Boxing Social Magazine #1 - The Hurtful Eight: Heavyweight Edition

002 OCTOBER 2020

HEAVYWEIGHT SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS

GRAHAM HOUSTON

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HEAVYWEIGHT BETTING PREVIEW

POVETKIN-WHYTE II

PREDICTIONS

DANIEL DUBOIS

DOMINATION & DESTRUCTION

HUGHIE FURY

016-019

THE OTHER FURY

GEORGE FOREMAN

RETURNING THE RIGHT WAY

KIRK JOHNSON

BORN FIGHTER

020-023

DAVID ADELEYE

THE NEXT BIG THING

TOP 10

ALL-TIME HEAVYWEIGHTS

TALE OF THE TAPES

THE HEAVYWEIGHTS MATCH UP

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004-005 006-007 008-011 012-015 016-019 020-023 024-027 028-031 032-035 036-039 040-040

ISSUE 0O1 OCTOBER 2020

LINEAL CHAMP

HEAVYWEIGHT HISTORY

TOP 25

HEAVYWEIGHT RANKINGS

PUBLISHER

EDITOR

DESIGNER

COVER ILLUSTRATION

ROB TEBBUTT GEORGE RIPTON

MARK BUTCHER CALLUM SEYMOUR

WRITTEN BY GRAHAM HOUSTON, JOHN A. MACDONALD, LUKE G. WILLIAMS, TERRY DOOLEY, COLIN HARRIS, CRAIG SCOTT, PAUL ZANON

HEAVYWEIGHT BETTING PREVIEW

GRAHAM HOUSTON

There’s some serious heavyweight business still to be conducted in 2020. Boxing betting expert Graham Houston weighs up a series of intriguing clashes among the big men and looks at where the value lies.

The Covid-19 era has placed a cloud of uncertainty over the boxing landscape. Would promoters put on big heavyweight events if crowds are not allowed? Would a site fee for an event in, say, Dubai, and shown on PPV, provide enough revenue to satisfy the promoter and fight camps?

With that in mind, let’s look at some of the heavyweight match-ups that finally have a date from a betting angle.

DANIEL DUBOIS VS JOE JOYCE Finally, a date has been nailed down for Daniel Dubois vs Joe Joyce. They meet in a much-anticipated bout for the vacant European title, along with Dubois’ British and Commonwealth championships, on November 28. The good news for fans is that it will be on BT Sport, not PPV, in the UK. Dubois vs Joyce matches undefeated fighters against each other. There is a lot to like about the fight. Each man possesses a crowd-pleasing style. Joyce has been the juggernaut of his nickname, rolling over opponent after opponent.

Dubois has lived up to his “dynamite” tags.

Credit goes to the two sides for agreeing to roll the dice. Dubois, 23, is the younger man and he is the favourite. He has an economical style, not many wasted punches. He hits hard and fast. If he has an opponent hurt, he goes for the finish.

Joyce, 35, is an inch taller at 6ft 6ins and at around 260lbs he figures to be about 20lbs heavier than Dubois.

Joyce brings punch-volume but Dubois is the more explosive.

Ultimately, one feels that Dubois’ edge in firepower is likely to tip the balance.

Even if he can’t take Joyce out cleanly, he might be able to slow him down with well-timed blows.

Dubois started out as a 1/3 favourite back in January. After various postponements he’s now showing at 2/9 at Betfred. I wouldn’t feel like laying the price in what shapes up as a twosided fight. Among the various markets I think the over 6.5 rounds (general price of 5/6) might be the best option.

Joyce looks like the type of fighter who can stand up to heavy hits and keep coming so Dubois might look to pace himself.

Anything can happen in a big heavyweight fight but I’m guessing that this one goes into the second half of round seven.

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ANTHONY JOSHUA VS KUBRAT PULEV

ALEXANDER POVETKIN VS DILLIAN WHYTE II

After his shock defeat in August, Whyte triggered the rematch clause with the return bout taking place on November 21. Last time, Whyte seemed one round away from stopping Povetkin but got caught himself. Can Povetkin land that perfect shot again in the rematch?

Povetkin by KO TKO DQ at 11/4 (+275) might attract some bettors. After all, we’d seen Whyte down and hurt in fights even before Povetkin poleaxed him.

However, Povetkin himself looked on the verge of being stopped in the first Joshua, though, is younger, fresher and meeting. If the younger Whyte stays alert showed in the Ruiz match that he is at all times and doesn’t allow himself to capable of boxing a steady, disciplined get too comfortable if things are going fight behind the jab for 12 rounds if need his way, if he focuses on one round at a be. Pulev was basically blown away time, this is a winnable fight for him. when he lost to Wladimir Klitschko. He’s Whyte is priced up at 4/11 (-275). That getting up there in age. It’s possible Joshua will gradually break down Pulev looks about right. Seeing that Whyte with the jab and eventually time him for had Povetkin down twice in the first a big right hand. Didn’t Hughie Fury, not fight, a Whyte win by KO TKO DQ at 5/7 known as a heavy hitter, rock Pulev with (-140) might have value. Povetkin is 41.

If he can’t land a fight-winning punch, a right hand? A Joshua KO TKO DQ at will he be able to hang in there for 12 4/9 (-225) could be worth a look. rounds, bearing in mind the way he almost “went” last time?

The fight is set for December 12 at the O2 Arena. We’ll see Joshua as something like a 1/9 favourite. But there are now real questions about Joshua’s punch resistance. Bettors will bear in mind the Andy Ruiz TKO loss, the knockdown AJ suffered against Wladimir Klitschko, wobbles against Dillian Whyte and Alexander Povetkin.

But these are heavyweights. If a big man lands flush, anything can happen.

So, Pulev has a chance.

PHOTOS FROM MATCHROOM BOXING AND PRESS ASSOCIATION

OLEKSANDR USYK VS DERECK CHISORA Eddie Hearn has a date in place, October 31. Usyk is priced at 1/7 (-700).

He is so fast and talented that he figures to be able to move around Chisora and outbox him. After all, didn’t Usyk defeat huge Joe Joyce in the World Series of Boxing? He won every round, too. But we know that Chisora will come forward, let his hands go and give it all he’s got.

This is a dangerous fight for Usyk.

We have to understand that odds don’t always reflect reality. The oddsmaker quite likely bases his price on the way he figures the public will likely be betting. I don’t think Usyk really should be 1/7 on, but, then, he figures to win. Chisora at 9/2 (+450) might have appeal for underdog players.

At least with Chisora, the underdog backers are guaranteed a run for their money. I personally will likely wait until proposition odds become available. I’m liking the idea of Usyk by decision but it depends on the price. I’m guessing at 2/5 (-250) for the decision prop.

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POVETKIN VS WHYTE II PREDICTIONS

JOHN.A MACDONALD

10

OUTCOME

02

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MATTHEW MACKLIN

JOHNNY NELSON

FORMER MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD TITLE CHALLENGER

FORMER WBO CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPION

I think Dillian wins on points. He was boxing well and he was starting to break Povetkin down and with the two knockdowns in the fourth round. But Povetkin finished it dramatically with one punch proving how dangerous he is. I think Whyte will start like he did last time, very switched on, tight defence.

But I think he’ll sustain this and be more cagey, even if he hurts Povetkin.

Whyte win by very late stoppage.

Realising and identifying his mistake from the last fight, I expect Whyte to box hard and long as he had much success previously. Eventually wearing Povetkin down to step in to take the knockout later.

ENZO MACCARINELLI

I think it will go the same way if Whyte doesn’t learn from the last fight. He needs to be tight, put them together and finish Povetkin off. However, Povetkin is dangerous and still has tricks up his sleeve, but my money’s on Whyte.

FORMER WBO CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPION

I think Whyte wins on points. He keeps Povetkin off-balance with the jab and rectifies the mistake of standing square-on with his feet rooted to the floor, which made him an open target for that uppercut which was set up perfectly. It’s in no way 100% guaranteed though, as Povetkin is a clever boxer with great pedigree.

