Former Manchester City star Micah Richards has bizarrely thrown his hat into the ring to become the next star to turn his hand to boxing.
Several stars have joined the ring over the past few years, with former Leicester City defender Danny Simpson and countless TikTok influencers getting involved with Misfits Boxing – the company founded by YouTuber-turned-celebrity KSI.
Wayne Rooney and Luke Littler have previously joked that they wouldn’t mind joining the ever-growing line-up in the future, and reports claimed that a fight between TV personality Joey Essex and Tommy Fury, Tyson’s brother, was likely.
With the rise of impact boxing showing no signs of slowing down, pundit Richards joked that he wouldn’t turn down an invitation to fight – although he’s set the bar quite high due to his lack of experience.
The former Aston Villa captain recently boxed former player Malik Scott, who married Richards’ CBS Sport colleague Kate Abdo earlier this year. Footage of the 36-year-old on the pads was then broadcast earlier this week and his combinations did earn him some praise.
Commenting on the clip, Abdo said: “Very nippy. Misfit boxing? Celebrity fight, will it be a challenge for you? Do we have a disagreement with someone we can make an appointment with? Let’s make some money.”
Richards then replied: “Jake Paul fights Mike Tyson, right? So I’m next. They call me Iron Mike Jr.” The response was met with laughter in the studio, although Thierry Henry chimed in to warn his colleague not to bite off more than he can chew.
The Frenchman said, “Be careful what you wish for.”
UFC legend Don Frye confessed that he felt like “vomiting” after Jake Paul’s fight with former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson. Last year, the boxing community was shocked when Tyson announced his plans to return to the professional ring.
His last official match before facing Paul was in 2005, where he lost to former Irish boxer Kevin McBride. However, he participated in an exhibition fight against Roy Jones Jr in 2020.
Many were concerned about Tyson’s health before the fight, but the boxing icon shared several clips of his preparations for the fight, sparking a worldwide discussion and making fans believe that he can turn back time. Unfortunately, his age showed on the night of the fight, and after the second round the 58-year-old had nothing left to offer.
Despite failing to get past the knockout, Paul won a unanimous decision in Texas. After the main event in November, prominent figures from the world of combat sports were quick to criticize the event.
Two months after the controversial showdown, people are still questioning the fight and wondering why it even happened.
In an interview with Gary Goodridge, Frye expressed his disgust for the fight, stating: “I’m telling you, buddy, that (fight) made me want to throw up. I was so disgusted that I had to go home and put on Tommy Hearns and Sugar Ray Robinson, Sugar Ray Leonard and Jake Lamotta, Rocky Marciano. I had to watch some real fighters or I would never watch another boxing match again. It was a fraud.
After the fight, Tyson revealed on Twitter that he “almost died” before the fight, saying: “It’s one of those situations where you lost but you still won. I’m grateful for last night. I don’t regret entering the ring for the last time.
“I almost died in June. I had 8 blood transfusions. I lost half my blood and 25 pounds in the hospital and had to fight to get better to fight, so I won. My kids seeing me go head to head and finish 8 innings with a talented fighter half my age in front of a packed Dallas Cowboy Stadium is an experience no man could ever ask for. Thank you.
Tyson has previously mentioned that he had grave health problems on the plane, which led to the postponement of his original fight with Paul last July. He revealed: “I was in the bathroom vomiting blood. I asked the doctor: “Will I die?” He replied: “We have options.” Options? I couldn’t believe it.
“I think I had eight blood transfusions. The doctor said I had lost half of my blood. I almost died. I lost 25 pounds in 11 days. I couldn’t eat. Only fluids. Every time I went to the bathroom it smelled like tar, it didn’t even smell like shit anymore. It was disgusting.
“It threw me off [when I continued training]. All my coordination, stamina, everything was hectic on the way back. I was already at the top. I could fight him that day. Now I have to start from scratch. I just don’t give up. Sometimes I’m an asshole. I am advertising***. If I haven’t outlived my enemies, I’ve turned them into friends.”
David Morrell says he will make David Benavidez “regret every word” he said about him ahead of their lithe heavyweight fight next month.
Benavidez will defend his interim WBC crown against his former super middleweight world champion, Morrell, on February 1 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, live Amazon Prime on pay-per-view.
The pair argued and had to be separated after a near-fight during a media training session last month, with Benavidez suggesting his rival did not want to take part in VADA doping tests.
Morrell warned “Mexican Monster” that the constant back and forth gives him extra motivation and insists that the enemy has been disrespectful to him.
“He constantly called me names and disrespected my name,” the 26-year-old said.
“It doesn’t bother me because words won’t save him when we face each other in the ring.
“All this trash talk just turns me on.
“He will regret every word as I make him eat his pride, blow by blow.”
Benavidez, 28, secured the interim WBC lithe heavyweight belt in his first fight since moving up from 168 pounds won a unanimous decision over Oleksandr Gvozdyk in June, but has since been sidelined with a hand injury.
Morrell also increased his weight by defeating Radivoje Kalajdzic in August, and the Cuban says the victory will cement his position as the best fighter in the division.
“People call him ‘The Mexican Monster,’ but I’m not afraid of monsters – I hunt them!” he added.
“He’s never fought anyone like me, and come fight night he’ll realize I’m faster, stronger and smarter than anyone he’s ever stepped into the ring with.
“This is the moment I’ve been waiting for. It’s a fight that changes everything.
“The victory over Benavidez not only puts me on top, but solidifies me as one of the best fighters in the world.
“After this fight, there will be no doubt who is the king of the division.
“I am ready to accept this crown.”
The winner of Benavidez-Morrell has a chance to win the rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol on February 22.
According to his manager Egis Klimas, current heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk will have a longer break from boxing. The event follows Usyk’s thrilling victory over Tyson Fury last month.
The duo initially clashed in May when Usyk handed Fury his first professional defeat in a fierce battle in Riyad.
In the rematch last month, the Briton put in a good performance, dominating the first rounds. Usyk had a demanding time dealing with his opponent’s jabs and body shots, but the tables turned just before halftime. The Ukrainian’s nimble footwork and blistering speed seemed to catch Fury off guard before he went on to win again.
After playing 24 grueling rounds with the “Gypsy King”, Usyk certainly deserved a break from the sport. Klimas has now said that Usyk needs a few months of rest before returning to the ring.
I’m talking to The boxing sceneKlimas noted: “It will be a very long preparation. After another 12 rounds with Fury, he needs a good, long recovery.”
He further added that Usyk’s return to the ring will likely happen “tardy July or August.”
Usyk is ready to fight the winner of the Daniel Dubois vs. Joseph Parker fight, with the fight expected to take place next month. Following his meeting with Fury, Dubois confronted Usyk as he entered the ring after the fight to express both a compliment and a challenge.
Dubois grabbed the microphone and boldly declared: “I want revenge,” before praising Usyk’s triumph. “I want revenge, Usyk! Good job today, good job. God bless you. I want revenge for the last robbery. Let’s go, let’s go. Make it happen, Frank!”
Usyk did not hesitate to accept the possibility of a rematch. In response he said: “Your Excellency, fight Daniel Dubois. Thank you very much. I can do more. I’m ready to fight (Dubois), no problem. Next fight no problem. Now I want to go home and rest.”
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