Latest news with #FrankWarren
BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Nathan Heaney eyes one more fight after Stoke-on-Trent victory
Boxer Nathan Heaney has said he is still focused on a further fight in his native Stoke-on-Trent, after victory in the former British middleweight champion beat Grant Dennis on points in their eight-round non-title fight at the King's Hall on Saturday. Heaney told BBC Radio Stoke he would have retired had the bout not gone his way, and that his wife Louise "would love it if I didn't get punched any more".But he confirmed he wanted to fight again, at Stoke City Football Club's ground, in about a year's time. "I think the only thing we deserve... is [a fight at] the ground. Just for that final once-in-a-lifetime event for the city," he of the match against Dennis, Heaney said he was determined to "win and it will remind Frank Warren why he signed me all those years ago." Reacting to the points win over Dennis, Heaney said he felt "relief, more than anything when they said 'Nathan Heaney.. the winner'"."There were times when I was thinking 'am I letting him hit me with too many shots?'"They only have to catch you with one hook and the judges will sway to them."He expressed disappointment in not achieving a knockout in the final Heaney thanked his home crowd for an "incredible" reaction to the victory."That's why now I'm just saying the only fight now is Stoke [City FC]. I've given my all throughout my career, and I think the only thing we deserve as a city, and myself, is [a match at] the ground." Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
The Independent
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
What's next for Daniel Dubois if he beats Oleksandr Usyk at Wembley?
Daniel Dubois is ready to enter himself into the pantheon of great British heavyweight champions by dethroning the 'Brit basher' Oleksandr Usyk at Wembley on Saturday night. The IBF champion has resurrected his career since losing to Usyk in 2023, claiming his career-best wins against Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic and a brutal knockout of Anthony Joshua. If Dubois can cause one of the biggest upsets of the year on Saturday, he will have the world at his feet at just 27 years old and be the first British undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis. But where does he go from there? As the trailblazer for the next generation of heavyweight contenders, he will have his pick of the bunch. Usyk trilogy If Dubois can exact his revenge against the odds and beat Usyk, a trilogy fight is the perfect way to complete his Hollywood-esque career resurgence. This would be close to the top of the list for Dubois, the opportunity to settle the rivalry and for 'Dynamite' to assert himself as the best heavyweight in the world. To beat Usyk twice when the likes of Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua have both fallen short twice would be a special achievement. Dubois hasn't spoken on the possibility of a trilogy, but there is no doubt it would be a monumental event and a fitting conclusion to the tapestry of the Usyk vs Dubois rivalry. Joseph Parker To not include Parker in this list would be a misstatement of the facts. As confirmed by Frank Warren, Joseph Parker is the next in line for a shot at heavyweight gold. This would be a fight that is easy to make as both Parker and Dubois are in the Queensberry stable of fighters, so there would be no negotiation trouble, and the fight could be made at the drop of a hat. Parker, however, speaking to Seconds Out, didn't like his chances of getting a world title shot any time soon. Parker said: 'There's so many options that could happen after this fight. There could be a rematch clause, the belt could be vacated, they could be wanting to fight someone else.' Dubois was initially scheduled to fight Parker to defend his upgraded IBF title on the undercard of Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol 2 in February. Pulling out a couple of days before fight night, Dubois was accused by some of ducking the fight with Parker to set up the fight rematch with Usyk instead. Parker wants the opportunity to get back at Dubois for denying him the opportunity to fight for a world title. Parker said: 'I do want to get at Dubois, I think he is a young, hungry fighter. He's getting better and better. But I do want to test myself against this young man who denied me the chance [at a world title].' Both men will feel they have unfinished business with the other if they were to fight. Anthony Joshua rematch An unforgettable night at Wembley saw Daniel Dubois announce himself as the next generation of heavyweight champions, savagely knocking out Anthony Joshua to set up the rematch with Usyk. It was initially expected that Joshua would take an immediate rematch with Dubois, but it never materialised. Joshua was forced to have surgery on an elbow injury, which wrote him off in regards to an immediate rematch. Speaking after Bivol had defeated Beterbiev in the rematch, Eddie Hearn said the fight Joshua wanted most for his comeback was the rematch with Dubois. Hearn said: 'The right thing to do would be to rematch Daniel Dubois. I think that's what he would like to do. To have another shot at the world heavyweight championship.' If Dubois comes through his rematch with Usyk, then he will certainly be on Joshua's radar as the former unified champion has ambitions of joining the exclusive club of fighters that are three-time heavyweight champions. Whether or not Joshua will be on Dubois's radar remains to be seen after Saturday. The next generation If this rematch is to signal a passing of the torch from the generation of Fury, Joshua and Usyk to Dubois, then, as the new king of the division, the Brit will have a long line of young and hungry fighters vying for a shot at his crown. Alongside Parker as the mandatory challenger for the WBO, three other heavyweights are also in the mix for a title shot and with the bureaucracy of boxing, any one of them could be next. Agit Kabayel has come up the hard way to claim his WBC interim title by earning victories over much larger and well-respected opponents including Arslanbek Makhmudov, Frank Sanchez and Zhilei Zhang. As interim champion, he is at the front of the queue when the time for the WBC mandatory challenger comes. One of the brightest young British prospects, Moses Itauma, is also lurking in the heavyweight rankings. He is number one with the WBO, number two with the WBA and number six with the IBF. He will first have to get through the toughest test of his career against the former world title challenger and veteran heavyweight, Dillian Whyte, on August 16. Saturday's chief support is former cruiserweight world champion, Lawrence Okolie, fighting Kevin Lerena in his second heavyweight fight and he currently sits as the number one ranked contender with the WBC. The pair have shared hundreds of rounds of sparring, and a fight between them would carry a lot of history with it. Watch Usyk versus Dubois 2 live and exclusive on DAZN PPV this Saturday - July 19 - for £24.99 UK; $59.99 US; $19.99/equivalent ROW. Buy the PPV now here.
