Oleksandr Usyk helping Anthony Joshua before Tyson Fury meeting Oleksandr Usyk, the two-time undisputed heavyweight champion, has expressed confidence that Anthony Joshua will defeat Tyson Fury in their highly anticipated rematch. Usyk, who has previously faced both fighters in competitive bouts, has been actively assisting Joshua in developing a gameplan for the all-British showdown. The Ukrainian boxer, who has remained undefeated in his career, emphasized his belief in Joshua’s ability to overcome Fury, despite acknowledging the latter’s formidable skills. Joshua, 36, is set to return to the ring on 25 July for a scheduled fight against Kristian Prenga in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Following this, he has signed a long-term deal to face his former rival Fury later in the year. In recent months, Joshua has been training with Usyk in Spain and Ukraine, where the two have collaborated on strategy and preparation. Usyk, who has defeated Joshua twice in the past, shared his thoughts with BBC Sport, stating, “In my opinion, AJ wins against Fury. Fury is an unbelievable fighter and a very dangerous guy, but I look at how Anthony works and how he has changed. I want Anthony to win—he deserves it.” Usyk also highlighted his personal connection to Joshua, noting their shared experiences as fighters. He described Fury as a “greedy belly best friend” and praised his fighting abilities, but reiterated his support for Joshua’s victory. The Ukrainian champion added, “I like Fury, he’s an amazing fighter, but I want Anthony to win. He deserves it.” Beyond his preparations for the Fury fight, Joshua has been focusing on his upcoming bout against Prenga, which Usyk referred to as “official sparring.#anthony_joshua #tyson_fury #oleksandr_usyk #kristian_prenga #rico_verhoeven
Jake Paul faces a year out of boxing after second surgery on jaw following brutal Anthony Joshua KO Jake Paul is expected to miss at least a year of professional boxing after undergoing a second surgery on his fractured jaw, sustained during a controversial knockout loss to Anthony Joshua. The 29-year-old YouTuber, known for his high-risk ventures, stepped into the heavyweight division to challenge Joshua in December, despite his lack of experience in the weight class. The fight, held in Miami, ended in a dramatic fashion when Joshua’s powerful right hand shattered Paul’s jaw, forcing him to retire after just six rounds. Paul initially underwent surgery following the fight but required a second operation in late February, which has delayed his return to the ring. When asked about his timeline for resuming training, Paul stated, “Later this year. I got my second surgery recently. The doctors said like four, five, or six months to even be able to spar to see how the bone is healing.” This prognosis suggests a prolonged recovery period, with Paul likely unable to compete until late 2025 at the earliest. The fight with Joshua was initially intended to be a high-profile exhibition bout, but it quickly turned into a spectacle of controversy. Paul had originally planned to face Gervonta Davis in November, but Davis withdrew due to allegations of domestic abuse, leaving Paul scrambling for a replacement. Despite efforts to secure fighters like Francis Ngannou, who had previously lost to Joshua, the match with Joshua became inevitable. Ngannou, who had previously been approached as a potential replacement, declined the opportunity, citing personal reasons. However, the former UFC champion is set to return to the cage on May 16, facing Brazilian Philipe Lins in Los Angeles.#miami #jake_paul #anthony_joshua #most_valuable_promotions #tyson_fury
Jake Paul to Return to Boxing Ring in Late 2026 or Early 2027 After Jaw Surgery Jake Paul has confirmed he will be sidelined from boxing competition for several months following a second jaw surgery after his knockout loss to Anthony Joshua in December. The YouTuber-turned-boxer revealed that his recovery timeline places his potential return to the ring in late 2026 or early 2027, as he continues to heal from the injury sustained during the fight. Paul, who suffered a fractured jaw in two places during his stoppage loss to Joshua in the sixth round of their December 19 matchup, underwent his first surgical procedure the day after the fight. A second operation was required in February as the injury progressed. Speaking at a news conference alongside Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, Paul provided an update on his recovery, stating, “The doctor said it will be four, five, or six months to even be able to spar to see how the bone is healing. That puts us maybe late this year or early next year for a fight.” The 28-year-old fighter, who previously competed at heavyweight, plans to return to a weight class he feels more comfortable in after the physical toll of his loss to Joshua. “Definitely will be a cruiserweight,” Paul said. “Joshua’s punches hurt way more than people in my weight class. That’s where I’m best at, for sure, and where I want to continue to climb in the rankings and make some statements.” Paul’s decision to shift to cruiserweight comes after his defeat at heavyweight, where he acknowledged the challenge of facing an opponent of Joshua’s caliber. The former social media personality has faced criticism for his boxing career, but he remains determined to rebuild his reputation through strategic competition.#las_vegas #jake_paul #anthony_joshua #ronda_rousey #gina_carano
