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Oleksandr Usyk demands change to “rotten” Olympic boxing

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World heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has issued a scathing statement on the current state of amateur boxing at the international level, calling the current situation “rotten.” The Ukrainian giant has waded into the debate over the decision to strip the International Boxing Association (IBA) of the right to hold fights at the Olympic Games.

The legendary star, who made history alongside Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson by defeating Tyson Fury to unify the belts in his weight class, has long been a champion of the amateur scene. Having attended the Paris Games this summer, it’s clear that ‘The Cat’ is irritated by the internal politics surrounding the action in the French capital.

Usyk is among those who have criticised the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) decision to uphold the IOC’s call to end the IBA’s involvement in the organisation of Olympic bouts. In its justification for the decision, CAS called for a “change in culture” at the IBA, saying the organisation had problems with “financial transparency”.

Having previously competed as an amateur – winning a gold medal in London in 2012 – Usyk has called for a major overhaul at the international level. While the IOC aims to establish a fresh federation by early next year to oversee amateur boxing at the Games, questions remain over whether the sport will be part of the 2028 Olympic programme in Los Angeles.

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Revealing his position to SNTV, Usyk said: “For many years there has been a desire to change the boxing system, which is broken internationally. So we just have to work. There is no need to make any promises; we have to act. When you do that, people see the work done and come to you, asking for cooperation.”

The heavyweight legend demonstrated his commitment to the amateur scene by supporting his compatriots Oleksandr Khyzhniak, Aider Abduraimov and Dmytro Lovchynskyi in Paris this summer. In fact, Ukrainian coach Dmitry Sosnovsky even confirmed that the star helped his compatriots financially as they fought for glory in France.

Speaking after Khyzhniak defeated Hungary’s Pylyp Akilov in a middleweight bout at the Games, the coach went into detail about Usyk’s involvement. He told Reuters: “He helps our boxers a lot, in different ways. He supports them financially. He helps them with money.”

“He told them that if they won medals at the Olympics, he would give them the prize money himself. Out of his own pocket. He would give them the money for bronze, silver and gold. He said first place would be $80,000, second place, a silver medal, $70,000. And bronze would be $50,000.”

Sosnovsky also went into detail about the motivating words of wisdom the fighter was on hand for his peers, revealing, “He was here on Monday and went into the locker room, before the fight, went and told everyone everything was going to be OK. He tried to give each boxer advice about their fights. He tried to inspire them.”

Speaking with concern about the current state of the game in the context of amateur governance politics, Usyk remained positive about the prospect of boxing being part of the Games in four years, vowing: “I think boxing will be in the Olympics.”

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UK Boxing

Conor Benn vows to sully Eubank’s name with a brutal knockout

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Eubank Jr and Benn will finally settle their grudge Photo Credit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

Conor Benn has vowed to knock out Chris Eubank Jr in April. Photo: Walton Matchroom Boxing
Conor Benn has vowed to knock out Chris Eubank Jr in April. Photo: Walton Matchroom Boxing

Conor Benn predicted such a devastating victory over Chris Eubank Jr. that his entire name would be tarnished.

Eubank Jr and Benn have signed a contract to fight in the rescheduled middleweight grudge match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in April.

The pair were scheduled to fight in October 2022, with the clash based almost entirely on the legacy of their fathers, who fought twice in the 1990s but were postponed a week before the fights after Benn tested positive for a banned substance clomiphene.

Since then, a brutal war of words has ensued between them and Benn, who insists he will claim a decisive knockout victory.

“I don’t want to knock him out for legacy reasons,” the 28-year-old said Boxing in the match room.

Eubank Jr and Benn will finally deal with their grudge. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Eubank Jr and Benn will finally deal with their grudge. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

I want to knock him out because it’s personal and I think he’s an idiot.

“Thank you to the British audience for supporting me and being behind me, so I owe it to them.

“There is no other fight that the British public deserves.

“I think I knocked him out so bad that that’s all he’ll be remembered for.

“The whole Eubank name will be remembered for this knockout.

“I go in there and take his head off his shoulders, that’s all.”

“The Destroyer” fought his last two fights in the USA, but received a fleeting suspension abolished by the National Anti-Doping Panel in October, meaning he will be able to resume his career in the UK.

The fighter from Essex, who will advance two weight classes in the fight against the 35-year-old, held talks with WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios before sealing the fight with Eubank Jr.

“I know a lot of people would like to see me win the WBC world title,” he added.

“Due to the lack of belief among experts, boxing connoisseurs and the media that I will never reach the level at which I could fight for the WBC world title.

“The possibility of winning this match would close the eyes of many people.”

The pair went head-to-head in the ring after Eubank Jr knocked out Kamil Szeremeta in Saudi Arabia in October, and the fight will headline a card prepared by Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh, who announced the fight signing on Wednesday morning.

“Eubank Jr vs. Benn played in April in London called (Fatal Fury City of the Wolves),” he wrote on Twitter X.

