By Bart Barry-

Saturday at England’s Wembley Stadium British heavyweight Anthony Joshua will fight Ukraine’s Wladimir Klitschko. One week later at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena Mexican Saul “Canelo” Alvarez will fight Mexican “Son of the Legend” Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Both matches have their charms.

But one undefeated man to be found in the fourman bunch, too. Aficionados didn’t care much about undefeated marks before Money May – the fixation on Rocky Marciano’s record never felt like a product of aficionados so much as what casuals necessarily predominated a sport that dominated American culture in that time (like nonmusicians harping on albumsales because they have to have an opinion on what’s current and can’t very well muse about chord progressions) – and evidently don’t care much in our wasteland of a post-Money sport.

Look how quickly Mexicans forgave Canelo’s moneymaker of a whitewash against Money May. Too they forgave Son of the Legend’s loss to Maravilla Martinez; there was no dishonor in being wholly outclassed by a superior athlete and nothing but honor in that final round – which, for whatever we opined of Chavez every day before and every day since, nevertheless yielded the most suspenseful 90 seconds of prizefighting anyone has seen in a generation at least.

Hating Canelo or Chavez has never enchanted anyone the way he hoped it might. Canelo exudes professionalism, shows up ontime and ripped for every weighin, fights with reliable intensity, and stiffens lesser opponents with a quickness (and count me among those who verily do not hold it against Canelo he’s yet to move up in weight to fight a man who’s never moved up in weight). Son of the Legend, meanwhile, is nearly a legend in his own right – a different sort of legend, granted, but, well. For all his tries at channeling Dad’s pride and intensity Junior will ever be a raspberry-briefed cereal-scarfing goofball to the rest of us, and bless his heart, he knows it. You glare contemptuously at Junior for squandering his birthright, and he looks back at you through puffy bloodshot eyes and says, “Dude, what’s your problem?” – and if that doesn’t disarm you giggling, you’re wound too tight, and that’s not Junior’s problem either.

Both guys can fight a bit too. Canelo is a b-level novelty act in any good era, as Juan Manuel Marquez bitterly exclaimed years ago, and Chavez is a backup accordion player lipsynching on Televisa for Banda Ensalada de Fruta in that same era, but chance has put them together in this unserious era and they’re here to party and have some fun – which is about all the hundreds of thousands of Mexican fans who’ll buy their pay-per-view want anyway. There’s no sense scolding los mexicanos; they know better, obviously, but why not buy the fight – it’ll be fun!

Less fun but indeed more serious is Saturday’s spectacle between a perfectly untested British heavyweight and Wlad Klitschko, whom a panel of experts just rated the 16th greatest heavyweight of all time for “The Ring” – which means, conceivably, the future ratings of James Jefferies (15), John L. Sullivan (14) and Gene Tunney (13) could be at stake if Klitschko upsets Joshua, though Lennox Lewis (T-11) and Evander Holyfield (T-11) are right to rest easy. Truthfully, Klitschko might’ve jab-jab-held his way to a decision victory against at least a few of the top-10 guys on that list, but what is most clearly reflected in Klitschko’s lowly seeding is: Wlad has brought to sport a larger ratio of size-to-risktaking than any fighter, nay professional athlete, before him. Even in Klitschko’s greatest wins, whatever those were, one got the sense the physical advantage Klitschko enjoyed was preposterous – and yet there was nervous Wlad, chin 40 inches behind his lead foot, rippling quadriceps primed for a balletic leap backwards at an opponent’s first twitch.

In Joshua, though, Wlad faces a second consecutive opponent over whom he enjoys less than his career-standard sixinch height advantage, and worse yet for Wlad’s chances, a man whose physique looks every bit enhanced as Wlad’s always has. It’s improper to note this, of course, but with 70,000 attending Super Bowl LI and 90,000 about to attend Joshua-Klitschko, it doesn’t look like 2017’ll be the Year of the Antidoping Crusader, does it?

Maybe Joshua-Klitschko will deliver in a way Klitschko-Haye disastrously did not, maybe Klitschko, stripped of his physical advantages and sympathetic officiating and hometown scorekeepers, will reveal a sinister ferocity that makes all gasp as he chops down the Joshua tree then steelhammers a dozen drunken Brits at ringside in a rage only brother Vitali (17) can extinguish.

No probably not. It’ll be incumbent on Joshua to supply all the meaningful aggression Saturday, and across from a man roughly 50-times accomplished as anyone he’s faced heretofore, chances are good, Joshua’s going to need to warm to the task. If the final bell rings on this fight stamp an L in the column of public perception for Joshua; if Klitschko stays upright for 36 minutes nobody will leave Wembley Stadium satisfied. Drunk, yes, but not satisfied.

The same cannot be said quite of how Mexican fans will perceive Canelo if he fails to circuitbreak Chavez a week later. Chavez hasn’t the defense to make a fight boring, and if Canelo is dumb enough to retreat for long Chavez will catch him and cream him. What’s far more likely is a far better fight than Joshua-Klitschko.

All this haggling is ungrateful. Both fights promise suspenseful moments because both fights’ outcomes are unknowable. Let’s take it, say thank you, and walk away smiling.

Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter @bartbarry

NEW YORK (April 17, 2017) – SHOWTIME Sports has unveiled the network’s complete spring 2017 boxing schedule following today’s earlier announcement that the heavyweight boxing event of the year will be televised live on SHOWTIME. The stacked lineup includes seven world championship fights across eight live boxing telecasts over an eight-week span.

On Saturday, April 29, Anthony Joshua will face Wladimir Klitschko in the most significant heavyweight world championship fight in more than a decade. The event will air live on SHOWTIME at 4:15 p.m. ET/1:15 p.m. PT from a sold-out Wembley Stadium, where a record crowd of more than 90,000 spectators is expected.

Also announced today, SHOWTIME and Premier Boxing Champions will present the rematch between WBC Light Heavyweight Champion Adonis Stevenson and Andrzej Fonfara on Saturday, June 3. This bout is an encore of a 2014 action-packed fight in which Stevenson edged Fonfara to defend his 175-pound crown.

The SHOWTIME boxing lineup also includes two significant welterweight bouts with world title implications: Andre Berto vs. Shawn Porter (April 22) and Kell Brook vs. Errol Spence Jr. (May 27). Both events are presented in association with Premier Boxing Champions. The April 22 Berto vs. Porter event will feature an anticipated 154-pound world title fight between Jermell Charlo and Charles Hatley as well as world champion Amanda Serrano attempting to become the first woman—and first fighter of Puerto Rican decent—to win a world title in five different weight classes.

On Saturday, May 20, SHOWTIME will present a unique twin-bill of world championship fights. First, boxing’s hottest young star, newly minted world champion Gervonta Davis, will make his first world title defense against Liam Walsh from London. Later that evening, featherweight world champion Gary Russell Jr. and former world champion Andre Dirrell will be featured in separate bouts. Start times for both live telecasts are to be determined.

In all, SHOWTIME Sports will present one live SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL telecast, one live ShoBox: The New Generation telecast, and five SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecasts, all free to network subscribers. Plus, SHOWTIME is in the early stages of planning for the return of four-division world champion Adrien Broner and undefeated star Mikey Garcia in separate events this summer.

The spring lineup complements the network’s robust 2017 boxing schedule. In the first 10 weeks of the year, SHOWTIME Sports presented eight world championship fights, including two world title unification bouts (Jack vs. DeGale and Thurman vs. Garcia, SHOWTIME Boxing on CBS), two world title rematches (Frampton vs. Santa Cruz II and Linares vs. Crolla II), the live-stream of the first-ever boxing event on Twitter (Broner vs. Granados), the resurgence of women’s boxing (Serrano vs. Rivas) and the first women’s boxing main event in premium television history (Shields vs. Szabados).

“SHOWTIME continues its unrivaled commitment to the sport. There simply is no other network in boxing delivering world-class events on a consistent basis,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President & General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports.

“Our 2017 schedule already includes some 17 live boxing telecasts, 15 world championship fights, with the top-rated fighters squaring off in boxing’s deepest weight divisions. We continue to break the glass ceiling on women’s boxing, deliver the biggest bouts from overseas and see champions take on champions to unify divisions. We are proud to be re-shaping the boxing landscape both in and out of the ring.”

See below for the SHOWTIME boxing spring calendar. This is the network’s third major boxing schedule announcement of the past 13 months.

Saturday, April 22 – SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
Presented by Premier Boxing Champions
Main Event: Andre Berto (31-4, 24 KOs) vs. Shawn Porter (26-2, 16 KOs) – WBC Welterweight World Title Eliminator

Co-Feature: Jermell Charlo (28-0, 13 KOs) vs. Charles Hatley (26-1-1, 18 KOs) – WBC Super Welterweight World Championship

SHOX: Amanda Serrano (31-1-1, 23 KOs) vs. Dahiana Santana (35-8, 14 KO’s) – 10-Rd. WBO Bantamweight World Championship

Start Time: 9:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. PT (SHO Boxing on SHO EXTREME, 7:30p ET/PT)
Venue: Brooklyn’s Barclays Center
Notes: · The winner of Berto-Porter becomes the WBC mandatory challenger to Unified World Champion Keith Thurman.
· Berto-Porter is the fourth welterweight world title/title eliminator fight televised on SHOWTIME/CBS in the last 10 months.
· Charlo-Hatley is the eighth world title/title eliminator in the 154-pound division on SHOWTIME/CBS in the last 13 months
· Serrano attempts to become the first woman to win world titles in five different weight classes

Saturday, April 29 – SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
Main Event: Anthony Joshua (18-0, 18 KOs) vs. Wladimir Klitschko (64-4, 53 KOs) – IBF and vacant (Super) WBA Heavyweight World Championship

Start Time: 4:15 p.m. ET/1:15 p.m. PT, live on SHOWTIME
Venue: Wembley Stadium, London
Notes: · Most significant heavyweight world title fight in 15 years—since Lennox Lewis vs. Mike Tyson in June, 2002
· Officially sold out more than 90,000 tickets; set to smash the attendance record at Wembley and join the ranks of the biggest events in boxing history

Saturday, May 20 – SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL
Main Event: Gervonta Davis (17-0, 16 KOs) vs. Liam Walsh (21-0, 14 KOs) – IBF Super Featherweight World Championship

Start Time: TBD, live from London
Venue: Copper Box Arena in London, England
Notes: · Matchup of undefeated fighters. Champion vs. No. 1-ranked contender
· Davis is the youngest reigning American titlist and second youngest in the world (Kosei Tanaka)

Saturday, May 20 – SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
Main Event: Gary Russell Jr. (21-1, 16 KOs) vs. Oscar Escandon (25-2, 17 KOs) – WBC Featherweight World Championship

Co-Features: Andre Dirrell (25-2, 16 KOs) vs. José Uzcátegui (26-1, 22 KOs) – IBF Super Middleweight Interim World Championship

Rances Barthelemy (25-0, 13 KOs) vs. Kiryl Relikh (21-1, 19 KOs) – WBA Super Lightweight Eliminator

Start Time: TBD

Venue: MGM National Harbor in Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area

Notes: · Sixth featherweight title fight on SHOWTIME since Feb. 2016, and second this year.

