Tom Aspinall 'bored' with Jon Jones teasing UFC comeback
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Yahoo
39 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Moses Itauma believes he will become undisputed world heavyweight champion
British boxer Moses Itauma is laser-focused on Saturday's fight with Dillian Whyte, but believes he will one day become undisputed world heavyweight champion and can beat Oleksandr Usyk. Itauma faces the toughest test of his fledgling career when he headlines in Riyadh against veteran Whyte on Saturday night. A 14th consecutive win in the professional ranks for Chatham southpaw Itauma will keep him on track for a world title shot in 2026 and while the 20-year-old does not expect to get all the belts during the next 12 months, he is certain that will be the case one day. 'I don't think I'd lose anything from fighting Usyk. If I win, 'wahey', if I lose, I don't think there's any wrongdoings from that, but I don't ever think I'm going to go into a fight and lose,' Itauma reflected, with Saudi boxing chief Turki Al-Alshikh eager to match the pair. 'I do believe that one day in the near future I will be an undisputed world champion, yes. To say by next year? That's a bit mad. 'I want to flip the question. Do you see me fulfilling what Usyk has done baring in mind Usyk is 38 and I'm 20? 'I do believe I may be able to reach that or surpass that one day. 'I definitely recognise Usyk as a modern-day great, but I also want to be a modern-day great. 'Of course, I have to take my hat off to him, probably the best heavyweight for a long time, but I wouldn't say I admire Usyk. 'The only reason is that I don't really like to admire any boxer. I feel like once you put them on a pedestal, you might get a bit starstruck and it won't lead to positions like Moses Itauma boxing Dillian Whyte at 20. 'Imagine I see Whyte as the same guy I watched on TV when I was 10 and I'm like, 'woah, now I'm in the ring with him.' I don't really have time for that. I need to be locked in.' Slovakia-born Itauma revealed Whyte's memorable bout with Anthony Joshua in 2015 was one of the first he watched on TV. Even though Whyte was knocked out, Itauma still had a 'mutual respect' for him and insisted it is a 'big deal' to take him on so young. Itauma recently missed out on becoming the youngest ever world heavyweight champion after passing the age of Mike Tyson, but does have Floyd Patterson – second in the list at the age of 21 and 10 months – in his sights after Whyte is dealt with. Youngest Mike Tyson - 20 years, four months and 23 days Floyd Patterson - 21 years, 10 months and 26 days Muhammad Ali - 22 years and eight days Joe Louis - 23 years, one month and nine days Jack Dempsey - 24 years and 10 days George Foreman - 24 years and 12 days WBO number one contender Itauma added: 'I remember seeing the top six youngest heavyweight champions of the world and I saw Mike Tyson, Muhammad Ali, Floyd Patterson, George Foreman and I can't remember the other name, but I remember the last person was 24-years-old. 'That is four years from now for me and I believe I can be heavyweight champion before that. 'And I can be in and around or in the mix of them great names, but (first) Dillian Whyte.'
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
UFC 319 'Embedded,' No. 5: Fighters see Chicago, thankfully\u00a0absent tourist deep dish pizza
The UFC is back in the "Windy City" for the first time in more than six years for UFC 319, its ninth pay-per-view of the calendar year, and the popular "Embedded" fight week video series is here to document what's happening behind the scenes. UFC 319 (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) takes place Saturday at United Center in Chicago. In the headliner, middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis (23-2 MMA, 9-0 UFC) puts his title on the line for the third time when he meets unbeaten – and favored – challenger Khamzat Chimaev (14-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC). In addition, wrestling standout Aaron Pico (13-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC) makes his highly anticipated UFC debut after years in Bellator when he takes on unbeaten featherweight Lerone Murphy (16-0-1 MMA, 8-0-1 UFC) in the co-main event. Plus, the popular Michael Page (23-3 MMA, 2-1 UFC) meets former middleweight title challenger Jared Cannonier (18-8 MMA, 11-8 UFC) and more in the home of the Bulls and Blackhawks. The fifth episode of "Embedded" follows the headliners and featured fighters while they get ready for fight week. Here is the UFC's description of the episode from YouTube: UFC 319 athletes make their media day rounds; Alexander Hernandez takes in the sites of Chicago with Brandon Royval; Tim Elliott gets a haircut; Aaron Pico gets dressed up for his first UFC press conference; Champ Dricus Du Plessis prepares to exchange words with Khamzat Chimaev; The stars of UFC 319 are on stage for the UFC 319 Pre-Fight Press Conference. Previous UFC 319 'Embedded' episodes
Washington Post
an hour ago
- Washington Post
Middleweight champ Dricus Du Plessis puts belt on the line against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319
CHICAGO — Middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis will put his belt on the line for the third time against one of the most feared pound-for-pound fighters on the UFC roster. Du Plessis (23-2) will face Khamzat Chimaev (14-0) at a sold-out United Center on Saturday night at UFC 319 as the event returns to Chicago for the first time in more than six years.
