Paul sent Perry to the canvas three times before finally ending the fight with a sixth round knockout.

Perry had stepped in after Paul’s intended opponent, Mike Tyson had to pull out due to a medical issue.

The long-retired boxing legend hasn’t had fought in a sanctioned bout since his exit from the sport with a loss to Kevin McBride almost 20 years ago.

Tyson is now 58 years old and an ulcer flare up meant he wasn’t able to face Paul on Saturday night at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.

But Paul still intends to bring Tyson out of retirement to fight him.

Jake Paul issues fresh challenge to Mike Tyson

After the win over Perry, Paul laid out the date for the rescheduled fight and called on Tyson to sign then contract.

“Mike Tyson,” Paul said afterwards, “You’re next.

“Sign the contract,” he continued. “I’m excited for that one, I’m going to go home and prepare for that one. It’s happening, November 15.

“Mike Tyson is training, he’s back, looking crazier than ever. I’m going to get another KO and prove everyone wrong once again. Everyone said I was an idiot for taking this fight, that I was risking it but this is why I’m here, I take big risks.

“Mike, I love you but this is my sport now. You’re a legend, you’re one of the two most famous boxers ever to live, you and Muhammad Ali. It’s an honour to get in the ring with you. I’m so, so honoured; you’re a legend, but I’m going to take your throne.”

Heavily criticised fight

The proposed fight has caused a rift in the world of boxing and has plenty of critics.

Among those is the grandson of Muhammad Ali, Nico Ali Walsh, who feels that Paul is exploiting Tyson’s ego for a payday.

“Mike Tyson is Mike Tyson. He will fight a prime heavyweight. If he was 90 he would do that, that’s his heart,” Walsh told Sky Sports.

“It’s Mike Tyson. He needs to be told when to quit. He won’t be the one to quit.

“I don’t like that fight. I don’t think anyone at that age should be fighting, let alone fighting someone who’s half their age.

“It shows Jake Paul’s character. He has no shame in what he does. He just lives to be viral. He’s just going off whatever will market the best.

“It’s not honourable and it’s not admirable at all. To be able to say I beat Mike Tyson when he’s almost 60 years old – that’s not an accomplishment. It’s not an accomplishment at all.

“I’m fighting for my bloodline and he’s fighting for headlines. That’s the difference between me and him.”

Do you want to see Mike Tyson fight Jake Paul?

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This spectacle divides fan opinion all over the world but these new typeof fighters are making serious money.

The richest YouTube fighters in the world

The team at SportsBoom.com have looked at the highest-earning influencer boxers and ranked them in order of net worth. 

Logan Paul – $45 million net worth 

The top earner of influencer boxers is the older brother of Jake, Logan Paul who is a WWE superstar as well. 

Having fought in four total matches in his boxing career, Logan Paul has won one, drawn two and lost one. 

Logan only boxes on occasion, and also has a huge contract as a Pro Wrestler with WWE, appearing on both Smackdown and Raw. As well as this, he also takes part in huge wrestling events such as Wrestlemania and Royal Rumble. 

He is also an entrepreneur and is a business partner with KSI, a fellow influencer boxing, in which they co-own their own drinks brand Prime, which took the world by storm. 

Jake Paul – $38 million net worth 

The younger brother of Logan Paul, Jake Paul, is the second top earner of influencer boxers. 

The brother’s combined net worth is almost $90 million.

Jake Paul has a more illustrious boxing career than his older brother, having fought the likes of Tommy Fury and Nate Diaz. He’s currently making headlines after revealing he’ll fight the legendary Mike Tyson, which will be live-streamed worldwide on Netflix in July. 

Jake Paul also produces hip-hop music as well as being a boxer and YouTuber, and has attempted to begin an acting career.

KSI – $25 million net worth 

The business partner of Logan Paul with their Prime energy drinks brand, YouTuber KSI, is next on the list of influencer boxers, with a net worth of $25 million. 

KSI’s boxing career has been a popular one, from fighting with his business partner Logan Paul, to recently fighting Tommy Fury, son of famed boxer Tyson Fury. 

KSI also has a music career and a YouTube channel with over 24 million subscribers that he’s been active on since 2008.

Deji – $5 million net worth

Brothers seem to be a common theme on this list, and the younger brother of KSI decided to follow in his brother’s footsteps, firstly on YouTube, and then in boxing. 

Deji’s first fight was a loss against Jake Paul at an amateur level, and since then he’s fought against the likes of Alex Wassabi and even boxing great, Floyd Mayweather. 

Deji claimed “I gave Floyd a black eye”, on Twitter. He lost the fight though.

Slim Albaher – $3 million net worth 

Advertising himself as the ICB and Misfits Boxing champion on his Instagram page, Slim began his YouTube career in 2012 with a daily vlogging channel. 

His posts consist of topics regarding family, faith and sport, alongside pranks and down-to-earth commentaries, which gave him over 600k subscribers. 

He began boxing in 2019 and has fought Fousey, Faze Tempter, and even British DJ Tom Zanetti. 

Promoters announced on Friday that the bout, which had been planned for July 20, will still be contested at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas – home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys.

Paul announced the new date in a posting on X, formerly Twitter, with the message: “New date, same place, same fate.”

Mike Tyson complained about nausea

Tyson, who turns 58 on June 30, required medical treatment on a flight last month from Miami to Los Angeles after complaining of nausea and dizziness.

Organisers said Tyson suffered an “ulcer flare up” and doctors recommended reduced training for several weeks, mandating the postponement.

“Although we had to postpone the fight, I will resume training shortly,” Tyson said.

“I’m thankful to the medical staff that treated me and to MVP, Netflix, and AT&T Stadium for working diligently to find the best reschedule date for all parties.

“While we have a new date, the result will be the same no matter when we fight. Jake Paul is getting knocked out.”

The fight still will be televised by streaming service powerhouse Netflix.

Last pro fight in 2005

The new fight date is on a Friday, which will allow time for the stadium to be reconfigured ahead of the Cowboys playing host to the Houston Texans in a Monday night NFL game on November 18.

Paul, 27, will face Tyson over eight two-minute rounds in a professional fight sanctioned by Texas boxing officials. Tyson’s last prior pro fight was in 2005.

Other fighters, including former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, expressed concerns Tyson might be seriously hurt in the bout but Tyson last month said the decision for a ring return against Paul was a “no-brainer.”

Tyson dominated the heavyweight division in the 1980s and 1990s, earning the tag as the “baddest man on the planet” in his prime.

Tyson, 57, needed medical treatment on board a flight from Miami to Los Angeles on Sunday after complaining of nausea and dizziness in an incident that came just under two months away from his July 20 fight with Paul in Texas.

Mike Tyson suffered an ‘ulcer flare up’

Fight organisers said in a statement on Friday that Tyson had been advised to do only minimal training in the coming weeks following a follow-up with doctors on Thursday, revealing the boxer had been struggling with an “ulcer flare up.”

“The recommendation is for Mike Tyson to do minimal to light training over the next few weeks and then return to full training with no limitations,” the statement said.

“Both Mike and Jake are in agreement that it is only fair to ensure that both athletes have equal training time to prepare for this important match and are able to compete at the highest level.

“The health and well-being of athletes is our top priority, and we fully support Mike in taking the necessary time to allow him to perform at the level he expects of himself.”

The statement said a new date for the fight, which is to be carried live by streaming giant Netflix, would be announced by June 7.

Tyson, who on Tuesday insisted he felt “100%” despite Sunday’s health drama insisted he would be in prime condition when his showdown with Paul eventually goes ahead.

“I want to thank my fans around the world for their support and understanding during this time,” Tyson said in a statement.

“Unfortunately, due to my ulcer flare up, I have been advised by my doctor to lighten my training for a few weeks to rest and recover.

“My body is in better overall shape than it has been since the 1990s and I will be back to my full training schedule soon.

“Jake Paul, this may have bought you some time, but in the end you will still be knocked out and out of boxing for good.”

Eight two-minute rounds

Paul meanwhile said he backed the fight’s postponement.

“I fully support postponing the event so Mike Tyson has no excuses come fight night,” Paul said.

Tyson, who turns 58 in June, had been due to face the 27-year-old Paul in a professional bout comprising eight two-minute rounds that has been sanctioned by boxing authorities in Texas.

However several members of the boxing community, including former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, had voiced reservations about the fight, expressing concern Tyson could be hurt.

Tyson shrugged off the misgivings at a press conference earlier this month, describing his decision to return to the ring as a “no-brainer.”

“I’m beautiful, that’s all I can say,” Tyson said.

“The people who said that wish that they were up here. No one else can do this.”

Tyson, who terrorised the heavyweight division in the 1980s and 1990s as the self-styled “baddest man on the planet”, last fought as a professional in 2005.

By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse

Britain’s Fury was the early aggressor but Usyk gradually took charge and the “Gypsy King” was saved by the bell in the ninth round before slumping to his first career defeat.

Tyson Fury lost for the first time in his career

Ukraine’s Usyk, who remains undefeated, joins the likes of Muhammad Ali, Joe Louis and Mike Tyson as undisputed heavyweight champion, the first since boxing recognised four major belts in the 2000s.

With the win, the former undisputed cruiserweight champion can legitimately claim to be the best of this heavyweight era, although a rematch expected in October could provide another twist.

“It is a big opportunity for me, for my family, for my country,” said Usyk, 37, who briefly served as a soldier after the Russian invasion.

“It’s a great time, a great day,” he said, adding that he was “ready for a rematch”.

Fury called it a “fantastic fight with Oleksandr”.

“I believe I won that fight, I believe he won a few of the rounds, but I won the majority of them,” he said.

“You know his country is at war, so people are siding with the country at war but make no mistake, I won that fight in my opinion and I will be back.”

Britain’s Lennox Lewis was the last man to unify the heavyweight belts – three at the time – after beating Evander Holyfield in 1999.

Fired-up Fury

Two judges scored it for Usyk by scores of 115-112 and 114-113 while the third gave it to Fury 114-113.

The victory extended Usyk’s professional record to 22-0.

After his first loss, Fury stands at 34-1-1.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, leading the war effort against Russia for more than two years, posted on social media: “Ukrainians hit hard! And in the end, all our opponents will be defeated.”

Usyk, who adds Fury’s WBC belt to his IBF, WBA and WBO titles, looks set to go down as one of the greats after dominating at amateur, cruiserweight and now the top division.

A fired-up Tyson Fury came running out of his corner to start the fight and the 6-foot-9 man (2.06m) man was quickly into his rhythm, keeping the shorter Usyk back with his jab and playing to the crowd.

Usyk got inside with some quick combinations while Fury landed some heavy body shots. By round four, the Mancunian was taunting his ever-advancing opponent and showboating, guard down.

Usyk called two low shots in round five and got caught with a left hook as Fury continued to look comfortable, landing a telling uppercut in the following round and bobbing and weaving to stay out of range.

But the Ukrainian tagged Fury with two clean lefts in the seventh and landed a punishing hook that dazed the “Gypsy King” in the eighth.

By the next round, a relentless Usyk barrage had Fury in serious trouble and the wobbling, bleeding Mancunian took a standing count before being saved by the bell.

Fury recovered his poise and with the match in the balance heading into the final round, both fighters were finding the target.

Ronaldo, Neymar

Wladimir Klitschko was among the legends watching along with Saudi-based football stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar, who like boxing are grateful beneficiaries of the oil-rich monarchy’s lavish push into sports.

Riyadh’s newly built, 22 000-capacity Kingdom Arena was packed when Usyk strode out for his ringwalk at 01:30 wearing a green cossack coat and fur hat.

Tyson Fury followed, dancing to Barry White and Bonny Tyler’s “Holding out for a Hero” in a green sleeveless jacket and back-to-front baseball cap.

It set the stage for a clash of two fighters with impeccable pedigrees and very different approaches to the sport.

Fury has had a rollercoaster career, with lows including a two-year, backdated drug ban and struggles with alcohol, cocaine and depression.

Fury had shed 15 pounds from his last outing when, sluggish and out of shape, he was knocked down by ex-MMA fighter Francis Ngannou en route to a split decision in October.

