Tommy Fury and KSI meet this weekend on a huge night for influencer boxing in Manchester.

On a card that also features a heated showdown between Logan Paul and Dillon Danis in the co-main event, Fury will seek to silence his rival after months of verbal insults between the two and a week’s worth of chaos leading up to fight night.

Fury has already beaten one prominent influencer in Jake Paul this year, edging a split decision win in Saudi Arabia in February. This will be KSI’s first fight against a ‘legitimate’ professional boxer, with the former Love Island star determined to defend the family name.

Here, some of the biggest names in boxing past and present give their predictions ahead of fight night.

David Haye – former heavyweight champion

‘I think KSI beats him. Everybody just believes Tommy’s so much better.

‘The best name on his record is Jake Paul, and that was a close fight in which he got knocked down. So it’s not like he has this depth of experience.

‘I think everybody’s overrating Tommy and very much underrating KSI, and that gives KSI a massive advantage. I believe it’s gonna be a big shock.’

Verdict? KSI win

Anthony Joshua – two-time heavyweight champion

‘Tommy Fury vs. KSI, it’s a real 50/50 fight.

‘I would sway towards KSI, but then if I value experience, I think Tommy should pull it off because he’s coming from a fighting family, but KSI’s been banging people out though.

‘He beat Logan Paul who’s big and strong, went the rounds with Mayweather as well Logan did. It’s a real 50/50 fight, for this one I’m sitting on the fence.’

Verdict? On the fence

Tony Bellew – former cruiserweight champion

‘I think this will be the hardest fight of his career because JJ (KSI) has something about him where he will just let his hands go,’ said Bellew, as per the Express.

‘Jake Paul wouldn’t let his hands go but I think KSI will. So while I’m predicting a win for Tommy Fury, it’s not with any real certainty. It’s only a six-round fight, so I think they might both just let their hands go.’

Verdict? Fury win

Amir Khan – former world champion

‘He [Fury] comes from a boxing family, he’s a better fighter and he’s got the power and the skill-set to knock out these influencers.

‘I think it’s a miss-match because he’s the fighter that has been doing this since he was young. The influencers are going to get hurt one day when they’re taking big fights against proper boxers.’

Verdict? Fury win

Jake Paul – Fury’s last opponent

‘I think he’s going to get knocked out by Tommy in less than five rounds.

‘I mean [KSI] is doing these gimmick WWE fights up until now. Tommy is his first real test, but who knows, he might throw an elbow on Tommy, too.’

Verdict? Fury win

Ricky Hatton – former world champion

‘At the end of the day, Tommy is the professional boxer and KSI and Jake Paul are YouTubers. I certainly expect Tommy to win. I trained with Tommy for a fair bit and he’s very talented, very good. I watched a bit of footage of KSI and it’s the first time I had seen him. He’s a little bit all over the show and that could cause Tommy a few problems but I can’t honestly see anything other than a Tommy Fury win and coming through.

‘He’s got very good boxing skills and KSI might cause a headache over the first couple of rounds but ultimately when it comes to boxing skills Tommy has got the better ability.’

Verdict? Fury win

Derek Chisora – heavyweight contender

‘This fight, I see a knockout. I see the knockout coming for my friend JJ. He’s got more power in both hands than before.’

Verdict? KSI win

Frazer Clarke – heavyweight contender

‘I think KSI will struggle on Saturday night. But his best chance in this fight is the fact that he is still a novice, still very unorthodox in his style. If I was him or a member of his team, I would be telling him not to try and outbox this guy, keep doing the things you aren’t usually meant to do in a boxing ring, be unorthodox, hit him wherever and whenever you can.

‘Tommy is a far superior boxer but I am not sure if he is as fit as KSI because those boys train ridiculously hard.

‘His engine won’t be a problem, but maybe the skill level and experience will come into it. Tommy will need to put him in his place.’

Verdict? Fury win

Result? Fury 5-2 KSI

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Jake Paul has offered to step in and replace his brother Logan on late notice in his fight against Dillon Danis this weekend.

WWE star Logan and MMA fighter Danis will meet in the boxing ring on Saturday night as the co-main event alongside KSI vs Tommy Fury in Manchester.

During a wild press conference on Thursday, the two traded insults before clashing on stage.

Paul appeared to throw a bottle at his opponent with Danis responding by hitting his rival with a microphone, causing a cut on Paul’s face.

