Boxing
During the last press conference, Fury and Usyk spoke briefly and simply
Published
8 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
Ryan Rozicki is waiting for Badou Jack’s consent to mandatory cooperation with the WBC
Published
5 days agoon
January 13, 2025The World Boxing Council (WBC) ordered world cruiserweight champion Badou “The Ripper” Jack (20-1-1, 19 KO) to make a mandatory title defense against Ryan “The Bruiser” Rozicki (20-1), number 1 in the WBC ranking – 1, 19 KOs).
If both camps fail to successfully negotiate an agreement, the WBC will organize a tender on February 4, followed by the Jack vs. Rozicki. Rozicki’s promoter, Three Lions Promotions, immediately sent Team Jacek an offer to promote the fight in Canada last week.
“We are waiting for their counteroffer,” explained promoter Dan Otter of Three Lions Promotions. “Boxing has had a huge resurgence in Canada and Ryan is leading the way. He is one of the most electrifying and hardest-hitting fighters in boxing, definitely in the cruiserweight division. He wants the WBC green belt and ultimately the unification of the division. Ryan will fight Jack anywhere for the belt.”
29-year-old Rozicki, born in Sydney (Nova Scotia) and living in Hamilton (Ontario), fought 22 professional fights against 21 different opponents (twice against Yamil Alberto Peralta), stopping 19 of the 20 opponents he defeated. an eye-opening 95-KO percentage.
Jack, 41, was a 2008 Olympian representing his native Sweden. He is a three-division world champion, as well as the WBC super middleweight and World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight heavyweight title holder. Jack has a record of 5-0-2 (2 KO) in world championship fights.
“We respect Jack and I don’t want to sound disrespectful,” Otter added, “but he’s over 40 years vintage and has been relatively inactive for two years (only one fight). He brings a lot of experience and respect to the ring, but he will fight a newborn defender with a lot of power. Jack is going to struggle and honestly, I don’t think he’ll make it past the first few rounds.”
Ryan Rozicki is on a mission to become the first Canadian cruiserweight world champion.
The next move is Badou Jack’s.
Boxing
Floyd Mayweather’s record is not normal, it can’t happen in 70 years
Published
7 days agoon
January 12, 2025Floyd Mayweather’s incredible 50-0 record is not normal and cannot be repeated in sports for another seventy years.
This is the view of Saudi Arabian president Turki Alalshikh, who wants to adopt the UFC model in which fighters lose many fights during their career.
In a speech as he hosted the Ring Magazine Awards after acquiring the long-running boxing publication from Oscar De La Hoya, Alalshikh was unequivocal in his opinion.
“Now losing some fights in boxing must be normal,” he explained. “All fighters want a career similar to Floyd Mayweather – no losses. This may happen once every 50, 60 or 70 years.
“We need it [to be] like currently in the UFC model, where champions lose and win,” added the matchmaker during the Riyad season.
Mayweather rose through the sport in the tardy 1990s to become one of its youngest superstars. Mayweather’s professional success came after winning a bronze medal at the Olympics after losing to Serafim Todorov.
Winning world titles in five weight classes, Mayweather was untouchable. The Grand Rapids native only came close to defeat a few times. He dominated Manny Pacquiao and overtook Canelo Alvarez and Oscar De La Hoya after heated debates, with decisions that should have been made unanimously.
Towards the end of his career, Mayweather chose to face Andre Berto and Conor McGregor, easily winning and ending his boxing career at the age of 50 without ever going out. Calling himself “the greatest of all time,” Mayweather earned first-ballot Hall of Fame honors and is widely considered one of, if not the greatest defensive fighter of all time.
However, Alalshikh says this type of career needs to end so that fans can get the most out of boxing, as is the case with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Boxing needs to become more attractive, and Alalshikh sees the failures of top stars as a way to keep interest at an all-time high.
In this sport, many boxers enjoy undefeated streaks, the most notable of which is Oleksandr Usyk. The Ukrainian Pound for Pound King is 23-0 and has beaten the best he has to offer in his division and cruiserweight classification.
It remains a mystery how Alalshikh plans to make Usyk suffer while he dominates everyone else. By the time his grand plan goes into action, Usyk will be long gone, and Gervonta Davis, Shakur Stevenson and Devin Haney may be more realistic targets.
Boxing
Manny Pacquiao remains the favorite to win the title against Mario Barrios
Published
2 weeks agoon
January 6, 2025WBN understands that despite alternative options emerging, it is more likely that Manny Pacquiao will face Mario Barrios next.
Bob Santos, coach of WBC welterweight champion Barrios, told World Boxing News that he is currently in contact with Pacquiao’s team. Asked by WBN if he had spoken to Pacquiao or representatives of any other challenger, Santos replied: “Yes, Pacquiao’s promoter, Sean Gibbons.” Pressed on whether Barrios vs Pacquiao might happen next, he added: “It’s challenging to say. We’ll have to see how this plays out.”
WBN contacted Santos after Conor Benn emerged as a potential alternative to Barrios. The British fighter, who recently returned from a suspension following two positive drug tests, is keen to return to competition.
Benn showed favor with the World Boxing Council at the recent WBC Convention, the WBC Evaluation Committee and during an interview with the sanctioning body over the weekend. “The Destroyer” is ranked second in the rankings at 147 pounds, despite less than solid opponents during his time in exile, during which Benn competed twice in the United States while his career in the United Kingdom was in doubt.
As he battled to clear his name and with the British Anti-Doping Authority finding no evidence that Benn had intentionally taken ostarine, the 28-year-old’s career took a pointed nosedive. Despite this, he remains highly rated and at least one step away from fighting for an eliminator or one of the remaining championship titles.
However, Pacquiao remains Barrios’ favorite. Now it’s up to the boxing legend and Hall of Famer who got the first votes to secure his shot. WBN believes a July date – most likely at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas – is the most realistic date for a Nevada swan song.
Pacquiao could extend his record as the oldest welterweight champion by six years if he can secure a huge victory over the 29-year-old world champion. At 46 years antique, such a scenario remains unlikely, but he can never be compared to one of the greatest players of this generation.
Unlike heavier boxers and his training regiment, Pacquiao looks in great shape despite his advanced age. Everything is set for a massive return to the boxing capital of the world, provided Pacquiao and his team can manage his political ambitions, which are expected to run from this month until May. After that time, Pacquiao could find himself in the summer finals and become the all-time champion, regardless of the result.
Barrios is based in the city, where he trained with Santos, and would be the perfect opponent to see out the career of one of the greatest fighters in history.
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