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Anthony Joshua reveals what happened during Tyson Fury fight

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Joshua was still an amateur when he sparred Fury (Photo Credit: Action Images)

Anthony Joshua has given details of his sparring session with Tyson Fury in 2006. Photo credit: Ian Walton/Matchroom
Anthony Joshua has given details of his sparring session with Tyson Fury in 2006. Photo credit: Ian Walton/Matchroom

Anthony Joshua says Tyson Fury put his Rolex on the line when the two fighters had their only sparring session.

Joshua and Fury clashed in 2006 at Finchley ABC in a four-round fight that became the catalyst for a rivalry that has lasted nearly two decades rivalrywhich has still not been established in the professional environment.

Speaking about their brief encounter, ‘AJ’ claims that the usually feisty Fury challenged his sparring partners and even offered his watch as a bonus for a knockout.

“So a guy comes into the gym called Tyson Fury, who I have no idea who he is,” Joshua said. This Life of Mine Podcast.

“And the word on the street was that Tyson said, ‘If someone knocks me out, I’m the best heavyweight. If someone knocks me out, they get my Rolex.’

Joshua was still an amateur when he fought Fury (Photo source: Action Images)
Joshua was still an amateur when he fought Fury (Photo source: Action Images)

“Hey, I was looking at the cash. I’m talking Rolex, yeah. I said, let’s go.

“The bell rings, we go, we go. I think we sparred for about three or four rounds.

“Even Tyson, in fact, did an interview promoting the fight. ‘There’s this kid, Anthony Joshua, I sparred with him at Finchley Boxing Club. I’ll tell you, he’s fucking sizzling. I believe he’s going to go on and do great things. He hit me with a punch that almost took my head off.’

“Both this and that.”

Joshua will face Daniel Dubois for the IBF heavyweight title on September 21. Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Joshua will face Daniel Dubois for the IBF heavyweight title on September 21. Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

It is unclear whether the “Gypsy King” gave Joshua his Rolex watch, although neither ever claimed to have knocked out an opponent.

Former two-time heavyweight world champion Fury shared a similar version of events, recalling the fight and admitting that his opponent “beat him up”.

Fury and Usyk will face off again on December 21. Photo: Stephen Dunkley/Queensberry Promotions
Fury and Usyk will face off again on December 21. Photo: Stephen Dunkley/Queensberry Promotions

“He came at me and fought me three times and then beat me up,” the 36-year-old told BBC Radio London.

“I won’t deny it, he beat the crap out of me for three rounds. I thought, ‘Oh my God, an amateur is killing me.'”

“As a professional, and I was an amateur myself and I’ve fought all over the world, I slowed him down a bit with a few good body shots.

“This guy is only 20 years elderly and I’m a tough fighter myself, so if he gave it his all against me, such a promising fighter, I think he has potential for the future.”

Despite several previous failed attempts to bring about the long-awaited showdown, it now appears that the two are closer than ever to a final meeting.

Turki Alalshikh, who is responsible for financing the events in Saudi Arabia, revealed his intentions to finalize the fight, provided that “AJ” defeats IBF champion Daniel Dubois on September 21 and Fury gets revenge on unified champion Oleksandr Usyk on December 21.

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UK Boxing

While waiting for the talks, Tyson Fury sent a nine-word message to Anthony Joshua from Eddie Hearn

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There have been calls for Tyson Fury to now arrange a British clash with Anthony Joshua.

The Gypsy King returned to the UK last night after suffering the second defeat of his career at the hands of heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk in Riyad.

After the heartbreaking defeat, 36-year-old Fury insisted he take some time off over Christmas to rest before considering his next move as he did not want to commit to another fight.

However, Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn is ready to enter into talks with Fury’s entourage once the two-time world champion recovers from defeat.

Hearn stated: “Obviously Fury will need time to reflect and get over the disappointment of the defeat. The truth is, I felt it was a great performance and he’s still at the top of his game. It’s time for Joshua against Fury.”

Both Fury and Joshua missed out on opportunities to fight for the undisputed heavyweight crown when they held all four belts in 2020 and 2021. Nevertheless, Hearn remains sanguine that it will be a monumental fight if they can make it happen.

He added: “It’s not only the biggest fight in British boxing, but the biggest fight in sport. I believe we can have two fights in 2025. And when the time is right, we will have the appropriate discussions to see if we can achieve this.”

After his second defeat in 37 fights, Fury was asked about his future plans after the fight against Saudi Arabia, in which all three judges scored it 116-112 in favor of Usyk.

