Oleksandr Usyk has very little left to prove in the sport of boxing. After obliterating the cruiserweight division, he made the step-up to heavyweight in October 2019, where he has continued to reign supreme despite constantly fighting opponents with considerable height and weight advantage.
The Ukrainian would get his chance to fight Anthony Joshua for the heavyweight belts in 2021, where the challenger fought in the champion’s homeland, teaching the Briton a boxing lesson for the 12 rounds and becoming the unified heavyweight champion in the process.
The rematch produced the same result as Usyk, in just his fourth bout in the division, was victorious again via a split decision from the judges. He’d then go on to defeat Tyson Fury twice by way of decision to become the undisputed champion, but would have to vacate the IBF title before the rematch with The Gypsy King as the rules stated he had to face mandatory challenger Daniel Dubois next if he was to keep the belt.
Usyk had already beaten Dubois by way of knockout before his first meeting with Fury. The champion would give the Brit his wish at trying to beat Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight crown for a second time after Dubois himself had beaten Anthony Joshua via knockout. Usyk beat DDD emphatically, however, sending the Brit to the canvas in the fifth round to reclaim his undisputed status.
Oleksandr Usyk’s Next Fight & Future in Boxing
Recently, the 38-year-old told Ukrainian source, UNN, “I will box until I am 41.” It left fans shocked after rumours circulated that he could be retiring.
Following Fabio Wardley’s knockout win over Joesph Parker at the weekend, in a bout that would determine the mandatory challenger for the WBO heavyweight title, attention has turned to a match-up between both Wardley and Usyk next.
The 30-year-old has knocked out 19 fighters of the 20 he has faced in his professional career. While Usyk is no ordinary fighter, the undisputed heavyweight champion isn’t getting any younger and being in the ring with a knockout artist is dangerous for any fighter.
His former promoter and advisor, Alexsander Krassyuk, has expressed his thoughts on the potential fight. Speaking to Boxing King Media, Krassyuk said: “I am public in my [opinion], I want (Oleksandr) Usyk to retire as fast as possible.
“I was even against his fight with (Daniel) Dubois, but okay, that made some sense to become three-time undisputed. Give me one – not two, not three – but one reason to fight (Fabio) Wardley. With all respect to this guy, with all the credit to him, but I am thinking from Usyk’s perspective.”
Despite the promoter’s concerns about his former fighter, the champion will not be intimidated by any boxer, like we have seen in the past. The Ukrainian must first recover from a back injury he sustained in training which has kept him out of the ring for longer than anticipated, with his expected return to action next year.
Jurgen Klopp’s comments about Arsenal after Jonathan Tah had a goal controversially ruled out by VAR in Germany’s World Cup exit vs Paraguay have gone viral.
Germany were easily expected to overcome Paraguay in their last 32 tie at Boston Stadium.
However, despite having the lion’s share of possession in the first 45 minutes, it was the underdogs who took the lead just before half-time through Julio Enciso.
Germany needed to up their game in the second half, and it didn’t take long for them to restore parity as Arsenal’s Kai Havertz found the back of the net.
There were no further goals for the remainder of regulation time as the game went to extra-time. Jonathan Tah thought he had given his side the lead in the 103rd minute, only for his goal to be controversially ruled out.
The decision to rule out Tah’s goal was extremely controversial. Moments before Tah headed home, Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill briefly fell to ground following contact from Germany substitute Waldemar Anton.
Gill had got to his feet by the time the ball reached Tah, but he could not do anything to stop the Bayern Munich defender from finding the back of the net.
Fortunately for Paraguay, VAR deemed that Anton had committed a foul on Gill and disallowed the goal, leaving Germany incensed. Julian Nagelsmann in particular was outraged and was shown a yellow card for his protests.
Former Liverpool manager Klopp was covering the match as a pundit for Magneta TV, and he did not agree with the decision as he made reference to Premier League champions Arsenal. He said:
“If the goal is illegal, then Arsenal won’t be English champions. They’ve scored 60 percent of their goals that way. We win the game when the ball goes in. So, of course, this is brutal.”