Paul was also struck by a bottle seemingly thrown by a member of Danis’ team in the aftermath and was seen bleeding from his cheek as security escorted him off stage.

The cut prompted concerns Saturday’s fight could be called off, speculation fuelled when Danis was later seen in a face-off with Mike Perry, a stand-in opponent for the weekend.

Paul shared a photo showing a still visible cut with his right cheek swollen but insisted the fight will go ahead as planned.

But if needed, his brother Jake, who will be ringside in Manchester, says he is ready to jump in.

‘I will always have my brother’s back. I chose not to respond to the puppet’s countless tweets as it would only amplify his harassment. But make no mistake, if Logan needed me to step in, I would take great joy in knocking that maggot out. See you soon,’ he wrote on social media.

Paul, 26, suffered a split decision defeat to Fury in Saudi Arabia in February but returned to winning ways with a points with over UFC legend Nate Diaz in August.

The build-up to Saturday’s card has been chaotic this week with KSI and Fury clashing at an open workout event on Wednesday. John Fury, Tommy’s father and trainer, threw a bottle at the influencer who appeared to spit at the pair in response.

KSI and Fury were kept separated in a cage during their press conference face-off on Thursday with Fury Snr also joining the party, throwing punches at the glass separating the fighters and chucking in a headbutt for good measure.

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In his latest column, the former Olympian and heavyweight contender gives his take on Josh Warrington’s stoppage defeat to Leigh Wood and casts an eye over Tommy Fury vs KSI in Manchester this weekend.

It’s not boxing, but we can still be entertained

KSI vs Tommy Fury takes centre stage this weekend. I have had a lot to say about this side of the boxing game in the past. This side of it, it is the entertainment business and when we take it for what it is, you can enjoy it.

I have been around KSI in the gym and I know Tommy has boxed for a long time. From everyone I have seen in this influencer or YouTuber scene, they all train very hard but KSI trains extremely hard. He is extremely professional when it comes to putting the work in with a really good team around him. So I can credit him for that, I have seen him in those gruelling sessions.

It is not boxing, it is entertainment and as long as it is portrayed in the right light, I am okay with it. And if it continues to bring more eyes to the sport, fantastic. I will give these two credit because they are clearly taking it seriously in their training.

My prediction

I think KSI will struggle on Saturday night. But his best chance in this fight is the fact that he is still a novice, still very unorthodox in his style. If I was him or a member of his team, I would be telling him not to try and outbox this guy, keep doing the things you aren’t usually meant to do in a boxing ring, be unorthodox, hit him wherever and whenever you can.

Tommy is a far superior boxer but I am not sure if he is as fit as KSI because those boys train ridiculously hard. His engine won’t be a problem, but maybe the skill level and experience will come into it. Tommy will need to put him in his place.

Danis vs Paul build-up: It’s got ugly

The build-up to Dillon Danis vs Logan Paul in the co-main event has got a bit ugly. I have seen some of it from Danis, plenty has been below the belt and right over the top. Things like that go past boxing and it could see things turn daft. These guys come with 30 or 40 people in tow, that could get messy. If they need me, they can give me a call and I’ll get the old security badge back out and sort everyone out!

But I can see that one getting very daft. It is what separates it from boxing and gives it that WWE feel. Logan is literally a WWE superstar so he’ll be used to it and you never know, this whole thing could have been scripted to get the viewing numbers in.

But if I’m in that situation and someone is talking that way about my missus, whether there is a fight happening or not, I’m taking that up with them straight away when I see them at the press conference or weigh-in. There could be fireworks before the opening bell.   

Warrington should have been allowed to fight on

Leigh Wood vs Josh Warrington certainly delivered last weekend, it was a world class fight and what a finish. At the time, I didn’t see it coming but it was something we knew could happen, that is what Leigh can do. He has world class power and timing. He clearly wasn’t performing how he wanted to. I was very impressed with Warrington and it showed there are still huge nights ahead for him.

In the build-up there was a  talk over whether he might retire if he lost this one but that performance shows he can still go out there and beat a lot of top fighters at world level. He still has plenty in the tank at that level and his popularity ain’t going away. He’s an exciting fighter and is still a promoter’s dream. I would love to see him back at this level again.

