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‘I think it fuels him’ – Anthony Joshua told by Simon Jordan that he should want criticism to continue

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Anthony Joshua

Anthony Joshua should relish the criticism he gets and use it to ‘fuel him’ moving forwards.

That’s according to talkSPORT’s Simon Jordan, who has praised AJ for his victory over Otto Wallin last month.

Joshua dominated and stopped his rival contender in impressive fashion to set up a fight with Deontay Wilder in March.

However, Wilder failed to fulfil his side of the bargain as he was beaten by Joseph Parker on the same show in Saudi Arabia.

Now AJ’s future is unclear, but he certainly looks set to receive more positive coverage in 2024 than he did in 2023 for his lacklustre performances on the comeback trail following back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk.

Jordan began on the talkSPORT talkBOXING podcast: “The irony of Anthony’s position about the unfair criticism he gets is [that it’s] probably an energy he can fuel himself with.

“But he shouldn’t want the criticism to stop because I think it fuels him.”

At this point his co-host Spencer Oliver added: “I’m with you and I said that to Joshua in one of the interviews I did with him.

anthony joshua

“I know he was very angry with talkSPORT and the criticism he was getting from talkSPORT.

“I said, ‘Listen Josh, you should be feeding off of that, that’s what good fighters do. Go and prove them wrong, that’s where your fuel should be coming from.’

“I think to a certain extent he’s done that.

“If people are talking about you, it’s a good thing. Because that means you’re doing something right, that is for sure.

“I said, ‘Just turn that negative into a positive, that’s all you’ve got to do, believe in yourself. Don’t worry about what people say because that doesn’t make any difference when the first bell rings, you’ve just gotta go out there and deliver.'”

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BOXING

Otto Wallin Reveals The Extent Of Damage Caused By Anthony Joshua Fight

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Anthony Joshua and Otto Wallin

Swedish heavyweight contender Otto Wallin said Anthony Joshua was ‘past his peak’ before their fight, but was taught a quick lesson when the Brit turned up as good as he has looked in some time.

Joshua dominated from the opening bell, picking his shots with tremendous precision and measured aggression, forcing Wallin to retire on his stool with blood around his nose following the fifth-round. It was ‘AJ’s a first back-to-back knockout win since 2017.

anthony joshua

In an interview with Boxing News, Wallin cleared up news of his injury and showed support for his trainer, Joey Gamache, who made the decision to pull him out of the contest.

Joshua’s win seems to have lined him up for a fight with Filip Hrgovic and a possible IBF Vacant Title as he seeks to become just the fifth three-time heavyweight champion of all-time.

Wallin, at 33 and with losses to just Joshua and Tyson Fury, will take stock and come back this year.

 

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BOXING

Joshua tougher than Fury — Wallin

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Otto Wallin’s knockout by Anthony Joshua after just five rounds last December, the Swedish boxer says the British-Nigerian is a tougher opponent than WBC champion Tyson Fury.

Before the ‘Day of Reckoning’ in Saudi Arabia, some boxing fans had backed Wallin to spring an upset and derail a planned fight between Joshua and Deontay Wilder.

However, after Wilder was easily outpointed by Joseph Parker on the undercard, Joshua took control in the main event. The former two-time heavyweight champion dominated Wallin from the first bell and forced the stoppage after just five rounds of boxing in Riyadh.

This marked Wallin’s second career defeat, with the first coming as a decision loss to Fury, and the Swede contender has refused to make any excuses, instead praising Joshua for a great performance.

“I know that he is one of the best fighters out there,” Wallin told Boxing News.

Anthony Joshua

“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.”

Wallin’s nose was dripping blood after round five, and his long-timte coach, Joey Gamache, made the bold decision to pull his fighter out early.

The 33-year-old didn’t dispute the call at the time, and he still feels his trainer did the right thing.

“I didn’t disagree (with the stoppage), Joey told me, ‘I’m going to stop it.’ And I didn’t say anything. I trust Joey, he is always looking out for me. I feel very happy that I have a trainer who puts my health first. There’s a life after boxing, so I’m really appreciative that he is looking out for me,” he said.

Meanwhile, Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, says the British-Nigerian’s next fight is still set for March in Saudi Arabia.

Several names are being discussed for the British star’s next fight in Saudi. Some of the options include unbeaten contender Filip Hrgovic, MMA veteran Francis Ngannou, and Chinese giant Zhilei Zhang.

“Right now, we have three fights that were in discussions for they’re all big,” Hearn told IFL TV. “And that doesn’t involve Deontay Wilder. Before March our aim, and we’ve discussed this, is to fight the winner of Fury versus Usyk. That is all we want to do.

“Obviously there’s a Hrgovic fight out there for the world heavyweight title; there’s a Francis Ngannou fight out there which would be absolutely colossal. There’s other heavyweights as well, the Zhang fight possibly as well with Queensbury.”

