Earlier in the evening on SHOWTIME, undefeated heavyweight sensation Anthony Joshua successfully defended his IBF Heavyweight World Championship for the first time with a seventh round knockout of previously unbeaten American Dominic Breazeale at The O2 in London. Below are quotes from Joshua after Saturday’s win on SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL:
British Boxing
British Boxing News
Tyson Fury “at centre of a doping investigation”
Update: Team Fury statement re: Sunday Mirror allegation:– Team Fury/Hennessy Sports: We are baffled by today’s story in the Sunday Mirror. Tyson Fury absolutely denies any allegation of doping. He looks forward to recovering from his injury and defending his titles against Wladimir Klitschko in October.
More bad news for Tyson Fury. Hot on the heels of the heavyweight champion’s ankle injury that has forced him to postpone his July 9 rematch with Wladimir Klitschko comes a potential bombshell of a news story in The Sunday Mirror. According to the article, Fury is currently “at the centre of a doping investigation” (the exact words used in the news piece).
Anthony Joshua-Dominic Breazeale weigh-in: Joshua 241, Breazeale 255
Anthony Joshua and Dominic Breazeale have weighed-in ahead of their IBF heavyweight title fight tomorrow night (one of three big heavyweight fights set for the summer that will still actually go ahead as planned: Deontay Wilder-Alexander Povetkin and Tyson Fury-Wladimir Klitschko II both falling apart due to a failed drugs test and a damaged ankle respectively) – and as expected, Joshua looked in tip-top shape.
Video: Historical perspective on Tyson Fury
When heavyweight champion Tyson Fury makes his first lineal defense on July 9 against former long reigning champion Wladimir Klitschko, he will be attempting to do something only half a dozen champions in boxing history have ever tried to do before – successfully make a first defense in an immediate rematch (with no in between bouts) against the former champ he had just beaten to become the champion..
Lewis rates Tyson Fury as number-one heavyweight
Lennox Lewis: “Can [Anthony] Joshua box? No, because he hasn’t reached that level yet”
Retired heavyweight great Lennox Lewis is not one of those people who agree with claims – recently made by Matchroom’s Barry Hearn – that Anthony Joshua is the best heavyweight in the world today. Speaking with The Mirror, Lewis hinted towards a belief that Joshua might become number-one in the division in the future, but he said that right now Tyson Fury is the best big man on the planet.
Groves: Murray will not hear the final bell
George Groves (23-3, 18 KOs) says Martin Murray (33-3-1, 16 KOs) will not hear the final bell when the British boxers collide on Saturday night in a mouth watering WBA World title final eliminator at The O2 in London, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
Groves has been respectful of his opponent in the build up to their super middleweight contest, but at yesterday’s press conference, the ‘Saint’ shared his prediction for the outcome of their hotly anticipated clash.
Conor Benn lashes out at Chris Eubank Sr
Chris Eubank Sr. and Dave Coldwell clashed at a press conference today ahead of their charges Chris Eubank Jr and Tom Doran meeting for the British Middleweight title at The O2 on Saturday night live on Sky Sports Box Office – but the fighters say their focus is on their clash.
Who are the 5 best Heavyweights in Britain today? David Price breaks it down
British boxing is thriving at present, with the world champion number well into double digits, and the UK has a lot of talent in the glamour division: heavyweight. Tyson Fury is of course THE heavyweight champion, while talented would-be megastar Anthony Joshua holds the IBF belt. Along with this, Great Britain has a number of top contenders at heavyweight. But who are the 5 best British big men on the scene right now?
David Price insists: “I’ve still got a massive amount to offer”
David Price returned to winning ways at the end of last month, scoring an impressive and, most importantly, confidence boosting KO victory in Liverpool (never mind the calibre of the opponent, Price was happy to get back in there and let his fists fly). The win came after an agonising period for the heavy-handed contender, what with him losing to Tony Thompson and then Erkan Teper – both fighters later failing drugs tests, their wins over Price being severely tainted as a result; Price rightfully feeling cheated.
Joshua-Breazeale conference call quotes
NEW YORK (June 20, 2016) – Undefeated IBF Heavyweight World Champion Anthony Joshua (16-0, 16 KOs) will make the first defense of his title against fellow unbeaten Dominic Breazeale (17-0, 15 KOs) of Upland, Calif., this Saturday, June 25 on SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL® from The O2 in London, live on SHOWTIME® on at 5:15 p.m. ET/2:15 p.m. PT.
Just a few hours later in Primetime on CBS (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT), Keith “One Time” Thurman will defend his WBA Welterweight World Title against former champ Shawn “Showtime” Porter in a welterweight blockbuster that headlines SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on CBS, presented by Premier Boxing Champions.