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Tyson Fury attempted to insult Oleksandr Usyk by mocking his rival’s earring – only to end up being humbled.

Fury and Usyk will meet next month to crown the first undisputed heavyweight world champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999. The rivals have been on a collision course for 18 months since Usyk completed his double act over Anthony Joshua.

And as they sat down to discuss their clash, Fury aimed a jibe at the Ukrainian. “I know he can’t beat me, I know he can’t,” he said. “A man who wears an earring can never beat Tyson Fury, ever. Not a chance, no-one who wears earrings can beat him.”

But Usyk was quick to respond as he explained his jewellery. “I can explain about the earrings. It’s Ukrainian warrior, Cossack,” he said. “They were the people who defended my country from our enemies for many years. This is just the proof of my Cossack lineage – they never lost to anybody. There is no beauty or fashion in this.”

Fury attempted to regain the upper hand, adding: “Listen in Ukraine it means he’s a good fighting man, for him. But where I’m from it means he’s a p**** with an earring in.” Fury previously promised the unbeaten heavyweight rivals would deliver a “fight for the ages” when they clash in Riyadh on February 17.

Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury 1

“I’m going to bust him up. Sausage. Ugly little man. Rabbit. Run rabbit, run rabbit, run, run, run,” he said. “You know what’s coming? You’re getting smashed to pieces, sausage. You’re fighting the best British heavyweight there’s ever been.

“You’ve beaten the rest of them, but you haven’t beaten Tyson Fury, sausage. You can never beat me. If you beat me in your dreams you better wake up and apologise. I stole that from Muhammad Ali, I apologise. When you sleep at night ugly man you’re going to think of me for the next eight weeks. I’m going to punch your face in. You ugly little man.”

Fury and Usyk were being lined up to meet last month, only for the Briton’s difficulty in dispatching Francis Ngannou on a controversial night in Saudi Arabia to result in a delay. With his verbal attack on the Ukrainian over, Fury talked up the quality of a contest between two outstanding boxers who posses skill and warrior spirit in equal measure, even if he thinks Usyk will struggle because of his size.

“We’re both undefeated. He’s a champion, I’m a champion. It’s going to be a fight for the ages,” Fury said. “It’s been 24 years since we’ve had an undisputed champion. The Klitschkos were champions for around 10 years, so there’s been 14 years when the other heavyweights couldn’t do it.

“We’ve both been chosen and there can only be one winner. I’m going to become the undisputed champion. More than that, I’m destined to cement my legacy as the number one fighter of this era. To do that I’ve got to beat this little man, which is easier said than done because he’s a tricky boxer, slick and all of that.

“But I’ve seen many like him before and when they fight the big men, they struggle. And he will struggle on February 17. I will break him. He’s a middleweight, but it’s not the size of the dog in the fight but the size of the fight in the dog and he’s obviously got a lot of fight in him. But when you meet a big man who is a lot bigger but also has the fight inside him, let’s put it in a nutshell – you’re f****d.”

Anthony Joshua has insisted his full focus is on Francis Ngannou ahead of a massive couple of months for heavyweight boxing.

On February 17 in Saudi Arabia, AJ may well be ringside to watch Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO heavyweight world titles.

However, if he is, it will only be because he’s already out in Riyadh training for his own fight in the city against Ngannou on March 8.

His Excellency Turki Alalshikh (Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority) is the driving force behind this shift in the heavyweight division towards Riyadh.

He staged Fury vs Ngannou in October and Joshua vs Otto Wallin in December, and has made his long-term plans clear.

tyson fury and oleksandr usyk

Alalshikh wants the British super fight between Fury and AJ to finally come to fruition, if they both win their upcoming bouts.

Despite this dangling carrot in front of him, Joshua is adamant that he won’t look past Ngannou.

“Let me say this again, I’m not focusing on that,” Joshua told The MMA Hour.

“I’m going to take my mind, I have to draw it back that Ngannou is my undisputed title fight. That’s the mentality I have to have.

“Ngannou is my undisputed fight. Because you’re only as good as your last fight, and I respect him a lot.

