Boxing

Conor Benn: Welterweight could make return to action next Saturday in Matchroom Boxing event..

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Conor Benn is undefeated in his pro career and last fought in April 2022

Conor Benn could fight on 23rd September at a Matchroom Boxing event in Florida.

Benn's promoter Eddie Hearn is exploring whether the Florida Athletic Commission (Fac) will sanction Benn after his provisional doping suspension in the UK was lifted.

Benn, 26, has not fought since April 2022 after failing two voluntary drug tests in 2022.

Fac told BBC Sport it had "no objections" to Benn fighting in Orlando.

"The Florida Athletic Commission is in communication with the Matchroom promotions team, British Boxing Board of Control and the Association of Boxing Commission," Fac said, adding it had "no objection to Conor Benn participating in a match in Florida on 23rd September, 2023".

Benn said on his social media he was drug tested on Wednesday.

The Englishman failed two Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (Vada) tests in the build-up to his fight with Chris Eubank Jr last October.

Benn tested positive for female fertility drug clomifene, but says he is innocent of intentionally doping.

UK Anti-Doping (Ukad) provisionally suspended the fighter in March but the National Anti-Doping Panel lifted Benn's suspension in July after a hearing.

Ukad and the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) are appealing that decision. Benn does not currently hold a boxing licence in the UK.

Matchroom is hopeful Florida officials will allow him to fight despite the threat of an appeal.

Hearn told the Daily Mail the Board had "no objection" to Benn fighting abroad. The Board did not respond to a request for comment when approached by BBC Sport.

Benn posted a picture on his Instagram of him being drug tested, with the caption reading: "More testing. Clean sport."

The welterweight could fight on the undercard of Richardson Hitchins' light-welterweight fight against Jose Zepeda in Orlando.

A decision is expected next week.

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Benn is undefeated in 21 fights and is eager to reschedule a bout with fellow Briton Eubank.

Eubank stopped Liam Smith in their rematch earlier this month and has not ruled out fighting Benn in the near future.

"It's an all-time British classic, it's the biggest fight for Eubank Jr and it's the biggest fight for Benn," Hearn told 5 Live about the fight: "Hopefully we can get that done for December."

Eubank, however, wants any potential appeal to be resolved before he agrees to fight Benn again.

Matchroom is targeting a date at the end of the year, with 23rd December in Abu Dhabi a potential option.

Tommy Fury v KSI: Briton Fury beats rival in unlicensed cruiserweight contest..

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Tommy Fury (right) found fame on TV show Love Island and is the younger brother of world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury

Tommy Fury claimed bragging rights over fellow social media star KSI with a win on points in their unlicensed boxing fight in front of a capacity crowd of 20,000 at Manchester's AO Arena.

In a six-round cruiserweight contest, both men showed their limitations with constant grappling and failed to land anything of real note but Fury, 24, edged a majority decision.

One judge scored it 57-57 and the other two 57-56 to Fury.

KSI, whose real name is Olajide William Olatunji, described the result as "a robbery" and called for a rematch.

"Look at your face, look at your eyes," the 30-year-old said to Fury. "I'm the YouTuber and you're the boxer, I understand, you have to win."

Meanwhile, Fury labelled his opponent "a sore loser" and said he was "done with crossover boxing".

The bout was not sanctioned by the British Boxing Board of Control which governs the sport in the United Kingdom, as KSI does not hold a professional boxing licence in the UK.

Tyson Fury v Oleksandr Usyk & Anthony Joshua v Deontay Wilder could become double bill in April

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Anthony Joshua says his fight with Deontay Wilder could be part of a sensational double bill with Tyson Fury's bout against Oleksandr Usyk.

Champions Fury and Usyk agreed a deal in October for a historic undisputed heavyweight fight, set to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

"They want to put Usyk-Fury, Joshua-Wilder on the same night. That might not happen until April," Joshua told BBC Sport and other outlets on the sidelines at the US Grand Prix in Austin, Texas on Sunday.

Former two-time world heavyweight champion Joshua has been heavily linked with a fight against hard-hitting American Wilder, with his promoter Eddie Hearn previously saying "we've agreed the money, we've agreed everything".

But that fight fell through and no contracts were ever signed between the two parties.

Fury, 35, must first come through uninjured in a non-title bout against MMA star Francis Ngannou on Saturday in Riyadh.

"When Fury gets through Ngannou, it is going to be late October, early November, so I doubt he will now prepare for Usyk and fight in December, it's too short," said Joshua.

"So the next window will probably be in March-April, so that's probably when the undisputed fight will potentially happen.

"Then obviously what we are being told is they want to make it a mega card and they like the sound of Joshua v Wilder on the same card as well."

Briton Fury is the WBC champion and Ukraine's Usyk, 36, holds the WBA, WBO and IBF titles.

The winner will be crowned the first undisputed heavyweight champion in the four-belt era.