Usyk, by contrast, has been the model of consistency with a career that was always on the rise.

The 37-year-old from Simferopol in Crimea put together an outstanding amateur record, winning European and world titles and Olympic gold in 2012.

After turning pro, he unified the cruiserweight belts in 15 fights before moving up to heavyweight, where he took three belts from Anthony Joshua in 2021 and won their rematch the following year.

By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse

The ever-bubbling alphabet soup of boxing sanctioning bodies – the winner in Riyadh becoming the first four-belt heavyweight champion – means that becoming, and remaining, undisputed champion requires not just skill and toughness in the ring, but acumen outside it.

Usyk joined a select group.

Blow, a closer look at six of the undisputed best.

Who is the greatest boxer you’ve ever seen?

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Below, six of the undisputed best.

Jack Dempsey (Undisputed champion from January 1921 to September 1926, 3 defences)

The hard-hitting and aggressive Jack Dempsey became the first official world champion at the start of 1921 when the American National Boxing Association and the powerful New York State Athletic Commission agreed to recognise a world champion.

The “Manassa Mauler”, with a right nicknamed “Iron Mike” and a left hook dubbed “Big Bertha” had become ‘lineal’ world champion, in boxing parlance “Beating The Man to become The Man” when he bludgeoned Jess Willard in 1919.

But the newly-minted official status helped turn his first sanctioned defence, against Frenchman Georges Carpentier, into the first “million-dollar fight”.

He defended his title twice more, before losing twice to Gene Tunney and retiring.

Joe Louis (June 1937 to March 1949, 26 defences)

After the first African American heavyweight champion, Jack Johnson lost to Willard in 1915, no black boxer fought for the title until 1937, because Joe Louis, who had just lost to Max Schmeling was a more palatable challenger for Cinderella Man James Braddock’s title than the German. 

Louis knocked out Braddock to claim a title he held for record 26 defences over more than 12 years. 

The most famous was the first-round revenge demolition of Schmeling at Yankee Stadium in 1938.

Louis was smart, calm, technically sound, and packed a ferocious punch.

“Everyone has a plan until they’ve been hit,” he said.

Rocky Marciano (September 1952 to April 1956, 6 defences)

After war service, an undistinguished amateur career and a baseball tryout with the Chicago Cubs, the boxer, who changed his name from Rocco Marchegiano, turned professional just before his 25th birthday in 1948.

He fought 49 times as a pro, winning every fight, 43 of them by knockout.

Only 5-foot-10, Marciano was relentless, resilient and a thunderous puncher.

He was 29 when he got his title shot, flooring Jersey Joe Walcott in the last round with a straight right: his “Suzie Q”.

Having pummelled an ageing Louis on his way up, knocked out the 39-year-old Walcott in the first round of their rematch, Marciano quit for good at 32 after stopping 42-year-old Archie Moore.

Muhammad Ali (February to September 1964, February to April 1967, October 1974 to February 1978, 10 unified defences)

The Greatest only fails to match Louis for total defences because he was effectively banned from boxing from March 1967 to October 1970, for his opposition to the military draft.

The Louisville Lip, who later declared “I’m so mean, I make medicine sick”, had already upset the American establishment by changing his “white man’s name”, Cassius Clay.

After toppling Sonny Liston to win the title at 22 in 1962, he lost his undisputed status for taking a rematch with Liston. 

Ali defended his remaining titles seven times, before reunifying the division in 1966 against Ernie Terrell.

At 25 he was banned. Ali was 29 by the time he got his crack at regaining his world titles, against Joe Frazier in 1971, but suffered his first loss.

It took until 1974, and his victory over George Foreman in the “Rumble in the Jungle”, a fight that highlighted Ali’s craft, cunning and courage, to reclaim his crowns.

He lost his titles to Leon Spinks in 1978, won some of them back in a rematch seven months later, but, aged 38, lost a reunification bout to Larry Holmes in 1980. 

By then Ali had won over all but his most determined critics.

Joe Frazier (February 1970 to January 1973, 4 defences)

Joe Frazier’s often electrifying trilogy against Ali was boxing box office as two greats, with contrasting styles and personalities and opposing political views went toe-to-toe.

“Smokin’ Joe” preferred close-quarters attack, but his constant bobbing made him hard to hit.

In their opener, “The Fight of the Century” – a gruelling 15-rounder – he decked Ali with the devastating left hook he called his “heat-seeking missile”.

By the rematch in 1974, George Foreman had taken Frazier’s title.

Ali not only floated like a butterfly but clinched like a crab and won on points.

In the 1975 “Thrilla in Manilla” Ali unleashed a merciless barrage in the 13th.

The referee stopped the fight in the next round.

Frazier, 30 at the time of that bout, only fought twice more.

Mike Tyson (August 1987 to February 1990, 6 defences)

By the time he was 13, Mike Tyson had been arrested 38 times.

In 1986, at the age of 20 years and 4 months, he was the youngest heavyweight champion in history.

Even though he was only 5-foot-10 his approach was vicious intimidation.

He won his first 19 professional fights by knockout.

Smart but troubled, his wild lifestyle took a toll.

He was ambushed by Buster Douglas in 1990.

Although he regained two belts in 1996, he immediately lost to Evander Holyfield.

At his brief, snarling, sneering peak, Tyson lived up to his billing as the “baddest man on the planet”.

By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse

South Africans have been among the greats to be heavyweight champion of the world.

South Africa’s four heavyweight champions of the world

1 Gerrie Coetzee (WBA Champion 23 September 1983 – 1 December 1984)

In 1983, Gerrie Coetzee became the first South African to win a Heavyweight title in what was his fourth title fight.

Coetzee was not expected to get one over on the Don King-Promoted Michael Dokes, but he dominated the fight before scoring a tenth-round knockout.

The knockout punch might have dealt more damage to Coetzee than to Dokes with the South African bruiser requiring surgery and struggling with the injured hand for years.

Coetzee lost the title in a controversial knockout defeat to Gary Page at Sun City a year later.

2 Corrie Sanders (WBU Champion 15 November 1997 – 20 May 2000) and (WBO Champion 8 March 2003 – December 2003)

Sanders is the only South African heavyweight to successfully defend his title on more than one occasion. He is also the only South African heavyweight to hold more than one world championship belt.

‘The Sniper’ won the WBO heavyweight title in 2003 after knocking out Wladimir Klitschko in two rounds, in a massive upset. He would vacate the title in a bid to claim the WBC title off of Vitali Klitschko but fell short in his bid to be a triple world champion.

In 1997 he beat Ross Puritty at the Carousel Casino in Hammanskraal to win the WBU title which he defended in fights against Bobby Czyz, Jorge Valdes and Al Cole before dropping the belt to Hasim Rahman in Atlantic City in 2000. 

3 Mike Bernardo (WBF Champion 12 May 2000 – May 2002)

Also a renowned kickboxer Bernardo made his professional boxing debut on 28 February 1993, against countryman Delius Musemwa, scoring a second-round knockout.

Bernardo won the vacant WBF title against Dan Jerling by knocking out the Czechoslovakian fighter in the sixth round in Szekszárd, Hungary.

In his only defence of the title, Bernardo knocked out American Peter McNeely in just 41 seconds. The WBF stripped Bernado of the title for failure to defend the belt in May 2002.

4 Francois Botha (WBF Champion 6 February 2009 – 10 April 2010)

On 6 February 2009, Frans ‘The White Buffalo’ Botha beat Ron ‘Rocky’ Guerrero by unanimous decision to claim the vacant WBF heavyweight title at the Tlokwe Banquet Hall in Potchefstroom.

Botha had returned to boxing two years earlier with a unanimous decision victory over Bob Mirovic.

It was the second time that Botha had won a world title fight but his victory in 1995 against Germany’s Axel Schulz to win the IBF heavyweight Championship was declared a no-contest retrospectively after the fighter tested positive for nandrolone.

At a press conference in New York to promote his upcoming bout against YouTuber-turned-fighter Jake Paul, Tyson admitted training for his return had taken a toll.

‘Baddest man on the planet’

“I’m doing great but my body is shit right now, I’m sore, I’m really sore,” said Tyson, who faces Paul on July 20 at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, that is home to the Dallas Cowboys NFL team.

But the boxer who terrorised the heavyweight division in the 1980s and 1990s as the self-styled “baddest man on the planet” insisted he had no reservations about lacing up his gloves again, nearly two decades after his last professional fight in 2005.

“It was a no-brainer,” said Tyson.

“He’s a new up-and-coming guy on the scene. And I like shaking the sports world to its core and I am doing it now. It’s just something that I want to do.”

Tyson, who turns 58 in June, takes on the 27-year-old Paul in a professional bout comprising eight two-minute rounds that has been sanctioned by boxing authorities in Texas.

However several members of the boxing community, including former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, have voiced reservations about the fight, expressing concern Tyson could be hurt.

Tyson dismissed the doubters though when asked for his response on Monday.

“I’m beautiful, that’s all I can say,” Tyson said.

“The people who said that wish that they were up here. No one else can do this.”

‘I can outbox Mike Tyson’

Paul meanwhile said he is ready to deal with Tyson’s experience and power.

“A lot of people are doubting me,” Paul said.

“I see the comments, saying, ‘if Jake wins this fight it’s rigged’ because of how incredible he looks. Age doesn’t matter.

“He’s a killer. He’s a warrior. He’s been doing this his whole life so it’s second nature to him. I’ve only been doing this for four years and at a super high level.

“On July 20, I’m going to show the world that I can outbox Mike Tyson and prove everyone wrong, and show that I’m going to be the one doing the killing.”

Tyson meanwhile said he held no animosity towards his much younger opponent.

“I really like Jake a lot. But once he’s in that ring, he has to fight like his life is depending on it, because it will be,” Tyson quipped.

The former heavyweight icon even refused to rule out further fights down the line.

“Maybe we’ll do it again,” Tyson said.

“But can I take care of Jake first, please?”

By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse

Alvarez knocked Munguia down in the fourth round but wouldn’t finish him off as the bout went the distance.

Canelo floors Jaime Munguia 

‘Canelo’ felled his fellow Mexican opponent with a huge uppercut before winning on the scorecards with scores of 117-110, 116-111, and 115-112 to retain his undisputed super-middleweight world championship. 

Munguia came out of the gate hot in this one and was able to force Alvarez back against the ropes at several instances in the early going.

However that all came to a screeching halt when ‘Canelo’ unloaded the jolting shot in the fourth round that dropped Munguia heavily to the canvas.

From that moment on the superior power and precision of ‘Canelo’ was on show.

He took command of the fight, punishing Munguia with crisp combinations and ensuring the judges noted his dominance over the remaining rounds.

To Munguia’s great credit, he stayed in the bout and even managed a flurry of offence in the ninth round that once again backed Alvarez into the ropes.

However it wasn’t enough as a strong finish from ‘Canelo’ ensured that he added another dominant title defence to his incredible career record.

Alvarez gave credit to his opponent and picked him to go on to have a great career in the ring.

‘I can do what I want’

He appeared to take shots at critics who suggested that Munguia didn’t deserve a shot at his title.

“I’ve fought everyone and I can do what I want,” he said.

“This win means a lot. I’m glad that I gave him this opportunity.

“Munguia is a great guy and a great champion. He’s going to have a great career. I’m very proud that all the Mexicans are here watching us.”

Munguia gives up his unbeaten career record to date as a result of the loss and he admitted that it stung.

“I came out strong and was winning the early rounds,” said Munguia, who lost his unbeaten record.

“I let my hands go, but he’s a fighter with a lot of experience. The loss hurts because it’s my first loss and I felt strong.”

Alvarez is esteemed in the top five pound-for-pound fighters in the world and secured his 61st career win in his 65th fight.

He has earmarked 2027 as the year he intends to hang up his gloves for good.

He was 57.

On Tuesday evening Nando’s posted an image of boxing gloves on social media with the words ‘To a lightweight champ with a heavyweight legacy. Lala ngoxolo’.

Lala ngoxolo is Xhosa for ‘Rest in Peace’.

Nando’s also added the hashtag #RIPDingaanThobela and added a red rose in reference to Thobela’s nickname of the ‘Rose of Soweto’.

