Usyk v Joshua II – Same again ?

Article originally posted on 18/6/22 This week’s confirmation of the rematch for the heavyweight titles held by Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk, due to be re-contested in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on 20 August, has been met with the expected writing off to former champ Anthony Joshua’s chances. Almost to the extent that it’s not worth the Londoner …

The PressBox

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia 16:15 local time The final press conference has been held for the big heavyweight title showdown, the ‘Rage on the Red Sea’ between Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua, scheduled for Saudi Arabia this Saturday 20th. The main talking point in the conference was around competition. British challenger Anthony Joshua, in response to …

The Monday LunchBox

With no action in British rings over the weekend we’re into a ‘monster’ week in the build up to the big world heavyweight rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Saturday 20th. The contest will be for The Ring magazine championship after last week’s retirement announcement from former lineal champ …

The Weekender

“The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” so said Conor Benn in yesterday’s London Bridge press conference to formally announce his forthcoming fight with Chris Eubank Jr. That, in essence is what we have in the 157lbs (11st, 3lbs) ‘catchweight’ contest at London’s O2 Arena on 8 October. Billed as ‘Born Rivals’ and co-promoted …

The Monday LunchBox

On Saturday (30th), at a rockin’ Bournemouth International Centre on the English south coast, local favourite Chris Billam-Smith successfully defended his European and Commonwealth cruiserweight (200lbs/14st, 4lbs) titles against London’s Isaac Chamberlain over twelve hard fought rounds. The contest, a contender for British fight of the year, topped an excellent night of action on the …

The Friday Faceup

The cruiserweight division (200lbs/14st, 4lbs) has never been glamorous. Stuck between light-heavyweight (175lbs/12st, 7lbs) and the unlimited enormity of the heavyweight division it has suffered a bit of a middle-child syndrome. Despite having some elite champions emerge from it such as Evander Holyfield and Oleksandr Usyk, it’s been difficult to love. This indifference has been …

The Monday LunchBox

Oldham, England’s Mark Heffron spectacularly won the British and Commonwealth 168lbs (12st) titles on a packed Queensberry card at the Copper Box Arena, London on Saturday. Heffron (28-2-1, 22 KO’s) dethroned Birmingham’s Lennox Clarke in an action packed contest by fifth round stoppage on 2.28 secs. The 30 year old Heffron had twice unsuccessfully contested …