JOE JOYCE

HEAVYWEIGHT CONTENDER

BILLY NELSON

TRAINER

I think, as before, Povetkin could win by stoppage. Mentally, will Whyte be ready? I’m not too sure.

OTTO WALLIN

HEAVYWEIGHT CONTENDER I think the rematch is unreasonably soon for Whyte. In my opinion, he should’ve let his head rest longer, but now he needs to jump straight back in to sparring and it can lead to him getting knocked out again in the fight. With that being said, I think Whyte is better and will come in being careful and outbox Povetkin and win a decision but it might come with a heavy price down the line.

KAL YAFAI

WAYNE MCULLOUGH

FORMER WBA SUPER-FLYWEIGHT CHAMPION

FORMER WBC BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPION

I think Dillian will have a similar start to last time, working behind the jab but with more caution. Whyte will need to be more switched on, watching what’s coming back, which I expect him to be and to win inside the distance around the midway mark.

Whyte had the fight in his favour in the first fight by being smart, jabbing well and landing good body shots. He can do this in this fight but needs to learn better defence for the overhand rights and, of course, the left uppercut that KO’d him.

If he knocks Povetkin down this time, he has to try and get the finish. Povetkin JON PEGG looked a little slow and worn in the first TRAINER AND MANAGER fight but I think he will have a new look CHANTELLE CAMERON I think Whyte will have got used to the at what he can achieve if he wins again WBC SUPER-LIGHTWEIGHT trainer change by now. Whyte will be against Whyte and becomes a world CHAMPION a bit more cautious and happy to put champion again. He needs to watch out rounds in the bank for a wide points win. for left hooks that hurt and dropped him My prediction is revenge this time around for Dillian Whyte. I think he will last time and counter punch Dillian when KID GALAHAD have the killer instinct in him this fight he throws long jabs and rights. It’s a and will be hungry to get revenge. It was FEATHERWEIGHT CONTENDER close one to call. a great first fight, but I think this time I predict Dillian Whyte will right his Povetkin has nothing to lose and Whyte Dillian will be more of an animal. wrongs with a 12-round points win, has got to get the win. Here you go: I boxing his way to a measured and wide think confidence will favour Povetkin victory behind his jab. and he gets the win around the middle rounds with another knockout.

PETER FURY

TRAINER

This is a lot more dangerous for Whyte this time round, as Povetkin knows he can end it with one shot. Saying that, he could get careless looking for it and this will enable Whyte to land better. I do feel Povetkin is tired now on his legs and, if Dillian can keep safe in the early rounds, he should come through it. But again 50/50.

PHOTO FROM MATCHROOM BOXING

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DEDIC &

DOMIN 008 OCTOBER 2020

AT I O N WRITTEN BY PAUL ZANON

N AT I O N PHOTOSFROM PHOTO FROMPRESS XXXXXXXX ASSOCIATION

OCTOBER 2020 009

There are sky high hopes for Daniel Dubois, but the Greenwich heavyweight is keeping his feet on the ground.

Paul Zanon talks to the British and Commonwealth champion ahead of his November 28 clash with unbeaten rival Joe Joyce as ‘Dynamite’ promises another explosive performance.

“

Joe Joyce is a good challenge for me but I see myself winning in spectacular fashion with a devastating knockout, for sure. The next level for me to be at is world level.

Once I’ve beaten him, that’s next.

“

Since his debut, Daniel Dubois has been fighting and headlining big venues. On August 29, ‘DDD’ fought behind closed doors at the BT Sports Studios in Stratford, London, demolishing Dutchman Ricardo Snijders in two rounds. The 6ft 5in colossus discussed the change in the usual boxing dynamic after an enforced eight-month hiatus. “Once you’re in the ring, you’re in a fight – and a fight is a fight. Once I stepped through the ropes, I was in the zone,” Dubois (15-0, 14 KOs) told Boxing Social. “However, when I was on the way to the ring and waiting around, that was a bit strange.

There was no atmosphere. Usually, you’d hear the crowd and passionate fans shouting and there was none of that there.

That was different.”

Trainer and manager Martin Bowers added: “Fighting behind closed doors doesn’t affect Daniel, but the Denzel [Bentley] and Mark Heffron fight deserved a crowd. The atmosphere would have helped the fighters. They’ve both got massive support from their fans and that would have been a small hall classic with a crowd, just in my opinion. If you ask Daniel, he’d

010 OCTOBER 2020

DYNAMITE DANIEL DUBIOS

DDD

fight anywhere. Crowd or not, it makes no difference to him.

We started this year off on a high and we thought we were going to get that [Joyce] fight done and move on and have a fantastic year this year, but then Coronavirus happened.”

On July 25, Joyce stopped German Michael Wallisch in three rounds. Dubois gave his thoughts on the 2016 Olympic silver medallist’s performance. “That was Joe being Joe. He’s never really that impressive to watch, but he got the job done. The guy didn’t want it after the first few shots so Joe did what he had to do,” said Dubois. “He’s not the fastest heavyweight out there and he looks cumbersome. There’s definitely holes and opportunities there to be had. However, he’s definitely got something to him because, even though it doesn’t look great, it obviously works for him and it’s effective. He’s definitely a worthy challenger and a good fight for me, but the fight only ends one way when we meet.”

If Dubois defeats the Putney-born ‘Juggernaut’, he will add the EBU European heavyweight title to his British and Commonwealth straps. Bowers added further colour.

“Going the traditional route is not only important, but on this occasion, I believe it could be making history,” said Bowers. “I don’t think we’ve had another British heavyweight start from Southern Area and work through the British, Commonwealth and European titles before capturing the world title. For Dan’s legacy, he needs to do that.” Dubois added: “This is all part of my trajectory. Working from the bottom up to the top. I want to take out Joyce and everyone else who’s lined up for me.”

PHOTOS FROM AND QUEENSBERRY PROMOTIONS

The eldest of 11 siblings, Dubois’s lineage past and present indicates the fighting gene could be in the blood. Born in the late 1700s, New Jersey resident Sylvia Dubois (apparently a distant relative) earned her name as a fierce bareknuckle fighter, sparring with the likes of English boxing champion, Daniel Mendoza, or so the legend goes. With Sylvia standing at 5ft 10in and weighing around 200lbs, it seems the boxing gene has been functionally preserved over the generations. DDD discussed the current fistic crop under the Dubois roof, starting with his vastly talented sister. “Caroline is keeping fit. She’s actually in Turkey right now with the GB squad. She really enjoying being part of the team again. I just hope the OIympics happen in 2021. What an event that will be after all of this,” he said.

“

The youngest boxer in our family is Kid Solomon who is eight and improving rapidly. Definitely one for the future. Then there’s Prince [named after Naseem Hamed] who is 16 and already fights for England. They’re a joy to watch coming up through the ranks.

“

Bowers gave his take on why Greenwich favourite Dubois is such an outstanding talent. “There’s loads of fighters you see in the gym who can be outstanding and who are special, but on the night they don’t always show you what they had in the gym,” said the trainer. “We have a lovely kid with Daniel and we hope he flourishes into the fighter we know he can be. What makes him so special? Daniel’s focus, his dedication to the sport, power and the fact he can deliver on the night.”

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THE OTHER FURY

WRITTEN BY TERRY DOOLEY

012 OCTOBER 2020

rguably one of the most underrated heavyweights in world boxing, Hughie Fury has taken the path less travelled as a pro. Still only 26, Fury has chosen not to pad his record and hold on for a title shot, taking early risks and mixing it with some of the world’s best heavyweights at a young age. Hughie’s time at the top is fast approaching, father and trainer Peter Fury tells Terry Dooley.

Don’t overlook ‘the other Fury’.

