Latest news with #HeavyweightDivision
The Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Dana White loses patience with Jon Jones and teases imminent title stripping as Tom Aspinall UFC fight hangs in balance
DANA WHITE has seemingly set Jon Jones a deadline to make a decision on fighting Tom Aspinall. The UFC brass have been trying to finalise a showdown between their heavyweight king and his interim counterpart since last November. 4 4 4 White and Co. have even agreed to break their pay structure and give Jones " F**K YOU MONEY" for the mammoth unification bout. Jones, 37, agreed to the multi-million-pound purse on offer but has publicly toyed with the prospect of retirement. White is refusing to give up hope of finalising the bout but insists the UFC won't dance to the beat of Jones' drum much longer. During an appearance on The Jim Rome Show, the 55-year-old said: "We'll see how this thing plays out over the next couple of weeks. "If we can't get this fight done, we'll move on quickly. We'll have answers in the next couple weeks." White insists the delay in booking the biggest fight in the history of the UFC's heavyweight division isn't down to Jones being scared of Wigan warrior Aspinall. The UFC's CEO and President added: "Jon Jones has never, ever said, 'I'm afraid to fight this guy. "Or, 'I don't like this fight for me,' or any of that stuff. One time, his coach at the time, back in the day. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 4 "I don't know if he's still with him or whatever. I think it's the only fight we've ever cancelled. "I had to cancel a show because he wouldn't fight Chael Sonnen, because his coach thought it was a bad idea to take that fight on late notice. Jon Jones Blasts UFC Rival Tom Aspinall In X-Rated Rant "But it had nothing to do with Jon Jones. "Jon Jones has never turned down an opponent here or been afraid to fight anybody." White, for the last few months, has been bullish with his belief that Jones will sign on the dotted line and face Aspinall in a bout SunSport understands is still targeted for November. But it became apparent last week that his confidence in booking the dust-up has waned when he admitted: "You can't make people fight. "If Jon doesn't want to fight, you can't make him fight. "We can try to make him fight, we can throw things at him that inspire him to want to fight. But we'll figure it out. Former pound-for-pound king Jones hasn't set foot inside the octagon since defending his heavweight strap in a Madison Square Garden mauling of Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 last November. Aspinall, meanwhile, has been on the sidelines since defending his interim strap against Curtis Blaydes in just 60 seconds at UFC 304 last July.
The Independent
13-03-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Oleksandr Usyk ordered to defend titles against Joseph Parker in blow to Daniel Dubois
Oleksandr Usyk has been ordered to defend his title against WBO interim champion Joseph Parker, potentially leaving Daniel Dubois out in the cold. IBF champion Dubois and Parker were due to clash in February, with the winner expected to challenge unified title holder Usyk next. However, Dubois withdrew on two days' notice due to illness, and Parker knocked out late replacement Martin Bakole in two rounds. Dubois's father later revealed that his son would seek a fight with Usyk next, rather than a rescheduled meeting with Parker, but the latter – by securing the WBO interim title against Bakole – might have beaten Dubois to a shot at the Ukrainian. An email from WBO chairman and founder Luis Batista Salas, sent to promoters Alex Krassyuk and Frank Warren, read: 'Please be advised that the WBO World Championship Committee is hereby ordering the commencement of negotiations between the subject matter's fighters [Usyk and Parker] to discharge the WBO mandatory championship obligation in the Heavyweight Division. 'By virtue of this order, the WBO Interim Championship shall be terminated expeditiously in compliance with our institutional policy of only one world champion per weight class. The parties have 30 days to reach terms. Failure to do so will result in this Committee ordering purse bid proceedings in accordance with WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests. 'Lastly, the WBO reserves its right to issue any and all further rulings deemed necessary, helpful, and convenient to accomplish the purposes, policies, and intent of the WBO rules, including but not limited to serving those interests that best boxing and the Heavyweight Division.' Usyk vs Parker is not a certainty; it is possible that the 30-day negotiation period could end without a deal being struck. Usyk, 37, last boxed in December, beating Tyson Fury on points for the second time in seven months. With his first win over the Briton, the Ukrainian became the first undisputed heavyweight champion in 24 years; with his second, he retained the unified belts, having vacated the IBF title between the two fights. Dubois, 27, won the interim IBF belt before Usyk gave up the regular title, therefore the Briton was elevated to official champion in the aftermath. He retained the gold with a knockout of Anthony Joshua in September, for a third straight win since suffering a stoppage loss to Usyk in 2023. In that fight with Usyk, Dubois dropped the unbeaten southpaw with a low blow that many fans believed was a legal body shot. Dubois appealed the result, but to no avail. Meanwhile, New Zealand's Parker would be a fresh opponent for Usyk. The 33-year-old is riding a six-fight win streak, having last lost in 2022.