Dingaan Thobela competed professionally between 1990 and 2006.

Thobela was a world champion in two weight classes, having held the WBO lightweight title from 1990 to 1992, the WBA lightweight in 1993, and the WBC super-middleweight title in 2000.

Tributes soon streamed in for Thobela as news spread of his tragic passing.

You can add your condolences below by clicking on the comment tab below this article or by emailing info@thesouthafrican.com or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1

DID YOU KNOW: Nando’s is a South African multinational fast casual chain that specialises in Portuguese flame-grilled peri-peri style chicken.

It was founded in Rosettenville in Johannesburg in 1987 by Portugal-born Fernando Duarte and South Africa-born Robert Brozin.

Upon visiting a Portuguese-Mozambican takeaway named Chickenland and trying the chicken with peri peri, the pair bought the restaurant for about R80 000.

They renamed the restaurant Nando’s after Fernando’s first-born son.

Nando’s operates over 1 200 outlets in 30 countries.

Their logo depicts the Rooster of Barcelos, one of Portugal’s most common symbols.

‘Rose of Soweto’

After compiling an amateur record of 80-3, Thobela, known as “The Rose of Soweto”, turned pro in 1986 and won the WBO lightweight title in 1990 after beating Mauricio Aceves.

After defending the belt three times, he relinquished the title and then challenged WBA lightweight title holder Tony Lopez in 1993, but lost a hotly disputed decision.

Later that year he rematched Lopez and won a decision to win the title.

Battling to make the weight, he lost the title in his first defence to Orzubek Nazarov, and lost a rematch to Nazarov in 1994.

He stopped WBF junior welterweight champion Kenny Vice in a non-title fight shortly after that.

Dingaan Thobela later moved up significantly in weight class, and in the twilight of his career in 2000 took on WBC super middleweight title holder Glenn Catley, winning the belt via a 12th-round KO in only his second fight at the higher weight limit.

He again lost the title in his first defence to Dave Hilton Jr via controversial split decision.

The loss to Hilton was the beginning of the end for Thobela, who lost his next five fights, including a TKO loss to Eric Lucas for the WBC super middleweight title in 2001 as well as later champions Mikkel Kessler and Lucian Bute.

Thobela returned to the ring at the age of 40 and after an absence of nearly two years on 27 October 2006 when he challenged Soon Botes for the South African light heavyweight title at the Wembley Indoor Arena in Johannesburg. 

He had defeated Botes back in 2000 to win the South African Super middleweight title.

Many were surprised that the bout was sanctioned as Thobela failed to make the weight and his inactivity and age.

Although Thobela dropped Botes he did not come out for the 10th round.

Dingaan Thobela’s final professional fight record read 56 fights, 40 wins, 14 defeats and two draws.

DINGAAN THOBELA PROFESSIONAL FIGHT RECORD

As sadly reported by The South African website, Thobela died on 29 April 2024.

He was 57.

Thobela was a world champion in two weight classes, having held the WBO lightweight title from 1990 to 1992, the WBA lightweight in 1993, and the WBC super-middleweight title in 2000.

Tributes soon streamed in for Thobela as news spread of his tragic passing.

You can add your condolences below by clicking on the comment tab below this article or by emailing info@thesouthafrican.com or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1

‘Rose of Soweto’

After compiling an amateur record of 80-3, Thobela, known as “The Rose of Soweto”, turned pro in 1986 and won the WBO lightweight title in 1990 after beating Mauricio Aceves.

After defending the belt three times, he relinquished the title and then challenged WBA lightweight title holder Tony Lopez in 1993, but lost a hotly disputed decision.

Later that year he rematched Lopez and won a decision to win the title.

Battling to make the weight, he lost the title in his first defence to Orzubek Nazarov, and lost a rematch to Nazarov in 1994.

He stopped WBF junior welterweight champion Kenny Vice in a non-title fight shortly after that.

Dingaan Thobela later moved up significantly in weight class, and in the twilight of his career in 2000 took on WBC super middleweight title holder Glenn Catley, winning the belt via a 12th-round KO in only his second fight at the higher weight limit.

He again lost the title in his first defence to Dave Hilton Jr via controversial split decision.

The loss to Hilton was the beginning of the end for Thobela, who lost his next five fights, including a TKO loss to Eric Lucas for the WBC super middleweight title in 2001 as well as later champions Mikkel Kessler and Lucian Bute.

Thobela returned to the ring at the age of 40 and after an absence of nearly two years on 27 October 2006 when he challenged Soon Botes for the South African light heavyweight title at the Wembley Indoor Arena in Johannesburg. 

He had defeated Botes back in 2000 to win the South African Super middleweight title.

Many were surprised that the bout was sanctioned as Thobela failed to make the weight and his inactivity and age.

Although Thobela dropped Botes he did not come out for the 10th round.

Dingaan Thobela’s final professional fight record read 56 fights, 40 wins, 14 defeats and two draws.

DINGAAN THOBELA PROFESSIONAL FIGHT RECORD

He was a world champion in two weight classes, having held the WBO lightweight title from 1990 to 1992, the WBA lightweight in 1993, and the WBC super-middleweight title in 2000.

As sadly reported by The South African website, Thobela died on 29 April 2024 at the age of 57.

Tributes soon streamed in for Thobela as news spread of his tragic passing.

‘Rose of Soweto’

After compiling an amateur record of 80-3, Thobela, known as “The Rose of Soweto”, turned pro in 1986 and won the WBO lightweight title in 1990 after beating Mauricio Aceves.

After defending the belt three times, he relinquished the title and then challenged WBA lightweight title holder Tony Lopez in 1993, but lost a hotly disputed decision.

Later that year he rematched Lopez and won a decision to win the title.

Battling to make the weight, he lost the title in his first defence to Orzubek Nazarov, and lost a rematch to Nazarov in 1994.

He stopped WBF junior welterweight champion Kenny Vice in a non-title fight shortly after that.

Thobela later moved up significantly in weight class, and in the twilight of his career in 2000 took on WBC super middleweight title holder Glenn Catley, winning the belt via a 12th-round KO in only his second fight at the higher weight limit.

He again lost the title in his first defence to Dave Hilton Jr via controversial split decision.

The loss to Hilton was the beginning of the end for Thobela, who lost his next five fights, including a TKO loss to Eric Lucas for the WBC super middleweight title in 2001 as well as later champions Mikkel Kessler and Lucian Bute.

Thobela returned to the ring at the age of 40 and after an absence of nearly two years on 27 October 2006 when he challenged Soon Botes for the South African light heavyweight title at the Wembley Indoor Arena in Johannesburg. 

He had defeated Botes back in 2000 to win the South African Super middleweight title.

Many were surprised that the bout was sanctioned as Thobela failed to make the weight and his inactivity and age.

Although Thobela dropped Botes he did not come out for the 10th round.

Dingaan Thobela’s final professional fight record read 56 fights, 40 wins, 14 defeats and two draws.

DINGAAN THOBELA PROFESSIONAL FIGHT RECORD

Attempts to reach Thobela on Monday were unsuccessful

A report by Sowetan revealed that authorities found the 57-year-old Thobela dead in his flat in Mayfair, Johannesburg, on Monday evening after he had battled illness.

His childhood friend Eddie Mutungutungu confirmed the death of Thobela. 

HIS FAMILY GAINED ACCESS TO HIS FLAT AND FOUND HIM 

He said his family gained access to his flat after several unsuccessful attempts to contact Thobela. 

“He was strangely unavailable on his mobile, and his family, accompanied by police, managed to gain access to his place of residence and found he had passed on,”

Mutungutungu told Sowetan.

HE HAD BEEN UNWELL FOR SOME TIME 

The report furthermore stated that Thobela and his common-law wife, Sandra, had separated.

They had two children together, Ntombi and Dingaan Thobela Junior. 

It is believed that he had been unwell. His poor health prevented him from attending Boxing SA’s symposium at the Arena Holdings offices in Parktown last Friday.

HIS POOR HEALTH PREVENTED HIM FROM ATTENDING BOXING SA’S SYMPOSIUM 

According to Mabaleng Sports Center, Thobela is a South African former professional boxer who competed between 1990 and 2006. 

He is a world champion in two weight classes, having held the WBO lightweight title from 1990 to 1992, the WBA lightweight in 1993, and the WBC super-middleweight title in 2000.”

THOBELA WAS A WORLD CHAMPION IN TWO WEIGHT CLASSES 

Thobela enjoyed SA support beyond colour lines, as his victories outside SA brought traffic to a standstill and caused wild celebrations in townships.

In 2015, the Hawks arrested Thobela over his funeral parlour business. 

According to an article by TimesLive, authorities arrested him for allegedly contravening the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act.

THIS SA CHAMPION HAD SOME ISSUES WITH THE LAW 

According to a SAPS statement‚ he stands accused of failing to register his funeral company as a financial service advisor entity as required by law.

Known as one of South Africa’s best boxers‚ Thobela has been running his Rose Funeral Parlour for many years‚ at least since the late 1990s.

TWO WEEKS AGO, JOSEPH MAKARINGE ALSO PASSED AWAY 

Meanwhile, just two weeks ago, Joseph Makaringe – the former SA welterweight champion – passed away after a short illness.

A report by SuperSport states he passed away at the Charlotte Maxeke Hospital in Johannesburg.

He was 49 years old.

The South African website extends its condolences to the family and friends of Dingaan Thobela.

Bids – including the latest for $3.8 million – have been rolling in since late March for the Everlast-brand shorts, which are white with black stripes and are signed by Ali.

The auction is open until April 12.

The sale comes as Sotheby’s is auctioning off a slew of sports lots, including a uniform from NBA star Victor Wembanyama.

Despite a growing interest in historic sporting items, Sotheby’s said that, as of Thursday, the minimum price agreed to by the seller of Ali’s shorts has not yet been reached.

Sotheby’s estimates the shorts could eventually fetch $4-6 million.

Ali’s 1975 “Thrilla in Manila” fight against Joe Frazier was held in the Philippines and followed his “Rumble in the Jungle” bout in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (then called Zaire) the year before.

Ali’s fight in the Philippines went to 14 rounds before Frazier’s coach threw in the towel.

Muhammad Ali was born Cassius Clay

“It was like death. Closest thing to dying that I know of,” Ali said of the fight, which was held amid stifling heat and humidity, with temperatures heightened by TV lights.

Ali, born Cassius Clay in the southeastern state of Kentucky, is known as both a sporting great and for his role in fighting for civil rights for African Americans. He died in 2016.

Also for sale is a raft of NBA jerseys, including French player Wembanyama’s complete uniform from an exhibition game held earlier this year.

Interest in the game day goods also apparently extends to items from Wembanyama’s locker – including a chair, water bottles and a towel.

For those who don’t have the cash for the jersey – estimated to sell for $80 000 to $120 000 – the locker contents are estimated to go for $5 000 to $7 000.

By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse

Joshua had his Cameroonian opponent on the canvas in the first round and twice more in the second in a brutal and brief exhibition of punching power.

Ngannou, 37, a former UFC heavyweight champion, was taking part in only his second professional boxing match, having lost a split decision to Tyson Fury in an October fight that saw him put the WBC champion on the canvas in the third round.

“I thought this fight was something for the broadcasters to get behind,” Joshua told DAZN after his quickfire victory.

“When I saw the fight with Tyson Fury, I thought, ‘I want some of that’. He is a great champion and this doesn’t take anything away from his capabilities.

“I told (Ngannou) not to leave boxing. He’s two fights in and he fought the best.”

Anthony Joshua, a former unified WBO, WBA and IBF heavyweight champion, went into the fight on the back of three successive wins.

Before that, however, he lost back-to-back fights to Oleksandr Usyk, who will take on Fury for the undisputed heavyweight title in Saudi Arabia in May.

The fight only got under way at 3:30 am local time (0030 GMT), but weary fans enjoyed a sensational start when Joshua quickly sent Ngannou to the canvas in the opening round with a brutal right to the chin.

It got worse for the Cameroonian when he was knocked down again in the second round, just managing to beat the count.

His resistance lasted only a few more moments after he was sent to the canvas again for the third and final time.

