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‘I came so, so close twice’: Joe Joyce uses Derek Chisora ​​fight to get back into contention

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Joe Joyce sighs with regret as he thinks about the IBF world heavyweight title fight between his English rivals Daniel Dubois and Anthony Joshua on September 21.

Joyce was the WBA mandatory challenger after defeating Bermane Stiverne in 2019 but never got a title shot. He then became the WBO interim champion — and next in line for a world title shot — by stopping Joseph Parker in September 2022, before suffering two straight defeats to Zhilei Zhang.

“I’ve been this, this close twice,” Joyce told ESPN from his Las Vegas training camp with trainer Ismael Salas. “Once with the WBA, then with the WBO. Only in heavyweight boxing [that] Dubois came up from the IBF right away and I thought, ‘What’s going on?’ I just have to beat whoever’s in front of me and pray I get the chance I deserve.”

Joyce (16-2, 15 KOs) has lost his career while others have passed him to fight for a world title. One of those fighters is Dubois, whom Joyce defeated by KO in 2020. However, Joyce’s losses to Zhang have forced him to remain outside the top 10 in three world governing body rankings, and ninth in the WBC.

Joyce, 38, who turned pro after winning a silver medal at the 2016 Olympics at age 31, could gain momentum if he defeats Derek Chisora ​​(34-13, 23 KOs) at the O2 Arena in London on Saturday (ESPN+, 2 p.m. ET). A win could put him one step closer to a spot in the lucrative fights currently being staged in Saudi Arabia. Joyce’s loss of status comes just after Saudi money began pouring into boxing last year, but he hopes to repair the damage done to his career, as Dubois and Joshua have done.

Joyce, from Putney, south-west London, stopped Dubois (21-2, 20 KOs), 26, in round 10, breaking his left eye socket. But Dubois got back into position to challenge Oleksandr Usyk for the WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight titles a year ago.

Dubois’s spirited effort ended in a ninth-round knockout loss, but he revived his career with victories over Jarrell “Gigantic Baby” Miller and then Filip Hrgovic. He stopped Hrgovic by cut for the interim IBF title and was elevated to full title reign when Usyk announced in June that he was relinquishing the title to face Tyson Fury in a rematch instead of Hrgovic, his mandatory challenger. (Usyk, the WBC, WBA, WBO champion, fights Fury on Dec. 21.)

Joshua (28-3, 25 KOs), 34, has also rebounded from setbacks, losing twice on points to Usyk in 2021 and 2022.

Joshua, a two-time world champion, has since reeled off four wins and looks to be in sensational form ahead of his IBF title fight with Dubois, which will take place in front of a likely sell-out crowd at Wembley Stadium in London.

“I beat Dubois, and everyone thought AJ was out after losing to Usyk,” Joyce told ESPN. “But [Joshua] he showed that nasty right hook in his last fights and he’s on top again. Dubois is back too. He lost to me and Usyk and now he’s [the] The IBF champion and I were like, “What?!” It’s a rollercoaster ride. It shows you how quickly things can change. One or two wins can change the rankings and title fights.

“I went to Las Vegas to get the best training. I’m sure my team will get me fights.”

Joyce, who turns 39 in September, remains positive about his future in the sport; after all, his opponent on Saturday, Chisora, is 40, while Zhang (26-2-1, 21 KOs) is 41. Zhang, who is from China but lives in Fresh Jersey, knocked out Joyce in three rounds last September. That defeat came just five months after Joyce lost the WBO interim title to Zhang via sixth-round knockout.

“Chisora ​​was a professional when I first started boxing,” Joyce said. “He’s giving it his all and it’s not going to be an simple fight. People have been waiting for this fight for ages.

“Besides, there are great fights for me. I’m not done yet, I have more to offer to this sport. I boxed [for] 16 years elderly and I have many years left. I had some awkward fights with Zhang, but now I’m back. There’s still a lot of time left before I hang up the gloves.

Although the fights with Zhang didn’t go his way and prevented him from fighting for the title, Joyce spoke highly of Zhang’s skills in the ring. But he’s putting that behind him and looking to the future.

“Zhang is a good fighter, he is a threat,” Joyce said. “He is precise, robust in the backhand and clumsy as a lefty. I have waited a long time, [the] WBO mandatory champion, so I gave Zhang a chance and sometimes that happens. I won my last fight with Kash Ali [by KO10 in March] and a great fight awaits me.

