Tag: oleksandr usyk

Tyson Fury-Deontay Wilder III could be postponed over COVID-19 outbreak

Tyson Fury-Deontay Wilder III could be postponed over a COVID-19 outbreak in Fury’s camp, according to reports.

The third fight between heavyweight titleholder Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder, scheduled for July 24 in Las Vegas, could be postponed because of a COVID-19 outbreak in Fury’s camp, according to reports.

The Athletic has reported that as many as 10 people in Fury’s gym have tested positive. It’s not clear whether Fury is among the 10.

The fighters’ handlers reportedly are assessing the situation. No decisions have been made.

“We continue to monitor the health status of Tyson and his team, and the status of the event has not changed to date,” Top Rank, Fury’s promoter, said in a statement.

The fight could be postponed until September, which would put the Fury-Wilder winner on the same time table as titleholder Anthony Joshua, who is finalizing a deal to face Oleksandr Usyk on Sept. 25.

Fury was expected to fight Joshua for the undisputed heavyweight championship this summer but an arbitrator ruled that Fury must honor a rematch clause in the contract for Fury-Wilder II.

Fury and Wilder fought to a draw in December 2018. Fury won the rematch, in February of last year, by seventh-round knockout.

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Pound-for-pound: Josh Taylor moves up the Boxing Junkie list

Pound-for-pound: Josh Taylor moves up the Boxing Junkie list

Josh Taylor added significantly to his pound-for-pound credentials by outpointing Jose Ramirez to become undisputed 140-pound champ Saturday in Las Vegas.

But what’s his appropriate position on Boxing Junkie’s list? That wasn’t an easy decision.

On one hand, Taylor, who entered the week as an Honorable Mention, has defeated Regis Prograis and Jose Ramirez in a span of three fights and his last six victims had a combined record of 136-1. That’s beyond impressive.

A Top-10 ranking would be justified.

On the other hand, Taylor almost gave away what could’ve been a more-convincing victory on Saturday. He put Ramirez down twice in the middle rounds to take control of the fight but became passive and was outworked in the final third of the fight.

All three judges scored it 114-112, meaning the fight would’ve been a draw had Ramirez remained on his feet. Boxing Junkie had the same score.

In the end, Taylor gave a strong overall performance to beat an elite opponent to become the sixth undisputed champion in the four-belt era. He certainly deserves credit for that.

Thus, the 30-year-old Scottish fighter jumps from Honorable Mention to No. 13 on the list, between No. 12 Jermell Charlo and No. 14 Artur Beterbiev.

And, of course, Taylor could get the opportunity to climb much higher on the list. He’s expected to defend his titles against Jack Catterall next and possibly then challenge 147-pound champ and No. 1-rated Terence Crawford.

For the record, Boxing Junkie took advantage of Taylor’s victory to make other minor adjustments to the list.

Here is where the pound-for-pounders stand.

BOXING JUNKIE
POUND-FOR-POUND

  1. Terence Crawford — No fight scheduled.
  2. Canelo Alvarez – Expected to fight Caleb Plant to unify all four major 168-pound titles in September but no deal is in place.
  3. Naoya Inoue — Scheduled to fight Michael Dasmarinas on June 19 in Las Vegas.
  4. Errol Spence Jr. – Scheduled to face Manny Pacquiao in a welterweight title-unification bout on Aug. 21, although no formal announcement has been made.
  5. Oleksandr Usyk – In talks to challenge heavyweight titleholder  Anthony Joshua this summer.
  6. Teofimo Lopez — Scheduled to defend his 135-pound titles against George Kambosos Jr. on June 19 in Miami.
  7. Vasiliy Lomachenko — Scheduled to fight Masayoshi Nakatani on June 26 in Las Vegas.
  8. Tyson Fury – Scheduled to defend his heavyweight title against Deontay Wilder on July 24 in Las Vegas.
  9. Juan Francisco Estrada — The WBC announced that Estrada will meet Roman Gonzalez in a third fight as part of a junior bantamweight tournament but nothing is official.
  10. Gennadiy Golovkin — Reportedly in talks to face Ryota Murata in a middleweight title-unification fight in December. Also rumored to be considering an interim fight against Esquiva Falcao.
  11. Mikey Garcia — No fight scheduled.
  12. Jermell Charlo — Scheduled to face Brian Castano in a 154-pound title-unification fight on July 17.
  13. Josh Taylor — Expected to face mandatory challenger Jack Catterall in his next fight but no deal is in place.
  14. Artur Beterbiev — Reportedly in talks to face Joe Smith Jr. in a light heavyweight title-unification bout this fall.
  15. Manny Pacquiao — Scheduled to face No. 4 Errol Spence Jr. in a welterweight title-unification bout on Aug. 21.

