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    Eddie Hearn hints at shock career change as boxing promoter says ‘I’ve been thinking about this for ages’

    EDDIE HEARN has hinted that he is thinking about starting a new life in three different careers.The boxing promoter has said he fancies a go at “running for Prime Minister” as well as pursuing a career in music and acting.Eddie Hearn says he is a man of many talentsCredit: X formerly Twitter / @IFLTVIn a jovial interview with IFL TV, Hearn joked that the reason for his success in the boxing world has come from pushing the boundaries for what is possible.He said: “In my mind, I’ve felt for a long time that I would make a great Prime Minister.”Now, I’m quite deluded right, but one of the reasons I’ve been so successful and pushed the boundaries so hard is because I’m quite deluded.”Like I feel like if you’re not deluded what is there to think about in terms of your potential? So I’ve always thought I would make a great Prime Minister and I was thinking about running for MP… I’ve been thinking about this for ages.”READ MORE ON BOXINGHearn then explained that his ambitions were not limited to number 10 and that he has given thought to some other glamorous careers too.He continued: “Also in my head, I think I’ll end up being an Oscar winning actor and I think I could actually have a recording contract as well because I can really sing.”Hearn was speaking as he continued to promote Terence Crawford vs Israil Madrimov.Crawford is up against Madrimov to become the WBA light middleweight champion, with the fight taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.Most read in BoxingHearn is promoting Crawford vs MadrimovCredit: AlamyCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHearn is promoting Madrimov, who has a record of 10 wins, one draw and zero losses.Crawford meanwhile has a hugely impressive 40-0-0 record.Eddie Hearn reveals bad boy version of Anthony Joshua is back ahead of Daniel Dubois fight and comments on Carl Froch feudHow AJ punched his way to the topANTHONY JOSHUA punched his way to the top of the world before being knocked off his perch.Despite Crawford being a huge name in the boxing world, he is relatively unknown to the world at large, and Hearn had his own thoughts on how to change that.He told DAZN: “One of the problems in boxing in America is that the public doesn’t get an opportunity to see what the individual is like, and I feel if people got to see Terence Crawford and what he stood for – the way he lives his life, the way he works, the way he respects the game and the way he raises his kids, in their athletics and wrestling, that should be championed.“I don’t really understand why, in your country, you don’t champion him more. Obviously, people aren’t promoting him the right way. People aren’t pushing him.”If I promoted Terence Crawford, I’d want all of America to know this guy. And I think you’d love him.” More

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    KSI forced to PULL OUT of boxing return with weeks to go as YouTuber apologies to fans… and aims dig Conor McGregor

