Latest news with #EddieHearn
The Sun
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Anthony Joshua faces off with ex-champ who survived assassination attempt as Eddie Hearn opens up on new two-fight deal
ANTHONY JOSHUA faced off with forgotten heavyweight Mahmoud Charr - as Eddie Hearn confirmed plans for a two-fight deal. AJ has been out of action since a knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in September while an elbow injury - which needed surgery - has sidelined him. 5 5 But promoter Hearn revealed talks with Saudi boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh and Riyadh Season for a pair of bouts are underway. He told BoxingScene: 'We are actually discussing a two-fight deal with Riyadh Season. "We've been doing that, [Turki Alalshikh] said that on the night of Canelo-Scull, when we had our meeting, and that's the plan really. "We want to box sometime this year, October, November, December.' Dubois, 27, now rematches Oleksandr Usyk, 38, on July 19 at Wembley two years after his stoppage loss to the Ukrainian. Usyk is coming off two wins over Tyson Fury, 36, last year which led to the Gypsy King's surprise retirement in January. Hearn still hopes Fury will return to face Joshua, 35, while London's undisputed title clash will also factor into their next move. He said: 'We'll see what happens with Dubois-Usyk. We'll see what happens with Fury. "If we don't fight those guys, maybe we'll fight one of those guys next year.' Another name hoping to put himself in the mix to fight Joshua is Lebanon-born German Charr - who changed his name from Manuel to Mahmoud. How Tyson Fury's second season of Netflix reality show can be key to finally securing Anthony Joshua fight Charr long held the WBA's secondary heavyweight title but lost it to Kubrat Pulev in December - not returning since. He now resides in Dubai where AJ was recently on holiday before also travelling to Oman on a visit. Charr went face-to-face in a tense stare down with Joshua and said: 'There's only one giant in Syria." The 40-year-old has a 34–5 record, notably losing to Vitali Klitschko in 2012. But his career - and life - was almost ended in 2015 when he was targeted in a drive-by shooting in a kebab shop in Essen. He miraculously survived and lived to see his shooter, Youssef Hassan, sentenced to five years in prison after also undergoing two hip operations. Charr was astonishingly back in the ring just nine months later - to cap off a truly incredible comeback. He was 32 bouts into his career when his life was almost taken from him, following a cowardly assault from a Facebook troll. The attacker had been provoking the fighter online, posing videos of his losses on social media. But when Charr offered to face the man behind the screen in person, he was subject to an assassination attempt. Charr had two tune-ups fights afterwards but later needed a double replacement, undergoing surgery in 2017 at the age of just 32. He told SunSport in 2022: "I am not afraid of anyone. Fear is a feeling and feelings can be controlled. Fear exists only in your mind." 5 5
BBC News
5 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
'Retirement is terrifying - but Fury's not done'
Tyson Fury insists he's retired. And if you believe that, you probably haven't been following boxing – or his Instagram profile - for the past he may have meant it. This time it might just all be a strategy. I don't think he's 'Gypsy King' is back in the gym and has been posting clips of himself running and leading us all down a garden path and deep down, I reckon he knows it too. Fury's fire is still burning.I've been in this sport since the age of seven and I've seen it countless times. When a fighter says they're done, sometimes it's just a pause. A chance to breathe, reset, take the pressure off. At other times it's a decision made in the heat of the moment, based on was the case when I laid my gloves in the ring after losing to Anthony Cacace in September.I told my dad in the corner after my third straight defeat that "it's not there any more". I was 100% committed to that decision. I was broken, both physically and mentally. I did a lap of honour and told Eddie Hearn I was next day, on the way home, was the longest and most painful drive of my life. For the next couple of weeks, I'd take my kids to school then come back and get into bed and start boxing isn't just a job to me – it was who I was. It kept me away from trouble, gave me a purpose when others around me didn't have one. So when that part of you suddenly disappears, it's messaged me, even those who admitted they didn't like me, telling me to hold my head up. I watched my fight and realised it wasn't as bad as I thought. At the football, Leeds United fans were stopping me, telling me I wasn't I went back to the gym, started moving again and realised I still had something left. I couldn't go out like that. Boxing buzz, lure of the pound & need for union It's easy to say, "Why don't you just walk away?"But unless you've lived it, you don't understand. The structure of training, the routine, the high of fight week – it's like a drug.I've never touched recreational stuff in my life but I imagine the hit of fight night is not far off. The lights, the adrenaline, the buzz – it's let's not lie – the money matters. Boxing isn't just a passion, it's a business. One punch can change your life and the pay packets? Insane. You've got influencers making millions from novelty if you're a top heavyweight like Fury, what's 36 minutes in the ring when there's eight figures on the line?But that's where it gets dangerous. The damage adds up. You're getting hit in the head. And what does all that money mean when your speech starts to slur or your reactions slow down?That's why I say boxing needs a union. Footballers have the PFA (Professional Footballers' Association). We've got of us come from council estates and broken homes – boxing is a way out. But when it ends, the phone stops ringing. The tax bills roll in. You don't know who to turn to. And that's when some fighters spiral into drink, gambling or depression. A union could help. It could give guidance, investment advice, even set age limits for comebacks. Because let's face it, a 58-year-old Mike Tyson getting back in the ring? That's not a comeback – that's a health risk. This isn't Oasis reforming. This is people getting punched in the for Tyson Fury? He'll be back. And yes, I think the Anthony Joshua fight happens. It's too big not to. Maybe it's not what it once could've been – two unbeaten heavyweights fighting for all the belts – but it still matters. There's still pride, still might take a tune-up or he might dive straight way, I don't believe he's done. Not yet. Not until the lights are off, the gloves hung up for good and he's found something that gives him the same thrill. But believe me, that's the hardest part. I'm not sure anything else will ever come Warrington was speaking to BBC Sport's Kal Sajad.
