Boxing
During the last press conference, Fury and Usyk spoke briefly and simply
Published
6 months agoon
By
J. HumzaTIME for talking is over, but the mind games didn’t stop when Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk shared the stage at last night’s press conference in Riyad.
In two days, boxing will crown its first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis defeated Evander Holyfield 25 years ago. Both men sat in the front row, enjoying the sights and sounds provided by hosts Saudi Arabia as Fury and Usyk fight on Saturday night.
The players had very little to say to each other, with most of the conversation being conducted by their promoters and managers, who sat next to them at the top table.
“It’s something special,” said Fury’s British promoter Frank Warren.
“It has everything you need to not only capture a unique moment in boxing, but also a unique moment in sports history. I support my man because he is the best heavyweight and he has proven it time and time again. For me, he is one of the best heavyweights I have ever seen in boxing and I believe he will prove that on Saturday night.”
Usyk’s promoter Alex Krassyuk changed tactics to emphasize his point, quoting a poem from the 19thvol century, the poet Henry Longfellow called “A Rainy Day.”
“Serene down, gloomy heart! and stop regretting;
“The sun is still shining behind the clouds;
“Your fate is the common fate of all;
“On every life a little rain must fall;
“Some days must be obscure and dreary.”
Fury’s manager Spencer Brown had nothing to offer or compare, but warned Usyk, saying: “This is your Everest to climb. He will take all your belts away.”
Egis Klimas, the long-time manager of the unified champion, admitted that the fight would not be a “walk in the park”, but he asked Fury one very specific question that was not answered by the other side.
“How did he become a lineal champion? Everyone calls him a lineman, but I would like to know how he became a lineman. He hit [Wladimir] Klitschko. Klitschko was not a lineal champion.
The history of the heavyweight division was of little interest to anyone except one man who could claim to know more than most, Fury’s American promoter, Bob Arum. The 92-year-old has seen greats come and go and promoted some of the biggest fights in boxing’s storied history.
“There is a saying in boxing that the most essential division is the heavyweight division,” he said.
“When we have the chance to crown the undisputed heavyweight champion, which will happen on Saturday night, it is something very, very significant. Saturday evening will be a very essential evening for boxing. Not only will it crown the undisputed heavyweight champion, but both fighters have not lost the fight. How sporadic, how wonderful. The eyes of the world, not only boxing fans, will be focused on this fight and believe me, it will be great.”
Corners Sugar Hill Steward and Sergey Lapin shared varying emotions and thoughts about Saturday’s fight. For Steward, his life began boxing at the Kronk Gym with his uncle Emanuel, who trained Lennox Lewis and Wladimir Klitschko and predicted years ago that Fury would be “the next superstar, the dominant heavyweight.”
“The heavyweight division rules boxing and is everything it represents. You couldn’t do better. Emanuel, if he were alive, would be there,” said an emotional Sugar Hill.
Lappin revealed that preparations for Fury began in 2018 and in this fight, size doesn’t matter, despite the six-inch advantage the Briton will have on fight night.
“I would like to wish Tyson patience,” Lappin said. “This will be the hardest night of his life.”
And finally, after repeated thanks from everyone involved from every person at the top table for the three-part press, it was Fury and Usyk’s turn. The WBC champion is not afraid of a few words and insults, but for once he showed restraint.
“I’m going to keep this low and straightforward. I want to thank Usyk for coming out and challenging me and that’s it. I am ready. I have nothing to say except that I’m ready for a good fight. And if it’s strenuous or simple – either way – I’ll be ready.
Usyk, who wrote the poem while the words flew out from both sides in what he initially described as “homework” for host Dev Sahni, also kept his closing remarks low and straightforward.
“I’m joyful to be here. I’m excited. I’m grateful this fight happened. Let’s make history. Enough.”
And when all the talking was over, the established boxing match took an unexpected twist as Fury stared straight ahead, refusing to turn and look Usyk in the eye. However, the Ukrainian watched his opponent carefully and chose this moment for one more study. With that, he left the stage, letting Fury be Fury as he flexed and posed for everyone watching.
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Boxing
Mike Tyson’s fresh boxing record left a mark on the sport forever
Published
24 hours agoon
November 17, 2024Mike Tyson can boast the seventh defeat of his career after a one-sided loss to Jake Paul on Friday evening in Texas.
Tyson accepted a $20 million payout, leaving a lasting stain on his boxing and sport. Tyson is 50-7, two winless, and will never be able to remove the check mark from his resume.
