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Oleksandr Usyk was sat ringside with Anthony Joshua as they watched Joseph Parker’s statement victory in Riyadh.

The WBO interim heavyweight champion produced a devastating performance as he knocked out Martin Bakole in the second round.

Parker called for a bout with Usyk after his sixth straight victory, with the Ukrainian watching on in the crowd.

Footage from ringside captured both Usyk and Joshua’s reaction to the knockout blow.

The pair could be seen intensely watching on before they were left stunned by Parker’s vicious overhand right.

Joshua leant back in shock as he rested his arm on Usyk, with the duo staring at each other in amazement.

Usyk could then be seen rising to his feet and applauding Parker, who he could now face next.

A bout with Daniel Dubois had been a possibility before the IBF champion was forced to withdraw from his scheduled meeting with Parker.

As a result, Bakole stepped in on short notice to face the New Zealander, who now has a professional record of 36-3 with 24 knockouts.

After the fight, Parker paid tribute to his opponent before calling for a blockbuster showdown with Usyk.

The 33-year-old said: “Martin Bakole, thank you very much for accepting the challenge and flying all the way here on short notice to give me a good fight.

“I just went out there, listened to Andy [Lee] and stayed calm, structured and composed to get the victory.

“I’m fit, I’m strong, I’m healthy, I’m sharp thanks to these two men and my hard work.

“Andy was breaking it down for me and I had to be patient. I want to say, who is next? How do I fight for the world title next?

“If Usyk wants a dance partner then I will get Frank [Warren] in here to lock in a fight. I want to be champion of the world again soon.”

Anthony Joshua 

Parker has now won six fights in a row since losing to Joe Joyce in 2022.

He also previously faced Joshua, suffering a unanimous decision defeat at the Millennium Stadium in 2018.

As for AJ, he has been out of the ring since suffering his fourth professional loss to Dubois in September.

Meanwhile, the Brit previously faced Usyk twice in 2021 and 2022, losing both bouts via decision.

As for the undefeated world champion, Usyk extended his record to 23-0 with 14 knockouts by beating Tyson Fury for a second time in December.

He had planned to face the winner of Dubois vs Parker before the former was forced to withdraw through illness.

Usyk remains keen on a unification bout with Dynamite, who he previously faced in 2023.

Dubois was stopped in the ninth round after dropping Usyk with a controversial low blow earlier in the fight.

The 27-year-old has since picked up wins over Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic and Joshua to move to 22-2 as a professional.

Daniel Dubois has been in the ring with both Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua, and may be again soon.

The young Brit’s first world title tilt came against Usyk in August of 2023 after the Ukrainian had taken three of the four major belts from Joshua and defended them in a rematch.

Dubois tried to impose himself on the southpaw champion but was largely unsuccessful save for a moment in the fifth round when he would drop Usyk. It was immediately ruled a low blow and Usyk was given ample time to recover before getting back into his rhythm and scoring his first stoppage in three fights. Dubois was put down in both the eighth and ninth before failing to stand for the referee’s count.

While Usyk went on to become undisputed champion with a win over Tyson Fury, Dubois bounced back with wins over Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic, fighting himself into a position to hold the interim IBF belt and subsequently the full title when Usyk vacated it.

His first defence came against Joshua at Wembley Stadium, and the 28-year-old would retain his strap with an assured and destructive performance that saw him drop ‘AJ’ three times before the fifth round stoppage. Joshua did land a few heavy shots of his own in an attempt to turn the tide, one of which Dubois says felt like a ‘bomb going off.’

Despite that, in a recent feature with the Ring Magazine ‘DDD’ said Tyson Fury, who he has only sparred, hits harder than Joshua and that Usyk hits harder than Fury. A surprising outcome given ‘AJ’ is known as the knockout puncher between the three.

Dubois puts his belt on the line against Joseph Parker this weekend in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with a win all but guaranteeing him a rematch with Usyk for the undisputed championship.

Anthony Joshua has seen the very best of Oleksandr Usyk so has a good idea of how he might have fared against Lennox Lewis.

Joshua came up against Usyk twice, the first time in 2021 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and a second time the following year at Wembley.