“Everyone has an opinion about me and people like to nitpick, especially comments, and sometimes I find them biased. I think I can prove to everyone that I am still a giant by name and nature.”

Frank Warren of Queensberry Promotions, Joyce’s promoter, says Joyce has a chance of large fights if he beats Chisora, who has suffered four defeats in his last six fights, including a 10th-round knockout to Fury in a 2022 WBC title fight.

“What’s next for Joe depends on the outcome of this fight,” Warren told ESPN. “I thought Derek Chisora ​​should have retired a few years ago, but he’s back, and because of his age, the loser of this fight is at the bottom. If Joe gets beaten by Derek, I don’t know where he goes. But Joe doesn’t have the miles on the clock like Derek. Joe got hurt badly in the Zhang fight in their first fight, but then he got a large knockout in the second fight and he needs a good win.”

“Remember, Joe beat Joseph Parker in September 2022, and look where Parker is now after beating Deontay Wilder and Zhang. The way the heavyweight division is right now, you can turn your career around in a couple of fights.”

Warren said that with three belts on the line in December at Usyk-Fury 2 and another on September 21 in the Dubois-Joshua fight, he believes Joyce could fight the winner of the Dubois-Joshua fight.

“Either way, it would be a great fight for the whole of Britain and Joe has experience of fighting both of those opponents. [Joyce used to spar with Joshua as an amateur.] I hope it’s Dubois, of course. That would be a great rematch, especially after their fight ended with Dubois getting seriously injured.

Joyce has a college degree in fine art and enjoys painting when she’s not boxing. But she’s focused on boxing for a while longer as she tries to get back to bigger opportunities.

“I definitely want to get back into the studio and have my own studio someday, but right now I just want to do the best I can in boxing,” Joyce said.

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Boxing

The fight between Alexis Rocha and Raul Curiel will take place on December 14 at the Toyota Arena

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Rocha vs Curiel

In a clash of forces between two world title contenders, NABO welterweight titleholder Alexis “Lex” Rocha (25-2-0, 16 KO) will put his skills to the test against undefeated knockout and NABF welterweight titleholder Raul “El Cugar “. Curiel (15-0, 13 KO).

The 10-round main event will take place on Saturday, December 14, live from the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California, and will be broadcast worldwide on DAZN.

“‘The best versus the best’ is Golden Boy’s mantra and that’s what fans will see as Rocha and Curiel take on everything that’s on the table,” said President and CEO Oscar De La Hoya. “Rocha is a veteran whose goal is to win the world title, Curiel is an undefeated blue-chip prospect with huge potential. It’s really a 50/50 fight and I’m looking forward to it.”

Tickets for the Rocha vs. match Curiel will go on sale on Friday, October 11 at 10 a.m. PT and will be priced at $100, $75, $50 and $25, excluding applicable service fees. A confined number of Golden Boy VIP Experience tickets will also be available, including exclusive merchandise and fight night upgrades. Standard and VIP tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com, Toyota-arena.com, Goldenboy.com or at the Toyota Arena box office from Monday to Friday from 12:00 to 16:00

“I’ve seen Raul Curiel all these years and he never once mentioned my name,” Alexis Rocha said. “After my last defeat, he suddenly became interested in fighting me. If he thinks I’ve lost a step or somehow had an simple fight, he’s in for a rude awakening. I can’t wait to make a statement and show the world what I’m capable of.”

Santa Ana, California Rep. Alexis “Lex” Rocha comes from a struggling family. The younger brother of Ronny Rios, he was the youngest fighter to win a gold medal at the Junior Olympics at the age of 14 in 2012 and caught the attention of the boxing world by becoming a six-time national champion during his amateur career. Rocha signed with Golden Boy in January 2016 and made his professional debut in March 2016, defeating Jordan Rosario at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles. Since then, he has amassed an enviable record of powerful knockouts over top contenders and plans to return to world title contention, with his last fight being a victory over undefeated Santiago Dominguez on July 19 last year.

“The fans can expect a war,” said Raul Curiel. “I’m going to prepare well to put on a great show. This will be the most essential fight of my career so far. I know Alexis is a great fighter, a good opponent and will also show up prepared. My focus is on Alexis and if I can beat him, I know it will give me a chance to fight for the world championship.

