Latest news with #heavyweight
The Independent
30 minutes ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Tom Aspinall to finally defend UFC heavyweight title as next opponent revealed
Tom Aspinall is finally getting back in the Octagon after his first defence as undisputed UFC heavyweight champion was confirmed. Aspinall had been waiting to unify the heavyweight belts in a mouth-watering clash against Jon Jones, only for the pound-for-pound great to stall over booking the fight for close to two years. That prolonged saga then came to a deflating end when Jones' retirement was announced by Dana White following UFC Baku. The development officially made Aspinall the king of heavyweight and allowed him to finally move on from Jones, turning focus to the rest of the division. His first challenge will come on 25 October against French star Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi. Gane was once also dubbed as heavyweight's 'next big thing' before being made quick work of in Jones' first fight in the division back in March 2023. Gane has since underwhelmed in the cage despite winning his last two fights, with his most recent victory over Alexander Volkov surrounded by contention. Aspinall, meanwhile, has looked near-unstoppable during his supersonic rise to the top, knocking out highly-rated Sergei Pavlovich to win interim gold before avenging his freak injury loss to Curtis Blaydes - his only title defence while he played the waiting game for Jones. Aspinall is closing in on one year since his last fight but is now intent on becoming one of the most active champions in the UFC, looking to steamroll the heavyweight division after years of being held hostage by Jones. As the bout is happening in Abu Dhabi, fans in the UK will not have to stay up until the early hours of Sunday morning to watch Aspinall's return, with the main event set to kick off on the Saturday evening. The announcement comes as part of a triple-reveal of title fights by the UFC. Merab Dvalishvili will go to battle with Cory Sandhagen over the Georgian's bantamweight title at UFC 320 on 4 October, while Alex Pereira will look to regain his light heavyweight strap from Magomed Ankalaev. Khalil Rountree will also fight Jiri Prochazka at the same event - a battle of top contenders at 205lbs.
Forbes
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Forbes
Claressa Shields Vs. Lani Daniels Boxing Fight Card: Undercard
FLINT, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 02: Claressa Shields reacts at the end of the tenth round against ... More Danielle Perkins during their undisputed heavyweight title bout on February 02, 2025 at Dort Financial Center in Flint, Michigan. (Photo by) Claressa Shields, the undefeated and undisputed women's heavyweight boxing champion, puts all of her titles on the line this weekend when she faces Lani Daniels at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. Shields, a former undisputed champ at middleweight and light heavyweight, became the undisputed heavyweight titleholder earlier this year. Daniels is the current IBF light heavyweight champ and former IBF heavyweight titleholder. We look at the undercard for the Shields vs. Daniels boxing event, which is promoted by Salita Promotions and streams on DAZN. Claressa Shields Vs. Lani Daniels Full Fight Card Claressa Shields Vs. Lani Daniels Main Event Claressa Shields (16-0) vs. Lani Daniels (11-2-2): 10 rounds, for Shields' undisputed heavyweight championship Claressa Shields Vs. Lani Daniels Undercard (DAZN) Samantha Worthington (11-0-0) vs. Victoire Piteau (14-2-0): 10 rounds, for the vacant WBA women's junior welterweight interim title Caroline Veyre (9-1) vs. Licia Boudersa (24-3-2): 10 rounds, featherweight Pryce Taylor (8-0-0) vs. Robert Simms (12-4-1): Eight rounds, heavyweight Tony Harrison (29-4-1) vs. Edward Ulloa Diaz: 10 rounds, middleweight Claressa Shields Vs. Lani Daniels Undercard (YouTube) Leon Lawson III (17-1-0) vs. Ryan Wilczak (11-1-0): Eight rounds, middleweight Da'Velle Smith (12-0-0) vs. Martez McGregor (9-8-0): Eight rounds, super middleweight Cameran Pankey (11-1-0) vs. Dominique Griffin (6-9-2): Six rounds, featherweight Jaquan McElroy (2-0-0) vs. Joshua Flores (5-6-0): Four rounds, middleweight Kahmel Makled (2-0-0) vs. Devario Hauser (0-0-0): Four rounds, light heavyweight Sardius Simmons (1-0-0) vs. Demetrius Banks (13-16-2): Four