Richie1, Author at US Celeb

$I’ve fought Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury… one was much tougher and left me with a fractured nose$

DESPITE years of talk and speculation, the heavyweight Battle of Britain between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury has yet to happen.

The rivalling pair have even signed contracts to fight in the past only for talks to break down.

It has left the debate raging between fans on who is not only the best heavyweight in the country, but the world.

One man in the unique position of having fought them both is Otto Wallin, who shot to attention for his 2019 bout with Fury.

He memorably left the Gypsy King needing 47 stitches and a lenient referee and doctor who allowed the action to continue.

Fury, 35, dug down and edged out a decision victory to keep his undefeated record intact.

Fast forward four years and Wallin, 32, was named as the man to welcome AJ back to the ring in Saudi Arabia.

But Joshua, 34, gave the Swedish southpaw no chance of seeing the final bell as he dominated him over five rounds.

So Wallin – who was rightly pulled out by his corner – revealed AJ was much harder to fight compared to Fury.

He told Boxing News: “I know that he is one of the best fighters out there.

“I really have no excuses, he was just better. He did really well, used his reach well, and he hit me with some really good shots. He was just better.

“I think he had a good game plan. He felt like a very good fighter, and obviously, it was a much tougher fight than what I had with Tyson Fury.

“Maybe he’s found his home with Ben Davison.”

BOXING

Lennox Lewis Names Ideal Opponent For Anthony Joshua: “He Should’t Be Fighting Guys Like Wallin”

Anthony Joshua capped off 2023 with a third win, this time a stoppage over Swedish southpaw Otto Wallin.

It’s not something that overly impressed one Lennox Lewis, who told the Ring Magazine that ‘AJ’ ‘gained nothing’ from fighting a guy that ‘has no definition and doesn’t throw any punches.’

Many in the sport are hailing Joshua’s fifth round forced corner stoppage as a return to best form, but Lewis may reserve judgement until he sees him in a fight with more jeopardy.

For that, he suggests Zhilei Zhang – a man, like Wallin, who lost in the amateurs to Joshua. China’s ‘Big Bang’ had one of the most impressive calendar years in the heavyweight division, twice dispatching previously unstoppable Joe Joyce.

Whilst Zhang has been mooted as a potential opponent, Joshua also may have a vacant world title shot against the IBF’s number one contender, Filip Hrgovic, should the belt become vacant after Tyson Fury’s undisputed fight with Oleksandr Usyk.

BOXING

“Like trainer like fighter” – Fans react to Gervonta Davis’ trainer’s arrest on charges of ‘assault with a deadly weapon’

Gervonta Davis’ (now Abdul Wahid) trainer, Calvin Ford, has been arrested and reportedly is in police custody this week due to allegations of felony assault that may require legal proceedings in Nevada.

According to a recent report by combat sports journalist Michael Benson, the 58-year-old coach was apprehended by Baltimore police on Dec. 29 as he left the renowned Upton gym, where he conducts training sessions. Nevada authorities have issued a warrant for his arrest on two counts of assault with a deadly weapon following an incident in Las Vegas on Oct. 16.

Currently, there is no additional information available regarding the incident.

Fans responded to the news of Ford’s arrest with an array of reactions.

BOXING

Dubois’ Trainer Backs Tyson Fury To “Maul” Oleksandr Usyk in Undisputed Fight

Veteran trainer Don Charles is very familiar with WBO, IBF, IBO, WBA heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Charles trained Chisora for his decision loss to Usyk in 2020. Chisora gave Usyk one of the toughest fights of his career.

And last year, Charles prepared Daniel Dubois for his mandatory title fight against Usyk in Poland.

Earlier in the fight, Usyk went down from what was ruled as a low blow by the referee, but some observers felt Dubois had landed a legal shot to the body. Usyk would recover and eventually knock Dubois out in the ninth round.

On February 17 in Saudi Arabia, Usyk will collide with WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in a high-stakes unification – with the winner become the undisputed beltholder of the weight class.

Charles believes Fury will be too big and too strong, with those attributes being enough to overcome Usyk’s advantage in hand speed and boxing ability.

