Latest news with #heavyweights
The Independent
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Are Jai Opetaia and Justis Huni looking past this weekend's opponents in order to fight each other?
Australian fighters Jai Opetaia and Justis Huni have said they would like to fight each other in the future. The pair, both of whom fight this weekend on DAZN, have said that they are already in discussions for a $20m all-Australian blockbuster match. Both men share the same manager, Mick Francis, who told Fox Sports Australia, that a fight between the pair is already 'guaranteed'. Francis told Fox Sports Australia: 'Jai and Justis will be fighting inside somewhere like Suncorp Stadium within three, four years. I guarantee it.' Suncorp Stadium is in Brisbane, Queensland, and has a capacity of 52,500. It is where Manny Pacquiao travelled to fight Jeff Horn in 2017. He added: 'While both guys have tremendous respect for each other -- love each other and will help the other out as much as they can -- they also know that this event will be the biggest domestic fight Australia has ever seen. Two heavyweights from opposite sides of the border fighting for a world title, it will be huge. But before that happens, they both have to do their own things in their respective divisions.' This weekend, Opetaia will face Italian Claudio Squeo in a cruiserweight title fight in Broadbeach, Australia. Huni, meanwhile, has travelled to England to face Fabio Wardley at the Portman Road stadium in Ipswich. Despite the big-fight plans for Opetaia and Huni, the pair still have to win their respective matches. Huni, 12-0 (7), is the b-side in his fight against Wardley. However, as DAZN wrote the other day, the 6'4' Australian comes off a glittering amateur career and even fought ten rounds in his debut for the Australian heavyweight title. Since then, Huni has fought steadily, picking up a host of regional titles. He has travelled, too, visiting Mexico and Riyadh in recent fights. His last fight was in the Gold Coast Convention Centre in Broadbeach, Australia – the same venue that Opetaia fights at this weekend. Opetaia, on the other hand, will face Italian Claudio Squeo over twelve rounds in a defence of his IBF title. The IBF cruiserweight champion won his title in 2024 with a decision over Mairis Briedis in Riyadh. He then returned to Riyadh to defend it against Jack Massey, before stopping David Nyika in four rounds at the Gold Coast Convention Centre. Before any fight takes place between Huni and Opetaia, both need to win this weekend. Not only that, but Opetaia has made it clear that he hopes to unify the cruiserweight titles before any move northwards. To do that, he will need to fight – and defeat – Badou Jack and Gilberto Ramirez. 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.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
British Heavyweights Square Off in Eagerly Awaited Rematch
Johnny Fisher and Dave Allen will be facing each other in a rematch after their encounter last December in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The two British heavyweights today met to weigh in before their contest that will be taking place at London's Copper Box Arena on Saturday 17th May 2025. Advertisement Back in December, Allen (23-7-2, 18 KOs) surprised many fans after he managed a fifth-round knockdown on Fisher. Eventually, the knockdown was not enough to take the victory away from Fisher (13-0, 11 KOs) after the 10 rounds as he managed to be the winner of the day gaining a split decision in his favor which in hand let him maintain his unbeaten record. During their last weigh-in before facing each other in the ring, Allen weighed 257.5 lbs while Fisher weighed 241 lbs. This has not been the case this time as both fighters have managed to add on a little weight with Allen weighing 265 pounds and Fisher weighing 245.5 pounds. Both fighters were all smiles when they faced each other during the weigh-in, with Fisher looking to be in very good physical shape. Allen on the other hand looked a bit heavier but insisted that he was in very good condition, and ready to do the job as early as possible to get the victory. Fisher will have a point to prove in this encounter as his split decision win last December in Riyadh was not that convincing and to some it was not well deserved. This fight will be quite special considering what happened in the first encounter, Fans will be hoping for the same type of contest as the two fighters lock horns, each hoping to come out of the contest with a victory.
Daily Mail
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Can Johnny Fisher win in more dominant fashion in his rematch with Dave Allen this weekend? The Romford Bull is 4/1 to win in rounds 6-10
Two of Britain's biggest personalities in boxing go head-to-head in a highly-anticipated rematch this weekend - as heavyweights Johnny Fisher and Dave Allen clash at London's Copper Box Arena. Fisher and Allen's first bout ended in controversial fashion - as Fisher won by split-decision in Riyadh in December, 2024. However - there were many fans and pundits who had Allen winning the fight - with the Doncaster native dropping Fisher in the fifth round and hurting him multiple times late in the fight. Despite his dominance over the second half of the contest - Allen ultimately suffered his seventh career defeat. And he is tipped to lose yet again this weekend when looking at the betting lines - with Allen currently a 2/1 outsider with Sky Bet. Conversely - Fisher is an odds-on favourite at 4/9 to maintain his unbeaten record and improve to 14-0. For those anticipating another close fight - there are wider odds of 12/1 available for this rematch to result in a draw. In addition to the head-to-head odds - there is a Price Boost on offer for this WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title clash. Valued at enhanced odds of 4/1 - the bet requires Fisher to win in rounds 4-6. Sky Bet odds for Johnny Fisher vs Dave Allen: Johnny Fisher 4/9 Dave Allen 2/1 Draw 12/1 Sky Bet Price Boost for Johnny Fisher vs Dave Allen: Johnny Fisher to win in rounds 6-10 WAS 7/2 NOW 4/1