· The winner of Dirrell-Uzcátegui becomes the mandatory for IBF Super Middleweight World Champion James DeGale

· The winner of Barthelemy-Relikh becomes the mandatory challenger to WBA Super Lightweight Champion Ricky Burns

Saturday, May 27 – SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
Main Event: Kell Brook (36-1, 25 KOs) vs. Errol Spence Jr. (21-0, 19 KOs) – IBF Welterweight World Championship

Start Time: TBD, live from England
Venue: Bramall Lane Football Ground in Sheffield, England
Notes: · World Champion vs. IBF No. 1-ranked contender
· No. 3-ranked vs. No. 5-ranked welterweights (via Transnational Boxing Rankings)

· Six of the consensus top-10 welterweights in the world featured on SHOWTIME/CBS events in the first half of 2017

Saturday, June 3 – SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
Presented by Premier Boxing Champions
Main Event: Adonis Stevenson (28-1, 23 KOs) vs. Andrzej Fonfara (29-4, 17 KOs) II – WBC Light Heavyweight World Championship

Co-Main: Eleider Alvarez (22-0, 11 KOs) vs. Jean Pascal (31-4-1, 18 KOs) – WBC Silver Light Heavyweight Title

Start Time: TBD

Notes: · Stevenson-Fonfara II is a rematch of 2014 all-action championship bout in which both fighters scored knock downs

Friday, June 9 – ShoBox: The New Generation (Hall of Fame Induction Weekend)
Main Event: Joel Diaz Jr. (23-0, 19 KOs) vs. Abel Ramos (17-2-2, 12 KOs) – 10 Round Super Lightweight Bout

Start Time: 10 p.m. ET/PT

Venue: Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, N.Y.

Notes: · International Boxing Hall of Fame Induction Weekend
· The lead announce team for ShoBox, legendary sportscaster Barry Tompkins and boxing historian Steve Farhood, to be inducted to the Hall in nearby Canastota, NY.

Expected This Summer
Four-division world champion Adrien Broner and WBC Lightweight World Champion Mikey Garcia in separate events live on SHOWTIME.

About Showtime Networks Inc.
Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ and FLIX®, and also offers SHOWTIME ON DEMAND®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ ON DEMAND and FLIX ON DEMAND®, and the network’s authentication service SHOWTIME ANYTIME®. Showtime Digital Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of SNI, operates the stand-alone streaming service SHOWTIME®. SHOWTIME is currently available to subscribers via cable, DBS and telco providers, and as a stand-alone streaming service through Apple®, Roku®, Amazon, Google and Samsung. Consumers can also subscribe to SHOWTIME via Hulu, YouTube TV, Sling TV, Sony PlayStation® Vue and Amazon Channels. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks™, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution, which offers Smithsonian Channel™, and offers Smithsonian Earth™ through SN Digital LLC. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®. For more information, go to www.SHO.com

Matchroom Sport, Klitschko Management Group (KMG) and K2 Promotions have reached agreement with U.S. premium television giants Showtime and HBO to televise the most significant heavyweight world championship match in more than a decade. On Saturday, April 29, IBF Heavyweight World Champion Anthony Joshua will face former unified world champion Wladimir Klitschko from a sold-out Wembley Stadium Connected by EE in London.

Showtime is the exclusive U.S. television partner of Joshua, while HBO has an exclusive agreement with Klitschko in the States. Each premium network will produce its own separate telecast of the main event match for the U.S. audience. SHOWTIME will televise its SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING presentation live at 4:15 p.m. ET/1:15 p.m. PT, while HBO will televise its WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING production at approximately 10:45 p.m. ET/PT.

Joshua (18-0, 18 KOs) and Klitschko (64-4, 53 KOs) will meet for Joshua’s IBF World Championship and the vacant IBO and WBA World Championships. The British sensation Joshua has knocked out all 18 of his professional opponents in a meteoric rise to stardom, while the long-reigning world champion from Ukraine, Klitschko, aims to win back titles he previously held in his 11-year rule as heavyweight world champion. Joshua vs. Klitschko is promoted by Matchroom Boxing, KMG and K2 Promotions and has officially sold out Wembley Stadium with a record-setting 90,000 tickets sold.

“I’m extremely happy and thankful that our respective U.S. TV partners Showtime and HBO reached an agreement,” said Bernd Boente, Managing Director of Klitschko Management Group. “This happened before in the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao and the Lewis vs. Tyson fights and shows you the magnitude of our event at Wembley Stadium on April 29.”

“I’m delighted to announce this historic deal that will see Britain’s biggest ever fight shown on both HBO and SHOWTIME in the U.S.,” said Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport. “It takes a special fight to break down barriers and boundaries but also networks and executives who believe in working with the best interest of fight fans in mind. With the obstacles in place it would have been any easy resolution to not air the fight in the States but I want to thank HBO and Showtime for their perseverance and allowing America to see one hell of a fight at our national stadium in front on 90,000 passionate fans. Joshua vs. Klitschko is a fight for the ages and we look forward to the show!”

“We are thrilled to be delivering Joshua vs. Klitschko to the U.S. audience live on SHOWTIME,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports. “On the afternoon of April 29, U.S. sports fans will be able to tune in to SHOWTIME to join a record-breaking crowd of 90,000 at Wembley Stadium and a worldwide television audience in witnessing an event that represents not only the contesting of the heavyweight world championship, but potentially the changing of the guard in the most influential division in boxing. We are proud to be Anthony Joshua’s exclusive U.S. television partner as he attempts to establish his legacy against the legendary Wladimir Klitschko, live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, as Showtime continues its unrivaled commitment to the sport.”

Said Peter Nelson, executive vice president, HBO Sports: “Both promoters and both networks have found a solution that enables boxing fans in the U.S. to watch the world heavyweight championship. This agreement ensures that our subscribers have access to same-day primetime coverage of the fight. It will mark Wladimir Klitschko’s 22nd appearance on HBO and the first for Anthony Joshua.”

The 27-year-old Joshua has been perfect since turning professional shortly after winning Gold at the 2012 Olympics for Great Britain. Joshua, of Watford, England, won the IBF Heavyweight World Championship with a second-round knockout of defending champion Charles Martin in April 2016, earning a heavyweight belt in the fewest number of fights in more than 20 years. He has since successfully defended the title twice—against Dominic Breazeale in June and Eric Molina in December.

Joshua is just the sixth Olympic Gold Medalist at super heavyweight to go on to win a professional heavyweight world title, joining Joe Frazier, George Foreman, Lennox Lewis, Alexander Povetkin and his rival on April 29, Wladimir Klitschko.

HBO has been the long-time home of Klitschko’s professional boxing career in the States. The 41-year-old has been a kingpin in the heavyweight division since winning Gold at the 1996 Olympic Games. He turned pro shortly after the Atlanta games and ran an undefeated campaign for 24 fights before suffering his first defeat to experienced veteran Ross Puritty. Klitschko quickly rebounded by winning 10 in a row and captured his first world title (WBO) with a unanimous decision victory over Chris Byrd in 2000, a win which avenged a loss by his brother, Vitali, earlier that year.

Klitschko’s most recent reign at heavyweight began in 2006 when he captured the IBF and IBO belts via knockout in a rematch against Chris Byrd. He went on to make 17 consecutive defenses of the IBF and IBO crowns, 13 consecutive defenses of the WBO belt, and eight consecutive defenses of the WBA title. Along the way, he amassed victories over Sultan Ibragimov, Hasim Rahman, Ruslan Chagaev, David Haye, Samuel Peter, Alexander Povetkin, Kubrat Pulev and more. In total he has fought in 28 total world title fights – a unique record in the history of the heavyweight division – compared to just 18 total professional fights for Anthony Joshua. He was the longest reigning world champion (2006-2015) after Joe Louis.

This will be Klitschko’s first outing since losing the IBF, IBO, WBA and WBO titles to Tyson Fury in 2015, his first defeat in 11 years.

By Bart Barry

The biggest prizefight since Froch-Groves II, as measured by ticketsales (an idea at once novel and ancient), is nearly upon us, but near as anyone can tell Americans don’t yet know on which channel we may watch British heavyweight Anthony Joshua against Ukraine’s Wladimir Klitschko. This may well be a plot to drive the last 50,000 committed boxing fans in our nation to pirated streams, but it probably isn’t – though it does ask a question like: If Showtime and HBO wanted to send what few subscribers of theirs still subscribe because of boxing to unauthorized outlets, how would they behave differently?