rounds, heavyweight Samantha Worthington Vs. Victoire Piteau FLINT, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 02: Vaida Masiokaite (L) and Samantha Worthington fight during the third ... More round of their women's super lightweight bout on February 02, 2025 at Dort Financial Center in Flint, Michigan. (Photo by) Samantha Worthington was the first female boxer signed by T-Rex Promotions, the company headed by Claressa Shields. That signing, which is a co-promotion with Salita Promotions, took place in June 2024. At the time, Worthington was 8-0 with six knockouts. "The super lightweight division of women's boxing is one of the most competitive,' said Dmitriy Salita at the time, 'and Samantha will be a great addition to make the division even more diverse and exciting. She will bring a strong U.S. presence and be a new face on the global stage of women's boxing.' Today, Worthington is 11-0 with seven KOs. She is coming off a unanimous decision win over Vaida Masiokaite on the undercard of Shields' February event. 'I feel so confident that I'm more than ready to make a statement at this level, and that statement will be made in the ring July 26, at Little Caesar's Arena,' Worthington said of Saturday's fight. 'The super lightweight division isn't ready for 'The Heat' and I'm about to show exactly why I belong at the top.' Victoire Piteau is riding a five-fight winning streak heading into Saturday's event. She is coming off a November 2024 unanimous decision win over Ioana Fecioru. 'My ambition is to conquer the most prestigious fights and win the most iconic titles in the world of boxing,' said Piteau. 'To get there, I will give everything—my strength, my courage, and my unwavering determination. I can't wait to fight in the United States against Samantha Worthington. From now on, I continue writing my story in the United States, ready to win with heart, fierce determination, and the utmost respect for this sport.' Claressa Shields Vs. Lani Daniels Fight Card Date: Saturday, July 26, 2025 Claressa Shields Vs. Lani Daniels Fight Card Time: 8:00 p.m. ET Claressa Shields Vs. Lani Daniels Fight Card Location: Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan Claressa Shields Vs. Lani Daniels Fight Card How to Watch Or Stream: DAZN Claressa Shields Vs. Lani Daniels Fight Card Streaming Cost: $29.99 per month $19.99 per month for a one-year subscription $224.99 for 12-months access (pay in full up front) DAZN is currently having a (limited time) 30 percent off sale on two of its offerings: $13.99 per month for a one-year subscription $157.49 for 12-months access (pay in full up front) Claressa Shields Vs. Lani Daniels FLINT, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 02: Claressa Shields arrives for her undisputed heavyweight title bout ... More against Danielle Perkins on February 02, 2025 at Dort Financial Center in Flint, Michigan. (Photo by) Shields (16-0-0) is the most decorated women's boxer in history. A two-time Olympic gold medal winner, the 30-year-old from Flint Michigan, turned pro in November 2016. In her fourthpro fight, Shields earned the WBC and IBF super middleweight belts with a TKO win over Nikki Adler. Two fights after that, Shields won the vacant WBA and inaugural IBF middleweight titles with a decision victory over Hanna Gabriels. She added the WBC middleweight crown in November 2018 with a decision over Hannah Rankin. Then, in her ninth pro fight, Shields picked up the WBO middleweight belt with a 2019 decision over Christina Hammer. With that victory, Shields became the undisputed middleweight champ. In January 2020, Shields moved down to junior middleweight to face Ivana Habazin for the vacant WBC and WBO titles in that weight division. Shields won that contest via unanimous decision. Then, in March 2021, Shields became the undisputed junior middleweight champ when she defeated Marie-Eve Dicaire via unanimous decision. Shields then defended her middleweight titles three times between February 2022 and June 2023. In July 2024, Shields moved up in weight to face Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse. Shields won that fight by second-round TKO to become the WBC and WBF heavyweight champ. She was also named the WBO light heavyweight titleholder. In her most recent outing, Shields went 10 rounds with Danielle Perkins to become the undisputed heavyweight champ. ESPN has Shields ranked as