Honorable mention (alphabetical order): Mairis Briedis (no fight scheduled), Jermall Charlo (scheduled to face Juan Montiel on June 19), Gervonta Davis (scheduled to face Mario Barrios in a 140-pound bout on June 26),  Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (the WBC announced that Sor Rungvisai will meet Carlos Cuadras as part of a junior bantamweight tournament but nothing is official), and Oscar Valdez (expected to defend his title against Robson Conceicao in late summer or fall but nothing is official).

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Pound-for-pound: Josh Taylor moves up the Boxing Junkie list

Pound-for-pound: Josh Taylor moves up the Boxing Junkie list

Josh Taylor added significantly to his pound-for-pound credentials by outpointing Jose Ramirez to become undisputed 140-pound champ Saturday in Las Vegas.

But what’s his appropriate position on Boxing Junkie’s list? That wasn’t an easy decision.

On one hand, Taylor, who entered the week as an Honorable Mention, has defeated Regis Prograis and Jose Ramirez in a span of three fights and his last six victims had a combined record of 136-1. That’s beyond impressive.

A Top-10 ranking would be justified.

On the other hand, Taylor almost gave away what could’ve been a more-convincing victory on Saturday. He put Ramirez down twice in the middle rounds to take control of the fight but became passive and was outworked in the final third of the fight.

All three judges scored it 114-112, meaning the fight would’ve been a draw had Ramirez remained on his feet. Boxing Junkie had the same score.

In the end, Taylor gave a strong overall performance to beat an elite opponent to become the sixth undisputed champion in the four-belt era. He certainly deserves credit for that.

Thus, the 30-year-old Scottish fighter jumps from Honorable Mention to No. 13 on the list, between No. 12 Jermell Charlo and No. 14 Artur Beterbiev.

And, of course, Taylor could get the opportunity to climb much higher on the list. He’s expected to defend his titles against Jack Catterall next and possibly then challenge 147-pound champ and No. 1-rated Terence Crawford.

For the record, Boxing Junkie took advantage of Taylor’s victory to make other minor adjustments to the list.

Here is where the pound-for-pounders stand.

BOXING JUNKIE
POUND-FOR-POUND

  1. Terence Crawford — No fight scheduled.
  2. Canelo Alvarez – Expected to fight Caleb Plant to unify all four major 168-pound titles in September but no deal is in place.
  3. Naoya Inoue — Scheduled to fight Michael Dasmarinas on June 19 in Las Vegas.
  4. Errol Spence Jr. – Scheduled to face Manny Pacquiao in a welterweight title-unification bout on Aug. 21, although no formal announcement has been made.
  5. Oleksandr Usyk – In talks to challenge heavyweight titleholder  Anthony Joshua this summer.
  6. Teofimo Lopez — Scheduled to defend his 135-pound titles against George Kambosos Jr. on June 19 in Miami.
  7. Vasiliy Lomachenko — Scheduled to fight Masayoshi Nakatani on June 26 in Las Vegas.
  8. Tyson Fury – Scheduled to defend his heavyweight title against Deontay Wilder on July 24 in Las Vegas.
  9. Juan Francisco Estrada — The WBC announced that Estrada will meet Roman Gonzalez in a third fight as part of a junior bantamweight tournament but nothing is official.
  10. Gennadiy Golovkin — Reportedly in talks to face Ryota Murata in a middleweight title-unification fight in December. Also rumored to be considering an interim fight against Esquiva Falcao.
  11. Mikey Garcia — No fight scheduled.
  12. Jermell Charlo — Scheduled to face Brian Castano in a 154-pound title-unification fight on July 17.
  13. Josh Taylor — Expected to face mandatory challenger Jack Catterall in his next fight but no deal is in place.
  14. Artur Beterbiev — Reportedly in talks to face Joe Smith Jr. in a light heavyweight title-unification bout this fall.
  15. Manny Pacquiao — Scheduled to face No. 4 Errol Spence Jr. in a welterweight title-unification bout on Aug. 21.