Nope, I can’t think of any ways either.

This latest premium-cable conflict is the sort that happens in an environment of mutual distrust where public facesaving is a higher priority than it should be. HBO, long supposed to be the A-side of American cable boxing providers, found itself some years back, with Manny Pacquiao’s departure for a fight preceding Floyd Mayweather’s departure for many fights, the B-side, and its esteem as a network has yet to recover.

Showtime has problems of its own, obviously, with its boxing content provider now succumbing to the inevitable – or did anyone really think PBC’s powertrident of inconstant matchmaking, oversized purses and contempt for unbought media was a visionary approach? – but it also has exclusivity with the heavyweight division’s two ascendent names, Anthony Joshua, who probably can fight a bit, and Deontay Wilder, who absolutely positively cannot.

Meanwhile HBO has its aged Ukrainian – along with every other prizefighter raised in the former Soviet Union – and not a whole lot else going on. Never stronger, never better, I know, but HBO Sports is about to join the downward spiral if it hasn’t already: Budget reductions to ensure profitability lead to subscriber departures that lead to further budget reductions to stave away takeovers or supplement “Game of Thrones” or somesuch and that leads to more cablecutting, and before you know it a $3 million licensing fee to broadcast the best-attended heavyweight prizefight since Tunney-Dempsey II is worth a 100-day catfight with a network that used to be your farm-league affiliate for both prizefighter and executive talent.

Some mediation is required, clearly, and that will be the case, still, when this issue gets resolved acrimoniously this week or next. It shouldn’t’ve come to this; it makes the participant leaders of Showtime and HBO look tiny. As one reads over the rumored obstacles in this negotiation, who gets to announce the results of the fight, who gets to announce the results of the negotiation, it reads like so much Money May branding, and we used to laugh about that stuff. The absurdity of it hasn’t changed nearly so much as the players and stakes have – and both for the smaller.

How these details get negotiated by dealmakers in New York didn’t matter to a single generation of fight aficionados until this one, but this generation of American aficionados, for all our suffering, at least preceded the country’s exasperation at giving one’s hopes to a dealmaker from New York.

Likely what is most needed in these negotiations between Showtime and HBO now and in the future is a little magnanimity, a little farsightedness. Regardless of what happens in Joshua-Klitschko I there’s no chance Wlad Klitschko is the future of boxing and at least a fair chance Anthony Joshua is. So negotiate the future accordingly.

If you’re HBO recognize you’ve got the weaker hand here and give away your overpaid veteran for some future draft picks – when Showtime’s beneficiary-cum-sponsor-cum-beneficiary auctions off his assets in 2018. Add a lunacy clause, though, à la Michael Lewis’ “Big Short,” whereby, in the unlikely event both Joshua is a fraud and British judges are honest, and Klitschko somehow decisions Joshua at Wembley Stadium, you rip Showtime’s guts out with rematch fees. Showtime’ll probably sign-on because catastrophes are necessarily improbable; some combination of Showtime’s inevitable dismay with the Joshua product and the disaster insurance you bought from them in negotiating the first fight will lead Showtime to give you full rights to the rematch to do with as you wish (pay-per-view).

If you’re Showtime, realize you’ve got the better product and will have for the next five years at least, and show a willingness to let HBO stay afloat with premier nonheavyweight talent till 2022 or so. When PBC collapses and its fighters return to the predations of the open market, you’re going to have more money than you know what to do with, which matters little ultimately, and the heavyweight division cornered, which matters greatly – or as New York’s most famous dealmaker’d put it: Bigly.

Take your eyes off this moment, in other words, and show some vision, both of you.

The respective heads of Showtime and HBO boxing are young enough to have to make deals with one another for the foreseeable future and the benefit brought by a bit of good faith could be disproportionate. That’s a soft idea, of course, which means a mediator better than a network executive should introduce it. Eleanor Roosevelt, though, had a durable line about such things:

“Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.”

Klitschko and Joshua are people; Klitschko versus Joshua is an event; good faith negotiating is an idea. Probability says the winner of the Joshua-Klitschko negotiation will be the longterm loser, anyway, so either HBO or Showtime should recognize this, advise the other side of it, and then let the other side win, let them enjoy their big event unencumbered by pettiness and subversion, and then enjoy the fruits of that choice for years to come.

Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter @bartbarry

Olympians Lawrence Okolie, Joe Cordina and Josh Kelly have been added the undercard for the Heavyweight blockbuster between Anthony Joshua MBE and Wladimir Klitschko on April 29 at Wembley Stadium Connected by EE, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

The trio represented Team GB in Rio last summer before turning to the paid ranks, with Okolie the first to make his debut and in spectacular fashion in Manchester earlier this month.

Kelly will make his pro bow next weekend in Glasgow on the undercard of Ricky Burns’ World Super-Lightweight title unification battle with Julius Indongo, while Welshman Cordina steps through the ropes for the first time for money a week later in Liverpool where Martin Murray and Gabriel Rosado top the bill in a tasty Middleweight battle.

One of the fighters will follow in Joshua’s footsteps and open the show, just like the London 2012 gold medal hero did in 2014 before Carl Froch knocked out George Groves.

Promoter Eddie Hearn revealed that the trio will draw lots ahead of the event, with the man that picks number one out grabbing the first spot on the bill while numbers two and three will be TV floats.

“I’m delighted to add these outstanding young fighters to a historic night of boxing at Wembley on April 29,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “In terms of platform and experience, there is no better stage for their career. It was nearly three years ago that Anthony Joshua kicked the night off at Wembley Stadium for Froch vs. Groves II and I believe all three of these fighters have the ability to headline there in years to come. We will draw numbers on fight week with the number one spot kicking off the night and the other two sitting tight for the knock on the changing room door as the huge 90,000 crowd begins to build.”

Okolie, Cordina and Kelly are the latest fighters to be added to the Joshua Klitschko show after the announcement that former World Super-Bantamweight king Scott Quigg continues his quest to become a two-weight champion by facing Viorel Simion at Featherweight, with more fights to be announced shortly.

Quigg boxes at Featherweight for the second time having landed the WBA International title in his first fight at his new weight in December in Manchester with a ninth round stoppage.

Wembley Stadium represents another first for Quigg as he has future hall of fame trainer Freddie Roach in his corner for the first time as he takes on Simion.

The Romanian has just the one blemish on the record from his last trip to the UK, where he severely tested Lee Selby over 12 rounds in Hull in 2013, and the 35 year old is ranked number five in the IBF having picked up and defended the International title last year.

Former WBA Super-Bantamweight king Quigg is gunning for a shot at becoming a two-weight World champion, and he believes that a big win in his first ever stadium fight will put him at the front of the queue.

“This is a fight I’m really looking forward to,” said Quigg. “It’s my first fight working with Freddie and training team and it’s a fight that will catapult me right in the mix for a World title fight.

“Simion is an experienced, skilful and strong fighter and his only blemish on his record is against the current IBF champion Lee Selby, who he pushed all the way. I’m expecting and preparing for a very tough fight but one I’m very confident in and expect to put in the best performance of my career and put myself in line for shot at one of the champions.

“Training camp couldn’t be going any better. The switch out to L.A has been a breath of fresh air. The change of environment working with Freddie and the quality of sparring has really freshened things up and I’m excited to show the improvements made on such a massive platform at Wembley Stadium.”

Quigg’s desire to box for world honours at 126lbs could be boosted ahead of the fight as his promoter Eddie Hearn is looking to get the bout official eliminator status.

“This is a great fight for Scott and the last hurdle before he hunts his second World title,” said Hearn. “Simion gave Selby a great fight on our Hull show a few years back and is an all action fighter that will bring the heat on April 29.

“Because of both fighters’ rankings, we are looking to apply to the WBA or the IBF to make this fight an official eliminator for the World title and if victorious I expect Scott’s next fight to be for a Featherweight World crown.”

Quigg’s clash with Simion is the first undercard fight confirmed for the sold-out blockbuster battle between IBF king Joshua and former lineal World ruler Klitschko, with the WBA and IBO straps also up for grabs.

Only 1,000 coach packages are left on sale for the blockbuster World Heavyweight title clash between Anthony Joshua MBE and Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium Connected by EE on Saturday April 29, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

Joshua puts his IBF crown on the line for the third time against former lineal Heavyweight ruler Klitschko, with the vacant WBA Super and IBO Heavyweight crowns up for grabs.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan recently announced that 90,000 fans will be able to attend the historic event and now just 1,000 seats remain via coach packages via this link: http://www.seetickets.com/event/joshua-v-klitschko-ticket-and-coach-package/wembley-stadium/1057044/?src=Seesocial

The coaches will depart from the following locations: Chelmsford, Colchester, Hull, Luton, Maidstone, Milton Keynes, Oxford, Reading and Stoke on Trent.

Please select the same amount of coach tickets as you have fight tickets.

Includes Return coach travel from your chosen departure town to Wembley Stadium on Saturday April 29.

Fight tickets will only be distributed on the coach. If you do not travel to Wembley Stadium on the coach then you will not receive your fight ticket.

Exact times of departure and your pick up point will be confirmed no later than 30 days prior to the event. Confirmation of your journey will be printed on physical coach tickets and delivered to you no later than 2 weeks before the event.

By Norm Fraienheim-

Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko arrived in New York this week for a timely news conference that helped deflect attention on the bizarre circumstances that continue to unfold in the wake of Alexander Povetkin’s positive test for a banned substance in December.

The prospect of Joshua-Klitschko on April 29 in front of a projected crowd of 90,000 at London’s Wembley Stadium offers some hope in what looks like the most compelling heavyweight fight in years. The flip side is Povetkin, a mystery wrapped in a mess.

