Page 12 - Boxing News Magazine (January 2020)

Examining the best and worst
of the sport’s weekly coverage
BOXING MEDIA REVIEW

GOODBYE, 2019

Photo: ACTION IMAGES/ANDREW COULDRIDGE
George Gigney rounds up the boxing media news
from over the Christmas period and early January

YOUTUBE The second was a much longer
discussion, with Hearn reflecting on
IN a quiet period for boxing content, 2019 and being taken through most of
unified world heavyweight champion his stable one by one to look at their
Anthony Joshua opened himself up to near futures. WBA super-flyweight
the media in the wake of his revenge win champion Kal Yafai is in talks to face
over Andy Ruiz Jnr. Sky Sports invited him former pound-for-pound king Roman
down to their studios for a rather fluffy Gonzalez, while both Callum Smith and
interview with presenter Rob Wotton, Billy Joe Saunders have been put forward
who literally started it off by describing it as opponents for Canelo Alvarez. If
as his “Christmas wish come true.” neither get the fight, Hearn will look to
This particular interview created pair them against one another.
headlines everywhere when, as things Hearn confirmed Sky Sports have bid
were wrapping up, Joshua offered to spar for the Wilder-Fury rematch, though
with Tyson Fury in order to help him Frank Warren – who is aligned with
prepare for his rematch with Deontay BT – in a separate interview with IFL
Wilder. It was a baffling thing to say – claimed that it is up to BT Sport whether
Joshua did walk it back they air the fight or
in an interview with IFL not, and expects an
the following day – but DANA WHITE announcement soon.
his reasoning was that CONFIRMED BT Sport’s Adam
he wants Fury to win, Catterall sat down
because he thinks a fight THAT HE’S with UFC President
with Tyson is easier to Dana White about his
make. MADE A impending assault on
Another interesting boxing, and straight off
comment from Joshua DEAL WITH the bat White confirmed
was how he would prefer MAYWEATHER that he’s made a deal
to enter the ring first for with Floyd Mayweather
every fight – even if he’s for the 42-year-old
the defending champion – as it allows to return this year. He says it could
him to absorb the atmosphere and get be a boxing or a “crossover” fight,
used to the ring. like his circus with Conor McGregor.
His attention was then turned to what’s Frustratingly, Catterall then asked
next, and he humorously slipped up White about KSI-Logan Paul II, rather
when looking at his two mandatories, than pursuing more details on the
Kubrat Pulev and Oleksandr Usyk; “I want Mayweather news.
opponents like Pulev [tuts] – not Pulev, However, he did get White’s views on
Usyk.” boxing broadcasts and how he will do
Joshua further confirmed this when he things differently. He pulled no punches
admitted he’s been studying Usyk for a on DAZN, describing their production the boxing world.
while – a wise move. Though it looks like value as “horrendous”. Important to note TMZ posted bodycam footage from
it’ll be Pulev next, it’s clear that Joshua that the UFC’s broadcast deal with ESPN police officers attending the aftermath of
would much rather fight Usyk. makes DAZN a direct competitor of his. Errol Spence Jnr’s car accident last year.
IFL released a couple of interviews with He also said that the shows he’ll work The two videos first show officers seeking
Eddie Hearn over the festive break, the on will be similar to UFC cards – they a blood sample from those looking after
first of which saw the promoter admit would move a lot quicker, with no long Spence in hospital, while the second
that Joshua, Wilder and Fury “all need ring walks, and he claims they’ll be a lot shows them finding a handgun at the
each other” and that 50/50 splits between “slicker” than everything that’s currently scene of the accident – however they
them could be an option. It’s the first time out there. He’s a captivating speaker and could not link the firearm to Spence so
he’s said so; a glimmer of hope for getting undoubtedly a great promoter; it’ll be he does not face any legal issues over
those blockbuster fights made. fascinating to see what impact he has on the weapon.

10 O BOXING NEWS O JANUARY 9, 2020 w w w . b o x i n g n e w s o n l i n e . n e t