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Tyson Fury targets Anthony Joshua’s tenth knockdown

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Wladimir Klitschko stands over Anthony Joshua after knocking him down during their heavyweight title fight at Wembley Stadium in 2017

Tyson Fury believes Anthony Joshua may still be injured and if the long-awaited heavyweight clash finally happens later this year, the “Gypsy King” will be looking to become the tenth man to carry his British rival to the canvas.

Joshua’s heavyweight aura didn’t disappear overnight. He broke in the match with Wladimir Klitschko, fell in the match with Andy Ruiz Jr. and has never fully recovered since then.

Long before Daniel Dubois smashed Joshua at Wembley and Fury publicly questioned his ability to take punches, warning signs were already observable for the former unified champion.

Dillian Whyte first took a look at boxing in 2015.

Joshua recovered to hold off Whyte but was badly concussed in a wild exchange that immediately raised doubts about the Olympic gold medalist’s reaction under pressure.

At the time, these concerns were drowned out by the hype around Joshua’s promotion. Eddie Hearn was building his biggest star and openly talked about Joshua as a generational heavyweight who could join the likes of Muhammad Ali and Lennox Lewis.

Then came Klitschko.

Anthony Joshua

Joshua’s victory over Wladimir Klitschko in 2017 remains one of the best heavyweight fights of the up-to-date era, but it also permanently changed how many watched him.

After tripping the Ukrainian, Joshua came close to forcing a stoppage before Klitschko suddenly turned the tide and sent the Londoner to the canvas with a powerful right hand.

Joshua recovered brilliantly and eventually stopped Klitschko in front of 90,000 fans at Wembley, but the image of him badly injured and exhausted in the middle rounds remained in people’s minds.

The aura of invincibility disappeared.

Even as Joshua continued his march towards an undisputed title shot and added the Joseph Parker belt to his collection, concerns about his durability never completely disappeared.

Then came the night that changed everything.

Ed Mulholland

Andy Ruiz Jr.

When Jarrell Miller failed multiple drug tests ahead of Joshua’s American debut at Madison Square Garden, Matchroom began looking for a replacement who could keep the event alive.

Several names were discussed before Andy Ruiz Jr. was called.

By then, Ruiz had lost to Parker, whom Joshua had already beaten, and few gave the Mexican-American much of a chance to pull off the upset.

This decision backfired spectacularly.

Joshua dropped Ruiz early on before completely breaking down as the challenger exposed huge weaknesses in the champion’s squad. Ruiz dropped Joshua four times and took the unified heavyweight titles in one of the biggest shocks of the up-to-date era.

Joshua regained the belts six months later in Saudi Arabia, but the rematch never fully repaired the damage done to his reputation.

Ruiz entered the fight significantly overweight after admitting he had barely trained, and many viewed the second fight as little more than a controlled recovery mission.

From that point on, Joshua’s vulnerability became part of every major fight discussion surrounding him.

Broad kryptonite

Oleksandr Usyk then presented a completely different problem.

Joshua was chasing greatness against one of the most technically gifted fighters of his generation, but stylistically it always looked like a nightmare fight for the Briton. Usyk’s movement, timing, footwork and IQ repeatedly set Joshua up for two defeats.

Daniel Dubois knocks out Anthony Joshua
Mark Robinson

Then Dubois came.

Unlike Usyk, Dubois did not defeat Joshua. It overwhelmed him.

Dubois repeatedly dropped Joshua and smashed him in devastating fashion at Wembley as all the senior concerns about Joshua’s durability and return immediately resurfaced.

Questions surrounding Joshua’s heavyweight reign have persisted over the years due to circumstances surrounding several of his championship wins and opportunities. The Dubois debacle has only intensified these conversations.

Tyson Fury aims for ten

Now Fury has reignited the entire debate ahead of the long-awaited showdown later this year by openly attacking Joshua’s biggest weakness.

If Fury finally defeats Joshua, he will become the tenth fighter to do so.

No one can question Joshua’s ambition, professionalism or desire to become one of heavyweight boxing’s biggest stars.

But every time Joshua hit the canvas, the perception around him changed a little more.

When heavyweight boxing senses weakness, it never forgets.


About the author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.

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Johnny Fisher Signs with Zuffa Boxing for September 26 London Main Event

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"Johnny Fisher Signs with Zuffa Boxing for September 26 London Main Event"
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The agreement gives the 27-year-old Romford fighter a fresh platform following a turbulent spell that included the first defeat of his professional career. Rather than ease back into competition, Fisher will immediately top the bill at ZUFFA BOXING 11 as the promotion continues to strengthen its heavyweight roster.

“The most exciting chapter of my professional career begins,” Fisher said. “Thank you to Dana White, Nick Khan, and the Zuffa Boxing team for this opportunity. Everything has led to this point. Bull Army, get ready to assemble. Bosh!”

Fisher earned widespread attention during his rise through the domestic heavyweight scene with an aggressive style that produced 12 knockouts from 14 victories. His latest outing saw him stop previously unbeaten Ivan Balaz in four rounds, restoring momentum after his rematch defeat to Dave Allen.

The Copper Box Arena has become a familiar venue for Fisher. September’s event will mark his third appearance there, giving him another opportunity to perform in front of a London crowd while beginning life with a new promoter.

