 20/21.
The 28-year-old last covered this distance in 2024, and a decision victory is valued at 13/2.
Zayas and Ennis face to face before the clash. Photo: Matchroom Boxing
Even though Zayas has taken over as unified champion, he is an underdog Bet365 at 15/04.
Man from San Juan defeated Abass Baraou by split decision will add the WBA belt to his WBO crown in January and his best chance of victory is rated at 13/2 by decision, while success in the shock break is rated at 14/1.
Jaron Ennis knocked out Uisma Lima in the first round in Philadelphia. Photo: Emma Brawley/Matchroom Boxing
Full Bet365 odds
The result of the fight
Xander Zayas will win the fight: 15/4
Xander Zayas by KO/TKO/DQ: 14/1
Xander Zayas by decision or technical decision: 13/2
Jaron Ennis will win the fight: 11/02
Jaron Ennis by KO/TKO/DQ: 20/21
Jaron Ennis by decision or technical: 8/5
Draw or technical draw: 14/1
Round bets
Xander Zayas
Win in round 1: 100/1
Win in round 2: 100/1
Win in round 3: 100/1
Win in round 4: 100/1
Win in round 5: 100/1
To win in round 6: 100/1
To win in round 7: 80/1
To win in round 8: 80/1
To win round 9: 66/1
To win in round 10: 66/1
To win round 11: 66/1
To win in round 12: 80/1
To win by decision or technical decision: 6/1
Zayas won by points decision over Abass Baraou. Source: Mikey Williams / top position
Jaron Ennis
To win round 1: 80/1
Win in round 2: 50/1
Win in round 3: 40/1
To win in round 4: 28/1
To win in round 5: 20/1
To win in round 6: 16/1
Win in round 7: 12/12
To win in round 8: 1/11
To win in round 9: 10/1
To win in round 10: 10/1
To win in round 11: 10/1
To win in round 12: 1/11
Win by Decision or Technical Decision: 7/4
The post Xander Zayas vs Jaron Ennis – Odds and Betting Guide appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
On Wednesday, Lewis Crocker heads to Australia to defend his IBF welterweight world title against Liam Paro for the first time.
Crocker will face Paro at the Pat Rafter Arena in Queensland, live on DAZN in the UK and Kayo Sports in Australia.
Crocker (22-0, 11 KO) became world champion in September, defeating Paddy Donovan twice before winning the rematch by split decision.
Man from Belfast recorded his second victory over Donovan after the first victory in March last year, and his rival was disqualified for hitting him after the bell.
Paro (27-1, 16 KO) is trying to become a world champion in two weight categories, having previously reigned in the super-lightweight division.
In September, Donovan was beaten a second time by Crocker. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
The 30-year-old won the title with a unanimous decision victory over Subriel Matias in Puerto Rico before winning the belt in his first defense against Richardson Hitchins.
The Australian has since won twice, overtaking David Papot in his last appearance in September.
Paro looks like a two-time IBF champion. Photo: Melina Pizano/Matchroom
McKean meets Taliva
Heavyweight Demsey McKean will look to continue his rebuild when he faces Liam Talivaa for the vacant IBF Pan Pacific title.
McKean (24-2, 16 KO) had his career cut miniature after a last-round loss to Filip Hrgovic, followed by a brutal first-round loss to Moses Itauma.
The 35-year-old southpaw returned to winning ways with back-to-back stoppage victories.
Talivaa (8-2, 4 KO) last won the IBF Oceania-Orient title, defeating Faiga Opelu by first-round stoppage.
Undercard remaining
At cruiserweight, Luke Modini (13-0, 11 KO) will likely need distance to beat Peng Qu (17-2-1, 12 KO), while Riley Candy (8-1, 5 KO) could stop Nathan Watson (11-3, 3 KO) at super middleweight.
Vegas Larfield (13-1, 9 KO) can hand Shamal Ram Anuj (11-8, 8 KO) his fourth defeat in a row in a featherweight clash.
Heavyweight Nelson Asofa-Solomon (2-0, 2 KO) can secure a third straight knockout over debutant George Burgess, and Stevan Ivic (8-0-1, 2 KO) can do the same against Caleb Tialu (3-7, 3 KO), also a heavyweight.
Prospective super welterweight fighter Jack Javed (1-0) should overtake Lance McDonald (1-5-1, 1 KO).
The post Lewis Crocker vs. Liam Paro – Gigantic Fight Preview and Predictions appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.