Aurelia Butler

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    World champion boxer, 30, is unrecognisable as he unveils ‘Salt Bae’ look in training camp

    BOXING fans have been blown away by a world champion’s shock new look.Fighters, like your ordinary Joe, are no strangers to switching up their appearances – especially outside of training camps.Gervonta Davis has switched up his look for 2025Credit: GETTYThe WBA lightweight champion has ditched his cornrowsCredit: GETTYThe Baltimore bruiser is now rocking long and relaxed hair, which he’s put up in a ponytailCredit: XMany have found that changing their appearance often keeps them in the headlines as much as their trash talk.And the fresh new look being donned by a controversial world champion has certainly got fight fans’ chins wagging.WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis is no stranger to switching up his appearance.But a recent photo of the Baltimore bruiser has well and truly stunned fight fans.READ MORE BOXING NEWS”Tank” has ditched his cornrows for long flowing locks, which he’s put in a ponytail.A snap of Davis showcasing his new barnet as he lay on the sofa has gone viral.One fight fan said of his new look: “Hard AF. It’s giving Samurai [vibes].”Another said: “Bro giving Johnny Depp vibes. Jack Sparrow.”Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSGervonta Davis was last in action against Frank Martin in JuneCredit: GETTYAnd another said: “Is that really Tank?”One remarked: “Thought it was Johnny Depp.”World champion boxer Gervonta Davis posts Instagram live from inside prison and says ‘this judge is crazy’Another chimed in: “Look like Salt Bae.”Davis, 30, stunned boxing fans late last year by revealing that he plans to call it a day in 2025.And he’s sensationally doubled down on his proposed retirement, saying: “I’m going through a lot, been through a lot, been betrayed and s**t like that.”It really made me want to give up on the limelight. Everybody chase being in front of the camera. “They chase an image. I don’t want to be a part of that.”As long as I have my money, can take care of my kids and whoever I need to take care of, I don’t need none of this. You’re always being judged.Gervonta Davis plans to retire at the end of 2025Credit: GETTY”You always got to live for someone else. You gotta be perfect, and nobody’s perfect.“At the end of 2025, I feel as though I should be more mature mentally, further than I am now.”And I should be off of probation so I can travel the whole world.”Once I can travel the whole world, people probably won’t ever see me again. I probably won’t be in America again.”READ MORE SUN STORIESFan favourite Davis was set to make his ring return against Lamont Roach in New York on March 1.But he hinted over the holiday period that the bust-up at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center is OFF, writing on X: “The fight is f***ing cancelled.” More

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    Conor McGregor sends £200million warning to Logan Paul after ‘confirming’ shock boxing match

    CONOR MCGREGOR has sent a blunt warning Logan Paul’s way amid continued talks over a shock exhibition bout.The former two-weight UFC champion revealed late last year he’d accepted a boxing match against the WWE superstar.Conor McGregor revealed a shock showdown with Logan Paul was in the works late last yearCredit: GETTYThe Irishman claimed he’ll throw down with the YouTuber in IndiaCredit: SPLASHThe UFC superstar has sent a chilling warning the YouTuber’s wayCredit: XSunSport understands negotiations over the bout are in the exploratory phase and neither the UFC nor the WWE are at the table.McGregor, 36, has suggested a whopping deal for the £400million ($500m) showdown – the brainchild of Indian billionaire Anant Ambani – has been finalised.And he’s done so once again with a blunt warning to social media superstar Paul.Along with a photo of Paul in the WWE ring and an India flag emoji, McGregor wrote on X: “$250,000,000. #ImComing.”READ MORE ON MCGREGORScores of McGregor’s followers commented, with one saying: “Easy work.”Another said: “I hope it’s true. I ain’t mad lol.”One remarked: “A quarter of a billion dollars to fight Logan Paul. surely not?”[The] world’s gone absolutely MAD if that turns out to be the reality.Most read in Boxing”Surely this fight won’t make enough to pay both fighters that silly amount.Another chimed in: “Doesn’t matter the fighter, if they’re offered $250M they’ll fight. Logan Paul Teases Conor McGregor Fight Announcement”Can’t blame them either.”A stunning report last December claimed both McGregor and Paul will receive a whopping £200m for their proposed Mumbai melee.Both men added fuel to the raging fire surrounding their proposed crossover clash, with McGregor resharing the report and Paul liking an Instagram post citing it.The Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai is being lined up to host the crossover clash, which will reportedly be in conjunction with the ‘Visit India’ tourism campaign.Logan Paul hasn’t fought since beating Dillon Danis in October 2023Credit: GettyConor McGregor hasn’t fought since breaking his left leg in July 2021Credit: APYouTube sensation Paul hasn’t fought since winning his Misfits Boxing grudge match Dillon Danis in October 2023.MMA mogul McGregor, meanwhile, has been on the sidelines since breaking his left leg in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier in July 2021.He was slated to make his UFC return against Michael Chandler last June but was forced out of their Sin City showdown with a broken toe.READ MORE SUN STORIESMcGregor’s next fight, wherever it’ll take place, will be his first since being found civilly liable for assaulting Nikita Hand at a Dublin Hotel in December 2018.The Irishman – who was accused of “raping and battering” Ms Hand – has vowed to appeal the verdict of last month’s civil trial at Dublin’s High Court. More