Going into those fights he was a unified belt holder with wins against the likes of Kubrat Pulev, Carlos Takam, and Wladimir Klitschko, and a revenge rematch victory over Andy Ruiz Jr.

As such he was in a good run of form, but that came to an end after 12 tight rounds with the Ukrainian who managed to stay away from Joshua’s biggest shots and land plenty of his own punches to take away a points win.

The rematch went the same way and again left Joshua frustrated and without any of his world title belts. Usyk has since twice beaten Tyson Fury to cement his status as the very best of the current era.

The last time one man was as dominant in the division was Lewis back at the turn of the millennium when he became the undisputed champion.

In a round of winner stays on with Mail Sport Boxing, ‘AJ’ was asked who would come out on top if Usyk and Lewis fought but he couldn’t decide.

“50-50.”

He was then forced for an answer.

“Oleksandr Usyk.”

Usyk doesn’t currently have a fight scheduled but many hope he might take on the winner of the fight between Joseph Parker and Daniel Dubois in a second undisputed contest.

Joshua, meanwhile, was hoping to fight Fury in what would be a career-defining fight, but Fury has since announced his retirement.

Unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has predicted who would have prevailed in a fantasy fight between prime Mike Tyson and Anthony Joshua.

‘Iron’ Mike is regarded as one of the most ferocious heavyweights in boxing history. Holding the undisputed heavyweight champion between 1987 and 1990, Tyson became the youngest world heavyweight champion ever in 1986 when he knocked out Trevor Berbick in the second round of their bout. The thunderous power of the 58-year-old was undeniable, knocking out 44 of the 50 fighters he defeated during his career.

Joshua has won the world heavyweight championship on two occasions, defeating the likes of Wladimir Klitschko, Joseph Parker and Alexander Povetkin since his professional debut in 2013. The 35-year-old from Watford is coming off a devastating knockout defeat to newly crowned IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois, but is planning on returning to the ring in 2025 as he sets his sights on finally becoming a three-time heavyweight champion.

In a round of ‘Winner Stays On’ with MailSport Boxing, the Ukrainian superstar was asked to choose who he feels would have won in a showdown between ‘AJ’ and Tyson.

Mike Tyson and Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk

“Anthony Joshua.”

Usyk dethroned Joshua of his unified WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight titles in September 2021. The pair clashed for the second time just under one year later in Riyadh, as the Ukrainian successfully retained his heavyweight crown in a slightly closer contest, picking up a split decision victory over the Brit.

‘AJ’ has recently confirmed he will be returning to the ring this year, with an opponent yet to be confirmed. The 35-year-old was linked with an all-British showdown with Tyson Fury, which now looks unlikely to happen after ‘The Gypsy King’ announced his retirement from boxing earlier this month.

Deontay Wilder has emerged as a potential opponent for the Olympic Gold medalist, with both fighters looking to bounce back from their recent defeats and get their respective careers back on track.

It’s been one of the foremost trends in the world of combat sports—exponents from one field of discipline traveling to another and vice versa. By and large, it has been one-dimensional. Mostly mixed martial arts fighters have been taking the plunge into the ring. Often, one comes across instances where boxers—especially notable ones—hint at a move to the cage to prove their fighting prowess.

So what will happen if, from the current roster of boxing champions, a few decide to test themselves in the octagon? From a noble art that focuses solely on pure punching, will a shift to an arena that’s just shy of a real fight work in their favor? It may be hard to gauge. However, there is now a tool that has proven to be quite handy for evaluating such complex scenarios. With the Usyk-Fury rematch, boxing officially welcomed artificial intelligence (AI) into its fray. Despite its restricted usage, the technology has been remarkably helpful in predicting hypothetical matchups and uncovering previously unforeseen prospects. ChatGPT was asked how some of today’s biggest names would fare in the UFC. Let’s explore how it responded.

Tyson Fury

Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury

First and foremost, the sheer size of ‘The Gypsy King’ offers him an unprecedented advantage. Standing 6’9″ and boasting an 85-inch reach, Fury weighed in at a career-best 281 pounds during the rematch against Usyk. One may come across such imposing figures in team games like basketball or football, but not in combat sports for certain.

