Sports

Anthony Joshua’s Victory Over Pulev, is he ready for Tyson Fury?

Published

4 years ago

December 13, 2020

Anthony Joshua did not let his mind wander ahead of his bout against Kubrat Pulev. He’d tripped over hurdles before, failing to anchor himself in the present. But all week he refused to look beyond Pulev, and that unwavering focus led him to a ninth-round stoppage Saturday in front of 1,000 fans at the SSE Arena in London.

Anthony Joshua's Victory Over Pulev, is he ready for Tyson Fury?

Joshua knocked Pulev down in the third round with a sweetly struck uppercut, yet the Bulgarian’s strong chin kept him in the fight until the ninth. A flurry of uppercuts and a straight right hand eventually floored the spirited Pulev.

For Joshua (24-1, 22 KOs), this was as much an exorcism of that ugly Andy Ruiz Jr. spell as it was a reminder of Joshua’s ruthless ability to stop a fight in its tracks. The uppercut was on point as Joshua lived up to his promise of thrilling, but despite his laser-like focus, this felt like a starter with the main course yet to come.

Joshua didn’t even mention Tyson Fury’s name in the buildup to this fight, but the WBC belt holder and a potential epic matchup in 2021 between them hovered over this bout as an omnipresent distraction. It was only after Pulev had been dispatched that Joshua eventually mentioned those two words of the man standing in the way of a unification

“When I started this game in 2013 I’ve been chasing all the belts, dealing with mandatories,” Joshua said. “Of course, I want a challenge, it’s not about the opponents, it’s about the legacy and the belts — whoever’s got the belt, I’d love to compete with them. If that’s Tyson Fury, let it be Tyson Fury. It’s no big deal.”

Fury turned down Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn’s invite to be ringside at the SSE Arena, but he watched from a distance as Joshua defended his WBA, IBF and WBO titles and lived up to his prefight promise of “destroying [Pulev’s] soul.”

It’s been a long time between fights — a year and five days since Joshua stopped Ruiz in the Saudi Arabia rematch following his Madison Square Garden nightmare. There were concerns Joshua would show ring rust, but to combat that, he sparred throughout Thursday evening of fight week, alarming his trainer Rob McCracken by not wearing headgear just days out from the fight.

Pulev (28-2, 14 KOs), 39, was a competent opponent and did land a few jabs on Joshua, but the British fighter was in control throughout.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. was ringside, calling on Joshua to use the jab more, but Joshua did this his way and stuck to the plan of dispatching Pulev and avoiding another slip-up.

He prepared for this fight like Wladimir Klitschko did for Pulev back in 2014. Back then Joshua was one of Klitschko’s sparring partners. He spoke to the Ukrainian great for an hour on the phone Wednesday, looking for inside information on his opponent and gleaning any knowledge from Klitschko on how he inflicted the only other defeat in Pulev’s career before Saturday.

This performance was reminiscent of Klitschko, as were his postfight words.

“I’m the best version of me — I’m not in a fight with anyone else, just myself,” Joshua said, avoiding any predictions of who he’d get down the line.

The next step for Joshua could be mandatory WBO challenger Oleksandr Usyk, but the boxing world wants to see the all-British superfight against Fury. The “Gypsy King” has taken a chunk of Joshua’s spotlight this year thanks to his win over Deontay Wilder back in February, but Joshua will never linger long in the shadows.

Joshua will know deep down he’ll have to improve further if he is to defeat Fury. It felt as though he could have finished this fight against Pulev earlier, but let the Bulgarian get back in. Against an opponent like Fury, he can’t afford to give those opportunities, nor get drawn in by Fury’s distractions. Joshua has long prided himself on avoiding the pantomime of boxing. He was concerned that his win over Ruiz back in December wasn’t entertaining enough. After Saturday’s victory over Pulev, he immediately spoke of his hope that the 1,000 fans lucky enough to secure one of the tickets had enjoyed the show. But this was about winning, little else.