He ain’t easy money. He’s a hard night’s work.

“And you know what’s crazy? So am I. I’m a hard night’s work for anyone. So let’s go, it’s going to be fireworks.”

Eric Nicksick, coach of former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, spoke about his expectations from his ward’s fight against Anthony Joshua.

Recall, Joshua and Ngannou will fight on March 8 at the tournament in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia).

MMA Fighting quotes Nicksick as saying:

Ngannou, 37, made his professional debut in October 2023 against WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. In that fight, Francis was defeated by a split decision of the judges.

Joshua, 34, last fought in December 2023, defeating Otto Wallin by technical knockout in the fifth round. He has 27 wins (24 by knockout) and three losses

 

Gervonta Davis has seemingly ruled out a potential fight with Devin Haney in the future in an exchange with a fan on social media.

The Baltimore native is undefeated with a 29-0 record and 27 knockouts after defeating Ryan Garcia by KO in Las Vegas, Nevada in April. Since then, he has been weighing up his next big fight after spending 44 days in prison in 2023.

At the start of May, Davis was sentenced over his November 2020 hit-and-run car crash which injured four people. However, he accepted a plea deal and pled guilty to four traffic offences, meaning he avoided a custodial sentence. But he was sent to jail for violating the terms and has since been released.

The WBC super lightweight champion – also known as Abdul Wahid – is now plotting his next fight to take place in the UK and is not interested in Haney being his opponent.

On Sunday, Davis posted a gif image to his social media account of a man throwing a glass of wine, which appeared to be related to his NFL team, the Baltimore Ravens, who were beaten in the AFC Championship game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

One of his fans took it as an opportunity to plead to Davis to set up a mouthwatering clash with Devin Haney, who has held multiple world championship titles in different weight classes.

“GIVE US DAVIS vs HANEY U GAH DO IT FOR DA CITY CHAMP,” the user wrote on X.

But Davis issued an expletive-ridden response, writing: “B**** f*** Haney..where my crack pipe at”, suggesting he wasn’t on board with the idea despite reports of a $20 million purse.

Gervonta Davis continues trash talk with Devin Haney

Davis’ response should not come as a surprise, as the 29-year-old has engaged in several public spats with Haney on social media with no signs of it cooling down anytime soon.

A recent post on X from Davis aimed at Haney claimed imitation, sparking a swift and cutting response from the latter.

Gervonta Davis

Davis threw the first punch with a tweet asserting, “All them lil n****s wanna be like me…I’m their biggest test…so they don’t want to admit but you can peep.”

This not only fuelled discussions within the boxing community but also hinted at a perceived reluctance from Haney to face Davis in the ring. And his most recent barb at his fellow boxer only confirms his stance.

In the boxing world, rivalries often spill beyond the ring. Gervonta Davis and Devin Haney’s feud is no exception. Recently, a fan’s plea for a showdown led to Davis’s bizarre tweet. His words? Unexpected and controversial. But it’s the response from Devin’s corner that stirs the pot further.

Bill Haney, Devin’s father, steps into the fray. His reaction? A simple, yet potent, two-word message. What did he say? Why did it turn heads?

Bill always comes back against Gervonta Davis

Gervonta Davis recently escalated the tension with a tweet that left many fans and followers stunned. Addressing a fan’s call for a bout with Devin Haney, Davis retorted, “B*tch f**k Haney..where my crack pipe at.” This provocative statement instantly ignited a flurry of reactions across the boxing community, highlighting Davis’ penchant for controversy.

Seizing the moment, Bill Haney, the father and coach of Devin Haney, swiftly responded. He posted an edited picture of Gervonta Davis on his Instagram story. Accompanying this image was a concise yet piercing two-word message: “Wellness check?” This subtle jab from Haney Sr. was more than just a reply; it was a strategic move in the psychological warfare that often accompanies high-stakes boxing rivalries

Gervonta Davis

The transition from a direct, albeit unconventional, challenge by Davis to a nuanced response from Bill Haney underscores the complex dynamics of boxing rivalries. Not so long ago, Bill called out both Davis and Shakur.