Josh felt he should have been allowed to continue when the fight was waved off at the end of the seventh round. I’m a big fan of the great boxing days of the 80s and 90s. I think you have to give every fighter every opportunity. I know how people look at it now, if the decision is one second too late you can be in trouble. But it was the end of the round, there was a minute to recover. These are prize fighters.

At that level, let fighters try and achieve greatness. But the referee is closer to it than any of us were and he saw something we didn’t. You have to trust their judgment. I would have liked for Josh to be given the minute to try and recover. But it is tough for referees, they are damned if they do, damned if they don’t in that situation.

Wood’s dream run will continue

For Leigh Wood, he is now in a really good position. He has done things the hard way, learned his trade and is now reaping the rewards. He is a true example to a lot of fighters; keep going, keep doing what you do and you will get to where you want to me.

Personally, I think the weight was an issue for him. It didn’t seem like he had the energy and sharpness for it and he seemed to be half a second slower than Warrington.

It would be a great decision to go up to super-featherweight and take on Joe Cordina. Joe is my man, I’ll back him to the death but that would be a great fight, in Cardiff or Nottingham.

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KSI has played down the severity of Logan Paul’s cut after he was hit in the face by a microphone thrown by Dillon Danis.

Paul was left with blood running from his cheek after Danis threw a microphone at his face after a heated end to their press conference on Thursday.

The 28-year-old now has just 48 hours for his injury to heal before he faces Danis in the ring at the Manchester Arena on Saturday night.

Many boxers have pulled out of fights due to cuts and injuries suffered close to the contest.

However, KSI is adamant that Paul will be fit to face Danis on Saturday evening.

‘Logan’s good, I went to go see him and he’s all good,’ KSI said after the brawl.

‘He’s still ready to fight, if anything he’s very angry and can’t wait to get his hands on Dillon.’

Asked about the severity of Paul’s cut, KSI replied: ‘It’s just like a little bump.

‘Obviously there’s a little something but he’ll be fine.’

KSI also hit out at John Fury after he repeatedly punched the plastic glass which separated him and his opponent Tommy Fury during the press conference.

‘It’s annoying, I was actually having a good, civilised chat with Tommy,’ KSI said.

‘Then obviously his dad is just annoying, just constant barking, repeatedly.

‘I don’t know, it ruins it for me as well, it is what it is, it doesn’t matter, as long as I get to be in the ring with him, Tommy Fury, and knock him out, that’s all that matters.’

When asked about his decision to spit his chewing gum at John Fury during Wednesday’s event, KSI said: ‘Yeah, I spat my chewing gum at him,

‘I thought, ‘don’t you dare throw something at me, don’t disrespect me’. If you disrespect me I’ll disrespect you too.’

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Tommy Fury has slammed KSI for the chaotic scenes that erupted during Wednesday’s open workout and branded him ‘classless’ for spitting in the direction of father John Fury.

Tensions threatened to boil over when Fury Snr hurled a bottle in the direction of the YouTuber, who was berating his upcoming opponent from a balcony above, and KSI responded by spitting down towards the 59-year-old and other members of the Fury entourage.

Tommy missed the spit at the time but has now hit out at KSI and believes his behaviour is a sign that he is getting rattled ahead of Saturday’s bout.

Asked about the incident between his father and KSI, Tommy told Furocity: ‘I mean, yeah, I’ve seen it for myself now.

‘You know what surprises me, these YouTubers they’ve got loads and loads of kids that look up to them and admire them, they’re the perfect role models and whatever.

‘Yet you’ve got KSI spitting over a balcony at a man who’s twice his age, his elder. Now you should respect your elders, have less to say.

‘But I don’t understand [why people look up to him]. It shows where the world is going when kids are looking up to people like that. Spitting over a balcony.’

‘Honestly, if he’d have spat on my dad right, and that had landed on his forehead, I’m telling you now everyone would have been going down until my dad got to KSI.

‘There would have been no-one to stop him. He’d have hit everybody in his path, I’m telling you now.

‘That would have been awful. But at the end of the day, it’s just scruffy isn’t it? There’s no class, no professionalism. It’s just scruffy, it’s just a scruffy thing to do.

‘But that shows where his mental state is. He’s mentally gone. I think I’ve really got into his head because most of his opponents – well, all of his opponents – they go back and forth with him, they play his games, they’re in that little war.

