A 10-year-old sports soap opera was condensed into three painful minutes. In Tyson Fury’s opinion, he carried out his plan perfectly. After 16 months out of the ring, he managed to defeat the intimidating but limiting Arslanbek Makhmudov.
All that was left was for Anthony Joshua to join him in the ring, shake hands and agree to mutual enrichment. But there his plan hit an 18-stone brick wall. Joshua remained slouched in his front-row seat, barely moving an inch as the 37-year-old Fury fired off shots.
When he tried to respond, his microphone didn’t work. “Tyson, you’re a power grabber. I’ve never had a problem getting in the ring with you,” Joshua finally shot back. “See you in the ring at the right time, you won’t tell me what to do.
“When you’re ready, tell me your terms and I’ll tell you when I’m ready. I’m the owner, remember that, you work for me.” At this point, the astonished Fury left the ring, feeling as flat as the previously charged atmosphere.
Joshua later explained that he was still recovering from injuries he suffered in a tragic car crash that killed two of his close friends last December. However, he is determined not to dance to Fury’s tune. The 36-year-old has already seen this film and must be convinced that there will be a happier ending.
He and Fury agreed terms in 2021 before the latter was instead ordered to fight Deontay Wilder for a third time. Fury won, but Joshua had already lost the world heavyweight title to Oleksandr Usyk. The Olympic champion has no doubt that Fury is to blame for missed opportunities over the past decade.
Before cheating death in Nigeria, days after knocking out Jake Paul, Joshua set a two-fight schedule for this year. He returned to the ring in March – likely against kickboxer Rico Verhoeven, who will instead face Usyk next month – and will then face Fury in the summer.
And the Tottenham farce did not change the thinking behind this plan. Joshua, who has returned to Valencia where he is training with Usyk, will now have a warm-up fight in July. He and his team offered to face Deontay Wilder, who defeated Derek Chisora earlier this month.
Although Wilder is not a former knockout artist, it is believed that he could be considered too risky. Assuming Joshua emerges unscathed this summer, his fight with Fury will ultimately take place in October or November. The British hit will be streamed on Netflix – it is understood they have been told this has already been agreed.
And despite speculation, Croke Park in Dublin will not host, with Wembley the likely venue. For his part, Fury insists he agreed terms to fight Joshua as part of a three-fight contract that was first written in Turkey last summer.
However, Joshua is still reviewing his contract and will be in no rush to put pen to paper. Nevertheless, there is certainty that a deal will eventually be struck – just not on Fury’s terms.
Jaron Ennis is the bookmakers’ main favorite to defeat Xander Zayas in their highly anticipated world title clash on Saturday in Brooklyn.
Ennis challenges Zayas for the WBO and WBA super welterweight belts at the Barclays Center live on DAZN pay-per-view.
The undefeated resident of Philadelphia enters the game as the favorite on February 11 Bet365 give the 23-year-old his first professional defeat and become world champion in two weight categories.
“Boots” has stopped 31 of his 35 opponents, including Uisma Lima in his 154-pound debut in October, and is expected to stop the Puerto Rican on 20/21.
The 28-year-old last covered this distance in 2024, and a decision victory is valued at 13/2.
Zayas and Ennis face to face before the clash. Photo: Matchroom Boxing
Even though Zayas has taken over as unified champion, he is an underdog Bet365 at 15/04.
Man from San Juan defeated Abass Baraou by split decision will add the WBA belt to his WBO crown in January and his best chance of victory is rated at 13/2 by decision, while success in the shock break is rated at 14/1.
Jaron Ennis knocked out Uisma Lima in the first round in Philadelphia. Photo: Emma Brawley/Matchroom Boxing
Full Bet365 odds
The result of the fight
Xander Zayas will win the fight: 15/4
Xander Zayas by KO/TKO/DQ: 14/1
Xander Zayas by decision or technical decision: 13/2
Jaron Ennis will win the fight: 11/02
Jaron Ennis by KO/TKO/DQ: 20/21
Jaron Ennis by decision or technical: 8/5
Draw or technical draw: 14/1
Round bets
Xander Zayas
Win in round 1: 100/1
Win in round 2: 100/1
Win in round 3: 100/1
Win in round 4: 100/1
Win in round 5: 100/1
To win in round 6: 100/1
To win in round 7: 80/1
To win in round 8: 80/1
To win round 9: 66/1
To win in round 10: 66/1
To win round 11: 66/1
To win in round 12: 80/1
To win by decision or technical decision: 6/1
Zayas won by points decision over Abass Baraou. Source: Mikey Williams / top position
Jaron Ennis
To win round 1: 80/1
Win in round 2: 50/1
Win in round 3: 40/1
To win in round 4: 28/1
To win in round 5: 20/1
To win in round 6: 16/1
Win in round 7: 12/12
To win in round 8: 1/11
To win in round 9: 10/1
To win in round 10: 10/1
To win in round 11: 10/1
To win in round 12: 1/11
Win by Decision or Technical Decision: 7/4
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On Wednesday, Lewis Crocker heads to Australia to defend his IBF welterweight world title against Liam Paro for the first time.
Crocker will face Paro at the Pat Rafter Arena in Queensland, live on DAZN in the UK and Kayo Sports in Australia.
Crocker (22-0, 11 KO) became world champion in September, defeating Paddy Donovan twice before winning the rematch by split decision.
Man from Belfast recorded his second victory over Donovan after the first victory in March last year, and his rival was disqualified for hitting him after the bell.
Paro (27-1, 16 KO) is trying to become a world champion in two weight categories, having previously reigned in the super-lightweight division.
In September, Donovan was beaten a second time by Crocker. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
The 30-year-old won the title with a unanimous decision victory over Subriel Matias in Puerto Rico before winning the belt in his first defense against Richardson Hitchins.
The Australian has since won twice, overtaking David Papot in his last appearance in September.
Paro looks like a two-time IBF champion. Photo: Melina Pizano/Matchroom
McKean meets Taliva
Heavyweight Demsey McKean will look to continue his rebuild when he faces Liam Talivaa for the vacant IBF Pan Pacific title.
McKean (24-2, 16 KO) had his career cut miniature after a last-round loss to Filip Hrgovic, followed by a brutal first-round loss to Moses Itauma.
The 35-year-old southpaw returned to winning ways with back-to-back stoppage victories.
Talivaa (8-2, 4 KO) last won the IBF Oceania-Orient title, defeating Faiga Opelu by first-round stoppage.
Undercard remaining
At cruiserweight, Luke Modini (13-0, 11 KO) will likely need distance to beat Peng Qu (17-2-1, 12 KO), while Riley Candy (8-1, 5 KO) could stop Nathan Watson (11-3, 3 KO) at super middleweight.
Vegas Larfield (13-1, 9 KO) can hand Shamal Ram Anuj (11-8, 8 KO) his fourth defeat in a row in a featherweight clash.
Heavyweight Nelson Asofa-Solomon (2-0, 2 KO) can secure a third straight knockout over debutant George Burgess, and Stevan Ivic (8-0-1, 2 KO) can do the same against Caleb Tialu (3-7, 3 KO), also a heavyweight.
Prospective super welterweight fighter Jack Javed (1-0) should overtake Lance McDonald (1-5-1, 1 KO).
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