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Fierce rival Dillian Whyte insists Anthony Joshua still has plenty to offer in the ring despite his devastating fifth-round knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in September.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Whyte, who has a long-standing rivalry with Joshua dating back to their 2015 British title fight, backed the former two-time world champion to bounce back.

“He’s still got a lot left in the tank, and he’s still a big draw,” Whyte said. “As you can see in the fight, he’s still a big puncher. He had Dubois going before Dubois landed the finishing blow.

“It’s hard to say, but he’s young, he’s strong, and he looks in amazing shape. He’s still got a lot of fight left in him.”

Joshua’s defeat to Dubois at Wembley Stadium saw the younger fighter claim the IBF heavyweight title in emphatic style. However, Whyte cautioned against overreacting to a single defeat, especially in the unpredictable world of heavyweight boxing.

“People put too much emphasis on a defeat in heavyweight boxing,” Whyte added.

“That’s why a lot of fights don’t happen. They don’t get made because people focus too much on win, lose, or draw, instead of enjoying two top guys fighting each other. That wasn’t happening a few years ago.”

While talk of a potential rematch with Dubois has surfaced, Joshua is unlikely to return to action as early as February, when Dubois is slated to make his first title defence.

Trainer Tony Sims, who worked with Joshua in the early stages of his professional career, believes the former champion’s next logical step should be a long-awaited clash with Tyson Fury, regardless of Fury’s result against Oleksandr Usyk in December.

“I think the younger ones now, leave them alone. Boxing evolves, like anything in life. The young ones come through. Joshua’s 34, going on 35. He’s been a great champion. You’ve got a young, hungry fighter in Daniel Dubois, and he’s taken that title,” Sims said.

“But the obvious fight is still Tyson Fury versus Joshua, whether Tyson wins or loses against Usyk. That’s still a massive fight. Both of them are older now, but it’s a great fight for both of them and one the fans want to see.”

For Joshua, the road back may be long, but voices like Whyte and Sims suggest his career is far from over.

The final round of the 2019 Masters was magical. With a three-way T2 finish, Xander Schaufeli, Dustin Johnson, and Brooks Koepka were breathing down Tiger Woods‘ neck, having played only 1 stroke more than him. But that day, after a comeback for the ages, Woods lifted the Masters title and was honored with the Green Jacket for the fifth time in his career. But even that wasn’t enough for him to join an elusive list of golfers.

Tiger Woods

The 15-time Major champion is probably as close as any golfer can get to ‘having done it all.’ Well, almost. Because there’s a certain 18-time Major winner who’s right up there with Woods. But unlike him, the only thing ‘honorary’ about Jack Nicklaus‘ relation with the Augusta National Golf Club is the ceremonial tee shot off No. 1 he’s been hitting since 2010.

READ MORE: Tiger Woods Absent From Crucial PGA Tour-PIF Meeting in NYC, Reports Reveal Early Exit After Nexus Cup Sighting

When it comes to Augusta National, both legends have had the most success there – with Nicklaus’ record six Masters titles and Tiger Woods just behind with five. However, that’s not the only area in which the 48-year-old doesn’t have what Nicklaus has in Augusta.

It’s a well-known fact that winning the Masters is a direct ticket to getting an honorary membership of Augusta National (apart from getting the opportunity to play the Masters every year that follows). But when it comes to becoming a full member of the prestigious club, there are only a handful of professional golfers who have those bragging rights. And Jack Nicklaus is one of them (alongside John Harris and 10-time Major winner Annika Sorenstam).

Tiger Woods 

In totality, Augusta National’s membership has been awarded to about 300 individuals so far. Jack Nicklaus became one back in 2000, just one year after 4-time Masters champion Arnold Palmer received it in 1999. Sandwiched between the two greats when it comes to Masters titles, Tiger Woods has still not received his membership card to the elite club. So, what does it take to become a full member?

ALSO READ: Tiger Woods TGL Update: How Does Toptracer Work? Golf Ball Tracking System Unraveled

In the November 9 episode of The Joe Pomp Show on YouTube, Joe Pompeian shared some interesting details about the same. He stated that an individual’s stature, wealth, race, or power does not determine if they deserve an Augusta National membership. Founded in 1932, the club started out as a white, men-only establishment. For almost 60 years, that was the case. But it’s not anymore.

Tiger Woods | Biography, Majors, Masters, Leg Injury, & Facts | Britannica

Shortly after the 1990 Shoal Creek controversy at the PGA Championship, Augusta named Ron Townsend the first Black member of the club. However, there’s one aspect that’s remained the same over the years: The first rule of Augusta’s membership is that you don’t talk about Augusta’s membership.