    KSI has been forced to PULL OUT of his boxing return – and aimed a dig at Conor McGregor while doing so. The YouTuber-turned-boxer was due to face Anthony Taylor and Slim Albaher in a wild two-on-one HANDICAP bout. KSI has pulled out of his boxing return fightCredit: Misfits Boxing But after a period of uncertainty, KSI has confirmed injury has forced him out of the event in Dublin on August 31, which will still go ahead. He took to social media to speak out and aim a jibe McGregor’s way after the Irishman pulled out of his UFC return with a toe injury. KSI said: “I have some important news to share and I wanted you to hear it directly from me. The fight with Slim and AT is off. “I have been battling with an injury (not my toe lol) since I began training for this fight and unfortunately this has worsened during camp which is why you haven’t seen my usual enthusiasm. READ MORE IN BOXING”Despite my best efforts to push through the pain, it has reached a point where I can no longer spar or even hit pads or do bag work. “On my doctor’s orders, I have been advised to withdraw from Misfits 017 at the 3Arena in Dublin on August 31st.”KSI, 31, has not fought since suffering his first defeat, to Tommy Fury, 25, in October. SunSport understands he picked up the injury while training for the bout, which he lost via controversial decision. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSKSI added: “I know this might be disappointing for many of you, and I hate letting you down. “However, I will be taking some time out to rest, so I can get back into the ring as soon as possible. KSI faced with accepting Jake Paul’s ‘outrageous’ and ‘unfair’ terms to secure £100m grudge fight”Rest assured, I’ll be back soon: fitter; stronger; healthier and ready for any challenge. “For now, I apologise to the fans, my opponents, and everyone involved who might feel let down by this decision. “I give 100% in everything I do and this is not a decision I have taken lightly. I am aware of the lengths that people will have gone to see me fight in Ireland and I’m sorry to have let you all down. “Thanks for continuing to support me in everything I do and I promise to make it up to you all. “A huge thank you to all the fans for riding with me through thick and thin. I want to thank my team and DAZN for their unwavering support.”Despite my best efforts to push through the pain, it has reached a point where I can no longer spar or even hit pads or do bag work. KSI on his injury KSI confirmed the event – which was due to sell out Dublin’s 3Arena – will go ahead with the man himself set to be in attendance. And despite not boxing, the chart-topping rapper will perform for the crowd. KSI confirmed: “The event will still go ahead! Misfits 017 marks our two-year anniversary, so we’ll make sure it’s special. “In addition to the fights, I’ll be commentating and performing some of my new songs with some exciting surprises. “For anyone who bought tickets and is unhappy with these changes, refunds can be requested via your original point of purchase. “To the rest of you, I can’t wait to see you there and celebrate this special occasion together! READ MORE SUN STORIES”Thank you for your understanding and continued support.” Tommy Fury controversially beat KSICredit: SplashKSI will now put on a music performance after pulling out of his fightCredit: Rex More

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    I quit to save my LIFE, says distraught female Olympic boxer who lasted 46 seconds against rival who failed gender test

