#heavyweight-boxing

#heavyweight-boxing

To think the fight week narratives all centered around Dubois's vulnerabilities. In 2023, he suffered an eighth-round KO loss to Oleksandr Usyk. After rebounding with three increasingly impressive wins, including a demolition of Anthony Joshua, Dubois took on Usyk again and didn't make it out of the fifth round. He has always seemed a bit more skittish and afraid in the hard moments of a fight than similar talents.

With a perfect 11-0 record that includes eight finishes, and the chance to fight in his hometown at The O2 Arena, Pinto has all the motivation in the world to go out and deliver a big performance on Saturday night as he plans to do two things: make himself happy with his performance, and issue a warning to the heavyweight division that a talented new threat is on his way.

I truly respect people who reach the very top in their sport. Rico is one of them—a powerful athlete and a great champion. He's truly the king of kickboxing. Being a champion isn't just about belts. I'm ready and looking forward to meeting him in the ring. It's going to be a unique experience for both of us, a big night is coming.

I truly respect people who reach the very top in their sport. Rico is one of them -- a powerful athlete and a great champion. Being a champion isn't just about belts. It's about years of hard work, discipline and belief. I respect his journey; he's truly the King of Kickboxing. But this is boxing -- a different game, with its own rules and its own kings.

My power is proven. If there's time left on the clock, I'm taking you out of the fight. If you look back, when it gets dicey, he's not up for it. Wardley said he would flatten the challenger, referencing Dubois's history of stoppage defeats and questioning his resilience under pressure in critical moments.

The top of boxing's most notable weight class is seemingly as wide open as it has been in a long time. While many past stars from the heavyweight division, such as Oleksandr Usyk, Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder, and Anthony Joshua, still factor into the title picture, there are plenty of rising contenders who are waiting to pounce on the opportunity to join the upper echelon.

Image source, Getty Images Derek Chisora's fight with former world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder has been confirmed for the O2 Arena in London on 4 April. The event will be a 50th professional fight for both 42-year-old Chisora and American Wilder, 40. Chisora said last year he would retire after a 50th bout which would take place overseas, but the Briton is now set to face Wilder on home soil.

Boxing is in a real slump this year, with few major fights and far less compelling bouts than usual, and so the prospect of a serious and intriguing heavyweight contest between Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley at the O2 Arena brings a measure of relief to the beleaguered business. The winner will almost certainly face Oleksandr Usyk, the world champion, next year.