Latest news with #OleksandrUsyk
The Sun
15 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Anthony Joshua was such a student of the game he would ask amateur boxing hopefuls for advice, reveals Galal Yayai
ANTHONY JOSHUA was such a student of the game he would even ask amateur boxing hopefuls for advice. AJ only started boxing at 18 but just four years later he won Olympic gold for Great Britain in London. 3 3 And after turning professional, he won the unified heavyweight world titles under the mentorship of GB head coach Rob McCracken. Flyweight Galal Yafai - who won gold in Tokyo in 2021 - spent time with AJ at the GB's Sheffield HQ and was blown away by his eagerness to learn - from all comers. Yafai told SunSport: "It's quite crazy really and it's not a disrespectful thing, but sometimes he'd ask someone who's like a young kid who's just getting on the team, who's not even on the full podium squad that's on like an academy, which is like the younger team. "He'd ask them questions and I'd be like bloody hell, why are you asking him, him a question? "They just get on the team, he should be asking you, you're the Olympic gold medalist, you're the unified world champion. "But yeah, he'd always ask questions even from people - I don't want to say below him - but that are new to the team, way less experienced, not even just a little bit like way less experienced. "But he'd always give time, he's always good to myself and everyone around." Joshua, 35, parted ways with McCracken after losing to Oleksandr Usyk, 38, in September 2021. He has since been cornered by Robert Garcia, Derrick James and most recently Ben Davison. AJ has been out the ring since September when he was knocked out by Daniel Dubois, 27, before undergoing elbow surgery. He is yet to return to camp and Yafai - who faces Mexican Francisco Rodriguez Jr on Saturday - warned not to rule out a reunion with McCracken in Sheffield. Boxing icon Tyson Fury spotted posing topless in Scots town as he chats with locals Yafai said: "I was there when Josh was there and he became like part of the family and it was quite surreal at one stage because he was one of the most famous people in Britain, especially sportsman, but he became just someone that you'd see every day in the gym when he was in camp anyway. "So I almost became numb to it but he was a great fighter and a superstar. He helped everyone in in British boxing and I looked up to him when I was coming through. "If he ever came back Sheffield it'd be good to see him around but I don't know that's something that him and Rob would have to go through but crazier things have happened." Yafai bids to earn a shot at unified WBA and WBC champion Kenshiro Teraji - but first has to get past veteran Rodriguez Jr. He said: "I'd expect it, but you never know in boxing. Rodriguez is a top five competitor. "He's a former champion, he fought the best of the best, so it's not an easy fight. People don't really know him too well but I can't look past him. "He's a really good fighter and that's the thing nowadays, if people don't know who you're fighting, they don't think they're that good, which is the biggest mistake someone can make because he's a really good fighter but he's just not hugely well known here. "I'm not looking past him. He's a great fighter and hopefully I can get rid of him Saturday." 3
The Independent
a day ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Derek Chisora handed heavyweight title lifeline after WBO verdict on Joseph Parker trilogy
Derek Chisora has been handed a world-title fight lifeline, with the WBO green-lighting a trilogy fight against Joseph Parker. With WBO interim heavyweight champion Parker set for a return in September, a third fight with Chisora could be on the cards. World Boxing Organisation (WBO) president Gustavo Olivieri revealed to Sky Sports that 'Parker may defend his interim title against any of the top-15 WBO world-rated contenders'. Chisora is now the WBO's seventh-ranked heavyweight boxer, and has seen his upcoming career prospects boosted by the organisation saying it would sanction a challenge to the New Zealander Parker. The Briton's next fight will be his 50th and likely final, with 36 wins and 13 losses next to his name to date. Frank Warren-fronted Queensberry promotions, who represent both Chisora and Parker, are putting plans together for the coming months, with the latter scheduled as the next mandatory challenger to unified champ Oleksandr Usyk, who defends against Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium on 19 July. Parker's representative David Higgins has confirmed that the 33-year-old Kiwi would be open to a third fight with Chisora, when speaking to Sky Sports. Parker has already beaten Chisora twice, with a split decision in 2021 and unanimous decision the following year. Since then, he has piled on victories over the likes of Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang, and Martin Bakole. Chisora, now 41, has lost just once since being felled by former WBO champion Parker twice in succession, with victories over Kubrat Pulev, Gerald Washington, Joe Joyce, and most recently Otto Wallin in February. He last challenged for heavyweight gold in December 2022, when Tyson Fury stopped him at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to retain his WBC crown.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Summer sport highlights and TV deals from DAZN, Sky and TNT
