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Oleksandr Usyk May RIP Tyson Fury Trilogy Due to Avoided Challenger

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On May 23 in Egypt, Oleksandr Usyk will defend the WBC heavyweight world title in a fight against Rico Verhoeven. Photo: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry

Oleksandr Usyk has stated that he may deviate from his original plan to fight Tyson Fury for a third time and instead face risky heavyweight Agit Kabayel.

Usyk recently revealed a three-fight plan before he hangs up the gloves, starting with Rico Verhoeven on May 23 in Egypt and ending with a third fight against Fury, whom he has already beaten twice.

The WBC has cleared the Ukrainian champion to defend his title against former kickboxing champion Verhoeven, provided he faces interim champion Kabayel next.

“Three fights [remaining]– said the 39-year-old Inside the Ring.

“Rico, this is a first.

On May 23 in Egypt, Oleksandr Usyk will defend the WBC heavyweight world title in a fight against Rico Verhoeven. Photo: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry

“Secondly, who will win [between Fabio] Wardley and [Daniel] Dubois i [the] the third fight is my friend, “Greedy Belly” Tyson Fury.

Usyk faced criticism in some quarters for not including Kabayel on his shortlist.

However, “The Cat” apparently changed his mind and insisted that he could face the German instead of the “Gypsy King”, who returns to the ring April 11 against Arslanbek Makhmudov.

Kabayel is the WBC interim heavyweight champion Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Kabayel is the WBC interim heavyweight champion Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

“Maybe [I’ll fight] Kabayel,” Usyk said Daily mail box.

“Maybe we will change [from] Tyson [Fury to] maybe Kabayel.

“This is a plan. This is my plan, but I don’t know God’s plan.

“I understand Agit fans [saying]”Usyk, you have to fight.”

Usyk has beaten Fury twice. Photo: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry Promotions
Usyk has beaten Fury twice. Photo: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry Promotions

“I never have to [fight anyone].

“I have to live my life, my team and my baby.

“I waited many times for my chance.

“Maybe it’s possible. Maybe I’ll fight Agit. Right now I have no idea.”

“He’s a great fighter, astute.”

Verhoeven will fight for the second time as a professional, challenging Usyk at the Pyramids of Giza.

The two-weight world champion was expected to face Wardley, but instead he relinquished his WBO title and the Briton was subsequently promoted from the interim title list to full world champion.

The 31-year-old will defend his crown for the first time on May 9 against former world champion Dubois, who was stopped by Usyk in five rounds at Wembley Stadium in July.

The post Oleksandr Usyk Could RUN Tyson Fury Trilogy for Avoided Challenger appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.

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UK Boxing

Josh Padley vs. Aqib Fiaz – Gigantic Fight Preview and Predictions

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Padley defends his European super featherweight title. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

On Saturday in Sheffield, Josh Padley will defend his European super featherweight title against Aqib Fiaz for the first time.

Eddie HearnMatchroom is promoting the Padley vs Fiaz fight from Utilita Arena live on DAZN worldwide.

The pair were scheduled to fight on the undercard, but were later advanced to the main event Dalton Smith’s WBC super lightweight title defense against Albert Puello and then Galal Yafai’s clash with unified flyweight world champion Ricardo Sandoval was shelved due to injury.

Padley (18-1, 6 KO) won the vacant belt after a second-round stoppage of Jaouad Belmehdi in Newcastle in January.

The 30-year-old has won three times since a ninth-round defeat to Shakur Stevenson for the WBC lightweight title on four days’ notice.

Padley defends his European super featherweight title. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

Fiaz (14-1, 2 KO) is looking to break the script here and has won two in a row since an eight-round retirement loss to mutual opponent Reece Bellotti in 2023, whom Padley defeated by unanimous decision in October.

The 26-year-old last didn’t play 11 months ago, securing a unanimous decision victory over Alex Murphy.

Padley and Fiaz face to face at Thursday's final press conference. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Padley and Fiaz face to face at Thursday’s final press conference. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Nadim-Sulaimaan will fight for the title of English champion

Ibrahim Nadim defends his English super featherweight crown for the first time against Ibraheem Sulaimaan.

Nadim (16-1, 2 KO) secured the vacant belt with a unanimous decision victory over Numan Hussain in November, and Sulaimaan (10-0, 5 KO) became the Midlands Area champion with a sixth-round victory over Nico Ogbeide also in November.

Nadim defends his English super featherweight title against Sulaimaan. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Nadim defends his English super featherweight title against Sulaimaan. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Undercard remaining

Middleweight Aaron Bowen (7-1, 5 KO) suffered his first professional loss to Tom Cowling in November, but can get back to winning ways with a stoppage victory over Troy Coleman (15-4-1, 7 KO).

Heavyweight prospect Leo Atang (6-0, 5 KO) can remain excellent by defeating Frenchman Fouad Shaili (5-4-2, 3 KO).

Connor Mitchell (2-0, 1 KO) can improve his undefeated record by scoring points over Jesus Carrasco (2-4-2) at featherweight, while Chris Mulanda (2-0) can do the same against Connor Goulding (6-12) in their middleweight bout.

Adam Maca (5-0, 5 KO) and Edward Hardy (6-0, 2 KO) will return to the pitch against an as yet unspecified opponent.

The post Josh Padley vs Aqib Fiaz – Gigantic Fight Preview and Predictions appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.

