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Sandy Ryan hopes to emulate Katie Taylor

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Ryan alongside opponent Kirstie Bavington at Thursday

Sandy Ryan hopes to one day be mentioned alongside Katie Taylor as she prepares to make her professional debut Saturday at Fight Camp.  Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Sandy Ryan hopes to one day be mentioned alongside Katie Taylor as she prepares to make her professional debut Saturday at Fight Camp. Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

Sandy Ryan put aside the worry of not representing her country at the Olympics as she looked to fulfill the promise of a glittering amateur career by starting on Saturday.

Ryan, who will compete at super lightweight but says she can also fight at a higher weight, will make her professional bow against Kirstie Bavington on the undercard of WBA featherweight world champion Xu Can’s defense of her title against Leigh Wood during Matchroom’s first fight camp.

The 27-year-old won World Championship silver in 2014, bronze at the 2015 European Games and Commonwealth gold in 2018 during an outstanding seven years with the free team.

However, her hopes of a place in Tokyo were dashed after qualifying changed due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which promoted a professional re-signing to Matchroom Boxing for Eddie Hearn.

“When I knew there wasn’t going to be a second qualifier, I had to think about it,” Ryan said Tuesday during a Zoom media conference call.

“Of course I was devastated and upset, but I focused on the pros and I believe that if you want to reach the top and you are a top athlete, you will encounter setbacks along the way and you have to accept that. able to manage them.

“It was one of my failures, I overcame it and here we are.”

Ryan supports her former Team GB stablemates, with the likes of Karriss Artingstall, Caroline Dubois and captain Frazer Clarke flying under her banner.

Ryan alongside opponent Kirstie Bavington at Thursday's press conference Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Ryan alongside opponent Kirstie Bavington at Thursday’s press conference Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

But for the Derby player, Saturday night begins her journey as Britain’s potential next star, joining a blossoming era with five world champions.

Before fighting professionally, she participated in elite sparring with WBO middleweight world champion Savannah Marshall and believes that the experience has benefited her.

“Yes, very good because she is a seasoned professional,” Ryan added.

“So reaching out to her at this stage is very good for me.”

As Sandy begins her paid journey, she continues her family legacy. Her brother Dave was a former Commonwealth Super Lightweight Champion who retired after losing the title to now undisputed champion Josh Taylor.

Katie Taylor has achieved the same status as undisputed champion, and following in the footsteps of the Irish champion is the ultimate goal of the red-hot prospect.

Taylor is the undisputed lightweight champion and number one on ESPN in weight-for-pound.  Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Taylor is the undisputed lightweight champion and number one on ESPN in weight-for-pound. Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

“From day one I said I wanted to be there.

“When people talk about women’s boxing and they talk about Katie Taylor, I want my name to be mentioned as well.

“So I’m going to do everything I can and hopefully I’ll get there and get to the top.”

Ryan is a firm believer in the sweet science and promised a display of skill against Bavington.

“I can adapt, but I’m going to stick with boxing. I’ll just show you a good boxing performance on Saturday night.

Ryan’s journey is shaping up to be an electrifying one and if he adapts to the professional game just as he has taken the amateur game by storm, Britain could have a sixth world champion in the near future.

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Interviews

Daniel Dubois sends a message to Tyson Fury after his retirement

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Tyson Fury has announced his retirement from boxing aged 36 Photo Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank

Daniel Dubois believes that Tyson Fury will return. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing/Leigh Dawney/Queensberry Promotions
Daniel Dubois believes that Tyson Fury will return. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing/Leigh Dawney/Queensberry Promotions

Daniel Dubois believes that Tyson Fury will return to the ring and claims that a fight between them may happen.

Fury ended hopes of All-British fights against the likes of Dubois and long-time rival Anthony Joshua after retiring last Monday, less than a month after his second successive defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.

However, “Dynamite” believes that his compatriot will return in a similar mood as when he retired in April 2022, only to return seven months later.

If the “Gypsy King” ends his final retirement, Dubois insists the fight with Joshua must happen, which has opened the door for him to face the winner.

“I think he will definitely come back,” said the 27-year-old talkSPORT.

Tyson Fury announced that he is retiring from boxing at the age of 36. Photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank
Tyson Fury announced that he is retiring from boxing at the age of 36. Photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank

“He’s always done that throughout his career, mind games and all that.

“So I think he will come back. He plays various characters. He will definitely come back.

“Get them in the ring [Joshua and Fury].

“I want to see them fight now.

“I punched Joshua so he had to fight Fury.

“I want to see what’s left between these two.

“And then maybe I’ll fight the winner.”

Dubois will face Parker on February 22 in Riyad. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Dubois will face Parker on February 22 in Riyad. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

The Londoner knocked out “AJ” five rounds in September at Wembley Stadium and on February 22 in Riyad, he will defend the IBF world heavyweight title against Joseph Parker.

Dubois stormed the ring after Usyk’s rematch victory over Fury, calling for a rematch from their August 2023 clash.

The Londoner’s argument for wanting a rematch is based on a controversial low blow in the fifth round of the fight against the Ukrainian, which he believed was a legal shot.

“Usyk, I want to take revenge,” he said.

“Good job tonight.

Dubois attacked Usyk's post-fight interview, calling for a rematch. Photo: TNT Sports
Dubois attacked Usyk’s post-fight interview, calling for a rematch. Photo: TNT Sports

“I want revenge for the last robbery.

“Let’s sort this out. Let’s go.

