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Eddie Hearn: TKO involvement in Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua ‘pushing the fight further away’; Fury calls for Oleksandr Usyk instead

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Eddie Hearn: TKO involvement in Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua ‘pushing the fight further away’; Fury calls for Oleksandr Usyk instead

The sordid saga of Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua seems destined to drag on forever.

In November, Fury and Joshua were supposed to finally face off in a fight well over a decade in the making. The two British heavyweight boxing champions have circled each other for years, and in April, the bout was finally signed.

But things took a turn over the ensuing months, with the primary point of contention seeming to be the location of the fight and the involvement of TKO. Joshua's team claims the fight they signed on for was to take place at Wembley Stadium in London, while Fury's team is pushing for the fight to take place at Madison Square Garden in New York.

The two sides appear to be deadlocked on the matter, with Hearn telling DAZN on Saturday after Katie Taylor's retirement fight that TKO went behind his back to offer Joshua an undisclosed amount of money to agree to the change of venue.

“Yesterday [Friday], TKO went around the back again to try and offer Joshua money to do the fight in America,†Hearn said. “It's a dirty, dirty game, mate, to be honest with you. It's made it even harder for them now because Joshua ain't about that. ‘You've got an hour and a half to make your decision.'

“‘Like, mate, what don't you understand? I signed to fight in Britain. I want the fight in Britain.'

“You can't buy everybody. Especially the ones who it means something to. And you know the crazy thing is, the more support AJ's getting because of his desire to stage the fight in Britain, the more determined it's making him to do it. …

“Listen, life is short,†Hearn added. “When it's all said and done, and it's all over, that's what you're going to remember. You ain't gonna remember going to New York because the broadcaster thought he'd get more celebrities there. You're going to remember the moment: 100,000 people gathered for the greatest sporting event our country's ever seen.â€

Fury, however, is not especially focused on that, even acknowledging that the fight was originally signed to take place in London. But Fury seems content to fight in New York City, even praising Dana White and TKO for getting “it all over the line.â€

Hearn, meanwhile, has a different perspective.

“If they [TKO] had never gotten involved in the first place, the fight would already be announced and signed,†Hearn said. “They are the ones that are trying to bring this fight to America. They are the ones that are basically saying to British fight fans, ‘We don't give a fuck. We don't care about British fight fans. We want to do the fight in America, because that's where we're from.'

â€Now, because of what they've said in the past, they're so desperate. They're panicking, and they're doing silly things like that. And they're going to get in trouble.

“We've already written to them,†Hearn continued. “But it's like, ‘What are you doing? You're on the New York Stock Exchange. What is this? Like just coming around the back and trying to bank someone a few quid?' C'mon. It doesn't got to be like that. But it's pushing the fight farther away because of their behavior.â€

And for his part, Fury appears to have given up on the long-awaited fight. “The Gypsy King†has been ripping Joshua and Hearn since the issue arose, and on Sunday called for Oleksandr Usyk to step in and replace Joshua for a fight at Madison Square Garden.

“So, it looks like AJ has shat his pants yet again,†Fury said on an Instagram Story. “After 11 years, he's finally shat his pants yet again. So this would only lead me to a fight with Oleksandr Usyk.

“Oleksandr, you were his trainer and his sensei, and you know he's a weak-minded piece of shit, and that he would never fight The Gypsy King. Which you've had the guts to do twice. Twice! And you know how difficult it is in there. Listen, you got the decisions last time; fair play to you. Good luck to you, but let's do it again. Let's run it back in November. The ball is now in your court, Oleksandr.

“Do you want to fight me this year, 2026, or are you calling it quits? Let me know, because I'm now looking for a new opponent.â€

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MMA

Magomed Zaynukov shuts down UFC Qatar fight rumors, out until 2027

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Magomed Zaynukov shuts down UFC Qatar fight rumors, out until 2027
Magomed
Zaynukov has ruled out a return in 2026.

