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Tyson Fury targets Anthony Joshua’s tenth knockdown

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Wladimir Klitschko stands over Anthony Joshua after knocking him down during their heavyweight title fight at Wembley Stadium in 2017

Tyson Fury believes Anthony Joshua may still be injured and if the long-awaited heavyweight clash finally happens later this year, the “Gypsy King” will be looking to become the tenth man to carry his British rival to the canvas.

Joshua’s heavyweight aura didn’t disappear overnight. He broke in the match with Wladimir Klitschko, fell in the match with Andy Ruiz Jr. and has never fully recovered since then.

Long before Daniel Dubois smashed Joshua at Wembley and Fury publicly questioned his ability to take punches, warning signs were already observable for the former unified champion.

Dillian Whyte first took a look at boxing in 2015.

Joshua recovered to hold off Whyte but was badly concussed in a wild exchange that immediately raised doubts about the Olympic gold medalist’s reaction under pressure.

At the time, these concerns were drowned out by the hype around Joshua’s promotion. Eddie Hearn was building his biggest star and openly talked about Joshua as a generational heavyweight who could join the likes of Muhammad Ali and Lennox Lewis.

Then came Klitschko.

Anthony Joshua

Joshua’s victory over Wladimir Klitschko in 2017 remains one of the best heavyweight fights of the up-to-date era, but it also permanently changed how many watched him.

After tripping the Ukrainian, Joshua came close to forcing a stoppage before Klitschko suddenly turned the tide and sent the Londoner to the canvas with a powerful right hand.

Joshua recovered brilliantly and eventually stopped Klitschko in front of 90,000 fans at Wembley, but the image of him badly injured and exhausted in the middle rounds remained in people’s minds.

The aura of invincibility disappeared.

Even as Joshua continued his march towards an undisputed title shot and added the Joseph Parker belt to his collection, concerns about his durability never completely disappeared.

Then came the night that changed everything.

Ed Mulholland

Andy Ruiz Jr.

When Jarrell Miller failed multiple drug tests ahead of Joshua’s American debut at Madison Square Garden, Matchroom began looking for a replacement who could keep the event alive.

Several names were discussed before Andy Ruiz Jr. was called.

By then, Ruiz had lost to Parker, whom Joshua had already beaten, and few gave the Mexican-American much of a chance to pull off the upset.

This decision backfired spectacularly.

Joshua dropped Ruiz early on before completely breaking down as the challenger exposed huge weaknesses in the champion’s squad. Ruiz dropped Joshua four times and took the unified heavyweight titles in one of the biggest shocks of the up-to-date era.

Joshua regained the belts six months later in Saudi Arabia, but the rematch never fully repaired the damage done to his reputation.

Ruiz entered the fight significantly overweight after admitting he had barely trained, and many viewed the second fight as little more than a controlled recovery mission.

From that point on, Joshua’s vulnerability became part of every major fight discussion surrounding him.

Broad kryptonite

Oleksandr Usyk then presented a completely different problem.

Joshua was chasing greatness against one of the most technically gifted fighters of his generation, but stylistically it always looked like a nightmare fight for the Briton. Usyk’s movement, timing, footwork and IQ repeatedly set Joshua up for two defeats.

Daniel Dubois knocks out Anthony Joshua
Mark Robinson

Then Dubois came.

Unlike Usyk, Dubois did not defeat Joshua. It overwhelmed him.

Dubois repeatedly dropped Joshua and smashed him in devastating fashion at Wembley as all the senior concerns about Joshua’s durability and return immediately resurfaced.

Questions surrounding Joshua’s heavyweight reign have persisted over the years due to circumstances surrounding several of his championship wins and opportunities. The Dubois debacle has only intensified these conversations.

Tyson Fury aims for ten

Now Fury has reignited the entire debate ahead of the long-awaited showdown later this year by openly attacking Joshua’s biggest weakness.

If Fury finally defeats Joshua, he will become the tenth fighter to do so.

No one can question Joshua’s ambition, professionalism or desire to become one of heavyweight boxing’s biggest stars.

But every time Joshua hit the canvas, the perception around him changed a little more.

When heavyweight boxing senses weakness, it never forgets.


About the author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.

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Dmitry Bivol Likely to Decline Major Fight Offer Amid World Anticipation | Boxing News

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"Dmitry Bivol Likely to Decline Major Fight Offer Amid World Anticipation | Boxing News"

Unified light-heavyweight world champion Dmitry Bivol is set to turn down a huge opportunity for another major fight, despite massive financial incentive.

Bivol collided with Artur Beterbiev in October 2024 in an instant classic light-heavyweight affair, but he came up short against the Canadian-Russian knockout artist, losing a majority-decision that saw Beterbiev claim the undisputed throne.

Just four months later, Bivol returned the favour and scored a majority-decision win of his own to avenge his solitary career defeat, putting an end to Beterbiev’s undefeated record and claiming the undisputed title for himself.

A third meeting has been mooted ever since, with Beterbiev remaining inactive in the 17 months that have followed, whilst Bivol returned to action with a win over Michael Eifert back in May.

