James Slater

2017 could turn out to be an epic, Year of The Rematch

2017 could turn out to be an epic, Year of The Rematch

This year, an exciting one already for boxing fans, promises further great fights, and a good number of them could be rematches. A rematch happens either because there was a return clause in the contract or due to public demand, and this year we can either definitely, in the case of some fight returns, or likely, in other cases – look forward to:

Andre Ward-Sergey Kovalev II (on for June), Srisaket Sor Rungvisai-Roman Gonzalez II, Keith Thurman-Shawn Porter II and Anthony Joshua-Wladimir Klitschko II.

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Anthony Joshua is “boxing’s biggest star;” who would you prefer to see him fight next: Klitschko, Wilder or Fury?

Anthony Joshua is “boxing's biggest star;” who would you prefer to see him fight next: Klitschko, Wilder or Fury?

Thanks to his quite thrilling, hugely impressive stoppage win over Wladimir Klitschko, two-belt holder Anthony Joshua is currently being showered with all manner of plaudits; most of them well deserved. The unbeaten heavyweight ruler has been called “boxing’s biggest star” by some, who claim AJ has taken the mantle of the sport’s biggest attraction from the one and only Floyd Mayweather.

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De La Hoya on Canelo, Chavez Jr: “They genuinely despise each other”

De La Hoya on Canelo, Chavez Jr: “They genuinely despise each other”

There really is no need for any further hype going into this Saturday’s all-Mexican battle between Canelo Alvarez and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. The fight has sold out The T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and big pay-per-view numbers are assured. A genuine grudge-match, Canelo Vs. Chavez Jr is, according to promoter Oscar De La Hoya, the biggest fight in Mexican boxing history.

Part of the reason is the very real dislike, even hate the two warriors have for one another. De La Hoya, in speaking with The Las Vegas Review-Journal, says the intensity of the dislike the two fighters have for each other reminds him of the classic, and bitter rivalry two other great Mexican warriors engaged in, in Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales. It is the prospect of as great a fight that has pulled in the fans.

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Anthony Joshua says he aims to emulate Klitschko and reign for ten years

Anthony Joshua says he aims to emulate Klitschko and reign for ten years

Although he scored a great win over Wladimir Klitschko on Saturday, by far the biggest win of his entire career, amateur and pro combined, new heavyweight superstar Anthony Joshua insists he has not scored his defining win; that he is just beginning his journey.

And, as he explained when speaking with The Telegraph, the new WBA/IBF ruler plans on emulating the man he smashed to 11th round defeat at Wembley, and reign as a truly dominant world champion for a full decade.

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The hype starts already for Joshua, Fury showdown

The hype starts already for Joshua, Fury showdown

Last night’s thrilling fight between new star Anthony Joshua and old lion Wladimir Klitschko was, big, big, big – but talk has already begun for a fight that could set the bar even higher: Joshua Vs. Tyson Fury.

The two unbeaten British giants have been hurling insults and threats at one another for a while now and last night, following his brilliant win over Klitschko, new WBA and IBF champ Joshua wasted no time in mentioning Fury’s name.

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Joshua-Klitschko battle brings greatness, and excitement, back to the heavyweight division

Joshua-Klitschko battle brings greatness, and excitement, back to the heavyweight division

What a great, dramatic and exciting fight heavyweights Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko put on last night at Wembley. Going in, some fans worried we might see a clinch-fest, a wrestling match and a dull bore. Not a chance! Showing how childish trash-talk and the trading of insults is not in any way needed to produce a smashing fight full of venomous punching, trading and knockdowns, Joshua and Klitschko gave us the best world heavyweight title fight since Lennox Lewis went to war against Wladimir’s brother, Vitali.

That rumble from 2003 lacked a conclusive ending, but last night’s fight left no doubt. Joshua, now THE man atop the division, overcame a knockdown, serious fatigue and incredible pressure, as he bludgeoned Klitschko to 11th round defeat. Klitschko, showing class, had zero excuses, stating how “the better man won.” That he did, and we now know Joshua is for real.

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Manny Pacquiao says he knew ahead of time he would lose to Mayweather, get KO’d by Marquez

Manny Pacquiao says he knew ahead of time he would lose to Mayweather, get KO'd by Marquez

Great fighters from the past told tales of how they received a premonition ahead of a big upcoming fight through a dream – the legendary Sugar Ray Robinson, for example, revealed how, ahead of his tragic fight with Jimmy Doyle, he wanted to pull out of the fight because he had a vision of Doyle’s death – and Manny Pacquiao has done the same thing.

Speaking with The Telegraph, Pac Man said he knew he would lose to Floyd Mayweather and that he also knew he would be KO’d by Juan Manuel Marquez in their final fight. Manny says he received such information through pre-fight dreams

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Mike Tyson: Anthony Joshua reminds me of a young George Foreman; he is a beast

Mike Tyson: Anthony Joshua reminds me of a young George Foreman; he is a beast

You know it’s a big deal of a heavyweight fight if Mike Tyson is excited by it. And the former champ, the youngest belt-holder in boxing history at the age of just 20, is excited by tonight’s massive Anthony Joshua-Wladimir Klitschko clash. The biggest world heavyweight title fight in years, Klitschko-Joshua has captured the attention of just about everyone, “Iron” Mike included.

Speaking with Johnny Nelson of Sky Sports (who was, interestingly, set to fight Tyson in 2000, only for Tyson to fight another Brit in Julius Francis instead) Tyson said he thinks Joshua is a “beast,” who reminds him of the young George Foreman (Foreman of course being another fighter who was close to rumbling with Tyson – the “old” version of “Big” George).

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