Hrgovic is viewed by many as the frontrunner to face Joshua, while Oleksandr Usyk and WBC champion Tyson Fury are scheduled to collide in an undisputed fight February 17 in Saudi Arabia.

The IBF title is expected to become vacant after the first Fury-Usyk encounter and Hrgovic is the IBF’s mandatory challenger. A fight between him and Joshua for the vacant IBF belt has emerged.

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BOXING

Devin Haney claps back at Gervonta Davis: Verbal jabs escalate in boxing showdown

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Devin Haney

Gervonta Davis and Devin Haney have been engaged in a verbal sparring match that shows no signs of cooling down.

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

Is a fight happening between Davis and Haney?

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

This not only fueled discussions within the boxing community but also hinted at a perceived reluctance from Haney to face Davis in the ring.

Haney’s response was signature, cutting, and hinted at more than just a war of words.

“All this b*tch do is talk. Ion ever wanna b a pu**y like u,” retorted Haney, turning the verbal exchange into a potential

prelude for an actual fight.

The tension surrounding a potential match between the two champions escalated, adding another chapter to the narrative of Davis seemingly denying a $20 million fight with Haney.

Despite Haney expressing his eagerness for a showdown, the bout has yet to materialize, leaving fans speculating about the underlying reasons.

In the midst of this, Haney is reportedly in talks to face Ryan Garcia, diverting attention but not diluting the anticipation.

A fan’s tweet comparing the two fighters’ styles led to Davis accusing Haney of copying his fashion.

The fan humorously suggested, “I feel like this year @Realdevinhaney you gotta start paying @Gervontaa for his styling services it’s getting outta hand now.”

Davis fired back, emphasizing, “He been doing this for years.. he’s a d**k eater,” underscoring that the extend of their rivalry.

WBA’s positive update for Davis

In a separate development, Gervonta Davis received positive news from the WBA after Devin Haney’s decision to vacate his undisputed lightweight titles.

Despite Davis initially expressing reluctance, the WBA confirmed him as the sole WBA lightweight world champion, resolving the Regular/Super belt situation in the division.

Whether Davis remains in the lightweight division or explores a move to super-lightweight remains uncertain, adding another layer of intrigue to the evolving narrative of these two boxing titans.

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BOXING

“He Won’t Stand a Chance Against the Elites”: Tearing Apart Shakur Stevenson’s ‘Superstar’ Image, Former Opponent Edwin De Los Santos Discusses Sugar’s Fate Against Gervonta Davis

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Shakur Steveson

Undoubtedly, the credit was his to take. After all, he became a world champion for the third time in a six-year-old career. However, Shakur Stevenson couldn’t escape the scathing criticism that turned up over his performance despite winning unanimously against Edwin De Los Santos.

Given that many project him as an upcoming star of boxing, he had to endure a whole lot of questions. So while he upscales himself for bigger paydays in the new year, many believe that he might still not be ready to take on challenges of such stature. Among them, Stevenson’s last opponent, Edwin De Los Santos, believes too much is being made of his skills. In front of an A-lister, he might have no hope.

Shakur Stevenson will buckle against a topliner, says Edwin De Los Santos

So speaking to ‘Millcity Boxing’, De Los Santos said that it was listless when asked for his opinion on the bout. He said, “You know it was a very, very boring fight. You know the guy came to survive.” Then he further added, “It wasn’t what we expected of him. Everybody got him; ‘so’-called’ he’s a superstar.” The host then asked, “How do you think he does with ‘Tank’?”

Edwin De Los Santos replied, “He won’t stand a chance with the guys [that] are the elites; like the real elites, he won’t stand a chance.” The Dominican boxer’s tirade against a boxer who inflicted his second career loss is understandable.

Even during the in-ring post-fight interview, he slammed the American boxer. He said, “You know what? I came to fight; he came for a track meet, and I wouldn’t say that I’m on his level; I say I’m above his level because I came to fight tonight. I came to put on a fight, and Shakur Stevenson decided not to fight…”

If truth be told, in each round of their match, neither Stevenson nor De Los Santos landed punches that counted more than a single digit. No wonder, for a twelve-round fight, the bout earned an unpleasant distinction. It was a match with the lowest number of thrown strikes, establishing a new CompuBox record. But statistics aside, perhaps reputationally, ‘Sugar’ received the lion’s share of criticism.

Rumination needed, or ‘Sugar’ remains as good as ever?

So when he criticized Stevenson, did De Los Santos mean that he wasn’t aggressive enough to swarm up and fight? Or does it have anything to do with his boxing prowess per se? Though appreciated for his jabs, in-ring movement, and innate ability to avoid punches, many slam Shakur Stevenson for a safety-first approach. Thus, his fighting style often gets labeled as spiritless and dull.

