The son of British boxing royalty makes his professional debut this weekend, Vasyl Lomachenko has finally found his next opponent and Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury could still take place at Wembley. Here are five stories you might have missed in a busy week of boxing...
AJ Vs Fury Could Still Land At Wembley Stadium
Last week it was announced that the contracts over Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury’s huge heavyweight showdown this summer had been signed with just a venue to finalise, and now promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed that the unification bout, set to be the biggest fight in British boxing history, could take place at Wembley.
Speaking to TalkSport, the Matchroom boss said, “We do have to look at opportunities and with the crowd restrictions it makes it even more difficult to generate the kind of money in the UK that you need.
“There have been a couple of conversations over the last 48 hours, I spoke to Bob Arum on Monday at length.
“We were talking about Wembley and he asked me about the restrictions and of course I told him about the Euros going into Wembley and talks of full capacity going in there in June/July.
“Could we get full capacity after the Euros, sort of middle/end of July? If we could, that does bring London and Wembley into the conversation.
“I’d love to find an excuse to do it in the UK and to find a way.”
Lomachenko’s Next Fight In The Works
Ukrainian superstar Vasyl Lomachenko is looking to bounce back from his shock defeat to Teofimo Lopez last year and looks to have secured his next fight on his road to redemption. According to ESPN, plans are being made for former three-division titlist to return to the ring this summer against lightweight contender Masayoshi Nakatani (19-1, 13 KOs).
Japan’s Nakatani, who would have a six inch height and reach advantage over Lomachenko, was last in action in December, stopping Felix Verdejo in a Fight of the Year contender.
Campbell Hatton Set For Pro Debut In Gibraltar This Weekend
Get ready to feel really old on Saturday night as Campbell Hatton, son of two-weight world champion and bona fide British boxing royalty Ricky, will make his professional debut against Jesus Ruiz (0-10) on the undercard of Povetkin vs Whyte’s rematch dubbed the ‘Rumble on the Rocks’
The 19-year-old has been boxing since the age of 14 and has won a National Novice title and two North West titles.
Mike Tyson vs Evander Holyfield III Pencilled In For May 29
Mike Tyson has confirmed he and former foe Evander Holyfield will complete their long awaited trilogy this year.
The heavyweight legends clashed in two of the biggest heavyweight bouts of the 1990s when they fought in 1996 and 1997. The second became known as the ‘Bite Fight’ when Tyson infamously bit a chunk out of Holyfield’s ear on his way to disqualification.
Speaking on Instagram Live, ‘Iron’ Mike said, “I just want everybody to know, the fight is on with me and Holyfield.
“Holyfield’s a humble man, I know that. And he’s a man of God, but I’m God’s man.
“And, listen, I’m going to be successful on May 29th.”
Oleksandr Usyk To Head Into The UFC?
Ukrainian heavyweight Oleksandr is eagerly awaiting his shot at a world title but the 34-year-old claims he won’t wait around forever for Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury to come through on their unification bout and even claims he could step into the Octagon in the meantime.
Speaking to Ukrainian website XSport, Usyk said, “"Recently Dana White wrote to me if I would like to try myself in the UFC. I replied, 'Send an offer, I am ready.' So I have many options for what to do. I'm not going to sit still and wait for Joshua and Fury to fight. I'll find someone to box with."