The Independent
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Oleksandr Usyk's manager delivers brutal Daniel Dubois putdown at final press conference
Oleksandr Usyk 's manager, Egis Klimas, does not believe that Daniel Dubois has changed as much as he and his team claim ahead of their undisputed showdown on Saturday at Wembley. Klimas said that Dubois is the same as he was two years ago when he got stopped by Usyk in their first meeting, and that Dubois' mind is his weakness. Speaking at Thursday's final press conference, Klimas said: 'It's the same guy. What can he change in a couple of years? You cannot train your mind, and that, I think, is his weakness.' The questions around Dubois's mental strength have been circling the young Brit since his first career loss to Joe Joyce in 2020, when he took a knee due to an eye injury. Suspicions arose once again in 2023 when Dubois was stopped by Usyk. The Londoner got hit with a heavy jab from Usyk and once again took a knee - failing to meet the count. Dubois's promoter, Frank Warren, was quick to defend his fighter, telling Klimas that Dubois has shown obvious improvements to his game, both mentally and physically, in his last three fights. Warren said: 'He certainly trained his mind against [Jarrell] Miller, he certainly trained his mind against [Filip] Hrgovic, and he certainly trained his mind against AJ [ Anthony Joshua ]. He's got better and better.' Klimas made it clear that Usyk is a very different proposition to any of Dubois' last opponents. He responded: 'Oleksandr is not those three fighters, he is different than those three fighters. On Saturday night, history will be made at Wembley Stadium. You will see.' Don Charles, who has been Dubois' head coach since his first fight with Usyk, fired back as he accused Klimas of having been 'asleep' while Dubois claimed victories over Miller, Hrgovic and Joshua. 'We know what we have done, we know what we have been witnessing, he must have been sleeping for the last three fights Daniel has had, he must have been fast asleep, can someone please wake him up?' The Ukrainian had a quick reply to Charles, reminding him that Usyk had also beaten Tyson Fury twice while he was supposedly asleep as the war of words between the two camps ramped up ahead of Saturday night. Watch Usyk versus Dubois 2 live and exclusive on DAZN PPV this Saturday - July 19 - for £24.99 UK; $59.99 US; $19.99/equivalent ROW. Buy the PPV now here.
BBC News
22-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Team Dubois to hold 'inquest' after 'gathering'
Daniel Dubois' team will hold an "internal inquest" after a video surfaced showing a reported "gathering" at his house just hours before his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk on 27, did not arrive at Wembley Stadium until around 20:15 BST - less than two hours before his ring was stopped in the fifth round, losing his IBF title as Ukraine's Usyk, 38, became a two-time undisputed heavyweight world Londoner's trainer, Don Charles, said he could not confirm the accuracy of the video but admitted that it had taken place, with what he believed to be more than 30 people in attendance."I would like to change the word from party to gathering," Charles told BBC added an internal review into the events of fight night is expected, with promoter Frank Warren and his son George set to hold talks with Dubois' team."There's a meeting pending," Charles said. "We'll hold an internal inquest on what happened. Questions will be asked by Frank and George Warren."Charles explained that a similar event had been held before Dubois' shock victory over Anthony Joshua in September, when he knocked out the former champion in the ninth round."It's not unusual," he said. "This gathering is the same gathering which was used for the AJ fight day preparation. "A lot was made of Daniel's ring walk for that fight - how enthusiastic and confident he looked - and people were praising him." 'Dubois wasn't unsettled by gathering' There are unconfirmed reports the gathering was organised by Dubois' father, and suggestions the fighter left during the event to go for a short drive. Charles rejected claims this was a sign of distress."To put logic to it, the father mainly replicated the recipe that worked against AJ to hopefully get a victory last Saturday. And it didn't work. Consequently, there is now a big highlight on this party, which was a gathering," he said."Daniel went for a drive, like you do. He's a fighter who's fighting on that day. If he wanted to get some fresh air or whatever, it's not unusual to say 'I'm going for a drive.'"It is also alleged that some members of Dubois' entourage were refused entry to the venue, contributing to the late arrival. Charles said he was unaware of that situation but was content with how Dubois presented himself on arrival."I had 90 minutes to prepare him - the duration of a football game - and I was satisfied," he said. "I didn't see a fighter unsettled. He seemed the Daniel Dubois that I knew, who I see every day in the gym."Usyk - who also stopped Dubois in the ninth round of their 2023 bout - floored the Londoner twice in the fifth round of the rematch, with Dubois unable to beat the count after the second has previously faced criticism for "quitting" in defeats to Joe Joyce and Usyk, but Charles insisted his fighter showed bravery."He went out on his sword," he said. "He took a punch - a horrible punch - and made the count. The referee waved it off. I'd already thrown the towel in anyway. I didn't want any more for him. I want him to live to fight another day. That's what I'm paid for."Despite the defeat, Charles praised Usyk as "an all-time great" and said Dubois remains determined to bounce back.