‘Sitting duck’

Ngannou lay on his back for some time and needed medical treatment inside the ring before being helped back to his stool.

Joshua, 34, was reportedly being paid $50 million for his clash with the MMA star, whose rags-to-riches story had captivated the sport.

Ngannou grew up in abject poverty, working as a child labourer in a sand quarry for under $2 a day.

He then made his way to Europe, even sleeping rough in a car park in Paris before a local coach took him under his wing and steered him to boxing.

Anthony Joshua’s victory immediately sparked feverish talk of a mega-fight with either Usyk or Fury.

“You’re looking at the number one heavyweight in the world,” said promoter Eddie Hearn.

“On this form, there is no man that can beat him. Tyson Fury, please beat Usyk, because you will get the biggest fight in the history of the sport.

“He destroyed Francis Ngannou. He’s a beast and I cannot wait for him to beat Tyson Fury.”

Joshua’s trainer Ben Davison told the BBC that “the only way to find out who is the best is to get the winner of Fury and Usyk. That’s the only thing that makes sense.”

However, not every ringside observer was impressed with the brief flurry of brutality.

“That highlighted what happens when a world class heavyweight has a free shot on a sitting duck,” Boxing News editor Matt Christie wrote on social media platform X.

“Hopefully no need to see that kind of fight again.”

He may get his wish, as Ngannou is scheduled to return to MMA later in the year.

By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse

Cameroon-born Ngannou made his professional boxing debut in October when he knocked down WBC champion Tyson Fury from England before losing a close decision.

The winner of Joshua vs Ngannou is then expected to take on the winner of Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk (postponed to 18 May) to take the mantle of being the undisputed heavyweight champion.

Ngannou certain he had won fight against Fury

Ahead of Friday’s bout, the ex-mixed martial arts fighter told BBC Sport that he felt he had had a good fight against Fury and was surprised by his split decision points defeat.

“The information that I had from my corner, that was the first information that I had about me winning the fight,” Ngannou said.

“After that, I started processing what happened in the fight and was certain that I won the fight.”

“So after that, I was like, those judges will never judge my fights again; otherwise, we’re calling out that fight. In fact, it doesn’t matter what happened that night; people recognise that I did a good job.”

The ‘Underground King’

On Friday, Ngannou will be up against a seasoned boxer looking to return to the top of the heavyweight division. Joshua won all three of his fights in 2023, including a fifth-round stoppage of Otto Wallin in December.

Asked if he thought he could defeat Joshua, Ngannou said he is confident he can find a way.

“I’m Francis Ngannou!” he said, laughing. “I’m the Underground King. One thing I’m good at – I might not be a champion in boxing, but I’m a life champion.”

“I’m pretty good at finding my way, doing my thing. It always works out for me.”

“We are in the heavyweight division, and everybody here can knock everybody out. But if I land a straight, clean shot, he’s not taking it,” Ngannou added.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY NICK PAWSON

Ouch!

VIDEO | Jennifer Aniston ‘doesn’t recognise’ David Schwimmer in Super Bowl advert – WATCH

At the height of his career, the boxing icon was banking hundreds of millions of dollars from fights against the likes of Irish MMA star Conor McGregor and Philippines boxer Manny Pacquiao – among others.

In his heyday, his tax bill would have been far bigger than it is now!

However, even in retirement Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather is still making … money.

And lots of it.

He runs several businesses, owns a number of properties and still competes in exhibition fights around the world.

Floyd Mayweather, who will turn 47 on 24 February 2024, retired with a perfect 50-0 record.

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Earlier in the day, Mayweather posted his plans for the Super Bowl in Las Vegas this weekend.

Mayweather, who lives in the city, divulged that he spent $1.131 million (R21.4 million) paying for 34 friends to watch the clash between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers with him on Sunday, 11 February at Allegiant Stadium.

The match will start at 01:30 (SA time) on Monday, 12 February.

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As a result, he posted: “Just before I paid that light million and change for that little Super Bowl stuff, I had to pay the IRS aka Uncle Sam $18,047,181.

“This is what I owed in taxes while I’m retired so just imagine what I was paying when I was activated.”

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Mayweather, who lives in the city, divulged that he spent $1.131 million (R21.4 million) paying for 34 friends to watch the clash between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers with him on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium.

In his first Instagram post, Mayweather wrote to his nearly 30 million followers: “I don’t kiss ass and I never have to beg for nothing especially not to get a Super Bowl suite.

“I don’t mind accepting invites at times, but one thing’s for sure… the person that’s paying does all the saying.

“Therefore I get my own seats and suites so I can do what I want and invite who I want!

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“I’m blessed to be taking 34 people to experience the first Super Bowl in Las Vegas!

$1,131,000.00.”

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At the height of his career, Mayweather made hundreds of millions of dollars from fights against the likes of Manny Pacquiao and Conor McGregor.

Mayweather, who will turn 47 on 24 February 2024, retired with a perfect 50-0 record.

WINNER? | Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers set up Super Bowl rematch

ALSO READ: Anthony Joshua to face Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia in March

Fury’s World Boxing Council title and Ukrainian fighter Usyk’s World Boxing Association, International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Organisation belts were all set to be up for grabs in Saudi Arabia on February 17.

Instead the wait to find heavyweight boxing’s first undisputed champion since Lennox Lewis in 2000 has been delayed just 15 days before the eagerly-anticipated bout was due to take place.

“I am absolutely devastated after preparing for this fight for so long and being in such superb condition,” said the undefeated Tyson Fury in a statement.

“I feel bad for everyone involved in this huge event and I will work diligently towards the rescheduled date once the eye has healed,” added Fury, who boasts a professional record of 34 wins and one draw.

“I can only apologise to everyone affected.”

Queensberry said the cut, above Fury’s right eye, “required urgent medical attention and significant stitching”, with the promoters posting an image of the damage done to his face on their X account (formerly Twitter).

The 35-year-old Tyson Fury added on Instagram: “Can’t help getting injured in sparring but what I can say was Usyk was in trouble. I am in fantastic shape.

“I will reschedule soon as I can. 2024 a massive year for team GK (Gypsy King, Fury’s nickname).”

‘Historic event’

Fury was coming into the bout with the well-regarded Usyk after a controversial split-decision win over former mixed martial arts champion Francis Ngannou, who was making his boxing debut, in October.

But many ringside observers were convinced Fury would be nowhere near as complacent against former undisputed cruiserweight champion Usyk (21-0, 14 knockouts).

Tyson Fury had been aiming to match the achievement of fellow British heavyweight Lewis, who defeated Evander Holyfield 25 years ago to win the WBC, WBA, and IBF titles at a time when the WBO were not yet regarded as a major sanctioning body.

A Queensberry spokesperson added: “It is clearly a massive disappointment, after the work that has been done by so many people to finally deliver this historic event to the world.

“Once the doctors have appraised Tyson’s eye, we will have a better idea of the period of recovery needed. Once known we will work diligently with all the stake-holders and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to reschedule this fight as soon as possible.”

Friday’s postponement has left heavyweight boxing in a state of suspended animation as far as key belts are concerned.

The March 8 non-title fight between Ngannou and Britain’s former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, also set to take place in Saudi Arabia, could now be staged ahead of a Fury-Usyk bout.

Joshua, twice defeated by Usyk, will be aiming to back-up his commanding stoppage-win over Sweden’s Otto Wallin in December as he continues his quest to become a three-time world champion.

Fury and Joshua have yet to fight each other.

By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse

Ngannou

Former heavyweight world champion Joshua will face Ngannou in just his second professional bout in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on March 8.

ALSO READ: Anthony Joshua to face Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia in March

Three weeks prior to that fight, Tyson Fury takes Oleksandr Usyk in Riyadh for the right to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since 1999.

Joshua won all three of his fights in 2023 as he bids to return to the top of the heavyweight division, with his most impressive performance coming in a fifth-round stoppage of Otto Wallin last month.

Cameroon-born Ngannou only made his professional boxing debut in October, when he knocked down WBC champion Fury before losing a close decision.

ALSO READ: Fury v Ngannou is a ‘joke shop’ says former champ

“Every fight leads to somewhere, so this fight is my everything and we will see where it leads me,” said Joshua as the fighters faced off at a press conference in London.

“I have got to take his mind and his spirit, it will be explosive. We can both trade and it will be a good fight.”

Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn did not hide from his ambitions for the former Olympic champion.

“If you can imagine the winner of this fight against the winner of Fury v Usyk, it’s been a long dream of Anthony and his team to be undisputed.”

UFC

Former UFC heavyweight champion Ngannou has another shot at one of the biggest names in the sport after nearly ending Fury’s unbeaten record.

ALSO READ: Mike Tyson helping Francis Ngannou plot Tyson Fury ambush

“I’m going to come as an underdog to win the fight. I will get this done, I’m just a beginner,” said Ngannou.

“I will come out better and that’s how I see things. I prepared for a hard fight. The Fury fight is in the past and I will take this more serious than before because there’s more on the line, the undisputed.

“I will do something nobody has done before and I have the tools to do that. It will not be an easy fight, but a possible one (to win).”

Both Joshua’s victory over Wallin and Ngannou’s surprise showing against Fury also took place in the Saudi capital, with the oil-rich Gulf Kingdom rapidly becoming the go-to destination for promoters seeking big purses for major bouts.

Saudi Arabia has lavished billions of dollars on sporting events in recent years, including the right to host the 2034 World Cup, the LIV Golf circuit, a Formula One Grand Prix and football’s Club World Cup.

ALSO READ: Francis Ngannou doesn’t hold all the cards says former UFC title challenger

But the world’s biggest exporter of oil has been accused by its critics of “sportswashing” by using sport to improve its international reputation after widespread criticism for its human rights and environmental record.

© Agence France-Presse

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Former heavyweight world champion Joshua is hoping to build on an impressive fifth round stoppage of Otto Wallin last month to maintain his bounce back to form.

Cameroonian-born Ngannou only made his professional boxing debut in October, when he knocked down WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury before losing a close decision.

The fighters will face off in a press conference later on Monday in London.

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Both Anthony Joshua’s victory over Wallin and Ngannou’s surprise showing against Fury took place in the Saudi capital Riyadh, with the oil-rich Gulf Kingdom rapidly becoming the go-to destination for promoters seeking big purses for major bouts.

Fury will also face Oleksandr Usyk in Riyadh on February 17 in a fight that will deliver the first undisputed heavyweight champion since 1999.

READ | Dricus du Plessis doesn’t fear Khamzat Chimaev

Saudi Arabia has lavished billions of dollars on sporting events in recent years, including the right to host the 2034 World Cup, the LIV Golf circuit, a Formula One Grand Prix and football’s Club World Cup.

But the world’s biggest exporter of oil has been accused by its critics of “sportswashing” by using sport to improve its international reputation after widespread criticism for its human rights and environmental record.

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Froch said that he wouldn’t begrudge Fury taking the biggest payday of his career to spar with someone who, despite his high profile in combat sports, is a novice to professional boxing.

Ngannou bout is a ‘joke shop’

However, the two-time amateur English national champion feels that the bout itself will be a dud for fans of boxing.

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Froch believes that promoter Frank Warren is using this Ngannou fight as a teaser for the unification bout between Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.

“I think it’s a ‘play fight’ and a bit ‘joke shop’ fight, which I’ve made my opinion quite clear on regarding this Fury vs Ngannou fight – it’s not real boxing, it’s not proper boxing but I think we are now starting to understand it,” Froch told Betting Sites.

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“I think maybe it was a cunning plan by Frank Warren – because what he’s done is got this Ngannou fight lined up that boxing purists are not very happy about but in the meantime, he’s announced Tyson Fury is fighting Oleksandr Usyk.

“So people are going to watch the Ngannou fight with one eye on the shape and the performance – thinking of what’s around the corner with the fights quite close together. 

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“A bit of a masterplan, genius from Frank Warren, because at the end of the day, Fury is getting paid his career-biggest payday for a ‘move around’ and I’ve said before I’d have done the same in my career.”

Will Fury fight Usyk

ALSO READ: Mike Tyson helping Francis Ngannou plot Tyson Fury ambush

Froch remains unconvinced that the fight between the Gypsy King and Usyk will go ahead.