Opportunities are galore for Stevenson to become the next big name in boxing. However, some feel that he has to crank up his game. He fought eight bouts during the last three years. But the wins split equally between early stoppages and decisions. Notwithstanding the risks involved, a little self-introspection might help to determine if he should take a more aggressive approach in the ring.

What’s your take on De Los Santos’s statement? Do you agree with him that Shakur Stevenson is barely a match against top-end fighters?

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BOXING

“They Maybe Richer Than a Rich Guy”: After Earning $50 Million in One Fight Last Year, Tyson Fury Shares 50 Cent’s Eye-Opening “Wise Words” About Wealth in a Forgotten Clip

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Tyson Fury

Legacy, Prestige, and wealth. You name it, Tyson Fury has it. ‘The Gypsy King,’ is widely regarded as one the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time. Moreover, he has his way with words and can entertain just as much outside of the ring. It was only inevitable that he’d be a household name. This is also reflected in his financial transactions.

Just his name draws money. Only last year, he fought a single match against Francis Ngannou and added another $50 million to his net worth. Safe to say, his affluence is only increasing by the year. However, how important is money for him? In a recent Instagram story, he shares an eye-opening message about wealth that you may not expect from him.

Fury Agrees with 50 Cent’s Views on Wealth

Tyson Fury shared a clip of 50 Cent asserting that money is not the means for a happy life as it is possible to be happier even while having less. The clip which is a reel was shared by ‘afrogoats’. In it, 50 Cent goes on to explain the relationship between wealth and happiness. The American rapper while relaying his thoughts, states, “Some people know how to live better than others, with or without money. They just sort out and pick a better person to share their time with, you feel what I’m saying. Even if you sleep in a one-bedroom apartment they may be richer than a rich guy, your life, the fabrics of your life, and what you’re doing and how you feel about yourself at the moment.”

Fury was in agreement with the opinions advanced by 50 cents. In his Instagram story, he reposted the same and captioned it by stating, “Wise Words.” Moreover, this has not been the only instance the boxer has used his platform to spread a profound message.
Tyson Fury

Tyson Fury shares a food for thought

According to Fury, one should not take life for granted. In a video posted by him on X. a few months ago, he recorded himself and demanded his fans to talk to their loved ones frequently and tell them that they are loved. Reflecting on the same, he stated, “Time flies, we go from young people to old. So now is the time to tell that somebody, give him a call, tell him you love them, tell them you are sorry, whatever it may be.”

Such thoughts only validate the claim that the heavyweight champion is more just a boxer and a champion insider or outside the ring. Bearing the above revelations in mind, we ask you, what do you make of Fury’s claims? Share with us your thoughts and opinions with us in the comments below.
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BOXING

Tyson Fury Sends Usyk Fresh ‘Little Rabbit’ Warning Ahead Of Undisputed Fight

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Tyson Fury

The biggest fight in boxing is fast approaching and, as the final weeks count down, Tyson Fury has once again been online to send messages to Oleksandr Usyk.

This heavyweight undisputed fight is the first in 24 years and will settle once and for all who is the best current heavyweight out there. The UK’s Fury is putting his lineal and WBC titles on the line, while former undisputed cruiserweight king Usyk adds his WBA, WBO and IBF belts to the mix.

Tyson Fury

The contest takes place on February 17 in Saudi Arabia with Usyk coming off the back of solid victories over Daniel Dubois and Anthony Joshua – twice – and Fury having brushed aside the likes of Derek Chisora and Dillian Whyte before struggling to a points win over MMA star Francis Ngannou last time out.

That below-par showing has got plenty of people talking, including his own father, about whether or not the dip in his ability was a temporary moment of poor form or showed he was in steady decline as he enters the latter half of his thirties.

In a video posted on Instagram, he said:

Meanwhile, Usyk stays in the gym with an innovative way to bring in sparring partners.

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BOXING

Dmitry Bivol: “If I Get All The Belts, Mission Is Done”

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Dmirty Bivol

Dmitry Bivol desperately needed a fight. The 2023 calendar was just about over with and the WBA titleholder didn’t have anything planned.

As the months went by, it appeared more and more likely that Bivol would remain on the shelf. But, seemingly out of nowhere, he was given an arbitrary phone call, telling him to get himself ready by December.

There was no time to question things, Bivol simply knew that he was being thrown into the ring with Lyndon Arthur. In short order, Bivol, who remains in the gym at all times, got himself in fighting shape and proceeded to hand Arthur a beatdown. Once his hand was raised in victory, the 33-year-old was also given the IBO title.

Although it’s viewed as a secondary trinket, Bivol needed to add something to his lonely WBA belt. Now, with Arthur out of the way, Bivol can move on to more pressing matters.