‘But I tell you what, silence is golden – and that’s all he’s had out of me for the whole camp: silence. And it’s confused him. He can’t get my name out of his mouth, he keeps on talking and talking.

‘But now I’ve not played to his game and his arse his going like this [twitching] now and he’s acting like that because he’s only got three days and he’s in for it.’

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John Fury launched a bottle at KSI as more chaos erupted between the two ahead of the fight against Tommy Fury this weekend.

Both camps were in attendance at an open workout on Wednesday with KSI seen berating his opponent from a stage above them during a sit-down interview.

Fury Snr quickly got involved, hurling a bottle which narrowly missed at the influencer. Footage appears to show KSI spitting down at his opponent’s father in response.

There was more drama when Fury Snr attempted to square up to a man identified as Greg Paul, the father of Logan and Jake Paul.

Greg Paul appeared to laugh off the incident but security quickly intervened with Fury Snr attempting to fight his way through to confront him.

The Fury family have clashed with the Pauls in recent years with Tommy scoring a huge win over Jake in their fight in February.

Logan Paul meanwhile is part of the weekend card in Manchester, taking on Dillon Danis.

Tommy and his father were seen leaving the venue shortly after. Asked what had happened between him and KSI, Fury Snr responded: ‘I don’t like idiots, I don’t suffer fools.’

Fury Snr ran riot at a press conference announcing his son’s fight in August, kicking over tables with security again involved as he tried to get his hands on KSI.

All parties will be in attendance at a final press conference on Thursday, with Fury Snr warning there will be even more mayhem.

‘He’s getting paid plenty of money. It’s a good job, because believe me, he’s got to come and do a press conference in Manchester, can you imagine what that’s going to be like? He’s going to have security around him, isn’t he?’ Fury told Metro.co.uk.

‘Even then you won’t stop me from getting up. Come Manchester, whatever press conference we’re doing there, if he’s on his best behaviour, and he watches his P’s and Q’s, I’ll do the same.

‘But the minute they try and try to get one over on a Fury, I’m gonna erupt, proper.’

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John Fury has promised more chaos when his son Tommy and KSI meet in their final pre-fight press conference in Manchester this week.

In August, Fury Snr ran riot at a press conference announcing the fight, sparking a wild melee after kicking over tables and trashing the set with security swarming the stage to hold back the 59-year-old as he tried get his hands on his son’s opponent.

Fury and KSI headline Saturday’s card but before then, there will be the opportunity for more mayhem at final media events this week with their weigh-in pencilled in for this Friday.

Following the bedlam in August, it was later revealed that comments from KSI about Tyson Fury, Tommy’s half-brother, sparked the drama with John Fury admitting he ‘let some kids wind me up’ once the dust had settled.

Fury Snr, who serves as Tommy’s trainer, is hoping for a more cordial affair this week in front of the media but warns if KSI and his team try to incite another brawl, he will be the first one to get involved.

‘He’s getting paid plenty of money. It’s a good job, because believe me, he’s got to come and do a press conference in Manchester, can you imagine what that’s going to be like? He’s going to have security around him, isn’t he?’ Fury told Metro.co.uk on behalf of FreeBets.com.

‘Even then you won’t stop me from getting up. Come Manchester, whatever press conference we’re doing there, if he’s on his best behaviour, and he watches his P’s and Q’s, I’ll do the same. But the minute they try and try to get one over on a Fury, I’m gonna erupt, proper.’

He continued: ‘I know more about fighting and violence than him. I’d probably just pick him up, fire him into the crowd like a paper aeroplane. I’d pick him up in the end, fire him up in the air like a paper aeroplane because one of my arms is bigger than KSI. 

‘But listen, the kid ain’t gonna do that. The kid’s not stupid. They’re not stupid people. Like I’m not stupid. Things do get out of hand. But that takes two to tango. Always remember that. If they want a problem, it’s because they’re inciting it too. And if I think they’re inciting something, I’m gonna meet them head on with it.’

Tommy Fury is 9-0 as a professional, now part of the influencer boxing scene having secured a split decision win over Jake Paul in February.

A rematch could still be on the cards while Jake’s brother Logan, who fights Dillon Danis on the same card, remains another option for Fury beyond Saturday night.

‘We’re not looking at UFC fighters at the minute, let’s get this fight with KSI out the way and then we’ll look at potential opponents and who makes business sense,’ Fury Snr said when asked what is next for his son.