“Lucky for him {Tyson Fury}, Frank Warren and boxing that Fury has announced he’s fighting Usyk – because that’s very important that that fight happens,” Froch said. 

“I’m still a little bit sceptical it will happen.”

WBC heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury takes on PFL star Francis Ngannou on Sarturday 28 October in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

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Thirty-seven years after rewriting boxing’s record books by becoming the youngest heavyweight champion in history at the age of 20, Tyson is plotting another ambush.

The 57-year-old has been hired to help train mixed martial arts star Francis Ngannou ahead of the Cameroonian fighter’s money-spinning heavyweight boxing showdown with Britain’s Tyson Fury taking place in Saudi Arabia on October 28.

In the eyes of bookmakers at least, the odds are stacked against Ngannou, who will climb into the ring against the undefeated Fury next month having never boxed professionally.

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Ladbrokes have installed Fury as a 1/10 favourite; Ngannou a 6/1 underdog.

Yet as the 6-foot-4 (1.93m), 264lb (120kg) Ngannou unleashes an array of punches on his heavily padded trainer, Dewey Cooper, the mood is anything but pessimistic.

Occasionally, Tyson, standing to one side, will intervene to correct a movement or suggest a subtle tweak. Ngannou, a long-time fan of the American boxing icon, relishes each suggestion.

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“He comes from time to time to lend a hand, to give his expertise,” Ngannou told a group of reporters during a workout.

“I had specifically asked for him to train me four years ago, long before this fight was announced, the first time I met him.

“He has something inspiring, something motivating. If I could ever have just a tiny piece of what he has, boxing would be very easy for me.”

Ngannou, 37, has taken a long and unconventional road to his boxing debut.

He first took up boxing in his 20s in his native Cameroon, later moving to Paris hoping to forge a professional career.

But he would ultimately end up in the rough and tumble world of mixed martial arts, eventually becoming the UFC’s heavyweight champion and one of the circuit’s biggest stars, winning 17 of his 20 fights including 12 by knockout.

‘Nervous? He should be’

Whether Ngannou’s skills in the octagon will translate to the boxing ring remains to be seen.

Mike Tyson, however, says he has been impressed by what he has seen during Ngannou’s training camp.

“We’re in a good position over here,” the softly-spoken Tyson tells reporters.

“He’s very dedicated, he put forth the effort and I think people will be pretty much more surprised than they anticipated.

“This is the biggest fight in boxing right now, in all sports. In fact, there’s no doubt about it. It’ll be the biggest upset in the history of entertainment. I think I bring him confidence this could be accomplished.”

Should Fury feel nervous? “I don’t know if he’s nervous or not,” Mike Tyson said.

“But he should be.”

The size of the task facing Ngannou however is undeniably gargantuan.

At 6-foot-9, the skillful Fury (33-0-1, 24 knockouts) will take a sizeable height and reach advantage into the ring against Ngannou, where no titles will be at stake.

The British self-styled “Gypsy King” has repeatedly demonstrated his near-superhuman capacity to absorb punches as well as his ruthless instinct for dispatching opponents.

Those in Ngannou’s camp however are adamant that the Cameroonian has a puncher’s chance.

Carlos Takam, the 42-year-old Cameroon-born heavyweight who has been training alongside Ngannou in Nevada, says all bets will be off when the bell sounds for the first round in Riyadh.

“Anything can happen in the heavyweight division,” said Takam, who upset France’s 2016 Olympic superheavyweight champion Tony Yoka in March this year.

“We’re talking about behemoths who can hit you with the full force of 120 kilos,” said Takam.

“When that happens, you fall, and you don’t get up, even if you’re stronger. Don’t be surprised if something happens during this fight.”

By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse

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ALSO READ | Tyson Fury to fight MMA star Francis Ngannou in ‘baddest man on the planet’ bout

The 35-year-old heavyweight champion boxer and his reality star partner Paris Fury, 33, welcomed their seventh child into the world on Monday.

And the fighter has posted a photo of the proud parents with their bundle of joy.

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In the Instagram post, Tyson Fury is seen next to his wife as she cradles their newborn son.

Along with a red heart and crown emoji, he captioned the photo: “He’s here and he’s perfect @parisfury1”

Paris said in the piece, which Tyson posted on his Instagram: “We’re over the moon to have welcomed our baby boy to the Fury family. His brothers and sisters can’t wait to meet him and create lots of Fury fun!

“Our boy is the most perfect addition and we’re bursting with love for him. It’s crazy how you can love someone so quick.”

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Childhood sweethearts Tyson and Paris met aged 14 and married five years later aged 19 and 20, respectively.

Their six other children are Venezuela, 13, Prince John James, 11, Prince Tyson II, seven, Valencia, five, Prince Adonis Amaziah, four, and two-year-old Athena.

Tyson Fury has said he would love to have 10 kids and joked he wants enough for a “mixed football team”.

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Hearn says that it isn’t for him to say what others should watch but he believes that you won’t get much good boxing on these cards.

ALSO READ: Tyson Fury favourite to beat Anthony Joshua

Infleuncers in boxing 

He voiced his disapproval of the ugly brawl that broke out at the Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz weigh in.

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“It leaves me cold really,” Hearn told Betting Sites.

“It’s not for me but that doesn’t mean to say it’s not for another bunch of kids. It comes under that rule; if that’s how you can make a living and you can get away with it then good luck to you. It’s not for me to watch but I do know a lot of people who follow it because it’s a young social media market. 

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“It may well be that it’s to the detriment of boxing in the long term because sport is about respect and respecting the ability of individuals. Boxing has always been held in very high esteem and this may slightly detract from that because it brings in people that think that’s real boxing when of course it’s not.”

“I don’t blame them {influencers} for doing it. I blame us for watching it.”

ALSO READ: Tyson Fury to fight MMA star Francis Ngannou in ‘baddest man on the planet’ bout

Exhibition fighting and boxing

By contrast, Hearn thinks that the fight between Tyson Fury and MMA star Francis Ngannou, is just a bit of fun and won’t impact of detract from the world titles around the waist of the Gypsy King.

He added: “It’s a money making decision. It’s an exhibition fight so there’s nothing to lose and no titles on the line. He’s going to get extremely well paid so I say good luck to him. It’s not something that I will watch with any great enthusiasm but then I’m probably old school and I like to watch proper boxing. If anyone’s making a living in these troubled times I say good luck to them.”

Joshua’s time could come

Hearn believes that Anthony Joshua will be in a better position to push for a title fight if he can put down Dillian Whyte.

“I think it will be on the agenda but yes if he beats Dillian Whyte,” Hearn said when asked about Joshua’s chances of gaining another shot. 

“That’s not a gimme, which is probably why the public have bought so many tickets so quickly. If he’s got Deontay Wilder next then that’s a toss of the coin fight for both fighters. They should be applauded for taking that fight and entertaining us and the winner of that fight will definitely get a shot at the titles. But that’s a big if. Who knows who will win that but what I do know is that everyone will be watching it and that’s the name of the game.” 

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Hearn says that it isn’t for him to say what others should watch but he believes that you won’t get much good boxing on these cards.

ALSO READ: Tyson Fury favourite to beat Anthony Joshua

Infleuncers in boxing 

He voiced his disapproval of the ugly brawl that broke out at the Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz weigh in.

ALSO READ: Conor McGregor should sign up to OnlyFans says boxer

“It leaves me cold really,” Hearn told Betting Sites.

“It’s not for me but that doesn’t mean to say it’s not for another bunch of kids. It comes under that rule; if that’s how you can make a living and you can get away with it then good luck to you. It’s not for me to watch but I do know a lot of people who follow it because it’s a young social media market. 

ALSO READ: Tyson Fury camp issues an update on unification negotiations

“It may well be that it’s to the detriment of boxing in the long term because sport is about respect and respecting the ability of individuals. Boxing has always been held in very high esteem and this may slightly detract from that because it brings in people that think that’s real boxing when of course it’s not.”

“I don’t blame them {influencers} for doing it. I blame us for watching it.”

ALSO READ: Tyson Fury to fight MMA star Francis Ngannou in ‘baddest man on the planet’ bout

Exhibition fighting and boxing

By contrast, Hearn thinks that the fight between Tyson Fury and MMA star Francis Ngannou, is just a bit of fun and won’t impact of detract from the world titles around the waist of the Gypsy King.

He added: “It’s a money making decision. It’s an exhibition fight so there’s nothing to lose and no titles on the line. He’s going to get extremely well paid so I say good luck to him. It’s not something that I will watch with any great enthusiasm but then I’m probably old school and I like to watch proper boxing. If anyone’s making a living in these troubled times I say good luck to them.”

Joshua’s time could come

Hearn believes that Anthony Joshua will be in a better position to push for a title fight if he can put down Dillian Whyte.

“I think it will be on the agenda but yes if he beats Dillian Whyte,” Hearn said when asked about Joshua’s chances of gaining another shot. 

“That’s not a gimme, which is probably why the public have bought so many tickets so quickly. If he’s got Deontay Wilder next then that’s a toss of the coin fight for both fighters. They should be applauded for taking that fight and entertaining us and the winner of that fight will definitely get a shot at the titles. But that’s a big if. Who knows who will win that but what I do know is that everyone will be watching it and that’s the name of the game.” 

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES WRITTEN BY JAMES RICHARDSON

ALSO READ | Tyson Fury to fight MMA star Francis Ngannou in ‘baddest man on the planet’ bout

The 46-year-old arrived in Harare, Zimbabwe, kicking off his highly anticipated four-day visit to Africa as part of his ‘Motherland Tour’.

Mayweather, who was invited to Zimbabwe by prominent businessman and boxing enthusiast Scott Sakupwanya, arrived in his private jet worth $50 million, Daily Star reports.

ALSO READ | Anthony Joshua is not ready to face Tyson Fury says former champ

Mayweather was also met with a fleet of luxury cars at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare and received a rousing welcome.

Shortly after his arrival, Mayweather took to Instagram to write to his 29.5 million followers: “Enjoying the Motherland Tour. Thank you Zimbabwe for embracing me with open arms.”

Sakupwanya, one of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s closest allies, confirmed that he invited Mayweather.

The intention is reportedly to win over youth voters for President Mnangagwa’s ZANU PF party ahead of next month’s general election in Zimbabwe.

Sakupwanya is himself looking to reclaim a parliamentary seat from the opposition.

MUST READ | Ex-boxing world champion Deontay Wilder arrested on gun charge

Sakupwanya told Reuters: “People thought I was lying when I said I would bring Mayweather, but he is here. This shows that what I will promise in this election will come to pass.”

Floyd Mayweather retired with a perfect 50-0 record

On Thursday, Mayweather was welcomed with singing and dancing by ZANU PF party supporters in Mabvuku.

Mabvuku is one of Zimbabwe’s oldest townships, located on the outskirts of the country’s capital Harare.

Mayweather also performed a public workout to the delight of the crowd.

Mayweather will next head to South Africa to continue his tour of the African continent and will be the guest of honour at an event at the Sandton Convention Centre on Saturday, 15 July.

IN CLOSING | Ex-world champion Amir Khan handed two-year doping ban

Meanwhile, Harare reports that Mayweather’s visit aims to empower the youth.

Mayweather, who retired with a perfect 50-0 record, 27 of which came via knockout, intends to spearhead projects aimed at generating job opportunities for the youth in Africa.

He reportedly also plans to make undisclosed donations to both Zimbabwe and South Africa, demonstrating his commitment to giving back to the communities he visits.

Harrison shared his thoughts in an interview with Legalsportsbooks.com.

How to get Anthony Joshua’s swagger back

ALSO READ: Dricus du Plessis should have held out for title shot

Harrison urges Anthony Joshua to take the retired heavyweights’ advice; 

“When you keep your ‘0’, it gives you that aura. I know when I was undefeated, I had that swagger. Once you lose that ‘0’, you’re going to have to rebuild. That’s where he [Joshua] is right now. He’s in a rebuilding process. The Usyk fights didn’t go his way, but I think he’s got one more run in him; he’s just got to get it right. 

