Follow the latest news from the UK boxing scene here, with all the lowdown on Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and more, plus the latest moves from the top promoters such as Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren.
Top fights from the exciting heavyweight division, all the way down to the lighter classes, are scheduled for British shores in the coming months.
– Leigh Wood: Josh Warrington grudge fight ‘could be my last’
– Tyson Fury coming back to ‘make boxing great again’
Moses Itauma fights Jermaine Franklin on March 28, Derek Chisora’s 50th fight is against Deontay Wilder on April 4, Fury returns against Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 11, and Fabio Wardley defends his WBO title against Daniel Dubois on May 9.
Here is the latest boxing news and gossip…
John Fury fight on Tyson Fury undercard?
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Feb 19: Tyson Fury’s father has incredibly suggested that he fights Carl Froch on his son’s upcoming undercard.
John, 60, erupted in anger at the news conference to promote his son’s comeback against Arslanbek Makhmudov and challenged retired world super-middleweight champion Froch, 48.
John has now claimed: “Carl ‘The Worm’ Froch, you’ve got yourself a fight. Where do you want to fight? We’ll do it in the ring, under the lights, at Tottenham in eight weeks’ time.
“Me and you, Tottenham, undercard. I know you’re not a man. A Hall of Famer? You might be alright at 12-stone but you haven’t got anything at heavyweight. I’d laugh when you hit me.
“Let’s talk about this. You could fight the father of the best heavyweight in the world. I won’t disgrace my son by letting a bum like you even come close to beating me.
“I don’t need six months training, I am ready to go now!”
Callum Smith to fight David Morrell for interim title
Callum Smith is seeking another world title shot. Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images
Feb 18: Callum Smith will fight David Morrell for the WBO interim light-heavyweight championship in Liverpool on April 18.
The winner will earn a shot at champion Dmitry Bivol who is recovering from back surgery.
Smith most recently beat Joshua Buatsi in a thrilling fight. But his latest challenger is an intriguing proposition — Cuba’s Morrell only has 13 fights, but has won 12 (nine by knockout).
John Fury calls out Carl Froch
Feb. 17: It’s never a dull occasion when the Furys are in town, and Tyson’s news conference ahead of his fight with Arslanbek Makhmudov was no exception. Father, John, who is no stranger to a controversial moment, turned his attention to former super middleweight champion Carl Froch.
Froch was presenting the news conference on Netflix and Fury made it clear what he thought oh him, while he also turned his attention to former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis.
“Here I am. They call me out day-and-night on video. Here I am ready to fight,” Fury said. “Where the f— are you?
“The world’s been calling be a f—— s——–. You know me Lennox. You know I’m no coward. I was going to fight you in your heyday. Wasn’t it true?”
Lewis agreed.
“Put some respect on the name of John Fury and get that Carl Froch here.”
Dana White rips Eddie Hearn: ‘Works for his dad’
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Feb 16: Zuffa Boxing promoter Dana White blasted Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn after his latest fight on Sunday night.
UFC boss White promoted Efe Ajagba’s heavyweight win against Charles Martin before turning his attention to his rival promoters, including Hearn.
“There hasn’t been any pushback,” he claimed.
“I expected more, I expected some pushback. I expected them to be more game. They are all way out of their league. Absolutely, positively out of their league.
“I don’t think anybody looks at Eddie Hearn and says ‘this guy is a visionary.’ He has been in boxing forever. I look at him like most politicians — you have done nothing in the sport except stay in [your] lane, play by the rules.
“You ended up becoming a part of the problem.
“I don’t want to sit here and smash Eddie Hearn. But he works for his dad, alright? He works for dad.
“I don’t think he has come in with any type of vision, whereas we do. We are going to change the entire sport.”
Leigh Wood: ‘Could be my last fight’
Feb 16: Leigh Wood has insisted that this weekend’s fight against rival Josh Warrington could be his last.
Wood insisted that he will benefit from Warrington’s style. A win for the Nottingham fighter in their rematch could conclude his career.
Read the full interview with ESPN here.
Oleksandr Usyk advised to avoid Moses Itauma
Feb 14: Oleksandr Usyk’s next opponent remains unknown.
ESPN have advised him on fights to accept, fights to avoid — and noted a fight which looks likely.
Fabio Wardley explains why he took Daniel Dubois fight
Feb 13: Fabio Wardley insisted he is “committed to big fights only” after agreeing to defend his WBO heavyweight title for the first time against British compatriot Daniel Dubois.
Wardley claimed the interim title with a thrilling, if debatable, 11th round stoppage of New Zealand’s Joseph Parker last October as the unbeaten Ipswich fighter claimed his 20th win from 21 fights.
Only one of his fights has gone the distance and he will take on a fellow hard-hitter on May 9 at the Co-op Live in Manchester in Dubois, who has won 22 of his 25 fights with 21 stoppages.
“I’ve never been in this game to play around — I’m committed to big fights only,” Wardley said. “I’m the champion, this is a voluntary defence, and I chose this. When that first bell goes, it’s going to be fireworks.
“I’m not about to win a world title and then take easy fights or hide away with it — I’m not running off with my belt. One thing you can’t ever say about me is I’ve shied away from a challenge. I’ve always gone looking for the biggest tests, and I’d back myself against anyone in this division.”
Campbell Hatton returns to the ring
Feb 11: Campbell Hatton is set to fight on the undercard of the show in Dubai dedicated to his late father, on April 11.
Former two-weight world champion Ricky Hatton, who had been set to make a return to the ring against Eisa Al Dah last year, was found dead aged 46 at his home in Hyde, Manchester on September 14.
Campbell Hatton, 25, confirmed he would be taking part in the Dubai event — to be headlined by former world champion Kell Brook — which will support the Ricky Hatton Foundation charity.
“Looking forward to getting back in the ring in memory of my dad out in Dubai,” Campbell, who has not fought professionally since stepping away from the sport in 2024, said on Instagram.
PA Media contributed to this report.
