Parker: I deserve rematch No request to IBF to sanction Daniel Dubois world title fight
The IBF has confirmed to Sky Sports that it has not received a request to sanction Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois as an IBF world heavyweight title fight; Former WBO champion Joseph Parker believes he deserves an AJ rematch after his wins over Zhilei Zhang and Deontay Wilder
Anthony Joshua has revealed that he is close to confirming the opponent for his upcoming bout.
Joshua, who has boxed once so far in 2024 when he knocked out former UFC champion Francis Ngannou, said: “Nearly finished my negotiations for my next fight. Feeling motivated.”
It has been widely speculated that fellow Briton Daniel Dubois could be in the frame to fight Joshua.
Dubois stopped Filip Hrgovic at the start of this month to win an interim title from the IBF.
But the IBF confirmed to Sky Sports that it has not received a request to sanction Joshua vs Dubois as an IBF world heavyweight title fight.
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After beating Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk holds all four of the major heavyweight world championships, including the IBF.
There are other contenders also vying to take on Anthony Joshua. Zhilei Zhang, who defeated Deontay Wilder on the same bill as Dubois’ victory over Hrgovic, would relish boxing AJ. He lost to the Watford man at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Another fighter though gunning for a rematch with Joshua is Joseph Parker, who will be making an announcement on Wednesday.
Former WBO champion Parker lost his title to Joshua in 2018. But the New Zealander has been in excellent form recently, beating both Wilder and Zhang.
Parker told Sky Sports: “I’ve been boxing 11 to 12 years and I’ve found what works for me, the formula I’ve got, Andy Lee head trainer, George Lockhart and the work that we’ve been doing together. It’s been a grind ever since we’ve linked up the three of us. But everything is working very well and whatever we’re doing we want to keep it up.”
He thinks he now deserves a second bout with Joshua.
“There’s a lot of people that want to fight Anthony Joshua. I feel like with what I’ve done I can be in a position to fight him,” he said.
But he added: “To be honest, it’s not really about what I want and what he wants. It’s what everyone else wants and a lot of fights are happening in Saudi Arabia.
Usyk and Fury are due to fight in December. If titles do become vacant, Parker thinks he ought to be in the fame to fight for a world championship this year.
“I hope so,” he said. “With the belts all being [held by the] undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, there’s a rematch clause in place, but again these things may or may not happen.
“You never know how things are going to unfold,” he continued. “So we’ll see. We’ll see what happens. But you’ve got Anthony Joshua… I let whatever happens happen and whatever fights they lock, they lock in and I’m ready for whoever.”
Hall Of Famer Says Daniel Dubois Still ‘Has Quit In Him’ Ahead Of Anthony Joshua Fight
Daniel Dubois is in prime position for another world title shot at just 26-years-old.
The Brit’s recent win over Filip Hrgovic, a fight stopped on cuts to the Croatian, granted him the IBF Interim World Title.
That sanctioning body is currently deciding on whether or not to force current undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk to vacate its belt given he won’t be fulfilling his mandatory challenge, instead rematching Tyson Fury later this year.
If the belt is made vacant, Dubois would be fighting for it against the next top contender. That is one Anthony Joshua, and the pair are potentially set to meet at Wembley Stadium this September.
Hall of Fame fighter and manager Barry McGuigan – whose son Shane trained Dubois for a period – spoke to Seconds Out about the match-up, backing ‘AJ’ as favourite.
“The thing about Dubois, Dubois can punch so hard it only takes a split second. You give him the opportunity … anybody he hits he can knock them out. Having said that, Joshua’s the favourite, but you’ve got to give Dubois a chance with anybody.”
“He was losing I thought to Hrgovic. Hrgovic was beating him comprehensively and then that cut happened and it was all over. But, he’s got a tremendous punch.”
“Joshua’s a more complete fighter, he’s better all-round, he can box and fight. I definitely think that Joshua will be too much for him, but [Daniel] has a puncher’s chance.”
Whilst the younger man has done well in his last two fights to answer any questions of a lack of heart or grit in the ring, brought on by taking a knee against Joe Joyce from a severe eye injury and missing the count against Usyk for another stoppage loss, McGuigan still has questions.
“It seems to me that when he gets in to a critical situation, when he gets tired, dare I say it there’s a bit of quit in him. I don’t want to be unfair just because he left the gym, I’m just being honest. You look at the fight against Usyk and the fight against Joe Joyce, similar circumstances.