“Joshua – sit with me, we’ll watch your take together. We’ll just watch your last fight together and then I’ll just pick up on some stuff. Then we could talk it through in a gym, maybe work it through, that’s not offered to you. And I’m guaranteeing you it’d be a good time for your investment. I know it’d be a great time of mine, but great time on your investment.”

Joe Joyce needs to ditch his coaching team

After Joyce’s shock loss to Zhilei, Harrison gives some hard truths about Joyce’s current coaching team.

“Another guy {Joyce}, who got it all wrong on the night and Zhang took advantage,” Harrison contends. 

“When he looks at what went wrong, he can’t go back with the same team, no adjustments, because that’s the definition of madness. You can’t get a different result if you do the same thing. So when they look at what went wrong, they should be doing that with an outside audit. You can’t audit yourself. Let me audit you in a good way, not a bad way. It can only help you. It cannot be a negative. Trust me, I know a lot. What I know is too much to go to waste. I’m someone that can teach you, external to your system to the training teams, but they {coaching teams} look at me as a threat. There’s fear, there’s fear.”

How Dubois can beat Usyk

ALSO READ: The Currie Cup’s epic rugby jerseys evoke a great tradition

Ahead of Dubois’ megafight with Usyk in August, Harrison believe he has the key to beating the Ukrainian.

“Dubois, Joe Joyce, even Lawrence Okolie losing the other day. All those guys I’ve reached out to,” Harrison added.

“Talking about Dubois and Usyk. Obviously, Usyk has the big advantage. Dubois is a big puncher, but as we’ve seen in his last couple of last fights, even though he got the win, technically there’s some stuff that he can do. I’d love to sit down with Dubois and give him some stuff. If you get an opportunity like that, you can’t turn it down. Usyk is a big favourite and he’s [Dubois] got to try and make the most of it and get as much advice as he can.” 

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Diaz is not renowned for his strking within the Octagon and Harrison feels that Paul’s experience will give him the edge.

Nate Diaz will face Jake Paul in the boxing ring on 5 August 2023 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.

Jake Paul is the favourite in bout against Nate Diaz

Harrison feels that Diaz has every chance of being competitive and believes that if he does a good job in camp he might go the distance.

Harrison told Safebettingsites.com: “I don’t think Nate Diaz probably knows enough about boxing. Can he learn enough to make it competitive in time? You see it with Tyron Woodley kind of got himself there competitively. So Nate Diaz, he’s a competitor, isn’t he? So I think he’s going to get himself there, hopefully. And it’ll be a good fight for what it is. But I think Jake Paul is the favourite.”

ALSO READ: Anthony Joshua is not ready to face Tyson Fury says former champ

Harrison feels that boxers can learn from the proliferation of so-called YouTube fighters.

“People want to see boxing. They want to see UFC. They can coexist. We don’t need to say, ‘well, it’s this or that’. No. It’s just not how life works. Even the boxers, you can learn from the YouTubers about building your audience. You can’t just be in the gym, focus on fighting. Put out an instagram post, do an update on Twitter about some of your thoughts, share some of your thoughts. 

“You’ve got to be more engaging and be a bit viral. Do something a little crazy. It may feel uncomfortable. I didn’t have any shame in my game about marketing myself, doing the publicity, because you can’t just be a boxer. Learn from these YouTubers and stuff about creating content, because that’s what it’s about, ultimately. Create content, monetise it, and make your money and get out!”

ALSO READ: Olympic champion shares advice for three British boxers

Stop hating on Jake Paul and YouTube boxing

Harrison feels that the connection to YouTube personalities has breathed new life into the sport.

“When I came through, everybody in England from my first fight knew who Audley Harrison was,” He added. 

“People used to be hating, like, ‘he’s a celebrity boxer, he’s going to meet the Royal family, he’s going to these film premieres’. I was like, don’t hate the player, hate the game. I’ve come in here and I’m making noise, I’m making my money. This is me, I’m shining my light. I make no apologies for it. Deal with it. They’re like, ‘but you’re an undercard fighter, you shouldn’t be fighting the main event’. Well, if I’m not fighting the main event, why are they paying money, why is everybody coming to see me?”

“Same as the YouTubers. Stop hating. They’re shining their light, they’re making money. They’re putting boxing on the TV. It’s a different sport. It’s like the UFC. What they’re doing, that YouTube boxing is like the white collar boxing. They have their audience and the fact that they want to box and the audience want to watch them and pay the money to do it, you can’t hate on that. The traditionalist. That’s antiquated. It’s not relevant. I had the same fight with them 30 years ago. Boxing is what it is, and that’s a different kind of boxing. But it’s bringing fans to the sport. People want to see it because they’re influencers. It’s okay.”

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES WRITTEN BY JAMES RICHARDSON

Harrison shared his thoughts in an interview with Legalsportsbooks.com.

How to get Anthony Joshua’s swagger back

ALSO READ: Dricus du Plessis should have held out for title shot

Harrison urges Anthony Joshua to take the retired heavyweights’ advice; 

“When you keep your ‘0’, it gives you that aura. I know when I was undefeated, I had that swagger. Once you lose that ‘0’, you’re going to have to rebuild. That’s where he [Joshua] is right now. He’s in a rebuilding process. The Usyk fights didn’t go his way, but I think he’s got one more run in him; he’s just got to get it right. 

“Joshua – sit with me, we’ll watch your take together. We’ll just watch your last fight together and then I’ll just pick up on some stuff. Then we could talk it through in a gym, maybe work it through, that’s not offered to you. And I’m guaranteeing you it’d be a good time for your investment. I know it’d be a great time of mine, but great time on your investment.”

Joe Joyce needs to ditch his coaching team

After Joyce’s shock loss to Zhilei, Harrison gives some hard truths about Joyce’s current coaching team.

“Another guy {Joyce}, who got it all wrong on the night and Zhang took advantage,” Harrison contends. 

“When he looks at what went wrong, he can’t go back with the same team, no adjustments, because that’s the definition of madness. You can’t get a different result if you do the same thing. So when they look at what went wrong, they should be doing that with an outside audit. You can’t audit yourself. Let me audit you in a good way, not a bad way. It can only help you. It cannot be a negative. Trust me, I know a lot. What I know is too much to go to waste. I’m someone that can teach you, external to your system to the training teams, but they {coaching teams} look at me as a threat. There’s fear, there’s fear.”

How Dubois can beat Usyk

ALSO READ: The Currie Cup’s epic rugby jerseys evoke a great tradition

Ahead of Dubois’ megafight with Usyk in August, Harrison believe he has the key to beating the Ukrainian.

“Dubois, Joe Joyce, even Lawrence Okolie losing the other day. All those guys I’ve reached out to,” Harrison added.

“Talking about Dubois and Usyk. Obviously, Usyk has the big advantage. Dubois is a big puncher, but as we’ve seen in his last couple of last fights, even though he got the win, technically there’s some stuff that he can do. I’d love to sit down with Dubois and give him some stuff. If you get an opportunity like that, you can’t turn it down. Usyk is a big favourite and he’s [Dubois] got to try and make the most of it and get as much advice as he can.” 

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES WRITTEN BY JAMES RICHARDSON

Harrison feels that Tyson Fury has the measure of Anthony Joshua.

Fury vs Joshua not an even fight

ALSO READ: Dricus du Plessis should have held out for title shot

Harrison is concerned that Fury is going to throw Joshua off his game with his antics.

The former Olympic gold medallist told Legalsportsbooks.com: “I think Tyson Fury is the vehicle, he’s the voice, and he’s the one making the noise, but ultimately, as a team behind him, you’ve got Frank Warren behind him, you’ve got Bob Arum behind him, so he has the team behind him. It isn’t just Tyson Fury going out on his own and they’re obviously having the talks. For them to send out a contract, you imagine that they’ve had a conversation, it’s like, ‘hey, let’s send out a contract’, but I don’t know if it’s games or what.

“Typically what will happen is that, ‘want to make this fight?’ You’ve talked the terms, then a heads of agreement will come out with the terms that you’ve spoken. But they haven’t even spoken. It’s pointless just sending an agreement without having discussed it first because you don’t know what the other people are going to agree to or not. The negotiation process, it may be a bit of hype if you just say, ‘oh, I’m just going to send you a contract.’ It’s not typically how it works.”

ALSO READ: Tyson Fury camp issues an update on unification negotiations

Joshua will bow down to the Gypsy King

Giving his heavyweight prediction on what would be the fight of the decade, Harrison said;

“Tyson Fury isn’t a big puncher, so he’s someone that would wear you down. Now he’s with SugarHill Steward. Tyson Fury has always been a good boxer, even from the amateurs he’s been a quality boxer. But what they have done now as a pro, going to SugarHill, he’s taught him about going forward. Now he’s using his weight and he’s able to go forward. He’s not a big puncher but over time, with his mental strength as well, you’d have to make him the favourite against Joshua. But you definitely cannot rule Joshua out. He’s going to come in in great shape and he’s got to go forward and put that pressure on.”

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Tyson Fury camp issues supercard update

ALSO READ: Dricus du Plessis should have held out for title shot

According to Boxing Social, Skills Challenge Entertainment are out to stage the historic fight in Saudi Arabia in December, on the same card as Deontay Wilder vs Anthony Joshua.

Fury promoter Arum admitted negotiations have slowed, but shared his belief that the fight would happen one way or another.

ALSO READ: South Africa’s five heavyweight champions of the world

“Talks aren’t progressed, but there is time for the talks to be happening. I hope, particularly since throwing out all this money, that the double header does take place,” Arum told Boxing News.

“But I have no idea at all whether it’s realistic. It may or may not be realistic.”

“The money that the Saudis would allegedly put up for that fight far exceed the money that the fighters could earn anywhere else in the world.”

“Whether it happens that they put it up and the fight takes place, or they don’t put it up and the fighter’s will have to maximise the revenue, that will determine where the fight takes place.”

“So we’ll have to see.”

Que sera sera

Recently, Tyson Fury has also publicly said that he will only fight Usyk at Wembley Stadium.

ALSO READ: Anthony Joshua is not ready to face Tyson Fury says former champ

The negotiations between the parties have been fractious at best and there is even the suggestion that Fury might grant Anthony Joshua a title shot before he agrees to a take on Usyk.

A legacy-defining fight between Fury and Usyk was promised repeatedly for months, but problems with purse splits and potential rematch clauses proved to be too much to bear, leaving the boxing public around the world with a bitter taste in their mouths.

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The pair slugged it out for 12 rounds, but neither was able to land a decisive blow, and the fight went to the judges’ scorecards.

Devin Haney remains undisputed lightweight champion

As the judges had seen it, Haney had shaded what was a close fight, and they returned a unanimous victory for the American.

However, the judges all scored the fight as very close, with their final cards reading 116-112, 115-113, 115-113 in favour of Haney.

ALSO READ: Anthony Joshua is not ready to face Tyson Fury says former champ

The 24-year-old from San Francisco retains his unbeaten record and moves out to 30-0 in his professional boxing career.

Haney was the early aggressor, arguably giving him a key advantage despite Lomachenko growing into the bout.

ALSO READ: Dricus du Plessis should have held out for title shot

Lomachenko makes a fight of it

Lomachenko is a wily veteran at 35, and he found a way back into the fight and even had Haney wobbling after landing an uppercut in the third round.

The fight’s middle rounds gave the impression that Haney had regained the upper hand, but Lomachenko finished well as the MGM Grand Garden Arena audience roared the former champion on.

ALSO READ: South Africa’s five heavyweight champions of the world

Although Lomachenko landed more blows throughout the fight—124 to the American’s 110—Haney nevertheless rocked him with a left hook in the seventh round and proceeded to strike precise counterpunches on his target.

Haney keeps his titles from the World Boxing Council, International Boxing Federation, World Boxing Association, and World Boxing Organization thanks to the victory.

With a landslide unanimous decision victory over George Kambosos in Melbourne in June 2022, he became the first undisputed lightweight world champion since Pernell Whitaker in 1990.

After enlisting in a Ukrainian territorial defense unit following Russia’s invasion of the nation, Lomachenko returned to the ring in October of last year.

After Saturday’s loss, the veteran’s record slumps to 17-3 with 11 knockouts.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY JAMES RICHARDSON

Haye instead recommended that Joshua give a rematch to Dillian Whyte.