Fury has won 33 fights with one draw since turning professional in 2008, while Usyk - who has won all 21 professional bouts - defended his titles against Londoner Daniel Dubois in August.

"The heavyweights always spark the imagination of the fans, and I have no doubt this will be the biggest boxing event of the century," Fury's promoter Frank Warren said in September when the fight was announced, with an intended date of 23 December.

Four greats of the heavyweight division collide
The four fighters have, along with the retired Wladimir Klitschko, dominated heavyweight boxing for the past 15 years and their careers are intertwined.

Fury won his first world title after dethroning Klitschko in 2015, before taking a hiatus from the sport.

After well-documented issues with mental health, he returned more than two and a half years later. He contested a trilogy with Wilder and, having drawn the first fight, beat the American in 2020 to become WBC champion.

Fury won the third fight with hard-hitting Wilder and has since defended his belt against Britons Dillian Whyte and Derek Chisora.

Usyk is one of the most decorated fighters in world boxing. The London 2012 Olympic gold medallist became undisputed world champion before dethroning Briton Joshua in 2021.

Joshua has picked up two victories this year, over Jermaine Franklin and Robert Helenius, following consecutive defeats by Usyk as his previously dominant career hit a roadblock.

In a phenomenal rise to stardom, 2012 Olympic gold medallist Joshua became world champion in his 16th fight, knocked out his first 20 opponents and unified the division in his 21st outing.

Between those events, he defeated Klitschko in 2017 in the Ukrainian's final bout in one of the greatest fights of all time.

Wilder, who turned 38 on Sunday, held the WBC heavyweight title from 2015 to 2020, making 10 successful defences.

He has only fought once since the second of his two losses to Fury, in October 2021, beating Helenius in the first round a year ago.

Joshua likely to fight in December
Joshua said he plans to fight in December "in London, probably [at] the O2 or Wembley Arena" against an unnamed opponent, before taking on Wilder.

"For an event, that's good [the potential double bill], but for a career, I've got to stay busy," the 34-year-old said. "So in terms of opponent, we have to find the right opponent. I'm switching trainers. I am following my process.

"I remember when they said they didn't want me to fight this year. They were like, don't fight this year, we're going to do the Usyk-Fury fight. Imagine like I fought twice this year already, I would have had a stagnant year again.

"So I am just following my process, I am not listening to all the noise about Wilder and these guys. When the opportunity comes, we will be ready, because I will have trusted where I'm going and it will have led me to the fight, but I am not waiting around for big opportunities."

Tyson Fury v Francis Ngannou: Predictions from world of boxing and MMA for heavyweight bout..

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Tyson Fury with Francis Ngannou

Here are predictions from some big names in the world of boxing and MMA.

UFC heavyweight Tom Aspinall: "I think Ngannou's got a chance. It's heavyweights, they punch really, really hard, especially someone like Ngannou. But as far as chances, I think it's a slim one. I think 99 times out of a 100, Fury is going to school him."

Two-weight boxing world champion Natasha Jonas: "If I was Tyson's manager and was advising him, I'd say get a bit of ring rust off, get a couple of rounds. Every now and again, put it on him and show him this is boxing. That you're the daddy. You're the king of the ring. Then get him out of there."

Former boxing world champion Joe Calzaghe: "I think Tyson Fury in a few rounds. Maybe for a couple of rounds he'll be jabbing and moving but I think rounds three or four."

UFC fighter Lerone Murphy: "Tyson Fury's going to outskill him by far. I think it's a totally different game and in the big gloves, I don't know if Ngannou is going to carry that same sort of power."

Former super-featherweight world champion Barry Jones: "Francis is the best at what he does at his weight and his chosen field. But that's not boxing. Tyson is clearly the number one in the division and doesn't have much trouble with the best active boxers, so having a problem with a guy who has never boxed before seems a bit extreme. I feel Tyson will comfortably play with Ngannou and get rid of him mid-rounds or go all out early and get rid of him as early as he can. The only question will be how good is the chin as Francis Ngannou."

Professional boxer Tommy Fury: "That's a similar affair to what I've had with KSI. That's all that is. It's a crossover fight, it's good for the fans. That's it. Again, how can you compare Ngannou with Tyson? One of the best boxers, if not the best boxer in history, to do it against an MMA guy. You can't compare the two. We all know what's going to happen in that fight. It's just what it is. It's a fan-friendly fight and then he'll move on to serious business in December."

Bellator fighter Leah McCourt: "It's hard to bet against Tyson Fury but Francis is a true champion and has done the impossible before. He looks like he has been preparing in every way he can for this fight. What I would love to see is some of these boxers take to the MMA cage though!"