‘If the money’s right, we look it at, but Tommy is still very young. He’s only recently turned 24 and he’s got his whole life and career ahead of him. People forget how young he is.

‘There are plenty of names out there already, Jake Paul, his brother Logan being two, but we’re not planning that far ahead.’

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Tommy Fury and KSI are set to face off in a boxing match that will surely be one of the most watched of the year.

The Prime energy drink founder, 30, and Love Island star, 24, will take part in an epic bout in Manchester this weekend.

Both Tommy and KSI are undefeated in the ring, though the latter has less experience in the pro ranks compared to his opponent.

It comes as KSI had his TKO win against Joe Fournier overturned to a ‘no decision’ result with replays questioning the knockout blow.

Tommy, meanwhile, takes part in the fight following his split-decision win against controversial YouTube personality Jake Paul earlier this year.

If you’re gearing up to watch the two boxing titans exchange blows in the right, here’s everything you need to know about KSI vs Tommy Fury including the start time, undercard, and how you can watch at home.

What time does KSI vs Tommy Fury start?

KSI and Tommy Fury will fight at Manchester’s AO Arena on Saturday, October 14.

It is a co-main event which will also see Logan Paul fight against Dillon Danis, a former teammate of UFC icon Conor McGregor.

The undercard is due to begin at 7pm BST, which translates to 11am Pacific Time, and 2pm Eastern Time.

The ringwalks for KSI vs Fury is then scheduled to get underway at around 11:25pm.

Who is on the undercard?

As well as Paul’s first bout since 2021, there are a number of eagerly-anticipated matches to look forward to on the KSI vs Tommy Fury undercard.

Undefeated social media boxer Slim Albaher will face off against Slim Papi, with the latter’s former opponent Anthony Taylor also on the bill and set to fight King Kenny.

Whindersson Nunes and My Mate Nate kick off the undercard action which will also see a tag team fight between Wassabi Lmao and Los Pineda Coladas.

What are the current odds for the fight?

According to the bookies Tommy Fury is odds-on to emerge victorious, with odds of just 1-3, according to Coral.

KSI is 5-2 to take top honours, while it’s 12-1 that the match will end in a draw.

‘Given his record and background in boxing, Tommy Fury is a warm favourite to keep up his 100% record this weekend,’ said Coral’s John Hill.

‘However, we have seen plenty of support for KSI, as many punters believe he will cause an upset in Manchester.’

How can you watch the fight?

The fight will air live via DAZN pay-per-view which will cost £19.99 in the UK.

Buyers must also purchase a DAZN subscription to buy the PPV, which costs £1 for the first month.

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Brian ‘BoMac’ McIntyre, the trainer of boxers Chris Eubank Jr and Terence Crawford, has been handed a 20-month suspended prison sentence after pleading guilty to gun charges at Manchester Crown Court on Monday.

The American was arrested by armed police in on 3 September at Manchester Airport, the day after masterminding Eubank Jr’s superb victory over Liam Smith the previous night.

Security officials found a gun and ammunition in his luggage ahead of his flight back to Atlanta after his luggage was scanned. The alarm was raised with the trainer arrested in the Terminal 2 departure lounge.

He was subsequently remanded in custody until his court appearance after being charged with possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition for a firearm without a certificate.

McIntyre has now avoided jail time after Monday’s ruling where a number of character witnesses spoke in his defence, including his world champion fighter Crawford.

McIntyre is widely regarded as one of boxing’s best trainers with many tipping him to be crowned Trainer of the Year after a superb 2023.

In addition to Eubank Jr, ‘BoMac’ is the long-time trainer and friend of Crawford, who dominated rival Errol Spence Jr to unify the welterweight division and cement his status as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the sport.

Eubank Jr lost his first fight against Smith in January, knocked out in the fourth round.

Roy Jones Jr, who trained the Brighton fighter that night, was prepared to throw in the towel just as the referee stopped the contest, a decision that dismayed Eubank Jr with the two parting ways later in the year.

Eubank Jr then linked up with McIntyre, turning in perhaps the most polished performance of his professional career under his guidance to avenge his defeat.

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In his latest column, the former Olympian and heavyweight contender reacts to news of Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk finally being agreed and looks ahead to a firefight between Leigh Wood and Josh Warrington this weekend.

