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Anthony Joshua vs. Daniel Dubois favorite named after the pair’s fierce sparring sessions

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Anthony Joshua is tipped to triumph over Daniel Dubois in their upcoming heavyweight clash in September. The 34-year-old is currently riding a four-fight winning streak and will be riding high after a second-round knockout of former UFC champion Francis Ngannou in their March superfight in Saudi Arabia.

Joshua will be looking to regain the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight titles he lost to Oleksandr Usyk in 2022, but first he will have to beat Dubois. With a record of 28-3, AJ defeated the likes of Alexander Povetkin, Joseph Parker and Wladimir Klitschko before losing the titles to Andy Ruiz Jr. in his first professional defeat in 2019.

Although he managed to regain the titles by defeating Ruiz Jr. later that year, he was unable to shake off his first loss to Usyk in 2021. Joshua lost to the Ukrainian by unanimous decision at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and a rematch in 2022 ruled out an immediate third title fight when he lost by split decision.

However, victories over Jermaine Franklin, Robert Helenius, Otto Walin and Ngannou have seen the Watford-born star gradually work his way back into title contention. However, to have a chance of reuniting with his prized belts, he will need to get past 26-year-old Briton Dubois this year.

Dubois himself is aiming for the heavyweight titles after suffering a loss to the undefeated Usyk in Wroclaw last year, reports say mirrorAJ and Dubois are well-versed in the ring, having sparred multiple times as the latter trained for victory at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics — following Joshua’s gold medal win in London in 2012.

Sky Boxing correspondent Adam Smith has seen a few of these sparring sessions and assures fans they can expect a “pretty good” fight in September. Speaking on the Pro Boxing Fans YouTube channel, Smith said: “British fight fans get a chance to see AJ again, and in a massive domestic fight, which doesn’t happen very often.

“You mention Lewis Bruno and nights like that, but it’s great – they’re two really powerful British heavyweights, they’ve got a lot of history. I’ve seen their sparring sessions at Team GB and I can tell you they were all really great – really warm.

“So I’m looking forward to it. Dubois is going to believe in this novel life, that he can take AJ down – AJ back under Ben Davison, looking really, really sharp and productive, and getting back to his best form. Go for it, fantastic.”

Dubois decided to abandon his Olympic aspirations and join the pro ranks with Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions, a move that has undoubtedly paid off, considering the teenage boxer boasts an impressive 21-2 record, including 20 knockouts in fights against the likes of Filip Hrgovic, Jarell Miller and Trevor Bryan.

As the current IBF interim heavyweight champion, Dubois is keen to show he can take on the best in the business when he faces Joshua in September. The teenage champion has previously suffered defeats in high-stakes title fights against boxing legends Joe Joyce and the aforementioned Usyk – and undefeated super heavyweight Frazer Clarke believes Joshua still has the edge over his former teammate when it comes to the decider.

In an interview with PBF, the 32-year-old boxer said: “I’ve seen hundreds of rounds with them, loads of rounds with them. I’ll be intrigued. Obviously, they’ve both come a long way since then. I still consider Joshua the favourite, but Daniel could surprise me because I had Hrgovic as a certain favourite against him recently.”

“Who knows? I think they both have good teams around them, and Daniel will realize he can’t take as many right punches as he took from Joshua Hrgovic because… he knows that himself. The other fighters. Look, this is heavyweight, anything can happen, and right now everyone’s fighting each other, you’re getting surprises and shocks all the time. So who knows?”

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UK Boxing

Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson – results and post-fight report

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Tyson looked a shell of himself against Paul (Photo Credit: USAToday)

Whistles rang out as Paul cruised to victory over Tyson (Photo: USAToday)
Boos rang out as Paul headed towards victory over Tyson (Photo: USAToday)

After months of anticipation and preparation, Jake Paul defeated an understated Mike Tyson by unanimous decision at AT&T Stadium in Texas.

Tens of millions of viewers will watch Paul (11-1, 7 KO) fight Tyson (50-7, 44 KO), and part of the intrigue was to see if the 58-year-old Up-to-date Yorker could muster enough fire to upset the brash YouTuber.