The last time I met Peter Fury in person was on the eve of his son Hughie’s WBO heavyweight title challenge against Joseph Parker in September 2017. Trainer Fury had recently parted company with his nephew, Tyson, and had steadfastly refused to discuss the circumstances of the split.

We met in and around Lake Windermere, Peter was living near there at the time, and our first port of call was a local gym. The gym was situated in the countryside. Fury had arranged to pop in along with Hughie to talk to the local amateurs. He talked boxing, life and the lessons that pile up on you as the years ebb and wax away.

Then we headed to a restaurant overlooking Lake Windermere itself. As we took in the view over a few coffees, Fury talked about the split with Tyson, which was still making headlines. However, at one point he looked at me and said: “Do you mind if this is all off-record?”

“

ARGUABLY ONE OF THE MOST UNDERRATED HEAVYWEIGHTS IN WORLD BOXING, HUGHIE FURY HAS TAKEN THE PATH LESS TRAVELLED”

PHOTO FROM MATCHROOM BOXING

OCTOBER 2020 013

In fact, he didn’t even need to ask as had I worked with the Furys for years and know that they value their privacy. It meant losing out on a major, exclusive story, but by this point I didn’t really care about that type of thing. Peter took a sip of his coffee and said: “I’d really like to concentrate on my son.”

Faith is a funny thing. It endures despite setbacks. The Furys are a religious family.

However, Peter came off the righteous path as a young man when he saw a gap in the drugs market in Greater Manchester, and he was eventually arrested for and convicted of possession and distributing amphetamine in 1994. He found religion once again while in jail.

Fury did an almost nine-year stint as a Category A prisoner and a subsequent two-year sentence for money laundering in 2008; he was also hit with a Confiscation Order for £703,394

014 OCTOBER 2020

in December 2011 after the Serious Organised Crime Agency investigated his finances. Then he had to provide details of his spending for the next eight years.

After his release, and in the midst of all this, Fury took over the training duties for his nephew Tyson and they went all the way to the world heavyweight titles via a decision win over Wladimir Klitschko in November 2015. Despite the way it ended, it was a memorable journey for the trainer and one that he desperately wants to take with his son.

Whyte was viewed as the third best heavyweight in the world going into the first Povetkin fight. A fifth-round KO defeat reversed that perspective. Hearn has tied himself into knots trying to argue that the fight was stopped early yet Whyte was completely cleaned out by the then 40-year-old former world titlist and twotime drugs test failure. Hughie (24-3, 14 KOs) lost narrowly on points to Povetkin in August of last year. A lot of ridicule followed yet the result does not look too bad now.

“Exactly,” said Fury when asked if the decision loss to Povetkin has aged well.

“Hughie wasn’t happy about not being able “Hughie has made a few adjustments, a to fight, but he rolls with the punches and lot actually, since Povetkin. We are excited he trained throughout the lockdown,” Peter about seeing them in his next fight. I’ve Fury told Boxing Social. “I’ve just been told seen a big difference in him. Hughie’s that he is going to be on the undercard of performances are always underrated, the rematch between Dillian Whyte and anyway. He turned professional early, he Alexander Povetkin on November 21. Eddie was thrown into the deep end and has [Hearn] has told us he will get him a good only fought the best — I believe he is up opponent. Hughie is ready to go.”

there with them and with many years still left to go.

Hughie will get there, believe me.

“Hughie would still be unbeaten if we were afraid to put him in with people like Parker [L12], Kubrat Pulev [L12] and Povetkin [L12]. If you want to find out if you can be world champion, you have to fight worldclass opposition whenever you get the chance. Sure, a defeat can mean you go back 10 paces, but he’s adjusted what he needed to adjust and learned from those fights. It is a lesson for young boxers, you don’t put them in over their head, but you put them in with good people. Hughie didn’t lose by a landslide; he wasn’t doing enough and we saw that the potential is there. We are looking forward to his next fight.”

Hughie Fury is the walking and talking epitome of a gentle giant. He is very softly spoken and completely different from his cousin. He came into the sport in his late teens and has had a hard apprenticeship. “What matters now is making the right changes,” said Fury.

“We will see that in Hughie. It is there for him. The time for talking is over and it is time to step on the gas to get up there. Heavyweights don’t usually get going until their mid-twenties anyway so he is where he needs to be.

“

THE TIME FOR TALKING IS OVER AND IT IS TIME TO STEP ON THE GAS TO GET UP THERE. HEAVYWEIGHTS DON’T USUALLY GET GOING UNTIL THEIR MIDTWENTIES ANYWAY SO HE IS WHERE HE NEEDS TO BE”

PHOTO FROM MATCHROOM BOXING

“Hughie is a big unit. Now he’s seventeen stone seven pounds and that makes a big difference.

People have talked absolute rubbish about getting him to cruiserweight. The fella is six foot six and seventeen stone seven, with no fat on him. Where do people get cruiserweight from?

“The killer instinct has been missing. We’ve worked on that. He knows he can hurt people, so he needs to have that confidence to go out and do it — and with a style that you feel comfortable with. Boxing is a growing process. A fighter has to believe in themselves first and foremost. That is the key thing. That is the foundation and the rest gets built on top of it.”

Before our long conversation turned to other areas of Peter’s life, Fury underlined what he believes to be a remarkable fact about his son’s career. “Hughie has been a professional since he was 18,” he said.

“He’s been around, had 27 fights and only lost to the best opponents we could get for him. You have to take risks. I believe he is there. I want to get his next opponent named and get him at least two or three fights next year.”

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016 OCTOBER 2020

G E O R G E

F O R E M A N

RETURNING

THE RIGHT WAY midst of our current global pandemic, disappeared entirely from the sport after dropping a unanimous decision to Jimmy Young in 1977.

ith former champions Mike Tyson, Roy Jones Jr. and Evander Holyfield all making comebacks of sorts in their 50s, Craig Scott talks to the man who created the blueprint for heavyweights returning in their middle age.

At 45, George Foreman became a twotime heavyweight champion of the world 20 years after losing his crown to Muhammad Ali in ‘The Rumble In the Jungle’. But Foreman maintains it was all about coming back ‘the right way’. “I had fallen in love with just being a human being,” bellowed the hearty voice of one of boxing’s greatest ever heavyweights.

“I was going to the grocery store shopping for detergent without name brands on them so I could get them cheap. Nobody looked over my shoulder. I could get away with... Well, literally I got away with murder. I could buy things cheap and nobody cared because I had a little car. I didn’t have to keep up with the Joneses any more.

What a life, man.”

As 50-plus legends Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. prepare to square off, it was refreshing to hear from the master of the middle-aged comeback. Foreman, talking to Boxing Social from the comfort of his ranch in Texas during the

He didn’t love it anymore; boxing didn’t need him like it used to. It came as a shock to the former champion just how easily he slipped into civilian life and a decade passed at double speed.

“I just had this normal life,” recalled Foreman. “You think that that’s easy, right? I learned to fish. I had never caught a bass; I learned how to catch bass. Everything happened on the ranch. I’d go to sleep without any television. Wake up in the morning and cook my own breakfast. I even learned how to change oil on my car. I’d cut hay and then pick up the hay, stack the hay, feed the cattle. Man, what a life. I really found out what it was all about.”

Foreman, now aged 71 and not quite considering a second return to the ring, continued, “I missed boxing just as a sport. People would come up to me and ask for my autograph, and I’d say, ‘Wow, I’d be glad to’. They’d ask to take a picture with me. Can you imagine, after 10 years away from that stuff? I never greeted anyone without a smile because I appreciated people knowing who I was after all that time.”

WRITTEN BY CRAIG SCOTT PHOTO FROM PRESS ASSOCIATION

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“

I KNOW HOW TO GET MONEY, I’M GOING TO BE HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION OF THE WORLD AGAIN; THAT’S HOW IT’S GOT TO GO”

If grills had graced George’s life at that juncture, you’d never have seen him fight again. Money dragged him back to the gym; he was determined to do things the right way though, displaying a combination of wisdom and stubbornness gained in that decade living in the real world. Foreman respected boxing, even after he’d left his love for it hanging on a peg in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in 1977.