The Sun
21-07-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Incredible slow-motion footage of Usyk KOing Dubois emerges with Brit's gumshield flying out after ‘careless' mistake
INCREDIBLE slow-motion footage has emerged of Oleksandr Usyk punching Daniel Dubois' gumshield from out of his mouth. Usyk floored Dubois in round five with a counter right hook before a chopping left hand closed the show just seconds later. 3 3 DAZN pay-per-view footage revealed the moment Dubois' gumshield flew out of his mouth as a result of the brutal KO shot. Usyk, 38, became undisputed champion for the THIRD time across cruiserweight and heavyweight. For Dubois, 27, he will now be forced to bounce back after losing his IBF world title. And promoter Frank Warren pointed to Dubois dropping his hands - out of exhaustion - as the biggest mistake he made in the bout. Warren said: "That is what Daniel needs to learn from this fight, to try and learn and develop the mental attitude that Usyk has. "Daniel didn't stick to the task, he got careless, he dropped his hands and paid the price." Warren revealed the WBO are likely to mandate Joseph Parker, 33, as Usyk's next challenger. Meanwhile Dubois will build back after suffering his second loss to Usyk and the third of his career. Usyk vs Dubois round by round as brutal knockout cements Ukrainian's place in history OLEKSANDR USYK cemented his name in the list of all-time boxing greats as he became a three-time undisputed champion with a fifth round knockout win over Daniel Dubois. Usyk dropped Dubois multiple times as he put any doubts about his first win over the Brit to bed by cementing the repeat and avoiding the revenge. Here, SunSport's Jack Figg gives his round-by-round verdict... ROUND ONE Usyk looks light on his toes, swaying side to side, Dubois plants his feet and walks forward. Stiff jab from Usyk appears to almost wake Dubois up and the Brit responds with a one-two. Usyk searches to the body with a left, blocks a right hand from Dubois and ends the round with a menacing combo. Usyk 10 Dubois 9 ROUND TWO Dubois lunges in with a right hand, Usyk expertly takes half a step back and responds with a counter left. Another right misses from Dubois and he takes a left cross which has him on shaky legs. Already Usyk is finding his rhythm, making Dubois miss and certainly making him pay. Usyk 10 Dubois 9 (Usyk 20 Dubois 18) ROUND THREE Usyk staggers back after a right hand from Dubois - maybe more off balance than hurt. Dubois charges forward with a left hook, right hand but Usyk covers up well. Huge left hook lands on the button from Usyk, sweat sprays off Dubois face. Usyk 10 Dubois 9 (Usyk 30 Dubois 27) ROUND FOUR Right uppercut lands on Usyk's belt-line in a genuine case of dejavu from low-blow gate in their first fight. Dubois traps Usyk in the corner, lands a right but the Ukrainian legend slips off before any troubling damage can be done. Left hand lands for Usyk but Dubois grabs on and closes the distance, smart defence to cap off his best round so far. Usyk 9 Dubois 10 (Usyk 39 Dubois 37) ROUND FIVE Right hook followed by a left hand lands for Usyk has Dubois teetering backwards. Dubois comes forward, charging at Usyk and the two trade off in the corner but DOWN GOES DUBOIS after a counter right hook. He makes it to his feet but is dropped with another left hook and the fight is over! Dubois fails to beat the count and Usyk is once again undisputed heavyweight world champion. Usyk wins by KO Warren added: "For Daniel now, he'll have a little break, think about things and he has got to resurrect himself. "There are lots of fighters over the years who have been beaten and come back even stronger. That is what he has to do. SunSport reporter Wally Downes Jr gives his verdict on Oleksandr Usyk's stunning KO rematch win vs Daniel Dubois "He can punch, he can hurt you and it's just developing other aspects of his game. He's got to come back and make a statement." Warren also said: "He has got to learn from it. He is only 27. "I look at Frank Bruno for example, three times he fought for a world title and he got it on the fourth attempt. "Daniel has won a world title so hopefully he will come back, but the bottom line is it was Usyk's night and he is a special, special boxer." 3