He said, “Go home and have a Merry Christmas. I was away for 12 weeks working on this fight. Now I’ll go home and enjoy it.

“Let’s go home now, let’s welcome the up-to-date year, let’s see what it brings. Will you see me fight next year? Perhaps so. You may not. We’ll talk about it next year.”

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UK Boxing

Lennox Lewis interrupts the interview while Frank Warren fumes over Tyson Fury’s decision

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Lennox Lewis interrupted Frank Warren mid-rant as Tyson Fury’s promoter became furious at the prospect of Oleksandr Usyk winning. The Gypsy King lost 116-112 on all three scorecards, and his attempt at revenge for the only defeat of his career ended with Usyk defending his WBA, WBC and WBO titles.

Both Fury and Warren strongly criticized the decision, which leaves huge doubts about the 36-year-old’s future. Fury said Usyk was given a “Christmas present” by the judges, while his longtime promoter was “stunned”, calling it “crazy”.

Fury said: “I was sure I won that fight again. I thought I won both fights, but on the other hand I came home with two defeats on my account. I will always believe, until the day I die, that I won this fight.

“I will always feel a little tired. Not a little, but actually a lot. When you don’t get a knockout, that’s what happens. You can’t guarantee victory.”

Warren complained about the result in various post-fight interviews, including one with the BBC. He said: “This is crazy. Everyone who sat where I sat, including neutrals [thought Fury won].

“Oscar De La Hoya, like me, was one round away. We both thought he won it, that’s a crazy result! It’s a split decision and I’m very disappointed. I know people will say I’m biased and I probably am, but I temper myself with bias.

Lewis then joined the conversation and Warren asked the heavyweight legend about the verdict. He replied: “I didn’t score, but it was close, definitely close.”

Warren then highlighted the fact that one of the judges didn’t give Fury a single round in the second half of the fight, fuming, “What kind of fight are they watching?”

Apparently not seeing the result the same way, Lewis simply added: “Yes, yes, should have given him a few rounds [in the second half of the fight]”

Lewis then shared his thoughts on the future of Usyk, who may decide to reunite the four heavyweight belts. A rematch with the holder of the second belt, Daniel Dubios, has already been suggested, although everything depends on his fight with Joseph Parker on February 22.

Lewis believes the 37-year-old could hang up the gloves and say: “He can do whatever he wants. He can retire if he wants, he can have a rematch, he can have another fight.

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UK Boxing

Oleksandr Usyk’s various injuries after each fight with Tyson Fury say a lot

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Oleksandr Usyk emerged from his latest fight with Tyson Fury without requiring hospitalization, allegedly a stark contrast to his experience after their first fight in May. On Saturday (December 21) in Saudi Arabia, the 37-year-old Ukrainian boxer secured his second victory over “The Gypsy King”, winning and retaining his undisputed heavyweight titles by unanimous decision.

Sporting significantly fewer battle scars than after his first triumph over Fury in May, Usyk had only minor bruises under his eyes this time. The judges were in agreement during the rematch, with all three unanimously scoring the fight 116-112 in favor of Usyk, who appeared to take less damage throughout the fight.

Despite Fury’s claims that Usyk was hospitalized with a suspected broken jaw after their first meeting, the reigning champion denied such suggestions, admitting he only felt pain in the area and not a broken bone.

However, he admitted to the physical effects of their intense first clash, stating: “Yes, I have a little problem, but I have problems with my fist, my back and my whole body because it’s a tough fight that lasts 47 minutes. “

Despite Fury’s exhaustive preparation, which included a three-month period in which he stated he had not spoken to his wife Paris, he ultimately failed to defeat Usyk again. The result leaves fans and pundits wondering whether this defeat will push the Gypsy King to hang up his gloves for good, reports. Mirror.

The 36-year-old Fury could not hide his irritation after his second defeat in a row to the boxer from Kiev, calling the judges’ unanimous decision a “Christmas gift”. “I feel like I won both fights,” he declared.

I know I had to knock him out, but it’s boxing and things like that happen. I have no doubt that I won this fight. Franc [Warren] I was three or four rounds ahead, and a lot of people were at least two rounds ahead of me.”

Echoing Fury’s frustration, promoter Frank Warren expressed his astonishment at the referee’s performance. “I’m amazed at how they do it [judges] I scored a goal,” said the head of Queensbury Promotions.

“His jab was phenomenal, his footwork was brilliant, he wasn’t tardy. He was very evasive.” In the aftermath, IBF heavyweight titleholder Daniel Dubois entered the ring shortly after Usyk’s victory and challenged him to a rematch following his own knockout loss to the Ukrainian last year.

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