That wasn’t to be, however, as “Iron Mike” looked his age in impressive fashion and was unable to catch up with the Ohio native, who was able to keep him at bay with faster feet and a longer push.

Outside of a spirited first round, Tyson had little to no success in the fight, and it looked like “The Problem Child” could have secured a stoppage at any point starting in round three.

Fortunately, he seemed reluctant to reach the finish line, whether out of pity for the exhausted legend across from him or fear of being caught by a counterattack on the way inside.

Tyson looked like a shell of himself compared to Paul (Photo: USAToday)
Tyson looked like a shell of himself compared to Paul (Photo: USAToday)

When the final bell rang, there was no longer any doubt about which hand would be raised and about the three judges standing at ringside declared Paul the broad winner.

Taylor nods at Serrano

After the epic battle at Madison Square Garden in 2022, Katie Taylor (24-1, 6 KO) and Amanda Serrano (47-3-1, 31 KO) secured another classic in the main event.

Serrano appeared to have the advantage until she suffered a brutal cut to her eyebrow just before the halfway point, potentially taking the fight to a disappointing finish early on.

Taylor and Serrano delivered another classic in Texas (Photo: USATODAY)
Taylor and Serrano delivered another classic in Texas (Photo: USATODAY)

However, the doctor allowed her to continue, and the Puerto Rican showed plenty of heart to see out the final bell, achieving more than her fair share of success.

There were boos when the unanimous decision was announced for Taylor, with many observers feeling that the challenger had done enough – especially considering the Irishwoman’s points deduction in the eighth round.

Nothing that could divide Barrios and Ramos

Defending champions Mario Barrios (29-2-1, 18 KO) and Abel Ramos Jr (28-6-3, 22 KO) took part in a welterweight world title fight that was as bloody as it was entertaining.

Both men fell and were badly injured, but dug deep to hear the final bell and leave the decision to the three judges at ringside who were unable to separate them. A draw was declared, meaning the title remains in Barrios’ hands, however an immediate rematch seems inevitable.

Further undercard summary

India’s favorite Neeraj Goyat (19-4-2, 8 KO) turned out to be one level better than Brazilian influencer Whindersson Nunes (0-1), defeating him decisively over six rounds.

Shadasia Green (15-1, 11 KO) and Melinda Watpool (7-1, 2 KO) fought for the super middleweight world titles, and the former came away with a razor-thin victory.

Green brushed against Watpool (photo: USAToday)
Green brushed against Watpool (photo: USAToday)

Lucas Bahdi (18-0, 15 KO) had a tougher-than-advertised fight against Italian lightweight champion Armando Casamonica (14-1, 3 KO), but he did enough to earn a majority decision victory.

In the event’s curtain raiser, heated featherweight prospect Bruce Carrington (14-0, 8 KO) was able to score points against Dana Coolwell (13-3, 8 KO).

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UK Boxing

“I’m one of only five fighters to beat Mike Tyson – he wasn’t even my toughest opponent.”

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Mike Tyson may have once been widely known as “the baddest man in the world,” but he wasn’t everyone’s most unsafe opponent. The youngest ever world heavyweight boxing champion fought 58 times in his iconic career, losing only six times.

One of them faced one of the best British boxers of all time, Lennox Lewis.

The only clash between the two came in 2002 in Tennessee, when Lewis, who had all four belts in his division on the line, knocked out the American with a devastating right hook in the eighth round.

One of the British icon’s most memorable shows took place there, but according to the man himself, it wasn’t his most arduous task. Three years before the fight with Tyson, Lewis fought two fights with Evander Holyfield, giving him a chance to unify the heavyweight division.

Their first contest at Madison Square Garden controversially ended in a draw, even though Lewis appeared to dominate the proceedings. However, in the rematch, he made amends by taking a unanimous decision against the man known as “The Real Deal”.

In an Instagram post, the 59-year-old explained why Holyfield was the toughest opponent he had ever faced. “People seem really surprised when I tell them that Holyfield is my toughest opponent, not to be confused with my toughest fight, which was Ray Mercer,” he wrote.

