Latest news with #worldtitle
BBC News
a day ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Crocker rejects Donovan's 'dive' claims
Lewis Crocker dismissed Paddy Donovan assertion that he "took a dive" in their first fight when they met on Monday to launch their IBF World welterweight rematch on 13 September at Belfast's Windsor Crocker won the first fight between the pair in March by way of disqualification with Donovan thrown out at the eighth round for punching after the bell of what was a world title to the ending, the Limerick man had been deducted points in the sixth and eight rounds for fouls but also scored a legitimate knockdown just prior to the late shot that forced referee Marcus McDonnell to issue the ultimate punishment dropped Crocker who was awarded the win and a shot at then champion Jaron 'Boots' following an appeal by Donovan's team, the IBF granted a rematch and with Ennis opting to vacate the title to move up to the light-middleweight division, the vacant belt will be on the line when Crocker and Donovan meet in the first all-Irish world title fight in history at the home of Northern Ireland football. 'It couldn't have worked out better' - Donovan The fighters met at Windsor Park on Monday for a media call to launch their second fight before moving to a press conference in the city where Donovan accused his rival of making the most of the late punch in March."It couldn't have panned out any better for me after the controversy after the first fight," said the 26-year-old who suffered his first career blemish due to the disqualification."The IBF ruled in our favour to get this world title over the line and I'm happy to be back in Belfast. I can't wait to get in there on 13 September and put on a show."You can ask Lewis if he took a dive or I knocked him out after the bell. I think he took a dive to get me disqualified. I'd been winning every round and was in a comfortable position, so the only way for Lewis to get the win was by taking a dive."After the last fight, my confidence is only growing and I can get the knockout this time." 'I have to be much better in the rematch' - Crocker Crocker insisted a rematch is warranted and he was keen to make it happen, but nonetheless, is adamant the right call was made at the end of their first 28-year-old put his performance in March down to "an off night" but acknowledges he will go into the rematch as an outsider after opinions were split before their first accepts he will need a much better performance to leave no room for debate this time around but shot down Donovan's jibes by saying his rival simply paid the price for breaking the rules."I agreed with the decision, but also agreed there should be a rematch," he said."He didn't knock me out. My eye was shut and I was in trouble at that stage. Paddy made the mistake and paid for it."Crocker added he will be a "massive underdog" this time around."Nobody wanted the fight to end like that, including myself, and I know I'm a lot better fighter than what I showed. The next day, I rang Jamie (Conlan, manager) and told him to get the rematch sorted."Everything has worked out. We were fighting in an eliminator originally, but now it's for the title. It's everything I've dreamed of since I was a kid and all I've ever wanted."I have to be better. Paddy is a great fighter and showed that in the last fight. I'm a massive underdog in this fight - nobody's expecting me to win. To pull off the win, it would be the stuff of dreams."
The Australian
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Australian
Tim Tszyu primed to emulate his father Kostya's 2001 victory over Zab Judah at MGM Grand ballroom in Las Vegas
It is one of the most iconic images in Australian boxing history that has Tim Tszyu primed to shock the boxing world in his quest to conquer America. Tszyu will look to break Australian boxing's Las Vegas curse when he takes on Sebastian Fundora in their world-title match on Sunday – at the very scene of his father Kostya's greatest knockout. Nearly a quarter of a century has passed since Tszyu Sr clobbered Zad Judah in the second round with a thunderous right hand to become the undisputed super lightweight champion of the world in November 2001. The most lethal and celebrated punch of Kostya's career was unleashed at MGM's Grand Garden Arena, the 17,000-capacity venue which has hosted some of the biggest fights in boxing history. Kostya Tszyu celebrates after he beat Zab Judah at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Picture: John Gurzinski The bouts have included Mike Tyson's first fight with Evander Holyfield, Oscar De La Hoya's blockbusters against Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, Deontay Wilder's heavyweight showdown with Tyson Fury and, of course, the Tszyu-Judah megafight. Now Tim Tszyu will walk into the arena of the boxing gods, spurred on by the glorious ghosts of Kostya's golden punch and the knowledge his father's boilover of Judah can be the template for his own resurrection against Fundora. Tszyu's manager Glen Jennings was at the MGM Grand when Kostya iced Judah and is back to the same venue on Sunday hoping history repeats as the 'Soul Taker' looks to claim the coveted green WBC world title. 