Frank Warren hopes Daniel Dubois faces Oleksandr Usyk in unification bout
Daniel Dubois could face Oleksandr Usyk in a heavyweight unification bout at Wembley in July, with promoter Frank Warren crossing his fingers the fight goes ahead.
Oleksandr Usyk Sport News
Usyk, Dubois in talks over heavyweight unification bout, say reports
Ukraine's world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk and Britain's IBF champion Daniel Dubois are in talks to face each other in a unification bout, British media reported on Tuesday.
No ring return for Tyson Fury, says promoter Bob Arum
Promoter Bob Arum does not think Tyson Fury will return to the ring after the former world champion announced his retirement in January.
Usyk to fight Dubois for heavyweight boxing title on July 12 at Wembley Stadium – media
Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk and British professional boxer Daniel Dubois are in the process of finalizing a deal for a heavyweight championship rematch on July 12 at Wembley Stadium in London, in what will be the athletes’ second fight, Ring Magazine reports.
Patriotic fervor the spur for Ukrainian boxing legend Usyk
PARIS: Ukraine’s boxing icon Oleksandr Usyk told AFP he will stay in the sport “a little longer” so he can provide “financial support to our army and civilians” and achieve his sporting goal of once again being undisputed heavyweight world champion. The 38-year-old, who holds all the belts except the IBF version which belongs to Daniel Dubois, has been galvanized by the war ever since Russia invaded Ukraine in late February 2022, wreaking death and destruction on his compatriots and his homeland. His exploits — two memorable victories over British opponent Tyson Fury plus others over Anthony Joshua and Dubois — have helped keep his beleaguered country very much in people’s minds. In a wide-ranging interview, Usyk said his father, who fought in the Soviet Army, was the seminal influence on his career. He says he has been inspired by “both the heroes of the past and the modern Ukrainian heroes who are now defending our homeland in the armed forces.” “Representing Ukraine on the global sports stage, spreading the truth about the war, and providing financial support to our army and civilians — this is also a powerful motivation for me to stay in professional boxing a little longer,” he said. “I feel great, I’m ready for any opponent and would love to take another shot at becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion again.” Usyk says Fury is the toughest opponent he has faced “for the moment” and added that he expects the unpredictable Briton to return to boxing, although perhaps “in a different role.” Usyk can thank his late father, also called Oleksandr, for his extraordinary resilience in brutal bouts with Fury and twice with Joshua.
’We don’t deserve bonus’: Man City boss Guardiola
LONDON: Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted he and his players do not deserve a bonus even if they salvage their dismal season by winning the Club World Cup. Guardiola’s side are languishing in fifth place in the Premier League and crashed out of the Champions League and League Cup. English champions for the previous four seasons, City could finish without a major trophy for the first time since Guardiola’s maiden season in charge in 2016/17. Their last hope of landing domestic silverware lies in the FA Cup, with a quarter-final tie at Bournemouth looming on Sunday. But even if they win the FA Cup or the Club World Cup in June and July, Guardiola believes City have underachieved so badly that they will not deserve a bonus from the big prize pot on offer at the post-season tournament in the United States. FIFA, the sport’s global governing body, confirmed this week that the Club World Cup winners will earn up to $125 million in prize money, with a total pot of $1 billion going to the 32 participating clubs. “We don’t deserve it this season. We don’t deserve a bonus this season.
Local favorite Mansour ‘Tarzan’ Barnaoui to face American Archie Colgan at PFL Europe in Paris
LONDON: The Professional Fighters League has announced that Paris’s own Mansour “Tarzan” Barnaoui (22-6) will face the undefeated Archie “King” Colgan (11-0) in a clash of the top lightweight contenders looking to stake their claim for title opportunities.
NBA and FIBA explore new European professional basketball league
UAE: The National Basketball Association and International Basketball Federation have announced they will jointly explore a new professional men’s basketball league in Europe.