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    Major Tyson Fury retirement hint as promoter gives update on boxer’s future amid Anthony Joshua fight call-out

    TYSON FURY could snub a Battle of Britain with Anthony Joshua and hang up his gloves, his promoter Frank Warren has hinted.A long-overdue domestic dust-up with AJ is on the table for the Gypsy King following his crushing second loss to Oleksandr Usyk last December.Tyson Fury is at a career crossroads following back-to-back losses to Oleksandr UsykCredit: GETTYA Battle of Britain with Anthony Joshua is on the tables for the Gypsy KingCredit: REUTERSBut promoter Frank Warren won’t try to force Fury to take the fightCredit: PAJoshua is seemingly champing at the bit to put an end to the decade-long debate over who the better man is.But Warren won’t try to lure the former two-time champ to the ring for one last payday.He wrote in his Daily Star column: “I will not be picking up the phone and asking Tyson Fury to fight again.”If opportunities come my way for him they will be passed on, but there will be no advice from me on whether or not Tyson should take them.READ MORE ON FURY VS AJ”I haven’t spoken to him yet about an Anthony Joshua fight and I will only do so if he comes to me and says he wants to get in the ring with him.”Back-to-back defeats to slick southpaw Usyk have left Fury at a major career crossroads.But SunSport exclusively revealed that the former WBC titleholder has told his nearest and dearest that his career’s “not over” by any stretch of the imagination.Warren will stand by whatever decision Fury makes over his fighting future and hopes the Wythenshawe warrior will be at peace with it.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe said: “My only hope is for Tyson to be happy and content with life.”If he is then I’d be prouder than you can ever imagine.Tyson Fury breaks silence on Oleksandr Usyk defeat in angry backstage rant after storming out of ring”If he does decide to box again then I’ll support him 100%. It’s a decision for him, his wife Paris and their family.”Despite both men no longer being at the peak of their powers, a summer showdown between Fury and Joshua will still be a global blockbuster.And AJ insists the now is the time for them to finally duke it out.He said: “I’ve been involved in a whole lot of fights, but this has to happen in 2025.“Of course, it has to happen, and hopefully, it does happen.” More

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    Anthony Joshua admits ‘time is limited’ as he calls out Tyson Fury to 2025 fight and opens up on ‘turbulent times’

    ANTHONY JOSHUA admits the clock is ticking for a fight with Tyson Fury. The two are in line to finally settle their British beef this year having both suffered recent defeats. Anthony Joshua during his trip to NigeriaCredit: @anthonyjoshuaFury was beaten twice on the spin by Oleksandr Usyk while Daniel Dubois knocked out AJ in September. It has left Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn pushing to get a two-fight deal with the Gypsy King signed and sealed for 2025. And AJ – also beaten twice by Usyk – revealed he is on board. He told Sportboom while visiting family in Nigeria: “I’ve been involved in a whole lot of fights, but this has to happen in 2025. READ MORE IN BOXING“Of course, it has to happen and, hopefully, it does happen. Time is limited. So, I just want to put in more work.” Fury, 36, suffered his first defeat in May after losing a thrilling split-decision to Usyk, 37, in Saudi Arabia. And in the rematch in December, the British legend came up a controversial unanimous loser on the cards. Usyk had become the first four-belt undisputed champion following victory in the summer but he vacated the IBF title. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSDubois, 27, was elevated from interim champ and knocked AJ out in his first defence at Wembley. Joshua, 35, snubbed a rematch to take time out to recover from his disastrous defeat as a grudge match with Fury now awaits. Tommy Fury mocked by fans after professional boxer ‘nearly knocks over elderly lady’He said: “Time is of the essence. In 2024, when I look back, I believe I could have done more, and I have another chance in 2025 to do more.”I’m going to make sure that I take every opportunity that comes my way. I’m going to go again. Ups and downs, they happen. “To some people, it is always up. My life is up and down, so I have got to get used to the turbulent times and keep riding the wave.”I can’t stop now; I have to keep going until I reach my destination.”Oleksandr Usyk has twice beaten FuryCredit: Getty More

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    Boxing hero, 63, suffering with brain disease as son issues heartbreaking plea for support

