Boxing has been put into perspective this past week. Petty arguments, demands, and even arguments about scores become meaningless as Russia continues to violently attack Ukraine. The horrors of war are being projected 24/7 on our screens with lives of all ages being lost every day.
Heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk and former lightweight champion Vasyl Lomachenko returned home to take up arms and join the fight against the Russians. The people of Ukraine are in the thoughts of the team here at Boxing Social any day.
So as we move on with our daily lives, the wheel of boxing also keeps turning. Here is a selection of articles you may have missed. Welcome to this week’s Hooks and Jabs.
Tyson Fury believes his April 23 bout against Dillian Whyte will hit two million pay-per-view purchases in the UK. The WBC Heavyweight Champion spoke to Ariel Helwani during MMA Time after witnessing a sold-out Wembley Stadium match.
Fury said: “They came to see The Gypsy King come back. “I’ll chop Dillian Whyte like a hot knife through butter.”
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After a trip to London to watch Lawrence Okolie defend her WBO cruiser title, Mairis Briedis had a new day for her next bout. The IBF champion’s rearrangement match against Jai Opetaia will take place May 11 in Australia. A victory for Briedis could lead to unity against Okolie later this year.
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Joseph Parker said his manager is continuing to negotiate to pit him against England’s Joe Joyce. Boxing Social spoke with the former WBO heavyweight champion at this week’s Fury-Whyte press conference.
“David Higgins is in talks at the moment trying to come to an agreement that everyone is happy with,” Parker said.
“Joe is a good fighter with good motivation. Tall, sturdy, does a lot of damage to the ring. If we can lock it, I’ll use both hands and I’ll recover 100% on my own. “
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Lee Selby must go to Argentina and win if his dream of becoming a second-weight world champion is to continue. The former IBF featherweight titleholder lost to George Kambosos Jr in 2020, then brought the Australian to New York and famously triumphed over Teofimo Lopez to become the WBA, IBF and WBO champion. Selby will face Gustavo Lemos in the IBF lightweight final on March 26 in Buenos Aires. Victory will see the Welshman in a great position to face the Kambosos once again.
“Trust me. I am more ready and hungry than ever to secure a world title double,” Selby said.