Honorable mention (alphabetical order): Mairis Briedis (no fight scheduled), Jermall Charlo (scheduled to face Juan Montiel on June 19), Gervonta Davis (scheduled to face Mario Barrios in a 140-pound bout on June 26),  Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (the WBC announced that Sor Rungvisai will meet Carlos Cuadras as part of a junior bantamweight tournament but nothing is official), and Oscar Valdez (expected to defend his title against Robson Conceicao in late summer or fall but nothing is official).

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Anthony Joshua prepared to move on to Oleksandr Usyk

Promoter Eddie Hearn said Anthony Joshua is prepared to move on to Oleksandr Usyk if Tyson Fury must fight Deontay Wilder a third time.

Anthony Joshua and his team remain hopeful that he’ll fight Tyson Fury on Aug. 14 but they already are making plans to fight someone else this summer, most likely Oleksandr Usyk.

A deal was in place for Fury and Joshua to fight for the undisputed heavyweight championship on that date in Saudi Arabia. However, an arbitrator ruled on Monday that a rematch clause in the contract for Fury’s fight with Deontay Wilder last year is binding.

In the wake of that news, Bob Arum, Fury’s co-promoter, said his client will face Wilder a third time rather than pay the American to step aside so Fury-Joshua could go forward.

Fury and Joshua could then meet in December, assuming Fury beats Wilder and Joshua doesn’t lose an interim fight.

Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, held a news conference Tuesday morning in the U.K. to address the situation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLFIW619_Vo

“We’re here, we’re breathing,” he said. “[Joshua is] still the champion. We know what we want to do. We want to win the undisputed heavyweight championship, we want to fight Tyson Fury. But, really, if his hands are tied, we have to look elsewhere.

“I have been focusing on Plan A,” he said. “The only fight we had our mind on was Tyson Fury. I hope it will still take place on Aug. 14 but the game changed last night and we have to have a Plan B in place, and probably a Plan C as well.”

Plan B could be Usyk, the mandatory challenger to Joshua’s WBO title.

The sanctioning body had agreed to postpone enforcement of the mandatory defense so Fury-Joshua could take place but, in light of Monday’s news, a door seems to be open for Usyk to get his title shot immediately.

Hearn said he hopes Joshua can maintain his three belts so he and Joshua can still fight for all four major titles late this year if Fury ends up defending his WBC belt against Wilder in his next fight.

Arum said he has reserved Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on July 24, the presumed target site and date for Fury-Wilder III.

“We have a couple of different options,” Hearn said. “Of course, the one that springs to mind immediately is the WBO mandatory of Oleksandr Usyk. They’ve been quiet patient and I think, really, we’re in a situation now that if Team Fury don’t’ get themselves together, don’t’ get their act together by the end of this week, we will have no option but to look for an alternative fight.

“AJ wants to fight this summer. Oleksandr Usyk is the mandatory.”

Hearn said he spoke with Usyk’s promoter Alexander Krassyuk on Tuesday morning.

“I just sort of said to him, and I was very honest, I said, ‘Look, Team Fury are trying to resolve the issue. If they don’t, there’s a very good chance we could be fighting you,” Hearn said.

Krassyuk spoke to Sky Sports on Tuesday.

“There is no other reasonable excuse for AJ now,” he told the outlet. “If he is not avoiding Usyk, it is high time to face the mandatory. Two London Olympic champions to face each other, nine years later. What a story.

“We are now in the position to make the fight happen as soon as possible.”

One problem: Where do they fight?

