From heavyweight hits to daylight robberies, here are five boxing stories you might have missed this week.
Deontay Wilder Hoping To Land A Knockout With New Single
Former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder announced last month that he would be returning to the ring again soon, but that’s not the only thing that ‘The Bronze Bomber’ has in the pipeline.
Wilder recently announced on social media that he, alongside his brother Marsellos, a professional boxer himself, were putting the finishing touches on a new single titled ‘Everything’ set for release on June 19th. And do you know what? It doesn’t sound half bad to be fair.
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Writing on Twitter, Wilder wrote: “I wanted to feel good this summer while relaxing doing the things I love and listening to some good ole vibing music.”
According to Wilder, the new music will drop on all major streaming platforms.
I knew just what I wanted so I created it.
Everytime
Ft. My brother @wilderworld2
Release: June 19th
Early gift:June 10th
Streaming on all major platforms
ENJOY
Naoya Inoue Robbed During Nonito Donaire Rematch… Literally
Naoya Inoue lived up to his ‘Monster’ moniker on Tuesday, blitzing Nonito Donaire in two rounds at the Saitama Super Arena in Japan.
Inoue moved up to 23-0, with 20 of his wins coming inside the distance, cementing the Japanese bantamweight’s place as a bona fide pound-for-pound superstar. The WBC, IBF and WBA world champion now has his sights set on becoming undisputed, with Britain’s Paul Butler holding the WBO strap, the final piece of the puzzle.
“I aim to be the undisputed champion. If I can do that within a year in 2022, I would love to stay in this division,” said Inoue after the fight.
“If I can’t, I’m capable of raising my division and fighting again for the upper-division [super bantamweight].
However, Inoue was afforded little time to celebrate his win over ‘The Filipino Flash’, with news that his house was robbed whilst he was fighting. According to the police, thieves were able to steal “more than a dozen designer bags and expensive pieces of jewelry.”
Tragedy In South Africa Following The Death Of Lightweight Boxer
Tragedy struck in South Africa with the death of lightweight boxer Simiso Buthelezi, who had suffered bleeding on the brain following a bout at the weekend in Durban.
Footage of the WBF All Africa lightweight title fight with compatriot Siphesihle Mntungwa was shared across social media, showing Buthelezi approaching an empty corner and appearing to shadow-box an invisible opponent.
The 10 round contest was halted by the referee with Mntungwa declared the winner. Buthelezi was rushed to the hospital, where he was induced into a coma.
"At the hospital Mr Buthelezi was given the best care possible but he however succumbed to the injury," a statement from Boxing South Africa read.
"Boxing South Africa will conduct an independent medical review of the injury and will then make public the results of that medical review.
"The Buthelezi family and BSA acknowledges warm words of condolences of the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture."
Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of Buthelezi. RIP champ.
Dereck Chisora/Kubrat Pulev Rematch Set For July
Dereck Chisora will return to the ring on July 9th when he takes on Kubrat Pulev in a heavyweight rematch at the O2 Arena in London.
‘Del Boy’ and the Bulgarian last fought in 2016, with Pulev emerging victorious with a split decision win in Hamburg, Germany. Chisora, 38, is looking to get back to winning ways having lost three on the bounce after suffering defeats to Oleksandr Usyk and Joseph Parker (twice).
Pulev, 41, last fought in May, beating Jerry Forrest by unanimous decision on a Triller Fight Club card. His last outing before that was in 2020, a ninth round stoppage loss to Anthony Joshua.
“I’m delighted to get this fight over the line,” said Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn. “Initially we worked on some other opponents for Derek, but this fight came out of nowhere a few days ago and I absolutely love it!
“I think the strapline, ‘Total Carnage’, is absolutely perfect for this fight, in terms of the build-up and in terms of the fight itself. Expect the unexpected but expect a thriller. Both men have been long standing fixtures of the heavyweight division and it’s all or nothing for both, as defeat could lead to the end of the road. Fans can expect a huge undercard and a brilliant main event.”
New Trainer Garcia Talks About Joshua’s Mentality Ahead Of Usyk Rematch
Robert Garcia was announced as Anthony Joshua’s new head trainer ahead of the heavyweight’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk this summer and this week he opened up on his new charge, saying that he is working on AJ’s mentality ahead of his second showdown with the Ukrainian.
“Fighters come off a loss – like after the Andy Ruiz Jr fight. They might think, 'I lost a fight, so maybe I'm not as good?' After he lost we've seen there's more of a mental problem, so we're working on that," he said on his YouTube channel Robert Garcia Unfiltered.
"He's created a team of not only me and Angel [Fernandez]. He hired other people. Not trainers, different people that could help with the way he's thinking. Somebody that's with him, thinking positive with him.
"He hates to lose. He's thinking like a fighter, he's thinking about going out there to do his job - to hurt his opponent, to win, to dominate, to hurt him bad. And that's the mentality that he needs to have."
*18+ | BeGambleAware