“This Fury who has gone silent, I believe he’s gone silent, he’s gone away to train, he’s taking it seriously. Forgive me if I get this wrong, but I don’t even think it will be a hard fight for Fury. He’ll maul him, he’s too big for Usyk, he’ll maul him, hit him, tie him up, push him off, he’ll maul him,” Charles told Talk Sport.

“I’ve looked at this fight and no matter how I look at it I come to one conclusion. Yes, Usyk is an exceptional, brilliant technician/tactician. Usyk has a fantastic rhythm that can offset Fury. [He needs to throw] lots of feints, shoot to the body, leave the head alone. Throw all your combinations to the waist, don’t go up, leave Fury’s head alone, that’s what I would advise.”

BOXING

Floyd Mayweather names his top three boxers in the world and snubs Terence Crawford

Floyd Mayweather Jr. has named his top three boxers in the world right now, and included one of his old opponents who he beat in one of the biggest fights of all time. He picked Canelo Alvarez, Ryan Garcia, and Gervonta Davis as the best of the best

Mayweather, who is considered one of the greatest boxers ever, only chose fighters similar to his own height and weight class, and as a result left out heavyweight champions Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.

Canelo, at 33 years old, has only two losses in 64 professional fights. Canelo has held multiple world championships in four weight classes from light middleweight to light heavyweight. He won both of his 2023 fights by unanimous decision.

While many boxing fans agree with Mayweather’s choice of Canelo and Davis, who remains undefeated at 29-0, his inclusion of Garcia was a surprise. Davis is a formidable lightweight, winning 27 of his 29 fights by knockout.

His last fight was against Garcia, where he triumphed with a seventh-round knockout. Garcia suffered his first career defeat, but he made a comeback in December 2023 by knocking out Oscar Duarte in the eighth round.

Mayweather still thinks that Garcia, 25, is a big star and has a bright future in boxing. One fan commented on X: “Typical Floyd, finds it hard to praise fighters who are on his level. No mention of Crawford, pound-for-pound number 1 or Naoya Inoue but selects someone who he’s beaten, someone who he’s managed and an average Ryan Garcia.”

Another added: “Ryan Garcia doesn’t make the top 30 never mind the top 3.” Another fan agreed, saying: “Garcia over Inuoe? I’m not having that.”

Mayweather shared his thoughts with Inside Fighting after ex-rival Manny Pacquiao announced a New Year’s Eve fight with Mayweather, a rematch of their massive 2015 title fight. Both fighters are now retired, so it’s likely to be just an exhibition match.

Pacquiao said it would happen in Tokyo, Japan in 2024. He apologised to his fans for not fighting in 2023 despite signing with RIZIN Fighting Federation, but promised them the wait would be worth it.

Mayweather has participated in seven exhibition fights since retiring, against a mix of retired fighters and influencers. The 46 year old fought Logan Paul in 2021, but could be in for a big payday after his first fight with Pacquiao had 4.6 million pay-per-view buys.

BOXING

Claressa Shields savage response as Alycia Baumgardner calls out all-time great

Claressa Shields has told Alycia Baumgardner she will make light work of her regardless of the weight they meet at after being called out by the undisputed super featherweight champ.

Claressa Shields has told Alycia Baumgardner she will fight – and beat – her at any weight class after being called out by the undisputed super featherweight world champion. Shields, the self-titled “GWOAT” or “Greatest woman of all time”, ruthlessly warned her fellow American she would make light work of her if they are to meet in the centre of the ring.

Baumgardner is suspended after returning an adverse finding for mesterolone in a drugs test on the night of her unanimous decision win in defense of her titles against Christina Linardatou in July, although she has protested her innocence and claimed in November independent testing has proved she did not take any performance-enhancing substances.

The situation has not stopped her from plotting her next moves, calling out undisputed middleweight queen Shields in an Instagram live video. “I say yes, I will fight Claressa Shields and 147, make the fight,” Baumgardner said. “I know what y’ll thinking, ‘Oh, she’s too small, she’s too big’. I don’t care about none (sic) of that, size does not matter to me baby. It’s the skills, baby.

“Claressa has been who I wanted to fight. I came up to her at the gym and I said ‘Why don’t you and I put on a fight?’ and she said ‘You too small, A.B.’ Claressa, you don’t have to worry about the size, girl. Let’s make the fight happen.”