Two days after Joshua and Klitschko met the media at Madison Garden, there were reports from Russia that Povetkin’s B-sample came up positive for the PED that forced a cancellation of his Dec. 17 bout against Bermane Stiverne for the World Boxing Council’s interim belt in Ekaterinburg, Russia.

It’s hard to know what to make of the early reports from Russia. Donald Trump might believe them. Without some confirmation from The Associated Press or some other mainstream outlet, however, it’s wise to be skeptical. The test of the B-sample was conducted in Los Angeles. The original test was reportedly done on Dec. 6, presumably in Russia.

I tend to believe initial stories abut the B- sample, which confirmed that there were traces of Ostarine, a steroid, in Povetkin’s A-sample. Here’s why: Quotes defending Povetkin and questioning the integrity of the testing process from promoter Andrey Ryabinsky and a Russian lawmaker were included in reports about the B-sample.

It was as if they knew what the result would be.

Ryabinksy said Povetkin came up clean in “alternative tests” conducted in Lausanne. Somehow, this sounds like those “alternative facts” that Trump staffer Kellyanne Conway introduced to today’s Orwellian rhetoric.

Then, there was a reported lawmaker and chairman of a sports committee, Mikhail Degtyaryov, who was quoted as saying: “The provocation against Povetkin exposed the fragility and weakness of the anti-doping system.’’

The Russian lawmaker didn’t mention that other system, state-sanctioned doping, which The New York Times exposed in May 2016. Not even Vladimir Putin could completely deny that report. It resulted in a partial ban of the Russian track-and-field team at last summer’s Rio Olympics. Ramifications continue.

On the same day that there were reports from Russia about Povetin’s B-sample, Reuters reported that the International Olympic Committee stripped the Russian women of the 400-meter relay silver medal from the 2012 Olympics after Antonina Krivoshapka’s B-sample came up dirty.
https://sports.yahoo.com/news/ioc-sanctions-three-athletes-anti-doping-breaches-092922488–oly.html

It’s impossible to separate Povetkin, a 2004 Olympic gold medalist, from the rest of Russia’s sports system. I don’t know him. I’ve never met him. I liked his boxing skills and he might have beaten Deontay Wilder in Moscow last May. But that one got cancelled, too, when Povetkin tested positive for meldonium.

Regardless of whether he gets sanctioned or suspended, the best guess is that Povetkin will simply fade from the scene, forgotten amid all the attention on Joshua and Klitschko. The game will move on.

The question is whether Wilder can regain the momentum he had before the cancellation. It cost Wilder a reported $4.5 million and a lot more. In an effort to stay busy, he fought and beat Chris Arreola in July, but he suffered costly injuries to his right hand and biceps.

He’ll test the hand and arm in a Feb. 25 return against former football player Gerald Washington, who replaced Poland’s Andrzej Wawrzyk. Wawrzyk got bumped off the card because – yeah, you guessed it – he came up dirty in drug testing.

It’s fair to wonder whether Wilder would have beaten Povetkin in a Moscow victory big enough to put him first in line for Joshua. Could it have been Wilder at New York’s news conference instead of Klitschko? We’ll never know. Then again, we’ll never know a lot of things in a world growing curiouser and curiouser.

NEW YORK CITY (February 1, 2017) On Tuesday, January 31, IBF Heavyweight World Champion ANTHONY JOSHUA, (18-0, 18 KO’s) and long reigning Former Unified Heavyweight World Champion WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO, (64-4-0, 53 KO’s) hit New York City for media appearances and to hold a press conference to discuss their April 29 massive international boxing clash set for London’s Wembley Stadium where a sold-out crowd of 90,000 will bear witness.

The press conference was held at Madison Square Garden, known as The Mecca of Boxing, where Klitschko was been victorious four times in his illustrious career.

ANTHONY JOSHUA
“This is all about the mind games now, but as we know I’m a man who likes to perform. The obsession has always been there for me and not just in boxing. It starts with self, boxing is a representation of who I am. I’m determined to become the best. That’s my obsession.”

“I’m a man who likes to perform and entertain and that’s away been there. I’ve always want to take on the best.”

“The questions are correct, is it too soon, have my opponents prepared me for this” God would never put me in a position I couldn’t handle, fighting Wladimir Klitschko in front of 90,000 people. But the objective still remains the same.”

WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO
“I first fought here in 2000 on the undercard of Lennox Lewis vs. Michael Grant, Anthony was 10, it’s crazy to think about time and how fast it runs. When I fought Samuel Peter, his promoter called me dead-man walking, but that man kept walking for a very long time.”

“I understand and know why this press conference is here in New York City. I know a lot of fans will be watching on TV and in the arena. I’ve fought in front of huge crowds but 90,000 is my biggest arena.”

“I’m fighting a man that I was, is and will be a fan of since I watched Anthony Joshua win his Olympic Gold Medal in 2012. He was my sparring partner in 2014 when I trained for Kubrat Pulev.”

“I believe this man has a lot of skills, maybe yes, maybe not he will be the biggest star in boxing. I know there are plans to fight Wilder after me, it’s good to be young and ambitions, but I believe this fight has a lot of questions. Is it too early for him, too late for me?”

“All those questions will be answered on April 29, do I still got it or is it too late? I’m looking forward to his challenge, I have my goal to become three-time world champion and I’m obsessed with it.”

EDDIE HEARN, Matchroom Boxing
“A pleasure to be involved the biggest boxing event in British boxing history. It would be so easy for Anthony Joshua to continue selling out the biggest arenas in the UK while fighting less that world class competition and do what every other fighter has done, keep knocking out the easy targets, it’s not what Anthony Joshua is all about.”

“In his 19th fight, Anthony Joshua is stepping up to fight a true legend in Wladimir Klitschko and isn’t that what boxing’s all about? What’s sports is all about? Create nights and moments that people will never forget, 90,000 people in the biggest stadium in the UK.”

“Anthony Joshua has set a frightening pace but I believe on April 29 it will be the crowning of the new worldwide sensation n boxing.”

BERND BOENTE, KMG Management Group
“It’s great to be back here at the Garden with the success of Wladimir and Vitali in the past and now we have a bigger event in a bigger arena with Anthony Joshua. On April 29 at Wembley Stadium with 90,000 people, a true promoter’s dream fight.”

“We have the young, undefeated champion Anthony Joshua against the longtime ruler of the heavyweight division, Wladimir Klitschko. This will be Wladimir’s 29th world title fight which is a record for the heavyweight division.”

“We are looking forward to a fantastic fight with great TV partners, Sky in the UK, RTL in Germany and we will sort out the US TV partner shortly.”

ADAM SMITH, Sky Sports (Moderator)
“Wladimir’s back as he challenges the new generation, Anthony Joshua, the IBF Champion of the World. They lock horns in a battle for the ages in front of a record 90,000 people at our national stadium, Wembley in London on April 29. A multi unification and a fantastic fight. The buildup is going to be immense.”

JOSHUA vs. KLITSCHKO is presented by Matchroom Boxing, K2 Promotions and KMG Management Group.

The biggest boxing crowd Wembley Stadium Connected by EE has ever seen – a record 90,000 capacity – will watch the heavyweight clash between Anthony Joshua MBE and Wladimir Klitschko live on Sky Sports Box Office, the Mayor of London announced today.

Sadiq Khan stepped in to ensure the fight for Joshua’s IBF title and the vacant WBA Super and IBO Heavyweight crowns on April 29 will be seen by a post-war record crowd of 90,000.

Reaffirming his commitment to stage the biggest sporting events in the capital, Sadiq answered the call of boxing fans by boosting capacity for the fight by 10,000, after boxing promoter Eddie Hearn secured permission for 80,000.

The new batch of tickets will go on sale at 10am on Wednesday February 1 from www.stubhub.co.uk priced at £40 upper tier and £60 and £80 in the lower tier. Limited coach packages also remain on sale via See Tickets at http://www.seetickets.com/event/joshua-v-klitschko-ticket-and-coach-package/wembley-stadium/1057044/?src=Seesocial

The London showdown, which will be broadcast around the world, will break the post-war British record for attendance at a boxing match for the rematch between Carl Froch and George Groves at Wembley in 2014. It equals the British record of 90,000 when Len Harvey fought Jock McAvoy at White City in London in 1939.

The Mayor brought together officials from Network Rail, Transport for London and Wembley Stadium to explore ways to increase capacity for the fight by committing more overground trains and London Underground services to get fans safely to and from the venue.

Network Rail agreed to temporarily postpone planned engineering works on the day, while the Mayor instructed TfL to increase capacity on the Jubilee and Metropolitan lines to help transport boxing fans home from Wembley. Chiltern Railways has also prepared an enhanced and later train service to help with egress.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I can’t wait to see the fight of the year here in London and it’s fantastic that a post-war record crowd will get to watch it at a world-class venue like Wembley.

“I’m delighted Transport for London and Network Rail have pulled out all the stops to make this happen so we can move 90,000 people around the capital quickly and safely. Like me, they have recognised the importance to the capital of staging this epic showdown of the best two fighters in the heavyweight division and I look forward to our great city staging more great fights in the future.”

Eddie Hearn, Managing Director of Matchroom Sport, said: “I’m delighted that the capacity for Joshua vs Klitschko has been increased to 90,000 making it the biggest live gate of all time at the new Wembley stadium. I want to thank Wembley, TfL and Brent Council and particularly the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, who has fought our corner to ensure a capacity crowd will get the opportunity to watch this event live in the capital.

“At the boxing writers’ dinner last year, Sadiq urged me to bring the biggest fights possible to the city and I’m delighted to have the biggest fight in British boxing history at Wembley Stadium on April 29.”

Bernd Boente, Managing Director of Klitschko Management Group said: “This world championship at the sold out Wembley stadium will be one of the biggest event worldwide this year.” I

Mark Wild, Managing Director for London Underground, said: “Helping people travel around London safely so that they can see the best of what the capital has to offer is one of our top priorities. By working closely with Wembley Stadium and Network Rail we’ll now be able to run more Tube and Overground services to make sure that those going to the boxing will be able to get home safely and more easily.”