“We’re in a situation where we just don’t know how likely it is to get a full venue in August in the U.K.,” Hearn said. “That was one of the reasons it was ruled out for the Fury fight. We couldn’t get confirmation from Wembley [Stadium] and other venues that they would be allowed full capacity [because of COVID-19].

“But we’ll move forward we that and continue to have talks with Alex Krassyuk this week.”

Fury knocked out Wilder in seven rounds in February of last year, the British fighter’s most-recent fight. The two fought to draw in December 2018.

Joshua regained his titles – IBF, WBA and WBO – from Andy Ruiz Jr. by a wide decision in December 2019. He successfully defended them this past December against Kubrat Pulev, who was stopped in nine rounds.

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Anthony Joshua prepared to move on to Oleksandr Usyk

Promoter Eddie Hearn said Anthony Joshua is prepared to move on to Oleksandr Usyk if Tyson Fury must fight Deontay Wilder a third time.

Anthony Joshua and his team remain hopeful that he’ll fight Tyson Fury on Aug. 14 but they already are making plans to fight someone else this summer, most likely Oleksandr Usyk.

A deal was in place for Fury and Joshua to fight for the undisputed heavyweight championship on that date in Saudi Arabia. However, an arbitrator ruled on Monday that a rematch clause in the contract for Fury’s fight with Deontay Wilder last year is binding.

In the wake of that news, Bob Arum, Fury’s co-promoter, said his client will face Wilder a third time rather than pay the American to step aside so Fury-Joshua could go forward.

Fury and Joshua could then meet in December, assuming Fury beats Wilder and Joshua doesn’t lose an interim fight.

Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, held a news conference Tuesday morning in the U.K. to address the situation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLFIW619_Vo

“We’re here, we’re breathing,” he said. “[Joshua is] still the champion. We know what we want to do. We want to win the undisputed heavyweight championship, we want to fight Tyson Fury. But, really, if his hands are tied, we have to look elsewhere.

“I have been focusing on Plan A,” he said. “The only fight we had our mind on was Tyson Fury. I hope it will still take place on Aug. 14 but the game changed last night and we have to have a Plan B in place, and probably a Plan C as well.”

Plan B could be Usyk, the mandatory challenger to Joshua’s WBO title.

The sanctioning body had agreed to postpone enforcement of the mandatory defense so Fury-Joshua could take place but, in light of Monday’s news, a door seems to be open for Usyk to get his title shot immediately.

Hearn said he hopes Joshua can maintain his three belts so he and Joshua can still fight for all four major titles late this year if Fury ends up defending his WBC belt against Wilder in his next fight.

Arum said he has reserved Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on July 24, the presumed target site and date for Fury-Wilder III.

“We have a couple of different options,” Hearn said. “Of course, the one that springs to mind immediately is the WBO mandatory of Oleksandr Usyk. They’ve been quiet patient and I think, really, we’re in a situation now that if Team Fury don’t’ get themselves together, don’t’ get their act together by the end of this week, we will have no option but to look for an alternative fight.

“AJ wants to fight this summer. Oleksandr Usyk is the mandatory.”

Hearn said he spoke with Usyk’s promoter Alexander Krassyuk on Tuesday morning.

“I just sort of said to him, and I was very honest, I said, ‘Look, Team Fury are trying to resolve the issue. If they don’t, there’s a very good chance we could be fighting you,” Hearn said.

Krassyuk spoke to Sky Sports on Tuesday.

“There is no other reasonable excuse for AJ now,” he told the outlet. “If he is not avoiding Usyk, it is high time to face the mandatory. Two London Olympic champions to face each other, nine years later. What a story.

“We are now in the position to make the fight happen as soon as possible.”

One problem: Where do they fight?

“We’re in a situation where we just don’t know how likely it is to get a full venue in August in the U.K.,” Hearn said. “That was one of the reasons it was ruled out for the Fury fight. We couldn’t get confirmation from Wembley [Stadium] and other venues that they would be allowed full capacity [because of COVID-19].

“But we’ll move forward we that and continue to have talks with Alex Krassyuk this week.”

Fury knocked out Wilder in seven rounds in February of last year, the British fighter’s most-recent fight. The two fought to draw in December 2018.

