Snopp Dogg is aiming to change the boxing game forever, Tyson Fury doesn’t need a Sports Personality of the Year award, and a pound-for-pound star has their sights set on crossing over to MMA. Here are five stories you might have missed in a busy week of boxing...
Snoop Dogg Set To Launch His Own Boxing League
It’s fair to say that overall last weekend’s curious clash between Mike Tyson and Roy Jones was a resounding success. The biggest highlight for many though wasn’t the return to the ring for these two legends, instead it was rapper Snoop Dogg’s stellar turn as commentator for the fight, dropping such gems as, “This is like two of my uncles fighting at the BBQ.”
The artist, who has sold more than 35 million albums worldwide, has now teamed up with Triller co-owner Ryan Kavanaugh to create The Fight Club, a new boxing promotion
“We are changing the entire game,” Snoop said in a statement. "Boxing will never be the same and the audiences expect a new standard now. Fight Club is that standard.”
Speaking to TMZ, Kavanaugh said the duo already have something massive up their sleeves, “I can tell you that the main fight - I can't say it yet - but it’s gonna be something that everybody wants to see.
“If you thought [the Tyson match was] big, I think that this would be even larger from a worldwide-appetite perspective and something that people want to see.”
Anthony Joshua Willing To Take Pay Cut To Fight Tyson Fury
Anthony Joshua might be revving up for his showdown with Bulgaria’s Kubrat Pulev on December 12 but it’s clear he’s got one eye on potentially the biggest fight that can be made in 2021. Yes, it’s the one we all want to see, against fellow Brit Tyson Fury, and AJ says he’s even willing to take a paycut to make it happen in the UK.
Speaking to reporters, the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight champion said "Yeah, why not? I'm fighting Pulev for a massive pay cut. We have to keep the sport alive. We're doing it now so I wouldn't mind doing it again."
The Olympic gold-medallist is also adamant that neither Fury or Deontay Wilder have affected him mentally. Speaking to Yahoo Sports, he said, "No-one lives in my head rent free. Tyson Fury doesn't live in my head, Deontay Wilder doesn't live in my head. Whether people call Fury number one is down to public opinion. I know in my world I'm number one. Only way to prove who's number one is to get us in the ring."
Fury Still On SPOTY Shortlist Despite Asking To Be Removed
Speaking of Tyson Fury, it’s been a typically bonkers week for the ‘Gypsy King’ who was added to the shortlist of the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year Awards and in typically bombastic fashion, the WBC heavyweight champion asked that his name be removed from the nominations as he’s already “the People’s Champion” and doesn’t require further accolades
“Hi this is Tyson Fury, the Gypsy King,” he said on Instagram. “This is a message for the @bbcsport and their SPOTY award. Please take me off your list as I’m the people’s champion and have no need for verification or any awards.
“I know who I am and what I’ve done in sport.
“I have the love of the people which is worth more to me than all the awards in the world,” he continued. “To anyone who supports me don’t vote. All my love Gypsy King.”
Despite this, the BBC have confirmed that Fury will remain on the list.
Pound-For-Pound Star Claressa Shields Signs On For MMA Crossover
Claressa Shields, arguably the finest female boxer on the planet, perhaps ever, has signed with the Professional Fighters League in a quest to become the first woman to hold simultaneous titles in both MMA and boxing.
"I'm not trying to do this for show," Shields told the Associated Press. "I'm really taking this seriously. I'm not thinking that just because my hands are better than everybody else that I'll win. I'm really going to strengthen the things that I'm weak at.
"I've never kicked anybody in my life, not even in a street fight!" she said.
Last month the two-time Olympic gold medallist was surpassed by Katie Taylor on the women’s pound-for-pound rankings.
‘Big Baby’ Miller Banned From Boxing For Two Years
Jarrell ‘Big Baby’ Miller has been banned from boxing for two years by the Nevada Commission following his latest positive drugs test.
The unbeaten heavyweight was previously due to face Anthony Joshua in 2019, but failed multiple tests and so had his place taken by Andy Ruiz Jr. Somehow, Miller escaped any significant punishment and thanks to a loophole in US boxing was able to sign to Top Rank less than a year later. He was scheduled to return to the ring again in July, against Jerry Forrest, only to test positive for banned substances once again
Miller’s current ban applies to all US states, but can be reduced to 18 months if he completes a treatment course.
