Latest news with #AndreWard
The Independent
12-08-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Anthony Joshua responds to Andre Ward callout with playful jibe
Anthony Joshua has reacted to Andre Ward 's callout this week, offering a playful response to the unbeaten former world champion. American star Ward, now 41, retired with a perfect record of 32-0 (16 KOs) in 2017, having held unified world titles at super-middleweight and light-heavyweight. And having teased a comeback fight for the right payday in recent years, Ward has now turned his attention to Joshua. Ward said in an Instagram video this week: 'One name that I've brought up before, that... when you say that name, I could see myself fighting him – present day today, if the business was right and everything was right on that front... Me and Anthony Joshua. 'That's a fight that I would take at Wembley Stadium. It's a dangerous fight for my legacy, it's a dangerous fight across the board, but that's a fight that would get me in the gym and get me in the mindset that I need to be in to go to war.' And Joshua, 35, has noted Ward's callout, commenting on the American's Instagram post: 'Pay Day Pay Day ( Canelo voice )'. The Briton was referencing Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez, the reigning undisputed super-middleweight champion, who has taunted various prospective opponents over the years by saying they want the 'pay day' that comes with fighting him. Ward is considered a modern great, but he would have to turn back the clock and reach a career-highest weight to box Joshua. 'AJ', since turning professional after winning Olympic gold in 2012, has exclusively fought at heavyweight. In that division, he is a former two-time world champion. Most recently, however, Joshua failed to regain world-champion status, as he was knocked out by then-IBF champion Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in September. AJ has since undergone elbow surgery, and his next fight date and opponent are unclear. Ward retired in 2017 on the back of a stoppage win over Sergey Kovalev, having outpointed the Russian in each man's previous bout. With those victories, Ward won then retained the WBA, WBO and IBF light-heavyweight titles.
The Sun
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Shakur Stevenson might be tipped for boxing greatness but he can't beat rapper girlfriend for getting fans' attention
SHAKUR STEVENSON is the unbeaten boxing champion tipped for greatness - but he may not even be the most famous in his relationship. Stevenson has already won world titles in three divisions, currently holding the WBC lightweight title which he defends on Saturday. 9 9 9 And with the guidance of boxing greats Andre Ward and Terence Crawford - many back Stevenson to be America's next great boxing hope. But, he is not the only famous face in his relationship with rapper Young Lyric - real name is Lyric Michelle Ragston. Lyric - who has 1.5million Instagram followers to Stevenson's 1.2m - even beats her boxing beau to fan attention when out and about. Stevenson, 28, said with a laugh: 'We'll be at the mall and somebody will come up to her like, 'Yo, can I take a picture?' And they ask me to take the picture! 'And I'm like, 'Damn, what the hell. Like I'm somebody too! But I mean, I don't really be tripping, to be honest. She got her fans and I got my fans.' Stevenson admits having a successful partner who is making her own way helps their relationship. He said: 'Honestly, we try to keep each other on a straight path and that's really the main goal. 'You wanna push each other to become great and whatever else you're doing and I try to stay on top of her and same with her, trying to stay on top of me so we appreciate each other.' 9 Stevenson proposed to Lyric in the ring in 2022 after beating Oscar Valdez with the couple welcoming their baby daughter into the world a year prior. The unbeaten star values old-school boxing traditions, like training all year round and taking on any challenge that comes. He also follows archaic methods like abstaining from sex during camp - with the belief it helps build up testosterone. The theory has never actually be backed by science but it's a tactic used by all the greats - and Stevenson hopes to be another. He said: 'I probably could stay at home, chill with my daughter and still go to the gym and go whoop somebody's ass, cause I mean, I normally do that on a regular, so that ain't really the problem. 'It's just the fact that I'm not trying to be having sex and s*** and then go to the gym and then you don't have your legs and your energy up under you so that really be the main thing.' The Newark native even takes himself away from his young family in training camp - relocating to Houston to avoid any distractions. Stevenson revealed: "See, I'm different. Like, I'll be seeing people be like going to the shows, they be having a girl on the side of them. 'Like, all that stuff looks cool and I mean, it's cool to see, but for me, I don't even want to see my girl until after the fight. 'I don't wanna see her, I feel like that's just a distraction for me. I just can't do it, so I kind of just stay away until after I get the victory.' 9 9 9 9 When it's put to Stevenson that his three-year-old Leilani Asha is either going to be a great fighter or performer - he knows which one it will be. He quickly countered: 'She ain't no fighter. That ain't never happening! 'Hopefully she gets into music, but you know, I'll take her around and let her do all sorts of things like gymnastics, dance, now she's taking swimming. 'So I just try to have her active and see what she likes the most and whatever she gravitates towards, that's what she's gonna do. 'But boxing ain't gonna be one of them.' Stevenson expects his various sacrifices to pay off when he defends his famous green and gold belt against 33-0 Mexican William Zepeda in New York. And it could be a coming out party of sorts for Stevenson, who said: "I think it is just because of the style. "You got a guy that's coming in there, he's coming to bring the fight to me. 'And you back somebody up like me against the wall, you won't like what's coming back, so it's gonna be tremendous . 9