People said he quit. He had an eye injury against Joyce and he got out-schooled by Usyk… But he had him down. There’s a pretty high standard that he’s keeping up to, but I think Joshua is a favourite. In heavyweight boxing it only takes a second of a lack of concentration.”
“Show Me The Money” Anthony Joshua: He’ll Return To ‘Break’ Former Heavyweight Champion Says .
Two-time unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua‘s impressive run of form means he is talk of the heavyweight division once more.
‘AJ’s rise to the top of the sport from Olympic gold medalist in London 2012 to world heavyweight title holder in 2016 was a swift one with no bumps in the road. He continued to dominate in ensuing years by adding the WBO and WBA title to his list of accolades.
In 2019, however, late stand-in opponent Andy Ruiz Jr derailed the Brit by securing a historic upset win. Joshua soon snatched back his belts with an impressive 12-round display in the rematch but, after a couple more successful defences, he went on to lose back-to-back fights with the now undisputed king Oleksandr Usyk.
Since then Joshua has turned things around once more. Despite being written off by so many in the sport, he has now had four wins on the bounce, three of them knockouts against Robert Helenius, Otto Wallin and Francis Ngannou.
However, that is not enough to have impressed former heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe. Speaking to The Porter Way podcast, he claimed he would have beaten Joshua with no problem whatsoever.
“In my prime, Anthony Joshua, he wouldn’t fight. I’d break him up something proper. Five rounds. And I tell you what. If you give me enough money I will come out of retirement and show you. Show me the money.”
Bowe was an undisputed heavyweight champion in his prime, still the last man from the US to do it, and is remembered for a thrilling trilogy with Evander Holyfield in which he won two and lost one – his only pro defeat. Despite his bluster, there is zero chance of a fight with Joshua.
“He’s Flattered By Low Level Opponents” Carl Froch Predicts Tyson Fury-Anthony Joshua
Although Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua are still yet to share the ring, they now have mutual losses to the undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.
The Ukrainian’s first taste of heavyweight titles was when he won ‘AJ’s unified belts at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium back in 2021. He repeated the result one year on in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to retain.
Usyk made one defence of the IBO, WBA and WBO straps against Daniel Dubois – a stoppage win – before entering into the four-belt clash with Fury, who brought the WBC to the table.
Despite some success, the Brit took a beating in round nine that resulted in a knockdown and ultimately lost him a split decision on the cards.
Speaking to Lord Ping, former super-middleweight champion Carl Froch backed Fury’s decision to activate his rematch clause for a second crack at Usyk, rather than pursuing an all-English battle with Joshua.
“I’m not surprised Fury’s activated the rematch clause, where else can he go? Does anyone want to see Fury and Anthony Joshua – it’s two losers isn’t it? You’ve got two losers there fighting over second place. It would have been huge if Fury beat Usyk, but now it’s two losers in a rubber match. I’m not that excited about it, if Nottingham Forest are playing I’m watching that instead.
Fury should try and rectify the defeat to Usyk. I think he needs to rectify the loss if he’s going to be remembered as a top fighter of the era. To be remembered the best, he’s going to have to beat Usyk.”
As for who he would pick to win the Fury-Joshua bout should it take place, Froch said Fury is the favourite on current form, despite ‘AJ’ being on a run of four victories since failing to win his belts back.
“Fury-Usyk was a close fight, so I’d make Fury the favourite against AJ. What’s AJ done since losing to Andy Ruiz? He’s had comeback fights against opponents who didn’t want to be in there with him, he lost twice to Usyk and he beat Ngannou in an exhibition.
AJ has been flattered by the low-level opposition he’s been fighting at. If Fury jumps in there with AJ now on the back of that performance, I’d make Fury the favourite.”
‘It will be even worse’ – Oleksandr Usyk teammate beaten by David Benavidez sends warning to Tyson Fury
Oleksandr Gvozdyk doesn’t fancy Tyson Fury’s chances in a rematch with his teammate, Oleksandr Usyk.
‘The Gypsy King’ suffered his first professional defeat when he clashed with Usyk for the undisputed WBC, WBO, WBA and IBF heavyweight championship in Saudi Arabia last month.
A second bout between the pair has been scheduled for December 21.
However, Gvozdyk thinks it will be one-sided in Usyk’s favour.
“I think it will be even worse for Fury in the rematch,” he said.
“I know Usyk – once he catches you, he won’t let you go. Usyk is going to be even more confident in the next fight. Fury is better off fighting Anthony Joshua.