He added: “There are worse things than defeats in sports. But there was only one goal, one dream, and that has been shattered. It was dramatic. There are 500,000 ways to win a football match. You just have to find one.”
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Alan Shearer Slams Officials
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Winslow Townson
Alan Shearer slammed the decision and claimed that Gill had ‘conned’ the referee. He said, per the BBC: “I don’t agree with that decision at all. The keeper falls to the ground on a slight touch and it’s very soft. I thought it was a terrible decision.
“You have to understand it is a contact sport, the goalkeeper has conned the referee and the VAR. The way he went down was pathetic.”
Former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann also believed the goal shouldn’t have been ruled out. Just before the decision was made, he said:
“This is soft, in my opinion. But judging by what we’ve seen in the tournament so far, it wouldn’t surprise me if they do rule it out. We’ve seen two or three goals ruled out for very small offences. This is hardly anything.
“It’s a small block on the goalkeeper, but for me, it’s not enough. I suspect they will be ruling this out. We feel this should not be disallowed.”
Paraguay will now take on either France or Sweden in the last 16 of the competition. The match will be played at Philadelphia Stadium on Saturday, July 4.
Manchester United suffered a big blow after it was confirmed Manuel Ugarte has suffered a serious knee injury.
The Red Devils were considering offloading the Uruguayan midfielder, but the injury has hampered their plans to do so.
Ornstein: Man Utd Midfielder Update
According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Manchester United’s midfield recruitment plans are unaffected by the injury to Ugarte. West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes remains the immediate priority, and others are also being considered.
Liverpool are looking at some new winger options in the transfer market, according to TeamTalk, alongside a possible switch for Bradley Barcola this summer.
Bradley Barcola is a key target, not least as Diomande’s move to PSG may force an exit as he enters the final two years of his contract with the European champions.
While he may be the most high-profile candidate on the club’s radar, it appears as though another two options are being assessed for a deal this summer.
Liverpool Eye Said El Mala
via Reuters
One of those options, according to TeamTalk, is Koln forward Said El Mala, who appears likely to leave the German club in the coming weeks.
The 19-year-old enjoyed a successful campaign last time out, making 36 appearances, bagging 13 goals and five assists for the Bundesliga outfit.
In that time, the youngster largely featured on the left wing, but also received minutes as a centre-forward, in attacking midfield, and on the right wing.
The Germany youth international continues to receive plenty of interest as a result, and was seemingly close to joining Brentford earlier in the transfer window.
That move fell through, however, and now a switch to Liverpool could be on the cards as they continue to monitor a potential deal to sign El Mala.
A move does appear complicated, however, as his brother, Malek El Mala, is believed to want a move with his brother to wherever his next destination is.
It remains to be seen whether that could be a deal-breaker for Liverpool, while Premier League rivals Newcastle United remain in the hunt for his signature too.
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Liverpool Want Bazoumana Toure
Ulrik Pedersen/Cal Sport Media/Sipa USA
The other winger Liverpool have been linked with is Hoffenheim star Bazoumana Toure. The 20-year-old Ivorian star has impressed over the past year, bagging five goals and 12 assists in 32 appearances across all competitions.
The forward largely features on the left wing, but has also received some minutes on the right and as a centre-forward when required for his team.
It’s claimed that Toure, who is currently at the World Cup with the Ivory Coast, is viewed as a “long-term” option for Liverpool to help improve their options.
Liverpool have discussed a move for one of their transfer targets this summer, as they move on from Yan Diomande’s rejection.
He would join Rio Ngumoha in becoming a young development player for the long-term, while Cody Gakpo and Victor Munoz are expected to take up roles as the more experienced options.
It remains to be seen who the Reds will land, as they must now adjust to the blow of missing out on Yan Diomande in the transfer window.
