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Britain’s youngest coach? Hasan Al-saigh learns from Angel Fernandez

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The 20-year-old assists with Richard Riakporhe

Hasan Al-saigh (right) with Richard Riakporhe (center) and Angel Fernandez (left) Photo: @hasan.a_1 Instagram
Hasan Al-saigh (right) with Richard Riakporhe (center) and Angel Fernandez (left) Photo: @hasan.a_1 Instagram

At just 20 years ancient, Hasan Al-saigh is already gaining experience and knowledge that he can relish.

Al-saigh has become an integral part of trainer Angel Fernandez’s Loughborough-based stable, which includes former British cruiserweight champion Richard Riakporhe, who will face Olanrewaju Durodola for the WBC silver title this Saturday night.

It all started with a two-hour phone conversation, and over eight months later he will be working in his second professional corner.

“I knew a boy named Charles Frankham who was in his stable at the time,” Al-saigh said proboxing-fans.com.

“At first I just said, ‘Do you have Angel’s contact information? I’m a huge fan.

“By then I was training amateurs and he gave me his phone number and we exchanged a phone conversation and it lasted about two hours, just talking about philosophy, boxing and life.

“So much so that he said, ‘Would you like to come to the gym for a week?’ and I did and it went from there.

“It was the best eight months of my life. I learned a lot there.”

Hasan ensures that he is not just an understudy, he is involved in all aspects of the gym, including road work with Riakporhe, as well as studying fights and perfecting his craft.

The 20-year-old assists Richard Riakporhe during training.  Photo: @hasan.a_1 Instagram
The 20-year-old assists Richard Riakporhe during training. Photo: @hasan.a_1 Instagram

Gripping the gloves of one of the most explosive fighters in the cruiserweight division can take its toll, but with advice from strength and conditioning experts, the adolescent trainer is able to break through the pain barrier.

“It is tough!

“But I’ve had some S&C advice from Chris Baird in Loughborough who has given me joint and muscle strengtheners so I’m not in as much pain as before.

– But he’s still very sore.

Hasan’s mentor, Fernandez, has been a key part of Anthony Joshua’s coaching team in recent years, alongside head coach Robert McCracken.

Appointed before his rematch victory over Andy Ruiz Jr in December 2019, the Spaniard supervised his last two fights against Kubrat Pulev and Aleksander Usykin which he was vacated as the World Heavyweight Champion.

Al-saigh says Fernandez is always one step ahead and admits his goal is to dedicate his success in the sport to his behind schedule former coach Derek Ashcroft and also become a head coach.

Al-saigh with former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua Photo: @hasan.a_1 Instagram
Al-saigh with former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua Photo: @hasan.a_1 Instagram

“With Angel, he is always one step ahead.

“There are always three or four things that maybe I wouldn’t have noticed at first, and the longer I stay around an angel and he makes me aware of these dangers, I slowly start to notice it and, as I say, it’s nice to be around him, I learn a lot I taught.

“When I was boxing my coach unfortunately passed away, Mr Derek Ashcroft and he were everything to me.

“So my goal is to continue his legacy as best I can and, of course, build my own.

“But the main motivation is that I want Ash’s name to be in the spotlight where it belongs.”

Watch the full interview with Hasan Al-saigh below:

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Interviews

Jorge Linares will lead my A game and show that I am elite

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Haney and Linares came face-to-face at Thursday

Devin Haney promised to surprise Jorge Linares during Saturday's clash between the two fighters in Las Vegas.  Photo: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom
Devin Haney promised to surprise Jorge Linares during Saturday’s clash between the two fighters in Las Vegas. Photo: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom

Devin Haney believes that Jorge Linares will bring out the best version of him and says a victory will prove that he is among the elite of fighters in the world.

Haney puts his WBC lightweight title on the line, making his biggest move yet in his fight against experienced three-division world champion Linares on Saturday at the Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas live on DAZN.

The 22-year-old, who has added Ben Davison to his coaching team alongside head coach and father Bill Haney, claims his opponent has a full repertoire of weapons but insists it will improve his game and further strengthen his claim as one of the ‘ if” is not the best lightweight in the world.

“I’m expecting a shootout and I’m looking forward to it,” Haney told Matchroom Boxing.

“We don’t know what Jorge will show, but I’m ready for anything and I can’t wait to show it.

“Jorge brings so much to the table. Speed, power, in-ring IQ, experience against the best of the best and I think this is the type of opponent that will bring out the best in me, make me bring out my A game, take it to the next level, to the elite level.

Haney and Linares came face to face at Thursday's news conference.  Photo: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom
Haney and Linares came face to face at Thursday’s news conference. Photo: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom

“People think he will be successful, some people think he will even win this fight and that is why I will show that I am elite and one of the best, if not the best, in the world.