Former super-middleweight world champion Richie Woodhall: "I think Tyson Fury wins this fight when he decides to. I don't give Francis Ngannou much of a chance. I think the first three rounds will be crucial for Ngannou to get the win. There's no way he can beat Fury on points - he's not used to 10 rounds, he's not used to professional boxing. I can honestly see Fury playing the game for a little while and then when he wants to finish it, I'll be very surprised if it goes beyond six rounds."

American heavyweight Jared Anderson: "If I had to guess I'd go with Tyson Fury. I'm a huge Tyson fan, and I hope Mike Tyson did his best with Francis Ngannou to help him get past the length, but I've got Fury beating him by a large margin."

Former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos: "It's going to be a great show but I see Tyson Fury doing what he does best, moving around, throwing jabs, and little by little, taking the fight. But I'm rooting for Francis Ngannou. Of course I want the MMA world to have their first victory over the boxing world. He has the power, he's maybe the hardest hitter ever in MMA. We have little chances so let's go for it."

Boxing world champion Nina Hughes: "Comfortable win for Fury. Plays with him in the early rounds, ending with Fury knocking him out later in the fight."

British heavyweight Frazer Clarke: "It's such a huge night of boxing but the main event doesn't involve two boxers. It shows you where boxing is at the minute. I think there can be only one winner - Tyson Fury. Francis Ngannou may have a puncher's chance but it's a very small puncher's chance. It's a great card with heavyweight bouts but the main event should be a foregone conclusion."

Former lightweight world champion Anthony Crolla: "If Ngannou does it, I genuinely think it would be one of the biggest upsets in sporting history, not just boxing. The fight lasts as long as Fury wants it to last. A big thing will be if this [Oleksandr] Usyk fight is made for 23 December, then he won't want to take too many chances. So I see it being over in three rounds. I'm expecting him to dance about, poke and break Ngannou down. Maybe even let Ngannou let some shots go and show him elusive he is. But I reckon Fury will get him out of there by the halfway mark. I'll be really surprised if it goes past that."

Former light-middleweight world champion Hannah Rankin: "I have Fury winning this fight with the far superior boxing ability. I think he is approaching this fight seriously as Ngannou does have power in his punches, if not the same boxing ability, and Fury doesn't want to risk the fight with Usyk being delayed by a cut or an injury. I think he will use the fight to showcase his boxing skills and ability to a packed out crowd and no doubt there'll be some showmanship in there as well."

Former heavyweight world champion Shannon Briggs: "I'm going with Tyson Fury in round five. He'll outbox him for a couple of rounds, then Francis Ngannou is going to make a mistake, and Fury will put him to sleep."

Former British UFC welterweight Dan Hardy: "I think Fury is going to play with this fight for the first three rounds, make Ngannou tired, and then look to take him out in the fourth, fifth and sixth round. Uppercuts and body shots will be key. But I'm here to be surprised and I'm ready for Ngannou to land a shot which will change the look of this fight."

British boxer John Ryder: "Tyson Fury plays with Ngannou until he fancies ending it and then obliterates him. He'll make a show of it for a while, but there's only one winner and that's Tyson Fury."

UFC fighter Nathaniel Wood: "Unfortunately, I'm going to have to say Ngannou doesn't have a chance in a boxing match. Maybe a slight chance, because it is the heavyweight division. But he's fighting the best boxer in boxing, it's a completely different sport. I'm hoping he pulls it out of the bag. That would be amazing and show people us MMA fighters can box too."

Anthony Joshua & Deontay Wilder: Saturday's heavyweight fights live on BBC Radio 5 Live..

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Anthony Joshua has two wins from two fights this year

Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder's heavyweight fights on Saturday will be broadcast on BBC Radio 5 Live.

Briton Joshua, 34, faces Otto Wallin in the main event in Saudi Arabia while Wilder takes on Joseph Parker.

Wilder, 38, and Joshua hope to face each other in their next fight, but must come through their respective bouts to do so.

You can follow radio coverage from 21:00 GMT, with Joshua's ringwalk not expected before 23:15.

Joshua, a two-time world champion with 23 wins and three losses in his professional career, takes on Sweden's Wallin.

The pair fought in the amateurs with Joshua winning both encounters, but 33-year-old Wallin (26-1) has insisted Joshua "peaked" in 2018 when the Watford fighter held the WBA (Super), IBF and WBO heavyweight titles.

Joshua fights in his third bout of the year after promising to rebuild himself following successive defeats by Oleksandr Usyk.

Former WBC champion Wilder (43-2-1) has arguably the tougher fight on paper against New Zealander Parker, 31.

Parker (33-3) is a former world champion and is on a three-fight win streak.

Anthony Joshua v Otto Wallin: Briton says he is 'here to fight, not party' in news conference..By Kal Sajad, BBC Sport at Kingdom Arena, Riyadh.

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Otto Wallin, has won 26 of his 28 professional fights, with just one loss

A focused Anthony Joshua said "I'm here to fight, not party" as he refused to engage in any real trash talk with heavyweight Otto Wallin before Saturday's bout.