Bill Haney’s bold accusations expand the rivalry

Bill Haney recently intensified the rivalry, not just between the fighters but also among their trainers. In a stirring social media post, he targeted the trainers of Gervonta Davis, Abdul Wahid, and ‘Sugar’ Stevenson, with a bold accusation. “Calvin Ford and Wally Moses are scared to death to fight Dev and they don’t want to fight each other either. Who them dummies think they fooling?” Haney challenged.

This move shifted the narrative, suggesting that the animosity extends beyond the boxers to their coaching teams. While Haney and Stevenson previously expressed an interest in a matchup, complications arose over financial disagreements. After Haney’s recent call-out to ‘Tank’ following his win over Prograis, the dynamics among fighters and trainers have become more intriguing, hinting at deeper layers of rivalry and strategy.

How will these verbal sparrings translate inside the ring? Will this heightened drama lead to the much-anticipated showdown, or will it remain confined to social media?

Terence Crawford has been told he could beat Canelo Alvarez – even at 168 – because he has Floyd Mayweather Jr brain.

That is the verdict of former American boxer Tim Bradley, who believes Crawford could take him even at his current weight.

The 36-year-old is denoted as one of the best boxers around even at his age, holding world championship belts at three different weight classes at lightweight, light welterweight and welterweight.

But taking on a fighter three weight classes above and 20Ibs heavier might be a bridge too far – especially one as destructive as Canelo, who himself has world championships in four different weight classes.

However, not according to Bradley, who believes Crawford’s boxing cleverness could lead him to victory much like how Mayweather Jr defeated Alvarez.

“It’s a tough task for Terence,” he told Fight Hub TV. “But at the same time, I would back him. I would pick Terence Crawford to beat Canelo Alvarez, even at 168.

“I think that his skill level is up there with the greatest. I don’t think we’ve seen anything like Terence Crawford.

“I do study history. I never seen anybody that has everything. Good speed, power, timing, can switch the way he switches.

“That has the toughest, the meanness that he has, the way he finishes guys, the way he breaks down guys.

Terence Bud Crawford and Canelo Alvarez

“He’s one of the smartest guys that I’ve ever seen in the ring, right up there with Floyd Mayweather.”

Being compared to Mayweather cannot be taken lightly, with the American boxing legend finishing his career 50-0.

That included a majority decision victory over Canelo in September 2013, the first loss of Canelo’s career.

Crawford solidified his legacy with a pulsating victory over Errol Spence Jr in July 2023.

It saw the WBO, WBC, IBF and WBA welterweight champion go 40-0, winning 31 fights by knockout – including against Spence Jr with a ninth-round technical knockout.

And now, as he looks to end his career on an almighty high, the idea of fighting Canelo was floated, despite the vast weight difference.

It would be unlikely to see Canelo drop down weight classes, which would force Crawford to throw some meat on his bones.

It is either that or take on Jaron Ennis, who has been tipped to take over the welterweight division when Crawford hangs up his gloves.

Conor Benn has gone through a lot lately, most of his own doing.

Heading into his showdown against Chris Eubank Jr., Benn failed a pre-fight drug test. His subsequent suspension has been a strange one. While he’s been barred from fighting in the UK, Benn was eventually cleared to fight in the US.

This coming weekend, he’ll continue to fight several miles away from home when he takes on Peter Dobson at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The 27-year-old can’t afford to have any sloppy showings or hiccups. In the sport of boxing, winning, at times, isn’t enough. Meaning, he knows that he has to show his worth. Although he’s giving Dobson his undivided attention, he isn’t unnerved about what his opponent brings to the table.

Looking ahead has a tendency to end badly for fighters but Benn (22-0, 14 KOs) believes there’s too much on the line. Currently, the welterweight division has somewhat of a logjam at the top of it. Of course, Jaron Ennis holds the IBF strap but Terence Crawford is known as the division’s top dog.