Joshua regained his titles – IBF, WBA and WBO – from Andy Ruiz Jr. by a wide decision in December 2019. He successfully defended them this past December against Kubrat Pulev, who was stopped in nine rounds.

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Oleksandr Usyk, Joe Joyce on course to fight for ‘interim’ title: report

Oleksandr Usyk and Joe Joyce are on course to fight for the WBO ‘interim’ heavyweight title.

Editor’s note : This article was originally posted on DAZN.com.

***

Joe Joyce and Oleksandr Usyk are on course to fight for the WBO “interim” heavyweight title, according to the Briton’s manager.

Usyk is currently the WBO mandatory challenger but evidently has agreed to delay his challenge of Anthony Joshua so Joshua can fight Tyson Fury for the undisputed championship. Joyce moved up to No. 2 in the rankings after stopping Daniel Dubois in 10 rounds in November.

The winner of the Usyk-Joyce fight presumably would fight the Joshua-Fury winner or for the vacant title if Joshua or Fury gives it up.

Adam Morallee, part of Joyce’s S-JAM management team, informed ESPN that talks are underway with Usyk’s camp.

“It looks like a fight for the WBO interim title is what will happen next, and securing a fight with Usyk is our priority,” Morallee said. “I think Usyk should be Joe’s next fight, and in terms of timing I think it happens in the second quarter of this year. I understand the WBO has stipulated they have to fight in five to six months.

“Joe’s ambition is to become undisputed champion, and if he beats Usyk, he would then fight Joshua or Fury. And if he doesn’t fight either of them next, he would fight for the WBO title.

“The WBO want their titles active and that’s why they want to order Usyk-Joe for the interim title, and it will get upgraded to the full title if Fury or Joshua don’t fight the winner [of Joyce vs. Usyk].

“Our promoter Frank Warren is liaising with the WBO and Usyk’s people, and it’s a fluid situation. I’m hopeful we can get it done.”

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Oleksandr Usyk, Joe Joyce on course to fight for ‘interim’ title: report

Oleksandr Usyk and Joe Joyce are on course to fight for the WBO ‘interim’ heavyweight title.

Editor’s note : This article was originally posted on DAZN.com.

***

Joe Joyce and Oleksandr Usyk are on course to fight for the WBO “interim” heavyweight title, according to the Briton’s manager.

Usyk is currently the WBO mandatory challenger but evidently has agreed to delay his challenge of Anthony Joshua so Joshua can fight Tyson Fury for the undisputed championship. Joyce moved up to No. 2 in the rankings after stopping Daniel Dubois in 10 rounds in November.

The winner of the Usyk-Joyce fight presumably would fight the Joshua-Fury winner or for the vacant title if Joshua or Fury gives it up.

Adam Morallee, part of Joyce’s S-JAM management team, informed ESPN that talks are underway with Usyk’s camp.

“It looks like a fight for the WBO interim title is what will happen next, and securing a fight with Usyk is our priority,” Morallee said. “I think Usyk should be Joe’s next fight, and in terms of timing I think it happens in the second quarter of this year. I understand the WBO has stipulated they have to fight in five to six months.

“Joe’s ambition is to become undisputed champion, and if he beats Usyk, he would then fight Joshua or Fury. And if he doesn’t fight either of them next, he would fight for the WBO title.

“The WBO want their titles active and that’s why they want to order Usyk-Joe for the interim title, and it will get upgraded to the full title if Fury or Joshua don’t fight the winner [of Joyce vs. Usyk].

“Our promoter Frank Warren is liaising with the WBO and Usyk’s people, and it’s a fluid situation. I’m hopeful we can get it done.”

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Tyson Fury predicts he’ll KO Anthony Joshua in three rounds

Tyson Fury has predicted he’ll knock out Anthony Joshua in three rounds.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published on DAZN.com.

***

Tyson Fury believes that he will beat Anthony Joshua in just three rounds when they finally meet to potentially become the undisputed heavyweight champion.

Fury and Joshua, who hold all four major titles, are set to announce at least one fight for 2021 in the coming weeks.