“The first fight was just a brilliant performance. He beat Fury everywhere, in and out of the ring.
“Fury likes to play mind games; in this case, it was the complete opposite. I think Usyk got in his head. I didn’t see Fury as confident as before when he was a killer and super-confident.
“With Usyk, he was trying to do the same, but you can see in his eyes and by his mimics that he’s different and nervous. He was nervous in the ring. Usyk is the well-deserved No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world.”
Gvozdyk, who won a bronze medal at the 2012 Olympics, began his career with 17 consecutive wins, which included a WBC light heavyweight title victory over Adonis Stevenson.
Since then, the Ukrainian has struggled when matched against the best.
Artur Beterbiev spoiled his undefeated record with a tenth-round TKO in 2019.
After three comeback wins, Gvozdyk fought another top boxer, David Benavidez, on Saturday night.
The former WBC super middleweight champion made it look easy as he cruised to a unanimous decision win over Usyk’s pal in his light heavyweight debut.
At 37 years old, Gvozdyk’s future in the sport looks uncertain after a second loss.
Whatever happens, he’s confident that Usyk will continue to fly the flag for their shared homeland. Firstly, by beating Fury and then by taking on whoever is next in line at heavyweight.
‘I am inevitable’ – Tyson Fury returns to gym after night out with video message to Oleksandr Usyk ahead of rematch
Tyson Fury has broken his social media silence with a vow to avenge his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.
The 35-year-old lost out on becoming undisputed champion after being outpointed by Usyk last month, but will get an immediate shot at redemption in a sequel on December 21.
Footage went viral of the ‘Gypsy King’ this week, which showed him stumbling outside a pub after being escorted out of the premises by security following some downtime.
After a period of radio silence following his loss, Fury has vowed to come back stronger than ever in a video from the gym hitting the punchbag.
He shouted in footage on Instagram: “December is going to be my time. I’ve done everything in boxing, but I will come back for more.
“I will relish it and come back and redeem myself. December 21 is all me. Undisputed here we come.”
The caption also read: “Listen up! I’ve conquered everything in boxing – titles, records, the lot. But I’ve never had to come back from a loss.
“On December 21st in Riyadh, in the heart of the kingdom, the king will reclaim his throne and become undisputed. @usykaa, I’m coming for you! Get ready for the Gypsy King!
GYPSY KING ‘BACK IN THE GYM’ AHEAD OF REMATCH FOR HEAVYWEIGHT TITLES
Tyson Fury has sent a message to Oleksandr Usyk, saying he is “counting down the days” until he can get his revenge over the Ukrainian. The Gypsy King suffered the first defeat of his professional career against Usyk last month, but says he is “back in the gym” and ready to get “redemption”. The rematch has been set for December 21 in Saudi Arabia.
Tyson Fury says he is “back in the gym” and ready to get “redemption” in his highly-anticipated rematch against undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk on December 21 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The ‘Gypsy King’ fell to the first loss of his professional career last month, losing via split decision to Usyk.
The loss saw Usyk become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999, adding Fury’s WBC belt to his WBA, WBO and IBF titles.
While a rematch was scheduled shortly after the first bout, there have been questions over whether Fury may retire ahead of the December 21 meeting.
However, the 35-year-old broke his silence, confirming his intention to get revenge against Usyk and do something he’s never done before: come back from a loss.
“Back in the gym as you can see. Counting down the days until I can get my redemption on Usyk,” Fury said in a video posted on Instagram, where the boxer can be seen hitting a punching bag in the gym.
“I’ve conquered everything in boxing – titles, records, the lot. But I’ve never had to come back from a loss,” he added in the post.
“On December 21st in Riyadh, in the heart of the kingdom, the king will reclaim his throne and become undisputed … I’m coming for you! Get ready for the Gypsy King!
“The path to redemption is all mine. I know what I have to do, I saw my shortcomings and best believe I am inevitable.”
Fury narrowly lost in the epic first encounter, and appeared to be winning before getting caught in the ninth round.
While Fury managed to recover, two judges gave the fight to Usyk, 115-112 and 114-113, while a third favoured Fury, 114-113.
There are still doubts over whether the rematch will be for the undisputed title, with Usyk requesting an exemption from the IBF after the sanctioning body said it would strip the champ if he did not immediately fight the mandatory challenger.