At the moment, Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs) is standing near the end of his finish line. He’s admitted that he doesn’t have much left in the tank and wants to walk away from the game on his own terms. In a perfect world, the ideal way to call it a career would be a brazen win over Canelo Alvarez. That showdown, however, seems unlikely.

If Crawford has nothing else going on, Benn is raising his hand hoping and praying that they can meet in the center of the ring. No audacious trash talk will be used by the normally loquacious Benn. Instead, he has nothing but respect for Crawford and simply wants to test his skills against someone he considers the best.

“We could make the Crawford fight next,” Benn told ESNEWS during a recent interview. “You want to challenge yourself against the best.”

With only days left to his fight with Jamaine Ortiz, Teofimo Lopez has found a way to draw attention to it. The details for WBC super-lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez‘s upcoming bout, including the date and opponent, have been officially confirmed. The title fight is set to take place on February 8 in Las Vegas, Nevada. However, before it even starts, Lopez has started provoking another beast for a brawl.

When challenging Terence Crawford, Lopez expressed strong criticism, particularly questioning the credibility of his previous opponents. That is not all, he believes they could make higher numbers than what the unified welterweight champion achieved in his last fight against Errol Spence Jr. Keyshawn Davis, however, believes there is a different motive behind it.

Keyshawn Davis urges fans to spot the “real”

Taking trash-talking to a new level, a few boxers have now started pulling in even the ones not directly involved into a banter. This is all to keep the audience hooked and leave them wanting to know more. Davis believes that is exactly what Lopez is trying to do with Crawford. The top P4P fighter is not just another name in the industry, he is without question one of the most respected figures. In an interview with FightHub TV, Davis said “I just think Teofimo is promoting his fight, he’s calling out the cash cow of the sport and everybody is buying into it, putting more attention on his upcoming fight. I just feel like he’s promoting his fight.”

Terence Crawford

Does Davis agree with such tactics? “That’s the problem because a lot of people say they want to fight, a lot of people said they was going to fight and then pulled out of the fight so we as people need to realise this is not true, it’s a lot of fake media going around” he added expressing his frustration over the method used by boxers to misdirect the fans into believing something they do not quite intend on acting upon. Davis further emphasizes the need to differentiate the real from the fake. In the mean time, Lopez stays consistent in his efforts.

Teofimo Lopez guarantees a bigger fight than Terence Crawford vs Errol Spence Jr.

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Teofimo Lopez has once again expressed his desire to face Crawford, emphasizing not just a quest for victory but a bout that could reshape boxing’s financial landscape. With a history of backing up his confidence in the ring, Lopez declared his readiness to take on elite competition, challenging Crawford’s claim as the best. Despite acknowledging an immediate hurdle in Ortiz, Lopez sees this as a necessary step before pursuing the dream fight with Crawford.

The boxer anticipates a potential move to Crawford’s weight class, highlighting the financial potential that surpasses Crawford’s previous bout with Spence. Lopez’s statements showcase his ambition, strategic mindset, and willingness to face the best, outlining a vision for a fight that could rival the financial success of Crawford-Spence.

Do you think Davis is right? Or does Teofimo Lopez truly want a fight with Crawford? Moreover, Crawford does not seem too interested in the match-up. Do you think there is a possibility of it materializing?

Moving up and down in weight is the norm in boxing. Seldom has any fighter spent the entirety of their careers in one setting. Terence Crawford has followed that same ole routine. So far, he’s managed to grab world titles as a lightweight, super lightweight, and a welterweight. In addition to those championship runs, Crawford has a pair of undisputed reigns under his belt as well.

Most recently, Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs) took care of business against Errol Spence Jr. That win, however, has left Crawford with a limited amount of options. Of course, he could stick around and take on the young bull in Jaron Ennis, but Crawford doesn’t see the benefit of that from a legacy standpoint. Nor are there enough zeros attached at the end of his paycheck.

The finish line is closer than ever for the 36-year-old, so before he leaves, he wants to end it with a bang. From his point of view, the only fighter that can increase his legacy and provide him with life-changing money is Canelo Alvarez. The problem, however, is that Alvarez is a super middleweight, three weight classes above Crawford.