Then the former heavyweight champion wields some deft technical skills in the ring. Now add to this his granite chin. He has suffered knockdowns against Deontay Wilder and Oleksandr Usyk. But ‘The Gypsy King’ has yet to suffer a knockout loss.

Gifted with high ring IQ, Tyson Fury adapts himself according to the fighting style of the opponent. So the AI believes the attribute could come in handy for Fury in the MMA cage. But the technology highlighted a few potential challenges as well.

The biggest hurdle remains the grappling. Statistics prove that the art of taking down an opponent dominates the UFC. Jon Jones once remarked that, for the uninitiated, fighting a thoroughbred wrestler or BJJ specialist will be akin to drowning. Hence, despite his size and boxing skills, Tyson Fury may suffer a humbling takedown or submission from a visibly inferior striker.

Gervonta Davis

AI checked the Baltimorean’s chances as well. With 28 out of his 30 professional wins secured through knockouts, Gervonta Davis remains one of boxing’s most feared aces. So if he could accomplish such a feat with standard boxing gloves, imagine the damage he would inflict wearing these thin MMA gloves.

One shouldn’t forget the lightweight champion is a highly intelligent and ruthless fighter. He can move around and stalk his opponents before delivering those deadly knockout punches. In the octagon, his supreme reflexes may prove a big asset. Despite his size and weight, Tank has beaten some of the foremost strikers in boxing. It speaks volumes about his unparalleled athleticism.

But like Fury, for Gervonta Davis, the absence of grappling skills remains a major drawback. The likes of Alexandre PantojaMerab DvalishviliIlia Topuria, or even Islam Makhachev dominate the lower divisions. So even if the Baltimorean manages to outclass them with strikes, what will happen if any of his opponents opts for a quick takedown?

Vasiliy Lomachenko

‘The Matrix’ of boxing may prove a tough nut to crack in the cage, says artificial intelligence. It primarily attributes it to the Ukrainian champion’s top-notch footwork. Building on the glorious traditions of Soviet boxing, the two-time Olympic gold medalist is an unmatched master of ring movement.

If that’s not enough, it’s worth noting that thanks to his father, Lomachenko is well-versed in wrestling techniques. Though he may not be a regular practitioner, the initiation could offer the necessary leverage to build on.

A classic old-school boxer, Vasyl Lomachenko, is used to fighting the whole distance. Thus, according to the AI, in grueling octagon tests involving 3 rounds of five minutes each, he may outfight MMA fighters. But there’s a major problem. ‘Loma’ will turn 37 next month. Whether he can rely on his fame, skills, and athleticism at a stage when he is nearing the end of his career could raise several doubts.

Naoya ‘The Monster’ Inoue

Further down, at the bantamweight level, currently, there’s no one who can challenge Naoya Inoue‘s dominance. The two-time undisputed champion, a consistent P4P best boxer in the world, is hard to ignore. Even the best find it hard to catch his deadly rights that land with pinpoint precision.

But it’s not only the skills where Inoue excels. It’s the overall package, especially his mental makeup and his attitude. Inoue enters the ring to obliterate his opponent. UFC and mixed martial arts fans would relish the chance to see such a fighter in the cage. Nothing excites them more than watching a fighter secure an early knockdown or submission. For a boxer of his size, ‘The Monster’ delivers a powerful punch that, according to the AI, could be a game-changer in the UFC’s lower divisions.

Like most of the boxers, for Naoya Inoue also, it’s the ground where most of the problems exist. The world champion may score a knockout with smaller gloves. But against a skilled opponent who will try to take him down with a clinch or ankle pick, Inoue might be scrambling for answers.

Oleksandr Usyk

If it’s Tyson Fury, then AI has to check his conqueror as well, right? The groundbreaking technology suggests that the Olympic gold medalist and two-division undisputed champion’s ability to adapt his fighting style to suit his opponent could give him an edge in the cage. Moreover, when it comes to conditioning and physical attributes, the Ukrainian champion is regarded as one of the finest athletes of his generation.