the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in women's boxing. Daniels is the No. 1 ranked women's light heavyweight according to ESPN. The 37-year-old New Zealander turned pro in 2017. In her first attempt to win the WBO light heavyweight title, Daniels fell short, falling to Geovana Peres by decision in 2019. That matchup was a rematch of a 2018 scrap, which Peres won by split decision. Those losses remain the only blemishes on Daniels's record. In May 2023, Daniels earned the vacant IBF heavyweight belt with a unanimous decision over Alrie Meleisea. She has defended that belt once before dropping to light heavyweight, where she won the vacant IBF light heavyweight crown with a majority decision over Desley Robinson. Daniels defended her light heavyweight title in September 2024, beating Bolatito Oluwole by unanimous decision. Daniels has never fought outside of New Zealand. Claressa Shields Tags 3 Legends In Latest Callout Claressa Shields On Lani Daniels Fight DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JULY 27: Claressa Shields poses for the crowd during her ring walk before her ... More WBC WBO lightweight championship fight at Little Caesars Arena on July 27, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by) 'I am so excited to be defending my Undisputed Heavyweight World Championship in Detroit at Little Caesars Arena,' said Shields. 'My fights continue to get bigger and better. My opponent, Lani from New Zealand is coming to bring all the smoke, or so she says! This fight will be a sellout of 19,000 so get your tickets and be there to witness herstory on July 26 with the GWOAT.' Lani Daniels on Claressa Shields Fight 'To be the best you have to fight the best. I te pō pouri rawa, ka ara te marama, ā, ka kitea te pono,' said Daniels in her native Māori. 'On the darkest nights the full moon will rise and the truth will be revealed." We will have more on the Claressa Shields Vs. Lani Daniels as fight night nears.
The Sun
8 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Derek Chisora claims Daniel Dubois QUIT against Oleksandr Usyk – but offers to help turn him into a ‘killer'
DEREK CHISORA claims Daniel Dubois QUIT against Oleksandr Usyk — but now he wants to help him take up the British heavyweight torch. Chisora was ringside as the Ukraine icon stopped 27-year-old Dubois in the fifth round of Saturday night's undisputed decider at Wembley. 6 6 6 And he knows how incredible Usyk, 38, is after losing a close points decision against him in 2020. Del Boy does not use the Q-word lightly — knowing the stigma and stench it carries in boxing. But he believes ex-IBF champion Dubois — who he sparred with as an amateur lad — can recover and fill the Brit void he, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua will leave behind. On SunSport's Split Decision YouTube show, Chisora, 41, explained: 'For me, he quit. ' The biggest stage of your life, for undisputed, we're in the game of getting hit in the head. You get up and fight again. 'He got up and walked back to his corner, normally. His corner chucked the towel in because they knew he wanted to come out. 'He was supposed to give it one last hurrah before he gets knocked out — just go in there and chuck everything that he could. 'We're in the game of fighting and you have to go to the well when you have to. People have spent hard-earned money to watch you. 6 'You just go out on your shield. This is why we're having a go at him because we are gonna say what we need to say: 'You didn't go out on your shield.'' Fury, 36, sent Dubois a message reminding him of his achievements and offering him a place at his Morecambe gym any time. Tyson Fury leaps to Daniel Dubois' defence after Oleksandr Usyk defeat But Chisora feels tough love is the only way to get Dubois' heart as big and powerful as his biceps. And Chisora blasted: 'That's a f***ing bulls*** message as Tyson knows to go out on his shield. 'If you're going to lose properly, you go out on your shield. We just cannot sugarcoat it. 'I've had 49 fights, have you ever seen me quit? Exactly. I just don't know how to quit. Tyson is not a quitter, AJ is not a quitter. Daniel did not get up as he did not want no more. 'They have to fix that. We're not talking badly — but it will happen again and again and again.' 6 It sounds brutal but Chisora is trying to be kind by being cruel. He added: 'The first time I sparred Daniel was years ago when he was an amateur and he whooped my arse. 'I got him back again . . . and he whooped my arse again. Got him back again, he whooped my arse. 'If he trains differently, he'd whoop everybody's arse. He whooped my arse badly before he turned pro. 'Right now, he trains by himself, but when you hang out with other killers, you want to be a killer. 'He's never going to leave his dad, we don't want him to, we want him to train with other fighters, that's it. 'Dubois was the guy we were trying to hand the torch to. Fury, me and AJ are nearly gone, so he was THE guy — our guy. 'We asked him to represent us and he is that guy.' 6
