Floyd Mayweather is back in the ring in September, Anthony Joshua has signed a ground-breaking new broadcasting deal and there’s plenty of news from the Fury family. Here are five boxing stories you might have missed this week.
Floyd Mayweather’s Next Exhibition Fight Announced
Floyd Mayweather will return to Japan for another exhibition match this September when he takes on MMA fighter Mikuru Asakara.
The 50-0 star retired professionally in 2017 following his win over Conor McGregor, but since then, Mayweather has strung together a number of exhibition matches and this will be his fourth.
Mayweather fought in Japan on New Year’s Eve in 2019, stopping popular kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa in just a round in Tokyo. Since then ‘Money’ has fought YouTuber Logan Paul and former sparring partner Don Moore.
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Speaking at the International Boxing Hall of Fame, Mayweather said: "My legacy is already engraved in stone, like I said before, but it's still great just to go around the world and entertain people from all walks of life.
"I'm pretty sure he's gonna come out and give his best, like any and every guy, but I've seen every style, so my job is just to go out there, be me, have fun and do what I do best.”
The rules and length of the bout are yet to be announced.
Anthony Joshua Signs Long-Term Broadcast Deal With DAZN
Anthony Joshua’s future fights will now be shown on DAZN after the two-time heavyweight champion signed a “groundbreaking” long-term deal with the broadcaster.
The deal, believed to be worth upwards of £100m, means that the Olympic gold medalist has cut ties with Sky Sports, who have screened all of Joshua’s fights since his pro debut in 2013.
As part of the new deal, Joshua has also become a shareholder, special advisor and brand ambassador for DAZN.
"I am entering a new phase in my career with a new training environment, new coaches and now a new broadcaster," said Joshua.
"Negotiations at this level take time, so I am pleased to have it all wrapped up and now I can fully focus on giving the fans and DAZN what they want - knockouts in the glamour division."
Tyson Fury Wants “Half A Billi” To Face Usyk/AJ Winner
WBC heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury has announced his price to come out of retirement and face the winner of the Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua rematch… and it’s going to take some deep pockets.
“I’d probably want half a [billion] to come out of retirement,” Fury told talkSPORT on Wednesday.
“I’m telling you the truth, if you want me out of retirement, it’s gonna cost half a billi.”
‘The Gypsy King’ claimed he was done with boxing following his April knockout win over Dillian Whyte and opened the door to exhibition-style matches, with the UFC heavyweight Francis Ngannou long-mooted as a potential opponent.
Fury told Queensberry Promotions on Tuesday night that he would “100%” return to the ring in the future, but an undisputed showdown with the winner of Usyk/Joshua II seems unlikely unless the 33-year-old’s steep demands are met.
“If it’s half a billi, then I won’t say no, will I?, Fury added. “What you’ve gotta do is go and get half a billi, and then the ‘Gypsy King’ will come out and solve all [Usyk’s] problems for him.
“Because if AJ gets beat again off Usyk, then there’s only gonna be one man to redeem this great fighting nation of the United Kingdom, and he goes by the name of Tyson Fury. I can solve all the problems, the embarrassment, all that stuff that’s gonna happen.”
John Fury Gives An Update On Tommy Fury vs Jake Paul
Tommy Fury and Jake Paul are in negotiations to get their long-awaited clash on, according to the former’s father, John Fury.
Fury confirmed that talks between the light-heavyweight and the YouTuber-turned-boxer had commenced, although he admitted that there was still quite a bit to do to get the fight over the line.
"We're looking at the Jake Paul situation but there's a long way to go with it,” he told Free Bets.
"That's still in negotiation and up in the air, the lawyers are dealing with it as we speak."
Former Love Island star Tommy and Paul were set to do battle at the end of last year but the bout fell through after Fury suffered from a chest infection and a broken rib. Paul, 5-0 (4), instead rematched Tyron Woodley, stopping the former UFC champion in six rounds.
Hughie Fury vs Michael Hunter Heavyweight Clash Postponed
Elsewhere in the Fury family, Hughie Fury's showdown against Michael Hunter has been postponed as the British heavyweight is recovering from illness.
The pair were set to collide at Manchester’s AO Arena on July 2nd in a WBA title eliminator. Hughie had tried to push through during his training camp in Cannes, France, however his trainer and father, Peter, suspended it on Wednesday to allow his son time to recover.
"On behalf of myself and my son, we apologise to the fans but most of all to Hunter and his team, because like us, they’ve gone through a hard camp and this news is the last thing anyone in boxing wants to hear,” said Peter Fury.
“Hughie struggled on through the illness but physically broke down. We look forward to this fight being rescheduled as it’s a great fight for both men and for the fans around the world.
"Once again we apologise to everyone involved, but health is paramount in boxing.”
The fight was set to appear on the same night and in the same arena as Ricky Hatton’s comeback exhibition fight against Marco Antonio Barrera. It is yet to be confirmed whether that match will still go ahead or be rescheduled.
*18+ | BeGambleAware
