UK Boxing
Zhilei Zhang admits that he was motivated by the desire to extort money, opening the door to the Jake Paul competition
Published
1 month agoon
Heavyweight colossus Zhilei Zhang admitted he would consider fighting Jake Paul in the future because it opens the door for him to a “money grab” fight. The Chinese powerhouse last fought in June when he defeated former WBC world champion Deontay Wilder with a brutal fifth-round knockout.
The victory saw the 41-year-old rebuild his reputation in the ring, defiantly responding to his defeat in March in his fight for the interim WBO heavyweight title against Joseph Parker. Despite defeating the latter twice in this contest, he lost by majority decision – thanks to his determination to re-establish his position in the weight class clearly observable in his match with Wilder.
After picking up arguably the most crucial victory of his career in his last fight, “Massive Bang” now sets his sights on a flashy fight against Paul. In an exclusive interview for Express, organized by Ace coursesresponded to speculation that he might take on the internet sensation in the future, saying: “Yes, I will. And who wouldn’t like to earn some money?
“If that happens, it will be a money grab. All jokes aside, he’s fighting Mike Tyson, who is my idol growing up. I feel like at 50, 60 he’s still there, training challenging and trying to hit with the youngsters, I feel like that’s great motivation. I wish him all the best.
Before any hypothetical fight between the pair can be arranged, Paul will face legendary former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson for the first time this month. Giving his verdict on the fight’s validity as a competition, Zhang said: “I know a lot of people have their own opinions on this fight and whether it should happen.
“But in my opinion, when I was growing up, I watched Mike Tyson fight and I think he’s like a god of war. Now, in his 60s, he’s fighting a guy in his 20s, which is already an amazing achievement. I really hope all the best for him and I wish him all the best and good luck.”
As for his own reputation after defeating Wilder, the Chinese fighter admitted that the victory potentially discouraged his peers from getting into the ring with him. He continued: “It’s a double-edged sword. The good thing is that after losing to Parker in March, I was a little unhinged, but after winning I got back into contention.
That’s what’s good about it. Thanks to this, my career got back on track. The negative side is that after knocking out Wilder, people look at me like I’m from another planet. They don’t want to fight me. They look at me like someone they want to avoid at all costs.
“This puts me and my team in a tough position when it comes to scouting opponents and securing massive fights. I really feel like elite heavyweights should just come and face me and just let it happen.”
That said, after his stunning victory over Anthony Joshua, Zhang has set his sights on fighting IBF world heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois next year. He added: “Well, definitely yes, but I don’t think it will happen this year because we are coming to the end, but hopefully in 2025 it will happen. Daniel, if you want to fight me, send me the contract and I’ll sign it right away.”
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UK Boxing
Oleksandr Usyk’s various injuries after each fight with Tyson Fury say a lot
Published
3 hours agoon
December 22, 2024Oleksandr Usyk emerged from his latest fight with Tyson Fury without requiring hospitalization, allegedly a stark contrast to his experience after their first fight in May. On Saturday (December 21) in Saudi Arabia, the 37-year-old Ukrainian boxer secured his second victory over “The Gypsy King”, winning and retaining his undisputed heavyweight titles by unanimous decision.
Sporting significantly fewer battle scars than after his first triumph over Fury in May, Usyk had only minor bruises under his eyes this time. The judges were in agreement during the rematch, with all three unanimously scoring the fight 116-112 in favor of Usyk, who appeared to take less damage throughout the fight.
Despite Fury’s claims that Usyk was hospitalized with a suspected broken jaw after their first meeting, the reigning champion denied such suggestions, admitting he only felt pain in the area and not a broken bone.
However, he admitted to the physical effects of their intense first clash, stating: “Yes, I have a little problem, but I have problems with my fist, my back and my whole body because it’s a tough fight that lasts 47 minutes. “
Despite Fury’s exhaustive preparation, which included a three-month period in which he stated he had not spoken to his wife Paris, he ultimately failed to defeat Usyk again. The result leaves fans and pundits wondering whether this defeat will push the Gypsy King to hang up his gloves for good, reports. Mirror.
The 36-year-old Fury could not hide his irritation after his second defeat in a row to the boxer from Kiev, calling the judges’ unanimous decision a “Christmas gift”. “I feel like I won both fights,” he declared.
I know I had to knock him out, but it’s boxing and things like that happen. I have no doubt that I won this fight. Franc [Warren] I was three or four rounds ahead, and a lot of people were at least two rounds ahead of me.”
Echoing Fury’s frustration, promoter Frank Warren expressed his astonishment at the referee’s performance. “I’m amazed at how they do it [judges] I scored a goal,” said the head of Queensbury Promotions.
“His jab was phenomenal, his footwork was brilliant, he wasn’t tardy. He was very evasive.” In the aftermath, IBF heavyweight titleholder Daniel Dubois entered the ring shortly after Usyk’s victory and challenged him to a rematch following his own knockout loss to the Ukrainian last year.
UK Boxing
Tyson Fury is furious at Oleksandr Usyk’s result with a Christmas joke and shares his next plans
Published
7 hours agoon
December 22, 2024Tyson Fury insisted Oleksandr Usyk received an early Christmas present after he challenged the Ukrainian’s unanimous points victory in the rematch in Riyad.
Fury lost 116-112 on all three judges’ scorecards, and his bid for revenge for the only defeat of his career ended permanently, with the extraordinary Usyk retaining his WBA, WBC and WBO titles.
Promoter Frank Warren said he was “stunned” by both the result and the vast margin of victory – and Fury agreed.
“I felt a bit of a Christmas atmosphere there and I think he got a little Christmas present from the judges. An early Christmas present,” said Fury, who lost his first fight in May by split decision.