The Independent
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Eddie Hearn 'quietly confident' of Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury
Eddie Hearn has revealed in an interview that the Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua fight is more likely to happen now than ever before. Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury have been pitted against each other for nearly ten years, with rumoured agreements and social media deadlines punctuating this long rivalry between the two British heavyweight superstars. The Matchroom boss, speaking to Sky Sports Boxing, said Joshua is ready to make a fight with Fury after coming back from his elbow surgery and that the ball is in Fury's court. Hearn said: 'AJs got to have a little keyhole surgery on an elbow. He'll be back post September.' He continued: 'When we talk about big fights - this fight is the biggest fight - not just in British boxing, in world boxing by a mile. I just feel like it's time, this is the moment. We're reliant upon Tyson Fury, [but] we're ready to go.' With Fury teasing a return to the ring on social media twice already this year, Hearn believes that he will not be able to resist the temptation to come back and take on 'AJ'. He said of Fury: 'He's a competitive so and so, and I just know in his mind he'll want to dance with Anthony Joshua. So, dust those shoes off and let's make it happen.' The circumstances and relationships surrounding this fight have changed drastically since it was first proposed. Neither man holds a belt and Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn have a recently reconciled relationship that has opened the door for many cross promotional matchups already. Joshua's promoter believes this will be the key to the fight being made as easily as 'one phone call'. Hearn said: 'Honestly, one phone call. Previously one had a belt, one was the challenger. One was unified, me and Frank Warren never spoke, me and Tyson Fury didn't get on. That ship's sailed now, and it really is one phone call just to say, Look, here are the terms, you're both not champions at the moment but you're both huge stars - let's just get on with it and make it happen.'' He concluded: 'So, fingers crossed, but I'm quietly confident.'
The Independent
7 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Hearn intimates Taylor Bevan to return on July Queensberry Promotions show in Bournemouth
Promoter Eddie Hearn has intimated that super-middleweight Taylor Bevan will return in July on a card to be held in Bournemouth. Bevan, 4-0 (4), will fight on as-yet-unannounced opponent. This weekend, he beat Juan Cruz Cacheiro, 7-5 (3), at the Copper Box Arena in London. Now, Hearn has said that Bevan will return on the Queensberry Boxing card, notable since Hearn's Matchroom Boxing and Queensberry Promotions have traditionally been rivals. Hearn told BBC Sport: 'He's looking really good. People said, 'At what point do you get excited about Taylor Bevan?' I said, 'About a year ago.' The support is unbelievable, the shot selection, the performances. He said he wasn't happy about his performance tonight. And I said, 'Why!?'' Catch all the latest boxing action on DAZN It is understood that the July card will be held at the Bournemouth International Centre. Hearn said that he had been talking with Queensberry Promotions about including Bevan on that card, with an announcement to be made this week. The main event on Bournemouth event will be between Ryan Garner, 17-0 (8), and Reece Belotti, 20-5 (15). Garner last fought at the same venue in March, when he outpointed Salvador Jimenez over twelve rounds. Bellotti, meanwhile, last fought in February when he stopped Michael Gomez Jr in ten rounds at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester. Back to this weekend, and Bevan, who won by stoppage in the second round, also told BBC Sport that he had not been happy with his performance. He said: 'I thought that one would be the test and take me a few more rounds. I was looking to break him down over the six rounds, then get him out towards the end of the fight. The ref jumped in in the second round and it was a bit of an early stoppage, but I'll watch it back and assess that.' He added: 'It's not frustration with the ref, but with my own performance. I took a few more shots than I wanted. My own performance, I don't know how early it was because I haven't watched it back yet. But I would have liked for it to go on a little longer, so I could have improved how I was boxing.' Hearn, however, said that he had no issues with Bevan's win, saying that he had beaten a tough opponent who had recently gone the distance with a tough Argentinian who had last fought in the UK in March, losing a points decision to fellow unbeaten prospect Aaron Bowen, 4-0 (3). Hearn said: '[ Cacheiro ] beat [ Durval Elias ] Palacio, who just had a won with [ Imam ] Khataev. He's a tough, tough man. I thought the stoppage was a bit early, but it was only going one way. It just looks really, really good. I almost want to fast-forward the career of Taylor Bevan, but you have to give him the learning experience of going through six, eight, ten rounds. I really want him to be there now, because I think he's good enough. I'm looking forward to the future.' Watch the very best boxing with a DAZN subscription DAZN is the home of combat sports, broadcasting over 185 fights a year from the world's best promoters, including Matchroom, Queensberry, Golden Boy, Misfits, PFL, BKFC, GLORY and more. An Annual Saver subscription is a one-off cost of £119.99 / $224.99 (for 12 months access), that's just 64p / $1.21 per fight. There is also a Monthly Flex Pass option (cancel any time) at £24.99 / $29.99 per month. A subscription includes weekly magazine shows, comprehensive fight library, exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes documentaries, and podcasts and vodcasts.
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'I had my way' - Visioli on sparring with US star Moton
Unbeaten British prospect Giorgio Visioli has said people would be "shocked" if footage of him sparring with US star Curmel Moton was "leaked".The Aldershot boxer visited the United States in March and after the two were pictured sharing the ring, his promoter Eddie Hearn claimed he "smashed Moton to pieces" in the Visioli, 22, has had an impressive start to his professional career, winning seven times with six stoppages. Moton - who is promoted by Floyd Mayweather - denied the claims coming from Hearn, but said he would be open to the two meeting. "Those comments came out of Eddie's mouth, but it was great work between me and Curmel," Visioli told BBC Sport."The sparring was good though - it was my way all the time and he knows that for sure. When the footage gets leaked everyone will be shocked."If he wants to fight then we can fight - I'll fight anyone and if he wants to send the papers then send them."Moton is also unbeaten in his start to life as a professional, with an identical record to Visioli with seven wins and six stoppages. The 18-year-old is seen as one of the biggest prospects in world boxing, and most recently stopped Frank Zaldivar in the third round of their fight at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Visioli made the trip to Vegas to spar with Moton and a mix of amateurs and pros with his coach Mark Tibbs and gym-mate Johnny Fisher. During that visit he also sparred with Rolando Romero, who recently beat Ryan Garcia in New York."It was definitely good work," Moton told Pro Boxing Fans, external."Eddie Hearn's been talking online but he's doing his job being a promoter and trying to get his guy's name out there more."His guy shared the ring with me and he's seen his opportunity. Everyone is talking about him right now and they're claiming he whooped on me."They can say what they want to say but we both know how the sparring went, and if Eddie saw the footage then he should be confident to set that fight up between us - I'm ready whenever they want to do it." Visioli dominates Baker in recent win After an amateur career in which he never knocked anyone out, Visioli wins by stoppage have become a regular occurrence in his time as a his last contest he took on 19-12 Kane Baker who by many was considered to be a step up. But Visioli showed his class and impressively dominated Baker before the referee jumped in to stop the contest in the fourth particular clip on social media, external from that fight showed him landing five consecutive right hooks to Baker's body before cracking a huge sixth blow against the side of his head. "On paper it was a step up," Visioli said. "In reality I just boxed his head off and beat him up bad. He wasn't ready for my footwork and speed - I thought he'd give me more of a test."It was a great performance and a win that helps me to get my name out there more. No-one has ever really done what I did to Kane - all respect to him but it was really satisfying for me."I'm no boring fighter - I can bang and I have the speed. I have the full package and people now know what I bring to the table."Visioli is next in action on 21 June when he fights on the undercard of Shabaz Masoud's bout against Peter McGrail with the pair in the main event competing for the IBO super-bantamweight title. And his promoter Hearn has big ambitions for what he could achieve. "Giorgio is an incredible talent," he told BBC Sport."We've upset them over there - he gave Moton a good bashing in sparring and they didn't seem to like it."I'm looking forward to seeing him progress. I believe he is a world champion in waiting."