The Independent
8 hours ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Daniel Dubois' coach responds to ‘party' claims after knockout by Oleksandr Usyk
Daniel Dubois 's coach has responded to claims that the heavyweight attended a pre-fight 'party' before being knocked out by Oleksandr Usyk at Wembley Stadium. On Saturday (19 July), Usyk dropped Dubois twice in the fifth round to secure a stoppage win, becoming a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion in the process. The result followed Usyk's 2023 TKO of Dubois, keeping the Ukrainian, 38, unbeaten and extending his sublime record against British fighters. Yet while much of the post-fight narrative has centred on Usyk's talents, the emergence of a video has led to talk of an alleged pre-fight 'party' at Dubois's family home – an event that might have distracted the 27-year-old, according to many fans, pundits and fighters. Dubois's coach, Don Charles, has sought to set the record straight after the event was first reported on by The Times, telling Talksport on Tuesday (22 July): 'Let's replace the word 'party' with 'gathering'. It was a gathering, okay? Right. 'The same gathering, we used for the prep on fight day for the AJ fight,' Charles added, referencing Dubois's stoppage of Anthony Joshua at Wembley in September. 'A lot was made of the ring walk when Daniel walked out in Wembley [to face Joshua], 96,000 people, and the energy... he was fired up. 'That gathering at the home, the same home, was taken to the dressing room. Some of Daniel's friends and his father's friends were in the dressing room for the AJ fight. That energy is what gave birth to the energy that everybody witnessed in the ring walk, and we were victorious on that occasion.' Although Charles was not present at the gathering on Saturday, he said: 'Correct, [we tried to replicate the last gathering]. I would, I think you would; if it works for you the first time, it's highly likely you're going to replicate that. There might have been more people, granted, for this second gathering – to get more energy. 'That would be the only thing; I'm a logical man, the only logical sense why there was more people is to increase the volume, because the AJ fight was big, [but] this even trumps it. That's what I do: try to understand. It may appear madness to a lot of people, but it's the same method that got us a victory [...] That's my take on it. 'I can't sit here and tell you that he knew every single person there. He comes from a very large family – cousins and brothers and... I know most of those people, they're his people. I was not there, I chose not to go. My duty on the training team is to make sure... This is Wembley we're talking about here; we had to go to the dressing room and make sure everything is intact for the fighter to arrive, so there's no confusion.' It was also noted by some in the sport that Dubois arrived 90 minutes before his ring walk on Saturday, giving him what has been deemed a relatively short window to get ready. Charles acknowledged the arrival time but played it down, saying: 'Ninety minutes before, which you can play a full game of football in.' He added that Dubois arrived at Wembley two hours before his fight with Joshua in September. 'It's something we need to look into internally, it's not something I'm sitting here and trying to justify,' Charles said of Saturday's pre-fight events in general. Dubois's loss to Usyk was his second to the Ukrainian, who stopped the Briton in Poland in 2023. On that occasion, Usyk also dropped Dubois twice, but only after climbing off the canvas following a low blow. Dubois's team appealed the result at the time, claiming that the strike had in fact been a legal body shot, but the appeal failed.