“I will announce the day and location soon. This will be The Ring’s first card in collaboration with the video game and SNK, and I will be pushing for a fan PPV price of £19.99, with a challenging undercard.

“Let’s make boxing great again and wait for the huge announcement soon.”

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UK Boxing

Tyson Fury has entered retirement talks to save his fight with Anthony Joshua

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Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh plans to speak to Tyson Fury about his decision to retire in the hope of persuading him to return to boxing.

The two-time heavyweight champion recently announced on social media that he was retiring from the ring, stating: “Hi everyone, I’ll keep this brief and sweet,” he said. “I would like to announce that I am leaving boxing. It was great fun. I enjoyed every minute of it. And I’ll end with this… Dick Turpin wore a mask. God bless everyone, see you on the other side, get up!”

The announcement follows a second defeat to Oleksandr Usyk, dashing hopes of a long-awaited All-British clash with Anthony Joshua. Speaking on talkSPORT with Jim White and Simon Jordan, Alalshikh expressed his disappointment but showed understanding for Fury’s choice: “First and foremost, this kind of decision has to be made by the players,” he said. “It has to be whatever they think about, whether they have something to offer or not. As a boxing fan, I don’t like this. We want to see Tyson in more gigantic fights, but I understand his decision. However, over time this decision may change.”

The Saudi boxing boss spoke about potential discussions with Fury over his decision to retire, expressing his willingness to commit but cautioning against believing in exaggerated numbers: “Yes, of course. But many rumors do not aid us. Nobody will offer £500 million for a fight, those numbers are wrong.”

Meanwhile, just 48 hours after announcing he was quitting the sport, the in-form ‘Gypsy King’ was seen at a Lancashire petrol station, grabbing a can of Monster and heading to his vehicle. Frank Warren, Fury’s long-time promoter, responded to the news by encouraging the heavyweight champion to enjoy a break from boxing, telling the BBC: “God bless him, that’s what he wants to do. That’s great. I mean he did everything he could. He’s probably the best British heavyweight of his generation. Two-time world champion and two fierce fights with Usyk. He’s got a lot of money and a lot of smarts about him, he’s got a wonderful family, so bless him, let him enjoy it.”

However, Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, cast doubt on Fury’s retirement announcement, speculating that it could be a ploy to strike a better deal for the long-awaited fight with “A.J.” “I’m not going to accuse him of not being sincere, but I think he’ll get a better deal when he retires, or maybe he just doesn’t have the courage to do it anymore,” Hearn commented.

“He was beaten twice and he had had enough. I doubt it, but who knows. I don’t know him well enough to know, but maybe he’s had enough.” He then said, “I have a feeling we will see AJ against Fury this summer. But maybe it’s true. I can’t believe he would have worked without this fight. But if he really doesn’t enjoy it anymore, then he should retire.”

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UK Boxing

Anthony Joshua shows his true colors in response to Tyson Fury’s retirement

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Eddie Hearn has revealed that Anthony Joshua remained still after news of Tyson Fury’s retirement was revealed.

Boxing fans were surprised on Monday when the “Gypsy King” announced his departure from the boxing scene following his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk last month. Fury stated: “Hi everyone, I’ll keep this miniature and sweet,” adding: “I’d like to announce that I’m retiring from boxing, it’s been great fun, I’ve enjoyed every minute of it and I’ll leave it at that; Dick Turpin wore a mask.”

The long-awaited fight between Fury and Joshua, which could generate as much as £150 million for each fighter, is looking increasingly unlikely after their tough defeats; In September, Joshua was knocked out by Daniel Dubois. Despite the setback following Fury’s announcement, Matchroom boss Hearn suggested Joshua is unfazed and extremely focused on regaining his status this year.

Reacting to Fury’s sudden surprise retirement from iFL TVHearn noted: “Look, first of all… we don’t really take it too seriously. Second… if it’s stern, there’s nothing we can do about it anyway. What do you think is going on, do you think Josh is going to call me and say, “Oh, Ed, you saw the news, buddy.” He’s not that type of guy.”

The boxing promoter revealed that he had not heard from Joshua since the recent announcement, stating: “Not one thing,” and detailed the possible reasons, saying: “He may have done it because he has the advantage. He could do it He could do it because it’s true.

During another discussion, Hearn expressed suspicions that Fury’s announcement of his retirement may be a ploy to secure a better deal. “I’m not going to accuse him of not being straightforward, but I think he’ll get a better deal after he retires, or maybe he just doesn’t have the courage to do it anymore,” he commented.

“He was beaten twice and he had had enough. I doubt it, but who knows. I don’t know him well enough to know, but maybe he’s had enough.” Hearn also shared his intuition about the future, adding: “I have a feeling we’ll see AJ against Fury this summer. But maybe it’s true. I can’t believe he would have worked without this fight. But if he really isn’t, then he doesn’t enjoy it anymore, he should retire.”

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