'It was almost 25 years ago that Kostya shocked the world against Zab and there's no doubt it's a great motivator for Tim,' Jennings said. 'Tim remembers his dad's great wins and how can we ever forget that perfect punch from Kostya that put Judah away. Tim Tszyu training in preparation for his rematch with Sebastian Fundora. Picture:'I was in the building that night, it was a special feeling, and I'm excited for Tim to get that same opportunity that Kostya had. 'Tim will be going into the same arena – The Grand Garden – and it will be nice to reminisce when the time comes on (Sunday).' Jennings recalls Kostya Tszyu facing the same adversity that his son Tim now confronts after his world-title loss to Fundora last year at Vegas' T-Mobile Arena, just 1300 metres away from MGM Grand. 'Zab Judah was the next big thing in boxing,' Jennings recalled. 'He was undefeated at the time (27-0) and the top of the tree. 'I remember they arrived in a 52-seat Greyhound bus with an entourage that included Mike Tyson and 50 Cent (American rap legend). 'There were just six of us and we watched as they all came into the lobby of the MGM Grand, it was like a circus. 'Kostya was very much the underdog. 'I s*** myself in the first round because Zab was so quick and I thought, 'My god, how's Kostya going to keep up with him?' Tim and Nikita Tszyu greet Kostya at Sydney Airport after his Las Vegas triumph in 2001. Picture: Brett Costello 'But he was a bit more cautious in the second round and then Kostya cracked him twice, the chicken dance followed, and seconds later we were celebrating one of the greatest wins in history. 'It would be awesome to see Tim do something similar on Sunday and I believe he can.' Tszyu celebrated his seventh birthday in Sydney just 24 hours before Kostya's destruction of Judah. Tim treasures a famous photo of himself and younger brother Nikita running towards their elated dad, his three world-title belts strapped around him, as he cleared customs at Sydney airport. Tszyu ramped-up his preparations with a sharp gym session in 41 degree heat in Vegas on Wednesday. He is in supreme condition at 73kg and revelling in one of the best weight cuts of his career ahead of Saturday's weigh-in, where he must get down to the super welterweight limit of 70kg (154 pounds). The 30-year-old is mindful of Australia's Las Vegas jinx, with 11 of the nation's greatest fighters having lost in Sin City. They include Jeff Fenech, Jeff Horn, Michael Zerafa, Michael Katsidis, Jason and Andrew Moloney and even Tszyu himself. But Tszyu insists the demons of his first Fundora loss, marred by that infamous shocking head gash which required 10 stitches, have been buried. 'There's no doubts,' Tszyu said. 'I'm at the stage now where I've done the hard grind and I'll perfect the right game plan come fight night. 'I think I am more explosive than him (Fundora) and it's not just that, but I have the brains, too. 'He is naturally gifted with what he's got, but IQ wise, I'm a bit sharper.' Peter Badel Chief Rugby League Writer Peter Badel is a six-time award winning journalist who began as a sports reporter in 1998. A best-selling author, 'Bomber' has covered five Australian cricket tours and has specialised in rugby league for more than two decades. @badel_cmail Peter Badel
The Australian
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Australian
Sebastian Fundora vows to KO Tim Tszyu in Las Vegas title rematch
Sebastian Fundora has declared he will knock out Tim Tszyu and leave his career in tatters as the world's best boxer, Terence Crawford, warned the Australian to brace for more pain in Sin City. Fundora insists the bloody punishment Tszyu copped in their first bout will be nothing compared to the beating he cops in their world-title rematch at MGM Grand this Sunday (AEST). And the cocky American has taunted his rival by rubbishing suggestions the Sydneysider had his vision badly impaired by a head cut in their first fight, insisting Tszyu could see him the whole time. The warning from the 'Towering Inferno' came as American legend Crawford claimed Tszyu will be carrying mental demons from his savage beatdown against Bakhram Murtazaliev last October. Bookmakers have installed Tszyu as the $1.62 favourite to exact revenge – despite the Sydneysider losing to Fundora on Las Vegas soil 16 months ago in a 12-round war at T-Mobile Arena. Sebastian Fundora (R) left Tim Tszyu a bloody mess in the last fight between the pair. Picture: Getty Tszyu lost his WBO super welterweight strap in an agonising split-decision loss marred by his shocking head cut and there is a view he will dominate Fundora without his vision impaired by a fountain of blood. But Fundora (22-1-1) rubbished suggestions the 'Soul Taker' (25-2) will win their return bout for the WBC world title, warning Tszyu to brace for a second consecutive stitch-up in Sin City. 'That's what people want to see in boxing, a bloody mess,' Fundora said ahead of Sunday's rematch. 'The only thing that was missing (in their first fight) was the knockout, but I'll be going for one this time, for sure. 