He’s always been bold, and that doesn’t appear to be changing anytime soon. On numerous occasions, Crawford has stated that he would be willing to throw some more meat on his bones and make the move. Some may call it crazy but Tim Bradley doesn’t believe the pound-for-pound star would be in over his head.

“It’s a tough task for Terence,” admitted Bradley to Fight Hub TV. “But at the same time, I would back him. I would pick Terence Crawford to beat Canelo Alvarez, even at 168.”

Bradley isn’t being disingenuous. He’s always been a huge believer in Crawford, no matter who was placed in front of him. Some have urged Crawford though, to take a seat and not attempt to bite off more than he can chew. Simply put, it wouldn’t be prudent.

Bradley respects the opinions of those going against Crawford. After all, Alvarez is a legitimate Hall of Famer and has laid out much bigger men. If their showdown was predicated on just strength and power, that would be an entirely different story. But you know the old saying, skills pay the bills. And according to Bradley, no one in history has more than Crawford.

“I think that his skill level is up there with the greatest. I don’t think we’ve seen anything like Terence Crawford. I do study history. I never seen anybody that has everything. Good speed, power, timing, can switch the way he switches. That has the toughest, the meanness that he has, the way he finishes guys, the way he breaks down guys. He’s one of the smartest guys that I’ve ever seen in the ring, right up there with Floyd Mayweather.”

If gymnastics had one athlete whose list of achievements went on and on, it would be Simone Biles. The star began as a prodigy in the sport and kept adding feathers to her cap after each competition. When she entered the sport at the age of 6, no one expected her to pursue it as her career, let alone become one of the GOATs.

The Olympian grew up under difficult circumstances with her biological mother suffering from addiction. However, Biles’ life took a turn when her grandparents, Nellie and Ronald, adopted her. After a field trip where she discovered her love for the sport, there was no stopping her from achieving every goal she set her eyes on.

How many medals has she gathered over the years?

She started as a first-time senior competitor in 2013 at the World Championships. She became a household name in 2016, with her Olympic debut in Rio de Janeiro. While the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 became her biggest setback, with twisties hindering her from participating further, her recent comeback after a two-year hiatus has sent the world into a frenzy.

The Olympian has won 7 Olympic medals and 30 World Championship medals altogether. This includes four gold, one silver, and two bronze Olympic medals and a whopping 23 gold, four silver, and three bronze World Championship medals.

Simone Biles

Her recent comeback at the Antwerp World Championships got her four gold medals, not only raking up her total to 30 but also making her the most decorated athlete across the globe. She also holds the record for most World gold medals and the most Olympic medals won by an American gymnast, tied with Shannon Miller.

Simone Biles’ legacy

Something that comes with being one of the most popular gymnasts in history is having their names associated with moves. Biles now has a total of five gymnastics moves named after her – one on the balance beam, two on the floor exercise, and two on the vault. In a hilarious twist, however, she once admitted in an interview how she could only successfully perform four out of the five moves.

Currently, she’s busy juggling between rehearsing at her gym and spending quality time with her husband, friends, and family. Something that her extended break taught her was to live life and treasure close moments more than anything else. Having planned her wedding, celebrations, and vacations, she now seems ready to take the next step in her career.

With the Paris Olympics just around the corner, fans have been speculating about her return for a while. After the Tokyo Olympics, redemption might be in the books, and gymnastics enthusiasts are holding on to the hope. So far, Biles has been open about the possibility, but will she make it?

Is the Paris Olympics on the charts for Simone Biles?

After dodging the question in several interviews, the star gymnast finally admitted her true feelings about the idea. The truth was that Biles was open to attending the Paris Olympics either as an audience or a team member. However, after her official comeback on the international stage, her take has slightly shifted.

In an interview, she revealed that while she did intend to participate, the Olympic committee would make the final decision on whether or not she would make it to the team. Until then, she’s happy to be rehearsing and staying in touch with the sport that got her started on a terrific journey. Meanwhile, fans will wait with bated breath to see how the roster turns out.