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Anthony Joshua REVEALS when he will retire from boxing

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Joshua and Prenga face-to-face ahead of July clash Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

Anthony Joshua won’t be leaving boxing any time soon.

Joshua returns to the ring on July 25 in Saudi Arabia against Kristian Prengi, ahead of a thrilling clash with long-time rival Tyson Fury in November.

The two-time world heavyweight champion was expected to potentially end his career after his long-awaited clash with Fury, but the 36-year-old insists he can continue for another four years, even opening the door to a potential clash with the rising 21-year-old heavyweight champion, Moses This is going to hurt.

“For me, maybe until I’m 40,” Joshua told reporters.

“It’s only been about three or four years.

Joshua and Prenga face-to-face ahead of July clash Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

“I’ll be 37 in October, so it’s only three years, it’ll go by quickly.

“Of course it will be challenging, but I definitely think I’m tough enough to do it.

“Why not, why not? I’m definitely more mature.”

Joshua and Fury have signed a contract to fight. Photo: Mark Robinson
Joshua and Fury have signed a contract to fight. Photo: Mark Robinson

“AJ” will fight for the first time since the sixth-round knockout of Jake Paul in Miami in December.

The Watford player took a break from the sport after he was involved in a devastating road accident in Nigeria 10 days later that killed two of his close friends, Latif “Latz” Ayodele and Sina Ghami.

Joshua, who met Prenga face-to-face earlier this week, said he strongly supports parents Ayodele and Ghami.

Anthony Joshua's close friends Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami died in a car crash in Nigeria
Anthony Joshua’s close friends Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami died in a car crash in Nigeria

“You’ll never get over it, but you’ll gain perspective in life,” he said BBC Sport.

“Life sometimes teaches you humility. You never know your fate.

“As a soldier, I stand powerful in defense of their parents.

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“First of all, it’s not about me.

“I think it’s crucial to put parents first at this time.

“I will have time to grieve, but I know that right now my heart and mind say that their parents are my main priority.”

Joshua’s fight against Prenga will take place at the Jeddah Superdome.

Fury, who retired in April to defeat Arslanbek Makhmudov, is scheduled to have another warm-up fight on August 1.

The post Anthony Joshua REVEALS when he will retire from boxing appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.

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UK Boxing

Chris Billam-Smith vs. Ryan Rozicki – huge fight preview and predictions

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Billam-Smith is fighting for the first time since defeating Glanton last April. Photo: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER

Chris Billam-Smith returns to his hometown of Bournemouth to headline the inaugural Zuffa Boxing UK event against Ryan Rozicki on Saturday.

Billam-Smith is taking on Rozicki at the Bournemouth International Center and the bill is being broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK and Paramount+ in the US.

“The Gentleman” is fighting in Bournemouth for the first time since he forced Mateusz Masternak to retire in the eighth round during the first defense of his WBO cruiserweight title.

After taking revenge on Richard Riakporhe in a rematch, the 35-year-old dropped the heavyweight belt lost by unanimous decision to Zurdo Ramirez in reunification in 2024

Billam-Smith (21-2, 13 KO) returned to winning ways after a points victory over Brandon Glanton in his last appearance in April last year.

Billam-Smith is fighting for the first time since defeating Glanton last April. Photo: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER

Rozicki (21-1-1, 20 KO) has lost only once in his 23 professional fights, overtaken by Oscar Rivas in the fight for the WBC bridgeweight crown in 2021.

“The Bruiser” previously fought for the WBC interim cruiserweight title and drew against Yamil Alberto Peralta.

The 31-year-old Canadian returned to winning ways after knocking out Gerardo Mellado in the second round in March and will enter Saturday’s fight as the number one contender in the WBC rankings.

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Massey meets Clarke

Jack Massey meets Cheavon Clarke at the cruiserweight crossroads.

Massey (23-3, 13 KO) was knocked out by Opetaia in his fight for the 2024 IBF cruiserweight crown, but got back into the win column in November with a fourth-round stoppage of Ivan Gabriel Garcia.

Clarke (11-2, 8 KO), a 2020 Olympian, saw his progress ponderous after consecutive losses to Leonardo Mosquea and Viddal Riley.

Clarke returned to winning ways in December. Photo: Cris Equeda/Matchroom
Clarke returned to winning ways in December. Photo: Cris Equeda/Matchroom

After returning to play in December, the 35-year-old knocked out Anthony Holloway in the fourth round.

Undercard remaining

Lee Cutler (15-2, 7 KO) from Bournemouth moves to middleweight and can return to winning ways thanks to a points victory over Aaron Sutton (19-2, 3 KO).

Heavyweight Ivan Dychko (15-1, 14 KO) was defeated by Jermaine Franklin in September, but should bounce back by handing Harvey Dykes (7-0-1) his first loss after the break.

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Stephen McKenna (15-1, 14 KO) hasn’t fought since his loss to Cutler in 2024, but he should return after his victory over Casey James Streeter (15-3-2, 6 KO) in the middleweight division.

In the third middleweight fight, Sam Hickey (4-0, 1 KO) can break the undefeated record of Todd Tompkins (4-0) by scoring points.

Airy heavyweight Leon Hughes (4-0, 3 KO) and welterweight Alex Macmillan (3-0, 2 KO) should secure victories in their respective fights via stoppage.

The post Chris Billam-Smith vs. Ryan Rozicki – Gigantic Fight Preview and Predictions appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.

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