Pompeian said, “Potential members must be nominated by a current member of the club. You might be one of the best golfers in the world. But that also doesn’t guarantee you access to the historic course… Even a Masters champion like Tiger Woods has only been given honorary status.” And, well, the exclusive list of people who are members definitely aren’t the best golfers, if what Pompeian revealed is anything to go by. Turns out, the average handicap of Augusta National members is 14!

Tiger Woods

Joe clarified that Masters champions can play at the Augusta National whenever they want, and they are free to invite guests to play on the course, too. But he also compared how those with a membership are treated as opposed to those who don’t have one. “Guys like Tiger and Scottie Scheffler still need to pick up their guests at the front gate and their foursome has to include a current member of the club.”

Even after you become a member of the Augusta National, you still have to abide by the rules of the club. The rules range from dress codes and on-course behavior. For example, members are not allowed to wear their hats backward, are not permitted to wear shorts ever, and can’t tip anyone on the property besides the caddies, to name a few.

Tiger Woods | Biography, Majors, Masters, Leg Injury, & Facts | Britannica

That said, while we can’t say if Tiger Woods absolutely wants to become a full member of Augusta National, we can say that the prospect of becoming one would be appealing. But even if that’s not in his cards, the five-time Masters winner can rest assured he can play the course whenever there’s an opening (and share more memories with his son, Charlie, at Augusta). As for Jack Nicklaus, he’s already graced the greens a few times this year.

In an interview with the Palm Beach Post last October, the 18-time Major champion said that he didn’t know when he would play golf again. As much as he would’ve liked to, Nicklaus just didn’t have as much fun as he used to. “I would like to go play again. I play so poorly [now], it’s just really not any fun. And I run out of golf balls,” he said.

 

The Players: Peers, commentators react to Tiger Woods' absence

When he revealed this, the last golf shot he’d hit was the ceremonial tee at the 2023 Masters. However, a year later, after hitting that tee off No. 1 again, the legend stayed put at Augusta after Scottie Scheffler won his second Masters title. And he played three rounds!

As reported by Golf Week, he revealed, “I shot 88, 90 and 91. That’s a 269 for three rounds, which is a pretty good four-round score. That’s what I play anymore. They don’t have any forward tees at Augusta. I can’t play 6,400 yards. I hit the ball 190 yards anymore, if I kill it. I played once last year, once the year before, and I’ve played four times this year already.”

All said and done, do you think Tiger Woods will ever be honored with an Augusta National membership? Let us know your views in the comments.

Tyson Fury versus Daniel Dubois is one potential fight that could be made in 2025.

Right now, Dubois is the IBF champion and the form man in the division. The young Brit has quickly shot up through the ranks and put on three superb performances in his last three outings.

He has secured what many believed to be unlikely wins, all of them by stoppage, first over Jarrell Miller last December, then Fillip Hrgovic in June, and most recently Anthony Joshua in September.

Daniel Dubois 22-2 career boxing record IN FULLThose victories have left him in possession of the IBF title, and now that an immediate rematch with Joshua is off the table, he is looking for potential opponents.

Thought Dubois will make a defence on February 22, he could look to Fury in future if ‘The Gypsy King’ were to beat Oleksandr Usyk in his rematch in December.

The first fight gave Fury the only loss of his career, but should he win he will become a unified three-belt champion, making a contest with Dubois an undisputed battle for all of the honours.

Daniel Dubois and Tyson Fury fight would leave Frank Warren in a 'very,  very awkward position,' says promoter - EurosportSpeaking to Box Nation, former undisputed heavyweight king Lennox Lewis was asked how a fight between the two Brits might go.

Daniel Dubois is the king slayer. You got to give Daniel Dubois his flowers man, he did a great job, he worked hard, sacrificed and did a great job.

“Daniel’s got a lot of confidence right now so when he’s going in there against Fury he’s probably looking to knock out Fury. He’s got to catch him first, he’s not an easy guy to hit so he’s got to work to catch up with Fury.

British heavyweight Anthony Joshua has ascended to third place among boxing’s top earners, following Tyson Fury and Canelo Álvarez.

In his September bout against Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium, Joshua secured a guaranteed £6 million purse, with potential pay-per-view (PPV) revenue possibly elevating his total earnings beyond £25 million if buys reached 850,000.

ANTHONY JOSHUA

Meanwhile, Mexican boxing sensation Canelo Álvarez earned $35 million for defending his undisputed super middleweight title against Jaime Munguia at Las Vegas’s T-Mobile Arena, as reported by boxing journalist Dan Rafael.

