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Anthony Joshua wants to fight Tyson Fury but expects Oleksandr Usyk to win their undisputed fight

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Anthony Joshua is rooting for Tyson Fury to beat Oleksandr Usyk so they can finally put on an all-British blockbuster for the fans.

‘The Gypsy King’ will put his WBC title on the line in the hopes

of winning Usyk’s WBA, WBO, and IBF heavyweight belts at ‘Ring of Fire’ in Saudi Arabia on February 17.

Whoever wins will become the first four-belt undisputed champion in heavyweight history and will also walk away with a new belt made to mark the occasion.

The winner could move on to a fight against Joshua or former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou after they clash at ‘Knockout Chaos’ in the Middle Eastern country on March 8.

AJ expects to beat Ngannou, and then be matched with Usyk again.

The Ukrainian famously outpointed Joshua and took his three heavyweight titles in September 2021 before repeating the feat 11 months later.

“It’s going to be a good fight,” Joshua told Sky Sports on Monday.

“I think Usyk edges it. I’m not really bothered. I just want them both to be healthy and leave the ring. It’s a tough game. So that’s all I can ask for, that they leave the ring healthy.

“In terms of how it goes, it doesn’t affect my life, in a way. I’m not like one of those fans that starts crying because someone won or lost.

“It is what it is. Tomorrow comes around. Good luck to both of them.”

For Joshua, a long-awaited showdown with Fury is the preference, even though he expects Usyk to become the first man to beat his compatriot next month.

He added: “Probably the opportunity to fight Tyson Fury.

“I think that’s a better fight for the fans and myself.”

Fury vs Usyk has a two-way rematch clause. So, even if ‘The Joker’ emerges victoriously from ‘Ring of Fire’ he’ll have to beat Fury again before a potential trilogy fight with Joshua can take place.

In the meantime, Joshua is expected to target the IBF title, which is set to be made vacant when Fury and Usyk confirm they’ll rematch rather than face mandatory challenger Filip Hrgovic.

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BOXING

Lennox Lewis Says Anthony Joshua Has Two Main Credible Opponents

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Anthony Joshua

Lennox Lewis’s relationship with Anthony Joshua has always been a little frosty and now the last undisputed heavyweight champion of the world has said that ‘AJ’ only has two credible opponents out there that are worthy of fighting following ‘gimme’ bouts.

Lewis was watching on from a TV studio when Joshua was last out on the Day of Reckoning card in Saudi Arabia against Otto Wallin. Many thought it was his best showing in a while – a straightforward stoppage win that came when Wallin remained on his stool after the fifth round – and it followed two other victories in 2023 against Jermaine Franklin and Robert Helenius.

Anthony Joshua

Speaking to The Ring, Magazine Lewis said Joshua should now only take big fights having successfully rebuilt following his back-to-back losses to pound for pound great Oleksandr Usyk.

After that, Lewis claimed that only fights against Tyson Fury and Zhilei Zhang are suitable for Joshua. The Brit has already faced Oleksandr Usyk twice, coming up short on both occasions.

The reality is his next fight comes against a 1 and 0 novice in Francis Ngannou, though boxing fans will be hoping that after that it will be a tougher test against the winner of the undisputed battle between Fury and Usyk in February.

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BOXING

Photos: Anthony Joshua, Francis Ngannou – Face To Face at Kickoff Presser

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‘Knockout Chaos’ headlined by former unified World Heavyweight Champion Anthony Joshua in a mouth watering match up against MMA superstar and now Heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou on Friday 8 March at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh.

The event is being delivered to fans across the world by The General Entertainment Authority of Saudi Arabia, Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing, Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions, Goldstar Promotions and GIMIK Fight Promotions.

Anthony Joshua

Previously the WBA, IBF, IBO and WBO World Champion, Joshua completed a busy and successful year on 23 December 2023 when he defeated Otto Wallin in five rounds in a headline attraction on the ‘Day of Reckoning’ in Riyadh, a fight which marked his return to the elite end of the Heavyweight rankings.

Former UFC Heavyweight champion Ngannou entered the world of boxing when he competed in the ‘Battle of the Baddest’ against WBC World Champion Tyson Fury, which opened Riyadh Season on 28 October 2023. The fight boomed into life towards the end of the third round when Ngannou landed a left hook to the temple of Fury’s head and the champion was put to the canvas.

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BOXING

Joshua faces Ngannou in Saudi March 8

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Anthony Joshua

Anthony Joshua will face ex-mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia on March 8.

Former heavyweight world champion Joshua is hoping to build on an impressive fifth-round stoppage of Otto Wallin last month to maintain his bounce back to form.

Cameroonian-born Ngannou only made his professional boxing debut in October, when he knocked down WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury before losing a close decision.

The fighters will face off in a press conference later on Monday in London.

