Boxing

Joseph Parker fighting for his career

The New Zealand heavyweight returns to the ring to take on Faiga 'Django' Opelu over 10 rounds and says victory is his only option.

"My career is on the line in every fight, every fight is a must win from now on."

Parker says he is in the best shape of his life and to expect fireworks.

The 31-year-old says he has been sparring strongly and has envisioned a knockout win.

"I feel very dangerous and I just want to bring this feeling that I have into the ring tomorrow night, that dangerous feeling."

Zhang puts brakes on Juggernaut in huge heavyweight upset

Zhang, a Chinese southpaw, stated before this highly anticipated fight that Joyce, who has enjoyed 14 knockouts in his previous 14 professional fights, including one over New Zealander Joseph Parker last year, had made a mistake by agreeing to the bout.

Joyce is the first man to stop Parker as a professional.

And Zhang's prediction came to reality when the fight was called off with 96 seconds remaining in round six after Joyce’s right eye was swollen shut from the constant pounding from Zhang’s powerful left hand.

Anthony Joshua has put 'heart back into boxing' before facing Jermaine Franklin

The Briton, 33, looks for his first win since 2020 after successive defeats by unified champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Joshua said he was more serious than ever before about his boxing career.

"I've always tried to make an empire but I made a conscious decision last year to put my heart into boxing and nothing else," he said.

"Throughout my career, this is probably the most serious time I've taken it."

Joshua was joined by his new coach Derrick James, with both men flying from Texas to London to attend the news conference.

'I have to look good' - Parker on his comeback after brutal defeat

Kiwi Parker’s opponent for the heavyweight clash at the Manchester Arena on Sunday, January 21 (NZT) is Englishman Jack Massey.

Massey, 29, is moving up a division from cruiserweight and represents a somewhat curious choice for Parker given his modest record and profile.

Still, Parker is taking no chances. In an interview with 1News, Parker has revealed that after suffering from illness before the Joyce fight – which he believes robbed him of energy at the very least – his current routine is limited to training, sleeping and eating at his Morecambe base.

Tyson Fury retires from boxing again after short-lived comeback

  Fury turned 34 on Friday and posted a message on social media saying: “Massive thanks to everyone who had an input in my career over the years & after long hard conversations (I've finally) decided to walk away & on my 34th birthday I say Bon voyage.”

That seemingly puts Fury back into retirement, after he announced on Tuesday that he was returning to boxing in order to set up a fight against Derek Chisora, a fellow Briton whom he beat twice early in his career.

Opetaia crowned cruiserweight world champion

The 27-year-old endured a damaged jaw which he sustained in the second round but fought on bravely in the 12-round contest to win a unanimous decision in a brutal fight in Broadbeach, Gold Coast.

The scores were 116-112, 116-112 and 115-113 in favour of Opetaia in his 22nd fight - all of which he has won, with 17 coming by way of knockout.

Photos and videos uploaded on social media showed an emotional Opetaia with his face covered with blood, hugging his mother and partner.

Sonny Bill Williams reveals plan to train with Tyson Fury, Joe Parker for Barry Hall fight

Williams and Hall confirmed the fight on Thursday, pitting the 36-year-old former All Blacks and Roosters star against the 44-year-old Sydney Swans icon.

Hall went down in AFL infamy for knocking out a rival player with a sickening punch in 2008, and fought out a draw with league star-turned-boxer Paul Gallen in 2019.

Williams said his return to the ring was to scratch his last sporting itch, and will soon depart north to work with Parker and Fury as he tries to finish his sporting career with a successful chapter in the fight game.

Sonny Bill Williams reveals two-year 'process' that includes a Paul Gallen superfight

The two retired NRL premiership stars have been on a collision course to square off in the ring ever since Gallen made his debut with the gloves in 2012, and football fans begged for the bout to happen.

Williams has since been accused of dodging Gallen, and last year the latter conceded the cross-code event that was little chance of happening.

Williams had his first fight in 2009 and has only had eight in total, although has won every one of those.

In June he had his first fight in six years, defeating Waikato Falefehi by unanimous decision.

YouTuber-turned-boxer wins by split decision

The YouTuber-turned-boxer, 24, was rocked by a solid right hand which sent him into the ropes from former UFC champion Woodley, 39, in the fourth round.

But Paul, who had had won his previous four fights within two rounds, won 77-75, 75-77, 78-74 on the scorecards.

On the undercard, British heavyweight Daniel Dubois made easy work of Joe Cusumano with a first round technical knockout victory after sending his opponent to the canvas three times.

And Tommy Fury's hopes of fighting Paul were boosted by a win over US newcomer Anthony Taylor, Paul's sparring partner.

Anthony Mundine apologises for multiple offensive comments as boxing career ends

The controversial figure “sincerely” apologised to those he had offended during his career as he officially announced his retirement during a press conference in Sydney on Wednesday.

“If I offended anybody in my career, honestly, I am sincerely sorry,” Mundine said.

“I hope you find it in your hearts to forgive me. I am a changed man. I am a different type of cat; as you get older you get more mellow.”

The 45-year-old also addressed one of his most controversial remarks, made shortly after the September 11 terrorist attacks.