Anthony Joshua’s substantial earnings underscore his status as one of boxing’s highest-paid athletes, reflecting the sport’s era of multimillion-dollar bouts and record-breaking contracts.

 

Anthony Joshua‘s much-anticipated rematch with Daniel Dubois has been cast into doubt following his decision to delay his return to the ring.

Still reeling from his September knockout loss to Dubois before a record crowd of 96,000 at Wembley, the 35-year-old heavyweight ace has yet to secure a date for his comeback.

The defeat saw Joshua miss a chance to reclaim the IBF heavyweight title, and fans have been eagerly awaiting details of a rematch, initially expected to take place either in the UK or Saudi Arabia.

ANTHONY JOSHUA

A tentative date of February 22 had been proposed, with boxing promoter Turki Alalshikh backing the event and Dubois keen to defend his title as soon as possible. However, Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has dampened hopes for an early 2025 clash, suggesting that Joshua isn’t likely to return until next summer. Responding to a fan query on Instagram, Hearn said, “He had five fights in 18 months, he will be fine. Back in the summer.”

ANTHONY JOSHUA

The delay has put Dubois’ plans in flux, as he remains eager to stay active. Dubois’ promoter Barry Hearn expressed doubts over an immediate rematch, stating, “I don’t see (AJ) happening next. We’re looking at other options, and we’ll make a decision soon.” Hearn added that Dubois is likely to seek other opponents if Joshua remains unavailable: “We’re in the Daniel Dubois business. He’s the champion, and he wants to be back in the ring by February.”

For now, the future remains uncertain, and fans await confirmation of who will be next to challenge the IBF titleholder.

 

Joshua believes victory over Daniel Dubois at Wembley would finally end the difficult period he has endured since a 2019 loss to Andy Ruiz and a pair of defeats against Oleksandr Usyk.

Anthony Joshua is ready to complete his long road to redemption on Saturday as the former world heavyweight champion eyes Daniel Dubois’s IBF belt.

Joshua believes victory over Dubois at Wembley would finally end the difficult period he has endured since a 2019 loss to Andy Ruiz and a pair of defeats against Oleksandr Usyk.

The 34-year-old Briton will step into the ring on a five-fight winning streak, but insisted he would not be satisfied until he fully erases the bitter taste of his shock loss to Ruiz in New York.

Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois

 

“I became mentally strong when everyone went against me after Ruiz,” said Joshua, who was floored four times before being stopped in the seventh round by the Mexican-American.

“You build up a firm back, a firm chest, strong legs and you walk through it. You walk through walls and you keep proving people wrong.”

British fighter Dubois has the punching power to deny his compatriot’s dream of facing the winner of Usyk’s rematch with Tyson Fury in December.

But Joshua, who is thriving under new trainer Ben Davison, is expected to join Muhammad Ali, Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield by winning a world title for the third time in front of a 96,000 crowd.

RELATED: Reason Why Anthony Joshua Given Ultimatum To Accept Daniel Dubois’ Rematch Offer

“It’s a blessing to be back. What can I say? I don’t even know how it’s come about or why, but I’m the man of the moment and I’m living in it, making the most of it,” he said.

Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois

I’m also here to do a job. I’ve got to go out there and win. I’m ready to rumble and remind everyone what I’m capable of.

“Every fight is a legacy fight for me and this is just another day at the office. I’m going to give it my best. My only message for Daniel is good luck.”

Dubois is on the rise after following up on last year’s defeat to Usyk with victories over Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic.

Now the 27-year-old’s challenge is to prove in the ring that he is a genuine world champion after being given his belt by the IBF when Usyk decided to vacate in June.\

Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois tickets | sale live for Wembley fight |  Radio Times

READ MORE: Eddie Hearn reveals when Anthony Joshua will retire from boxing ahead of his bid to become a three-time world heavyweight champion against Daniel Dubois

“I need to retain this world title. It’s a great thing to have but I need to legitimise myself by winning this fight,” he said.

“It’s my job to do him in and finish him off. Enough of the talking, let’s get down to business. Let’s go to war. He’s going to bring it and I’m going to bring it.”

Anthony Joshua, a former two-time heavyweight world champion, continues to be one of boxing’s most recognizable figures, with a wealth to match his fame. The 35-year-old has built a successful career, earning huge paydays and securing his place among the sport’s highest-paid athletes.

Anthony Joshua’s ambition to become a three-time world champion hit a significant hurdle in September when he suffered a surprising loss to Daniel Dubois. During their IBF heavyweight title clash, Joshua was knocked down four times, a defeat that raised questions about his path forward. Minor injuries are expected to delay his return to the ring, yet his determination to reclaim a world title remains unshaken.