“During the 10 years I was out of boxing, I started to read everything,” he said. “I didn’t have a television, so I’d read magazines or newspaper articles. From what I read, there was some articles that showed all of the champions that had tried to make their own comeback. I’d read that these other guys tried to start on top [immediately]. They should have started from the bottom.

Exhibition fights – such as the aforementioned Tyson versus “Everybody said they were old, so they started to believe they Jones fiasco – weren’t part of his plan. Sure, it was financially were old. They’d think, ‘I’d better hurry up and do it.’ I never driven, Foreman had never hidden that. But it had to be credible. did think like that. I didn’t say, ‘I’m going back to boxing again’.

I said right there and then, ‘I know how to get money, I’m going to be heavyweight champion of the world again’; that’s how it’s got to go.”

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Foreman’s return is one of boxing’s most celebrated and he was the sport’s oldest world champion for a number of years until Philadelphia’s Bernard Hopkins captured the light-heavyweight title at age 48. ‘Big George’ wouldn’t settle for two or three big fights and a life full of bass fishing. The heavyweight division owed him more than that.

Beating Michael Moorer to reach his summit for a second time made Foreman an icon once again.

But it wasn’t ever about that. Boxing has always been a test for the tough Texan; either in the Job Corps or in Kinshasa, Zaire, facing Muhammad Ali in the ‘Rumble in the Jungle’. How good can he be?

How far can he go?

“I was accustomed to people without confidence in me, or not complimenting me and driving me.

I always said my driving force is within,” he said.

“So when I made a comeback, I didn’t look to anyone else but to myself. That was the reason I got down on my knees in the ring and thanked God [after KOing Moorer in the 10th round in November 1994]. It was a miracle, but boy I had to fight for that miracle.”

“

IT WAS A MIRACLE, BUT BOY I HAD TO FIGHT FOR THAT MIRACLE”

PHOTOS FROM PRESS ASSOCIATION

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BORN FIGHTER

WRITTEN BY LUKE G. WILLIAMS

020 OCTOBER 2020

or Kirk Johnson, the death of George Floyd resonates with his own fight against institutional racism. Luke G. Williams spoke to the former heavyweight contender about standing up for what’s right, personal tragedy and much more…

As an Olympian and world junior champion, Johnson achieved many of his amateur ambitions, but his sole world championship fight in the pros – a WBA title challenge against John Ruiz – ended in disqualification. As a whole, his 37-2-1 (27 KOs) paid career left more questions than it provided answers.

Kirk Johnson is searing in his honesty.

Sporting success, however, does not No topic is off limits and he weighs his response to every question with thought fully measure the impact of a man’s life.

Johnson’s greatest legacy has come and care. outside of the prize ring, through his The Nova Scotia-born stylist never battle against institutional racism. fulfilled his potential in the pro ranks, but this is something he appears to have In 2003, the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission ruled that Johnson had come to accept. As he says at one point: been racially discriminated against by the “Think about your own life … Has it been Halifax police force. Sixteen years later everything you always wanted it to be?

We all have a dream as a 14 or 15 year old. the chief of police in Halifax apologised to the black community as a whole for But how many of us get to our dream?” years of mistreatment and victimisation. officers there who did not intervene.

KIRK JOHNSON

PHOTO FROM ALAMY

OCTOBER 2020 021

As he reflected on the horrific images of the death of George Floyd which have come to define 2020, Johnson admitted that this tragedy resonates with his own experiences as a black man within a white-dominated world.

“That’s when the straw broke,” Johnson recalled. “I never did anything wrong.

Registration and license were up to date.

I had my papers. Then he told me he was taking my car.

“From the age of five in school me and my brother were discriminated against,” the 48-year-old recalled. “We were the only black kids out of 300 or 400 students. There were people hating on us, treating us unfairly.

“In the whole of Halifax there were 16 police cars on duty and 13 were sent to deal with me. I’ve never had a criminal record, I wasn’t known to the police. No other police officers who were there intervened. I showed my papers to every officer on duty.

“As I got older, bigger and stronger I said to myself: ‘I’m not going to let people treat me like that’. My father Gary Johnson Sr. was a big influence, a person everyone in the black community looked up to. Comin’ up he taught me about Martin Luther King, Malcolm X and Louis Farrakhan. They were big inspirations.”

“I took the papers to the police the next day and got my car back. They reimbursed me for the towing charge.

But I wasn’t satisfied. They discriminated against me, they treated me unfairly.

If there is something that isn’t right I’m going to stand up. That’s the kind of person I am.”

Prior to his black Mustang being stopped by police constable Mike Sanford on Easter Sunday in 1998, Johnson estimates he was pulled over by the police on 28 occasions over five years.

Despite having documentation proving his car was licenced and insured Sanford had it towed.

It took a five-year legal battle for the injustice to be officially recognised.

The incident left a sense of injustice burning within Johnson’s soul.

“

But the death of George Floyd on July 16 in Minneapolis after police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for over eight minutes has proved to Johnson that institutional racism remains a worldwide scourge that is yet to be eradicated.

“He lost his life and I was horrified those police officers allowed it to happen.

Horrified. To kneel on a man’s neck for eight or nine minutes. A man who was begging and saying he couldn’t breathe…

It was murder in the worst way because he suffered.

“Justice can’t be served unless that officer gets life in prison. Plain and simple. No parole. He killed a man for no reason. A man who wasn’t resisting arrest, throwing punches or nothing like that. It’s a horrible situation. I don’t want to see stuff like that to happen in Canada or any other country.”

Clearly in a reflective mood, Johnson also opened up about his boxing career, giving his assessment of that DQ loss to Ruiz in July 2002.

“I felt I was robbed against Ruiz. Two months before a matchmaker named Jonny Bos said: ‘Kirk’s gonna get disqualified’. My father asked him why and he said: ‘Kirk’s a body puncher and Ruiz has a way of laying down’. Against “Look at what happened when the officer Holyfield he faked a low blow. I probably knelt on that man’s neck,” Johnson said. should have been called for one low blow, but most of the time I was losing points for no reason. When Ruiz threw a low blow or foul he wasn’t getting docked points.”

AS I GOT OLDER, BIGGER AND STRONGER I SAID TO MYSELF: ‘I’M NOT GOING TO LET PEOPLE TREAT ME LIKE THAT”

022 OCTOBER 2020

“They watched and let him keep his knees on his neck and now he’s dead. What happened to me reminded me in a small way of what happened to George Floyd.

In 2003, Johnson landed a shot against lineal and WBC champion Lennox Lewis, but a torn pectoral muscle in sparring two weeks before the fight forced his withdrawal.

“I’d just beaten [Lou] Savarese and was in great shape. Then I threw a left uppercut in sparring and felt it snap. The doctor said if I fought I would tear the muscle off the bone and it would be my last fight.

“I believed I was gonna win the fight and beat him pretty bad. I’m faster

“

I HIT AS HARD AS RAHMAN, I WAS MORE SKILFUL AND ELUSIVE THAN RAHMAN. STYLISTICALLY, I WAS TROUBLE FOR LEWIS. I WOULD HAVE TOTALLY OUT-SPEEDED HIM, OUT-SKILLED HIM AND OUT-BOXED HIM”

than Rahman [who beat Lewis]. I hit as hard as Rahman, I was more skilful and elusive than Rahman. Stylistically, I was trouble for Lewis. I would have totally out-speeded him, out-skilled him and out-boxed him. A couple of guys I sparred also sparred Lewis and told me: ‘You’re gonna shock the world.’”

about it in the media everyone would have said it was an excuse. I’m not saying if l’d mourned longer it would have made me win, but I would have been able to fight a better strategy.”