'He is a warrior, a tough guy, very tough, but unfortunately in boxing, being the tough guy won't get you the win. 'I tell my dad the ones I hate are the good ones, and I hate this one. 'I am glad I can share the ring again with someone like Tim Tszyu. 'He is world class, a world champion, it's just the Towering Inferno is that much better. 'I want it more.' Tszyu is in supreme shape heading into the rematch with the 30-year-old having little issue so far with his weight cut. He is already two kilos lighter at this stage of his preparation than he was in his most recent bout in April against American Joey Spencer, who lasted just four rounds as Tszyu fought superbly to reignite his career. But Fundora's fellow countryman Crawford says Tszyu's clinical disposal of Spencer will not fully erase the mental and physical scars of his crushing loss to Murtazaliev in his Orlando obliteration. Bakhram Murtazaliev also unleashed a world of hurt on Tim Tszyu. Picture: Getty Tszyu was knocked down four times by unbeaten Russian monster Murtazaliev (23-0) in three rounds of brutality that raised questions over his ability to fight back from such a heavy defeat. Crawford, widely regarded as the best pound-for-pound pugilist in the sport today, was in talks to fight Tszyu last year before the Australian finalised a world-title shot with Fundora. Nicknamed 'Bud', Crawford, unbeaten with 41 wins in a stellar 17-year pro career, says Tszyu is at long odds to get even with Fundora. 'In boxing anything is possible, but Fundora is the favourite for me,' Crawford told this masthead. 'Tim is a very good fighter and I wish him all the best, but that loss to Murtazaliev will take a lot out of him. 'He was too confident and at this level you can't take any opponent lightly, especially with a world title on the line. Crawford believes it is unlikely Tszyu is able to win his rematch against Fundora. Picture: Getty 'It was a heavy loss. There will be some doubts about whether he can come back from that, absolutely.' Tszyu had just 11 days to prepare for Fundora last year after his initial opponent, Keith Thurman, tore his bicep entering the final stretch of preparations. At 197cm, and with a 203cm reach, Fundora is the tallest current world champion on the planet, but Tszyu is ready to bring the Towering Inferno crashing down. 'I got to study him properly and do a proper camp this time,' Tszyu said. 'A true champion rises to the occasion. 'I've always been a guy to take on any challenge. I want the hardest challenges possible. 'It's exciting because I get to rewrite my mistakes. 'I want that title, I want that belt, I want redemption.'
The Australian
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Australian
Jeff Horn: Tszyu has power to knock out Fundora in Vegas rematch
He was the underdog Aussie who famously shocked Manny Pacquiao and now Jeff Horn has backed his one-time enemy Tim Tszyu to overcome his 'demons' and pull off another world-title ambush. The only man to have fought Pacquiao and Tszyu, Horn is well credentialed to assess the claims of both men, who will spearhead a blockbuster world-title card in Las Vegas on Sunday (AEST). Pacquiao faces Mario Barrios at age 46 for the WBC welterweight world title, while in the co-main, Tszyu will look to exact revenge in his super welterweight rematch against Sebastian Fundora at MGM Grand. Horn was hailed a national hero when he stunned Pacquiao in their world-title bout at Suncorp Stadium in 2017, only to be dethroned three years later by Tszyu, who dismantled 'The Hornet' in Townsville. Tszyu became the new poster boy for Australian boxing when he beat Jeff Horn in 2020. Picture: Alix Sweeney Tszyu became the new poster boy for Australian boxing after that win and Horn says his successor can use the scar tissue of his loss to Fundora last year to exact revenge on the 'Towering Inferno'. 'I think Tim has a lot of demons in his mind,' said Horn, the former WBO welterweight world champion who never fought again after losing to Tszyu in 2020. 'But those demons can bring out the best in Tim. 'He has experienced the best in the world and that's a good thing in a way, because he has been in the fire. 'Tim now knows what it can be like at the top level and I know he never wants to be in that position again. 'Tim underestimated Murtazaliev but he is a smart fighter and he won't make the same mistakes. 'Tim was on top of Fundora early in their first fight, I thought he was going to stop him easily until got unlucky with that massive head cut. Horn shocked the world with his defeat of Manny Pacquiao in 2017. 'He just has to box smart and I can see him chopping Fundora down to become a world champion again.' Horn is proof the vanquished can hit back and win a rematch. Two years after upsetting Pacquiao, Horn suffered a devastating ninth-round TKO loss to Michael Zerafa in Bendigo, but recovered four months later to win their Brisbane rematch by majority decision. Like Tszyu, Horn battled a bloodied face to pummel the 'Pretty Boy' and the Queenslander says the son of Kostya can take a leaf from his comeback book. 'I beat Zerafa in a rematch and I hope Tim can see you can come back from a loss,' Horn said. 