What truly sets Oleksandr Usyk apart from other champions is his sheer tenacity in overcoming much bigger and more powerful opponents. From Anthony Joshua to Tyson Fury, every heavyweight is well aware of what Usyk is capable of inside the ring.

In the past, Usyk has mentioned how he incorporates other disciplines into his training to become a more well-rounded fighter. However, against UFC champions like Jon Jones or Tom Aspinall, that might not be enough.

As athletes well-versed in the art of fighting, the aforementioned individuals may score a knockdown or even a knockout in an MMA fight. However, how much will excelling in one particular skill help them in a sport that demands the use of both hands and legs to secure a win? Fourteen years ago, James Toney faced legend Randy Couture. But the fight didn’t last long. Within the first round, Couture applied an arm-triangle choke to force a submission from the former world champion, who had dominated across boxing’s three weight classes.

The above scenarios were analyzed by AI. Who do you think would excel in the UFC?

Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury have been linked with a huge all-British clash for years. With Fury on the cusp of his world title fight with Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday night in Riyadh, shown live on TNT Sports Box Office, there is speculation that the Briton could finally move onto a fight against Joshua in 2025. Fury, his promoters and Eddie Hearn all have had their say in the recent past.

The two fighters have circled one another for a decade, but will Tyson Fury finally fight Anthony Joshua?
Fury fights Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday night, live on TNT Sports Box Office, and whether he wins or loses, most British fight fans will hope that before Joshua and Fury step away from the sport, they will finally settle their rivalry.
The two almost fought a few years ago, before they were sidetracked, in part, by Usyk.
In 2021 it seemed set that the two Britons would meet in the ring for an undisputed clash in their next fights, but ultimately, Fury was forced to honour an obligation to take on Deontay Wilder in his trilogy rematch, which he duly won.
While he retained his WBC crown, Joshua found himself teed up to defend his three belts against Usyk, who was getting used to the heavyweight division after moving up from cruiserweight.
Ultimately, the Ukrainian would win both of his two fights against Joshua to set up an undisputed clash with Fury, which he won in May. That leads us to now, with several options ahead for Fury.
  • What is Fury’s boxing record? Has Usyk ever lost? Who is pound-for-pound best?
  • What could Fury do next after second Usyk bout? Trilogy? AJ super fight? Retire?

Fury: ‘It would be a travesty if we didn’t fight’

Speaking to TNT Sports, Fury said earlier in the year that it would be a huge disappointment if he and Joshua did not meet.
“At the end of the day, it would be a travesty if we didn’t fight,” Fury said.
“No matter if he [Joshua] loses 20 more fights. If he doesn’t win another fight and has 10 years away from the game, it doesn’t matter, we have to fight.”

Arum – Joshua is ‘the one fight’

For Fury’s co-promoter Bob Arum, he thinks Fury still has Joshua on his mind, particularly if he wins the three belts on Saturday.
“The one fight that [Fury] is looking to if he beats Usyk is Joshua … that fight has been talked about for as long as I can remember,” reported BoxingScene.
He added that Turki Alalshikh would look to deliver the clash at Wembley, rather than in Riyadh.
“I think Turki would look for that fight to happen with his participation in Wembley,” Arum added, as well as saying a Joshua fight could come “instead of” an Usyk trilogy.
Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua

Warren – Fury and Usyk will fight trilogy

For Fury’s other promoter, Frank Warren, he believes Usyk is the next opponent come what may.
That means that any Fury v Joshua clash would not be feasible at least until the second half of 2025, but if Usyk retains all belts on Saturday, it is far from impossible he may choose to retire, which would clear the way for the British extravaganza.
“It’s contracted, and whatever happens,” Warren told Boxing News. “That will be the case if Tyson wins, providing nobody retires.”

Hearn – Joshua wants Fury or Dubois next

Joshua’s latest fight was a defeat to Daniel Dubois in September, losing out on the chance to become a three-time world champion.
It had been hoped by many that a win against Dubois would give Joshua and Fury the chance to bring all four belts back for another undisputed clash, but that now seems unlikely.
Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, thinks that Joshua wants either Dubois or Fury next, and has no interest in any other fighter.
“It’s weird saying it after a knockout defeat but AJ is actually in a really good position,” Hearn told BBC Sport.
“We’re going to fight Dubois or Fury next. That’s it. No other interest or warm-up.”

