UK Boxing
Eddie Hearn reveals why Oleksandr Usyk is fighting Deontay Wilder
Eddie Hearn has revealed what Oleksandr Usyk told him about a possible fight with Deontay Wilder.
Usyk and Hearn met in Saudi Arabia, where Wilder was discussed.
Hearn and the Ukrainian in the ring at the Naoya Inoue vs. Alan Picasso Stadium were photographed together, and the match room chairman revealed what Usyk told him.
“The Cat” was already there related to a possible fight with Wilder at some point this year, probably in the United States.
Hearn spoke to Sky Sports Boxing.
“I was with Usyk in Saudi and I said, ‘Deontay Wilder?’ and he said yes.
“He raised the issue and said, ‘I want to fight all the people from my generation, and the three people who were the key fighters of my era are AJ, Fury and Wilder.’
“I think he thinks having Wilder on my CV would be nice.”
Since moving up to heavyweight in 2019, Usyk has beaten everyone in his path and is undoubtedly the best heavyweight of the last decade.
He is a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
Usyk last fought in July when he defeated Daniel Dubois.
He said “DDD” twice and stopped the fight in the fifth round at Wembley Stadium.
“These are the biggest names and you have to give honorable mention to Daniel Dubois, but he beat them all twice.”
Wilder, however, hasn’t been that impressive over the last few years.
His last fight was in June, where he defeated Tyrrell Herndon in the seventh round.
Deontay Wilder is BACK
#WilderHerndon pic.twitter.com/lECrlXtCOp
— Professional boxing fans (@ProBoxingFans) June 28, 2025
Before the Herndon fight, “The Bronze Bomber” suffered back-to-back losses to Zhilei Zhang and Joseph Parker, respectively.
Despite his needy form, Wilder once ruled the heavyweight division and defended his titles for over four years.
During his career as WBC world champion, Wilder stopped nine of the 10 opponents he defended against.
He suffered his first career defeat to Tyson Fury in 2020, following an epic draw the year before.
Hearn believes Usyk will be too much for the Alabama player.
“Wilder is a large draw, but for me his best days are behind him. I don’t see this as a very competitive fight.”
The announcement of the Usyk vs Wilder fight seems inevitable.
The post Eddie Hearn Reveals Why Oleksandr Usyk Is Fighting Deontay Wilder appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
Ryan Rozicki is set to return to the ring tomorrow when he faces Chris Billam-Smith live from Bournemouth.
The Billam-Smith vs Rozicki fight will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Many people know “CBS” as he plans a successful homecoming run, headlining in Bournemouth for the first time since 2023.
He fights out of the Bournemouth International Center once again forced Mateusz Masternak to retire on the stool in the eighth round due to a rib injury.
Source: Boxxer
The Briton’s opponent before entering the competition remains relatively unknown, but his achievements tell the story of danger and a man who decided to tear up the script.
Rozicki boxes from Nova Scotia, Canada, and continues to train in his hometown. He spoke to professional boxing fans and revealed the biggest challenge his location poses to his boxing career.
He recently posted a video on social media highlighting one of the more unusual training methods he uses while camping in such a remote location.
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“There are no sparring partners there, no. If I want to spar, I have to travel.”
The Canadian has a devastating knockout rate of over 95%, which he added in his last outing less than three months ago.
He stopped Gerardo Mellado in the second round after dropping him twice earlier.
The 31-year-old is currently ranked number one in the WBC cruiserweight rankings.
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‘The Bruiser’ revealed his biggest inspiration growing up and how he emulates Jack Dempsey’s brutal and relentless style.
“Jack Dempsey. Brutal. Constant pressure. Damage.
“I have no interest in participating in a boxing match. I want to hurt my opponent.”
Despite such a high position in the WBC rankings, he surprisingly presented his goals for tomorrow night and the rest of his career.
Give me fights, give me large fights, pay me the most money and I will be there.
“I don’t focus on numbers, rankings, belts, anything.”
Rozicki had already tried to secure a fight with Billam-Smith.
The Canadian was ringside for his 2024 rematch victory over Richard Riakporhe at Selhurst Park and revealed what Ben Shalom told him about the pair’s fight two years ago.
“Ben said no one knows who you are and that you hit too demanding.”
While preparing to appear at Dana White’s first ever boxing gala in the UK, Rozicki also shared exactly how he sees the fight ending.
