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Filip Hrgovic Criticizes WBA for Allowing Fury vs. Joshua Title Fight

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"Filip Hrgovic Criticizes WBA for Allowing Fury vs. Joshua Title Fight"

Filip Hrgovic questions how Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua have earned a fight for the WBA “Super” heavyweight title, arguing that attaching the belt to their matchup damages boxing’s credibility.

The fight already has two recognizable names and a rivalry that can sell without a championship. Adding a world title invites a different question: what have either man’s recent performances done to justify that reward?

“They are both big superstars, but how are they fighting for a title?” Hrgovic told The Stomping Ground when asked about the proposed WBA title stakes. “Where did that come from? … These kinds of decisions, it’s killing the sport. It’s not good for the sport. And because of these funny decisions, people don’t consider boxing a serious sport.”

Fury and Joshua already have the recognition to sell their fight. Their rivalry is the attraction. Adding the WBA’s highest heavyweight title gives the event a sporting endorsement that requires more explanation than either man’s name can provide.

Gassiev’s position makes that harder to justify. With him holding the regular championship, the proposed title stakes would allow Fury and Joshua to fight for superior recognition within the same organization without going through its existing titleholder. What, then, is Gassiev’s belt supposed to mean?

That is the weakness of the WBA’s multiple-title structure. A fighter can hold its championship and still watch a more commercially attractive pairing receive the bigger prize. The distinction becomes difficult to defend if the organization cannot explain the sporting criteria behind it.

There is also a financial question worth asking. Sanctioning a major event can benefit the organization collecting the fees. That makes a clear explanation of eligibility especially necessary: what qualifies Fury and Joshua for this opportunity, and how does Gassiev fit into the decision?

Hrgovic has his own interests. He wants recognition as the division’s best champion and would benefit from undermining rival claims. But his objection still demands an answer.

Fans can enjoy Fury-Joshua as a major occasion without treating it as the fight that establishes heavyweight supremacy. The WBA risks blurring that distinction by attaching its highest title to a matchup whose appeal is already secure.

The rivalry gives the promotion something valuable to sell. The championship should represent something the fighters have earned.

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David Haye Warns Agit Kabayel Could Pose Serious Challenge to Daniel Dubois

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"David Haye Warns Agit Kabayel Could Pose Serious Challenge to Daniel Dubois"

David Haye believes Agit Kabayel’s movement and body punching could punish Daniel Dubois for loading up on his shots. The approach that overwhelmed Fabio Wardley could leave Dubois working much harder against the unbeaten German.

Dubois’s second-round stoppage of Wardley showed how destructive he can be against an opponent whose attacks he can anticipate. Kabayel would offer a different test, making him change direction and create fresh openings rather than repeatedly finding the same target.

Haye praised Dubois’s physical qualities but argued that he could benefit from using smaller punches to set up his power shots.

“He’s an absolute machine. Everything is the perfect size heavyweight. He takes a dig. He’s a massive puncher,” Haye said to talkSPORT Boxing.

“I’d like to see him loosen up a little bit. Everything feels very forceful.”

Haye used Lennox Lewis as an example of a heavyweight who could open opponents up before committing to his biggest punches. Against Kabayel, he believes Dubois would need more than force.

“Against Kabayel, that style of just trying to force it won’t work,” Haye said. “He’s slippery, he turns angles, throws to the body.”

Wardley gave Dubois opportunities to land short, powerful counters. Kabayel’s movement could require Dubois to keep adjusting his feet while protecting his body. Loading up and missing would cost energy, particularly if Kabayel made him turn before he could punch again.

That makes the matchup a test of how Dubois creates opportunities when an opponent refuses to remain in front of him. His power could still change the fight, but reaching for a knockout would give Kabayel more chances to work.

Haye called Kabayel “the sleeper,” highlighting his willingness to face dangerous opponents without the promotional attention enjoyed by bigger names.

“He’s the one everyone’s avoided. He’s the one who’s had all these tough fights against unbeaten fighters when nobody else wanted it,” Haye said.

Haye still didn’t pick Kabayel to win. His argument was that Dubois would face a much tougher technical test. The power would remain a threat, but Kabayel could make him work a lot harder to deliver it.

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Boxing 24/7 Wire

Boxing247.com is an independent boxing news publication covering the sport since 2001. It provides original reporting, fight analysis, schedules, results, and informed coverage of major fighters and events worldwide, backed by more than 25 years of professional boxing journalism.

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Joe Cordina Cleared of Assault Charges After Punching Incident: Former Boxing Champions Legal Victory

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"Joe Cordina Cleared of Assault Charges After Punching Incident: Former Boxing Champion's Legal Victory"

Former boxing world champion Joe Cordina has been cleared of assaulting a man he punched outside a petrol station.

The incident outside a garage in Pentwyn, Cardiff, in February led to the 34-year-old being denied entry to the US for a WBO lightweight title clash.

District Judge Charlotte Murphy found Cordina not guilty of assault by beating against Jamie O’Brien, 33, following a trial at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court.

She said she was “satisfied” Cordina believed it was necessary to use force to defend himself.

“I am further satisfied that a single, measured, controlled punch was proportionate in the circumstances,” she said.

“It is very easy to consider the defendant’s response by considering the CCTV in slow motion, however the defendant had a split second to consider his response to the shoulder barge.”

Cordina had been filling up his Land Rover before he approached O’Brien, who had been sitting on the pavement near the petrol station exit.

CCTV footage showed O’Brien pushing Cordina using his shoulder, before the two-time IBF super-featherweight champion punched him with sufficient force to knock him to the ground.

The pair continued to “remonstrate” with one another and exchange blows.

O’Brien, from Pentwyn, previously pleaded guilty to a charge of assault by beating.

Police began to investigate the incident after footage of the altercation was circulated online.

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Lennox Lewis Comments on Anthony Joshuas Decision to Reunite with Ben Davison for Tyson Fury Fight

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"Lennox Lewis Comments on Anthony Joshua's Decision to Reunite with Ben Davison for Tyson Fury Fight"

Anthony Joshua is preparing for his long-awaited showdown with Tyson Fury and will have Ben Davison by his side after reuniting to his former trainer.

When asked on his thoughts, Lennox Lewis gave an honest verdict on AJ’s decision to team up with Davison once again.

Davison trained Fury for five professional bouts after ‘The Gypsy King’ made his comeback in 2018, including in an iconic draw with Deontay Wilder which many felt Fury had done enough to win.

Since then, Davison was surprisingly appointed as Joshua’s trainer for what turned out to be another five-fight run, with a damning IBF title defeat to Daniel Dubois in 2024 encouraging ‘AJ’ to make the switch to Team Usyk, where Iegor Golub acted as his cornerman.

Now, after being re-appointed as Joshua’s trainer, Davison is hoping to shake off his unwanted record of zero wins in five career heavyweight world title bouts as a trainer, with three of those losses coming this year when being in the corner for Fabio Wardley and Moses Itauma.

Speaking with Playbook BoxingLennox Lewis said Davison ‘is a good choice’ for Joshua, as he attempts to overcome Fury and capture the vacant WBA (Super) heavyweight title to become a three-time heavyweight world champion.

“I think that it is a good choice because Ben Davison has trained Tyson Fury for a little bit. He also knows Anthony Joshua and he also is a good man in the corner for Anthony Joshua because of how he speaks, he gives you confidence and that is what Anthony Joshua needs.

“He needs a guy in there telling him some good stuff to make him react.”

Fury-Joshua will take place on Friday, December 11, at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, with details regarding the undercard expected imminently.

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