A fight between Baumgardner, 29, and Shields was not on anyone’s radar until the former put the two-time Olympic champion on blast on social media. Not only have the pair been friends over the course of their careers, but they are also separated by six weight classes. And Shields was supportive of Baumgardner in the aftermath of her positive drugs test.

But Ohio-born Baumgardner wants Michigan native Shields to meet her halfway and fight in the 147-pound welterweight class. Shields, 28, has been campaigning at 160 pounds for the past 18 months, but she has told Baumgardner in no uncertain terms she will defeat her no matter the weight class.

“I’d 100 per cent fight @alyciambaum at 147 or 154 or 160 or 168 long as it’s a belt or multiple belts on the line. You know I’m not hard to make a fight with,” Shields posted on X.

“And last time I checked, I always told people I wouldn’t fight Baumgardner cause (sic) we cool as hell, and I feel that same way bout Mikaela (Mayer). I’d never fight Mikaela, she’s my Olympic sister. I’m just tryna (sic) figure out when did @alyciambaum decide she wanted to fight me?

“Well hey, you think you can dethrone the GWOAT? Start your 147 plan and I’ll start mine. And if we fight just know… I didn’t want to do it. But you made me.”

BOXING

Amanda Serrano Can’t Stop Laughing After Watching “Miley Cyborg” as She Disses Claressa Shields and Kayla Harrison in Her Music Video

In the tough world of MMA, where fists do the talking, a song just threw a playful punch. Picture this: Bellator champion Cris Cyborg, famed for her knockout power, grabs a mic instead of gloves.

Her target? Not just the heavy bag, but Kayla Harrison and Claressa Shields. She belts out a parody, echoing Miley Cyrus, but with a twist.

It’s a fusion of pop and punches and Miley, an unexpected move in the fighter’s playbook. Enter Amanda Serrano, a titan in her own right. Her response?

Amanda Serrano laughs while Cyborg sings

Diving into the heart of the story, Cris Cyborg, a titan in the Bellator featherweight division, recently released a parody. She skillfully mimics the tune of Miley Cyrus’s hit ‘Flowers‘, but with a twist uniquely her own. The lyrics ring with her characteristic confidence and prowess. “I have won, all the gold. And I’m just 38 years old. I’m a strong Brazilian, I’ll destroy Kayla Harrison,” she sings with a mix of humor and bravado. Cyborg doesn’t stop there; she continues, “I can knock you out standing and leave you laid out there.”

Stepping further into the story, Cris Cyborg’s musical adventure doesn’t end with her playful jabs at Kayla Harrison. She also turns her lyrical prowess towards Claressa Shields, the Undisputed Light-Middleweight Champion. In her parody of Miley Cyrus’s “Flowers,” Cyborg throws a lyrical punch with, “No remorse, no regret, Claressa Shields just s**t the bed. Oh you know that if you fight me, your nose is gonna fly. I’ll make you cry cause it will go real high.”

This unexpected foray into music caught the attention of many, notably Amanda Serrano. Known for her own formidable presence in the ring, Serrano couldn’t help but react to Cyborg’s creative jab. Her response? A simple yet expressive, “This is hilarious”. This laughter, coming from a fellow fighter, adds a layer of camaraderie to the competitive spirit of MMA.

Cyborg’s parody, thus, does more than entertain; it bridges the gap between intense competition and lightheartedness. It’s not been too long since Claressa called Cyborg out. Could that be the reason of this song?

Shields’ bold call-out

Could Claressa Shields’ recent bold statements be the fuel behind Cris Cyborg’s parody? Shields, self-dubbed ‘the Goat’, didn’t hold back in her remarks. She claimed that women in MMA earn significantly more than their counterparts in boxing, yet highlighted her own success by stating she’s making seven figures. Shields then shifted her focus to Cyborg, implying avoidance from the latter for a potential bout.

“If you don’t want to box against me, cause you can’t win, just say that,” Shields taunted. This fiery exchange may have sparked Cyborg to respond not with words, but through her unique parody song. It raises the question: Is this musical jab Cyborg’s way of answering Shields’ challenge, blending humor with her renowned fighting spirit?