The signing also represents another step in Zuffa Boxing’s expansion. After entering professional boxing under the leadership of Dana White and Nick Khan, the company has continued adding recognizable names, and Fisher becomes one of its most prominent British heavyweights.

An opponent has yet to be confirmed for the September 26 main event, with additional bouts expected to be announced as the card takes shape.

For Fisher, the move offers more than a change of promoter. It places him at the front of a growing platform and gives him the chance to rebuild his standing in the heavyweight division with a successful debut under the Zuffa Boxing banner.

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Exclusive Insights: Moses Itaumas Frightening Sparring Sessions with Tyson Fury Revealed

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"Exclusive Insights: Moses Itauma's 'Frightening' Sparring Sessions with Tyson Fury Revealed"

Tipped for the top, Moses Itauma is already being compared to some of Britain’s best heavyweights, and now details regarding his sparring sessions with two-time world champion Tyson Fury have been revealed.

Whilst yet to defeat an elite heavyweight or claim world honours, many British fight fans believe that 21-year-old Moses Itauma is the United Kingdom’s standout heavyweight and that a long, dominant reign is around the corner for the Kent-based sensation.

Next month, Itauma will hope to tee up a world title bid by scoring a career-best win over Filip Hrgovicwell-poised to challenge for all four of the heavyweight marbles and in the privileged position to select his own preferred route to the throne.

It is not only the fans who are appreciative of Itauma’s talent, with boxing manager Spencer Brown telling Playbook Boxing that Tyson Fury recognised the skill of the youngster after their ‘frightening’ sparring sessions in 2024.

“Him and Tyson, when they were in camp together, when Tyson was fighting [Oleksandr] Usyk, they had a great bond and him and Tyson sat and talked about boxing and what he has to do, what he hasn’t. He gave him all of the experience in the world.”

“It [the sparring] was unbelievable, it was frightening but it was great. They bumped each other and they just went at it. I think at one stage Moses went to get out of the ring and Tyson said ‘nah, we have only done six, we are going to eight now,’ and he went ‘oh, alright’ and they went at it again.

“With Tyson, he just wants to help people. He can see what this kid is, you have only got to ask Tyson, he knows what this kid is and anybody in boxing knows what this kid is.”

At that stage, Fury was the reigning WBC heavyweight champion and heading into an undisputed showdown with Usyk.

As for Itauma, his clash with Hrgovic takes place at the O2 Arena on Saturday, August 29as the youngster seeks yet another authoritative display that once again captures the attention of the boxing universe.

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Dmitry Bivol Likely to Decline Major Fight Offer Amid World Anticipation | Boxing News

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"Dmitry Bivol Likely to Decline Major Fight Offer Amid World Anticipation | Boxing News"

Unified light-heavyweight world champion Dmitry Bivol is set to turn down a huge opportunity for another major fight, despite massive financial incentive.

Bivol collided with Artur Beterbiev in October 2024 in an instant classic light-heavyweight affair, but he came up short against the Canadian-Russian knockout artist, losing a majority-decision that saw Beterbiev claim the undisputed throne.

Just four months later, Bivol returned the favour and scored a majority-decision win of his own to avenge his solitary career defeat, putting an end to Beterbiev’s undefeated record and claiming the undisputed title for himself.

A third meeting has been mooted ever since, with Beterbiev remaining inactive in the 17 months that have followed, whilst Bivol returned to action with a win over Michael Eifert back in May.

Speaking with The RingIBA President Umar Kremlev revealed that Bivol is yet to accept a proposal for a trilogy showdown, in spite of the fact that he has been offered double the purse that he received for his other fights with Beterbiev.

“I’m very disappointed. Everyone is waiting for this fight. I don’t know why Bivol and his team are not accepting the offer, but I will do my best to make this fight happen. We’ve been having discussions with both teams for quite a while. I can confirm that Beterbiev and his team are ready for the fight.

“The offer we made to Bivol for the third fight was considerably bigger than the first two fights. Specifically, he was given two times a bigger offer than in previous fights. Beterbiev will fight for free just to make this fight happen.”

Continuing, Kremlev speculated that Bivol is seeking alternative opportunities but shared his thoughts that 41-year-old Beterbiev deserves the chance to reclaim his old belts, having agreed to an immediate rematch without hesitation after their initial encounter.

“To be honest, we’ve made really good offers in writing but unfortunately, Bivol’s team is still waiting for something. He appears ready for the fight, but his team is thinking.

“As far as I can see, it looks like they are looking for other opportunities and options in the market. I believe firmly that we need to find common ground and we need to make this fight happen. The world is waiting. Beterbiev gave Bivol a rematch and Bivol should do the same. It’s the only appropriate gesture.

“I can assure everyone that we are ready to organise the third fight at the highest level. We can stage the fight for 100,000 fans if it happens in Russia but are also open to bringing it wherever it needs to be. The most important thing is that the fight needs to happen. I’m confident it’s going to be another great fight.”

It is understood that Liverpool’s Callum Smith will likely be Bivol’s next opponentfollowing surgery on an injured elbow, with that contest expected to delay any Beterbiev trilogy until mid-2027.

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