It was just like Joshua’s previous fight in the U.K., which was back in 2018. It was in the same corner of London, complete with the flaming AJ initials and the White Stripes’ chest-thumping bass guitar riff to welcome Joshua into the arena. Back then, his seventh-round stoppage of Alexander Povetkin was meant to be the last hurdle before a unification fight. But Joshua’s perfectly laid out plan for world domination had to wait as Ruiz stunned the Brit and the boxing world. This victory saw him steer his show back on track. This victory offers Joshua the platform to chase boxing immortality with Fury, who turned to Instagram postfight promising to knock Joshua out in three rounds, lying in wait.

Joshua has done his bit — he built his preparations on “less talk, more action.” That’s his message to the waiting boxing world. Now the power brokers need to get the deal done to give boxing the fight it wants.

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Sports

Oleksandr Usyk Defeats Tyson Fury Again, Solidifies Legacy Among Boxing Greats

Published

5 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Oleksandr Usyk Defeats Tyson Fury Again, Solidifies Legacy Among Boxing Greats

Ukrainian boxing sensation Oleksandr Usyk retained his heavyweight championship titles and cemented his place in boxing history with a unanimous decision victory over Britain’s Tyson Fury in their rematch on Saturday night.

The judges scored the bout 116-112 in Usyk’s favor across the board, marking his second consecutive win over Fury. This victory extended Usyk’s flawless professional record to 23-0, with 14 knockouts, adding another chapter to a career already highlighted by Olympic gold and an undisputed cruiserweight championship.

A Masterclass Performance

Usyk, 37, showcased his signature precision and relentless pace, repeatedly catching Fury with clean left hooks and dominating the latter stages of the fight. Fury, at 6ft 9in (206cm) and weighing a career-high 281 pounds, attempted to impose his physicality but was unable to break Usyk’s composure.

The fight, held in Saudi Arabia, saw Usyk wearing traditional Cossack attire during his entrance, while Fury entered the arena dressed in a festive Santa-inspired robe to Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You.”

The early rounds were competitive, with Fury landing powerful jabs and body shots. However, Usyk’s endurance and tactical brilliance began to shine in the middle rounds. The Ukrainian landed sharp combinations and dictated the tempo, including a stunning uppercut in the final round that left little doubt about the outcome.

“I thought I’ve won both fights,” Fury said post-match, sporting a bruised right eye. “But I’ll always believe until the day I die that I won that fight.”

A Legacy Sealed

Usyk’s victory solidified his standing as one of the greatest heavyweights in history. Already the first undisputed heavyweight of the four-belt era, Usyk joins the ranks of legends like Muhammad Ali, Joe Louis, and Mike Tyson.

The bout, reported to have a prize purse of $190 million, also underscored Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in global sports. Usyk, who served briefly as a soldier during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, celebrated his victory by hoisting a symbolic sabre belonging to Ukrainian nationalist hero Ivan Mazepa.

Fury’s Uncertain Future

The defeat leaves Fury’s future in doubt. Once unbeaten across 35 fights, Fury now stands at 34-2-1. His attempt to reclaim glory after a brief retirement in 2022 has been marred by back-to-back losses to Usyk.

Usyk, on the other hand, continues to add to his already remarkable resume, leaving fans and critics alike in awe of his technical skill, resilience, and determination. As the heavyweight division looks ahead, Usyk’s reign appears unshakable, and his place among boxing’s all-time greats is firmly secured.

Sports

Lille Netted Just €7M from Osimhen’s €70M Napoli Move, Club President Reveals”

Published

3 days ago

December 19, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Lille Netted Just €7M from Osimhen’s €70M Napoli Move, Club President Reveals”

Lille’s financial gain from Victor Osimhen’s high-profile 2020 transfer to Napoli was far less than expected, with the French club earning only €7 million despite the deal being valued at over €70 million. The shocking revelation was made by Lille’s President, Olivier Letang, who explained that the €7 million figure was the net result after factoring in the purchase price of Osimhen, four Napoli players who never played for Lille, and various intermediary fees and commissions.

“The net amount, after accounting for the player’s purchase, four players valued at €20 million who never featured for us, as well as intermediaries and commissions, was around €7 million,” Letang told L’Equipe TV.