In anticipation of the fight, Fury took to Twitter to reveal his plans with trainer Sugarhill Steward.

“I just got off the phone with Sugarhill Steward in America,” Fury said. “We are going to smash AJ – one round, two rounds, three rounds. Done! Can’t wait.”

Fury is almost certain the bout will go ahead soon. Two of the major obstacles seem to be close to resolution.

Joshua thought he might have to vacate his WBO title in order to avoid a mandatory challenge from Oleksandr Usyk, but the sanctioning body indicated that the Ukrainian might have to step aside for now.

Usyk’s promoter Alexander Krassyuk confirmed that negotiations have started for an “interim” title fight with Joe Joyce, with the winner due a fight with the Fury-Joshua winner. Joshua also could give up his WBO belt immediately after the Fury fight in order to give other fighters the chance to step up.

And Deontay Wilder is contesting Fury’s decision to walk away from a third fight between them, although it appears Wilder will be paid to step aside.

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Tyson Fury predicts he’ll KO Anthony Joshua in three rounds

Tyson Fury has predicted he’ll knock out Anthony Joshua in three rounds.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published on DAZN.com.

***

Tyson Fury believes that he will beat Anthony Joshua in just three rounds when they finally meet to potentially become the undisputed heavyweight champion.

Fury and Joshua, who hold all four major titles, are set to announce at least one fight for 2021 in the coming weeks.

In anticipation of the fight, Fury took to Twitter to reveal his plans with trainer Sugarhill Steward.

“I just got off the phone with Sugarhill Steward in America,” Fury said. “We are going to smash AJ – one round, two rounds, three rounds. Done! Can’t wait.”

Fury is almost certain the bout will go ahead soon. Two of the major obstacles seem to be close to resolution.

Joshua thought he might have to vacate his WBO title in order to avoid a mandatory challenge from Oleksandr Usyk, but the sanctioning body indicated that the Ukrainian might have to step aside for now.

Usyk’s promoter Alexander Krassyuk confirmed that negotiations have started for an “interim” title fight with Joe Joyce, with the winner due a fight with the Fury-Joshua winner. Joshua also could give up his WBO belt immediately after the Fury fight in order to give other fighters the chance to step up.

And Deontay Wilder is contesting Fury’s decision to walk away from a third fight between them, although it appears Wilder will be paid to step aside.

[lawrence-related id=17195,17140,17115,17090,17044]

WBO opens door for Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua to fight for its belt

The WBO is no longer insisting that Anthony Joshua defend its heavyweight title against mandatory challenger Oleksandr Usyk.

Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua might fight for all four major heavyweight titles yet.

BoxingScene.com is reporting that the WBO is no longer insisting that Joshua immediately defend its title against mandatory challenger Oleksandr Usyk, which clears the way for Joshua to defend that belt against Fury.

Fury and Joshua are in talks to fight twice this year, the first time in the spring. A site reportedly has been selected but not announced.

It’s not clear whether Usyk has signed off on the move, although reports have surfaced that he’s negotiating to fight Joe Joyce for the “interim” WBO title. The Fury-Joshua winner would have to fight the Usyk-Joyce winner within 180 days, BoxingScene.com reported.

Deontay Wilder has also been an obstacle to a Fury-Joshua showdown, insisting that Fury honor a rematch clause in the contract for their second fight, which Fury won by knockout in February.

The third fight between them was supposed to have happened last year but, in part because of COVID-19, it has yet to materialize. And Fury has moved on.

A mediator reportedly couldn’t resolve the dispute. Wilder’s manager, Shelly Finkel, told Sports Illustrated that the next step is to go to arbitration in a last-ditch attempt to force Fury’s hand.

Joshua (24-1, 22 KOs) dispatched IBF mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev in nine rounds last month.

Usyk (18-0, 13 KOs) is a former unified cruiserweight champ who is 2-0 as a heavyweight, having stopped Chazz Witherspoon in October 2019 and outpointed Derek Chisora this past October.

Joyce (12-0, 11 KOs) is coming off a break-through 10th-round knockout of Daniel Dubois in November, which put him in the title picture.

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