BOXING

“He’s a Beast” Joseph Parker Predicts Anthony Joshua…..

By Trust June 6, 2024

“He’s a Beast” Joseph Parker Predicts Anthony Joshua-Daniel Dubois

The heavyweight division is as busy as it has been for years right now and, in the wake of Daniel Dubois‘s latest win, Joseph Parker has assessed his chances against Anthony Joshua should the two fight later in the year.

Parker himself is coming off the back of two big wins, first again Deontay Wilder back in December then Zhilei Zhang in March. Dubois also got a determined win against Jarrell Miller in December before backing it up with a career-best stoppage victory against Filip Hrgovic on the Matchroom versus Queensbury card on June 1.

He is now the interim IBF title holder and has been named as the mandatory for a shot at the full belt, held by undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk, though it is expected that the belt will become vacant and that he could well fight Joshua for it in September.

Ahead of that potential all-British showdown, Parker has spoken to Seconds Out about who might come out on top.

I got knocked out by Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois but neither….

By Trust June 6, 2024

I got knocked out by Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois but neither hit as hard as ‘Lay Em Out’ says Dorian Darch

The East Dulwich banger retired from professional boxing in 2017 with a record of 12-4-1 with 8 wins coming by way of knockout.

During an eight-year stint in the paid ranks, Lewison won a Southern Area heavyweight title and unsuccessfully challenged for the British belt against Dillian Whyte in 2016.

Four years prior, Lewison stopped Darch in the fourth round at the Brentwood Centre.

Not only did he hand the Welshman the first defeat of his professional career but he also broke his jaw.

“Ian Lewison hit me the hardest,” Darch told talkSPORT.com. “I took 150 people to Essex thinking I was going to win.

“He’ll Knock Him Out” James Toney Has No Doubt Who…..

By Trust June 5, 2024

“He’ll Knock Him Out” James Toney Has No Doubt Who Wins Canelo-Crawford

The chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority has made it clear that he wants to see a super fight between Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Terence Crawford and hall of fame inductee, James Toney, has predicted a clear knockout victory for one man.

Ever since defeating Errol Spence Jr during their undisputed welterweight showdown last July, Crawford has been linked with fellow pound-for-pound star Alvarez. The talk only intensified when Turki Alalshikh said it was on his boxing wish list and confirmed he would like to make the fight in December this year or January of 2025.

Before any deal can be struck for what would be a mouth-watering match-up, unbeaten and former two-weight undisputed champion Crawford must first come through his maiden outing up at 154 lbs. It comes in Las Vegas against WBA super-welterweight champion Israil Madrimov on August 3.

Ahead of the potential contest, former multi-weight champion Toney told ESNEWS that Crawford beats Canelo by KO.

This was put to retired fighter turned pundit Timothy Bradley who agreed and then some.

“Crawford beats anybody he steps in the ring with. Anybody. No one beats him. No one beats him.”

Canelo’s last outing saw him prove he is still one of the best in the sport when he defended all four of his super middleweight titles against countryman Jaime Munguia in early May, but that hasn’t stopped his former promoter Oscar De La Hoya alsi siding with Crawford.

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Claressa Shields vs. Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse Set for…..

By Trust June 5, 2024

Claressa Shields vs. Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse Set for Heavyweight Title Fight

Claressa Shields is reportedly moving up in weight to challenge Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse for her WBC world women’s heavyweight title.

According to Jared Schwartz of the New York Post, the fight will take place at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on July 27, and it will headline DAZN’s “Big Time Boxing USA” event.

Shields, 29, is a perfect 14-0 in her pro boxing career, and she is the reigning WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, WBF, and The Ring women’s middleweight champion.

Widely regarded as one of the best female boxers ever and nicknamed the “Greatest Woman Of All Time,” Shields won gold medals at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London and 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

She turned pro in 2016 and went on to dominate the middleweight division, winning each of her 12 fights by either unanimous decision or knockout.

In 2021, Shields forayed into the world of mixed martial arts, joining the Professional Fighters League (PFL) and going 1-1 in her first two fights.

Shields refocused on boxing, but after beating Maricela Cornejo by unanimous decision in June 2023 to retain her middleweight titles, she returned to the cage this year, defeating Kelsey DeSantis by split decision at PFL vs. Bellator in February.

Now, Shields is set to box for the first time in a year, and it could prove to be the toughest challenge of her career thus far.

Lepage-Joanisse, a 28-year-old from Quebec, Canada, became world champion for the first time in March when she beat Abril Argentina Vidal for the vacant WBC women’s heavyweight title.

It was an improbable accomplishment for Lepage-Joanisse, who was out of boxing for over five years following a loss to Alejandra Jiménez in 2017.

Claressa Shields returns to Little Caesars Arena to challenge…

By Trust June 4, 2024

Claressa Shields returns to Little Caesars Arena to challenge for heavyweight title in July

Claressa Shields will look to make more fighting history when she returns for another boxing match in Detroit in July.