“I was sure I won this fight again. I thought I won both fights, but on the other hand I came home with two losses under my belt. I will always believe, until the day I die, that I won this fight.
“I won’t cry over spilled milk. It’s already happened. I know boxing, I’ve been involved in it all my life and you can’t change any decision.
“I will always feel a little tired. Not a little, actually a lot. When you don’t get a knockout, that’s what happens. You can’t guarantee victory.”
Fury said he would take time to consider his future, which is now in doubt after successive defeats, even if the all-British clash with Anthony Joshua continues to attract mass interest.
When asked if we would see him fight again, he replied: “You may do it, you may not. Who knows. We’ll talk about it next year.
“What’s next for me? I’m going home and will have some time off. Glowing. I’m going home and wish you a good Christmas. I was away for 12 weeks working on this fight.
“I’m going to go home now and enjoy it. We’re having a nice Christmas at the Fury house and thank God we both made it out of the ring in one piece.”
Usyk urged Saudi boxing broker Turki Alalshikh to arrange a rematch with Daniel Dubois after the British IBF champion entered the ring during post-fight interviews.
Dubois was knocked out in the ninth round by Usyk in August 2023, but has since bounced back impressively, culminating in an explosive victory over Anthony Joshua in October.
“I want revenge. I want revenge Usyk! Good job today, good job. God bless you. I want revenge for the last robbery. Let’s go, let’s go. Make it happen, Frank!” – Dubois said.
Usyk replied: “Your Excellency, fight Daniel Dubois. Thank you very much.
“I can do more. I’m ready to fight (Dubois), no problem. Next fight no problem. Now I want to go home and rest.”
Usyk paid tribute to Fury for taking part in a second classic clash in a fascinating rivalry.
“He’s a great fighter, a great opponent and it was a great 24 rounds. An unbelievable 24 rounds in my career. Thank you very much,” Usyk said.
UK Boxing
Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury 2 – results and post-fight report
Published
11 hours agoon
December 21, 2024Oleksandr Usyk defended his WBC, WBA “super”, WBO and IBO heavyweight titles after a unanimous decision victory over Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia.
The pair originally met in May, when Usyk (23-0, 14 KO) scored a ninth-round knockout split decision victory this added Fury’s WBC title to his wealth of belts.
The two started an offensive attack, but Fury (34-2-1, 24 KO) assessed his attacks and landed a nice left hand in the second round, while a right hand momentarily stunned the champion.
The “Gypsy King” did well to keep Usyk at bay, but the Ukrainian began to augment the pressure in rounds six and seven and was doing better heading into the championship round.
Both men left everything in the ring as they fought for dominance, and the fight looked well-balanced as it went down on the scorecards.
Usyk was declared the winner with three identical scores of 116-112.
The Ukrainian was summoned by IBF heavyweight world champion Daniel Dubois for a rematch, although the Briton will defend his title against Joseph Parker on February 22.
Itauma destroys McKean
Moses Itauma further strengthened his credentials by defeating Demsey McKean in the round.
McKean (22-2, 14 KO) was eliminated in the first half, and after the restart, Itauma’s (11-0, 9 KO) powerful left hand confused him and the fight was stopped.
Bohachuk retires Davis
Super welterweight contender Serhii Bohachuk forced Leeds’ Ishmael Davis to retire after six rounds in their WBC super welterweight final eliminator.
Davis (13-2, 6 KO), who took the fight two weeks in advance after Israil Madrimov withdrew, was eliminated in the second round.
“Black Panther” regrouped and was in good shape, but ultimately lost the lead and retired from a corner kick slow in the sixth round.
Madrimov (25-2, 24 KO) is in pole position to fight the unified WBC and WBO champion Sebastian Fundora.
Fisher is ahead of Allen
Popular Johnny Fisher got into a real fight with Dave Allen before winning the WBA Intercontinental heavyweight title by split decision.
Some powerful punches from Allen (23-7-2, 18 KO) put Fisher (13-0, 11 KO) on the deck and by the fifth round it was all at sea, with the ‘White Rhino’ troubling Romford at regular intervals, but Fisher won by two scores of 95-94 compared to a 96-93 score for Allen.
McGregor dismisses Lowe
In a breakthrough featherweight fight, Lee McGregor (15-1-1, 11 KO) won the vacant WBC International title, defeating Isaac Lowe (25-3-3, 8 KO) on points.
A pair of scores of 97-91 and a third score of 96-92 ensured the Scot won the belt.
Undercard remaining
Andrii Novytskyi (14-0, 10 KO) opened the televised portion of the gala by retaining the WBC International title, scoring against Edgar Ramirez (10-2-1, 4 KO).
Two scores of 100-90 and the third score of 98-92 confirmed Nowycki’s dominance.
In the lightweight heavyweight division, Daniel Lapin won the vacant IBF International title, defeating Frenchman Dylan Colin (14-1, 4 KO).
Lapin (11-0, 4 KO) edged the winner with two scores of 99-91 and a third of 100-90.
Peter McGrail’s cut looked terrible 😨 pic.twitter.com/NsiEtqJdnQ
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) December 21, 2024
Peter McGrail was supposed to fight Dennis McCann, but after McCann failed a pre-fight doping test, Rhys Edwards (16-1, 4 KO) stepped in and caught up with the Liverpool fighter, before losing points after ten rounds in the featherweight division.
After two scores of 96-94 and one of 96-95, McGrail (11-1, 6 KO) was the winner.
Mohammed Alakel (2-0) won 60-53 over Joshua Ocampo (8-34-5, 6 KO) after six rounds on all three cards.
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