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Terence Crawford slams Canelo’s ‘excuses’ for not fighting him

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Crawford edged out Madrimov (Photo Credit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing)

Things are getting colder between Crawford and Canelo. Photo source: World Boxing News, Forbes)
Things are getting colder between Crawford and Canelo. Photo source: World Boxing News, Forbes)

Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez were expected to be one of the most critical fights of this generation, but it now seems unlikely to happen.

Talks between Canelo and Turki Alalshikh, who wanted to book the fight as part of the Riyadh event, ended abruptly and seemingly bitterly following Crawford’s victory over Israil Madrimov earlier this month.

It remains unclear who “Bud,” the current WBA welterweight champion who won in Los Angeles, will face if his blockbuster fight with Alvarez proves unsalvageable.

The Mexican has said in numerous interviews that he is not particularly interested in the fight because he believes he would not gain recognition for defeating a smaller opponent.

However, in a recent interview on the subject Porter Way Podcast, Crawford rejected the 34-year-old’s argument, citing three examples of his struggles against opponents from lower weight classes.

Crawford outpoints Madrimov (Photo credit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing)
Crawford outpoints Madrimov (Photo credit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing)

“Honestly, [Canelo] was my motivational struggle.

“It’s crazy and it makes me laugh when I think about all the crap that Canelo makes and says in the media and stuff like that about his size and he doesn’t get any credit and all that, but Canelo has fought smaller guys his whole career.

“Canelo has been producing his own catchweight for years.

The underdog Khan was knocked out in six rounds in his 2016 fight with Canelo Alvarez. Photo credit: Tom Hogan-Hogan Photos/Golden Boy
The underdog Khan was knocked out in six rounds in his 2016 fight with Canelo Alvarez. Photo credit: Tom Hogan-Hogan Photos/Golden Boy

“Canelo fought the smaller Mayweather, Canelo fought the smaller Amir Khan, he fought Jermel Charlo.

“And I’m pretty sure he didn’t make that much money with all of those guys, except Mayweather, even [Edgar] Better now than with me.

“And yet he still has a lot of excuses for why he doesn’t want to argue with me.”

Canelo defends his three-time world super middleweight title against Edgar Berlanga on September 14 in Las Vegas, a fight in which virtually all experts predict the winner of four weight categories.

Fan frustration is growing over the Guadalajara favorite’s reluctance to fight top contenders at 168 pounds, especially undefeated former champion David Benavidez.

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UK Boxing

Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua called “battle of underdogs”

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Oleksandr Usyk beat Tyson Fury for a second time in Riyadh on Saturday Photo Credit: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry Promotions

Simon Jordan believes that Tyson Fury's fight with Anthony Joshua no longer has any significance after the former's defeat against Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday. Photo: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry Promotions/Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Simon Jordan believes that Tyson Fury’s fight with Anthony Joshua no longer has any significance after the former’s defeat against Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday. Photo: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry Promotions/Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

Simon Jordan says the fight between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua has “no significance whatsoever” following the former’s second straight defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.

Fury’s unanimous decision defeat in Riyad meant he joined long-time rival Joshua in suffering back-to-back defeats to unified world heavyweight champion Usyk.

Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn called for a showdown between the British pair despite both men ending up with defeats and Joshua suffering a bruise Lost in the fifth round to IBF heavyweight world champion Daniel Dubois in September.

However, talkSPORT expert Jordan says the long-awaited fight has lost its luster.

Asked if he wanted to see the clash, the former Crystal Palace owner replied: “Not particularly.

On Saturday, Oleksandr Usyk defeated Tyson Fury in Riyad for the second time. Photo: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry Promotions
On Saturday, Oleksandr Usyk defeated Tyson Fury in Riyad for the second time. Photo: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry Promotions

“A battle of the underdogs in terms of both bouncing back from defeats.

“They don’t have the prestige they had before.

“I like boxing full of danger and meaning, not bragging rights and finances.

“There is nothing at the end except that everyone cares that Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua get a gigantic payday and someone gets bragging rights.

“Joshua just got kicked out by Daniel Dubois, he lost to Usyk twice.

“Fury was beaten twice by Usyk.

Hearn called for the long-awaited clash between Fury and Joshua Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Hearn called for the long-awaited clash between Fury and Joshua Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

“He didn’t have any significant fight. He chose the path he followed.

“He decided to fight [Francis] Ngannoudecided to fight Derek Chisora.

“None of those fights prepared him for the Usyk fight, he took a whirlwind into it.

“I understand why people want to see it, and I understand that, and I suspect that if it was on, I would probably watch it, but am I advocating watching Fury fight Joshua in a fight that has no meaning other than bragging rights?

“What is this for? These two guys are no longer at the top of boxing.

All three judges scored the fight 116-112 in favor of Usyk, who defended his WBA “super”, WBC and WBO titles and described “The Gypsy King” as a “Christmas gift”.

The 36-year-old wasn’t sure if he would continue fighting after his second consecutive professional defeat.

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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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