 

Artur Beterbiev currently holds the WBC, IBF, and WBO titles. For countless years, both have barked at one another, hoping and praying for an undisputed clash. Before anything becomes solidified, Beterbiev has to knock Callum Smith’s head into the third row on January 13th.

Bivol won’t make the trip to Quebec but he fully plans on watching from his palatial estate at home. Picking a winner isn’t an easy task for him. But also, it’s irrelevant. To Bivol, he couldn’t care less who actually picks up the victory. The sole focus is primarily on the titles.

To a certain extent, Bivol looks at the sport of boxing like a game. We’ve all picked up a remote controller and engaged in countless hours of mindless gaming. Once you’ve mastered it, you eventually reach the end. For Bivol, that’s how he envisions a victory over Beterbiev. Simply put, once every world title is sitting safely on his championship mantle, there will be nothing left to do.

“If I get all the belts, mission is done,” Bivol told Matchroom Boxing. “I achieved what I wanted.”

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BOXING

Francis Ngannou being considered as Anthony Joshua opponent for March

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Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou

Francis Ngannou has been named as a potential opponent for Anthony Joshua after his stunning boxing debut against Tyson Fury.

Former UFC champion Ngannou pushed Fury to the brink in their crossover fight last October but lost a controversial decision. Fury was expected to make easy work of Ngannou to set up an undisputed fight against Oleksandr Usyk just two months later, but he needed to pick himself up off the canvas after being dropped and only won by one point on the judges’ scorecards.

Joshua rebounded after his consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk by winning three fights on the spin last year. ‘AJ’ previously dismissed a ‘gimmick’ fight against Ngannou but the Brit’s promoter Eddie Hearn changed his stance on the fight after Ngannou’s jaw-dropping performance against Fury.

“Right now, we have three fights that we’re in discussions for they’re all big and that doesn’t involve Deontay Wilder,” Hearn said whilst discussing Joshua’s fight plans with iFL TV. “Before March our aim, and we’ve discussed this, is to fight the winner of Fury versus Usyk. That is all we want to do. Obviously there’s a [Filip] Hrgovic fight out there for the world heavyweight title.”

Anthony Joshua

“There’s a Francis Ngannou fight out there which would be absolutely colossal. There’s other heavyweights as well, the [Zhilei] Zhang fight possibly as well with Queensbury. Our conversations right now are about mapping out Joshua’s next four or five fights. To map out his 2024 and potentially the rest of his career.

Hrgovic is the most likely opponent for Joshua in March as a world title is expected to be on the line for the fight if Usyk is stripped of his IBF belt after facing Fury. Ngannou’s chances of fighting Joshua would be boosted if the Ukrainian’s title isn’t taken away it as Hearn admitted a potential Hrgovic fight could be delayed for ‘AJ’.

“A lot has to happen by March to make that possible with Hrgovic. Are Fury or Usyk going to be able to keep the belt, or do they have to let it go? Is Joshua going to replace [Otto] Wallin in the rankings? There’s a lot of discussion, maybe that’s a fight that when everything plays out could be one for the summer,” he added.

 

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Francis Ngannou’s trainer was ‘brought to tears’ after Tyson Fury fight payday

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Francis Ngannou brought his coach tears of joy with the amount of money he paid him for his crossover bout against Tyson Fury.

Former UFC heavyweight champion Ngannou earned more in his boxing debut against Fury last October than he did in his entire MMA career. Ngannou was being counted out by pundits and fans before the fight but he put on a stunning performance as Fury needed to pick himself up off the canvas to win by a single point in a controversial split decision.

Eric Nicksick has served as one of Ngannou’s main trainers at Xtreme Couture ever since he made the permanent move from Paris to Las Vegas in 2019. The coach explained how he was brought to tears after checking his bank account the morning after Ngannou’s fight against Fury.

“It was the most money I’ve ever been paid by a fighter, it was unbelievable,” Nicksick told MMA Junkie. “It was more than I expected. Obviously, Francis has always taken great care of me, but it floored me. When I saw my Wells Fargo account that morning, it literally brought me to tears.

Tyson Fury

“That’s a true story. Literally brought me to tears, because he changed my life. Not only from a professional standpoint but a monetary standpoint. It allowed me a lot of financial freedom to allow me to be able to enjoy my coaching, enjoy being a dad and a husband.”

“I get to take my kids to Park City this weekend, my daughter’s 16th birthday. It helped us buy a new car. There’s a lot of things with Francis moving over to boxing, and the way he takes care of his team. He loves every single one of us, and he shows it. He takes care of us, and I couldn’t thank him enough.”

Ngannou is holding out for a rematch against Fury but he will be waiting until the final quarter of this year as the Brit is locked into a two-fight deal with fellow heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk. Ngannou could be set for a return to the ring in March as he was recently named as a potential opponent for Fury’s domestic rival Anthony Joshua.

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