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Daily Mirror
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Muhammad Ali may have had a different opinion on Jake Paul to what you'd think
Biaggio Ali Walsh has given his take on what his grandfather, Muhammad Ali, would make of Jake Paul and the YouTube boxing scene - and it may surprise some fight fans given his legendary status Muhammad Ali would have been incredibly supportive of Jake Paul's"circus" boxing fights, according to his grandson. The People's Champion will go down as one of the greatest to ever step in the ring as a result of his legendary career, in which he secured world heavyweight glory three times and best a who's who of talent at the time - including the likes of Joe Frazier, George Foreman and Leon Spinks. However, the fight game has seen major changes in recent years - with a number of influencers lacing up the gloves to try their hand in the squared-circle. YouTube boxing can be traced back to August 2017, when friends Joe Weller and Theo Baker uploaded a video of them duking it out in the ring. This led as the precursor for KSI's monumental showdown with Weller at London's Copperbox Arena the following year, which KSI won via a third-round technical knockout. In the years since, a new age of boxing fans have been introduced to the sport through social media stars like AnEsonGib, HSTikkyTokky, Elle Brooke and even the Island Boys getting involved. But nobody has done it bigger or better than Jake Paul. The 28-year-old made his boxing debut against Deji Olatunji back in 2018 as an amateur, where he achieved a fifth-round TKO, before turning professional two years later where he secured a first-round TKO over YouTuber AnEsonGib. Fast forward to 2025 and Paul has racked up an impressive professional record of 11-1, with wins over the likes of Nate Diaz, Anderson Silva, Mike Perry, Tyron Woodley and Mike Tyson - albeit, the latter was 58 when the two went to-to-toe. His only loss came at the hands of Tommy Fury in February 2023 via split-decision. And while many boxing purists have been left disgusted at how the sport has been somewhat turned on its head by such influencers, Biaggio Ali Walsh believes that his grandfather would have been entertained by the big-name celebrity contests. Speaking to Mirror Fighting about influencer boxing, Walsh - who fights under the Professional Fighters League banner in mixed martial arts - said: "In terms of the circus fights, that's what I like to call them is like…It's money orientated. "It's not like it's not based on talent anymore, really. It's based on just the biggest name versus the biggest name, regardless of your skill level. But to make of that, I honestly don't think he would disapprove of it because the viewership in the eyes and people buying to watch the fight was the reason he even started trash talking and brought out his personality anyways. "So in a way, I feel like he'd be supportive of it. You know, if you can fool millions of people to watch you fight, then you're doing something right, right? So I feel like he wouldn't disapprove of it. It would be entertaining for him to to see what's next, like who's the next big name versus the next big name. "So I don't think he would disapprove of it. In fact, I think he would be entertained by it because that's something he did and he got that from Gorgeous George. I think he would like it, he would be supportive of it. I think so." Meanwhile, giving his own opinion of Paul - who is also signed to the PFL to compete in MMA but is yet to announce his debut - Walsh added: "Jake, him and his brother [ Logan Paul ] both, you got to give credit where credit's due. They are genius marketers. "They know how to do it, man. They know how to market themselves well. They know how to get eyes on them. And my grandfather was really good at that. The trash talking started with him. And the reason was so that people can come and pay tickets to come watch him fight. "And with social media nowadays, there's so many different platforms where you can do it, and Jake Paul takes full advantage of that. And he's really, really good at it, him and his brother both. But as a fighter, I think it's good that he's fighting [Julio Cesar] Chavez Jr. "Everybody wants to see Jake Paul fight a boxer, an actual boxer. And he did with Tommy Fury, but he ended up losing that fight. So I think him fighting Chavez is a good move. You're fighting an actual boxer now. So yeah, all the best to him, honestly." It comes as Paul is set to go toe-to-toe with his toughest test yet on Saturday night, when he shares the stage with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. The son of former super-featherweight, lightweight and light-welterweight world champion, Julio Cesar Chavez, Chavez Jr heads into the fray with a respectable record of 54-6-1-1. A former WBC middleweight champion in his own right with defences over Peter Manfredo Jr, Marco Antonio Rubio and Andy Lee, Chavez Jr heads into the fight at the age of 39 off the back of a unanimous decision win over Urijah Hall last July. With more experience under his belt than Tyson in terms of fights and far fresher than Iron Mike when he fought Paul in November, it is thought that Chavez Jr will be a genuine challenger for The Problem Child when they meet at Anaheim's Honda Centre, and may just derail the hype train he is aboard at present.