Fury said he is coming for the undisputed crown: “I relish it, the chance to come back and redeem myself. Gear up, December 21st, it’s all me. Undisputed here we come.”
“He Won’t Fight Me Now” Most Avoided All time winner ‘Destroyed’ Anthony Joshua In Sparring
Anthony Joshua has a target on his back once more having got himself back into contention for world titles.
For many years, Joshua was the poster boy of British boxing and one of the biggest draws in the sport. His progression from Olympic champion to world honours was fast and he then went on to become unified at an exciting time in the banner division.
What was meant to be his grand arrival into the US market however was scuppered by Andy Ruiz Jr who sensationally stopped ‘AJ’ in Madison Square Garden in 2019. Though the Brit successfully won back his titles and had a few more defences, he was then dethroned by the now undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk and suffered the same fate in the rematch.
After putting together four wins, three of which have been back-to-back knockouts over Robert Helenius, Otto Wallin and Francis Ngannou, it is now thought that Joshua will fight for a world title later in the year. The man in the opposite corner could be Daniel Dubois who became IBF interim champion after he defeated Flip Hrgovic on June 1.
Speaking to iFL TV, a former sparring partner of both, Martin Bakole, was asked how those sessions went.
“I smashed them. I destroyed them in the gym. That’s the reason why they don’t want to fight me.”
He then gave his view of the potential fight between the two.
“That’s a good fight, a 50-50 for me, they don’t have a boxing brain but they are strong and can box but no boxing brain like Martin Bakole. Good luck to both but I would smash them.”
Bakole – whose trainer and promoter believe is the ‘most avoided man’ in the division and has the beating of all the rest – faces young American knockout artist Jared Anderson on August 3, in what many are predicting will be the toughest test of Bakole’s career so far.
Joshua and Dubois could clash for the vacant IBF title if reigning champion Usyk is stripped of his belt for not fulfilling mandatory duties.
Iron Mike has got himself, says: I want to fight Joshua, says Mike Tyson
BOXING legend Mike Tyson is eyeing a shock showdown with Anthony Joshua.
The former undisputed heavyweight champion is set to return to the ring in November for a controversial crossover clash with Jake Paul.
Iron Mike has got himself in tip-top shape for his first foray to the ring since his Covid clash with Roy Jones Jr in November 2020.
And the International Boxing Hall of Famer, 57, has grand plans to share the ring with Joshua – albeit in a charity bout.
When asked about the prospect of sharing the ring with AJ for a good cause, he told TMZ, “I’m very interested.
“If doing that means we can have a bigger charity exponent, well so be it, I’m down to do that, too.
“I would love to (fight Joshua). That would be mind-blowing.”
Before he can think of a charity clash with Joshua, Tyson must first get through YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul – who will be 31 years his junior on fight night.
And former two-time unified heavyweight champion Joshua admits he has concerns for Tyson’s health.
During an appearance on The Jonathan Ross Show, the 34-year-old said, “He’s (Mike Tyson) older now.
“I pray that he comes out healthy. I think Jake Paul because of youth – that’s the only thing.”
The booking of Tyson vs Paul sparked outrage in the boxing community, with fans publicly venting their disgust at the latter.
But Joshua, surprisingly, is a fan of Paul’s gimmick-driven fights.
Rematch : Savannah Marshall wins MMA debut and calls for unique Claressa Shields Rematch
Savannah Marshall
made a successful debut in mixed martial arts at the weekend, stopping her opponent in the first round.
Marshall, who is boxing’s undisputed women’s super-middleweight champion, beat Mirela Vargas via TKO at 4:27 of the opening round.
The fight took place in Newcastle, as part of a Professional Fighters League event, and Marshall was forced to show off more than just her striking.
The Hartlepool fighter, 33, was taken down and subjected to ground strikes early in the bout, but she scrambled well to stand. She was later taken down again, but most of the round played out on the feet, where Marshall pressed forward and overwhelmed Vargas with punches.
The fight ended with Marshall pouring on strikes as the Brazilian (1-3) shelled up by the fence.
Marshall then called out her boxing rival Claressa Shields for a contest in MMA.
Shields, who handed Marshall the sole loss of her professional boxing career in 2022, has fought three times in MMA, going 2-1 in the PFL.
Marshall previously outpointed Shields in an amateur boxing match in 2012. To this day, the Briton remains the only fighter to have beaten the American, 29, in boxing.
In their pro rematch in 2022, Shields won on points to become the undisputed women’s middleweight champion.
