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Anthony Joshua: Discovering Moments from the Past

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Anthony Joshua’s adult life, from petty criminal to amateur, Olympic gold medalist, professional kingpin, former champion and now rejuvenated contender, speaks volumes about the level of determination and dedication that is within him. During that 15-year journey, the man from Watford, England, has secured his financial future, become a crossover star and a magnet for sponsors, but there is little sign that Joshua is ready to retire.

On Saturday night, the British superstar will make his third appearance at Wembley Stadium as a much smarter boxer than the one who first stepped foot in the same venue in April 2017. At the time, despite being the IBF champion, his experience at the highest level was dwarfed by that of his opponent, Wladimir Klitschko. It was a fight and experience that we can now look back on as a defining moment, and seven-and-a-half years later he is a comparable veteran alongside the rising Daniel Dubois.

However, while boxers change and grow, certain weaknesses are nearly impossible to overcome, and venerable weaknesses can never be completely eradicated. Here, in chronological order, are the five most revealing moments from Anthony Joshua’s professional career.

Dillian Whyte measured

One of those so-called rematches had been building between Joshua and Whyte ever since the latter defeated the former in an venerable amateur bout in 2009. They met as professionals in December 2015 at London’s O2 Arena, Whyte boasting a record of 16-0 (13 KOs) and the favoured and sought-after Joshua, despite amassing an unblemished 14-0 record, had only made it past the third round once.

Joshua was determined to put on a show and seemed to be just a few punches away from stopping his opponent early on as Whyte felt the power of them in the first round. As the fight drew to a close, neither fighter held back, with blows being exchanged after the bell as both fighters’ entourages were in the ring and the fighters had to be separated.

Having abandoned plans to fight for the sake of bragging rights, Joshua opened the second round with an eye on destruction. In a haphazard and audacious attack, he was hit by a left hook, his legs bouncing and jerking beneath him. For a few moments, it looked as if Joshua was ready to fight, and although Whyte couldn’t find the punches to finish his wounded opponent, the sight of the Olympic champion staggering around the ring raised concerns about his beard that remain to this day.

In the fifth round, Joshua regained control and won with a brutal uppercut in the seventh. His vulnerability to weighty punches was obvious, but his ability to land even heavier punches saw him pass his first real test.

The Great Klitschko War

Although Joshua rose to the IBF title with a win over Charles Martin, then twice defended against Dominic Breazeale and Eric Molina, the promotion to former heavyweight king Wladimir Klitschko in April 2017 was significant. The sold-out Wembley Stadium was a nod to Joshua’s incredible appeal, but even those paying top dollar for ringside seats could not have expected the thriller they were about to witness.

Klitschko, who liked to play the wise venerable master in the build-up, held his own until he was knocked to the mat early in the fifth round. Joshua, showing his inexperience, roared with joy – using up valuable reserves in the process – before the uninjured Klitschko regained his balance and turned the fight on its head. By the end of the session, a visibly exhausted Joshua was under fire and on the board in the sixth round, his legs giving way after being battered by every ounce of Klitschko’s considerable power.

That Joshua not only stood up but weathered the storm was probably as telling as the events that led to his downfall. Joshua was back in the game in the ninth and was eager to finish in the 11th.t. A powerful uppercut from the Briton sparked the end, which was followed by two falls for Klitschko before the veteran was rescued on the ropes.

Joshua still remembers the hell he experienced in that unforgettable competition as a place he never wants to return to.

Andy Ruiz Jr. Rivalry

Joshua was noticeably more reserved after the Klitschko fight, stopping Carlos Takam overdue, outboxing Joseph Parker and stopping a faltering Alexander Povetkin. But no one could have predicted the impending disaster that unfolded in June 2019 at Modern York’s Madison Square Garden against Andy Ruiz Jr.

As is often the case with surprises, the clues were everywhere. Joshua seemed distracted throughout fight week, fielding questions about Deontay Wilder, appeared to be nursing a bruise under his eye and even let the unpopular Ruiz — not the most physically imposing specimen Joshua has ever met — borrow his belts for photos at the final pre-fight press conference.

Joshua scored a knockdown in round three, again lacking the required caution and attention, being knocked down twice in the same session. It all ended in the middle of the seventh round, as Joshua failed to respond to the referee’s instructions after two consecutive attempts on the mat.

In his favor, Joshua demanded an immediate return, which took place in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, six months later. The former champion, showing restraint and increased versatility, boxed perfectly to dominate Ruiz, winning a one-sided decision after 12 rounds. But the sight of Ruiz spilling his blancmange abs over his shorts as he removed his robe early on remains the most memorable sight of the night.

The Alexander Usyk Effect

When it became clear that the Tyson Fury fight would have to be shelved, Joshua decided to fill his diary with the most threatening mandatory, Oleksandr Usyk. This willingness to fight the best is a trait he deserves praise for.

