Boxing

The New Zealand heavyweight returns to the ring to take on Faiga 'Django' Opelu over 10 rounds and says victory is his only option.

"My career is on the line in every fight, every fight is a must win from now on."

Parker says he is in the best shape of his life and to expect fireworks.

The 31-year-old says he has been sparring strongly and has envisioned a knockout win.

"I feel very dangerous and I just want to bring this feeling that I have into the ring tomorrow night, that dangerous feeling."

Zhang, a Chinese southpaw, stated before this highly anticipated fight that Joyce, who has enjoyed 14 knockouts in his previous 14 professional fights, including one over New Zealander Joseph Parker last year, had made a mistake by agreeing to the bout.

Joyce is the first man to stop Parker as a professional.

And Zhang's prediction came to reality when the fight was called off with 96 seconds remaining in round six after Joyce’s right eye was swollen shut from the constant pounding from Zhang’s powerful left hand.

The Briton, 33, looks for his first win since 2020 after successive defeats by unified champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Joshua said he was more serious than ever before about his boxing career.

"I've always tried to make an empire but I made a conscious decision last year to put my heart into boxing and nothing else," he said.

"Throughout my career, this is probably the most serious time I've taken it."

Joshua was joined by his new coach Derrick James, with both men flying from Texas to London to attend the news conference.

Kiwi Parker’s opponent for the heavyweight clash at the Manchester Arena on Sunday, January 21 (NZT) is Englishman Jack Massey.

Massey, 29, is moving up a division from cruiserweight and represents a somewhat curious choice for Parker given his modest record and profile.

Still, Parker is taking no chances. In an interview with 1News, Parker has revealed that after suffering from illness before the Joyce fight – which he believes robbed him of energy at the very least – his current routine is limited to training, sleeping and eating at his Morecambe base.

  Fury turned 34 on Friday and posted a message on social media saying: “Massive thanks to everyone who had an input in my career over the years & after long hard conversations (I've finally) decided to walk away & on my 34th birthday I say Bon voyage.”

That seemingly puts Fury back into retirement, after he announced on Tuesday that he was returning to boxing in order to set up a fight against Derek Chisora, a fellow Briton whom he beat twice early in his career.

The heavyweight lost out to local favourite Lewis Williams 5-0 on points on Monday morning.

Williams boxed sharp and clever to win the unanimous decision.

Just 24 hours earlier, Plodzicki-Faoagali progressed to the final in an epic battle of the Pacific in the semi-finals, defeating Niue's Duken Tutakitoa-Williams on points.

That was Niue's first-ever at the Commonwealth Games.

Plodzicki-Faoagali also won silver at the 2018 Games on the Gold Coast in the light-heavyweight division.

Faoagli  stopped Grenada's Andy Andall in round two of his last eight fight to set up his next fight against Tutakitoa-Williams.

Samoan light middleweight Marion Ah Tong was defeated 5-0 on points to his Tanzanian opponent, Kassim Mbunduke, and Niue's Xavier Mata'afa-Ikinofo also lost on points to India's Roshit Tokas.

It was a disappointing night, however, for five other Pacific boxers hoping to win a medal.

The 22-year-old defeated Niklas Vittalis of Sri Lanka in the Men’s over 67kg-71kg Light middle weight division.

Ah Tong won by points after dominating all three rounds.

He is scheduled to take on Kassim MBundwike of the United Republic of Tanzania in his next fight on Thursday.

Samoan boxer, Jancen Poutoa lost his first fight to the impressive Wales boxer Taylor Bevan in the Men’s over 75kg-80kg Lightweight division.

The match showcased a strong display from Bevan to see off Poutoa with a third-round stoppage.

The 23-year-old won against Sanjeet Sanjeet of India in the Men’s over 86kg-92kg Heavyweight division.

Being defensive in the last two rounds cost reigning Asian Champion, Sanjeet dearly as Faogali came from behind to take the fixture 3-2.

After attacking in the first round, which he won by a unanimous decision, Sanjeet slipped into defensive mode to allow Faoagali Claw his way back in the contest.

Sanjeet was on the backfoot in the second round as Faoagali landed a few punches. He continued the onslaught in the third round.

The 27-year-old endured a damaged jaw which he sustained in the second round but fought on bravely in the 12-round contest to win a unanimous decision in a brutal fight in Broadbeach, Gold Coast.

The scores were 116-112, 116-112 and 115-113 in favour of Opetaia in his 22nd fight - all of which he has won, with 17 coming by way of knockout.

Photos and videos uploaded on social media showed an emotional Opetaia with his face covered with blood, hugging his mother and partner.