Martin Frobisher, manager director for Network Rail’s London North Western route, said: “Our primary focus is helping train customers travel where they want when they want with the greatest of ease.

“That’s why shifting our railway upgrade at North Wembley from April to August was the obvious move.

“We hope fight fans have a great night on Saturday 29 April, including smooth journeys to and from Wembley Stadium.”

Julie Harrington, FA Group Operations Director, said: “Wembley Stadium is a world-class venue and we are delighted to stage this highly anticipated heavyweight world title fight. We look forward to utilising the stadium’s full capacity and welcoming 90,000 people to watch one of the sporting events of the year.”

Cllr Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council, said: “Wembley is a world class venue that has hosted many historic sporting and entertainment events over the years and this record attendance for a boxing match will be yet another chapter in its long and glorious history.

“It just goes to show that when it comes to competing with other stadiums in cities around the world to stage the biggest bouts, Wembley Stadium in Brent can deliver the knock-out blow to its rivals, helping to ensure that London remains the number one choice for event organisers and fans alike.

“We have been home to the national stadium for nearly a century and this record-breaking boxing match builds on our international reputation for hosting such cultural and sporting events.”

By Michael Serra-

On April 29th at Wembley Stadium, Anthony Joshua defends his IBF heavyweight championship against former champion Wladimir Klitchsko.

The general consensus is that Joshua despite winning the title, is largely untested, and still has lots more to learn! Question marks loom over the champion.
In recent performances Joshua has at times looked a tad crude for better use of the word and in winning the title last April, had very little to beat in the champion Charles Martin whom contented himself by taking the count and making no attempt whatsoever to get up and continue.

Last time out Joshua looked a lot more mature, better defensively and looked much better but in all fairness, Eric Molina provided very little and soon folded once Joshua landed, yet again it told us nothing and proved little more than a routine defence for the likeable Hertfordshire man!

Klitchsko hasn’t boxed since losing to Tyson Fury back in November 2015! That night he seemed out of sorts, letting the Mancunian spoil and grab his way through a lackluster twelve rounds.
This is a typical match up of the changing of the guard, the old lion versus the young lion.

This is definitely what the American’s would call ‘a pick em’ while Joshua has youth on his side, Klitchsko has experience.

Joshua’s best chance of victory is going to be by the short route, he has what we call the proverbial punchers chance, and if he can land clean enough he may well be with in a chance of stopping the Ukranian.

Remember back in 2003 when Wladimir defended his WBO title against Corrie Sanders! This is I feel Joshua’s best chance of victory, however if Klitchsko get’s into a rhythm and starts to work that left jab of his, then the Englishman could be in for a long and painful evening.

I’m going to stick my chin out here and go for a stoppage in favour of Joshua, I feel ring rust and father time won’t help and I feel Johshua hits as hard if not harder than Sanders! And that was almost 14 years ago! Joshua for me in six rounds!

For ticket details please visit www.matchroomboxing.com

The World Heavyweight unification blockbuster between Anthony Joshua MBE and Wladimir Klitschko has broken box office records with over 80,000 tickets sold for the April 29 super fight at Wembley Stadium Connected by EE, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

The second batch of tickets for the blockbuster fight sold inside one hour when they released at lunchtime on Monday and the total tickets now sold has exceed the record set by Carl Froch’s World Super Middleweight title rematch against George Groves in 2014.

Promoter Eddie Hearn said: “The demand for tickets for Joshua vs Klitschko is phenomenal – this is unquestionably the biggest fight in British boxing history and we would have sold out Wembley twice over.

“We have put a request in to Brent Council, the Mayor’s office and TFL to increase the capacity by a further 5,000 tickets. We are confident of a positive answer and we will release further news shortly. Roll on April 29!”

Joshua MBE will face former World ruler Wladimir Klitschko for his IBF World Heavyweight title and the vacant IBO Championship as well as the WBA Super Championship on April 29, 2017 at Wembley Stadium Connected by EE, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

A limited number of coach and ticket packages remain on sale via See Tickets at http://www.seetickets.com/event/joshua-v-klitschko-ticket-and-coach-package/wembley-stadium/1057044/?src=Seesocial

50,000 tickets were sold in first period of ticket sales for the World Heavyweight unification blockbuster between Anthony Joshua MBE and Wladimir Klitschko on April 29 at Wembley Stadium Connected by EE.

Tickets which were available across Club Wembley, Matchroom Fightpass and on general sale via Wembley and StubHub have now sold out with the second batch of tickets to be released on January 16.

Coach packages have been made available in order to maximise the available capacity at Wembley and remain on sale via See Tickets by calling 0844 871 8808 or at www.seetickets.com with various pick up/drop off locations available.
A second batch of tickets will go on sale at midday on Monday 16th January 2017 exclusively via StubHub fromwww.stubhub.co.uk with tickets in all price brackets available. Tickets are priced £40, £60, £80, £100, £150, £200, £400, £800 and £2,000 VIP plus booking fees.

Joshua MBE will face former World ruler Wladimir Klitschko for his IBF World Heavyweight title and the vacant IBO Championship as well as the WBA Super Championship on April 29, 2017 at Wembley Stadium Connected by EE, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

The WBA have officially sanctioned a blockbuster battle between Anthony Joshua MBE and Wladimir Klitschko for the spring of 2017 for the Super title – but only if Joshua successfully defends his IBF World Heavyweight title against Eric Molina at the Manchester Arena on December 10, live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and on SHOWTIME in the US.

Joshua defends his crown for the second time in his third straight clash with American opposition having ripped the strap from Charles Martin with a second round KO win in February at The O2 and defending the belt against Dominic Breazeale with a seventh round stoppage at his London fortress in June, extending his impressive run of KO wins to 17 in the paid ranks.

The 27 year old Olympic hero now faces his toughest test to date knowing that his clash with Klitschko is on the line along with his precious IBF belt.

Klitschko ruled the Heavyweight division for 15 years after landing the WBO crown on October 14 2000 and over that stretch adding the IBF, WBA, IBO and Ring magazine titles over a stunning career, before defeat to Tyson Fury in November. The 1996 Olympic gold medal hero fights in the UK for the second time in his glittering career having beaten Monte Barrett in London in July 2000 in his last fight before he became World king and his incredible domination of the Heavyweight scene began.

“It’s been an arduous wait to gain official approval but we were delighted to receive the news that the WBA will official sanction the fight between Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko for the WBA super title,” said Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn.

“We will now move forward with Bernd Boente and Team Klitschko in planning the date and venue knowing that victory against Eric Molina in Manchester on December 10 is more important than ever.”

There’s a huge card in support of the main event as Dillian Whyte defends his British Heavyweight title against bitter London rival Dereck Chisora in an official eliminator for the WBC title. Whyte makes the second defence of his strap after seeing off fellow Brixton man Ian Lewison in Glasgow last month, while former World title challenger Chisora can get his hands on the Lord Lonsdale belt for the second time.

Scott Quigg returns to action after treatment on his broken jaw following his unification blockbuster with Carl Frampton, and the Bury star moves up to Featherweight as he looks to regain his status as a World champion.

Kal Yafai can become Birmingham’s first World champion but the unbeaten 27 year old faces a tough task to rip the WBA Super-Flyweight title against Luis Concepcion, the two-weight World champion that will enter the ring in his 11th World title outing.

Irish amateur sensation Katie Taylor boxes for the second time in the paid ranks after making her pro debut at The SSE Arena, Wembley on November 26, Heavyweight wrecking ball ‘King Kong’ Luis Ortiz fights in Europe for the second time after clashing with Malik Scott in Monte-Carlo on November 12 and Hosea Burton will defend his British Light-Heavyweight title against Frank Buglioni.

Tickets go on sale to Matchroom Boxing Fight Pass members at midday on Thursday November 3 from the Fight Pass members via this link: bit.ly/JoshuaMolina. Tickets are priced at £40, £60, £80, £100, £150, £200, £300 and £500, with Inner Ringside VIP tickets priced at £800 – due to the high demand for the event, tickets are capped at FOUR per Fight Pass member.

Tickets go on general sale at midday on Friday November 4. Tickets priced £40 to £500 will be available from http://www.manchester-arena.com/ and on 0844 847 8000 VIP tickets are £800 and available exclusively from Matchroom Boxing www.matchroomboxing.com.

Face value tickets for December 10 are also be available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/ . StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua.

Former unified heavyweight champion, Wladimir Klitschko will sit out the rest of 2016, according to Dan Rafael.

There had been rumblings of a fight with IBF champion Anthiny Joshua or a fight with Lucas Browne for the WBA title on December 10th, but Klitschko has a calf injury.

“Wladimir pulled a muscle in the calf last week,” Kilitschko’s manager Bernd Boente said. “It’s nothing that bad that we couldn’t go through with a fight if we had something set up, but we discussed things over the weekend. Regardless of the injury, we decided that if we get good news from the WBA that Wladimir can fight for that title against Joshua, we would do it in the spring because we need more time to market and promote such a big fight. We only have five weeks until [Dec. 10]. We still hope the WBA will sanction the fight.

“From the beginning, it was Wladimir’s wish and Joshua’s that we could do the fight. Both sides want it. There is no fight at this moment that is bigger than this fight without any doubt. So why rush it?”

“Let’s say we have someone else Wladimir was going to fight in Germany on Dec. 10, we still have not even announced the fight,” Boente said. “We have a lot to do. We have to fill an arena. There is just not enough time. And if he was fighting Joshua, we need to do more than just a press conference. We need to do a tour, go to Germany also. We decided with Eddie a fight this big needs more time to market than five weeks.”