“Every day my dad and I get to know each other better. This camp was great and we are both ready for this one night to show off everything we have been working on.

“You can’t train for me because you don’t know what style I will play. I’ve learned a lot of different styles and I can adapt, and that’s the difference between me and a lot of other players.”

Haney dominated Gamboa in November.  Photo: Melina Pizano/Matchroom
Haney dominated Gamboa in November. Photo: Melina Pizano/Matchroom

Linares, who was the WBC champion from 2014 to 2015, believes his pedigree on the world stage will prove crucial and warned the champion that when they meet, he will reach a fresh level.

However, Haney, who defended his belt for a second time in November after winning a unanimous decision over Yuriorkis Gamboa, vowed to shock the Venezuelan with his performance on Saturday.

Linares was the WBC lightweight champion in 2014-2015.  Photo: Tom Hogan / Hoganphotos-Golden Boy Promotions
Linares was the WBC lightweight champion in 2014-2015. Photo: Tom Hogan / Hoganphotos-Golden Boy Promotions

“This is the time I’ve been waiting for” Haney said during a news conference Thursday.

“This is the moment, this is my time to finally shine against a credible opponent, someone who the world thinks can put up a good fight against me and maybe win this fight.

“This is a huge opportunity for me, but it’s time to show everything I can do.

Haney defends his WBC title for the third time.  Photo: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom Boxing
Haney defends his WBC title for the third time. Photo: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom Boxing

“Like Jorge said, it’s a whole fresh level, but I’m ready for it.

“It will be a very dominant performance; I think the world will be surprised at what a performance this is. I think even Jorge will be surprised what type of player I am.”

On Saturday, DAZN will broadcast the Haney vs Linares match.

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There is a gigantic difference between Dubois and Miller

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Dubois fights for the first time since losing for the first time against Joe Joyce last November Photo Credit: Round ‘N’ Bout Media/Queensberry Promotions

Bogdan Dinu will spar with Jarrell Miller before the fight with Daniel Dubois.  Photo: Instagram @bogdandinu1
Bogdan Dinu will spar with Jarrell Miller before the fight with Daniel Dubois. Photo: Instagram @bogdandinu1

Bogdan Dinu has hired Jarrell Miller to aid him prepare for his fight with Daniel Dubois and believes the Briton lacks experience ahead of Saturday’s clash.

Dubois (15-1, 14 KO) makes a long-awaited return following his first professional loss to Joe Joyce in November when he meets Dinu (20-2, 16 KO) in a WBA Interim Heavyweight title fight in Telford, live on BT Sport.

Dinu, the number two-ranked fighter in the WBA, will spar with former opponent Miller, who is currently serving a ban from the Nevada State Athletic Commission after testing positive for a banned substance again, and the Romanian insists the “Gigantic Baby” brings a style that will shock Dubois.

“Jarrell has great style and I needed him for this fight.” Dinu told The Lowdown.

“The preparation was some of the best I’ve ever had. It was a great training camp, with good sparring, good coaches and I’m hearty.

“It was good to have Jarrell Miller at camp. He applies good pressure, plays difficult and is a mighty guy. This is exactly what I need for gigantic fights like this.

Dubois is fighting for the first time since losing to Joe Joyce last November.  Photo: Round 'N' Bout Media/Queensberry Promotions
Dubois is fighting for the first time since his first loss to Joe Joyce last November. Photo: Round ‘N’ Bout Media/Queensberry Promotions

“He’s a nice and entertaining guy, we train together. After each sparring session, he gives me advice on what he thinks will work in a fight.

“I think there is a gigantic difference between Dubois and Jarrell. Jarrell has the power, skill and experience.

Dubois took a knee and withdrew from the fight against Joyce in the tenth round with his left eye completely closed at the time of the stoppage, and subsequent tests showed that he had suffered a fractured eye socket and nerve damage.

Following this, the 23-year-old split with manager Martin Bowers, who remains his manager, and moved to Mark Tibbs, whom he has since replaced with Shane McGuigan.

Dubois promised a devastating comeback, but Dinu insists he lacks experience and warns him to be prepared for war.

“He’s a good fighter, a teenage fighter, he wants to fight, but from my experience he needs more experience. I think now my time has come,” added the 34-year-old.

“I do not know that [if he’s made a mistake choosing me]. I just want to say that I am well prepared, I come to win, I train difficult and it will be a war from the first round.

Dinu believes Dubois lacks experience Photo: Round 'N' Bout Media/Queensberry Promotions
Dinu believes Dubois lacks experience Photo: Round ‘N’ Bout Media/Queensberry Promotions

“He hasn’t met me yet. It’s simple to talk. As Mike Tyson said, everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face. It’s simple to say, but he saw in his last fight that it’s difficult when you’re out there and getting hit.

“He’s a good fighter, but he needs to learn. He needs to fight more and good fights, not just ordinary fighters who lost in the first round.