“One of my shots, from any angle, from any hand… he’ll go to sleep.”
The post “I’m not interested in belts” – Ryan Rozicki talks about the Zuffa Boxing switch appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
On Saturday in Sheffield, Josh Padley will defend his European super featherweight title against Aqib Fiaz for the first time.
Eddie HearnMatchroom is promoting the Padley vs Fiaz fight from Utilita Arena live on DAZN worldwide.
The pair were scheduled to fight on the undercard, but were later advanced to the main event Dalton Smith’s WBC super lightweight title defense against Albert Puello and then Galal Yafai’s clash with unified flyweight world champion Ricardo Sandoval was shelved due to injury.
Padley (18-1, 6 KO) won the vacant belt after a second-round stoppage of Jaouad Belmehdi in Newcastle in January.
The 30-year-old has won three times since a ninth-round defeat to Shakur Stevenson for the WBC lightweight title on four days’ notice.
Fiaz (14-1, 2 KO) is looking to break the script here and has won two in a row since an eight-round retirement loss to mutual opponent Reece Bellotti in 2023, whom Padley defeated by unanimous decision in October.
The 26-year-old last didn’t play 11 months ago, securing a unanimous decision victory over Alex Murphy.
Nadim-Sulaimaan will fight for the title of English champion
Ibrahim Nadim defends his English super featherweight crown for the first time against Ibraheem Sulaimaan.
Nadim (16-1, 2 KO) secured the vacant belt with a unanimous decision victory over Numan Hussain in November, and Sulaimaan (10-0, 5 KO) became the Midlands Area champion with a sixth-round victory over Nico Ogbeide also in November.
Undercard remaining
Middleweight Aaron Bowen (7-1, 5 KO) suffered his first professional loss to Tom Cowling in November, but can get back to winning ways with a stoppage victory over Troy Coleman (15-4-1, 7 KO).
Heavyweight prospect Leo Atang (6-0, 5 KO) can remain excellent by defeating Frenchman Fouad Shaili (5-4-2, 3 KO).
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Connor Mitchell (2-0, 1 KO) can improve his undefeated record by scoring points over Jesus Carrasco (2-4-2) at featherweight, while Chris Mulanda (2-0) can do the same against Connor Goulding (6-12) in their middleweight bout.
Adam Maca (5-0, 5 KO) and Edward Hardy (6-0, 2 KO) will return to the pitch against an as yet unspecified opponent.
The post Josh Padley vs Aqib Fiaz – Gigantic Fight Preview and Predictions appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
Anthony Joshua won’t be leaving boxing any time soon.
Joshua returns to the ring on July 25 in Saudi Arabia against Kristian Prengi, ahead of a thrilling clash with long-time rival Tyson Fury in November.
The two-time world heavyweight champion was expected to potentially end his career after his long-awaited clash with Fury, but the 36-year-old insists he can continue for another four years, even opening the door to a potential clash with the rising 21-year-old heavyweight champion, Moses This is going to hurt.
“For me, maybe until I’m 40,” Joshua told reporters.
“It’s only been about three or four years.
“I’ll be 37 in October, so it’s only three years, it’ll go by quickly.
“Of course it will be challenging, but I definitely think I’m tough enough to do it.
“Why not, why not? I’m definitely more mature.”
“AJ” will fight for the first time since the sixth-round knockout of Jake Paul in Miami in December.
The Watford player took a break from the sport after he was involved in a devastating road accident in Nigeria 10 days later that killed two of his close friends, Latif “Latz” Ayodele and Sina Ghami.
Joshua, who met Prenga face-to-face earlier this week, said he strongly supports parents Ayodele and Ghami.
“You’ll never get over it, but you’ll gain perspective in life,” he said BBC Sport.
“Life sometimes teaches you humility. You never know your fate.
“As a soldier, I stand powerful in defense of their parents.
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“First of all, it’s not about me.
“I think it’s crucial to put parents first at this time.
“I will have time to grieve, but I know that right now my heart and mind say that their parents are my main priority.”
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Joshua’s fight against Prenga will take place at the Jeddah Superdome.
Fury, who retired in April to defeat Arslanbek Makhmudov, is scheduled to have another warm-up fight on August 1.
The post Anthony Joshua REVEALS when he will retire from boxing appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
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