“I’m healthy and will be ready to fight Joshua or whoever else, hopefully for multiple titles, sometime soon,” Klitschko said.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, a bout between IBF Heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and Wladmir Klitschko appears to be close to fruiyion provided the WBA will sanction the bout.

“We will go with the WBA ruling,” Klitschko manager Bernd Boente said. “We hope they rule quickly because Dec. 10 is not far away.”

“For Wladimir it is very important to have the WBA title in a fight with Joshua,” Boente said. “We made a deal with Eddie easily. We tried to find an agreement and we made a deal. If the fight doesn’t happen now and Wladimir and Joshua both win their next fight, we can do the fight under the same deal next year and it would be even bigger. The framework is there.”

“For Wladimir, it’s also about the WBA title. For him, this is important,” Boente said. “It is his mission. He is serious when he says it is not only about the money.”

“The WBO wants a tournament, which is up to them,” Boente said. “We love the WBO. Wladimir held the WBO title for a long time and it was the first world title he won. He respects the WBO, but if they do a tournament Wladimir would not participate. At this stage of his career it makes no sense.”

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, unified heavyweight titlist Tyson Fury could be stripped of his title after several cancellations of his rematch with former champion Wladimir Klitschko.

Fury will have to uodate the WBO of his health stauts.

Mick Hennessy, Fury’s promoter, did not specify a reason for Fury’s withdrawal other than to say he had been “declared medically unfit to fight. Medical specialists have advised that the condition is too severe to allow him to participate in the rematch and that he will require treatment before going back into the ring. Tyson will now immediately undergo the treatment he needs to make a full recovery.”

“We are very sorry to hear the reports that you have allegedly pulled out of the October 29th bout due to a serious depression you are being treated for,” the WBO wrote to Fury on Monday. “Please know that all at the WBO are concerned for you and wish you the best for a full and complete recovery.

“As you know, since the date your title was won on November 28, 2015, you have not defended your title and you have been inactive. On June 24, 2016, an ankle injury forced you to withdraw from your heavyweight rematch against Wladimir Klitschko scheduled for July 9th in Manchester,” the WBO wrote.

“The committee may condition its approval of a disability extension upon the champion providing interim medical certifications that he is reasonably expected to recover within the term of the disability extension.”

Peter Fury, Tyson’s uncle and trainer, does not believe his nephew should be stripped of his belts.

“With Tyson’s condition, he cannot be held culpable,” he said, adding that a detailed statement on his health would be released soon. “He will not and should not be stripped of belts.”

“We would appreciate that the physician specifically clarifies the nature and extent of your condition and your prognosis for return to training and your return to competition,” the letter said.

If the WBO does not receive the information it asked for, it said it “will proceed with the necessary appropriate action without the benefit of an appeal. The WBO wishes you the best good fortune on a prompt and speedy recovery. We looked forward to your prompt response to assist (the) committee in reaching the fairest decision for you, the top contenders in the heavyweight division, and your future return to complete your world championship career.”

Undefeated Heavyweight Andy Ruiz Jr. pulled out of a proposed bout with fellow undefeated Hughie Fury on October 29 on the Tyson Fury – Wladimir Klitschko undercard in Manchester, England.

“He didn’t want to sign the contract, and unfortunately they [Ruiz and his father, Andy Ruiz Sr.] decided not to go through with the fight,” Top Rank vice president Carl Moretti told ESPN.com. “If I agreed with them, we’d both be wrong.”

“There are no physical restrictions preventing him from going through with the fight,” Moretti said.

LONDON (12 September) – Tyson Fury’s Heavyweight World Title rematch with the legendary Wladimir Klitschko will be made available via BoxNation Box Office to Sky customers for the first time.

The groundbreaking development will see this year’s biggest fight, taking place on Saturday October 29th in Manchester, being accessible to Sky’s 12 million customers who will be able to order the BoxNation event via their remote control for a one-off pay-per-view fee.

Fury v Klitschko 2, as well as a host of world class exclusively live fights, will still be available to current BoxNation monthly subscribers as part of their normal package on all platforms, including Sky.

The addition of BoxNation Box Office, Sky Channel 490, will allow sports fans the option to buy the bout as a one-off event up to two weeks out by pressing the Box Office button on their remote and selecting the Sports and Events tab.

BoxNation is currently available on a number of platforms including Sky, Freeview, Virgin, TalkTalk, online and apps, for just £12 a month showing the very best live fights both internationally and domestically, as well as non-stop 24-hour quality boxing programming.

Fury’s eagerly anticipated rematch with the formidable Klitschko will see the Manchester ace fight at home as he looks to prove that his stunning victory over the Ukrainian, who had dominated the division for over 10 years prior to his loss, was no fluke.

The match-up will see the two best heavyweights in the world collide, with the launch of BoxNation Box Office offering fight fans the chance to not miss a moment of the action from the Manchester Arena next month.

Frank Warren, Chairman of BoxNation, said: “Since BoxNation launched in 2011 we have constantly strived to grow the channel by showcasing the very best live fights and content but have also looked closely at improving accessibility for customers. As such, BoxNation is now available on a number of platforms such as Sky, Freeview, Virgin, TalkTalk, online and through apps. We are now delighted to be able to offer Sky customers the chance to order Fury v Klitschko 2 as a one-off box office event via their remote control. Fury v Klitschko 2 is the biggest fight this year and will determine the genuine number one heavyweight on the planet and we are very pleased to have the fight exclusively live on BoxNation and now BoxNation Box Office.”

George Warren, CEO of BoxNation, said: “Fury v Klitschko 2 is the perfect fight to launch BoxNation Box Office, which will be available via our pay-per-view channel 490 on Sky. Box Office has been an area which we were keen to explore and are very happy that we can now offer this option to fans who wish to book the fight as a standalone event through their Sky box. BoxNation monthly subscribers will have the same access to Fury v Klitschko 2 as those ordering the fight via BoxNation Box Office. In addition, they will continue to enjoy further world class live fights and quality boxing content at just £12-a-month. We are looking forward to offering BoxNation Box Office for the biggest fights and will strive to continue delivering the very best service for our customers.”

Pricing for Fury v Klitschko 2 on BoxNation Box Office will be announced soon, with further information also set to be available on boxnation.com.

BoxNation’s current subscribers, and any new customers that wish to subscribe instead of buying through box office, will get the fight as part of their monthly subscription.

Fury v Klitschko 2 is exclusively live on BoxNation (Sky/Freeview/Virgin/TalkTalk/Online & App) and BoxNation Box Office (Sky Channel 490) on Saturday October 29th. Buy now at boxnation.com.

– ENDS –

About BoxNation Box Office
Fury v Klitschko 2 on 29th October will be shown live and exclusively on BoxNation and BoxNation Box Office (Sky Ch.490) in the UK and Ireland.

For the first time, Sky’s circa 12 million customers will be able to order a BoxNation event via their remote control.

To order BoxNation Box Office for Fury v Klitschko 2, press the Box Office Button on your Sky remote control, and select Sports/Events.

Fury v Klitschko 2 will also be available to all BoxNation active monthly subscribers on all platforms, including Sky, as part of your normal BoxNation subscription.

About BoxNation

BoxNation, the Channel of Champions and proud partner of Rainham Steel, is the UK’s first dedicated boxing channel. From £12* with no minimum term customers can enjoy great value live and exclusive fights, classic fight footage, magazine shows and interviews with current and former fighters.

Previous highlights have included Haye vs Chisora, Mayweather vs Maidana, Saunders vs Eubank Jr and Khan vs Canelo.

The channel is available on Sky (Ch.437), Freeview (Ch.255), Virgin (Ch.546), TalkTalk (Ch.415), online at watch.boxnation.com and via apps (ios, Android, Amazon). BoxNation is also available in high definition on Sky (Ch. 490), at no extra cost to Sky TV subscribers, providing they are already HD enabled.

Available on selected internet-connected Freeview products only, subject to coverage. Visit freeview.co.uk/availability.

BoxNation is also available to commercial premises (inc. pubs, clubs and casino’s) in the UK and Ireland, for more information on a commercial subscription please call 0844 842 7700.

For more information visit www.boxnation.com

*Plus £8 registration fee for Sky TV customers

Undefeated heavyweight sensation Hughie Fury will make the first defence of his WBO Intercontinental Championship against Mexico’s Andy Ruiz Jr on the undercard of Tyson Fury’s eagerly-anticipated rematch with Wladimir Klitschko at the Manchester Arena on Saturday 29th October, live and exclusive on BoxNation.

Fury, 20-0 10 KO’s, has ripped through the heavyweight division, claiming his first professional title in the WBO Intercontinental against Fred Kassi at London’s Copper Box Arena back in April. Should he defeat the unbeaten Ruiz Jr, Fury will move into the number one mandatory position for the WBO World Heavyweight title – held by his cousin Tyson.

California resident Ruiz Jr holds an explosive record of 28 wins from 28 fights, with 19 coming via devastating knockout. The former WBO Intercontinental belt holder enjoys a No.3 ranking with the WBO and is sure to provide Fury with his toughest test to date.

“I am happy to be in such a big fight against a top heavyweight,” said Fury. “I will be giving my all to retain my WBO Intercontinental belt and I hope it is a fight that the fans enjoy. Out of all of the top up-and-coming heavyweights I believe I have fought the better men in my career so far. Being tested against tougher opponents will help me in this fight.”

Peter Fury, father and trainer of Hughie, said: “Hughie is a true fighting man who loves his sport. He trains hard & will need to be as prepared as possible as Ruiz Jr is easily one of the best heavyweights in the world right now.

“Hughie is ready to take this challenge and this once again proves we only want the best fights for him. He wants to earn his position, he doesn’t want to fight cherry-picked opposition like other heavyweights.

“I know Hughie can become a great fighter. To do that he must do what other heavyweights won’t; fight top drawer opponents.”