Shields, the Olympic gold medalist from Flint who is currently the undisputed middleweight champion, will move up two weight classes to challenge Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse of Quebec for the WBC women’s heavyweight championship on July 27 at Little Caesars Arena. The vacant WBO light heavyweight title will also be on the line.

The WBO light heavyweight and WBC heavyweight belt both represent the 175-pound weight class in the respective boxing organizations.

The fight will be the main event for the sports streaming platform DAZN’s “Big Time Boxing USA” event. Tickets are on sale now.

Shields’ most recent fight was also at LCA in June 2023, where she picked up a win via unanimous decision against Maricela Cornejo to defend her middleweight crown in the 10-round bout. Shields also won an MMA fight as a part of the PFL league in February, but will make her return to the sport where she made her name.

“The Queen of Boxing is back! I’m so excited to return to the ring, especially after my MMA victory in February,” Shields said in a released statement. “I’m excited to bring another entertaining fight to Little Caesars Arena. Last time 12,000 fans filled the arena, and this time we’re going to lift the roof off the building! This is a significant and unique fight where I am moving up two weight classes against a very tough champion in my quest to become world champion in my fourth weight division.”

Shields (14-0) will look to continue to add more belts to what has been an illustrious career already. She is the middleweight champion for the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO and is the only women’s boxer in history to be an undisputed champion in two weight classes simultaneously after she won the light middleweight belt in 2021. She also won the WBC and IBC super middleweight belt in 2017.

“It’s an exciting time for women’s sports, and I thank DAZN for providing a global platform for women’s boxing,” Shields continued in her statement. “I plan to do what I do best: bring that GWOAT energy and continue putting women’s boxing on the map.”

She’s challenging Lepage-Joanisse (7-1), who successfully challenged for the heavyweight belt with a unanimous decision win over Abril Argentina Vidal in March. Lepage-Joanisse began her professional career in 2016, but took a six-year break from fighting before returning in 2023 and returning to the top of her weight class in a year’s time. This is Lepage-Joanisse’s first title defense.

“It doesn’t matter to me whether it’s Claressa or someone else. My life is all about challenges,” Lepage-Joanisse said in the released statement. “I’ve always faced them head-on, and I intend to keep it that way.”

This will be the second fight at LCA after Shields made history with the first boxing match in the home of the Detroit Red Wings and Pistons last year.

“As Detroit’s premier live entertainment company, 313 Presents is excited to bring boxing back to Little Caesars Arena in partnership with Salita Promotions (Shields’ promoter),” Howard Handler, president of 313 Presents, said in the released statement. “Detroit’s boxing scene has a rich history that has produced and embraced numerous champions and last year’s event proved monumental as we look to build upon the amazing entertainment and alive moments we bring to our world-class venues. Claressa Shields proved she can pack a punch as well as a crowd. July 27 should deliver another action-packed night of boxing.”

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He Will go Down, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson sends warning message…..

By Trust June 4, 2024

He Will go Down, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson sends warning message to Oleksandr Usyk and Jake Paul responds

Oleksandr Usyk

is the man of the hour in boxing. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is the man of the hour at all times in whatever industry he pleases to join.

So it was big news when it was rumored that Usyk and Johnson would be teaming up for an upcoming movie, “The Smashing Machine“. With the official announcement being made, The Rock took the opportunity to welcome Usyk, while also giving him a warning: “Don’t break my jaw champ“.

Usyk is set to play Igor Vovchanchyn in the movie. Johnson will be playing Mark Kerr. Kerr and Vovchanchyn were rivals during their MMA heydays. The two faced off twice in their careers, with the first fight ending in a no contest and the Ukrainian winning the second by unanimous decision.

The film is slated to release in December of this year, although a delay until 2025 is certainly possible given Johnson, Usyk and Emily Blunt‘s other responsibilities.

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Tyson Fury has already made feelings clear on Deontay Wilder conqueror…

By Trust June 4, 2024

Tyson Fury has already made feelings clear on Deontay Wilder conqueror Zhilei Zhang

Zhilei Zhang‘s star continues to rise after a decisive knockout win over Deontay Wilder – but Tyson Fury has been aware of his talents for some time.

While most boxers tend to fade after 35, Zhang has enjoyed a career resurgence despite being way past that mark already. And the 41-year-old celebrated the biggest result of his career to date following a relentless fifth-round KO of the Bronze Bomber on Saturday.

That result in Riyadh has dramatically opened up Zhang’s prospects, with a potential bout against Anthony Joshua even being touted. However, newly crowned interim IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois is also in that conversation following his own stoppage victory over Filip Hrgovic.

Fury, 35, has his own next fight in the books already after agreeing to rematch Oleksandr Usyk, who took his undefeated record in May. And The Gypsy King paid Zhang hefty praise after previously comparing the two heavyweight rivals.

Speaking to Dev Shani for Queensberry Promotions in September 2023, he said of Zhang: “I think he’s a very tough opponent and he’s a big southpaw punching man. He’s not like Usyk, a feather duster jibbing and jabbing around the ring. This man is trying to take your brains out. He’s 6ft 6in and twenty stone. He’s a very different customer and very dangerous.”