Anthony Joshua is not ready to face Tyson Fury

Having enjoyed an up close vantage point for Joshua’s win over Jermaine Franklin, Haye feels that Joshua needs a tougher fight before he takes on someone like Fury.

ALSO READ: New US rape lawsuit filed against Mike Tyson

Speaking to Mirror Fighting, Haye said: “I’d prefer off the strength of that last victory that was very comfortable to see him in an uncomfortable fight first because one thing you can guarantee in against [Deontay] Wilder, Tyson Fury it’s uncomfortable.

“It’s an uncomfortable fight that he’s going to have to have to be victorious. When’s the last time he was uncomfortable? Against Usyk and he lost. He wasn’t uncomfortable against Franklin, it was a comfortable victory. Dillian [Whyte] I believe would make him uncomfortable.

ALSO READ: South Africa’s five heavyweight champions of the world

“And it’s how he deals in the discomfort zone that will determine how he will deal with the likes of Fury, Wilder or Usyk again. He’s going to understand that ‘I’m going to be uncomfortable dealing with these guys but I’m going to have to deal with it.

“I’d like to see before he starts fighting the top players go in there with Dillian Whyte who is a top player himself. He’s had a victory, lots of spice because they’re both from the UK. Controversial first fight, Dillian had one arm in the first fight so I’m looking forward to that showdown.”

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Bringing back the ‘old’ AJ

Haye believes that Joshua needs to be challenged to bring out the best in the former champion.

ALSO READ: Could Lewis Hamilton be stripped of his first F1 title?

He added: “I want to see the Anthony Joshua that fought Dillian Whyte at the O2 Arena all those years ago – I want that AJ back. 

“I want the one who can let his hands go, who really doesn’t mind getting hit but will make sure that he hits you twice as hard, that’s the Anthony Joshua that I want to see back. I think that Dillian will either beat him, or bring the best out of him,” Haye said.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY JAMES RICHARDSON

According to Reuters, heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury sported a keffiyeh headscarf and sunglasses as his half-brother Tommy weighed in at 184.5 pounds, half a pound under the cruiserweight limit, while Paul tipped the scales at 183.6.

FOR THE LATEST BOXING NEWS VISIT THE SOUTH AFRICAN WEBSITE

According to the latest Hollywoodbets odds, Paul is a 67/100 favourite with Fury on offer at 21/20.

“Tomorrow night his time is up, Jake Paul will no longer be boxing. I’m going to put Jake Paul away inside four rounds,” a riled-up Tommy Fury said from the stage.

“He’s acting on stage, getting all hyped up, trying to act like his brother. This professional boxer is going down. It’s easy, it’s simple. I’m ready – cool, calm, collected,” Paul said, promising a finish in the same time-frame.

RIP | LEGENDARY BOXING REFEREE MILLS LANE DIES

After two previous bouts were cancelled, the pair will finally face off at the Diriyah Arena, where Paul expects a win against an unbeaten pro boxer with an 8-0 record that he hopes will burnish his reputation in the sport.

The brash Paul, a 26-year-old American best known for his social media videos, has disrupted boxing by taking on a series of fellow celebrities and ex-mixed martial artists en route to a 6-0 record, notching four knockouts along the way.

The 23-year-old Fury may have a more traditional boxing background behind his record, but he is more famous for his celebrity sibling and his career in British reality TV than his pugilistic skills.

“Like the posters say, the talk is over, we’ve done all the ‘yeah, yeah, yeah’, all the hoopla. It’s time to figure out the truth,” Paul said.

RIP | GERRIE COETZEE: CAUSE OF DEATH CONFIRMED

Paul and Fury made weight ahead of their showdown, when both men will put their unbeaten records on the line in a long-awaited contest more about celebrity bragging rights than punching prowess.

According to Reuters, heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury sported a keffiyeh headscarf and sunglasses as his half-brother Tommy weighed in at 184.5 pounds, half a pound under the cruiserweight limit, while Paul tipped the scales at 183.6.

FOR THE LATEST BOXING NEWS VISIT THE SOUTH AFRICAN WEBSITE

According to the latest Hollywoodbets odds, Paul is a 67/100 favourite with Fury on offer at 21/20.

“Tomorrow night his time is up, Jake Paul will no longer be boxing. I’m going to put Jake Paul away inside four rounds,” a riled-up Tommy Fury said from the stage.

“He’s acting on stage, getting all hyped up, trying to act like his brother. This professional boxer is going down. It’s easy, it’s simple. I’m ready – cool, calm, collected,” Paul said, promising a finish in the same time-frame.

RIP | LEGENDARY BOXING REFEREE MILLS LANE DIES

After two previous bouts were cancelled, the pair will finally face off at the Diriyah Arena, where Paul expects a win against an unbeaten pro boxer with an 8-0 record that he hopes will burnish his reputation in the sport.

The brash Paul, a 26-year-old American best known for his social media videos, has disrupted boxing by taking on a series of fellow celebrities and ex-mixed martial artists en route to a 6-0 record, notching four knockouts along the way.

The 23-year-old Fury may have a more traditional boxing background behind his record, but he is more famous for his celebrity sibling and his career in British reality TV than his pugilistic skills.

“Like the posters say, the talk is over, we’ve done all the ‘yeah, yeah, yeah’, all the hoopla. It’s time to figure out the truth,” Paul said.

RIP | GERRIE COETZEE: CAUSE OF DEATH CONFIRMED

What will the next super fight in boxing be

The Sports Daily Head of News Lee Astley said: “There are plenty of super-fights we’d love to see take place in the next year in a half.

“KSI v Jake Paul is still the most anticipated influencer fight on the planet, with oddsmakers predicting it to be the next mega fight to come about’.

“Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis is one of the hottest names in boxing and his next opponent is likely to be Vasiliy Lomachenko or Shakur Stevenson. One thing is for sure, we’ve got a hell of an 18 months coming up in the world of boxing.”

Boxing Fights To Happen By End Of 2024 Odds

• KSI vs Jake Paul @ -138
• KSI vs Tommy Fury @ +150
• Gervonta Davis vs Vasiliy Lomachenko @ +200
• Gervonta Davis vs Shakur Stevenson @ +250
• Tyson Fury vs Zhilei Zhang @ +250
• Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk @ +300
• Gervonta Davis vs Teofimo Lopez @ +333
• Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua @ +400
• Zhilei Zhang vs Anthony Joshua @ +400
• Anthony Joshua vs Deontay Wilder @ +600
• Deontay Wilder vs Zhilei Zhang @ +900
• Oleksandr Usyk vs Zhilei Zhang @ +1200
• Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk @ +1400
• Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou @ +1400
• Deontay Wilder vs Francis Ngannou @ +1400
• Oleksandr Usyk vs Francis Ngannou @ +4000

Former European Heavyweight champion Audley Harrison has weighed in on the prospects of three top British boxers including Anthony Joshua.

Harrison shared his thoughts in an interview with Legalsportsbooks.com.

How to get Anthony Joshua’s swagger back

ALSO READ: Dricus du Plessis should have held out for title shot

Harrison urges Anthony Joshua to take the retired heavyweights’ advice; 

“When you keep your ‘0’, it gives you that aura. I know when I was undefeated, I had that swagger. Once you lose that ‘0’, you’re going to have to rebuild. That’s where he [Joshua] is right now. He’s in a rebuilding process. The Usyk fights didn’t go his way, but I think he’s got one more run in him; he’s just got to get it right. 

“Joshua – sit with me, we’ll watch your take together. We’ll just watch your last fight together and then I’ll just pick up on some stuff. Then we could talk it through in a gym, maybe work it through, that’s not offered to you. And I’m guaranteeing you it’d be a good time for your investment. I know it’d be a great time of mine, but great time on your investment.”

Joe Joyce needs to ditch his coaching team

After Joyce’s shock loss to Zhilei, Harrison gives some hard truths about Joyce’s current coaching team.

“Another guy {Joyce}, who got it all wrong on the night and Zhang took advantage,” Harrison contends. 

“When he looks at what went wrong, he can’t go back with the same team, no adjustments, because that’s the definition of madness. You can’t get a different result if you do the same thing. So when they look at what went wrong, they should be doing that with an outside audit. You can’t audit yourself. Let me audit you in a good way, not a bad way. It can only help you. It cannot be a negative. Trust me, I know a lot. What I know is too much to go to waste. I’m someone that can teach you, external to your system to the training teams, but they {coaching teams} look at me as a threat. There’s fear, there’s fear.”

How Dubois can beat Usyk

ALSO READ: The Currie Cup’s epic rugby jerseys evoke a great tradition

Ahead of Dubois’ megafight with Usyk in August, Harrison believe he has the key to beating the Ukrainian.

“Dubois, Joe Joyce, even Lawrence Okolie losing the other day. All those guys I’ve reached out to,” Harrison added.

“Talking about Dubois and Usyk. Obviously, Usyk has the big advantage. Dubois is a big puncher, but as we’ve seen in his last couple of last fights, even though he got the win, technically there’s some stuff that he can do. I’d love to sit down with Dubois and give him some stuff. If you get an opportunity like that, you can’t turn it down. Usyk is a big favourite and he’s [Dubois] got to try and make the most of it and get as much advice as he can.” 

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The woman, who asked the court to remain anonymous, filed her complaint in early January under a temporary New York state law allowing victims of sexual assault to seek civil damages regardless of the statute of limitations.

Tyson spent three years in jail beginning in 1992 after being found guilty of raping model Desiree Washington, who was 18 at the time.

RIP | LEGENDARY BOXING REFEREE MILLS LANE DIES

In a short affidavit dated December 23, 2022, the plaintiff states that she met the boxer at a nightclub “in the early 1990s,” then followed him into his limousine, where he allegedly assaulted her before raping her.

“As a result of Tyson’s rape, I suffered and continue to suffer from physical, psychological and emotional injury,” she said.

Mike Tyson has not issued a statement

She is seeking $5 million in damages.

RIP | GERRIE COETZEE: CAUSE OF DEATH CONFIRMED

By late on Tuesday, Tyson had not issued any public statement.

Born in Brooklyn in 1966, Tyson had a turbulent childhood before becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion in the 1980s, terrifying his opponents with his fury in the ring and a phenomenal punching power.

But after his prison sentence, he could not retain his titles.

In a notorious 1996 matchup, Tyson bit off a piece of his opponent Evander Holyfield’s ear.

Gripped by depression and addiction, he continued to make headlines, notably for a one-man show in which he described his life’s many ups and downs.

He has recently launched into the cannabis industry with his own brand of marijuana products, and hosts a podcast.

By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse

Coetzee died of lung cancer at his Cape Town home on Thursday, having recently received the shock diagnosis.

When speaking to Sport24, Gerrie Coetzee’s manager Thinus Strydom said the cancer was only detected last week when the South African sports icon went to a doctor for a check up related to hip replacement surgery.

“Last Thursday, he went for scans, and it was discovered he had cancer. The doctor gave him a week to live,” Coetzee told News24. “The cancer had spread to the rest of his body and a week later, he’s no longer with us. It took us by surprise, because no one knew he had cancer. The family also decided not to inform him that he had cancer and that he only had a week to live.”

Strydom said Coetzee was battling to recover as well as expected after hip replacement surgery, which led to a return to the doctor.

“The hip just wouldn’t heal properly and there were screws there. His big concern was whether he’d be able to walk again,” Strydom said. “They went back for more tests, from where the cancer was discovered.”

Coetzee competed from 1974 to 1986 and again in 1993 and 1997, and was one of the most well-known South African boxers to lace up his gloves. He finished his career with 40 fights, 33 wins, six defeats and one draw. Twenty one of his victories came via knockout.

RIP | LEGENDARY BOXING REFEREE MILLS LANE DIES

The ‘Boksburg Bomber’ was a former South African world heavyweight boxing champ, and tributes have poured in from wide and far after news emerged about his untimely death.

You can see some of the twitter reaction to the death of Gerrie Coetzee below:

Coetzee was the first boxer from Africa to fight for, and win, a world heavyweight championship, having held the WBA title from 1983 to 1984.

