Former world boxing champion Tony Bellew has called the decision to sanction Jake Paul and Mike Tyson’s upcoming fight as a professional fight a “disgrace.” The couple, who are thirty years apart in age, will face each other in Texas later this year in what promises to be a controversial spectacle.

The validity of the event as a competition has long been a topic of debate in the combat sports community, not least because Tyson will return to the ring after a nearly 20-year absence. His last official fight was a defeat against Kevin McBride in 2005, after which “Iron Mike” hung up his gloves.

His opponent, internet celebrity-turned-fighter Paul, has an 11-fight professional career, and the upcoming fight will undoubtedly be the most significant fight the 27-year-old has been involved in to date. Adding to the discourse about the viability of a future fight will be the fact that the event was pushed back from the summer to November after Tyson suffered a medical episode during a flight in May.

With a up-to-date November 15 date on the calendar for the Netflix-backed spectacle, in July the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation made the decision to sanction the fight as a professional heavyweight bout. The fight will consist of a maximum of eight two-minute rounds, with knockouts allowed and the wearing of headgear prohibited.

Now former WBC cruiserweight titleholder Bellew has commented on the move, especially as the result is set to be included in each fighter’s official records. In an exclusive interview with Express Casino, he said: “It’s a disgrace and I can’t believe Jake Paul insisted on it. It’s a disgrace.

“It’s a disgrace to boxing. He’s not a boxer. And it’s a disgrace that they insisted that it go on his professional record,” he continued. “Why isn’t an exhibition enough? Why does he need it in his professional career? Because it is […] pot. And he’s an idiot. He is a hungry ego […].

“I never called Jake Paul that. Man, you’re trying to put your name among the greats of the sport. Michael Spinks, Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield, Jake Paul? It’s disgusting and I can’t believe the committee signed up to this.”

He continued: “I have no problem with them having an exhibition and Mike should make a fortune. I hope he doesn’t get hurt. You know, I really pray for anyone or anything to be protected and well, but to talk about my career, it just makes me furious.”

Ultimately, the “Bomber’s” primary concern is the safety of 58-year-old Tyson, especially given his health issues earlier in the year. The retired Liverpool player admitted he wasn’t sure how the fight would go, but declined to give his consent when it came to the prospect of the two fighters clashing in November.

Bellew added: “I just hope Mike stays protected. I don’t know what will happen. I don’t know what will happen in this freak show. “But I hope Mike’s okay because he wasn’t feeling well before long and this guy still wants to fight him.”

Terri Harper is the novel WBO lightweight champion after winning a unanimous decision over Rhiannon Dixon on Saturday at the Park Community Arena in Sheffield.

Dixon (10-1, 1 KO) won the vacant WBO title in April, defeating Karen Elizabeth Carabajal to secure a comfortable points victory. Harper (15-2-2, 6 KO) entered this fight as a former super featherweight and super welterweight world champion, but “Belter” dropped down to welterweight in her final fights, in which she retired after four rounds against Sandy Ryan, also for the WBO world title.

Harper had a great start in this round, landing with her back hand multiple times before reaching the first three rounds.

Dixon struggled to close the distance, which favored Harper, although the champion shook the 27-year-old with a powerful right hook in the sixth round.

The Doncaster native regrouped and continued to box out over the next few frames, and in the penultimate round she hit southpaw Warrington in an attempt to press her advantage.

The fight ended in a breathless result, and Harper achieved a momentous victory and became the world champion in three weight classes by two scores of 97-93 and the third score of 96-94.

Harper could now find herself in line for a unification clash with IBF champion Beatriz Ferreira, who has also signed with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom, while Dixon lost for the first time as a professional.

McGrail passes Foster

The second ten fighters at the gala included super bantamweight talent Peter McGrail (10-1, 6 KO) in ruthless form, as the Liverpool fighter defeated former British and Commonwealth champion Brad Foster (15-4-2) in two fights , 5 KOs). rounds.

A powerful body shot caused damage, Foster was unable to regain his balance, and the fight was stopped, with “The Blade” suffering the first stoppage defeat of his career.

Yafai moves on to face Edwards after the break

Galal Yafai was warming up before his meeting with Sunny Edwards later this year, stopping Sergio Oroczo Oliva in the third round of their flyweight encounter.

Orozco (9-9, 7 KO) was counted standing after a brutal volley of punches by Yafai (8-0, 6 KO), and referee Michael Alexander waved his hand and stopped the fight.

The 2020 Olympic gold medalist faced Edwards before his Gameplay on November 30which will be a fight for the interim WBC flyweight title.

Undercard remaining

Jimmy Sains (7-0, 7 KO) performed brilliantly to stop middleweight Omir Rodriguez (15-21-1, 6 KO) in the second round, while super featherweight Ibraheem Sulaimaan (5-0, 3 KO) ) made a technical decision and won after four rounds against Kevin Trana (15-20-3, 9 KO) after a head clash.

Super bantamweight hopeful Brandon Scott (8-0, 1 KO) was another technical decision winner, defeating Calum Turnbull (5-3, 1 KO) 59-56 in another headlock that stopped the fight.

Just too good 😮‍💨 @GiorgioVisioli drops and stops Diego Lagos in the third round 👏

Not even after leaving the first gear 🤷‍♂️ #VisioliLagos #DixonHarper pic.twitter.com/JY35SgYxw3

— Boxing at Matchroom (@MatchroomBoxing) September 28, 2024

Josh Babb (3-0) in the bantamweight category won closely 58-57 against Kelvin Madjid (2-2-1), and in the super featherweight division Giorgio Visioli (5-0, 4 KO) defeated Diego Lagos (11-5, 5 KO). ) ) in three rounds.

Connan Murray (9-1, 2 KO) was nervous after a six-round distance with Marco Simmonds (3-2), who gave a 58-56 verdict during the super welterweight fight, and middleweight George Liddard (9-0, 5 KO) ) dropped George Davey (9-2-1, 2 KO) twice on his way to success in the fifth round.

The British Boxing Board of Control has handed two-time world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua a 28-day suspension from boxing. This comes just a week after his defeat to fellow Briton Daniel Dubois.

The 34-year-old hit the canvas three times before being knocked out in the fifth round at Wembley.

It is standard practice for a player to receive a 28-day suspension following a stoppage defeat. However, since Joshua has no fight scheduled during this period, the suspension will not really impact his plans.

It also seems unlikely that he will return to the ring this year.

This loss to Dubois marks the fourth defeat of Joshua’s career. In 2019, he suffered a surprising defeat against Andy Ruiz Jr, only to win their rematch six months later.

Opinions on Joshua’s future are divided among experts and former fighters. Some, like Carl Froch, suggest he should consider retirement.

However, AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn is convinced the Watford-born fighter still has a lot to offer in the sport.

In an interview with iFL TV, promoter Hearn discussed Joshua’s future fighting prospects.

He said, “If [Tyson] Fury was going to lose, maybe they were going to lose [AJ and Fury] they both say, “Okay, let’s give society one last hurrah, two gigantic fights, that’s it.”

“Or, if Fury wins, he can defend against AJ for the unified world heavyweight title, and AJ can beat him and become a three-time heavyweight champion.

“Everything is possible. Or we could have a rematch with Daniel Dubois. Or [he] he could fight someone else. Deontay Wilder.

“I don’t know, it hasn’t been discussed yet, but two guys after defeats, with challenging blows, someone has to leave the sport.

“But for me the options are a rematch with Daniel Dubois or wait and see what happens in Fury vs Usyk.”