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He knows my way of thinking is different

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Wilder and Fury are set to meet for a third time on July 24 in Las Vegas Photo Credit: Photo Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank

Deontay Wilder has responded to John Fury's comments about his trilogy with Tyson Fury.  Photo: Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME/BT Sport Boxing
Deontay Wilder has responded to John Fury’s comments about his trilogy with Tyson Fury. Photo: Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME/BT Sport Boxing

Deontay Wilder claims that John Fury is aware of the danger he faces and insists that he will knock out Tyson Fury in the trilogy.

Wilder will be looking to reclaim the WBC heavyweight title when he faces Fury for the third time in Las Vegas on July 24, with an official announcement expected this week after the referee ruled in the American’s favor just as it seemed It was learned that Fury was scheduled to fight unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.

Fury’s father John Fury has vented his frustration following the failure of the proposed fight against Joshua in: interview with BT Sport earlier this week and advised his son to vacate the WBC belt.

Wilder believes he wanted his son to avoid him, knowing his attitude had changed by their third meeting, while again accusing the Briton of cheating, having previously accused him of glove tampering.

“Clear bending” Wilder told Ray Flores on the Premier Boxing Champions Instagram.

“He’s basically trying to get his son to duck. He did the same shit twice. And he said, “Oh, he’s going to kill my son,” and so on until they figured out a way to cheat.

Wilder and Fury will meet for the third time on July 24 in Las Vegas.  Photo: Photo credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank
Wilder and Fury will meet for the third time on July 24 in Las Vegas. Photo: Photo credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank

“Then he started betting on people, he even started betting on everything David Haye had. How does a man suddenly gain so much self-confidence in such a compact time?

“He went from one minute to the point of death and then to the point where he could bet his last dollar. Things will be different now that they’re under the microscope.

“Now he wants his son to start making obvious dodges. “Oh just throw the belt in the trash, go with Joshua” ’cause they know how hazardous I am, he knows I’m up here at the top, he knows my way of thinking is different, he knows now I’m I’m gonna dig out the shit that I didn’t have to mine.

Fury dramatically stopped Wilder in seven rounds last February.  Photo: Professional boxing fans
Fury dramatically stopped Wilder in seven rounds last February. Photo: Professional boxing fans

“Of course, when you get into the habit of cutting these people’s heads off all the time, you know what you can do, I know where to hit you, I know what I can do, they knew it too, so they must have something to leisurely me down, they must have found something to leisurely me down.”

The ‘Bronze Bomber’ will go into the fight as the bookmakers’ underdog after the Briton stripped him of his belt in seven rounds in February 2020, following a draw in December 2018 and ten title defenses.

The 35-year-old, who fired co-trainer Mark Breland for throwing in the towel in the seventh round, insists he has changed his mindset and vowed to exact revenge in Sin City under novel coach Malik Scott.

Wilder also confirmed that long-time coach Jay Deas will remain part of his coaching staff.

“My mind is very violent,” Wilder added.

“Like Malik [Scott] they said we built the entire facility to commit legal murder and that’s what it’s all about.

“When you reflect and deliberately want to hurt a man, and when you see that person, what you were thinking and what you felt will come to delicate.

Wilder promised a knockout win in the trilogy.  Photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank
Wilder promised a knockout win in the trilogy. Photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank

“The only thing is that at this point I will have to wait until I get in the ring to really release myself because I couldn’t do it outside, it would defeat the purpose, the baby has to eat.

“But once I get him in the ring, that’s what I love about it – I can let go of everything I’m feeling, everything I’ve been thinking, and I still get paid for it.

“I think their better chance was at the beginning of the year. In July, October, if they wanted to come and try to get me, but they let me heal 1000%.

“I take into account every little detail that was wrong with me. I did it, I took care of it. Like I said, I have a whole rehabilitation center and I have A1 doctors, a whole great team, it was amazing.

“Some of the most hazardous people, Ray, are those who have nothing to lose.”

Wilder suffered his first professional loss to Fury in February last year, and neither fighter has fought since.

The Alabama native has 41 knockouts in 42 wins and, like his co-manager Shelly Finkel, is confident he will force redemption in devastating fashion.

Fury started his training camp in Las Vegas.  Photo: Mikey Williams / Top Rank
Fury started his training camp in Las Vegas. Photo: Mikey Williams / Top Rank

“What makes me so invigorating as a fighter and what people come to watch, they come to watch the knockouts and they know like of all the heavyweights, if they want a sure knockout, they’re going to come to fight Deontay Wilder, that’s who I am everything about.

“Ultimately this fight will end in a knockout and that’s what I’m looking forward to.

“They can expect a killer mentality in the ring. Don’t come to my fight if your stomach can’t digest what your eyes are about to see.

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