That same “feather duster” disproved that theory to a large extent after scoring a split-decision win over Fury in Saudi Arabia. However, his appraisal of 27-2-1 Zhang could be more accurate given Joshua, 34, appears to be leaning away from the Chinese star.

AJ was being teed up for a cross-Atlantic clash with Wilder, but that bout now looks impossible given the 38-year-old has lost four of his last five fights. Instead, he appeared more open to an all-British affair against countryman Dubois.

“I’ll demolish Joshua. I’ll get even better from here. after “Anthony Joshua sends

By Trust June 4, 2024

“I’ll demolish Joshua. I’ll get even better from here. after “Anthony Joshua sends Daniel Dubois chilling warning as negotiations over huge Wembley showdown get underway

ANTHONY JOSHUA has seemingly sent a chilling warning in Daniel Dubois’ direction as the Brits prepare for a Wembley showdown.

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I will go very far says : Daniel Dubois as he show up to………

By Trust June 2, 2024

I will go very far says : Daniel Dubois as he show up to face Anthony Joshua for IBF heavyweight belt

After his surprising victory over Filip Hrgovic by an eighth-round technical knockout to win the IBF interim heavyweight championship on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Britain’s Daniel Dubois has set his sights on his next opponent: fellow Brit Anthony Joshua.

Following his win, Dubois spoke to SecondsOut and expressed his desire to face Joshua in what could become the International Boxing Federation heavyweight title fight.

“That’s the next step. I don’t have words to explain how I feel, but I’m glad I was able to get through it. It was a war. You guys will see, I’m ready to beat Joshua,” Dubois told SecondsOut.

Dubois‘ victory was impressive given the way he had been at a crossroads in his career after defeats to both Oleksandr Usyk and Joe Joyce.

However, back-to-back successes over Jarrell Miller and Hrgovic have catapulted him back into the conversation in the heavyweight division.

What About Oleksandr Usyk?

There is ongoing controversy regarding the status of Oleksandr Usyk, the newly crowned undisputed heavyweight champion.

Usyk might be stripped of his IBF title due to his refusal to defend it against the mandatory challenger in that ranking, Filip Hrgovic, as he is planning a rematch with Tyson Fury.

In this scenario, a potential bout between Joshua and Dubois could be for the possibly vacant IBF title, which would be somewhat ironic given the fact Joshua won it for the first time after it was vacated by Tyson Fury.

Usyk is seeking to retain his title through legal means by petitioning the IBF for an exception to prevent his belt from being stripped. However, following the fight between Hrgovic and Dubois, it appears likely that the title may be taken away from Usyk.

The potential fight between Dubois and Joshua is being discussed for Wembley Stadium, though Joshua‘s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has also hinted at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as a possible venue. This decision would require consultation with King Salman bin Abdulaziz.

The fight is tentatively planned for October.

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SIMONE BILES, SHILESE JONES AND SUNI LEE TAKE NEXT STEPS TOWARD PARIS 2024 AT U.S. CHAMPIONSHIPS

By Trust May 30, 2024

Simone Biles, Shilese Jones, Suni Lee and the rest of the women who hope to dazzle at Paris 2024 in artistic gymnastics for Team USA took their next step toward the Olympic Games Wednesday (29 May), participating in official practice ahead of the U.S. Gymnastics Championships in Ft. Worth, Texas.

Women’s competition begins on Friday (31 May) with the champions set to be named on Sunday.

The U.S. championships are the second of three major events ahead of Paris 2024 to decide the U.S. squad that will be named on 30 June at the U.S. trials in Minneapolis.

For Jones, a two-time World all-around medallist, it’s all a stepping stone toward her ultimate goals in the French capital.

“It’s definitely a process. It’s a plan. I feel like you have to follow it. I feel like you can’t be 100% in every meet and expect to go for 1,000% at trials,” she told media ahead of the event. “[It’s] just getting ten steps better for trials, so I’m 100% ready then.”

Jones looked solid in training Wednesday (29 May) despite telling reporters she’s been dealing with a sore shoulder since finishing runner-up to Biles at the recent U.S. Classic.

For her part, Biles looked to be her usual confident self, adding a Cheng vault (round off on to the board, half on to the table, front layout with one-and-a-half twists off) to the programme she used at the Classic..

Lee will make her return to the all-around in Ft. Worth after not competing on all four apparatus since February 2023. She competed on vault, beam and floor at the Classic and plans to add uneven bars at the U.S. championships.

On the bars Wednesday, Lee looked tentative during official practice, missing several attempts at a straddled Jaeger release move but did hit two full routines toward the end of the workout.

She is opting for one of many possible routines on the event, according to coach Jess Graba.

“We have like five or six [routines] that we can do right now,” said Graba. “Right now, we’re pretty much doing a second half for this meet. The main focus for this meet was build some stamina under pressure in front of everybody. And, like, get up and get warmed up in two turns. So, we’re there.”

2012 Olympic all-around champion Gabby Douglas, who had returned to the sport after eight years away, withdrew from the event earlier in the day, citing an ankle injury but leaving the door open to the Olympic Games LA 2028.

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