Tyson Fury will change his approach for his rematch against Oleksandr Usyk following criticism from Mike Tyson, who felt the British star wasn’t serious enough in the first bout

Mike Tyson has got his wish after Tyson Fury promised to change his approach for his rematch against Oleksandr Usyk

The Gypsy King will have the chance to claim three of the four heavyweight belts when he faces the Ukrainian champion in Riyadh on Saturday, December 21. Fury suffered the first defeat of his pro career in May as Usyk edged a narrow points decision.

Despite magnitude of the fight, which was for all four heavyweight belts, the early rounds saw Fury showboat. The tactics didn’t pay off as Usyk took charge from the middle rounds, almost knocking his foe out in the ninth.

Fury’s approach didn’t go down well with former heavyweight king Mike Tyson. Recently asked for his thoughts on the rematch, Iron Mike returned to the first fight, telling Fox Sports Radio: “Tyson Fury could have won that fight if he wasn’t playing around early in the fight.”

Asked whether he thought Fury would win the rematch, Mike reiterated: “I want him to be serious enough.”

Therefore, the 58-year-old will be pleased after Fury vowed not to “clown around” this time. Via the Associated Press, Fury said: “I’ll just throw more this time. Keep hitting him in the face more often than I did last time.

Mike Tyson

“I’m just going to box smart, box clever and if I catch him, get him out of there. Pretty similar to what I did last time. A little bit less clowning around and a bit more focus and that’s it, really.

“I did more clowning than anybody in any high-level fight’s ever done. It’s taken my focus away as well, so maybe a little less clowning and more focus on the actual victory. I was messing around too much in there.”

In terms of his pre-fight preparation, nothing has changed for Fury, who was content with his training camp before the first fight. He said: “He got the decision, fantastic. Am I going to change everything in my camp because I lost a split decision? Hell no.”

Unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has included former two-time champion Anthony Joshua in his list of top five boxers in the world despite defeating the British-Nigerian twice, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Ukrainian, who is preparing for his heavyweight title rematch against Tyson Fury in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on December 21, made the surprise inclusion during an interview with DAZN.
Usyk, who handed Fury his first professional defeat in May, named pound-for-pound king Terence Crawford and super-middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez as his top two choices before adding Joshua to the list.
The inclusion comes as a surprise following Joshua’s recent knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in September, his fourth professional loss.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn recently revealed that the 34-year-old is still “hurting” from the devastating loss to Dubois, who dropped him four times before securing a fifth-round stoppage.
“Yeah, he is hurting. He took a pasting at times in that fight and I think he has got his back up and he wants to come back stronger,” Hearn told talkSPORT.
Despite their rivalry, Usyk also included Fury in his top five, alongside undefeated Japanese sensation Naoya Inoue, who continues to dominate the bantamweight division.
Fury has promised a different approach in the rematch, vowing to knock out the Ukrainian. “Last time, I went to box him, I was being cautious. This time I’m not going for a points decision. I’m going to knock that motherf****r out,” the Brit declared.
The winner of the December 21 clash could potentially face Joshua in 2024, with Hearn confirming his fighter has no plans to retire despite calls from several boxing personalities.

Unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has made a surprising statement, naming former two-time world champion Anthony Joshua among his top five boxers in the world. This declaration comes despite Usyk’s dominant victories over Joshua in their two previous encounters.

As Usyk prepares for his highly anticipated rematch against Tyson Fury in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on December 21st, he revealed his top five list during an interview with DAZN. The Ukrainian sensation placed pound-for-pound king Terence Crawford and super-middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez at the top of his list. Following closely behind, he named Anthony Joshua, a fighter he has clearly outclassed in the ring.