Johnson’s memories of his daughter remain vivid and painful.

angry. You can’t fight angry. Anger gets you it trouble when you’re In a fight.”

Despite the slings and arrows he has faced in life, Johnson refuses to lapse into self-pity.

“A lot of things happen in life that you don’t want to happen. But you’ve got to “She was born too soon, premature, five find a way to smile and to laugh again,” Vitali Klitschko replaced Johnson at months. When she came out she was still he said. “My parents and grandparents short notice and gave Lewis one of the moving. That was my first child. You don’t had certain plans that didn’t work out toughest fights of his career before in life and they still smiled afterwards. want to imagine how it feels. I wouldn’t being stopped on cuts. In December, That made me realise I had to find a way wish it upon anybody. I remember desperate to get back into the title mix, to do the same thing. What the world coming home. Kissin’ her. Huggin’ her, Johnson took on Klitschko himself. puttin’ her hat on. Huggin’ her. Cryin’. My throws your way, you’ve got to find a way past.” wife hugged and kissed her. Then the He lost in two, after a training camp disrupted by further problems to his torn doctor came in. It was all over.”

Whatever obstacles Kirk Johnson faces pectoral muscle. Personal tragedy also for the rest of his life, you get the feeling Days before he took to the ring at loomed over Johnson.

Madison Square Garden to face he will meet them head on.

Klitschko, further tragedy struck.

“My baby daughter passed away on He’s a born fighter after all.

May 15. For two or three months after, “The Tuesday before the fight I called my I was in mourning mode. I should have wife. She said, ‘I’ve got to go before your mourned her longer. I should have brother comes in the house because I waited until my mind and my heart have to clean the blood off the floor. I’m were okay. Why should I have been having a miscarriage as we talk’. That embarrassed to mourn her? If I’d talked put me in the sort of mood where I was

PHOTO FROM ALAMY

OCTOBER 2020 023

“

IT DOESN’T MATTER WHO THEY PUT IN FRONT OF ME; MY JOB IS TO GO IN THERE, PERFORM AND TAKE THEM OUT IN SPECTACULAR FASHION”

024 OCTOBER 2020

D A V I D

A D E L E Y E

THE NEXT BIG THING WRITTEN BY JOHN A. MACDONALD

ritish boxing reigns supreme in the heavyweight division with Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua owning all four major title belts and several serious contenders vying to take their place. But in 2020 another potential star rolled off the British heavyweight production line. Could David Adeleye be the next big thing?

John A. MacDonald investigates…

“I’ve been in with a good few fellas and I’ve held my own against all of them,” Adeleye told Boxing Social. “I think it’s a real good confidence booster for me, it puts me in real good stead for when I go into title fights. They’ve told me I can mix it with them, especially when I was doing that at such an early stage in my career.

“I’m just being a sponge, soaking it all up, gaining all the knowledge I can and going from there. It doesn’t matter who At present, the heavyweight landscape they put in front of me; my job is to go is ruled by British boxers. One fighter determined to ensure that this dominance in there, perform and take them out in spectacular fashion.” of the land of giants does not end with Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua is David Boxing and education have been Adeleye (3-0, 3 KOs). intertwined for Adeleye since he first set foot in the famous Dale Youth Amateur The 23-year-old puncher from Ladbroke Boxing Club at 15. Standing at 6’1” and Grove may be in the infancy of his with an abundance of energy, Adeleye career, but his combination of speed, was encouraged to take up boxing by a power and athleticism have resulted in schoolteacher. The youngster and the Adeleye’s services being in demand as sport were a natural fit. Within a year, he a sparring partner to some of the best would win a Junior ABA title. names in the division.

Adeleye has relished the opportunity to hone his skills against premier opposition in sparring.

His performances were so impressive that he was asked to spar David Haye and Joe Joyce, under the watchful eye of famed trainer, Ismael Salas.

It would have been understandable had the novice been apprehensive about sharing the ring with a vaunted puncher and a decorated amateur, yet Adeleye possessed a deep-rooted faith in his own ability.

“I wasn’t nervous at all,” he said. “I was very confident going in there thinking: ‘This is the game I signed up for, there’s no better experience than sparring with these fellas’. I’m always going to take a positive out of any situation. However, it played out; I would have looked at it in a positive light.

“As an amateur, it was really good for my confidence, mixing it with David Haye, who was fighting at world-level, and Joe Joyce, who was an Olympic silver medallist, who should have got gold. It put me in good stead for my Adeleye would continue to box while gaining a degree in business management fights. I knew a lot of these amateurs didn’t have the experience I did, sparring from the University of Wolverhampton, with the big boys.” capturing ABA titles in 2017 and 2018.

PHOTO FROM QUEENSBERRY PROMOTIONS

OCTOBER 2020 025

By Adeleye’s recollection, there were plenty of positives to take from the experience. Joyce’s relentless march forward allied with his thudding power have proven to be a difficult proposition for each of his 11 opponents to negotiate, yet Adeleye was able to unleash the punches to discourage ‘The Juggernaut’, much to the ire of Joyce’s trainer.

“I hit him with some big shots,” he said emphatically. “Salas was his trainer at the time, and Salas was telling him, ‘You can’t just walk forward, or you are going to keep walking into these big bombs’. I was catching him with some shots and I could see Salas giving him a few words in the corner.”

While Joyce may have stood in front of Adeleye, the Londoner had to attempt to pin down one of the most unorthodox heavyweights active at present. The learning curve was a steep one.

Adeleye wasn’t instructed to attempt to replicate the style of Fury’s American foe, but to focus on his natural strengths.

Once again, Adeleye gleaned every ounce of knowledge that he could.

“It was very frustrating at first,” he admitted. “I learned a lot sparring him.

Him and Tyson have such an awkward style, it’s not a style you come across every day. That was a good learning curve for me; adjusting to different styles and can I think of routines on how to break them down. I had to find shots that would work against that sort of style.”

“I was just fighting the way I normally do,” he said. “Wilder is not the best technician in the game, so I couldn’t fight like him even if I wanted to! I was just going in there, being myself and letting my right hand go.

“It was a good experience. Like I said, him and Hughie have an awkward style, it’s not a style you come across every day.

Hughie’s style is awkward, Tyson’s style is awkward, but they are not the same Adeleye believed that over 200 rounds shared with Hughie would have prepared fighter, that’s one thing I learned. Going him for the prospect of sparring the ‘Gypsy in, I thought Tyson would have a similar King’, ahead of Tyson Fury’s rematch with style to Hughie, but he doesn’t. That was After the one-punch power of Haye and an awkward experience, but it was good Deontay Wilder, but as he discovered, the pressure of Joyce, Adeleye was seeing how they prepare for a big fight, presented with a different puzzle to solve Tyson is even more unconventional than what goes on behind closed doors. I was as he spent the best part of a year sparring his cousin due to his ability to both be just being a sponge, soaking it all up.” elusive and fight on the inside.

Hughie Fury during two training camps.

026 OCTOBER 2020

Upon his return from the US, Daniel Dubois enlisted Adeleye to help him prepare for his upcoming bout with Joe Joyce, prior to lockdown. The fighters are extremely familiar with each other, having both boxed for Dale Youth ABC. As professionals, they are guided by Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren.

Adeleye made his debut on the undercard of Dubois’ fight with Kyotaro Fujimoto, halting Dmitrij Kalinovski in the opening round.

Even though Dubois is further ahead in his career, Adeleye was determined to assert his dominance in sparring.

“We were both going in there to prove a point,” he said. “We are both trying to prove we are the better fighter since we are both under the same [promotional] banner. In terms of experience, he’s two, three years ahead of me because he turned pro before I did. I look at his fights and I think, ‘I could do the exact same thing he does in the same fashion’.

The sparring was about seeing who’s better, who’s the bigger puncher, who’s stronger and whatnot.”