The British boxer, 34, faces the Swede in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

His demeanour has been the talk of fight week, Joshua looking disengaged in interviews and media events.

"I want to fight. I want to perform well. Put that pressure on myself," Joshua said.

The two-time world champion appeared more relaxed in a mostly cordial news conference on Thursday.

"I'm here to fight, I'm not here to party and get caught up in the glitz and glamour," Joshua said.

"Of course I'm tense because I want to perform, I want to win. I've got that urge to win and I want to hurt my opponent as well."

A win against Wallin, 33, could set up the long-awaited blockbuster bout against Deontay Wilder, who takes on Joseph Parker in the co-main event.

Joshua added: "I can definitely window shop, I know where I'm going in my life. If I don't get past this there is no future."

The rivalry between Joshua and Wilder has been bubbling away for years, since both held world titles. Until now their feud had been aired out almost exclusively in public through interviews and social media.

An announcement could be made post fight, but organisers are wary injuries or a gruelling contest might delay the date.

Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn said "nothing [has been] agreed".

Anthony Joshua beats Otto Wallin in main event in Saudi Arabia, Briton secures third win in a row in 2023 with confident, methodical performance.

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Deontay Wilder suffers shock loss to Joseph Parker..By Kal Sajad, BBC Sport at Kingdom Arena, RIyadh.

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Wilder entered the ring wearing a crown, but it has been almost four years since he reigned over the heavyweight division.

The 38-year-old was introduced with his newly acclaimed nickname 'Dr Sleep'. After some cagey opening rounds he may have put the crowd to sleep rather than his opponent.

The inactive Wilder had boxed just three minutes in the past two years, signs of ring rust were expected. But losing rounds is nothing new to Wilder. Numerous times before he has looked out of his depth, only to unleash that ferocious right hand.

Parker, 31, grew in confidence and traded with Wilder in the fourth, whipping a left hook into the body and hurting Wilder with an exchange on the inside.

Was the ghost of the Tyson Fury trilogy, when Wilder drew one and lost two, haunting him? His timing and judgement of distance was off.

Parker came forward with bursts. In between rounds Parker's trainer, Andy Lee, told his fighter to go after Wilder, that a knockout would come. "This is your moment," Lee said.

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Wilder enjoyed his best moment in the sixth, landing a right but without the ferocity which has stopped 42 opponents in 43 wins.

Former WBO champion Parker was the busier, more accurate boxer, comfortably winning most rounds.

Wilder had no answer for what was to come in the eighth. Parker landed the most thunderous overhand right. Wilder, backed into the ropes, was in trouble as Parker continued the attack.

Saved by the bell, Wilder poked his tongue out as he stumbled back to his corner. All the while Joshua was getting his hands wrapped and going through warm-ups in the dressing room, unaware of what was unfolding in the ring.

Wilder was telegraphing his right hands as Parker continued to land more cleanly as the fight entered the championship rounds.

New Zealand's Parker was on a run of three straight wins and two knockouts. He was demonstrating just why many pundits tipped him for the win.

For all Parker's dominance, there was still a puncher's chance for Wilder. He threw the kitchen sink in the 12th, but missed by an absolute mile.

Wilder refused to rule out retirement, but with just one win in four years his next move is uncertain.

With Joshua moments form making his ring entrance, his promoter Eddie Hearn told TNT: "It was the most one-sided heavyweight fight I've ever seen. It's ruined our plans. We've got to go let Anthony Joshua know Wilder lost to Parker."

Anthony Joshua: Briton to face ex-UFC fighter Ngannou in Saudi Arabia, confirms promoter Hearn..

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Joshua is a two-time heavyweight champion

Anthony Joshua will fight former UFC star Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia, says promoter Eddie Hearn.

Ngannou lost to Tyson Fury on his professional boxing debut in October.

Joshua, 34, was set to face Deontay Wilder after beating Otto Wallin, but the American's loss to Joseph Parker scuppered plans for their big showdown.

Hearn posted "it's a done deal" on X on Friday, and added: "Anthony Joshua v Francis Ngannou collide on a huge night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia."

A March 9 date has been mentioned, but Hearn said a press conference would be held in London on 15th January with more details about the fight "dropping soon".

Cameroon-born Ngannou, 37, was ranked the number 10 heavyweight by the WBC after he almost stunned WBC heavyweight champion Fury, losing on a controversial split decision in their Saudi Arabia contest.

Saudi organisers had already pencilled in a Joshua-Wilder bout for this year, but the 38-year-old Wilder's defeat by New Zealander Parker on the same card as Briton Joshua's win over Wallin meant a highly-anticipated mega-fight slipped away.

While no contract had been signed, the pair were expected to enter the ring post-fight and announce a deal to fight at some point in early 2024.