Daily Mirror
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Exact date predicted for Tyson Fury comeback fight announcement
The 'Gypsy King' retired earlier this year following back-to-back defeats to long-time rival Oleksandr Usyk but has been tipped to make a stunning comeback George Groves has suggested Tyson Fury will take on long-time rival Anthony Joshua in either October or November - and that the fight could be announced next month. The 'Gypsy King' - a two-time heavyweight champion - retired from the sport of boxing back in January. His announcement came just weeks after he lost to Oleksandr Usyk for a second time. Fans had hoped to see Fury and Joshua go head-to-head this year. 'AJ' himself is at a crossroads having lost his last fight to Daniel Dubois last September. Over the last few weeks, Fury has hinted at a return to the ring. The 36-year-old was recently seen training with his coach SugarHill Steward. The Brit, who was sweating slightly after potentially wrapping up a workout said: "Just in the gym, happened to bump into somebody you might know." He then shifted the camera towards the direction of an energetic and happy SugarHill - who replied: "You know what time it is!" The 'Gypsy King' had the last say before ending the story: "You know what's coming," he said - seemingly teasing a return to the ring. Amid talks of a potential comeback Groves has offered his verdict on a potential clash between Fury and Joshua. 'AJ' is aiming to return to competitive boxing before the end of the year, following elbow surgery. In an interview with Action Network, Groves said: "If it is going to happen, it has to happen this year they don't want to be on the couch for too long. READ MORE: Manny Pacquiao issues damning two-word verdict on Floyd Mayweather "Anthony Joshua has just had surgery by all accounts so maybe it's all done and dusted and is pre-agreed but there is no point announcing it too early. People will lose patience with it so let Joshua's elbow recover and then it will (be a fight) which is tailored towards the end of the year maybe in Saudi Arabia. Maybe October or November but I won't be surprised if they fight each other. It is a good fight, and people will be excited about it. it will settle the score and there's a lot at stake for both guys. At certain times they were both the man, and it was like hero vs villain. Joshua was the hero, and Tyson was the villain and then it quickly turned, and it was the other way around. "But they have now both been beaten and humbled by Usyk and Joshua has been beaten by Daniel Dubois, Fury didn't look great against Francis Ngannou so there is a lot at stake for both guys because whoever wins that fight or two fights if they have signed for a rematch, can come out and say I was the best British fighter of this era or has ever been. That has a lot of value for a fighter's pride. Tyson calls himself the Gypsy King, and the People's Champion, and I bet he misses saying that. If he beats Joshua, he can go back to saying those sorts of things." Groves is adamant that Fury will make a stunning comeback, providing the price is right. Sensationally, the Brit also stated he would pay to see the 'Gypsy King' rematch Francis Ngannou - but in the MMA cage. The pair went head-to-head in 2023, and despite getting a knockdown, Ngannou would go on to lose on points. "I think he will come back and fight Anthony Joshua if there are guaranteed purses. If you are going to fight Joshua, then it has to be soon and maybe they will announce that fight straight after Usyk v Dubois and the winner will still dream of becoming world champion again," he said. "But I would like to see Tyson Fury do something different and get in the cage. I heard rumours of him fighting Francis Ngannou in the cage and that sounds brilliant, I would 100% pay for that. I'm all over that. He's a very good athlete who can chop and change, let's see if he can learn some wrestling or Jujitsu and a bit of defence before putting on some 4oz gloves on and see if he can put Ngannou away. "Francis Ngannou stepped into Fury's domain and give him a run for his money and should've won but Fury got away with it. Let's see if Fury can return the favour by jumping in the Octagon and have a scrap with Ngannou, that's what I would like to see. Fury is past his best as a boxer, but he has not been sitting on the couch for six or seven years. He boxed less than a year ago, is a fit athlete and maybe he's already been in the gym with the cage fighters and the MMA guys. I'd love to see him in the cage next."
The Sun
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
WWE legend The Rock mysteriously absent from WrestleMania 41 as fans make prediction over his future
WWE legend The Rock was mysteriously absent from WrestleMania 41 - despite being part of the build-up of the show. The wrestling icon - real name Dwayne Johnson - was all-but a certainty to appear at the pay-per-view this weekend. 3 3 3 He was a major player in the main event feud between John Cena and Cody Rhodes in the weeks before. However, the 52-year-old was missing from the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. He was nowhere be seen as Cena defeated his rival to win a historic 17th WWE world title. Fans in the arena and viewers at home were left disappointed with the People's Champion not there. The Rock had appeared at the Elimination Chamber last month. He was the catalyst for Cena turning heel for the first time in 22 years. At the time, he was joined by Travis Scott. The rapper also appeared and intervened in the main event at Mania on Sunday. But The Rock was absent, leaving fans upset around the world. They took to social media to vent their frustration. "No Rock? hey Dwayne, you're in or you're out. And when you're out," one raged. "Stay away unless you're committing." Another added: "Anyone else find that very anticlimactic? Like what??? "Why did Travis Scott have a 5 minute entrance in the middle of the match and WHERE IS THE ROCK???? 🏅 Follow all our latest news & stories on WWE. "Happy for Cena, but WHAT????" A third said: "'Did they even need The Rock for this heel turn? "Not a single appearance? Not a single explanation? Come on." During the main event, Scott took a Cross Rhodes finisher from Cody. That allowed Cena to get the upper hand and win the title. He now has the most world championships in the history of the company. The Rock's latest social media post is of him driving in Hawaii, but it is not known when the image was taken. It is also not known whether his WrestleMania 41 absence was planned or he pulled out. Cena is advertised for Monday Night Raw, where he could still show up.