With the heavyweight division in a new era after the Klitschko brother’s long dominance, Fury is in a perfect position to capitalise. Promoter Frank Warren is confident his heavyweight prodigy has what it takes to make it to the very top of the division.

“Hughie is a fighting man; he’s done things the hard way. 20 fights in three years is a phenomenal record for a heavyweight fighter. We know he’s got gas and he’s been tested against some awkward opponents. The division is certainly opening up and I can see Hughie being a dominant figure for years to come.

“He has won all 20 of his professional fights with a debilitating skin condition so how good is he going to be now he is fully fit?”

BoxNation, the Channel of Champions, will televise this fight on Sky (SD Ch.437 and HD Ch.490), Freeview (Ch.255), Virgin (Ch.546), TalkTalk (Ch.415), online at watch.boxnation.com and via apps (iOS, Android, Amazon).

Go to www.boxnation.com to see how you can watch this fight and more live!

Hennessy Sports, K2 Promotions, Team Fury, Klitschko Management Group (KMG) and Frank Warren on behalf of BoxNation are delighted to announce Heavyweight Champion of the World Tyson Fury’s long-awaited rematch with Ukrainian boxing legend Wladimir Klitschko will take place at the Manchester Arena on Saturday 29th October, live and exclusive on BoxNation.

The giants of boxing collide again in the biggest and fiercest heavyweight rematch in recent memory. A bitter grudge match sees Fury, the linear, WBA Super, WBO, IBO and Ring Magazine World Heavyweight Champion make the first defence of the titles against the man he took them from in an explosive blockbuster showdown.

Undefeated Fury (25-0 18KOs) shocked the sporting world last November when he sensationally dethroned long-reigning heavyweight icon Klitschko in one of boxing’s biggest ever upsets in recent years at the Esprit Arena in Dusseldorf, Germany.

Klitschko is gunning for revenge after suffering his first defeat in over 11 years at the hands of the Mancunian. ‘Dr Steelhammer’ (64-4 54 KOs) is determined to recapture his belts from Fury and take his place back at the top of the world heavyweight scene.

Peter Fury, uncle and trainer of Tyson Fury, said: “I’m delighted that we can finally get the fight back on and in Manchester on October 29th. After hard discussions we can now focus on giving the fans what they deserve; another barnburner of a fight. Team Fury will ensure Tyson is in the shape of his life to successfully retain his World Titles.”

Promoter Mick Hennessy, CEO of Hennessy Sports, said: “Everyone involved has worked tirelessly to get the world heavyweight title rematch between Tyson and Wladimir back-on and I’m thrilled that it’s now officially confirmed. This is the rematch that the boxing world has been waiting to see and the anticipation is now at boiling point so expect a highly charged and explosive fight when the best two heavyweights in the world collide. As Tyson’s promoter I have 100 percent confidence that he will retain his titles in front of his fans and make it another memorable night for British boxing to remember.”

Bernd Bonte of KMG said: “Team Klitschko is very happy, that after Fury`s postponements, we finally have a new date. It is great that our event can stay in the Manchester Arena. This is one of the best venues world-wide and has already seen many great fights. We know that Wladimir will be in the best shape on October 29th and we are very confident that he will regain the Heavyweight Championships.”

Frank Warren, Chairman of BoxNation, said: “I’m delighted that we can finally announce the rescheduled date for the REAL Heavyweight Championship of the World. Fury vs. Klitschko II is by far the biggest fight in Europe so far this year. The addition of the fight to the channel is another fantastic acquisition following on from the recent capture of the blockbuster showdowns between Khan vs. Canelo and Frampton vs. Leo Santa Cruz. This yet again shows our commitment to bringing the biggest and best fights to our BoxNation customers. The night promises to be one of the biggest events in the UK for years and I’m thrilled our channel will be there as Fury looks to cement his place as king of the heavyweight division.”

A press conference formally announcing the new fight date, involving Tyson Fury and Wladimir Klitschko, will take place on Monday 12th September in London – venue and time to be confirmed.

*Tickets purchased for the original Saturday 9th July event will be valid for entry at the Manchester Arena for the new date of Saturday 29th October. Remaining tickets will be available at www.eventim.co.uk. A further announcement regarding ticket sales will follow shortly*

About BoxNation

BoxNation, the Channel of Champions, is the UK’s first and only dedicated boxing channel. From just £12* a month with no minimum term, customers can enjoy the best live and exclusive fights from the UK and around the World.

Previous highlights have included David Haye vs. Dereck Chisora, Canelo Alvarez vs. Amir Khan and Billy Joe Saunders vs. Chris Eubank Jr.

The channel is available on Sky (SD Ch.437 and HD Ch.490), Freeview (Ch.255), Virgin (Ch.546), TalkTalk (Ch.415), online at watch.boxnation.com and via apps (iOS, Android, Amazon).

BoxNation is also available to commercial premises (inc. pubs, clubs and casino’s) in the UK and Ireland, for more information on a commercial subscription please call 0844 842 7700.

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LONDON (26 JUNE) Team Fury/Hennessy Sports: We are baffled by today’s story in the Sunday Mirror. Tyson Fury absolutely denies any allegation of doping. He looks forward to recovering from his injury and defending his titles against Wladimir Klitschko in October.

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LONDON (24 JUNE) Hennessy Sports, Klitschko Management Group (KMG) and Team Fury regret to inform that World Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury has suffered an ankle injury in training and is therefore unable to defend his belts against Wladimir Klitschko on July 9 at the Manchester Arena.

The injury – a badly sprained ankle – occured recently and has unfortunately shown no signs of improving. This has left Team Fury with no option but to postpone the first defence of his WBA Super, WBO and IBO world heavyweight titles.

Hennessy Sports and KMG will announce a rescheduled date for Fury vs. Klitschko II in due course, and tickets purchased for the original July 9 date will be valid for the rescheduled date.

Promoter Mick Hennessy said, “It’s very unfortunate at this crucial stage of Tyson’s preparations that this injury has occurred with just a couple of weeks to go.

“There was no way Tyson could go into the fight against Wladimir Klitschko less than 100 percent fit.

“It’s essential now that Tyson gets the correct medical professional treatment for the injury and then we can then look to announce the new date.

“I feel for the fans who have purchased tickets and for the BoxNation viewers who were looking forward to this summer blockbuster, but we will put all our efforts into making sure Tyson fully recovers and then get the rematch back on.”

NATHAN GORMAN will have to conquer a giant when he appears on the undercard of Tyson Fury’s eagerly anticipated rematch with Wladimir Klitshchko in Manchester next month.

The Ricky Hatton-trained teenager will square off with Sheffield’s 6ft 8in tall Dave Howe and he knows he has a huge task on his hands.

As well as towering over Gorman, Howe also has the greater experience in the ring, having scored 11 professional victories against just two defeats.

But Gorman is relishing the challenge and feels he has the tools to impress once more in front of what will be a huge crowd.

“This is a big step up for me but it’s something I’m more than ready for. I know I’ve only had four pro fights, but I’ve won them pretty comfortably so it’s time for a bigger test,” Gorman, 19, said.

“I can’t say I’ve seen Dave Howe box. What I do know is he’s very tall at 6ft 8ins and has decent power. His record suggests he’s a good fighter so I know I have to be ready for everything he throws at me.

“It looks like he might not have the strongest whiskers, though, as both his defeats have come by knockout, but I can’t read too much into that. I have to prepare for the best opponent possible.

“Of course, I would love to knock him out and I believe I have the power to do it. I believe I can knock out any heavyweight if I land cleanly and that’s what I’ll be looking to do against Howe.”

With the exception of his recent outing at the Copper Box Arena, Gorman’s pro journey so far has largely taken place at smaller venues in the Midlands so it would be natural for him to feel some trepidation ahead of such a high profile card. However, he says he’ll be in the zone once the bell rings.

“Boxing at the Manchester Arena is a dream come true, especially when the main event is for the world heavyweight title,” he said.

“There’s going to be a huge crowd and it’s a chance for me to make a real statement. I’ll be excited walking to the ring but I can’t be overawed, I have to blank the crowd out and just do the job Ricky has prepared me for.”

LONDON (10 JUNE) Commonwealth and English featherweight champion Isaac Lowe will next appear on July 9 at the Manchester Arena, as part of the undercard to Tyson Fury’s world heavyweight title defence against Wladimir Klitschko, and admits he wouldn’t be boxing at all if it wasn’t for the influence and guidance of the best heavyweight on the planet.

Lowe, unbeaten in 13 pro fights, has looked up to Fury throughout the course of his own four-year professional career, even turning to him during difficult times, and says he owes him a lot.

“Many times I’ve been down and thought about giving up this sport – throwing it in – but Tyson has been the one who has come and picked me back up and given me the encouragement to keep going,” Lowe explains. “He has got me back in the gym and sometimes taken me away training to freshen things up.

“A lot of people just judge him based on what they see on television. But, trust me, get him off camera and he’s a completely guy altogether. He’s always been someone I have respected and looked up to. He’s down-to-earth, kind, funny, likes a laugh. He’s like a big baby, to tell you the truth. Sometimes you’ve got to tell him what to do. He gets carried away. He’s also inspirational and is a teacher. That’s the role he has played in my life. I wouldn’t be where I am now in boxing if it wasn’t for Tyson.

“Now we’re both on the same show together and we’re going to make history. It’s going to be a night to remember for both of us. It will probably be a bit emotional, too.”

Last time out, in February, the ‘Westgate Warrior’ used a lot of what Tyson has taught him over the years to impressively dominate and then stop Marco McCullough in a vacant Commonwealth title clash.

“Everyone wrote me off before that fight,” Lowe says. “They said Marco would be too big and strong and that I’d get knocked out. Nobody gave me a chance. But I went in there and showed people what I’m capable of. I showed them I’m not just a boxer. I’ve also got power and can hurt people. It was the best I’ve ever boxed. I hope I convinced a few people with the performance; don’t rule me out, there’s a lot more to come.”

