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Oleksandr Usyk proved himself right by barely blinking in response to a question from Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz

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Oleksandr Usyk’s 2019 prediction that Anthony Joshua would be a “tougher fight” than Andy Ruiz Jr. proved true. The Ukrainian boxing champion, now 37, rose to the top of heavyweight boxing in May with a split decision victory over Tyson Fury after a grueling 12 rounds.

The triumph saw Usyk add the coveted WBC heavyweight title to his impressive collection of IBF, WBO and IBO belts, cementing his status as a preeminent heavyweight with an unblemished record of 22-0. Usyk’s journey to the top has been full of challenges, but he has not been deterred.

In July 2019, with a 16-0 win streak and a knockout win over Tony Bellew under his belt, Usyk was asked by Sky Sports about his preferred opponent, Joshua or Ruiz Jr. With unwavering confidence, Usyk said: “Anthony Joshua at Wembley. I think it would be a lot harder for me to fight Joshua than Ruiz.”

At the time, the announcement sent shockwaves through the boxing community, especially since Ruiz had secured a TKO victory over Joshua the month before to claim the IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight titles. As we move into 2024, Usyk’s foresight seems to be spot on, reports mirror.

Joshua bounced back with a unanimous decision over Ruiz in December 2019, regaining the titles, and then knocking out Kubrat Pulev almost a year later. AJ’s long-awaited fight with Usyk finally materialized in September 2021, taking place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium instead of Wembley.

Although Usyk secured a unanimous decision after 12 rounds, their rematch in August 2022 was a closer affair, with the scorecards reading 113-115 (Joshua), 115-113 and 116-112 (Usyk). Joshua has managed to redeem himself from back-to-back defeats, boasting a four-fight win streak over Jermaine Franklin, Robert Helenius, Otto Wallin and Francis Ngannou – ahead of a clash with Daniel Dubois for the IBF heavyweight world title next month.

Ruiz Jr., on the other hand, has been unable to challenge for another title since losing a rematch to Joshua in December 2019. Despite defeating Chris Arreola in 2021 and Luis Ortiz in 2022, Ruiz was largely absent from the ring last year. His anticipated return on Sunday (Aug. 4) against Jarrell Miller turned out to be a disappointment, with the fight ending in a draw against a fighter who had a 26-1-1 record at the time.

Miller managed to score it 116-112, but the other two judges had it 114-114, resulting in a majority draw. Ruiz dominated the first three rounds with “Huge Baby,” but signs of fatigue began to set in, which ultimately left Miller seemingly gaining the upper hand in the fight.

Ruiz Jr, known as “The Destroyer,” has a tough road back to the top of the heavyweight division if he wants to challenge for a title anytime soon. But at 34 years senior and having fought just three times since losing to Joshua in 2019, that’s no basic feat. His future at the elite level is uncertain, suggesting Usyk may have been right all along.

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UK Boxing

While waiting for the talks, Tyson Fury sent a nine-word message to Anthony Joshua from Eddie Hearn

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There have been calls for Tyson Fury to now arrange a British clash with Anthony Joshua.

The Gypsy King returned to the UK last night after suffering the second defeat of his career at the hands of heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk in Riyad.

After the heartbreaking defeat, 36-year-old Fury insisted he take some time off over Christmas to rest before considering his next move as he did not want to commit to another fight.

However, Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn is ready to enter into talks with Fury’s entourage once the two-time world champion recovers from defeat.

Hearn stated: “Obviously Fury will need time to reflect and get over the disappointment of the defeat. The truth is, I felt it was a great performance and he’s still at the top of his game. It’s time for Joshua against Fury.”

Both Fury and Joshua missed out on opportunities to fight for the undisputed heavyweight crown when they held all four belts in 2020 and 2021. Nevertheless, Hearn remains sanguine that it will be a monumental fight if they can make it happen.

He added: “It’s not only the biggest fight in British boxing, but the biggest fight in sport. I believe we can have two fights in 2025. And when the time is right, we will have the appropriate discussions to see if we can achieve this.”

After his second defeat in 37 fights, Fury was asked about his future plans after the fight against Saudi Arabia, in which all three judges scored it 116-112 in favor of Usyk.

He said, “Go home and have a Merry Christmas. I was away for 12 weeks working on this fight. Now I’ll go home and enjoy it.

“Let’s go home now, let’s welcome the up-to-date year, let’s see what it brings. Will you see me fight next year? Perhaps so. You may not. We’ll talk about it next year.”