Anthony Joshua

Both Joshua’s victory over Wallin and Ngannou’s surprise showing against Fury took place in the Saudi capital Riyadh, with the oil-rich Gulf Kingdom rapidly becoming the go-to destination for promoters seeking big purses for major bouts.

Fury will also face Oleksandr Usyk in Riyadh on February 17 in a fight that will deliver the first undisputed heavyweight champion since 1999.

Saudi Arabia has lavished billions of dollars on sporting events in recent years, including the right to host the 2034 World Cup, the LIV Golf circuit, a Formula One Grand Prix and football’s Club World Cup.

But the world’s biggest exporter of oil has been accused by its critics of “sportswashing” by using sport to improve its international reputation after widespread criticism for its human rights and environmental record.

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BOXING

Callum Smith scored scary KO that left opponent shaking and stretchered out of the ring on Anthony Joshua undercard

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Callum Smith made a statement on his light-heavyweight debut with a frightening knockout of Lenin Castillo.

The former WBA super-middleweight (168lbs) champion is now set to challenge for the 175lbs world titles when he takes on WBC, IBF and WBO king Artur Beterbiev on Saturday night in Quebec.

Smith looked impressive in his first fight in the division, which took place on the undercard of Oleksandr Usyk’s first victory over Anthony Joshua in 2021.

However, after the victory his celebrations were quickly halted.

Smith hammered Castillo with an overhand right in round two which saw him collapse backwards to the canvas.

He lay on his back shaking and the referee instantly waved the fight off.

Medical staff responded quickly and attended to Castillo, who was stretchered from the ring minutes afterwards.

Thankfully, positive updates followed despite the worrying scene.

Castillo was ‘responsive’ as he left the stadium to go to hospital.

Speaking after the final bell, Smith admitted it was unpleasant to see his Dominican foe in such distress.

Callum Smith’s knockout of Castillo was brutal. pic.twitter.com/UEPzvSt2p0

— Self Isolating Saunders 🇳🇬💭 (@40kgCostume) November 1, 2022

“It’s not nice. I celebrated before and then I realised how bad it was,” Smith said post-fight.

“That’s the last thing you want to see. Boxing is a tough enough sport as it is and we all have families to go home to.”

Fortunately, Castillo made a full recovery and has since returned to the ring four times.

Smith has just boxed once in that period, beating Mathieu Bauderlique in 2022.

Last year was a frustrating period for the Brit, as he had to cancel a tune-up bout due to injury and then his shot at Beterbiev was postponed so he went the entire year without boxing.

Smith is hoping to get 2024 off to a far better start on Saturday night.

 

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BOXING

Francis Ngannou explains what Anthony Joshua’s last fight didn’t prove

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Anthony Joshua

Anthony Joshua has been told by Francis Ngannou that his win against Otto Wallin didn’t prove he can fight well under pressure.

Former two-time heavyweight champion Joshua is booked to fight Ngannou just weeks after his stunning knockout win over Wallin. ‘AJ’ had a brilliant 2023 campaign as he bounced back after consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk by winning fights against Jermaine Franklin, Robert Helenius and Wallin.

Ngannou will make his second boxing appearance against Joshua after coming within touching distance of beating Tyson Fury when he made his ring debut last October. The former UFC champion admitted that he was impressed by Joshua’s win against Wallin but isn’t confident the Brit is back to his old destructive style.

“He looked amazing, respect to him and congratulations to him. He was doing his job properly, his speed was there and he was very sharp. On the other hand, I think there wasn’t a response in front of him. I think I will have a better response in front of him that will put him in uncomfortable situations and positions,” Ngannou said on The MMA Hour.

“Things will change and be different. I will not just stay there and look at him, it’s going to be different. I’m going to throw some bombs out there for him to deal with. I think he’s going to be mindful of what he’s doing. Nobody still knows what I can do, that was my first fight in boxing and like anyone else I am just improving. The gap of improvement for a beginner like me is huge.”

Ngannou dropped Fury in their fight and only lost by a single point in a controversial decision. The former UFC champion is hoping to beat Joshua and rematch Fury, insisting their second fight must take place by October. Ngannou is unsure whether Joshua will be able to take the same punches that Fury as he questioned the Brit’s chin.

“Not that he’s not a strong fighter. He’s a very tough fighter, but he’s easier to send down than Fury, and it’s harder for him to get back up than Fury. If AJ takes the punch that Fury took, I don’t guarantee that he is getting up. I have heard that he doesn’t have a chin, I am going to find out,” Ngannou added.

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BOXING

Deontay Wilder plots route back to Anthony Joshua fight despite surprise defeat

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Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshau

Deontay Wilder wants to fight on the Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou card to try and rescue his mega-fight with the Brit.

Wilder’s two-fight deal with ‘AJ’ went down the drain last month after he lost to Joseph Parker just moments before Joshua knocked out Otto Wallin. Former UFC champion Francis Ngannou has since taken Wilder’s place in the heavyweight equation as he will fight Joshua on March 8 in Saudi Arabia.