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George Kambosos moves up to 140, adds Eddie Hearn to team

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George Kambosos beats Teofimo

Former unified lightweight champion George Kambosos approached promoter Eddie Hearn asking for more massive fights.

Kambosos has signed a co-promotional deal with Eddie Hearn, under which the Greek-Australian slugger will continue his association with DiBella Entertainment Inc. and his own company, Ferocious Promotions.

The 21-3 star will move up to the super lightweight division of Matchroom Boxing’s lively division. He aims to become a two-weight world champion in early 2025, and as part of the deal, a title fight is promised as long as he continues to win.

Since his stunning victory over Teofimo Lopez, Kambosos has never shied away from competing against the best. Those three losses on his resume came to Devin Haney [twice] and Vasily Lomachenko, all at home and all for world titles.

The 31-year-old is now set to face compatriot Liam Paro after defending his IBF title against Richardson Hitchins in December in Puerto Rico.

“I am thrilled to be working with Matchroom Boxing. I am excited to have signed a three-way promotional cooperation agreement with my long-time promoter DiBella Entertainment Inc. and Ferocious Promotions,” Kambosos said.

“I made great success and history when I moved up the Matchroom shows by winning my UK elimination fight against Lee Selby. The most noteworthy and unforgettable is my victory against Teofimo at Madison Square Garden in Up-to-date York to become the 135-pound world champion.

“I am officially announcing that I will be moving up to 140 pounds and signing with Matchroom will ensure my continued success and the legacy I want to leave in the sport of boxing.”

Hearn, who adds an experienced campaigner to his stable, added: “I am delighted to welcome George to the team. George’s victory over Teofimo tore up the script and showed that George was the man for the massive time. He has proven to be a huge attraction in Australia and one of the real driving forces behind the rapid growth of boxing Down Under.

“The 140-pound division is full of massive names and massive potential fights. Adding George to the mix only elevates the level, and a possible fight with Liam Paro is a truly appetizing prospect. If Liam manages to win in a great fight against Richardson on December 7th [the fight could be on].

Lou DiBella, who has worked with Kambosos for years, said: “I’m glad I was able to make a deal with my antique buddy Eddie to work with George Kambosos Jr. and Ferocious Promotions.

“Throughout his career, George has been a fighter who has never shied away from a challenge, and now he wants to test himself against top junior welterweights.

Matchroom works with top 140-pounders, including George’s compatriot Liam Paro, and, like DiBella Entertainment, is heavily invested in Australia.

“It’s a natural partnership,” added the Up-to-date Yorker.

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Mike Tyson had absolutely no chance of knocking out Jake Paul

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Mike Tyson comeback black

One of the hottest topics surrounding Mike Tyson’s return at the age of 58 was the possibility of the boxing legend scoring a knockout of Jake Paul.

WBN has weighed in on this topic several times, questioning the validity of five-second training clips that revealed nothing about Tyson’s abilities at this overdue age. One of the most intriguing observations during the preparations was the opinion of UFC commentator Daniel Cormier.

Speaking on his show “Funky and the Champ,” Cormier reflected on Tyson’s social media videos and offered an informed opinion on the meaning of the clips.

“I understand that [he is in amazing shape at 58]and I understand what he is saying [he feels as though he can compete]– Cormier said. “And I agree that when he hits the pads with Rafael Cordeiro, it looks like there’s still something left in him.

“But then I watch Jake Paul fight 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 employ the backup tank to stay and compete with this newborn kid? I think it’s a failure for Jake Paul because if you beat Mike Tyson, everyone will love him.

He added: “What if Mike knocks him out? It’s over. Everything is ready. This would be the backfire of all time. If he gets knocked out, nothing like that has ever happened in the history of the sport.”

Unfortunately for Tyson, this revenge backfired spectacularly, as the former heavyweight champion’s return was the only event that bombed. Tyson had nothing left twenty years after he had nothing left in his tank and no desire to box in his mind.

Paul parlayed this into a money-making scheme that would forever be a success for him and his company, but would be poorly received by the die-hard boxing fraternity.

Cormier’s words resonate, especially after what happened in the ring when Mike Tyson struggled to shift into first gear, warning former fighters thinking about returning after 50.

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