Wood vs Warrington a world class fight

Leigh Wood puts his WBA featherweight title on the line against Josh Warrington in Sheffield on Saturday and I am confident that will be an absolute cracker.

I think both of them are better fighters than they were a year ago, just simply because of the calibre of opponent they have been up against. Both have been in there with real killers which I think makes them better.

Josh had that brilliant knockout win against Kiko Martinez but then came up short against Luis Alberto Lopez – and we now know how good he is. Leigh lost the title but was absolutely brilliant in winning it back against that monster Mauricio Lara.

This one will catch alight; they have been in there dealing with massive punchers. I think Leigh is a bigger puncher than Josh but you could flip a coin for the winner. It is a world class fight, no doubt.

There has been a bit of speculation about the futures of both fighters if they were to lose. But you can never say if a fighter is looking at the end of his career until the fight is done. If you have a 12 round war where both box brilliantly and one just edges it, the other is still in a great position.

But given the stages both men find themselves in their careers, they are looking for that big unification fight next. They both want to box at the top table and the other who doesn’t win will need to look elsewhere. But we like it when there’s a lot on the line. The loser isn’t necessary done but it will depend on the manner in which they lose.

Fight prediction

I just think Leigh Wood has come on so much. That last win over Lara and the momentum he has from that, I think he would be confident against anyone in the world right now.

I’ll go with Wood to get the win but it is a hard night’s work. Josh is a great fighter, I struggle to pick a winner but I think he champion edges it.

No more obstacles to Fury vs Usyk?

At long last, there was a breakthrough with Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk with their fight announced last week. We are still waiting on a date and I hope this announcement wasn’t just something to shut everyone up. I hope it wasn’t another teaser. I want to believe it is on.  

We know Tyson Fury has the tendency to be a bit tongue-in-cheek when talking about who he wants to fight and who he doesn’t, but now he is in a position where he sees Usyk there for the taking. I think it happens but I hope nothing gets in the way of it now.

Dubois scare will have encouraged Fury

Will watching Daniel Dubois have some joy against Usyk have helped help the timing of all this? Possibly. I think Fury will take a lot from that although we can’t judge Usyk from that one performance either – despite what happened in that fifth round he still went onto take care of business. But Fury will certainly take something from what happened in Poland.

Of course, he has to deal with Francis Ngannou first. You have to give these people their respect. I saw a picture of Ngannou and his height surprised me, he is not as big as a I thought he was. You wonder how he even gets close to him.

‘Tyson’s job here is to look good, be effective and put him in his place which I think he will be able to do at any point. Of course, he has to remember what is coming back because these boys can hit and all it takes is that one punch.

In all honestly, Ngannou shocking the world is the last thing we need! That is why the Fury vs Usyk announcement was quite surprising, I thought the announcement would be after the fight in October. But they have gone with it early because they are confident with Tyson and so they should be.

Time goes quick when you are a boxer and what we want to see his activity. Fury will train for the Ngannou fight and he might have to go straight back into camp. I am sure Usyk had a little break but is probably ticking over again now.

The talk is the fight is happening in December, just before Christmas. If that happens it would be fantastic but that is a bit too quick for me, I don’t think that should be the timeframe.

A bad night for Jeamie TKV as Opetaia makes huge statement

I was at the BOXXER show last Saturday watching on as Jeamie TKV took a loss against Igor Macedo. It just went to underline the difference in levels between us right now.

There was a lot of talk from him and his team saying they want me next. Every interview leading up to the fight was about me. I have probably been there in that position before in my career as an amateur and have learned my lesson the hard way.

The no1 lesson is concentrate on what is front of you. You can’t be looking two steps ahead because you might not get there. Take care of your own business. He didn’t win one second of any of the rounds on Saturday. We are in the same division but we are not really rivals.

But I hope he can rebuild. I have suffered a lot of cuts in my day but that one he suffered was one of the worst I have seen in a long time. But I wish him best in his recovery.

Jai Opetaia made a serious statement with his knockout win over Jordan Thompson. This sport is one that gives opportunities to those that deserve it and Jordan Thompson, Tony Sims and the team all worked their socks off to get him there. He dared to be great. But there are levels in boxing.

Opetaia is a level above. from his attitude to the skill he shows, he is the fight for anyone in the division, the man to beat. The Chris Billam-Smith fight would be a great fight. That division is one where they can all box each other, there shouldn’t be too many politics involved.