The FIFA Club World Cup, Silverstone Grand Prix and Usyk vs Dubois 2 are among the sporting highlights this summer While many football fans are eagerly awaiting the start of the 2025/26 football season, there's plenty of other sporting events to tuck into this summer. Leading the pack is the FIFA Club World Cup, with the new-and-improved competition now in full swing. 32 of the world's best clubs are in the USA for the tournament, including Man City, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain. Off the pitch, there's more must-see sporting events on the way in July, including the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, the Tour de France and the hotly-anticipated rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois. But as all of this sporting action is spread across a handful of broadcasters in the UK, it can be tricky to decide which subscription best suits our sporting tastes. With this, we've taken a look at a selection of major sports broadcasters including DAZN, Sky Sports and TNT Sports, plus the best deals currently up for grabs. So read on for some of the highlights on the way this summer and the best deals to watch each one for less. DAZN While many sports fans associate DAZN with boxing, it's actually home to a whole lot more. Across June and July, the broadcaster is airing every game from the FIFA Club World Cup live from the USA. Fans can stream every fixture for free by setting up a free DAZN account, which also includes a host of documentaries, features and clips from previous tournaments. DAZN offers a paid Premium subscription for fans to stream in HDR picture quality and Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound, with fewer adverts and full access to the rest of the DAZN platform. Prices for DAZN Premium currently start at £9.99 for an annual plan, or £19.99 for the 30-day rolling Flex account. The DAZN App can be accessed on smart TVs, smartphones, tablets, games consoles, streaming devices and any device with a web browser. Watch the Club World Cup free on DAZN £0 DAZN Get DAZN here Product Description Aside from football, DAZN's boxing calendar includes Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr (June 28), Catterall vs Eubank (July 5) and Oleksandr Usyk vs Daniel Dubois 2 (July 19). However, keep in mind that select fights will only be available with pay-per-view and are not included in a standard DAZN subscription. In our review of the DAZN platform, we found the app occasionally slow to respond on an iPhone 13, but performs smoothly when content is up-and-running, while streaming on a TV presented no issues. Sky Sports Even though we're between Premier League and EFL seasons, Sky Sports has plenty to tempt sports fans ahead of the new campaign kicking off in August. Sky is increasing its Premier League coverage from the 2025/26 season, with a 'record minimum' of 215 matches broadcast live, which it claims is more than any other broadcaster. These are all available with Sky's flagship TV and sports package, the Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle, for £35 per month. This provides access to every fixture broadcast on Sky Sports, including more than 140 at weekends, evening matches on Fridays and Mondays and three midweek rounds, plus the return of the festive round of fixtures. Signing up for a 24-month Sky Sports package secures access to both the 2025/26 and 2026/27 Premier League and EFL seasons. It includes nine dedicated Sky Sports channels, such as Golf, Tennis, Cricket and F1, meaning members can catch every practice, qualifier and race from the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on July 3-6. It also includes more than 100 regular channels, alongside free Netflix and Discovery+ subscriptions. Perhaps the main downside with Sky is its 24-month contract length, which may be offputting for those not looking to make a long-term commitment. If this is the case, Sky also offers a 30-day rolling plan for £43 per month, which provides flexibility for a higher monthly cost. Existing Sky customers can add Sky Sports to their package for £22 per month. Sky Sports is also included with Virgin Media's £59.99 per month Bigger Combo bundle + Sports, which justifies its higher price tag with the inclusion of 362Mbps broadband and a shorter 18-month term. TNT Sports The broadcaster formally known as BT Sport is available as part of a Discovery+ Premium subscription here in the UK. Its coverage is spread across four TV channels and up to six digital or red-button channels, plus Eurosport 1 and 2. TNT broadcasts a range of sports to suit any fan, including football, cycling, tennis, snooker, Premiership Rugby, MotoGP, boxing, UFC and more. Events to watch this month include the remaining NBA finals games, with the Tour de France starting on July 5. There's also the Bennetts British Superbikes and World Superbikes, plus the Grand Slam Track events from Miami, Philadelphia and Los Angeles. Looking further ahead, TNT Sports will once again broadcast select fixtures in the upcoming seasons of the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League. This is all available with a Discovery+ Premium subscription for £30.99 on a rolling monthly basis through Discovery+ or Amazon's Discovery+ Prime Video channel. TNT Sports can also be added to new or existing Sky and Virgin packages for £20 and £18 respectively. TNT Sports has attracted criticism for its commentary on certain sports, with some users taking to Trustpilot to vent their frustrations. One tennis fan found the Men's and Ladies French finals commentary 'dreadful'. A football fan said: 'If TNT Sports football producers believe commenters shouting and screaming over each other enhances the experience, so be it. Most people I talk to either watch with sound off or now just don't tune in. However, other fans were more positive, as one said: 'Giving five stars for Ally McCoist's match commentary. He's brilliant.'