Joshua’s recent career trajectory has been marked by setbacks, most notably his devastating knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in September. This defeat, which saw Joshua dropped multiple times before the fight was halted, has significantly impacted his reputation. Despite this, Usyk’s inclusion of Joshua in his top five highlights the Ukrainian’s respect for his opponent’s skill and past achievements.

Usyk’s top five list is rounded out by Tyson Fury and undefeated Japanese sensation Naoya Inoue. Fury, who is aiming to avenge his loss to Usyk, has promised a more aggressive approach in the rematch, vowing to knock out the Ukrainian. Inoue, on the other hand, continues to dominate the bantamweight division with his exceptional boxing skills and devastating power.

The winner of the Usyk-Fury rematch could potentially face Joshua in 2024, as the British fighter has no plans to retire despite calls from various boxing figures. This potential matchup would undoubtedly be a highly anticipated clash between two of the biggest names in heavyweight boxing.

The hotly-anticipated rematch between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk is just around the corner, with the Gypsy King looking to avenge a heartbreaking loss to his rival earlier this year.

Usyk defeated Fury in Riyadh to hand him his first-ever professional defeat, and became the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999 in the process. The WBC, WBA, and WBO belts will all be on the line this time round, with Usyk relinquishing the IBF title shortly after beating Fury. That title is now held by Daniel Dubois, who was upgraded from interim champion and will defend that title in February against Joseph Parker.

The rematch is set for the 21st of December, and Lewis, along with other top names in the boxing scene, have been giving their predictions about who will come out on top this time.

Oleksandr Usyk & Tyson Fury’s pro boxing records (as of 13/12/24)
Oleksandr Usyk Tyson Fury
Fights 22 36
Wins 22 34
Losses 0 1
Draws 0 1

Lennox Lewis & Anthony Joshua Both Back Oleksandr Usyk

Lewis, with 41 wins from 44 fights, and despite initially throwing his support behind Fury, is now under the impression that Usyk is on the top of his game and will be hard to stop.

Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk

Lewis told Droeks On Boxing: “Well, I cannot go against Usyk. He has proven himself time and time again, and he is still undefeated. It really comes down to who boxes the best. Who’s smart in the ring? I didn’t think Tyson Fury was smart in the first fight. I think he played around a little bit too much, and allowed Usyk to really pile up the points. Usyk is a difficult opponent. He moves all the time, he’s always throwing punches, he’s in great shape, and that’s hard to beat.”

Anthony Joshua

Anthony Joshua, who was ringside for the first fight in May, can tell you first hand what it is like to be in the ring with Usyk, having lost to him twice. He also believes the Ukrainian will come out on top once again. He told Queensberry Promotions: “I think it’s going to be a tough fight early on, and then I feel like Usyk will edge it again. He’s a class operator, so I think Usyk’s one of the best out there. That’s why I think he will win.”

Other Fighters Have Their Say

Derek Chisora, Carl Frampton, and Amir Khan have all cast their picks

Another British fighter who isn’t backing Fury to win is Derek Chisora. He has been in the ring with both men, losing on a total of four occasions (including a trilogy with Fury). He said: “[Usyk] is still the same, bro. It’s gonna be a good fight, we’re gonna see a little bit of difference, but you have to understand: Tyson will come a little bit different, but Usyk will come a little bit different [as well]. But as the scales hit right now, my money’s still edging on Usyk.”

Someone who is backing Fury, however, is another former world champion, Carl Frampton, as he said: “I fancy Fury. My mind hasn’t really swayed from start to finish, which is strange in a fight of this magnitude; I’ve been saying Fury from the start. I think Fury is in the zone now, he’s serious, he’s ready to fight. Both guys seem to be very, very confident. Both, I think, know it’s going to be a difficult fight.”

Amir Khan similarly backed Fury to right his wrong from May, with the former world champion saying: “I just lean more towards Tyson in this fight. As we get closer to the fight, I feel like Tyson might be a little too thin. We know Fury can fight on his back foot, but we just don’t know what to expect […] Let’s see, I’m gonna stick with Fury to win the fight, but there could be a few scares.”

So the boxing world is split over who they believe will win. One thing is for sure, it will be sure to be a massive clash between two of boxing’s best.