The former cruiserweight king challenged Joshua at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in September 2021, and while the heavyweight champion was the favourite, it was clear early on that his plans to beat the cultured left-handed boxer were a mix of impoverished planning and overestimating his own abilities. Joshua, a clearly bigger man, had his moments, but he was on the brink of collapse in the final round, clinging to a decision that rightly went against him.

Joshua again opted for a quick follow-up to right the wrongs. That came 11 months later in Jeddah, and while the former champion put in an admirable effort, better than in London, Usyk was again the clear better fighter. After the loss on the cards, Joshua – concussed at the time – threw the belts out of the ring and gave a slurred speech as he tried to come to terms with another convincing defeat.

Restaurant work

Let’s not forget how simple it would have been for Joshua to walk away after losing twice to Usyk. But in 2023-24, Joshua, juggling various teachers, decided to go back to school. After failing to impress Jermaine Franklin in a forgotten 12-round fight, he put Robert Helenius to sleep in seven rounds and then crushed Otto Wallin in five. In March of this year, he exposed the credentials of Francis Ngannou, who had just scared Tyson Fury in a 10-round fight with sickening ease.

The venerable confidence has returned, and while his shortcomings are unlikely to disappear, it is worth noting that his incredible will to win, alongside his exceptional strength, has seen him defeat all but one of the opponents he has shared the ring with. His power remains one of the most potent weapons in the sport, and this may prove more revealing than any of the troubles he has faced.

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George Kambosos moves up to 140, adds Eddie Hearn to team

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George Kambosos beats Teofimo

Former unified lightweight champion George Kambosos approached promoter Eddie Hearn asking for more massive fights.

Kambosos has signed a co-promotional deal with Eddie Hearn, under which the Greek-Australian slugger will continue his association with DiBella Entertainment Inc. and his own company, Ferocious Promotions.

The 21-3 star will move up to the super lightweight division of Matchroom Boxing’s lively division. He aims to become a two-weight world champion in early 2025, and as part of the deal, a title fight is promised as long as he continues to win.

Since his stunning victory over Teofimo Lopez, Kambosos has never shied away from competing against the best. Those three losses on his resume came to Devin Haney [twice] and Vasily Lomachenko, all at home and all for world titles.

The 31-year-old is now set to face compatriot Liam Paro after defending his IBF title against Richardson Hitchins in December in Puerto Rico.

“I am thrilled to be working with Matchroom Boxing. I am excited to have signed a three-way promotional cooperation agreement with my long-time promoter DiBella Entertainment Inc. and Ferocious Promotions,” Kambosos said.

“I made great success and history when I moved up the Matchroom shows by winning my UK elimination fight against Lee Selby. The most noteworthy and unforgettable is my victory against Teofimo at Madison Square Garden in Up-to-date York to become the 135-pound world champion.

“I am officially announcing that I will be moving up to 140 pounds and signing with Matchroom will ensure my continued success and the legacy I want to leave in the sport of boxing.”

Hearn, who adds an experienced campaigner to his stable, added: “I am delighted to welcome George to the team. George’s victory over Teofimo tore up the script and showed that George was the man for the massive time. He has proven to be a huge attraction in Australia and one of the real driving forces behind the rapid growth of boxing Down Under.

“The 140-pound division is full of massive names and massive potential fights. Adding George to the mix only elevates the level, and a possible fight with Liam Paro is a truly appetizing prospect. If Liam manages to win in a great fight against Richardson on December 7th [the fight could be on].

Lou DiBella, who has worked with Kambosos for years, said: “I’m glad I was able to make a deal with my antique buddy Eddie to work with George Kambosos Jr. and Ferocious Promotions.

“Throughout his career, George has been a fighter who has never shied away from a challenge, and now he wants to test himself against top junior welterweights.

Matchroom works with top 140-pounders, including George’s compatriot Liam Paro, and, like DiBella Entertainment, is heavily invested in Australia.

“It’s a natural partnership,” added the Up-to-date Yorker.

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Mike Tyson had absolutely no chance of knocking out Jake Paul

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Mike Tyson comeback black

One of the hottest topics surrounding Mike Tyson’s return at the age of 58 was the possibility of the boxing legend scoring a knockout of Jake Paul.

WBN has weighed in on this topic several times, questioning the validity of five-second training clips that revealed nothing about Tyson’s abilities at this overdue age. One of the most intriguing observations during the preparations was the opinion of UFC commentator Daniel Cormier.

Speaking on his show “Funky and the Champ,” Cormier reflected on Tyson’s social media videos and offered an informed opinion on the meaning of the clips.

“I understand that [he is in amazing shape at 58]and I understand what he is saying [he feels as though he can compete]– Cormier said. “And I agree that when he hits the pads with Rafael Cordeiro, it looks like there’s still something left in him.