Financially, Joshua’s standing remains strong. In May 2024, Forbes estimated his net worth at $83 million (£64 million), placing him as the 16th highest-paid athlete worldwide this year. He ranks just behind Canelo Alvarez (14th, $85 million) and ahead of British rival Tyson Fury (42nd, $50 million), solidifying his place as one of boxing’s top earners.

anthony joshua

Million-Dollar Paydays and Lifestyle Choices

Throughout his career, Joshua has amassed approximately $75 million from boxing alone, with an additional $8 million from endorsements. His bout with Dubois reportedly earned him a guaranteed £6 million, potentially rising to £25 million with pay-per-view sales. From his two high-profile encounters with Oleksandr Usyk, he earned a combined total of nearly £50 million, taking home £15 million for the first and £32.5 million for the rematch after a 50/50 purse split.

In addition to these earnings, he made around £10 million each for his wins over Jermaine Franklin and Robert Helenius. His 2019 rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr in Saudi Arabia netted him another £50 million. Despite the limited attendance for his 2020 fight with Kubrat Pulev due to COVID-19 restrictions, he still secured a solid £6 million. Before the pandemic, Joshua consistently earned over £10 million per fight, selling out major venues like Wembley and Principality Stadium. Altogether, his boxing earnings are estimated at around £200 million.

Despite this wealth, Joshua chooses to live with his mother, Yeta. In a BBC interview with Louis Theroux, he explained: “I still live with my mum. In our culture, you grow up with your family and support your parents. Why am I gonna move out and leave my mum by herself? For some girl?” He continued, “When a girl gets with me, she ain’t just marrying me; she’s marrying my family.”

anthony joshua

Sponsorship Deals Add to Joshua’s Growing Fortune

Outside the ring, Joshua has forged lucrative partnerships with brands like Under Armour, Hugo Boss, Land Rover, and Jaguar, adding £8.9 million to his income in 2021. His recent exclusive deal with DAZN, valued at around £100 million, commits him to two fights yearly until retirement. Speaking about the deal, he praised DAZN’s innovative approach, saying, “DAZN’s vision and passion to innovate is what attracted me to the partnership.”

In 2020, The Sunday Times Rich List valued Joshua’s net worth at £115 million. Since then, he’s added at least another £100 million to his fortune. With financial gain now his primary motivation, Joshua’s wealth could double or even triple by the time he eventually retires from the sport.

 

In a recent media conference call, the legendary boxing icon and eight-time champion, Floyd Mayweather, alongside Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe, reflected on the monumental fight with Canelo Alvarez. With excitement palpable in the air, Ellerbe set the stage as they discussed what many herald as the most awaited matchup in boxing history.

Starting off, Ellerbe expressed, “Mayweather versus Canelo is a fight that the world has been waiting for. We experienced record-breaking ticket sales, with the initial allocation flying off the shelves in a single day, surpassing Floyd’s previous record against Oscar De La Hoya. Additionally, our closed-circuit seating and movie theater allocations have enjoyed immense success, showcasing fans’ hunger for this clash. Our promotional partnerships with leading sponsors like Corona, AT&T, and Bacardi underscore the event’s unprecedented significance in boxing history.”As the discussion unfolded, Mayweather himself emphasized his gratitude towards the media, fans, and his team, stating, “This fight represents not only my legacy but also a chapter for future fighters. My children are in a position I’ve always wanted for them—wrapped in support and education that I never had. That’s my greatest accomplishment.”

A key moment in the conversation hinged on legacy and the importance of integrity in boxing. Mayweather remarked, “I worked hard to clean up the sport; that means establishing fair play through rigorous testing. I believe every athlete should adopt this ethos, making their surroundings level while competing at the highest level.” He continued to voice commitment to fostering new talent, advocating for a smaller, more focused roster in his promotional endeavors to ensure success and development of each fighter.

On the topic of competitive spirit, Mayweather shared the growth of the sport and the changing landscape for emerging fighters compared to his early career challenges. “Today’s boxers certainly have more avenues. The clutter of titles often misguides fans—one champion should exist per weight class. The reality now is convoluted, and we need to reevaluate what’s truly happening in boxing.”

The interview also touched on protocol ahead of the upcoming fight, with Mayweather addressing preparation, the atmosphere surrounding the mega event, and his thoughts on referee Kenny Bayless. Mayweather noted, “Kenny’s a great referee who understands how to allow fighters to shine. We need to focus and deliver an exciting match for our fans. Regardless of the pressure, it’s all about giving them a show they won’t forget.”