This disclosure comes amid ongoing investigations by both Italian and French authorities into the circumstances surrounding the transfer, though Napoli has been cleared of any wrongdoing. Napoli’s legal team highlighted the club’s clean record, with lawyer Mattia Grassani emphasizing that the club had been acquitted after facing scrutiny from multiple judicial levels.

Letang, who took over as Lille’s President months after Osimhen’s departure, has now shed light on the intricate financial details behind the deal that saw Osimhen move to Italy. The striker’s move to Napoli would become a pivotal moment in his career, propelling him to stardom and helping Napoli secure their first Serie A title in 33 years.

Born in the tough environment of Lagos’ Olusosun community, Osimhen’s rise to prominence began at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup, where he won the Golden Boot with a record-breaking 10 goals. After stints at Wolfsburg in Germany and Charleroi in Belgium, Osimhen’s impressive performances at Lille led to his transfer to Napoli, where he went on to score 76 goals in 133 appearances. In 2023, he helped Napoli end their long wait for the Serie A title, earning the Serie A Golden Boot and breaking records, including becoming the highest-scoring African in Serie A history.

Currently on loan at Turkish giants Galatasaray, Osimhen has continued his impressive form, with 10 goals and five assists in just 14 appearances. Though contracted to Napoli until 2026, his future remains uncertain, as his contract includes clauses that could facilitate a permanent departure either in January or the summer. The details of his transfer and the shifting dynamics between player and club add another layer to the complex and ongoing saga of Osimhen’s career.

Sports

Controversy in Morocco as Lookman Beats Hakimi to African Player of the Year Award

Published

3 days ago

December 19, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Controversy in Morocco as Lookman Beats Hakimi to African Player of the Year Award

Moroccan football enthusiasts have expressed disappointment following Atlas Lions captain Achraf Hakimi’s loss in the race for the 2024 African Footballer of the Year award.

Atalanta’s Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman clinched the prestigious title during the CAF Awards ceremony held in Marrakech, Morocco, on Monday evening. Lookman’s achievement sees him succeed compatriot Victor Osimhen, marking consecutive wins for Nigeria in the category.

Lookman’s stellar performances in 2024 made a compelling case for his selection. He played a pivotal role in Atalanta’s historic Europa League triumph, notably scoring a remarkable hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen in the final—the Italian club’s first-ever European title. Additionally, the 27-year-old was instrumental in Nigeria’s journey to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final, contributing three goals and an assist, and earning a spot in the official Team of the Tournament.

Speculation leading up to the awards had suggested that Hakimi was the favorite for the accolade, given his outstanding contributions to both the Moroccan national team and Paris Saint-Germain throughout the year. Reports from Moroccan and French media fueled expectations of a Hakimi win, only for Lookman to be announced as the victor.

The decision has drawn criticism from Moroccan football analysts and fans. Tawfiq Al-Sanhaji, a prominent sports commentator, told 365scores: “It is a great regret for all Moroccan fans, and for all those who follow football in Morocco, because Achraf Hakimi presented distinguished levels throughout the year with the Moroccan national team and Paris Saint-Germain.”

Another sports analyst, Abdel Salam Kourahi, suggested potential internal politics within the Confederation of African Football (CAF) might have influenced the outcome. He remarked, “Perhaps there were understandings, calculations, and divisions within CAF that tipped the scales in favor of the Nigerian over the Moroccan international at the last minute.”

Some fans also pointed to past decisions by CAF, noting that Yassine Bounou, a key player in Sevilla’s Europa League victories in 2020 and 2023, was similarly overlooked for the award.

Lookman’s victory represents a milestone for Nigerian football. It is the first time in three decades that the nation has produced back-to-back winners of the African Player of the Year award, harking back to the consecutive victories of Nwankwo Kanu and Victor Ikpeba in 1996 and 1997 respectively.

While Lookman’s achievements are undeniably remarkable, the debate over the decision underscores the intense passion and pride that the African Player of the Year award evokes across the continent.