Zhilei Zhang has been touted as a potential opponent for Wilder but the fight is far from official. Wilder’s manager Shelly Finkel thinks the American can redeem himself after his poor performance with one win against a big name. “ If there was an opportunity, we’d be glad to consider it. We’d love to go back there and love to be on that card if it’s possible,” he told The Sun.

“You can’t tell in advance, but I’d assume that Joshua would beat Ngannou. Then hopefully, we’ll see the Deontay of old and he wins. Of course, if those two were to happen, it would still be natural for Deontay and Joshua to meet.” Finkel used Daniel Dubois as an example of a fighter bouncing back to winning ways as he stopped Jarrell Miller following his world title loss to Oleksandr Usyk.

“Go back two fights. People were saying Daniel Dubois was a quitter. He sure didn’t quit against Jarrell Miller and redeemed himself. Three fights ago, people said things about Joshua. He looked very good in his fight with Wallin and that redeemed himself in the same way. In a similar situation, Deontay has a good opponent in the next fight and he looks the way we know him to look,” Finkel added.

“We would love Parker but that hasn’t been discussed. In either case, if Zhang was presented, that would be a big fight. If that was on the same card as the fight with Joshua and Ngannou, I think Deontay and Zhang would rival that. It would be a phenomenal show for the public again. I think the job that they did putting on all the heavyweights together on that card was wonderful.”

Wilder isn’t in Joshua’s plans for now as the Brit wants to beat Ngannou and challenge either Tyson Fury or Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight world titles. Ngannou is also targeting a rematch against Fury after controversially losing to the Brit in their crossover fight last October.

 

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BOXING

Anthony Joshua tipped to BEAT Usyk in shock trilogy fight by ex-coach despite bitter war of words

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Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk

ANTHONY JOSHUA’s former coach has tipped him to upset Oleksandr Usyk in a trilogy fight – despite their apparent war of words.

Joshua’s reign as unified heavyweight champion came to an end at the hands of the undefeated Ukranian in September 2021 as he was outfoxed in their Tottenham tussle.

AJ failed to exact his revenge in their Riyadh rumble rematch 11 months later, suffering a second consecutive points defeat.

Anthony Joshua

A third fight could be on the cards should Usyk beat Tyson Fury and Joshua win the IBF title, which is expected to become vacant after next month’s eagerly-anticipated undisputed title fight.

And Robert Garcia – who failed to guide AJ to victory at the second time of asking against Usyk – can foresee the Watford warrior getting the job done the third time around.

In an interview with Boxing Social, Garcia said of AJ: “He is the second most-talented fighter in the [heavyweight] division.

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Francis Ngannou shares message for naysayers after starting camp for Anthony Joshua fight

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Francis Ngannou

Francis Ngannou is not letting the doubters get to him once again.

In a combat sports career and an overall life filled with overcoming the odds and proving people wrong, Ngannou is again staying supremely focused and confident.

Readying for his sophomore professional boxing bout by taking on generational great/ former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, ‘The Predator’ took to social media to show he sees what the haters are saying and frankly does not care.

Via his personal X account @francis_ngannou, Ngannou said:

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BOXING

Eddie Hearn On Anthony Joshua Eventually Taking On Tyson Fury: “I Think He Beats Him All Day Long”

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Anthony Joshua

Anthony Joshua went from dominant world champion to a shaky middling contender.

After suffering back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk, Joshua (27-3, 24 KOs) attempted to shake things up in his camp. However, despite enlisting the help of a new coach and bagging wins over Jermaine Franklin and Robert Helenius, the now 34-year-old never looked sharp with Derrick James manning his corner.

Another change was needed as Joshua headed into his recent showdown against Otto Wallin. Some were bemused by his decision but Joshua was confident that both he and Ben Davison would gel well…he was right.

On December 23rd, there was nothing Wallin could do to trouble Joshua, leading to a quick fifth-round stoppage defeat. Even more so than Joshua, Eddie Hearn, his longtime promoter, may have been the happiest person in the arena.

anthony joshua

In the immediate, Joshua is going to face MMA veteran Francis Ngannou in March. However, while a win over Ngannou would be a solid one, Hearn is hoping to throw his man in the ring with Tyson Fury, who struggled in a split decision win over Ngannou last October.

By and large, Fury is considered a future Hall of Famer and the best heavyweight around. Superlatives aside, nevertheless, Hearn has all of the confidence in the world in Joshua getting it done if they matched up.

“I think he beats him all day long,” Hearn told Boxing Social.

Fury might be the only fighter on Joshua’s mind but the feeling isn’t mutual. In mid-February, Fury is set to go up against Usyk with all of the heavyweight marbles on the line.

In the past, Hearn has worked with Usyk and considers him an incredible fighter and a great man. With that said, he’s hoping that he doesn’t bring his A game and comes up short on the night.

“Hopefully Tyson can beat Usyk and we’ll be one step closer to that.”

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