In a poignant moment, he reflected on his career’s trajectory and the mental landscape heading into this fight. “Age brings wisdom, and I’ve learned when to be assertive and when to temper my approach. I think the fans appreciate my evolution, and I aim to showcase that growth in the ring.”As the roundtable came to a close, Mayweather summed up the anticipation surrounding his face-off against Canelo. He highlighted, “This isn’t just another bout; this is a crossroads for boxing—two undefeated champions clashing. The world has been waiting—tune in, as the next chapter in boxing history is about to unfold.”

Fans worldwide are braced for the high-stakes battle, with confidence that the two rivals will deliver a fierce yet respectful competition, solidifying their statuses in the sport’s pantheon. The glory of Mayweather and Canelo awaits the ring’s embrace.

 

 

 

Failing to accept the offer would mean Anthony Joshua forfeits his opportunity to reclaim the championship belts that he lost after a surprising defeat to the young heavyweight in September at Wembley Stadium.

Nigerian-born British heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua has been given a strict 48-hour ultimatum to accept a highly anticipated rematch against Daniel Dubois, set for February.

Failing to accept the offer would mean Anthony Joshua forfeits his opportunity to reclaim the championship belts that he lost after a surprising defeat to the young heavyweight in September at Wembley Stadium.

In that shocking bout, Dubois, who is just 27 years old, sent Joshua to the canvas four times before his corner decided to throw in the towel during the fifth round. This loss for Joshua was particularly harrowing, occurring in front of a massive crowd of 96,000 fans at Wembley.

Initially, plans were set for a rematch to take place in Saudi Arabia next February. However, Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has voiced concerns that the timeline for a rematch may be too ambitious given the circumstances surrounding Joshua’s previous performance.

Frank Warren, Dubois’ promoter, is pushing for a swift resolution and has made it clear that if Joshua does not respond within the next 48 hours, the rematch would likely be off the table.

Warren expressed his urgency when speaking to iFLTV, stating, “Unless AJ gets back to us in the next 48 hours, yes,” in response to whether the rematch was in jeopardy.

Warren is eager to announce the fight and hopes to have clarity by tomorrow, even hinting that there may be no progress on the matter for at least another week after that.

Meanwhile, Barry Hearn, the father of Joshua’s promoter, offered his perspective on the impending rematch. He believes that, with a different strategy, Joshua could potentially find success against Dubois in a second encounter.

However, he also cautioned against hasty decisions, advocating for a more measured approach. “I think Dubois is dangerous, and he’s going to be super confident after the last job. I still believe AJ would probably beat him in a rematch if he boxed differently, but that’s just my opinion,” he told The Mirror.

The famous Iron Mike was a box office magnet in each of his fights since he was champion.

Mike Tyson and otherworldly earnings for his time

Throughout his professional career, Mike Tyson was that box office magnet that boxing needed, and which made Don King and several of his trainers tremendously rich. With earnings close to 500 million dollars in his career thanks to fights, the 58-year-old boxer proved to be a great candidate in his prime. He filled stadiums and achieved great deals for his promoters. Fans also flocked to the stadiums to see him put on a show; the figures also back up these claims.

 

Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson

Mike Tyson and his million-dollar PPVs

Mike Tyson was famous for taking out his rivals in the early rounds, but that did not affect his box office magnetism, both in the arenas and on pay-per-view. One of the first fights on the list that was a resounding success was when Iron Mike fought Bruce Seldon in 1996 with the WBA heavyweight title at stake.

It ended with a first-round knockout and 1.15 million PPV buys, but the fight is most famous for being one of the last public appearances of Tupac Shakur.

Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson: How to watch in the UK and US | DAZN News GB

The New York native defended his title against Frank Bruno in 1989 and there we saw an inexplicable combination of 13 punches in the third round and sent his opponent to the canvas. It produced 1.37 PPV purchases. Tyson would then do better on the economic front when he returned from his four-year layoff after serving a prison sentence. The Brooklyn native’s return to the ring after a prolonged absence created a buzz and interest among fans to see if Tyson was still at his former level.

Iron Mike’s return to the ring made it clear that he was far from dropping his magnet for PPV and he fought Peter McNeeley and grossed 1.55 million pay-per-view. This comeback fight grossed more than $96 million worldwide, including a record $63 million in the U.S. for television.

It set records for both viewership and PPV revenue. One of the most important fights of Tyson’s career was against Evander Holyfield, when he put his titles on the line. Holyfield rose to the challenge and his aggressiveness handed Tyson his second defeat. The fight offered fireworks for the fans, and the same was reflected in the PPV figures, which recorded 1.59 million PPVs.

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