1) Tyson Fury (Queensberry) vs Anthony Joshua (Matchroom) They’ve had long enough to make it, but still the all-British heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua escapes us. Perhaps now, though, with Matchroom and Queensberry forced to hold hands by Turki Alalshikh, we are closer than ever to common sense prevailing. Joshua lands his … Read more
By Elliot Worsell WHEN heavyweight Vladimir Virchis turned up in Northern Cyprus in the middle of the afternoon, he was drawn to the azure blue pool, glistening and inviting. The punishing mid-thirties heat led him to discover sun loungers surrounding the pool, seemingly anticipating his arrival. Without anyone to answer to, the Ukrainian did what … Read more
By Matt Christie ONCE upon a time in Saudi Arabia, the man widely regarded as the best heavyweight in the world was almost beaten by a debutant and subsequently had to postpone a fight with his closest rival. Less than two months later in the same Kingdom, a card featuring several other top heavyweights, which … Read more
By Elliot Worsell REGARDLESS of the rights and wrongs, there is something rather beautiful and poetic about Francis Ngannou, a man who this time last year had never had a boxing match, suddenly becoming the most in-demand and interesting heavyweight boxer on the planet. It is, in so many ways, exactly what the heavyweight division … Read more
BRITISH boxing fans are known for their love of a domestic clash; fights where stakes are high and come fight night the atmosphere crackles with anticipation. Yet, in 2023, it was slim pickings, with only Leigh Wood vs. Josh Warrington and two fights between Chris Eubank Jr and Liam Smith the standouts. In addition to … Read more
By Matt Christie Many people who have worked in boxing for a long time will say the sport no longer surprises them. That’s something I can understand but not completely agree with. I’d argue that boxing has the capacity to shock like no other sport, and it’s not always what happens inside the ring that … Read more
Solomon Dacres on the recent showing of his sparring partner, the switch from Matchroom to Queensberry, and his difficult debut for his new promoters. (With Shaun Brown.) BN: What was your immediate reaction to your performance against Michael Webster on November 18? SD: Just thank God I got the win in that one (laughs). It … Read more
Fast and Furious By Declan Taylor Wednesday, 22 November FAST AND FURIOUS Wednesday was a big day for Big John Fury, who admitted a decline in his most feted son, Tyson, while also revealing another of his offspring is ‘in talks’ to fight Roy Jones. When not headbutting perspex or advertising mushroom oil on Instagram, … Read more
It was while shivering in the car park of Düsseldorf International airport, suitcase in hand, protected from the bitter cold by a coat too big for me, that I realised the Daily Mail and the pre-fight backstabbers were wrong and that Tyson Fury, hidden inside his own XXXL coat, was every inch the heavyweight champion … Read more
By Matt Christie EVEN the most hardened fight fan on the planet, one so used to riding the sport’s waves of elation and disappointment they’d grown numb to both, would have been reminded over the last seven days why they fell for boxing’s charms all those years ago. It was a triumphant week. One that … Read more