But off that performance, the Australian is the man to beat.

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Carl Frampton believes there is a ‘good chance’ Josh Warrington will walk away from boxing if he loses to Leigh Wood this weekend.

Warrington takes on WBA featherweight champion Wood on Saturday night in a huge domestic dust-up in Sheffield that will have major ramifications for both men.

Warrington, 32, secured his first world title by beating Frampton on an electric night in Manchester in 2018, making two defences of the belt before vacating in 2021 under pressure from sanctioning bodies. Shortly after, he was on the end of a devastating knockout defeat to Mauricio Lara.

Warrington reclaimed the IBF belt after stopping Kiko Martinez in March last year but suffered defeat against another heavy-handed Mexican in Luis Alberto Lopez in December to lose the title again.

Having gone 30-0 during a thrilling rise to the top of the division, the Leeds fighter has won just one of his last four fights. His rematch against Lara in September 2021 was stopped in the second round and declared a draw after a clash of heads.

Wood’s rise during that same period has been spectacular. After moving from British title challenger to world champion in five months, he was stopped in his tracks in February, with Lara again coming to these shores to knock out a UK fighter.

Wood’s response was magnificent, immediately taking the rematch and outclassing the Mexican to reclaim his title in May.

The two boxing sons of their respective cities of Leeds and Nottingham, Warrington vs Wood promises the same thrilling atmosphere that accompanied Frampton’s famous battle with the former five years ago.

That night marked the second defeat of Frampton’s career. The two-weight world champion fought just three more times after that, defeated in one last hurrah up at super-featherweight against Jamel Herring before retiring in April 2021.

Frampton, whose autobiography was released this week, sees similarities to where he was in his career that night in Manchester and where Warrington is now and believes time may now be catching up on his old rival.

‘I don’t think there is a massive favourite but I think Wood’s freshness is enough to get him a win,’ Frampton told Metro.co.uk.

‘I really respect Josh and his dad [Warrington’s trainer, Sean O’Hagan] but Josh looks to be at the stage of his career that I was when I going in to fight him going in towards the back end.

‘I am not saying I was finished or he is finished, but maybe slightly past our best. I just fancy Leigh for those reasons.

‘When you’re in wars, it can almost be an overnight thing, from turning in a decent performance to being done just like that. I am not saying that is the case, but it slows you up when you spar hard and fight hard like Josh does. There is only a certain shelf life you are able to do that for.’

A win for either man will surely set up a unification bout against one of the division’s other champions with Rey Vargas the reigning WBC king and Robeisy Ramirez holding the WBO title. Lopez, the man who dethroned Warrington and knocked out Michael Conlan in May, remains in possession of the IBF belt.

Warrington has long dreamed of delivery a big boxing away day to his army of supporters, eager to replicate Ricky Hatton in bringing his mob to Las Vegas for a huge title fight.

That dream will likely rest on beating Wood, with Frampton, who had a similar experience when he won his second world title in New York against Leo Santa Cruz in 2016, hoping he can deliver that.

‘Josh has had an unbelievable career. I think if he loses, there is a good chance he walks away. He has got young kids, he has made enough money and could walk away happy and confident with what he has achieved in the sport.

‘There is one thing that would keep Josh around if he did lose and that would be a fight in the US. I know he has wanted that for a while and I would love for him to get that. Beat Leigh Wood and then go and unify against someone in America and bring your crazy Leeds fans to the States.

‘I would like that to happen for him because he has always wanted that.’

My Autobiography by Carl Frampton by Carl Frampton with Paul D. Gibson is available to buy now (Merrion Press, £21.99).

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Carl Frampton insists Conor Benn should not have been allowed to return to the boxing ring last month and believes the welterweight star has been ‘poorly advised’.

Benn, 27, made a lowkey return to action in Florida at the end of September, getting an unanimous decision win over Rodolfo Orozco.

It was his first fight since the lifting of a provisional ban which came as a result of two positive VADA (Voluntary Anti-Doping Association) drug tests that saw his grudge match against Chris Eubank Jr fall though just days before the opening bell last October.

While Benn secured a licence with the Texas State Athletic Commission enabling him to fight in the US, the subject of his return has been debated.

Benn has persistently denied any wrongdoing and was cleared by the World Boxing Council earlier this year.