Fans of the heavyweight legend will forever have to deal with the fact that Tyson was brought out of retirement to take on an influencer in exchange for content, praise and clicks. Fans who grew up watching Mike rule the world as the youngest ever top-flight ruler and undisputed champion will undoubtedly have a difficult time accepting the fact that Tyson is no longer 50-6.
Having lost four of his last five fights, Tyson should have retired after beating Lennox Lewis 49-3.
In a statement, Tyson thankfully turned down another fight, even though he declared after the fight: “I don’t think so. Maybe his brother.
“It’s one of those situations where you lost but you still won. I’m grateful for last night. But I don’t regret entering the ring for the last time,” Tyson said.
“I almost died in June and had eight blood transfusions. I lost half my blood and 25 pounds in the hospital and had to fight to get better to fight, so I won.
“For my children to see me stand shoulder to shoulder and finish eight innings with a talented fighter half my age in front of a packed Dallas Cowboys Stadium is an experience no man could ever ask for. Thank you.”
Despite Tyson admitting his career is over, many blame Paul for adding an unnecessary stain to the boxing legend’s notebook.
Former world champion Carl Froch fell in love with Paul after witnessing the shocking events at AT&T Stadium from his home in Nottingham.
“It looked like Mike Tyson just showed up to play his part in this little circus,” The Cobra noted. “Jake Paul was either too scared to get involved or he didn’t want to hurt him.
– I don’t think he can. I don’t believe Jake Paul is good enough. The fight itself was awesome. Mike Tyson is 58 years aged. But Jake Paul also gave an amazing performance.
“I don’t like how he tries to say he didn’t really try, because I think he tried sometimes. And I don’t think he had the courage to stand in front of Tyson and try to do anything to get him out of there.
We hope that one day Paul will take his boxing career seriously and stop cutting corners. This is unlikely because Paul does not have enough talent to compete with anyone in the top 15 in any weight class.
The circus will continue.
Boxing
“Mike Tyson knocking out Jake Paul is an ‘all-time backfire’
Published
4 days agoon
November 14, 2024Mike Tyson may not win at all even if he knocks out Jake Paul on Friday.
Tyson is approaching a comeback fight that many believe will not end with anyone winning.
Tyson was told that winning at the age of 58 in boxing was an empty joke. Tyson can’t really win either way if he crushes Paul or gets knocked out himself.
The former UFC star turned analyst weighed in on the Tyson debate as Daniel Cormier offered his views on the controversial fight.
Tyson will wear his professional gloves on November 15, nineteen years and more since his last appearance. Despite “Iron” Mike losing his previous two contests by knockout, YouTuber Paul sees Tyson as a cash opportunity to gain some recognition.
However, Cormier joins many voices who believe that both men have no chance of winning this fight. The only advantage of the entire Netflix event is money, which is no reason to create such an antagonist, since both men are already millionaires.
On his “Funky and the Champ” show, Cormier discussed Tyson’s smokescreen training videos, saying, “I understand that [he looks good at 58]and I understand what he is saying [he feels great].
“I agree when he hits the pads with Rafael Cordeiro. It looks like there’s still something left there. But then I see Jake Paul fighting 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 operate the backup tank to stay and compete with this juvenile kid? I think it’s a failure for Jake Paul because if you beat Mike Tyson, everyone will love him.
“What if Mike knocks him out? It’s over,” Cormier added. “Everything is ready. This would be the backfire of all time. If he gets knocked out, nothing like this has ever happened in the history of sports.”
Paul has eight two-minute rounds to get the job done, while the consensus is that Tyson only has 30 seconds before he’s blowing tough and having difficulty keeping up.
The only comparison fight fans have made to the Paul vs. Tyson fight is when Evander Holyfield returned to action at the same age as Tyson in 2021. Facing Vitor Belfort, who was twenty years older than Paul at the time, Holyfield lasted only 109 seconds.
Mike is in deep crisis and must get out of the fight or destroy his opponent to gain any recognition. Senior Tyson would have beaten that opponent in a matter of seconds. Therefore, he must prove that money is not the only thing that counts.
In a recent workout, Tyson’s muscle mass remains off the charts for a man his age. The only problems will be its resistance to attacks and movement. If Mike can’t move around the ring, he’ll be chosen at his discretion by a guy three decades younger, with a much more significant engine.