“

YOU’VE GOT TO BELIEVE IN YOURSELF IN THIS SPORT BECAUSE WHEN YOU GET BETWEEN THOSE ROPES, IT’S A LONELY PLACE”

PHOTO FROM QUEENSBERRY PROMOTIONS

Adeleye does not just believe he’s superior to Dubois, he backs himself against any heavyweight in the world. If Adeleye had his way, he would fight Tyson Fury, or Anthony Joshua “tonight”. Of course, he understands that, realistically, he is several years away from challenging for world honours, yet his faith is unwavering. It is the same determination and confidence that took him to two ABA titles whilst essentially training himself and gaining a degree.

Those are the qualities he believes will take him to the pinnacle of the sport.

“As a fighter, I’m willing to take on anyone, but I suppose that’s why we don’t make the decisions, fighters are willing to do anything,” he said with a laugh. “You’ve got to believe in yourself in this sport because when you get between those ropes, it’s a lonely place.”

OCTOBER 2020 027

You have to include the ‘Brockton Blockbuster’.

His undefeated mark of 49 consecutive wins still stands in heavyweight history. A criticism of Marciano’s all-time standing is that his biggest wins were against so-called “old men”: Jersey Joe Walcott, Ezzard Charles and Archie Moore. But Walcott was the defending champion while Charles and Moore were universally recognised as No.1 challengers. (Moore even defeated the dangerous Cuban Nino Valdes in a 15-round elimination match to determine Rocky’s next and — as it turned out — final challenger.)

09. JACK DEMPSEY

JACK ROCKY MARCIANO DEMPSEY 10. ROCKY MARCIANO

WRITTEN BY GRAHAM HOUSTON

ALL-TIME HEAVYWEIGHT TOP 10

09. JACK DEMPSEY

028 OCTOBER 2020

NO.09

So, the only way to do this that makes sense is not a rating of who beats who, but rather which heavyweight was great in his era. With some big heavyweight fights on the horizon, here’s a look at an all-time top 10.

10. ROCKY MARCIANO

Ranking the best heavyweights of all time isn’t the same as in other weight divisions. Old-time heavyweight greats such as Jack Dempsey and Rocky Marciano would be small cruiserweights in today’s terms. They would look tiny in the ring against modern-era giants such as Lennox Lewis and Wladimir Klitschko.

NO.09

NO.10

ith the heavyweight division as compelling as ever, IBHOF inductee Graham Houston looks back in time to rank the greatest heavies in boxing history.

NO.10

Dempsey brought a new, fastpaced, attacking style to the heavyweight division and fought in a series of milliondollar gates. The Dempsey who ruined big Jess Willard was a formidable fighting force. When Dempsey lost to Gene Tunney, he was an older, inactive, faded fighter — but he still almost knocked out Tunney in the rematch.

NO.06

NO.06

06. SONNY LISTON

PHOTOS FROM PRESS XXXXXXXX ASSOCIATION

07. JOE FRAZIER

SONNY LISTON

08. JACK JOHNSON

NO.07

NO.08 JACK JOE JOHNSON FRAZIER The first black heavyweight champion, Johnson was a masterful boxer in his day and for a while he seemed unbeatable. Although his most famous victory was over a long-inactive James J. Jeffries, perhaps Johnson’s greatest win was a 15-round decision over the avoided old-time great Sam Langford, before Johnson became champion. The fact that Johnson never gave Langford a shot at the title is the biggest criticism of his championship reign. Many felt that Johnson was dodging Langford. “Ever since Johnson made a ham out of Jeffries in Reno more than four years ago, Sam has been chasing Johnson all over the world, and Johnson has been artfully and scientifically dodging him,” colourfully named columnist Nosey Blivens wrote in the San Francisco Call in 1914.

Smokin’ Joe’s great victory over Muhammad Ali in 1971 by itself is enough to earn him a top-10 place. Frazier had a big win over Jerry Quarry, one of the top contenders at the time, in a fiercely contested title fight at Madison Square Garden prior to defeating Ali. The gruelling 15-round decision over Ali saw Frazier display an unstoppable will to win. And he came close to beating Ali in the Thrilla in Manila when both were past their best.

06. SONNY LISTON

NO.07

07. JOE FRAZIER

08. JACK JOHNSON

NO.08

Liston was arguably already past his best when he won the title with a first-round knockout over Floyd Patterson.

His true age when he became champion is open to debate.

On the way to the title, Liston knocked out legitimate contenders such as Zora Folley, Cleveland Williams (twice), Nino Valdes and Mike DeJohn. He crushed Roy Harris in the first round after the Texan had lasted 12 rounds with Floyd Patterson. Although the skilled Eddie Machen survived 12 rounds with Liston he was comfortably beaten.

Liston was far better than his two fights with Muhammad Ali would suggest.

OCTOBER 2020 029

NO.03

MIKE TYSON

LENNOX LEWIS

05. LARRY HOLMES

04. MIKE TYSON

03. LENNOX LEWIS

NO.03

NO.04

NO.05 LARRY HOLMES

Holmes almost equalled Marciano’s 49-0 record but a debatable loss to Michael Spinks got in the way. Holmes had one of the best left jabs in heavyweight history. He defeated Ken Norton in a classic 15-round fight and his 13th-round win over the towering, heavy-hitting Gerry Cooney perhaps deserves wider appreciation. Holmes had a solid chin, getting off the canvas from a massive right-hand shot to bust up big hitter Earnie Shavers. He fought all comers and even at the age of 42 was far too cute for unbeaten Olympic gold medallist Ray Mercer.

030 OCTOBER 2020

For years, Tyson was an unstoppable force, a veritable machine of destruction. He was such an intimidating presence that good fighters were mentally beaten before a punch was thrown — Bruce Seldon was among those who seemed to be actually afraid, going down from what looked like a glancing blow in the first round.

Tyson’s excesses outside of boxing contributed to his career unravelling but the ‘Iron Mike’ who blasted out Trevor Berbick in two rounds and ran right over Michael Spinks in 91 seconds was something very special in heavyweight annals.

03. LENNOX LEWIS

NO.04

04. MIKE TYSOON

05. LARRY HOLMES

NO.05

Lewis fought them all, including wins over Razor Ruddock, Evander Holyfield, David Tua, a past-his-best Mike Tyson and Vitali Klitschko. In the Klitschko fight, Lewis was at the tailend of his career but still did impressive damage. Lewis’ shock second-round defeat against Oliver McCall seems almost an aberration. Lewis wasn’t in optimum fighting shape nor mentally as focused as he should have been when Hasim Rahman surprised him in South Africa, but Lewis put things right in spectacular fashion in the rematch.

NO.01

01. MUHAMMAD ALI

02. JOE LOUIS

NO.02

NO.02 NO.01

Champion for 11 years, with 25 successful defences, Louis at his best was the perfect heavyweight fighting machine.

His one-round win over Max Schmeling was one of the greatest performances in heavyweight history. Louis’ quotes echo through the years: “He can run but he can’t hide,” of course. The Second World War reference: “We’ll win because we’re on God’s side.” Louis went right through respectable heavyweights in a way that inspired awe, such as his fourth-round annihilation of the Basque contender Paulino Uzcudun, who had never been stopped in 68 bouts and was considered well-nigh indestructible — until he ran into the ‘Brown Bomber’.

PHOTOS FROM PRESS XXXXXXXX ASSOCIATION

MUHAMMAD ALI

01. MUHAMMAD ALI

02. JOE LOUIIS

JOE LOUIS

Truly ‘The Greatest’, Ali was the first three-time heavyweight champion and of course he transcended boxing. His wins were legendary: the upset over Sonny Liston, another largely unexpected victory when he knocked out George Foreman in The Rumble in the Jungle, his triumph over old and bitter rival Joe Frazier in the Thrilla in Manila, so fiercely fought, so punishing and dramatic, bravery and endurance on both sides, that it might be the greatest heavyweight title fight of them all. Denied a licence to box in the US due to his refusal to serve in the military during the Vietnam conflict, Ali took the heavyweight title on the road with title defences in Canada, the UK and Germany. Fast, stylish, supremely gifted in his “Float Like a Butterfly, Sting Like a Bee” days, Ali evolved into more of a strategist than a mover, depending to a greater extent on his chin and ring savvy when he returned to boxing after a three-and-a-half year enforced absence.