FOR THE LATEST BOXING NEWS VISIT THE SOUTH AFRICAN WEBSITE

Gerrie Coetzee held notable knockout wins against WBA world heavyweight champion Michael Dokes and former unified world heavyweight champion Leon Spinks, as well as a draw with then future WBC world heavyweight champion Pinklon Thomas.

ALSO READ | SOUTH AFRICA’S FIVE HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONS

Post your condolences by clicking on the comment button below this article.

RIP | LEGENDARY BOXING REFEREE MILLS LANE DIES

Coetzee succumbed to the illness at his Cape Town home while surrounded by family

The former world heavyweight champion, known as ‘The Boksburg Bomber’, was the first boxer from Africa to fight for – and win – a world heavyweight championship and clashed with big-name fighters including Frank Bruno.

FOR THE LATEST BOXING NEWS VISIT THE SOUTH AFRICAN WEBSITE

Coetzee competed from 1974 to 1986 and again in 1993 and 1997.

He finished his career with 40 fights, 33 wins, six defeats and one draw, with 21 of his victories coming via knockout.

Coetzee held the WBA title from 1983 to 1984 and his notable knockout wins included against WBA world heavyweight champion Michael Dokes and former unified world heavyweight champion Leon Spinks, as well as a draw with then future WBC world heavyweight champion Pinklon Thomas.

He fought against Britain’s Frank Bruno in 1986 and was knocked out.

ALSO READ | SOUTH AFRICA’S FIVE HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONS

Post your condolences by clicking on the comment button below this article.

Coetzee died of lung cancer at his Cape Town home, having recently received the shock diagnosis.

RIP | LEGENDARY BOXING REFEREE MILLS LANE DIES

The ‘Boksburg Bomber’ was a former South African world heavyweight boxing champ, and tributes have poured in from wide and far after news emerged about his untimely death.

You can see some of the twitter reaction to the death of Gerrie Coetzee below:

Coetzee was the first boxer from Africa to fight for, and win, a world heavyweight championship, having held the WBA title from 1983 to 1984.

FOR THE LATEST BOXING NEWS VISIT THE SOUTH AFRICAN WEBSITE

Gerrie Coetzee held notable knockout wins against WBA world heavyweight champion Michael Dokes and former unified world heavyweight champion Leon Spinks, as well as a draw with then future WBC world heavyweight champion Pinklon Thomas.

ALSO READ | SOUTH AFRICA’S FIVE HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONS

Post your condolences by clicking on the comment button below this article.

RIP | LEGENDARY BOXING REFEREE MILLS LANE DIES

Coetzee competed from 1974 to 1986 and again in 1993 and 1997.

He finished his career with 40 fights, 33 wins, six defeats and one draw. Twenty one of his victories came via knockout.

Coetzee was the first boxer from Africa to fight for, and win, a world heavyweight championship, having held the WBA title from 1983 to 1984.

FOR THE LATEST BOXING NEWS VISIT THE SOUTH AFRICAN WEBSITE

Gerrie Coetzee held notable knockout wins against WBA world heavyweight champion Michael Dokes and former unified world heavyweight champion Leon Spinks, as well as a draw with then future WBC world heavyweight champion Pinklon Thomas.

ALSO READ | SOUTH AFRICA’S FIVE HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONS

Post your condolences by clicking on the comment button below this article.

RIP | LEGENDARY BOXING REFEREE MILLS LANE DIES

Coetzee competed from 1974 to 1986 and again in 1993 and 1997.

He was the first boxer from Africa to fight for, and win, a world heavyweight championship, having held the WBA title from 1983 to 1984.

FOR THE LATEST BOXING NEWS VISIT THE SOUTH AFRICAN WEBSITE

Gerrie Coetzee held notable knockout wins against WBA world heavyweight champion Michael Dokes and former unified world heavyweight champion Leon Spinks, as well as a draw with then future WBC world heavyweight champion Pinklon Thomas.

ALSO READ | SOUTH AFRICA’S FIVE HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONS

He was 85.

FOR THE LATEST BOXING NEWS VISIT THE SOUTH AFRICAN WEBSITE

Lane, famous for his catchphrase “Let’s get it on,” refereed several famous fights, but most notably the notorious Tyson v Holyfield “Bite Fight”.

Lane refereed more than 100 world title fights in his career.

ALSO READ | SOUTH AFRICA’S FIVE HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONS

In addition to the “Bite Fight,” Lane was the third man in the ring when Oliver McCall suffered a nervous breakdown against Lennox Lewis and at the “Fan Man Fight” between Riddick Bowe and Evander Holyfield when a man nearly parachuted into the ring before getting tangled in the lighting rig.

Mills Lane was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2013.

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FOR THE LATEST BOXING NEWS VISIT THE SOUTH AFRICAN WEBSITE

Dubois was in trouble early after appearing to hurt his right leg and went down three times in the opening three minutes. 

He recovered, but Lerena won the second round on the judges’ scorecards as well.

However, things changed in Round 3.

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Lerena, fighting in just his fourth heavyweight bout, had never been dropped in his career before, but Dubois put him down with a short straight right in the third round. 

Kevin Lerena’s second career defeat

Lerena beat the count, but Dubois moved in and threw several combinations before landing three heavy blows to the head that forced referee Howard Foster to stop the bout. 

Dubois improved to 19 wins (18 KOs) and one loss, while Lerena dropped to 28-2 (24 KOs). 

Post-fight Lerena took to social media to write: “That is heavyweight boxing. I had Daniel down & hurt 3 times in round 1 & in the 3rd round I was on my ass & stopped on my feet. As I fighter I really thought I could continue on as the bell went …but It wasn’t my night ! I WILL BE BACK STRONGER THAN EVER. I gave it my all.”

Meanwhile, in the main bout of the night, Tyson Fury defended his WBC title with a 10th round technical knockout victory over Derek Chisora. 

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Lerena floored Dubois three times in the opening round, but was on the receiving end of a barrage of punches late in the third round which saw the referee stop the fight.

More to follow...

ALSO READ | SOUTH AFRICA’S FIVE HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONS

FOR THE LATEST BOXING NEWS PLEASE VISIT THE SOUTH AFRICAN WEBSITE

Promoter Frank Warren announced the title fight between Lerena and British WBA (regular) champion Dubois at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Saturday, 3 December.

At 1.85m, Lerena will give away 11cm in height, but he is likely to be within 4kg of his opponent, who has a record of 18 wins (17 KOs) and one loss. 

Kevin Lerena called out Dubois

The showdown represents Kevin Lerena’s first opportunity to compete for a top belt, having moved up from cruiserweight, where he defended his IBO title six times.

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The 30-year-old from Johannesburg called out Dubois in a recent Instagram post to make the fight happen.

“What are you scared of? You can run, but you can’t hide. You can duck me, you can try to avoid me. But eventually, our paths will cross,” Lerena said.

Now, he will step into the ring and try to emulate the likes of Corrie Sanders and Francois Botha in becoming a recognised heavyweight champion from Mzansi.

ALSO READ | SOUTH AFRICA’S FIVE HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONS

“See you soon (UK). It doesn’t get any bigger – co-main event … Lerena vs Dubois for the WBA world title #AndTheNew,” Lerena posted on his social media accounts on Thursday.

The 25-year-old Dubois is the current WBA (regular) champion, who claimed the belt in June when he beat American Trevor Bryan via a fourth-round knockout in Miami.

Lerena – who is promoted by Rodney Berman of Golden Gloves – and Dubois will fight on the undercard of the WBC heavyweight title bout between Tyson Fury and Derek Chisora.

Mthalane’s final fight was against Diomel Diocos of Phillippines at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall on Sunday, and it came just a week before his 40th birthday.

In retiring from the sport, the KwaZulu-Natal-born boxer has brought to an end a career which spanned for 22 years.

READ | LOCAL BOXER TRAGICALLY PASSES AWAY AFTER BOUT

Mathalane, a two-time former IBF flyweight world champion, quits the ring with 40 wins and just three defeats during his two-decades long boxing career.

In fact, it was his impressive start to his boxing career that caught the eye of many as he went 14 fights without a defeat from his first ever bout with Wiseman Mnguni on 19 December 2000.

The former IBO flyweight champ’s first defeat came at the hands of Nkqubela Gwazela on 24 September 2004 in a bout for the WBC International and South African flyweight titles.

MORUTI MTHALANE QUITS BOXING WITH DECORATED CAREER

“I think I’m 100 percent sure. It’s not like it’s something that came yesterday, I sat down and decided, ‘No, I think it’s my last day in boxing as a boxer,’” said Mthalane after his fight in Maritzburg.

“First of all, I’d like to thank everyone who came here to support me. It was a successful tournament, with the last fight of my career. So, I’m very happy. Thanks, South Africa, special people from KZN, I’m very happy that they came in numbers to support me,” added Mthalane.

South Africa’s five heavyweight champions of the world

1 Gerrie Coetzee (WBA Champion 23 September 1983 – 1 December 1984)

In 1983, Gerrie Coetzee became the first South African to win a Heavyweight title in what was his fourth title fight.

Coetzee was not expected to get one over on the Don King-Promoted Michael Dokes, but he dominated the fight before scoring a tenth-round knockout.

The knockout punch might have dealt more damage to Coetzee than to Dokes with the South African bruiser requiring surgery and struggling with the injured hand for years.

Coetzee lost the title in a controversial knockout defeat to Greg Page at Sun City a year later.

2 Corrie Sanders (WBU Champion 15 November 1997 – 20 May 2000) and (WBO Champion 8 March 2003 – December 2003)

Sanders is the only South African heavyweight to succesfully defend his title on more than one occasion. He is also the only South African heavyweight to hold more than one world championship belt.

‘The Sniper’ won the WBO heavyweight title in 2003 after knocking out Wladimir Klitschko in two rounds, in a massive upset. He would vacate the title in a bid to claim the WBC title off of Vitali Klitschko but fell short in his bid to be a triple world champion.

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In 1997 he had beaten Ross Puritty at the Carousel Casino in Hammanskraal to win the WBU title which he defended in fights against Bobby Czyz, Jorge Valdes and Al Cole before dropping the belt to Hasim Rahman in Atlantic City in 2000. 

3 Mike Bernardo (WBF Champion 12 May 2000 – May 2002)

Also a renowned kickboxer Bernardo made his professional boxing debut on 28 February 1993, against countryman Delius Musemwa, scoring a second-round knockout.

Bernardo won the vacant WBF title against Dan Jerling by knocking out the Czechoslovakian fighter in the sixth round in Szekszárd, Hungary.

In his only defence of the title, Bernardo knocked out American Peter McNeely in just 41 seconds. In May 2002 he was stripped of the title for failure to defend the belt.

4 Francois Botha (WBF Champion 6 February 2009 – 10 April 2010)

On 6 February 2009, Frans ‘The White Buffalo’ Botha beat Ron ‘Rocky’ Guerrero by unanimous decision to claim the vacant WBF heavyweight title at the Tlokwe Banquet Hall in Potchefstroom.

Botha had returned to boxing two years earlier with a unanimous decision victory over Bob Mirovic.

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It was the second time that Botha had won a world title fight but his victory in 1995 against Germany’s Axel Schulz to win the IBF heavyweight Championship was declared a no contest retrospectively after the fighter tested positive for nandrolone.

5 Kevin Lerena

Kevin Lerena is the new IBO Intercontinental Heavyweight champion after he defeated Polish giant Mariusz Wach at Emperors Palace in Johannesburg on Saturday 17 September 2022.

Lerena won by unanimous decision after 12 rounds in just his second fight in the heavyweight division.

“I had good training for the fight,” Lerena said after his win.

“I fear no man, I’m not intimidated at all. It’s just a fight and on the night skills win.”

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Lerena, in only his second fight in the heavyweight division, won by unanimous decision over 12 rounds.

‘I fear no man’ – Kevin Lerena

The 30-year-old dominated the judges’ scorecards with two awarding him a 120-108 win and the third scoring the fight 118-110. 

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“I had good training for the fight,” Lerena said after his win.

“I fear no man, I’m not intimidated at all. It’s just a fight and on the night skills win.”

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