Lowe seemingly isn’t content to win just Commonwealth and English title honours. He wants more. He wants other belts. And he won’t stop until his dream comes true.

“I’m not one for calling out fighters,” he says. “All I want is that world title and I’ll go down whatever route I have to go down in order to get it. If it means going down the British title route, I’ll do it. If it means going in another direction, I’ll do that instead. I’ll go where the money is. It’s a business, at the end of the day, and I’ve got to provide for a family. That’s part of the reason why I want that world title so badly.

“The first time I went into the gym at seven years of age I never thought I’d be a Commonwealth and English champion at 22 after 13 fights. You don’t think like that. But I always went to bed and dreamed of one day becoming a world champion.”

*** For tickets to REPEAT OR REVENGE: Fury vs. Klitschko 2, please visit eventim.co.uk or call 0844 847 8000 ***

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LONDON (6 JUNE) Welterweight Peter McDonagh, boxing’s latest Cinderella Man, will appear on July 9 at the Manchester Arena – as the part of the blockbuster Tyson Fury vs. Wladimir Klitschko show – and is hopeful of securing a shot at the European title in the coming months.

McDonagh, now 38, has been a professional since 2002 and has fought a who’s who of the lightweight, super-lightweight and welterweight divisions. He has had his ups and his downs and is a three-time Irish champion. He currently rides a nine-fight win-streak and admits he’s feeling better than ever.

“When I turned pro at 24, people said, ‘How long do you think you can do it?’” he begins. “I said, ‘Look, I could be finished after one fight, or I could have 80. You never know.’ You just listen to your body and see how you feel.

“Three years ago, in 2013, I lost my sister to breast cancer and came really close to retiring from boxing. But I went over to the MGM gym in Marbella and told my manager, Daniel Kinahan, I was going to retire. He said, “Don’t retire, give it one more shot and see how you go.” I was on a losing streak and everything. But, as soon as I hooked up with the MGM and my manager, it all changed. I went from strength to strength. I’m unbeaten in nine now. I’ve won three titles since I’ve been with them and I’ve still got the desire to go on and win bigger titles.”

McDonagh continues: “I’m in the top fifteen of the European rankings, so there’s a good chance I’ll get a shot at the European title. That’s the plan. That’s what we’re hoping for. Now I’m on the right side of the card it makes a massive difference. I’m no longer taking fights at short-notice against kids much bigger than me. Don’t get me wrong, I’m beating good kids with that sort of notice, or, if I lose, I’m losing very close fights, but it’s a different story if you give me a full camp.

“I’m a promoted and managed fighter now. How far can I go? Let’s see. I’ve beaten champions. I beat the kid who beat Luke Campbell (Yvan Mendy) but didn’t get the decision. I beat Michele Di Rocco and never got the decision. I beat Lee Purdy. I beat Michael Gomez. I beat Dean Byrne. I know what level I’m at – I just need the opportunity. Physically, I feel the best I’ve ever felt; age is just a number.”

Fitness and ambition aside, few fighters in Britain are able to boast McDonagh’s wealth of experience. Indeed, his appearance on July 9 won’t even mark the first time he has featured on a world heavyweight title bill.

“I was on the David Haye versus John Ruiz bill at the Manchester Arena,” he says. “I was on just before the main event. But obviously it’s a lot different this time around. This is the heavyweight championship of the world, not just one of the belts. This is much, much bigger. And it’s Tyson Fury and Wladimir Klitschko. That also makes it special. Klitschko is a legend of the sport and one of the real icons. I don’t think a promoter has brought someone of that stature to England for many years. It’s exciting.”

As for the result of the night’s main event, McDonagh can see only one winner.

“I see it being a totally different fight to the first one,” he says. “I think Wladimir will come and bring it to Tyson and then he’ll walk on to a big shot in about seven or eight rounds. All Tyson has to do is keep his composure, take his time and he’ll knock him out.”

*** For tickets to REPEAT OR REVENGE: Fury vs. Klitschko 2, please visit eventim.co.uk or call 0844 847 8000 ***

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LONDON (3 JUNE) Undefeated heavyweight Nathan Gorman, great-nephew of Bartley Gorman, the ‘King of the Gypsies’, is seasoned beyond his nineteen years and, on July 9 at the Manchester Arena, will use all his fighting DNA to impress his biggest audience yet.

Born and raised to fight, Gorman now stands at six-foot-four, weighs eighteen stone, is unbeaten in four professional bouts, and intends to make it five from five on the undercard of the world heavyweight championship blockbuster between Tyson Fury and Wladimir Klitschko.

“It’s an amazing opportunity for me, a great platform,” he says. “I’ll be boxing in front of loads of people and everybody at home will be watching this event. It’s mad to think I’m now part of it. It’s a great chance to make a statement and get noticed by a lot of people; I plan on taking it with both hands.

“I’ve imagined what it will feel like every day. I have no idea what it will actually feel like, though. I just have to believe that a ring’s a ring and a crowd’s a crowd and, once I’m in there, I’ll be able to blank out my surroundings and get down to business. I’ve got a job to do. Even if I was fighting in my back garden, I’d still to look to put on a show.”

Everywhere Gorman looks, he tends to find inspiration. Tyson Fury, a distant relative, is his favourite fighter, and a man he considers the blueprint, while Ricky Hatton, his coach, was once one of Britain’s finest world champions and a man well-accustomed to dazzling sold-out crowds at the Manchester Arena.

“Ricky, in terms of big fight night experience, is second to none,” says Gorman. “He’s the best. You couldn’t ask for a better guy to have in your corner when fighting at the Manchester Arena. It was basically his second home.

“Not only that, every day I’m in the gym with Ricky I’m learning something new. He gives me so much confidence. I’m just happy he believes in me. We both believe I can go all the way.”

Gorman first went to the boxing gym at the age of eight, though admits the sole intention was to “mess about”, before trying again at fifteen, this time with a greater degree of seriousness. It wasn’t long – just eleven bouts, in fact – before he was winning the Junior ABAs and making his mark at the World Youth Championships.

“I achieved a lot in those eleven amateur fights but always knew I was going to gain more experience as a pro,” he says. “I’ve had four fights since December. I’ve been busy. It’s also more suited to me, style-wise, to be a pro and learn as a pro. That’s why I made the switch from the amateurs to the pros at a young age.”

On July 9 at a packed-out Manchester Arena he’ll embark on the next phase in his development. He’ll be asked to hold it together in front of thousands of fans eager to see him live up to the Gorman surname.

“Travellers are excelling in the pro game right now and I’m looking to continue that success,” says Gorman. “We’ve got two world champions (Tyson Fury and Billy Joe Saunders) in two of boxing’s best weight divisions (heavyweight and middleweight), and Hughie Fury is also on the verge of a world title shot in the next twelve months. We’ve got other traveller lads coming through as well. It’s all looking good.

“Fighting is part of us all. We’re brought up with it. My uncle was Bartley Gorman. I come from fighting stock.”

As for the July 9 main event, Gorman, of course, sees only one winner.

“I reckon Tyson will stop Klitschko late on, probably in round ten or eleven,” he predicts. “I think there will be more action this time because Tyson now knows Wladimir’s style and he’ll take confidence from beating him in November. I think he’ll set out to hurt him in the rematch.

“I like watching Tyson at present. He’s a character, you don’t know which version of him will be in the ring – southpaw or orthodox. Tyson has brought the division back to life and it’s an exciting time to heavyweight.”

*** For tickets to REPEAT OR REVENGE: Fury vs. Klitschko 2, please visit eventim.co.uk or call 0844 847 8000 ***

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LONDON (2 JUNE) Bexleyheath featherweight star Yusuf ‘Yut’ Safa is raring to go ahead of pro bout number seven but admits that being part of the blockbuster Fury vs. Klitschko II event on July 9 comes with its own pressures.

The gifted 22-year-old, originally from Afghanistan, will appear at the Manchester Arena shortly before Tyson Fury and Wladimir Klitschko rematch for the heavyweight championship of the world and knows the eyes of the world will be on him.

“This one tops everything,” says Safa. “It’s on another level. It’s one of the biggest shows in boxing history; a rematch between the two best heavyweights in the world for the heavyweight championship of the world. You can’t get much bigger than this. It’s not even a fight, it’s an event.

“This will be a different experience for me. I know it will be a bit nerve-wracking but every fight is nerve-wracking. This one will just produce a few more nerves because of the size of it. It’s only natural. I have to make sure I’m focused and stick to the job.”

Last time out, in March, Safa demolished Slaveya Stefanov in three rounds and again showed why his promoter, Mick Hennessy, has labelled him a “special talent”. The result marked the fourth stoppage win of Safa’s two-year pro career.

“I felt good,” says Yusuf. “The kid was a bit wild in the first couple of rounds and the action was a bit messy and all over the place. Once I settled down, though, and stayed calm and relaxed, I got it done.”

Now 6-0 (4 KOs), Safa looks to make bigger strides in 2016, starting with an appearance on July 9 in front of 20,000 fans at Manchester Arena. From there he has only titles in mind.

“I could have done a bit more in the two years I’ve been a pro but have been held back a bit by some of the injuries I’ve had,” says the 22-year-old. “They have kept me out of the ring and inactive longer than I would have liked.

“I believe things happen for a reason, though, and you just have to deal with it. I’m still in a good place, I’m still young and I’m just as ambitious as I was when I turned pro.

“Within the next twelve months I want to be in the mix for titles – Southern Area, Commonwealth, Youth. I’ll fight for any of them. I know I’m good enough to be winning those kind of belts now.”

*** For tickets to REPEAT OR REVENGE: Fury vs. Klitschko 2, please visit eventim.co.uk or call 0844 847 8000 ***

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