We knew he could move and box beautifully. Now he showed he could also stand and fight if need be and still come out on top. The No. 1 heavyweight of all time. Can there be any argument?

OCTOBER 2020 031

USYK TALE

VS OF THE

CHISORA TAPE

OCTOBER 31, 2020

RING NAME CAT WAR

BIRTHPLACE

SIMFEROPOL, UKR MBARE, ZIM

RESIDES

KIEV, UKRAINE LONDON, ENG

BORN/AGE

JAN 17 1987, 33 DEC 29 1983, 36

TURNED PRO

NOV 9 2013 FEB 17 2007

RECORD

17-0-0 (13) 32-9-0 (23)

STANCE

SOUTHPAW ORTHODOX

HEIGHT

6’3 / 190CM 6’1 / 187CM

REACH

78” / 190CM 74” / 188CM

WEIGHT

15ST 4LBS / 215LBS / 98KG (LAST CONTEST) 18ST 6LBS / 260LBS / 118KG (LAST CONTEST)

STRENGTHS

TECHNIQUE, AMATEUR EXPERIENCE CHIN, REFUSES TO BE INTIMIDATED

WEAKNESSES

SLOW STARTER, UNTESTED AT HEAVYWEIGHT TENDENCY TO BLOW HOT AND COLD

CURRENT TITLES NONE NONE

PREVIOUS TITLES

WBC/WBA/IBF/WBO CRUISERWEIGHT BRIT, COMM, EURO

BEST WINS

BRIEDIS W12, GASSIEV W12, BELLEW WKO8 SCOTT WTKO6, TAKAM WTKO8, PRICE WTKO4 032 OCTOBER 2020

COMPILED BY COLIN HARRIS PHOTOS FROM MATCHROOM BOXING

POVETKIN TALE

VS OF THE

WHYTE II TAPE

NOVEMBER 21, 2020

RING NAME

SASHA BODY SNATCHER

BIRTHPLACE

KURSK, RUS PORT ANTONIO, JAM

RESIDES

CHEKHOV, RUS LONDON, ENG

BORN/AGE

SEP 2 1979, 41 APR 11 1988, 32

TURNED PRO

JUN 11 2005 MAY 13 2011

RECORD

36-2-1 (25) 27-2-0 (18)

STANCE

ORTHODOX ORTHODOX

HEIGHT

6’2 / 188CM 6’4 / 193CM

REACH

75” / 191CM 78” / 198CM

WEIGHT

16ST / 224LBS / 102KG (LAST CONTEST) 18ST / 252LBS / 115KG (LAST CONTEST)

STRENGTHS

AMATEUR BACKGROUND, EXPERIENCE, SKILL ENJOYS A “TEAR UP”. ABILITY TO ADAPT

WEAKNESSES

AGE, SPEED, HISTORY OF TASTING THE CANVAS ENJOYS A “TEAR UP” LEAVES HIMSELF OPEN

CURRENT TITLES WBC INTERIM NONE

PREVIOUS TITLES

WBA (REGULAR) BRIT, WBC INTERIM

BEST WINS

CHAGAEV W12, TAKAM WKO10, WHYTE WTKO5 BROWNE WKO6, PARKER W12, RIVAS W12 COMPILED BY COLIN HARRIS PHOTOS FROM MATCHROOM BOXING

OCTOBER 2020 033

JOSHUA TALE

VS OF THE

PULEV TAPE

DECEMBER 12, 2020

RING NAME AJ COBRA

BIRTHPLACE

WATFORD, ENG SOFIA, BUL

RESIDES

WATFORD, ENG SOFIA, BUL

BORN/AGE

OCT 15 1989, 30 MAY 4 1981, 39

TURNED PRO

MAY 5 2013 SEP 19 2009

RECORD

23-1-0 (21) 28-1-0 (14)

STANCE

ORTHODOX ORTHODOX

HEIGHT

6’6 / 198CM 6’4 / 194CM

REACH

82” / 208CM 80” / 202CM

WEIGHT

16ST 9LBS / 237LBS / 108KG (LAST CONTEST) 17ST 7LBS / 248LBS / 112KG (LAST CONTEST)

STRENGTHS

ATHLETIC ABILITY, SIZE, PUNCHING POWER AMATEUR EXPERIENCE, JAB, STAMINA

WEAKNESSES

FREEZES WHEN TAGGED, OVERLY MUSCULAR AGE, CAREER INACTIVITY, LACK OF KO POWER

CURRENT TITLES

WBA/IBF/WBO WORLD NONE

PREVIOUS TITLES

BRIT, COMM, WBA/IBF/WBO WORLD EURO

BEST WINS

W.KLITSCHKO WTKO11, PARKER W12, RUIZ W12 THOMPSON W12, CHISORA W12, H.FURY W12 034 OCTOBER 2020

COMPILED BY COLIN HARRIS PHOTOS FROM MATCHROOM BOXING

FURY TALE

VS OF THE

WILDER III TAPE

TO BE CONTINUED?

RING NAME

GYPSY KING BRONZE BOMBER

BIRTHPLACE

MANCHESTER, ENG TUSCALOOSA, USA

RESIDES

WILMSLOW, ENG TUSCALOOSA, USA

BORN/AGE

AUG 12 1988, 32 OCT 22 1985, 34

TURNED PRO

DEC 6 2008 NOV 15 2008

RECORD

30-0-1 (21) 42-1-1 (41)

STANCE

SWITCH-HITTER ORTHODOX

HEIGHT

6’9 / 206CM 6’7 / 201CM

REACH

85” / 216CM 83” / 211CM

WEIGHT

19ST 5LBS / 273LBS / 124KG (LAST CONTEST) 16ST 5LBS / 231LBS / 105KG (LAST CONTEST)

STRENGTHS

RING GENERALSHIP, MENTAL STRENGTH, JAB SPEED, KO POWER, MONSTER RIGHT HAND

WEAKNESSES

LEAD HAND HELD LOW, TENDENCY TO DRIFT DEFENCE, STRUGGLES AS FIGHTS GOES ON

CURRENT TITLES WBC/LINEAL NONE

PREVIOUS TITLES

ENG, BRIT, IRISH, COMM, WBA/IBF/WBO WBC

BEST WINS

W.KLITSCHKO W12, WILDER WKO7 STIVERNE W12/WKO1, ORTIZ WKO10/WKO7 COMPILED BY COLIN HARRIS PHOTOS FROM KEVIN QUIGLEY

OCTOBER 2020 035

Lineal Heavyweight Champions

COMPILED BY COLIN HARRIS

The first recognised heavyweight champion of the world was John L. Sullivan who transitioned the title from the bareknuckle version (fought under the London Prize Ring rules) to the gloved version (fought under the Marquess of Queensberry Rules). Sullivan became world gloved champion in 1885 (when beating Dominick McCaffrey) and then world bareknuckle champion in 1889 (when beating Jake Kilrain). Upon losing to James J. Corbett in 1892, the title remained gloved and contested only under the Queensberry Rules.

JOHN L. SULLIVAN

ACCLAIMED - 1885-1892

JAMES J. CORBETT

KO21 - SEPTEMBER 7, 1892 (1 DEFENCE)

BOB FITZSIMMONS KO14 - MARCH 17, 1897 JAMES J. JEFFRIES

KO11 - JUNE 9, 1899 (7 DEFENCES)

Jeffries retired undefeated in May 1905. He refereed the fight for the vacant title between Marvin Hart and Jack Root, acknowledging the winner as his successor.