Speaking with The RingIBA President Umar Kremlev revealed that Bivol is yet to accept a proposal for a trilogy showdown, in spite of the fact that he has been offered double the purse that he received for his other fights with Beterbiev.

“I’m very disappointed. Everyone is waiting for this fight. I don’t know why Bivol and his team are not accepting the offer, but I will do my best to make this fight happen. We’ve been having discussions with both teams for quite a while. I can confirm that Beterbiev and his team are ready for the fight.

“The offer we made to Bivol for the third fight was considerably bigger than the first two fights. Specifically, he was given two times a bigger offer than in previous fights. Beterbiev will fight for free just to make this fight happen.”

Continuing, Kremlev speculated that Bivol is seeking alternative opportunities but shared his thoughts that 41-year-old Beterbiev deserves the chance to reclaim his old belts, having agreed to an immediate rematch without hesitation after their initial encounter.

“To be honest, we’ve made really good offers in writing but unfortunately, Bivol’s team is still waiting for something. He appears ready for the fight, but his team is thinking.

“As far as I can see, it looks like they are looking for other opportunities and options in the market. I believe firmly that we need to find common ground and we need to make this fight happen. The world is waiting. Beterbiev gave Bivol a rematch and Bivol should do the same. It’s the only appropriate gesture.

“I can assure everyone that we are ready to organise the third fight at the highest level. We can stage the fight for 100,000 fans if it happens in Russia but are also open to bringing it wherever it needs to be. The most important thing is that the fight needs to happen. I’m confident it’s going to be another great fight.”

It is understood that Liverpool’s Callum Smith will likely be Bivol’s next opponentfollowing surgery on an injured elbow, with that contest expected to delay any Beterbiev trilogy until mid-2027.

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Derek Chisora Declines Heavyweight World Title Fight at 42: I Let It Go

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Derek Chisora Declines Heavyweight World Title Fight at 42: "I Let It Go"

Having twice unsuccessfully challenged for world honours, British heavyweight veteran Derek Chisora now looks unlikely to become a world champion, but ‘Del Boy’ has revealed that he recently turned down the opportunity to fight for a world title at the age of 42.

Chisora came up short against Deontay Wilder back in Aprilin a fight that was supposed to be his career finale, but still rumours of a return refuse to burn out, much like Chisora’s thirst for violence.

Nevertheless, Chisora has now been removed from the world rankings with all four recognised governing bodies, with his dream of finally claiming a world title – following previous failed attempts against Vitali Klitscko (2012) and Tyson Fury (2022) – looking all but over.

Speaking to Seconds Out though, Chisora has confirmed that he was offered a tempting shot at Murat Gassiev’s WBA heavyweight crown when Tony Yoka pulled out of their fight last week, but that he declined due to a lack of preparation.

“No, it didn’t cross my mind [to step in on short notice]. I was on holiday with the kids and then I got a phone call. I said, ‘I am going to Russia anyway, I would rather go and watch somebody else fight for it,’ – erm, liar!

“This is exactly what I did, KD [David Ghansa] called me, Nicole [Macdermott] called me and the numbers were ok. Then, I went and did a fitness test and my fitness test was not right, so I said, ‘You know what? just let it go,’

“I was not ready. Mentally, I was ready, but then you get in there and it’s like boom, boom, boom and you are like ‘What am I doing this for?’.”

Instead, the opportunity landed at the feet of Germany’s Peter Kadiru, but he was unable to capitalise and was halted after six rounds of one-sided action in Moscow, before Gassiev proceeded to call on a fight with Chisora during the post-fight interview.

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Adrien Broner Challenges Ryan Garcia: You Got Stopped, I Never Did

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Adrien Broner Challenges Ryan Garcia: "You Got Stopped, I Never Did"
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“I want to fight you. We can fight next,” Broner said on social. “I know you’re getting nice fights, but you ain’t going to get as much money as you will fighting me. You’re about that money, right? Fight me. I’ll take your belt. Do he got a belt? Whatever he got, I’ll take it.”

Adrien also contrasted Ryan’s career with his own, pointing to his knockout loss and accusing him of quitting while insisting he has never been stopped.

“You got knocked out. You got stopped. I ain’t never got stopped, not ever against no matter who I fought,” Broner said. “You done quit.”

The 36-year-old then shifted from boxing to their personal relationship, saying Ryan had leaned on him during difficult times but failed to return the favor.

“When you were going through your s***, you was calling me, and I was answering every time,” Broner said. “So, don’t be on no fake s*** now.”

He closed by claiming Garcia had the resources to help him but chose not to.

“You call your people, and my people are ready. I ain’t with nobody. I’m doing this from the ground up,” Broner said. “If you felt that way about me, you would have came and picked me up. You had the money, right? You didn’t come and pick me up.”

Broner has not fought since his unanimous decision win over Blair Cobbs in June 2025 and has repeatedly called for high-profile opponents as he attempts to revive his career. Whether Garcia has any interest in the matchup remains to be seen, but Broner made it clear he’s looking for a title shot rather than a tune-up.

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