The Independent
9 hours ago
- Sport
- The Independent
The one training exercise Usyk ‘doesn't like' - and why he's still been doing it for Dubois rematch
Oleksandr Usyk 's training is not geared towards building muscle. He needs enough size to compete as a heavyweight, but beyond this superficial factors are largely unimportant. 'In boxing, big arms [do not equal] a win,' his sports director Sergey Lapin tells DAZN. 'You win first here [he taps his head] and second here [he taps his heart].' Instead, performance improvements are the driving force behind all of Usyk's strength and conditioning training. And during his preparations for the Daniel Dubois rematch, the reverse hyperextension exercise – or reverse hyper, for short – has been a non-negotiable part of this. 'This is an exercise I don't like,' Usyk admits, before adding, 'But this is an exercise that makes me strong.' Read on to find out why the reverse hyperextension can be a gamechanger for athletes. What is the reverse hyper? The reverse hyper is performed on a specialist bit of kit of the same name. It involves lying your torso chest-down across a padded platform at roughly navel height and letting your legs hang towards the floor. Next, you attach your ankles to a weighted pendulum below the platform via a couple of straps, then lift your legs so they rise just beyond parallel with the ground – you can see Usyk demonstrate this move 50 seconds into the DAZN video above. The result is a rarely-matched strength-boosting stimulus for the posterior chain – or the muscles along the back side of your body. This includes the glutes, hamstrings, erector spinae and other muscles in the lower back. It also swerves the spinal loading of free weight alternatives like the back squat or good morning, making it a top option for prehab and rehab work. The reverse hyper was invented by Louie Simmons, founder of renowned strength training facility Westside Barbell – a name you can see printed on the side of Usyk's own machine. An elite-level powerlifter, Simmons experienced a severe back injury which left him on crutches for 10 months. On his return to training, he found he was unable to perform a simple back raise to restore strength to the injured area. So, he decided to try the movement in reverse, building a contraption that allowed him to raise his legs under load, rather than his back. Simmons noticed that performing the exercise in this way increased blood flow to his lower back, leading to less sciatic pain – pain that runs along the sciatic nerve, stretching from the lower back down the back of both legs. 'From the fighter that has a stronger erector muscle for throwing punches out of his dominant stance, to the person that spends hours seated at a desk, we all want to avoid lower back pain,' an article on the Westside Barbell website reads. 'The reverse hyper helps for strength training, prehab, rehab and to strengthen the posterior chain for increased athletic performance.' Benefits of the reverse hyper The reverse hyper is not the only movement option that bolsters the lower back; the good morning, back extension, superman and any deadlift variation will also recruit the relevant muscles and strengthen the surrounding tissues. But it does so in a way that alternative exercises cannot compete with. Firstly, it allows you to lift heavier loads for a lower number of repetitions to target improvements in strength. Exercises such as good mornings and back extensions, on the other hand, are limited by the weight you can support with your upper body. The reverse hyper also allows for a greater range of motion at the hips, which is likely to lead to increased activation within the working muscles. A 2019 study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research compared the biomechanical differences between the standard hyperextension and the reverse hyper. It concluded: 'The reverse hyperextension is preferable because it provides greater hip range of motion with less angular stress and equivalent erector spinae activity.' A 2021 study from the same journal also looked at the 'electromyographical (EMG) differences' between the two moves. For this, electromyography electrodes were placed on subjects' erector spinae, gluteus maximus and biceps femoris (part of the hamstring) to measure electrical activity in the muscles during both exercises. The research found that the reverse hyper delivered 'significantly greater' peak EMG in all muscles tested during both the flexion and extension phases of the exercises. 'Therefore, the reverse hyperextension could be considered as a higher-intensity exercise for the posterior chain muscles compared with the hyperextension, potentially eliciting greater increases in strength of the posterior chain muscles,' it summarises. The movement was initially developed as a prehab and rehab exercise, mitigating lower back pain by strengthening the surrounding muscles and increasing circulation to the area. But it has also been adopted by elite athletes like Usyk for its many sporting performance perks. Not only will strengthening the posterior chain reduce his risk of injury, but stronger glutes can also contribute to overall stability, postural control, power development and force transfer from the ground up – all key elements when throwing a punch.