    BOXING legend Donald Curry is suffering with a brain disease, his son revealed in a heartbreaking plea.Curry – a champion in two weight divisions – has been diagnosed with Traumatic Encephalopathy Syndrome. Donald Curry is suffering with a brain diseaseCredit: GettyIt is a brain condition resulting commonly from repeated head trauma.Curry’s son Donovan posted online: “I’m reaching out to the boxing community to ask for assistance in finding a long-term healthcare facility for my dad. “A few years ago, with the help of Chuck Williams, my dad underwent a brain scan at the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, where he was officially diagnosed with Traumatic Encephalopathy Syndrome (TES). “This condition has caused impairments in judgment, reasoning, memory, and behavior, including poor impulse control. READ MORE IN BOXING”For some time, he was being cared for at an incredible church facility in Fort Worth, thanks to the support of his former trainer, Paul Reyes, who recently passed away. “However, due to incidents of fighting and breaking rules, my dad had to leave. He is currently staying in a hotel in Fort Worth. “We are searching for a facility that specializes in patients with conditions like my dad’s, ideally one that operates at no cost. “If you know of any resources, facilities, or organizations that could help, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Most read in BoxingWhat is CTE?CTE, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy, refers to a brain degeneration caused by frequent head traumasOther elements may play a role, including genetics, but exact factors are yet to be discovered, as reported by the Boston University CTE Center.CTE is only diagnosed through an autopsy of the brain and is known to be a rather rare disease.It is most commonly found in athletes, including football players and fighters.Some symptoms of CTE include memory loss, confusion, impaired judgment, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and progressive dementia.These signs can begin to appear after years or even decades after the last brain trauma.”Thank you for your time and support during this challenging time.” Curry held the welterweight and light-middleweight titles during his career – famously fighting Lloyd Honeyghan, Mike McCallum and Terry Norris. Vincent Jackson death: Ex-Tampa Bay Buccaneers star died in hotel from ‘chronic alcohol use’ & was suffering from CTEThe American last fought in 1997 – losing to Emmett Linton – and retiring with a record of 34–6. Curry, now 63, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019 following a remarkable career. But it was in 2021 that Curry’s sons first feared their famous fighting father may be suffering from CTE. Curry was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019Credit: @lonestarcobratx More

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    Hassan Mgaya dead at 29: Boxer dies just days after suffering KO defeat as tributes pour in

    TANZANIAN boxer Hassan Mgaya has tragically died aged 29, the WBC have confirmed.Mgaya passed away in hospital just days after his defeat to Paul Elias.Hassan Mgaya tragically died aged 29The Tanzanian super-lightweight fought Elias in his country’s capital Dar-Es-Salaam on December 27.Following his KO defeat he was taken straight to Palestine Hospital in Sinza, Tanzania.He was subsequently transferred to Mwananyamala Hospital, where he tragically died on December 30.A WBC statement read: “Tanzanian professional boxer Hassan Mgaya passed away on December 30, 2024, from injuries resulting from a knockout he received on December 27.READ MORE IN BOXING”Mgaya had been taken to Palestine Hospital in Sinza, Tanzania, before being transferred to Mwananyamala Hospital where he spent his final moments.”The entire WBC family and President Mauricio Sulaiman send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of our beloved champion.”The Tanzanian Boxing Commission’s acting secretary Nsajigwa Mwangamilo has also paid tribute to Mgaya.He said: “We extend our deepest condolences to to the family and boxing stakeholders in the country.”Most read in BoxingMgaya held a 3-3-2 professional record.His fight with Elias had been his fourth bout of 2024. More

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    Boxing promoter Frank Warren starts legal proceedings for defamation against Chris Eubank Jr after shocking outburst

    FRANK WARREN has opened legal proceedings against Chris Eubank Jr after the boxer’s shocking outburst against him in a press conference.The Queensberry promoter filed the case on December 23, according to the HM Courts and Tribunals e-filing service.Frank Warren has opened legal proceedings for a defamation case against Chris Eubank JrCredit: PAEubank Jr issued a public apology after launching a verbal and personal attack against WarrenCredit: GettyAs first reported by The Athletic, the filing is listed under “Media and Communication: Defamation – libel and slander”.Warren, 72, was involved in the press conference in September in Saudi Arabia to promote an undercard fight between Eubank Jr, 35, and Poland’s Kamil Szeremeta.The card, headlined by light-heavyweights Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol, was Eubank Jr’s first fight for over a year following his stoppage of Liam Smith in October 2023.It was also his first fight as part of the Boxxer promotional stable led by Ben Shalom.READ MORE IN BOXINGEubank Jr was asked why he had chosen to sign with them, but launched an astonishing and personal verbal attack on Warren as well as barbs directed at Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn and Frank Smith and Wasserman promoter Kalle Sauerland.Speaking at the time, Hall of Fame promoter Warren said: “I’m gonna keep it short and sweet. He’s gonna get sued again for the comments that he’s made publicly.”Eubank Jr later released a statement saying he wished to retract the “inaccurate statements” and apologised to Warren, Hearn and Sauerland.Warren had publicly accepted the apology issued by Eubank Jr, saying he was “looking forward to seeing him compete on this huge Riyadh Season card”.Most read in BoxingBut two months on he has now decided the apology was insufficient and is suing him a second time.The first came back in 2016 when Warren sued the then British Middleweight champion for a breach of contract, ending in Eubank Jr paying a six-figure sum to the promoter.Frank Warren throws doubt on Dubois v Joshua rematch happening Following the September press conference, Warren had told talkSPORT: “The bottom line of it is very simple. “He was sued by me for a legal breach of a contract and I was successful in suing him and he paid substantial damages.”Now you know what he can’t accept is what’s legal and what’s not. “And as regarding what he’s just said just so you know I’m gonna keep it short and sweet. He’s gonna get sued again for the comments that he’s made publicly.”He will be sued and he will have a problem over that and anybody else who says it, they can get in that queue.”Eubank Jr declined to comment. More

