Boxing News

THERE is plenty that we, as boxing fans, should be grateful for regarding last week’s announcement that heavyweights Joseph Parker and Joe Joyce – ranked fifth and sixth, respectively – are scheduled to fight on September 24 at the Manchester Arena. Firstly, and most obviously, it’s a very intriguing contest between two of the best big men in the world. Nothing is guaranteed, not in boxing, but this should be a good fight. Secondly, the winner will move towards a title shot, one that will have been truly earned. No waiting in line, no looking back, this is a huge statement of intent to get to the front of the queue; kudos to both fighters for that. Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly for the long-term health of the sport, the contest is…

LETTER OF THE WEEK TIME TO BE OPEN WITH SCORING WITH the conclusion of the boxing at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, we are able to reflect positively on some bedazzling bouts. One of the things that I always find fascinating in amateur boxing is that those watching at home are able to see the scores from all five judges after each completed round. This can add some extra excitement to the contest if, for example, it is all level going into the last round and the result is determined on what happens in the final stanza. It got me thinking, what if this was the case in professional boxing? It is strange in a way, although at the same time customary in a sport as unique as boxing, that you do not…

WHAT IS YOUR EARLY PREDICTION FOR JOE JOYCE VS JOSEPH PARKER? Jordan Gill (European featherweight champion) Parker has the experience at a higher level and good boxing ability, but always looks like he could unravel under high pressure. I’d expect Joyce to start fast and probably take a few on the way in early on, but then start to land consistently and break Parker down for a late stoppage. Natasha Jonas (WBO super-welterweight belt-holder) It’s hard to bet against Joyce. Stylistically, he does a lot of things you wouldn’t teach a kid, but he has an engine nobody can deal with. The way he starts round one is the way he starts round 12. But also Joe has never fought anyone like Parker, so it depends which version of Parker turns up. Jake Limond (Super-lightweight prospect) I think Joseph…

1 JOE LOUIS As good a technician as there has ever been, Louis reigned as heavyweight champion from 1937-1949, with 25 defences. He won the title against James J Braddock and defended against the likes of Tommy Farr, Max Schmeling, Billy Conn and “Jersey” Joe Walcott. 2 JOE FRAZIER “Smokin’” Joe became world heavyweight champion in 1968 when knocking out Buster Mathis in 11 rounds before going on to defeat Muhammad Ali in ’71. He would remain champion for five years until running into George Foreman. 3 JOE GANS Known as the “Old Master”, Gans is considered by some the greatest lightweight of all time, having become the first African-American world champion of the 20th century and reigning at lightweight from 1902-1908. 4 JOE WALCOTT Though known as “Jersey” Joe, Walcott was born Arnold Raymond Cream. He…

KERRY DAVIS lost a fight she should have won and was walking through the netball crowds with Delicious Orie. It was day seven of the boxing and Orie had not yet fought; Davis had lost her second fight and was out of the middleweight division. “I have beaten her [Mozambique’s Rady Adosinda Gramane] before,” she said. “It’s not nice losing.” Orie was at her side, offering a shoulder. That’s a part of a fighter that is crucial in boxing, which is, trust me, a team sport at events like the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games. Orie would win that night and win twice on the final weekend to join the list of super-heavyweight champions. He beat the type of men that all heavyweights have to beat at the Commonwealth Games; there is always a…

WEBSITES IT would be impossible to fully understand what is going through Oleksandr Usyk’s mind as he prepares for his rematch with Anthony Joshua next week. His country continues to valiantly defend itself from Vladimir Putin’s invasion, an effort Usyk experienced firsthand when he joined his nation’s armed forces earlier in the year. To have such a burden heading into a fight of this size and importance would drain even the strongest of minds. While we can’t put ourselves in Usyk’s shoes, we can clearly see that his compatriots remain firmly in his thoughts. Uysk’s promoter, Alex Krassyuk, told talkSPORT that the Joshua rematch will be free to watch for all Ukrainian citizens. He went on to explain that Usyk attempted to purchase the broadcast rights for the fight in Ukraine himself so…