USYK UK BOUND
Elliot Worsell rounds up the week’s biggest stories from the world of boxing
‘IT IS MORE THAN JUST A COUNTRY TO ME. IN ENGLAND I GOT WHAT I WAS REACHING FOR’
OLEKSANDR USYK is one of the most gifted fighters in the sport today and now, thanks to a link-up between K2 Promotions and Matchroom Boxing, appears to have the infrastructure in place to help garner the attention his talent deserves.
Winner of the recent World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) cruiserweight tournament, Usyk, the WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO cruiserweight champion, will have his next fight on streaming service DAZN, it was announced last week.
“I’m thrilled that K2 Promotions will be working with Matchroom Boxing moving forward to secure me the biggest fights out there,” said Usyk. “Fans can look forward to watching me take on the biggest and best names in the sport.
“Thankfully, England is more than just a country for me. In this country I got what I was reaching for half of my life: I got my Olympic gold medal and, in Liverpool, I became European champion in 2008. England is a lucky country for me and fortune comes only with hard work.”
It is expected Usyk will defend his array of cruiserweight belts in a blockbuster fight with Tony Bellew before the year is out. Failing that, he might consider the cruiserweight mission complete and jump up to the heavyweight division, the holy grail for many a 200lb fighter hungry for a payday and a fresh challenge.
“A fight with Tony Bellew would be a momentous occasion,” said Usyk. “He is a good boxer and a good person. I also have the option to move into the heavyweight division.”
“Usyk holds all the cards at cruiserweight and is already eyeing a move to heavyweight and, in particular, a fight with Anthony Joshua,” said Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn. “Right now, our priority is to try and finalise a super-fight with Tony Bellew later this year. But, either way, we will announce his next fight in the very near future, which will come to you live on DAZN and Sky Sports.”
Alex Krassyuk of K2 Promotions said: “In his 15 fights to date he has created history by becoming the first cruiserweight to unify all four belts and
there is more history to be made. He knows that in order to become the king of world boxing he will have to dethrone the biggest name in boxing – Anthony Joshua.
“But this is for the future. For now, a cruiserweight showdown with Tony Bellew is our focus. We are hoping the deal will be finalised shortly.”
Given the option, Usyk, before chasing mega bucks at heavyweight, should be encouraged to make a splash on British soil, and in the form of Tony Bellew, a former WBC champion who never lost as a cruiserweight, would seem to have the perfect foil. They’re a couple of charismatic cruiserweights predisposed to slugging it out. What’s not to like? Chances are, it takes a lot to make
Manny Pacquiao angry. The perennially upbeat Filipino, a world titlist in seven different weight classes, has for years done everything with a smile: stroll to the ring, punch opponents, avoid punches, get punched, win, lose and draw. But now, according to a post on social media, Manny, boxing’s
great smiler, is really, really unhappy.
It has nothing to with boxing, of course. Nothing in the ring could ever get Pac Man down. Instead, the cause of Pacquiao’s sadness has more to do with not receiving payment – specifically, payment for his July 15 fight against
Lucas Matthysse – on
time.
In an Instagram swipe at promoters Top Rank, he wrote: “Congratulations and good luck to Top Rank Boxing and ESPN on your seven-year partnership agreement. I know both of you have been very busy finalizing the deal. However, I have not received the US rights payment for my July 15 fight against Lucas Matthysse that was broadcast on ESPN Plus. Therefore, I am initiating legal proceedings against Top Rank and all other parties based on the non-payment and attempt to restrict my future rights. Thank you.”
Though a regrettable part of the business, plenty of boxers don’t get paid on time, and often the ones who do won’t receive what they’d been promised. Yet it’s rare, unheard of even, for a star of the sport, someone bankrolling events and broadcasts on his name alone, to go without payment, kick up a fuss and, moreover, do so in the public domain. What’s more, the tone of Pacquiao’s post, and the inkling we have that he has been instructed to “initiate legal proceedings” and go public, makes it all the more fascinating and, potentially, all the more damaging for Top Rank.
In keeping with the custom of the sport, Curtis Woodhouse has retired, unretired, launched a comeback and, last week, announced a second retirement – a proper one this time.
The former British champion and professional footballer first bowed out in 2014 following a Commonwealth title loss against Willie Limond. A step too far, it was considered the perfect note on which to end the adventure.
However, the pull of the fight game continued unabated and it wasn’t long before Woodhouse, also a lower league football manager, was tempted back. He returned in 2017, winning two fights that year, the last of which, a six-round decision over Lewis van Poetsch, now marks the final time anyone will see the Driffield man in a boxing ring.
“First time I retired I wasn’t ready. This time I am,” Woodhouse, 38, tweeted.
“Last night I officially retired for good from professional boxing. Blessed to have played my part in this fantastic sport. I’ll miss you all.”
Without a single amateur bout, Woodhouse turned professional as a boxer in 2006, setting a goal to win the British title, and managed to achieve this in eight years. There were ups and downs along the way, of course, but Woodhouse’s story is ultimately one of perseverance, a lesson in never giving up, and inspirational to anyone with similar urges. The current manager of Northern Counties East League Premier Division side Bridlington Town, Woodhouse retires from boxing with a pro record of 24 wins and seven defeats. Written off at every stage, he made the impossible seem possible.
‘FIRST TIME I RETIRED I WASN’T READY. THIS TIME I AM’