The Sun
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Anthony Joshua tipped to fight Tyson Fury in October as George Groves gives theory on why it hasn't been announced
GEORGE GROVES believes Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury are destined to fight in October - with a rematch following next year. The Battle of Britain is yet to commence with Fury having retired in January - for the FOURTH time in his career. 3 And the unpredictable Gypsy King has so far stuck to his word - but Groves theorises that he is just waiting for the right offer to come in. He told Sky Sports: "There must be a number that makes it worthwhile for both guys. "Maybe they're just waiting for that number. You don't need to announce that fight now if it's not happening till October. "That fight will be nailed on. He's had surgery, Joshua, and Fury's out running. I'm pretty sure they'll box in September, October, rematch next year." Joshua, 35, recently had surgery on his elbow and is yet to fight since being knocked out by Daniel Dubois, 27, in September. Fury, 36, meanwhile announced his retirement one month after rematch defeat to Oleksandr Usyk, 38. AJ's promoter Eddie Hearn revealed a return fight is targeted before focusing on a potential two-bout deal with Fury in 2026. But former super-middleweight champion Groves said: "If I was either guy, I'd just fight each other and that's it. I wouldn't bother with any other fights. "I'm sure the money's great and that but who's going to be paying through the nose for either guy to not fight each other? "Just save it now, fight each other with no more mileage on the clock, no more risks. Stuff goes wrong in camp or even on fight night. "Both have been beat. Fury hasn't won well for a long time. Just box each other." 3
CNN
12-06-2025
- Sport
- CNN
World heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk keeps Ukraine on his mind as he prepares for his next big fight
Perched on Spain's eastern coast, the touristy town of Gandia may not look like an obvious home for one of Ukraine's biggest stars, but it's here that world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk is basing himself ahead of his next fight. Quieter than other towns in the vicinity, its geography and climate confer it a surprising but important characteristic for Usyk and his team: it looks and feels like southern Crimea. The links to Usyk's home province and country don't stop there. Step inside his base – a co-working center turned fortress and gym – and you will see references to Ukraine everywhere. From the yellow and blue splashed on most walls, to the numerous flags, symbols and memorabilia he personally selected, Ukraine – and the war of survival it's going through – are very much at the forefront of Usyk's mind. 'It's a little difficult to balance things when your family is in Kyiv,' the WBA, WBC and WBO heavyweight champion told CNN Sports. Throughout the day, CNN witnesses him interacting with his two sons – hugging them, sharing jokes and even playing a little bit of soccer. They joined him at his training camp and, here, he knows they are safe. But some of his family have stayed behind in Ukraine. 'My two daughters and my wife,' he said. 'But I just know that my Ukrainian people and my Ukrainian soldiers will protect them.' When he's not preparing for a fight, Usyk himself spends most of his time at the family home in Kyiv, so he knows all too well what his family is going through every night, as Russian drones and bombs continue to batter cities around the country. He avoids the news as he tries to stay focused on his training, explaining it 'would be a distraction.' Still, the connections he's made in the military – he joined Ukraine's Territorial Defense Forces when Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022 and has visited the frontlines on several occasions – means he's immediately updated when something serious happens. 'The guys who are defending my country are on the front,' Usyk explained to CNN. 'I have information that is sent to me. When things are dangerous, they tell me.' They also share Ukraine's successes, like the daring drone strikes the nation carried out on Russian air bases deep within the country. 'I would like to express my deep gratitude to Vasyl Vasyliovych (Malyuk, head of Ukraine's Security Services [SBU]) – boss, great job,' he said, with a grin, beating his chest with his clenched fist. He added that he's messaged the SBU chief as well. But while a 'distraction' from training is what Usyk wants to avoid as he prepares to unify the world heavyweight title for the second time in his career against Great Britain's Daniel Dubois on July 19, distractions from the grueling and bloody battles at the front are a welcome break and exactly what his fellow soldiers need to take their minds away from the war. 'We try not to talk about the scary things they do to defend our country. What is happening there, what kind of shelling is happening, how they are being attacked, how they are heroically defending our country,' Usyk explained. 'They're more interested in what I'm doing. When I ask them questions, they say, 'Wait, wait, wait. Tell us about yourself, what's going on with you?'' 'At that moment, I show them videos of our training sessions,' he added. Those moments are small respite for those fighting to defend Ukrainian sovereignty, roughly three years and three months after Moscow's armies marched on Ukraine. But for the soldiers and Usyk, the war began long before with the annexation of his home in Crimea in 2014, just one year after he became a professional boxer. The war, he admitted to CNN Sports, has played a defining role in his development as an athlete. 'I think that, in a way, it motivated me to do something for my country,' he said, adding that he's not just fighting for himself. He's also used his platform to fundraise for Ukraine and frequently addresses the war and other issues facing his country on his social media accounts, advocating for his country and his people. To that end, he has also pleaded with US President Donald Trump for more support, offering to host him at his family home, so he can experience what it's like to live as Ukrainians do, under the threat of constant bombardment and air raids. A post shared by CNN (@cnn) Yet despite all of his work outside the ring, he has remained an undefeated 23-0 in his career with 14 wins coming by way of knockout. And he is confident he'll keep up his perfect record against Dubois at Wembley Stadium too. 'How confident am I? One hundred percent. 100,000,000%,' he told CNN Sports. 'It's difficult (to tune out the war), but I can switch off to do my job so that I can help my country more later on.'