“But then I watch Jake Paul fight Mike Perry. I saw Jake Paul get overwhelmed to the point where he started to feel uncomfortable. It looked like Mike Perry had a chance. But Jake has a reserve tank he can go to and benefit from because he’s 28 years ancient. Then he comes back and finally finishes Mike Perry.

“At the beginning of the fight, Mike Perry gets beaten up and dropped. He looks trained and unmatched. This worries me because what if it looks like a 58-year-old man fighting a 28-year-old man while Mike can’t employ the backup tank to stay and compete with this newborn kid? I think it’s a failure for Jake Paul because if you beat Mike Tyson, everyone will love him.

He added: “What if Mike knocks him out? It’s over. Everything is ready. This would be the backfire of all time. If he gets knocked out, nothing like that has ever happened in the history of the sport.”

Unfortunately for Tyson, this revenge backfired spectacularly, as the former heavyweight champion’s return was the only event that bombed. Tyson had nothing left twenty years after he had nothing left in his tank and no desire to box in his mind.

Paul parlayed this into a money-making scheme that would forever be a success for him and his company, but would be poorly received by the die-hard boxing fraternity.

Cormier’s words resonate, especially after what happened in the ring when Mike Tyson struggled to shift into first gear, warning former fighters thinking about returning after 50.

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Lauren Price looks to win Jonas vs Habazin with an undercard victory

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Lauren Price

Lauren Price MBE will defend her world title for the first time on Saturday, December 14 at the Exhibition Center in Liverpool, while the Welsh champion plans to stage an all-British unification clash with welterweight rival Natasha Jonas, which will headline the Collision Course that night.

Price defends her WBA welterweight title against undefeated Colombian challenger Bexcy Mateus on the same night as Jonas attempts to unify the IBF and WBC titles with Ivana Habazin as part of BOXXER’s ‘Collision Course’ fight night, which can be seen live and exclusively on Sky Sports in the UK UK and Ireland and Peacock in the US.

Price MBE (7-0, 1 KO) made history with an excellent performance, defeating former undisputed welterweight world ruler Jessica McCaskill in front of her fans in Cardiff in May.

Price, the first Welsh boxer to win Olympic gold, once again entered the record books by becoming the country’s first world champion in just her seventh professional fight. The 30-year-old from Ystrad Mynach, who has yet to lose a round as a professional, will now defend her world titles for the first time as she focuses on dominating the welterweight division.

Mateus (7-0, 6 KO), ranked No. 5 in the WBA rankings, is undefeated in the professional ranks and has won all but one of her seven fights by knockout. The 29-year-old from Bogota, fighting outside her native Colombia for the first time, will now have her first chance at global fame, with her goal to dethrone Price and take the top spot in the welterweight division.

Lauren Price said: “I’m excited to defend my belts and complete what has been an crucial year for me. I have full respect for Mateusz. I will prove that I am the best in the division and I will not let anything or anyone stand in my way of being undisputed.”

BOXXER Founder and CEO Ben Shalom said: “It’s a massive night for the women’s welterweight division with three world champions competing. Natasha Jonas returns to her hometown for a mandatory unification fight against Ivana Habazin, and Lauren Price defends her world titles against undefeated challenger Bexcy Mateus. The fight for the undisputed continues. If Natasha and Lauren win on December 14, it will set the stage for a massive “Battle Of Britain” world title unification fight next year.

There’s reason to celebrate as BOXXER delivers a Christmas cracker to end the year. In addition to the world championship fights between Natasha Jonas and Lauren Price, fight fans can expect a gala full of drama and entertainment.

Undefeated Irishman Stephen McKenna (15-0, 14 KO) will face English champion Lee Cutler (14-1, 7 KO) in an invigorating super welterweight fight for the silver WBC International title.

McKenna impressed fans in his three-round fight against Joe Laws last August at Oakwell Stadium in Barnsley. The two struck out in the first round, then McKenna began to apply the pressure, losing Laws three more times and maintaining his undefeated record after a third-round stoppage.

English cruiserweight champion Viddal Riley (11-0, 6 KO) returns to action from a rib injury that has kept him out of the ring since a career-best victory over Mikael Lawal in March. Riley will be looking to shake off the ring rust as he takes on high-profile opponents in the recent year.

Undefeated Chorley super middleweight Mark Jeffers (18-0, 5 KO) scored an explosive fifth-round knockout victory over Darren Johnston in May and will be looking to bring more drama to Liverpool’s Exhibition Center as he goes in search of his 19th professional win.

Mason Cartwright (20-4-1, 8 KO) from Cheshire, a former two-time British title challenger from Ellesmere Port, will be counting on local support as he returns to the title track.

After signing a promotional contract with BOXXER, local star Frankie Stringer (8-0, 1 KO) can achieve his third victory in 2024, when he returns in front of his fans in Liverpool. The 23-year-old lightweight fighter is a player of the notable city team Rotunda ABC, and his manager is former world champion Liam Smith.

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