MARVIN HART KO12 - JULY 3, 1905

TOMMY BURNS

PTS20 - FEBRUARY 23, 1906 (11 DEFENCES)

JACK JOHNSON

TKO14 - DECEMBER 26, 1908 (8 DEFENCES)

Johnson solidified his claim when James J. Jeffries was talked out of retirement and the two collided, in Johnson’s fifth defence, on July 14, 1910. Johnson won by TKO in the 15th round.

036 OCTOBER 2020

JESS WILLARD

KO26 - APRIL 5, 1915 (1 DEFENCE)

JACK DEMPSEY

TKO3 - JULY 4, 1919 (6 DEFENCES)

GENE TUNNEY

PTS10 - SEPTEMBER 23, 1926 (2 DEFENCES)

Tunney retired and the top two contenders were nominated by the NYSAC and NBA to fill the vacancy: Max Schmeling & Jack Sharkey. The IBU followed suit, awarding Schmeling their vacant title in 1931.

MAX SCHMELING

DQ4 - JUNE 12, 1930 (1 DEFENCE)

JACK SHARKEY

W15 - JUNE 21, 1932

PRIMO CARNERA

KO6 - JUNE 29, 1933 (2 DEFENCES)

MAX BAER

TKO11 - JUNE 14, 1934

JAMES J. BRADDOCK W15 - JUNE 13, 1935

JOE LOUIS

KO8 - JUNE 22, 1937 (25 DEFENCES)

Louis announced his retirement in March 1949 (his final defence having been in the previous June). The vacant title was won by Ezzard Charles on June 22, 1949 when he beat Jersey Joe Walcott. Charles solidified his claim, in his fourth defence, when Joe Louis mounted a comeback and went straight into a title fight, with Charles winning a 15-round decision on September 27, 1950.

EZZARD CHARLES

W15 - JUNE 29, 1949 (8 DEFENCES)

JERSEY JOE WALCOTT

KO7 - JULY 18, 1951 (1 DEFENCE)

ROCKY MARCIANO

KO13 - SEPTEMBER 23, 1952 (6 DEFENCES)

Marciano retired on April 27, 1956. Floyd Patterson and Tommy Jackson squaredoff for the right to face the reigning light-heavyweight champion, Archie Moore, for the vacant title. Patterson won a split decision on June 8, 1956 and then defeated Moore on November 30, 1956.

OCTOBER 2020 037

FLOYD PATTERSON

KO5 - NOVEMBER 30, 1956 (4 DEFENCES)

INGEMAR JOHANSSON KO3 - JUNE 26, 1959

FLOYD PATTERSON II

KO5 - JUNE 20, 1960 (2 DEFENCES)

SONNY LISTON

KO1 - SEPTEMBER 25, 1962 (1 DEFENCE)

MUHAMMAD ALI

RTD6 - FEBRUARY 25, 1964 (11 DEFENCES)

Ali made his ninth title defence on March 22, 1967 before a politically enforced exile from the ring kept him out of action for over three years. He made an official retirement announcement on February 1, 1970 so that the upcoming winner of the Joe Frazier (WBC champion) and Jimmy Ellis (WBA champion) bout could be recognised as the true champion. However, upon then regaining his boxing licence, he returned to the ring later that year and fought twice before facing Frazier on March 8, 1971, losing a 15-round decision.

JOE FRAZIER

W15 - MARCH 8, 1971 (2 DEFENCES)

GEORGE FOREMAN

KO2 - JANUARY 22, 1973 (2 DEFENCES)

MUHAMMAD ALI II

KO8 - OCTOBER 30, 1974 (10 DEFENCES)

LEON SPINKS

W15 - FEBRUARY 15, 1978

MUHAMMAD ALI III

W15 - SEPTEMBER 15, 1978

Ali officially retired in July 1979, but in July 1980 was medically cleared to mount a comeback against WBC champ Larry Holmes. On October 2, 1980, Ali retired after the 10th round.

LARRY HOLMES

RTD10 - OCTOBER 2, 1980 (12 DEFENCES)

MICHAEL SPINKS

UD15 - SEPTEMBER 21, 1985 (3 DEFENCES)

MIKE TYSON

KO1 - JUNE 27, 1988 (2 DEFENCES)

038 OCTOBER 2020

BUSTER DOUGLAS

KO10 - FEBRUARY 11, 1990

EVANDER HOLYFIELD

KO3 - OCTOBER 25, 1990 (3 DEFENCES)

RIDDICK BOWE

W12 - NOVEMBER 13, 1992 (2 DEFENCES)

EVANDER HOLYFIELD II W12 - NOVEMBER 6, 1993

MICHAEL MOORER W12 - APRIL 22, 1994

GEORGE FOREMAN II

KO10 - NOVEMBER 5, 1994 (3 DEFENCES)

SHANNON BRIGGS

W12 - NOVEMBER 22, 1997

LENNOX LEWIS

TKO5 - MARCH 28, 1998 (6 DEFENCES)

HASIM RAHMAN KO5 - APRIL 22, 2001

LENNOX LEWIS II

KO4 - NOVEMBER 17, 2001 (2 DEFENCES)

Lewis retired in February 2004 and 48 years of solid lineage ended. In the ensuing years, there were multiple governing body champions, but the only two claims to being a new lineal champion were from the Kiltschko brothers: Vitali was WBC champ while Wladimir eventually unified the WBA/IBF/WBO titles. From July 2011 to Dec 2013, they reigned alongside each other with all four major titles, refusing to ever fight each other. When Vitali retired and vacated the WBC title, it left Wladimir as the sole champion and the lineage was rebooted.

WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO

AWARDED - DECEMBER 2013 (3 DEFENCES)

TYSON FURY

W12 - NOVEMBER 28, 2015 (6 DEFENCES)

OCTOBER 2020 039

WORLD TOP 25

OCTOBER 2020

HEAVYWEIGHT RANKINGS

01 03 05 07 09 11 14 17 20 23

OVER 200LBS/14ST 4LBS

TYSON

FURY

02

30-0-1 (21 KOS)

DEONTAY

WILDER

04

42-1-1 (41 KOS)

ALEXANDER

POVETKIN

06

36-2-1 (25 KOS)

LUIS

ORTIZ

08

31-2-0 & 2 NCS (26 KOS)

DILLIAN

WHYTE

27-2-0 (18 KOS)

MICHAEL

HUNTER

18-1-1 (12 KOS)

DANIEL

DUBOIS

15-0-0 (14 KOS)

HUGHIE

FURY

24-3-0 (14 KOS)

CHARLES

MARTIN

28-2-1 (25 KOS)

FILIP

HRGOVIC

11-0-0 (9 KOS)

040 OCTOBER 2020

12 15 18 21 24

OSCAR

10

ANTHONY

JOSHUA

23-1-0 (21 KOS)

ANDY

RUIZ JR

33-2-0 (22 KOS)

OLEKSANDR

USYK

17-0-0 (13 KOS)

KUBRAT

PULEV

28-1-0 (14 KOS)

JOSEPH

PARKER

27-2-0 (21 KOS)

RIVAS

26-1-0 (18 KOS)

AGIT

KABAYEL

20-0-0 (13 KOS)

ROBERT

HELENIUS

30-3-0 (19 KOS)

GERALD

WASHINGTON

20-4-1 (13 KOS)

MARTIN

BAKOLE

15-1-0 (12 KOS)

13 16 19 22 25

JOE

JOYCE

11-0-0 (10 KOS)

DERECK

CHISORA

32-9-0 (23 KOS)

ADAM

KOWNACKI

20-1-0 (15 KOS)

TONY

YOKA

7-0-0 (6 KOS)

OTTO

WALLIN

21-1-0 & 1 NC (14 KOS)

PHOTOS FROM MATCHROOM BOXING , KEVIN QUIGLEY AND PBC

OCTOBER 2020 041

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