Oleksandr Usyk has pretty much summed up what everyone else is thinking regarding his ongoing fight saga with Tyson Fury as both men prepare for the next bouts — just not against each other.
A deal between the two heavyweights looked to have been agreed earlier this year but was ultimately called off back in March following disputes over the final purse split, with both parties blaming the other and fight fans left frustrated.
Unsurprisingly, there has been plenty of choice words exchanged since, with John Fury even demanding Usyk “apologise for trying to bamboozle the public“, but now the 36-year-old has called on everyone involved to stop talking and start acting.
🗣 Oleksandr Usyk has called on Tyson Fury to make their undisputed heavyweight title fight happen 👀 pic.twitter.com/tZO6dhTe4Y
Speaking in an exclusive with TNT Sports, Usyk suggested that he has been handed the wrong opponent but that “this is part of the way and if I have this Englishman in my way now then I have to face him”.
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In an admittedly rare moment of pleasantry in what has been a typically trash-talk-filled build-up, the WBA, WBO and IBF holder said of Fury: “As a human being, I think he is a great person. I think he’s a great man, a great father, a great family man and as an athlete he’s brilliant as well.
Nevertheless, the nine-time title holder went on to say, “there’s too much words, instead of actions”, adding that “The whole world wants to see the fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury and we have to make it. People are tired of talks. We need to do instead of talk.” He’s not wrong.
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As for Dubois, Usyk insisted that he won’t “underestimate him… I do [the same] volume of work in my training and with Daniel Dubois there is no exception… I train as hard as I can, as it’s possible, to achieve my goal in the ring”, though there is no doubt Usyk sees this as merely a stepping stone to get to Fury.
However, the 34-year-old admitted back in June that he is out of practice and could potentially face a “12-round disaster” if he were to fight him now, having been out of the ring pretty much ever since his fight against Derek Chisora back in December 2022.
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The Gypsy King has also been busy with other projects besides boxing in the interim too, with he and the rest of the Fury family revealing their new Netflix reality show late last month, which is set to air on 16 August.
As for younger brother Tommy, he has finally announced his next fight against yet another YouTube and social media personality in KSI, warning that he wants to end the recent influencer boxing trend “within 12 months”.
Featured Image — Oleksandr Usyk (via Twitter)/Tyson Fury (via Instagram)
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Kyle Walker announces retirement from international football with England at 35
Danny Jones
Former Manchester City star and England defender has announced his retirement from international football at 35 years old.
He calls it a day for his country with nearly a century of appearances.
Kyle Walker, who has won six Premier Leagues, four Carabao trophies, a pair of FA Cups and a Champions League title with Man City, made his national team debut back in 2011.
Now, nearly a full decade and a half later, he is hanging up his boots on the biggest stage, retiring as England’s most capped right back in history.
As you can see, he confirmed the news in a highlight video looking back on her best moments with the Three Lions.
Sharing a lengthy and emotional statement in the caption, the Yorkshireman wrote: “After more than a decade representing my country, I have decided to retire from international football. Playing for England has always been the biggest honour of my career and something I will always be proud of.
“Thank you to every teammate, coach, manager, the 12th man, and everyone behind the scenes who has been part of the journey. Every roar from the fans pushed the team along, and I’m looking forward to joining them to support the lads in the World Cup.”
His last appearance in an England shirt came in June against Senegal, since dropping out of manager Thomas Tuchel’s first-choice team and future plans, with both form and age no doubt being factored into that decision.
Walker added: “The memories in an England shirt will stay with me forever.”
96 caps 🧢 Five major tournaments 🏴 A #ThreeLions legend ⭐
He went on to sign off by saying, “I also want to thank my family for their support every step of the way. They have made this journey even more special, and I will always be grateful to have shared it with them.”
The Sheffield-born fullback left Manchester last year following a loan spell at AC Milan, before joining fellow Premier League side Burnley FC permanently this past July.
Meanwhile, the Clarets are staring down relegation back to the Championship; however, this step will no doubt help Walker prolong his club career, whether or not he stays in Lancashire.
Where does Walker rank among the all-time England defenders in your mind?
Featured Images — Oleg Bkhambri (via Wikimedia Commons)/England (screenshot via YouTube)
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Wigan Warriors’ Bevan French out for around four months with major muscle injury
Danny Jones
Wigan Warriors player Bevan French has unfortunately been ruled out for roughly four months following a fairly serious muscle injury.
An important playmaker and cog in the wider team, his absence will surely be felt.
French, 30, is said to have suffered a hamstring tear during the win over Toulouse Olympique this past weekend, and while not as severe as a full rupture, Bevan has now been told by the club he will be sidelined for approximately 16 weeks, according to head coach Matt Peet.
Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester after learning the news, he provided a number of updates from the physio room, including the latest on Jai Field, who French had been filling in for at fullback.
While Wigan are currently leading the Super League once again, they will be without one of their key Warriors with just under a dozen games left in the season.
The Greater Manchester club’s quadruple-winning boss and former Coach of the Year admitted that, despite some obvious disappointments in the immediate aftermath, his “positive” and “philosophical” attitude has already kicked in.
He’s quite philosophical, Bevan. He quickly flips a switch.
“Now he knows the timeframe and the schedule for his recovery, like most professionals, he can get his head down now and focus on the present”, said the 41-year-old.
The Australian stand-off/fly-half has regularly run the show in red and white, and even amid periods out of the squad, he remains an understandable fan favourite and integral part of the team when fit.
You only need to hear pundits and peers alike describing him as a “special” talent to know how much of a big miss he’ll be.
As mentioned, Peet also shed more light on Field, who dropped out with appendicitis last week and is himself set for around four to five weeks away.
For now, youngster Noah Hodkinson is being given the chance to fill the void and work his way into the first team after regularly impressing in the reserves.
Nevertheless, they could have really done with him ahead of their upcoming games.
Domestically, all three of Leeds Rhinos, Warrington Wolves and St Helens aren’t far behind them in the table, so it could prove to be a tasty remainder of the 2026 campaign.
You can watch the highlights from the result against Toulouse on Saturday, 7 March, here.
Danny Jones -
2nd August 2023 