“It’s a huge experience and it’s unthreatening to say that by the time we met for the undisputed heavyweight championship in 1999, he had seen it all. When you combine Evander’s amateur and professional experience, it’s challenging not to notice the success he’s had in the ring.

“I may tease him a bit during our two fights, he knows I won both fights even though he won’t admit it. But seriously, he’s the only man who has fought 24 rounds with me.”

Lewis also mentioned that Holyfield had previously been crowned the undisputed champion at the cruiserweight level, calling him the “best ever” in that weight class. And for what it’s worth, Tyson, who returns to professional boxing this weekend after his clash with Jake Paul, apparently agrees.

He also previously hailed Holyfield as his toughest opponent, praising his dedication and in-ring skills. “A great champion – beard, heart, determination, work ethic, attitude,” he said.

In addition to Lewis and Holyfield, Tyson also suffered losses to James “Buster” Douglas, Danny Williams and Irish journeyman Kevin McBride. That final fight in 2005 was initially his last of his career, and the 58-year-old retired immediately thereafter until his professional fight against Paul this weekend.

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UK Boxing

Tony Bellew says Jake Paul can’t beat him, never mind Canelo

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Bellew gatecrashed Wednesday

Bellew is clearly not Paul's biggest fan (Matchroom Boxing, Jake Paul X Account)
Bellew is clearly not Paul’s biggest fan (Matchroom Boxing, Jake Paul X Account)

Tony Bellew ridiculed Jake Paul’s claims that he can beat Canelo Alvarez ahead of Friday’s fight with Mike Tyson.

Bellew broken gate Wednesday’s press conference devoted to Paul’s controversial fight with Tyson, during which he ridiculed the YouTuber for fighting the nearly 60-year-old Tyson.

“The Problem Child” has repeatedly assured that one day he will not only fight, but also defeat unified super middleweight world champion Alvarez, who has only lost to Floyd Mayweather and Dmitry Bivol.

There are few, if any, in the boxing world who would give the 27-year-old a good chance of competing with the Mexican icon, widely considered one of the best of his generation.

And in an interview with MailSportBellew stated that even Paul himself did not think he could upset Alvarez.

Bellew interjected at Wednesday's press conference with an elderly gentleman who had called Paul to the meeting. Photo: Stephen McCarthy
Bellew interjected at Wednesday’s press conference with an elderly gentleman who had called Paul to the meeting. Photo: Stephen McCarthy

“He really doesn’t believe he can beat Canelo.

“Listen, I’m 41 years ancient and he couldn’t lace up my gloves. Not suitable for carrying my belt.

Mike Tyson punched Jake Paul after yesterday's weigh-in (photo: Kevin Jairaj, Imagn Images)
Mike Tyson punched Jake Paul after yesterday’s weigh-in (photo: Kevin Jairaj, Imagn Images)

“I’m over it, a retired boxer who plays golf a few times a week and he still has no chance with me, let alone Canelo.

“Saul “Canelo” Alvarez is probably one of the best fighters I have ever seen, he is that good.

“In terms of counter-punching, he’s probably in the top five best fighters in boxing history.

“The guy is a freak, a modern-day Thanos.

“Jake Paul says things to get a response and a reaction. If he was grave about boxing, he would face really vigorous boxers.

“Or he would face former world champions who are not grandparents!”

Canelo was dismissive of the fight with Paul. Photo: Melina Pizano/Matchroom
Canelo was dismissive of the fight with Paul. Photo: Melina Pizano/Matchroom

Paul’s fight with Tyson was met with weighty criticism, with some expressing concerns about the health of the former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, who had to withdraw from the July 20 event due to the flare-up of an ulcer.

Despite this being a fully licensed professional fight, the pair will wear larger gloves and fight in two-minute rounds.

65,000 fans are expected to be in attendance at AT&T Stadium, with Netflix viewership estimated in the tens of millions.

Both of them turned up the heat before the fight during Thursday’s weigh-in with Tyson hitting an opponent before being thrown out by security as tempers reached fever pitch.

“Iron Mike,” who has been out of professional boxing for almost two decades, will hope to turn back the years and become the second man to defeat Paul.

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