John Fury, father of heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, has made a bold prediction, claiming that the highly anticipated crossover clash between Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou will be called off in the coming weeks. The former two-time unified heavyweight champion is set to face the MMA powerhouse in a lucrative Saudi showdown next month.
Expressing skepticism about the fight's occurrence, John Fury emphasized the risks involved for Joshua, suggesting it's a "mad move." He believes there's a bigger payday down the road for Joshua in a historic Battle of Britain with Tyson Fury, particularly if Tyson beats Oleksandr Usyk.
John Fury remarked, "It's a mad move. I know he's getting well paid for it, but there's a bigger payday down the road with him and Tyson. When Tyson beats Usyk in a minute, that will have been the biggest fight of the century."
If the fight proceeds, John Fury acknowledges Ngannou's capability to pose a significant challenge to Joshua, citing Ngannou's knockout power showcased in his bout against Tyson Fury. He described Ngannou as a "monster" who can bring a whole new level of boxing to Joshua's game.
While Joshua acknowledges the dangers Ngannou presents, he refuses to underestimate his opponent, recognizing Ngannou's boxing skills displayed against Tyson Fury. The outcome of this potential clash remains uncertain, adding further intrigue to the dynamic landscape of the heavyweight division.
Source: GBNews
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Chisora Predicts Usyk's Victory[/caption]
"Listen, that cut is quite deep, but you know what? It happens," said Chisora to Boxing King Media, referring to Fury's injury. "They postponed the fight, and then we go again. You can't get in the ring like that. The fight is two weeks away."
Chisora expressed doubts about Fury's ability to fully heal the cut before fight night. "You've got to stay away from everything," he said, emphasizing the need for complete rest from sparring. "You can't do anything. Keep doing what you're doing, but you can't spar."
His bold prediction centers on the potential vulnerability of the injured eye. "Yeah, there's a chance that [Fury's cut] could reopen on May 18th," Chisora stated. "Right now, the winning award goes to Usyk because all Usyk has to do is keep hitting that same eye, and it's going to bust, and the ref will stop the fight."
Chisora went even further, suggesting an alternative scenario. "So, make the fight AJ-Usyk," he said, proposing that Fury relinquish his title and allow Usyk to fight Anthony Joshua for the vacant belt while Fury recovers. He doubled down on his prediction, claiming, "Yeah, because the cut won't be healed in time [for May 18th], let's be honest."
Chisora's prediction is based on his own experience and observations. He witnessed Fury fight through a significant cut against Otto Wallin in 2019 but argues that the referee might be more cautious this time around. "Any little movement in the skin on that, and it's going to gash open and start bleeding," he said.
While Chisora's opinion adds a layer of intrigue to the already highly anticipated fight, it's important to note that it remains just a prediction. The severity of Fury's injury, his recovery progress, and the referee's judgment on fight night will ultimately determine the outcome. Regardless, Chisora's bold statement has undoubtedly sparked debate and anticipation for the May 18th showdown.
#DerekChisora #TysonFury #OleksandrUsyk #FuryvsUsyk #FuryUsyk #boxing
Anthony Joshua's path to reclaiming the heavyweight belts faces a potential hurdle, even before his upcoming bout with Francis Ngannou in March. The former champion, who lost to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021, may not get an immediate shot at the winner of Tyson Fury's unification fight with Usyk.
Despite his upcoming clash with Ngannou, Joshua may have to wait before challenging for the titles he lost to Usyk three years ago. The chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Authority for Entertainment, Turki Alalshikh, revealed that if Ngannou wins, he may have a rematch against the current champion. Additionally, if Joshua triumphs, the road to facing the Fury-Usyk winner could be prolonged due to potential rematches.
Alalshikh hinted at discussions with Joshua's camp and Filip Hrgovic's camp for a potential fight between them. He assured Usyk of two more significant fights, indicating an alternative path for Joshua.
While Joshua has expressed confidence and determination to reclaim his belts, Ngannou is equally assertive about his ability to defeat the former champion. The upcoming clash between Joshua and Ngannou adds another layer of intrigue to the heavyweight division, with potential implications for the title picture.
As Joshua prepares to face Ngannou in what promises to be a high-stakes showdown, the heavyweight landscape remains dynamic and unpredictable, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the outcomes and future matchups.
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The sparring partner responsible for the alleged 'freak cut' that forced Tyson Fury to postpone his highly anticipated fight against Oleksandr Usyk has broken his silence. Agron Smakici, a Croatian heavyweight with a professional record of 20-2, responded to the incident, asserting that the cut was the result of a clear punch.
Footage of the sparring session, where the incident occurred, has surfaced online, shedding light on the unexpected turn of events that led to the postponement of the Fury vs. Usyk bout scheduled for February 17 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Frank Warren, Fury's promoter, disclosed to talkSPORT that the cut was sustained during a sparring session with the Croatian heavyweight Smakici. The revelation prompted speculation and discussions about the circumstances surrounding the incident.
In a text message reportedly sent to a third party, Smakici stated, "It was a clear punch, so I don't feel bad." SPORTbible has reached out to Smakici's representatives for additional comments.
As the boxing world processes this unexpected development, reports suggest that Usyk's team is exploring the possibility of arranging a bout with IBF mandatory challenger Filip Hrgovic on the original fight date.
Queensberry Promotions, Fury's promotional team, stated in a press release that Fury's condition will be assessed by doctors before determining the next steps and setting a new date for the unification title fight. The spokesperson emphasized the disappointment surrounding the postponement and expressed the commitment to work diligently with all stakeholders to reschedule the historic event as soon as possible.
The incident has added an unexpected layer of drama to the Fury vs. Usyk narrative, leaving fans eagerly awaiting updates on Fury's recovery and the rescheduling of the highly anticipated heavyweight showdown.
#TysonFury #OleksandrUsyk #Boxings #Boxingnews
In a highly anticipated clash set for February 8 at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, Teofimo Lopez is gearing up to defend his WBO junior welterweight world titles against Jamaine Ortiz. The bout promises to be a thrilling showdown, with Lopez expressing confidence and determination to secure a knockout victory.
Lopez, with a record of 19-1 and 13 knockouts, is no stranger to the spotlight. Having captured the IBF lightweight world title in 2019, he went on to secure the WBA, WBO, and WBC Franchise titles in a victory against Vasiliy Lomachenko. Despite a setback against George Kambosos Jr. in a split decision, Lopez bounced back to claim the WBO and Ring Magazine titles in a surprising win against former undisputed champ Josh Taylor.
Facing Ortiz, Lopez aims to continue his winning streak and make a statement in the junior welterweight division. Ortiz, with a record of 17-1-1 and 8 knockouts, brings his own skill set to the ring, having previously faced pound-for-pound great Vasiliy Lomachenko in a competitive bout.
In a recent statement following a training session in Las Vegas, Lopez declared, "There will definitely be a knockout. It’s not going the distance. I’m not going to leave it in the judges' hands at all. So, everyone tune in, and get your popcorn ready."
Lopez highlighted the significant changes in his training regimen, emphasizing his commitment to staying in the gym since August of the previous year. He expressed confidence in his improved speed, strength, and boxing IQ, setting the stage for an explosive performance.
As the date approaches, fight fans can expect fireworks in the ring as Teofimo Lopez looks to solidify his status in the junior welterweight division with a knockout victory over Jamaine Ortiz.
#TeofimoLopez #JamaineOrtiz #WBOChampionship #Boxing