Paul clearly doesn’t have skills comparable to Tyson. However, Mike has shown on numerous occasions, even in his thirties, that he is prone to impoverished performances and falling out of the game.
An audience of millions will watch to decide his ultimate legacy.
If Paul knocks Tyson out, it will be a disaster.
Boxing
Ardreal Holmes Jr. is the leader of Large Time Boxing on December 12 in Flint, Michigan
Published
5 days agoon
November 13, 2024Salita Promotions returns to Flint, Michigan on Thursday, December 12 with another edition of BIG TIME BOXING USA, the leading talent development series in the sport, featuring a fight card packed with some of boxing’s top prospects, including Michigan Jr.’s Ardreal “Bossman” Holmes. , Joey Spencer, Da’Velle “Hitman 2.0” Smith and Leon Lawson III.
This will be the sixth BIG TIME BOXING USA card since the series premiered in February, and it is without a doubt the series’ strongest lineup yet, from top to bottom. All the action takes place at the Dort Financial Center in Flint, and the top four fights are broadcast live on DAZN, the undisputed home of boxing worldwide. Tickets for the event go on sale Wednesday at 11 a.m. EST and can be purchased online HERE or in person at the Dort Financial Center box office.
After successfully defending his USBA junior middleweight title in September, Flint native Holmes (16-0, 6 KO) returns to his hometown to once again put his title on the line in the main event against an experienced challenger, French veteran Ahmed El Mousaoui ( 35-6-1, 9 KOs).
Fan favorite Spencer (18-1, 11 KO), from nearby Fenton, Michigan, will fight in a 10-round 160-pound fight. Spencer has bounced back with two wins since his lone loss to undefeated, highly-rated Jesus Ramos in March 2023.
Spencer will fight as a professional for the second time in his home state of Michigan. “Fighting in front of fans and friends from all over the state was the best experience,” Spencer said. “I grew up fighting alongside Ardreal Holmes and Leon Lawson – training and traveling to tournaments together and even sparring with each other as we grew into the same weight class.
“Large Time Boxing is a very cold series and Dmitriy Salita does a lot for boxing in Michigan. I can’t wait for December 12th and I’ll be ready to put on a show.
“My team and I are proud to announce the strongest BIG TIME BOXING USA fight card to date,” Salita said. “Since the series launched in February, we have been building and evolving it to become the premier talent development platform for newborn fighters, and this fight card is the best yet. Thank you to DAZN for providing a global platform for these fighters to shine and earn a shot at a world title. We would also like to thank Flint fans for supporting their hometown heroes and the entire sport of boxing. We had a great performance at the Dort Financial Center in September and this fight card is even more packed with incredible talent.”
Smith, touted as Detroit’s best undefeated middleweight prospect since Tommy Hearns, scored an impressive victory over Gilberto Pereira dos Santos last month in Puerto Rico. Smith has a record of 10-0 and 8 knockouts, and his momentum will be even greater when he returns to the ring against William Townsel (8-1, 6 KO) from Virginia Beach. This matchup represents the first major test for Smith, who is considered the second coming of the legendary Hearns due to his combination of speed, power and physique. Townsel previously upset Nadim Salloum, who had a 12-1 record heading into the fight, during the March edition of BIG TIME BOXING USA.
Flint native Lawson (16-1, 9 KO), cousin of Anthony and Andre Dirrell, returns after an impressive performance in September when he dominated Argentine Luis Alberto Veron and scored his second straight TKO. Lawson’s super welterweight opponent will not be announced. Additionally, former world title contender Byron Rojas (28-4-3, 11 KO) will fight on the fight card.
Rising star Samantha Worthington (9-0, 7 KO) of Lexington, Kentucky, will compete for the third time in 2024, defending her undefeated record in women’s super lightweight fighting. Worthington is ranked No. 2 by the IBF, No. 4 by the WBO and No. 6 by the WBC and WBA at 140 pounds. Worthington is promoted by “GWOAT,” unified women’s world champion and Flint native Claressa Shields and T-Rex Promotions. Shields and Worthington were members of the 2016 U.S. Olympic team.
Shields added that Worthington is a player that Flint fans won’t want to miss. “Samantha will showcase the relentless work ethic and tremendous skill that first caught my eye and has seen her rise through the ranks,” Shields said. “Samantha is well on her way to challenging the top competitors in the sport, with future world title fights against the likes of Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano well within her reach. Michigan fans, get ready to watch a rising women’s boxing star in your own backyard.
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