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UK Boxing

Lennox Lewis interrupts the interview while Frank Warren fumes over Tyson Fury’s decision

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Lennox Lewis interrupted Frank Warren mid-rant as Tyson Fury’s promoter became furious at the prospect of Oleksandr Usyk winning. The Gypsy King lost 116-112 on all three scorecards, and his attempt at revenge for the only defeat of his career ended with Usyk defending his WBA, WBC and WBO titles.

Both Fury and Warren strongly criticized the decision, which leaves huge doubts about the 36-year-old’s future. Fury said Usyk was given a “Christmas present” by the judges, while his longtime promoter was “stunned”, calling it “crazy”.

Fury said: “I was sure I won that fight again. I thought I won both fights, but on the other hand I came home with two defeats on my account. I will always believe, until the day I die, that I won this fight.

“I will always feel a little tired. Not a little, but actually a lot. When you don’t get a knockout, that’s what happens. You can’t guarantee victory.”

Warren complained about the result in various post-fight interviews, including one with the BBC. He said: “This is crazy. Everyone who sat where I sat, including neutrals [thought Fury won].

“Oscar De La Hoya, like me, was one round away. We both thought he won it, that’s a crazy result! It’s a split decision and I’m very disappointed. I know people will say I’m biased and I probably am, but I temper myself with bias.

Lewis then joined the conversation and Warren asked the heavyweight legend about the verdict. He replied: “I didn’t score, but it was close, definitely close.”

Warren then highlighted the fact that one of the judges didn’t give Fury a single round in the second half of the fight, fuming, “What kind of fight are they watching?”

Apparently not seeing the result the same way, Lewis simply added: “Yes, yes, should have given him a few rounds [in the second half of the fight]”

Lewis then shared his thoughts on the future of Usyk, who may decide to reunite the four heavyweight belts. A rematch with the holder of the second belt, Daniel Dubios, has already been suggested, although everything depends on his fight with Joseph Parker on February 22.

Lewis believes the 37-year-old could hang up the gloves and say: “He can do whatever he wants. He can retire if he wants, he can have a rematch, he can have another fight.

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UK Boxing

Oleksandr Usyk’s various injuries after each fight with Tyson Fury say a lot

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Oleksandr Usyk emerged from his latest fight with Tyson Fury without requiring hospitalization, allegedly a stark contrast to his experience after their first fight in May. On Saturday (December 21) in Saudi Arabia, the 37-year-old Ukrainian boxer secured his second victory over “The Gypsy King”, winning and retaining his undisputed heavyweight titles by unanimous decision.

Sporting significantly fewer battle scars than after his first triumph over Fury in May, Usyk had only minor bruises under his eyes this time. The judges were in agreement during the rematch, with all three unanimously scoring the fight 116-112 in favor of Usyk, who appeared to take less damage throughout the fight.

Despite Fury’s claims that Usyk was hospitalized with a suspected broken jaw after their first meeting, the reigning champion denied such suggestions, admitting he only felt pain in the area and not a broken bone.

However, he admitted to the physical effects of their intense first clash, stating: “Yes, I have a little problem, but I have problems with my fist, my back and my whole body because it’s a tough fight that lasts 47 minutes. “

Despite Fury’s exhaustive preparation, which included a three-month period in which he stated he had not spoken to his wife Paris, he ultimately failed to defeat Usyk again. The result leaves fans and pundits wondering whether this defeat will push the Gypsy King to hang up his gloves for good, reports. Mirror.

The 36-year-old Fury could not hide his irritation after his second defeat in a row to the boxer from Kiev, calling the judges’ unanimous decision a “Christmas gift”. “I feel like I won both fights,” he declared.

I know I had to knock him out, but it’s boxing and things like that happen. I have no doubt that I won this fight. Franc [Warren] I was three or four rounds ahead, and a lot of people were at least two rounds ahead of me.”

Echoing Fury’s frustration, promoter Frank Warren expressed his astonishment at the referee’s performance. “I’m amazed at how they do it [judges] I scored a goal,” said the head of Queensbury Promotions.

“His jab was phenomenal, his footwork was brilliant, he wasn’t tardy. He was very evasive.” In the aftermath, IBF heavyweight titleholder Daniel Dubois entered the ring shortly after Usyk’s victory and challenged him to a rematch following his own knockout loss to the Ukrainian last year.

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