'After losing to Zerafa, it gave me more grit and I pushed myself harder to get that win. 'Timmy can take what I've done in my career, have a different mindset for the rematch and thrive on what happened. 'He has to just forget that loss to Fundora and not let it affect him mentally.' Horn believes Tszyu has the power to knockout Sebastian Fundora. Now 37, Horn said he was surprised by Tszyu's strength in their showdown in Townsville and believes the 'Soul Taker' has the power to knockout Fundora. 'I didn't think Tim would be as good as he was,' said Horn, who was stopped in the eighth round by Tszyu. 'That was the fight I really underestimated. 'I thought I would be able to go in there and manhandle Tim, like I did with Manny, but I wasn't able to use my physical size at all. 'He simply outboxed me and Tim's power was good enough to put me away. 'If Tim is careful early and not reckless, he has the power to stop Fundora and depending on the way he wins, he could even unify the super welterweight division.' Peter Badel Chief Rugby League Writer Peter Badel is a six-time award winning journalist who began as a sports reporter in 1998. A best-selling author, 'Bomber' has covered five Australian cricket tours and has specialised in rugby league for more than two decades. @badel_cmail Peter Badel
The Australian
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Australian
Belgian F1 Grand Prix: Max Verstappen wins sprint race ahead of Oscar Piastri
In a year where every single point counts, Oscar Piastri adopted a pragmatic approach to his world title quest as he secured a second-placed finish in the Belgian Grand Prix sprint race behind Red Bull's reigning world champion Max Verstappen. Careful not to put a foot wrong after the drama of Silverstone, polesitter Piastri settled for the runner-up finish behind Verstappen in a result which extended his world title lead to nine points ahead of teammate Lando Norris who finished in third. It was a risk-free run from the sensible Australian, knowing it was better to pocket seven points than push the limits and risk not taking home any rewards. Oscar Piastri during sprint qualifying. Picture:'I tried my best to snake my way through the straights and not give too much of a tow (off the start) but I just did not have enough straight line speed and then obviously did not have enough straight line speed for the next 15 laps either,' Piastri said. 'It is still a good result, still got points. This is only the sprint, the main points are tomorrow. Pretty happy with it but just a bit frustrated that we couldn't get past. 'The weather is looking pretty bad for tomorrow … but I don't really want to repeat the sprint we've just had. 'We will have a look and see what we can do. But there are a lot of things to look into for tomorrow.' Verstappen's race win capped a remarkable turnaround for the Red Bull outfit, after they sacked team principal Christian Horner in the break after Silverstone. Proving he is the ultimate racer, Verstappen cast aside all the team distractions to pilot his Red Bull to a 12th sprint victory in his F1 career and now sits 68 points behind Piastri in the world title battle. Piastri had started on pole position for the 15-lap Saturday race after smashing the lap record during qualifying by a remarkable seven tenths of a second, four tenths clear of Verstappen. But the one-lap speed meant little at the race start as Verstappen's flatline speed advantage proved decisive, as the Red Bull champ used the slip stream down the back straight to execute an overtake heading into turn five. Mario Isola, Director of Pirelli F1 presents Sprint Pole qualifier Oscar Piastri with his Pirelli Sprint Pole award. Picture:'It worked out really well, that is the only real opportunity you're going to get against them around here,' Verstappen said. 'I knew it would be tough to keep them behind, it was cat and mouse. 'I couldn't afford any mistakes. 'For us a great result to keep them behind … it's a sprint win but still it counts.' Piastri had feared that exact sequence would play out prior to the race, telling Sky Sports he was wary of Verstappen's speed advantage off the start. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc did the exact same manoeuvre on Norris to take third place on the opening lap, but the Briton managed to use DRS three laps later to reclaim third place. Even with the benefit of DRS, Piastri could never challenge Verstappen's Red Bull and pull alongside or make a dive with late braking. The big question facing McLaren now is how can they compete with Verstappen's superior straight line speed in the race on Sunday - where wet weather is predicted. 'The Red Bull is just too quick in the straight for us to catch up,' Norris said. 'I'm not too fussed about sprint races, main races I prefer to win. 'I am still confident we can have a good result later.' Ferrari's Leclerc finished fourth in the sprint, ahead of Esteban Ocon of Haas, with Carlos Sainz (Williams), Oliver Bearman (Haas) and Izack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) completing the top eight to collect points.