In August, the independent National Anti-Doping Panel issued a ruling to lift his suspension. However, the British Boxing Board of Control and UK Anti-Doping have lodged an appeal against that decision.

Benn is free to fight outside of the UK with his promoter Eddie Hearn now working on a deal to revive the Eubank Jr fight before the end of the year.

But two-weight world champion Frampton believes Benn and Hearn and been operating in boxing’s ‘grey areas’ with the ongoing situation reflecting the current malaise British boxing find itself in.

‘I don’t think he should be fighting,’ Frampton told Metro.co.uk.

‘But there are these grey areas where he can just be applying for a different licence. But I don’t think that is right, I think he should clear his name [in the UK] before he does it.

‘But it shows the shambles our sport is in when Conor Benn, formerly a British Boxing Board of Control licenced fighter who has been told he can’t box with the British Boxing Board of Control, can just go and get a licence elsewhere. It is mental it can happen.

‘It has been handled very badly and Conor Benn has been advised very badly as well. It is another mess in this sport and there will be plenty more of them.’

Benn had been enjoying a sensational rise in the sport in the two-year period prior to last October’s drama. As an emerging talent, he was dropped twice in the opening round of his 11th professional fight by little known French fighter Cedrick Peynaud before clinching a decision win.

An explosive first-round knockout win over Samuel Vargas in April 2021 accelerated his rise, breaking down the experienced and tough Adrian Granados before adding two more swift knockouts to his highlight reel against former world champion Chris Algieri and Chris van Heerden.

‘He was someone I praising at every opportunity,’ Frampton said. ‘He was improving so much, from getting knocked down against the French journeyman to putting away good operators. The transition from that was outstanding. I often said he was the most improved fighter on the planet.’

While not agreeing with the decision to bring Benn back at this stage, Frampton does have some sympathy for the Ilford fighter.

‘I was shocked to be honest when it came out. He has probably been getting more stick than any other [fighter in his position] just because of the way it has been handled.

‘A lot of it is down to themselves but he has taken a fair bit of flack. To even be able to train with all this going on… he is a pretty mentally strong kid and I still do think he is a good fighter.’

My Autobiography by Carl Frampton by Carl Frampton with Paul D. Gibson is available to buy now (Merrion Press, £21.99).

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Anthony Joshua has defended Dillon Danis after the MMA fighter’s persistent social media attacks on Logan Paul’s fiancée Nina Agdal.

Paul and Danis will meet in the boxing ring in Manchester on 14 October, sharing a card with Tommy Fury who takes on KSI on the same night.

In the months leading up the fight, Danis has been relentlessly trolling his rival with social media posts targeting Agdal, sharing photos of her with previous partners and old footage from her Snapchat account.

Adgal has filed a restraining order against Danis, saying she suffered ‘humiliation, emotional distress, and reputational harm’ as a result of his social media activity.

Two-time heavyweight world champion Joshua has now defended the former Bellator fighter, insisting ‘anything is acceptable in the art of war’.

‘I’ll be real, in this game of boxing, there are no rules,’ Joshua told the Misfits Boxing channel.

‘The internet is undefeated. All of your information is out there at the end of the day. What you put out there will always come around full circle. Unfortunately, they are using this as a war tactic – and you’re at war.

‘So there are no low blows and anything is acceptable in the art of war.’

Asked how he would react in similar circumstances, Joshua said: ‘I keep a cool head but I don’t think the people around me would let him reach the fight.

‘If someone around you pushes your buttons too much it gets a bit personal. I would keep a cool head personally but I don’t think the people around me would be too happy.’

Joshua has fought twice in 2023, securing victories over Jermaine Franklin and Robert Helenius. A long-awaited showdown with Deontay Wilder had been planned for the end of the year but those talks are now back to square one with proposed hosts Saudi Arabia shelving their interest.

Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn hopes that with an agreement still in place between the two camps, another arrangement can be found.

‘You know what we want to do, we want to fight Deontay Wilder,’ Hearn said. ‘That was supposed to happen in January, we accepted the offer. We know it’s not materialized now…because it was made by someone that couldn’t deliver the fight at that time. It’s alright. That happens.

‘We’d agreed, Wilder had agreed, now we’re talking to other sites about that fight in February or March and that’s still the plan, very much the plan.’

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