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Interviews

Eddie Hearn wonders if Tyson Fury will return

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Tyson Fury has announced his retirement from boxing aged 36 Photo Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank

Eddie Hearn believes Tyson Fury will change his decision to retire Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing/Mikey Williams/Top Rank
Eddie Hearn believes Tyson Fury will change his decision to retire Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing/Mikey Williams/Top Rank

Eddie Hearn believes Tyson Fury will retire after a legacy-defining clash with Anthony Joshua.

Fury stunned the boxing world on Monday when he announced his retirement from the sport, leaving behind a megafight with Joshua.

The “Gypsy King” announced his shocking decision less than a month after suffering, among other things, second defeat in a row against Oleksandr Usyk in Riyad, but Joshua’s promoter, Hearn, is convinced that the fighter from Morecambe will return to the ring to fight the long-awaited showdown with “AJ”, who is returning after a fifth-round defeat to Daniel Dubois.

“In my opinion, I think he will come back,” the 45-year-old said talkSPORT.

“But I don’t know him well enough to judge that.

Tyson Fury announced that he is retiring from boxing at the age of 36. Photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank
Tyson Fury announced that he is retiring from boxing at the age of 36. Photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank

“He’s coming back after two defeats, and these defeats hurt the boys.

“AJ was devastated by the defeat to Dubois and I’m sure Fury was too [with his defeats to Usyk]both are winners.

“I don’t know if Fury can leave one of the biggest fights in the history of the sport on the table.

“I know he’s a competitor. I know he will want to give the British fight fans what they want and I hope we see more of him.

“But if we don’t, God bless the speed and all the best.”

Fury's retirement will be a major blow to Joshua. Photo: Mark Robinson/Michelle Farsi/Matchroom Boxing
Fury’s retirement will be a major blow to Joshua. Photo: Mark Robinson/Michelle Farsi/Matchroom Boxing

Fury hung up his gloves after defeating Dillian Whyte in April 2022, only to return eight months later for a third fight with Derek Chisora, whom he defeated comfortably at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Hearn said Joshua will now look to secure a clash with the winner of the February 22 fight between his former rivals Dubois and Joseph Parker, who will fight in Riyad for the IBF heavyweight world title.

If Fury returns to fight AJ, the Matchroom boss insists the loser would have nowhere to go.

“They would both be devastated by defeat,” he added.

“It’s one thing to lose the world heavyweight title, but at the same time losing in a fight of this magnitude is the biggest bragging rights.

“At this stage of their career, the last word is goodbye.

“Whoever loses this fight is finished and whoever wins it moves on and that’s what you fight for.

“You’re not just fighting for a legacy, you’re fighting to save your career.

“It’s a huge fight, but it’s not on the table right now.”

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Interviews

Callum Simpson vs. Steed Woodall

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Simpson proved too much for Woodall Photo Credit: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER

Callum Simpson defeated Steed Woodall in the second round in Sheffield Photo: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER
Callum Simpson defeated Steed Woodall in the second round in Sheffield Photo: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER

Callum Simpson defended his British and Commonwealth super middleweight titles after a second-round victory over Steer Woodall on Saturday at the Park Community Arena in Sheffield.

Simpson (16-0, 11 KO) proved too good for Zak Chelli in his last competition and went on to sweep wide and claim the British and Commonwealth titles last August. Woodall (19-3-1, 12 KO) picked up his best career win, stopping Lerrone Richards in six rounds in an upset in Bolton last June.

This attack ended quickly in the second round, with a right uppercut that left Woodall on wobbly legs, and then another attack punctuated by another right uppercut, leaving “The Stallion” on the deck.

Despite beating the count, referee Mark Bates waved off the fight shortly afterwards.

Simpson dedicated his victory his dead sisterwho died tragically in August in a road accident.

Simpson proved too much for Woodall. Photo: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER
Simpson proved too much for Woodall. Photo: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER

“It’s bittersweet,” the 28-year-old said Heavenly sports after the fight.

“I won these titles in front of all my fans, but there’s one person that I think everyone knows who I wish was here, but I know she’s looking down on me and I make her proud.”

Simpson defended his British and Commonwealth super middleweight titles Photo: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER
Simpson defended his British and Commonwealth super middleweight titles Photo: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER
Dubois is tied with Camara

On the card below, Caroline Dubois (10-0-1, 5 KO) made her first defense of her WBC lightweight title against Canadian Jessica Camara (14-4-1, 3 KO), but the fight ended in a technical draw.

The fight was stopped due to a cut to Camara’s left eye from the head collision, and she also went down in the first round.

Dubois had a technical draw with Camara Photo Credit: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER
Dubois had a technical draw with Camara Photo Credit: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER
Forrest stops Miller

Cruiserweight prospect Scott Forrest needed just two rounds to defeat Deevorn Miller.

Miller (8-3, 6 KO) lost once in the first and second rounds, while Forrest (7-0, 4 KO) won outright.

Undercard remaining

In the featherlight heavyweight division, where Billy Deniz defeated Mickey Ellison (15-8, 5 KO) by one point.

Deniz (13-0, 5 KO) won with a score of 77-76.

In the six-round middleweight division, Sam Hickey (2-0, 1 KO) stopped Lewis Howells (3-2) three times en route to a first-round victory, and Mauro Silva (7-0, 3 KO) scored a 59-56 victory against Emmanuel Zion (6-3, 3 KOs).

Ellis Price (2-0, 1 KO) stopped Liam Fitzmaurice (0-1) twice en route to a first-round lightweight victory.

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