Zaynukov underwent surgery earlier this year for a lingering hand
injury. “Wild Chanco†is now recovering and has resumed training.
Recent rumors have linked a matchup Zaynukov and Manoel
Sousa for UFC Qatar
in November. However, he recently took to social media to shut down
the rumors.

Magomed Zaynukov says he never signed to fight Manoel Sousa at
UFC Qatar

The Dagestani lightweight also revealed that he won't be fighting
for the rest of the year, as he continues to recover from
surgery.

“I didn't sign any contract for this fight,†Zaynukov wrote on his
Instagram Stories. “I won't be fighting this year due to surgery.
I'm currently undergoing rehabilitation and recovery.â€

Zaynukov (9-0) amassed a substantial fan following as Islam
Makhachev's teammate even before joining the
Ultimate Fighting Championship. The undefeated 31-year-old made
his Octagon debut this past July, scoring a unanimous decision win
over Damian
Rzepecki after earning a contract on
Dana White's Contender Series.

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Renato Moicano hails Raoni Barcelos as ‘warrior’ after UFC Vegas 121

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Renato Moicano hails Raoni Barcelos as ‘warrior’ after UFC Vegas 121
Renato
“Money†Moicano believes Raoni
Barcelos embodies the Brazilian fighting spirit.

Barcelos (22-6) took on one of the hottest prospects in the

Ultimate Fighting Championship, Raul Rosas
Jr. (13-1), in the main event of
UFC Vegas 121 in Las Vegas. Barcelos was ahead on the
scorecards entering the final round, but suffered a concerning
stoppage loss.

Moicano praises Barcelos after his stoppage loss to Raul Rosas
Jr.

Their brutal back-and-forth war was seemingly up for grabs heading
into the final frame. Rosas Jr. started strong, and during a clinch
up against the cage wall, Barcelos suddenly went limp. The former
was declared the winner, while the latter was removed on a
stretcher from the Octagon.

“Moicano†lauded Barcelos for going out on his shield like a
warrior. The UFC lightweight felt proud to be a Brazilian after
watching Barcelos' performance and believes the 39-year-old
bantamweight veteran should be a role model for the coming
generations.

“Raoni Barcelos yesterday showed the essence of what it means to be
a Brazilian fighter, a warrior,†he posted on X. “He left carried
on his shield, but he left with all honor and all glory. Raoni
Barcelos fills me with pride and hope in being Brazilian, not just
in the fight. We have to make these Brazilians be an example for
the young people.â€

Barcelos was immediately rushed to the hospital, where he regained
consciousness. His coach, Davi Ramos,
on Saturday night confirmed that he is responsive and moving
around. He is still under supervision and awaiting test results to
determine the exact issue.

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UFC gives update on Raoni Barcelos after scary stoppage

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UFC gives update on Raoni Barcelos after scary stoppage
The
Ultimate Fighting Championship has provided an update on
Raoni
Barcelos following his concerning loss to Raul Rosas
Jr. at
UFC Vegas 121.

Barcelos was ahead on the scorecards entering the final round.
However, during a wrestling exchange against the Octagon wall, the
Brazilian veteran appeared to go limp, prompting the referee to
stop the fight. He was later taken out of the Octagon on a
stretcher and transported to a hospital. The UFC has since released
an update on his condition.

Raoni Barcelos stable and responsive after UFC Vegas 121 loss
to Raul Rosas Jr.

In a statement released hours after the event, the
UFC said Barcelos was transported to a Level 1 trauma center for
further evaluation. The promotion confirmed that the 39-year-old is
stable and responsive after his coach initially revealed the
same.

“Following his fight tonight, Raoni Barcelos was immediately
transported to a Level 1 trauma center for evaluation,†the
statement read. “The hospital medical team conducted a CT scan and
comprehensive assessment, and he is currently being monitored.
Barcelos is stable, alert and responsive, with full movement. He
will remain under medical supervision. We will provide updates on
his condition as they become available.â€

Barcelos both sustained and dished out significant damage against
Rosas Jr., with their high-paced, back-and-forth bout later earning
Fight of the Night honors.

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