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    Moses Itauma is living his own Rocky story… he’ll be a household name by the year and could be better than Fury and AJ

    US baseball legend Yogi Berra’s priceless remark “it’s tough to make predictions, especially about the future” always comes to mind at New Year.Crystal-ball gazing can be a hazardous game — but there’s every reason to believe heavyweight prodigy Moses Itauma will be a household name before the end of 2025.Moses Itauma is tipped to become Britain’s next heavyweight superstarCredit: GettyItauma flattened Dempsey McKean inside one round on the Oleksandr Usyk-Tyson Fury II undercardCredit: GettyHaving seen the debuts of all ten British men who became world champions, it was not difficult to forecast Frank Bruno, Lennox Lewis, Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois would go on to bring the richest prize in sport to these shores.Tyson Fury was the surprise package. Few felt he could beat Wladimir Klitschko in Germany, which launched an amazingly colourful and controversial career.But I am prepared to risk ridicule by suggesting Menacing Moses — who only turned 20 six days ago — may turn out to be the best of the lot.Itauma’s story is another of those boxing tales that sounds as if it belongs more to the realms of Rocky-like fiction than fact.READ MORE IN BOXINGHe was born in Slovakia to a Nigerian father who moved the family here 11 years ago to escape rampant racism and settled them in Chatham.Itauma joined the local amateur boxing club when he was nine.And, remarkably, he remained unbeaten before turning pro two years ago having won golds at various levels — schools, juniors, European youth and world youth.Moses is physically mature way beyond his years and his England schools coach John Stubbs said: “I honestly believe since he was 12 years old he has been destined for greatness.”Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSItauma would become a world heavyweight champion at the age of 20 if he wins a title this yearCredit: GettyItauma’s story has been compared to ‘Rocky-like fiction’Credit: GettyFrom the age of 15, he has sparred with all this country’s top big men — including Fury and Joshua — which has given him invaluable tuition.Before his first pro fight his manager Francis Warren announced that Itauma’s aim was to be the youngest heavyweight champion of the world.Moses Itauma ‘could beat’ Mike Tyson’s youngest heavyweight champ record after impressive first round KO of Demsey McKeanThat meant beating Mike Tyson’s record of 20 years and 145 days.It was a clever PR ploy to earn publicity but was never an authentic target as it would have meant Itauma winning one of the titles before May 22.Itauma is unrealistically compared to a young Tyson because of his power-packed punches — sending nine of his 11 victims to KO defeats.And jaws dropped open in admiration at the way he demolished experienced Aussie Demsey McKean in less than two minutes on the Usyk-Fury undercard two weeks ago.Dedicated Moses seems to be blessed with a cool temperament, is so quick on his feet for a 6ft 4in, near 18-stone man and his hand speed and timing lights the fuse that detonates dynamite in his fists.But we can never be sure on any potential heavyweight superstar until we see how they react to being badly hurt.I am prepared to risk ridicule by suggesting Menacing Moses — who only turned 20 six days ago — may turn out to be the best of the lot.Colin HartWhen I started writing about boxing more than 60 years ago, I wondered if I would ever see a British fighter acclaimed as the best heavyweight on Earth.We had to wait until 1993 for Lewis to emulate Bob Fitzsimmons and end a 96-year drought.Since then, Fury and Joshua have dominated the division for the last ten years — until bogeyman Oleksandr Usyk came on the scene.Now, former champions Fury and Joshua are facing being referred to in the past tense.And Dubois, the IBF champion, is carrying the torch for Britain — but he will be constantly looking over his shoulder as Itauma stalks him.READ MORE SUN STORIESWe all know heavyweight boxing can be a precarious trade.And I am not unaware that somebody also once proclaimed: “You can trust a crystal ball about as far as you can throw it.” More