Cris Cyborg’s foray into musical parody, possibly sparked by Claressa Shields’ bold call-out, showcases a different battleground where words and melodies replace fists and kicks.

BOXING

Curmel Moton is Already Eager For a Fight With Leigh Wood

If anyone knows how difficult it is to become a world champion, it’s Floyd Mayweather. He may have grabbed a title in five different divisions but none of it came easy.

Becoming a belt holder isn’t easy. Nor is it an accomplishment that every fighter checks off their to-do list. In the case of Curmel Moton, nevertheless, not only does Mayweather believe that he’ll get it done, he was also hoping to get his young star to do it in his first professional fight.

Mayweather placed the biggest target he could find on the back of Leigh Wood, the current WBA featherweight champ. His goal was simple, get Wood to fight Moton in his pro debut. Ultimately, Mayweather’s plans never gained any real traction.

Wood (28-3, 17 KOs) flat-out wasn’t interested. A two-time world champion fighting a 17-year-old newbie? It simply didn’t make any sense. So, with Wood not going for it, Moton made his pro debut against Ezequiel Flores. He made quick work of his man, getting rid of him in the opening round.

Now, with Mayweather looking for his next opponent, Moton is hoping that Wood will be willing to step up to the plate.

“I’m still looking forward to fighting Leigh Wood,” Moton told FightHype.com during a recent interview.

Wood isn’t likely to take the bait. He’s fresh off a knockout win over Josh Warrington. Although it’s conjecture, the 35-year-old has one helluva argument when discussing the best fighter at 126 pounds.

At this point, it doesn’t quite matter who Moton matches up with. He already revealed that he’ll return to the ring in November. Getting punched in the face seems like a rough way to make a living. For Moton, however, he enjoys every minute of it.

“I had fun in there. I’m looking forward to doing it again.”

BOXING

Curmel Moton Drops Hunter Turbyfill Twice, Wins 2nd Pro Bout By 1st-Round Knockout

Curmel Moton didn’t need a full round to knock out another opponent Saturday night.

The 17-year-old featherweight prospect promoted by Floyd Mayweather dropped Hunter Turbyfill twice in the first round and scored a first-round knockout in a walkout bout after David Benavidez stopped Demetrius Andrade in the main event at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino’s Michelob ULTRA Arena. Referee Allen Huggins declared Moton the winner with one second to go in the first round when Turbyfill (3-1, 1 KO), a southpaw from Memphis, failed to get up in time after Moton dropped him with a body shot.

Las Vegas’ Moton (2-0, 2 KOs) won by first-round knockout after a high-profile main event for the second time in less than two months. He dropped and stopped Ezequiel Flores (4-1, 3 KOs) in the first round of his pro debut September 30, immediately after Canelo Alvarez defeated Jermell Charlo by unanimous decision in their 12-round super middleweight title fight at nearby T-Mobile Arena.

Moton, who went 156-7 as an amateur, received special permission from the Nevada State Athletic Commission to turn pro prior to his 18th birthday. He has been mentored by Mayweather, who was seated ringside, since he was a young child.

BOXING

“Goal for me is undisputed” – Dmitry Bivol rejects cruiserweight title offer

Despite an offer from Saudi Arabia, Dmitry Bivol’s next fight won’t be up at cruiserweight.

The WBA (Super) light heavyweight champion returned to the ring late last month. Returning to Saudi, Bivol competed on the high-profile ‘Day of Reckoning’ card. While there were names such as Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder, the Russian was the only champion on the billing.

Facing British boxer Lyndon Arthur, the undefeated champion, Bivol won every round with ease, winning by unanimous decision. With the victory, he became the IBO light-heavyweight champion and set his sights on a future bout with Artur Beterbiev.

As of now, the two champions are hoping to finalize a deal to fight in 2024. However, Saudi Arabia had other plans, according to Dmitry Bivol. In a recent media scrum, he discussed his future.

There, Bivol revealed that he was recently offered a fight with The Ring, and lineal cruiserweight champion, Jai Opetaia. The Australian also fought on the high-profile card last month, scoring a first-round knockout win over Ellis Zorro. However, don’t expect to see the champions fighting next.