    ANGELA CARINI’s feared for her life as she quit her controversial fight against Imane Khelif.The Italian fought her opponent, who previously failed a gender test, for just 46 seconds before throwing in the towel.Angela Carini was in tears as she revealed why she quitCredit: TwitterImane Khelif landed two powerful punches in the opening roundCredit: AFPCarini fell to her knees and cried as the result was confirmedCredit: APCarini, 25, was hit twice in the face in round one and after the first blow she walked over to her corner to seemingly have her chin strap adjusted.But after Khelif, 25, landed a second powerful blow, the fight was abruptly ended.Carini then refused to acknowledge and shake hands with the Algerian after the referee announced the winner of the 66kg welterweight bout.She then fell to her knees and began to cry.READ MORE ON OLYMPICSKhelif’s presence at the Olympics has been deemed controversial as she was disqualified from last year’s Women’s World Championships for failing to meet eligibility criteria.The International Olympic Committee said Khelif was disqualified in New Delhi for failing a testosterone level test.She is one of two athletes cleared to compete in Paris along with Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting, who was stripped of a bronze medal at the World Champs for failing a gender eligibility test.Opening up on her decision to quit, Carini said: “I couldn’t carry on. I have a big pain in my nose and I said, ‘Stop’. Most read in Boxing”It’s better to avoid keeping going. My nose started dripping from the first hit.”It could be the match of my life but, in that moment, I had to safeguard my life, too. I felt to do this, I didn’t have any fear, I don’t have any fear of the ring or to get hit.Paris 2024 Olympics locked in cheating storm as swimming coach slams world record as ‘not humanly possible'”I fought very often in the national team. I train with my brother. I’ve always fought against men, but I felt too much pain today.”“I am heartbroken. I have big pain in my nose and blood on my finger.”She added: “I’m used to suffering. I’ve never taken a punch like that, it’s impossible to continue. I’m nobody to say it’s illegal.”I got into the ring to fight. But I didn’t feel like it anymore after the first minute. I started to feel a strong pain in my nose.”I didn’t give up, but a punch hurt too much and so I said enough. I’m leaving with my head held high.”I am sorry not to have taken Italy onto the podium. I entered the ring and I told myself I have to take out all of myself independently from the person I had in front of me.”And honestly, I don’t care. I said to myself, ‘This is my Olympics’. Independently, from all controversy, I just wanted to carry on and win.'”I am not one that easily surrenders. Even if they told me, let’s not fight, I would not have accepted it.”I am a fighter. My father taught me to be a warrior. “When I am in the ring, I use that mindset, the mindset of a warrior, a winning mindset. This time I couldn’t make it.”You all saw my nose that started bleeding. I didn’t lose tonight, I just surrendered with maturity.”Carini bears no ill will towards Khelif, saying: “I wish her to carry on until the end and that she can be happy. Olympics gender controversyTHE International Olympic Committee (IOC) stirred up a huge controversy by clearing two women to box who had previously failed a gender test.Algeria’s Imane Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting were disqualified at the Women’s World Championships in New Delhi, India, in March 2023.Lin Yu-ting was stripped of a bronze medal after failing a gender eligibility test.Khelif was disqualified in New Delhi for failing a testosterone level test.Officials found tests showed they had ‘XY chromosomes’ — which indicates a person is biologically male.Rare ‘intersex’ medical conditions, medically known as differences in sexual development (DSDs), can also mean outwardly female individuals can have ‘male’ chromosomes, or vice versa.The Russia-led International Boxing Association organised that event but is no longer recognised by the IOC.IOC spokesman Mark Adams said: “These athletes have competed many times before for many years, they haven’t just suddenly arrived – they competed in Tokyo.”The federation needs to make the rules to make sure that there is fairness but at the same time there is the ability for everyone to take part that wants to. That is a difficult balance.”In the end the experts for each sport are the people who work in that. If there is a big advantage that clearly is not acceptable, but that needs to be a decision made at that level.”Both Khelif and Lin competed at the delayed Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021. Lin is a two-time winner at the Asian Women Amateur Boxing Championships.The IOC said all boxers in Paris “comply with the competition’s eligibility and entry regulations”.The controversy follows the famous case of Caster Semenya.South African middle-distance runner Semenya has a condition which means her body naturally produces higher levels of testosterone than normal for women.She won gold in the 800m at London 2012 and Rio in 2016 but was unable to compete at Tokyo in 2021 after World Athletics brought in new rules independently of the IOC at the time.”I am someone who doesn’t judge anyone. I am not here to give judgements.”I simply entered the ring to fight and to fight for my dream. It didn’t happen. Evidently, God and my father wanted this and I accept it.”I am not in the position of saying this is right or wrong. I am not. “I did my job as a boxer, entering the ring and fighting. “I didn’t manage to, but I am exiting with my head held high and with a broken heart. I am a mature woman, the ring is my life. “I’ve always been very instinctive, but when I feel something is not going well, it’s not a surrender but having the maturity to stop.”After booking passage to the next round, Khelif said: “God willing, this was the first victory. “God is willing me to the golden one. Khelif later added added: “Difficult for a first fight.”Inshallah [if Allah wills it]) for the second fight. I am very prepared because it’s been eight years of preparation.”It’s my second Olympic Games after fifth place at Tokyo. ‘I need an Olympic medal here in Paris.READ MORE SUN STORIES”We will see who will win the second fight to know who will be the opponent.”We will be ready and we will do everything to bring back a medal for Algeria. One, two, three, viva Algeria.” More

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    Why Cuba’s Olympic boxers disguised themselves as GIRLS to flee and turn professional until 60-year rule was overturned

    CUBA are the kings of amateur boxing – but for six decades they were BANNED from turning professional.It left some of their great champions of the past left to flee the country, often on speed boats and even disguising themselves to do so.Odlanier Solis Fonte in the 2004 OlympicsCredit: RexYuriorkis Gamboa won gold at the 2004 Athens GamesCredit: Bongarts – GettyTurning pro in Cuba was prohibited since 1962 because their late leader Fidel Castro regarded it as corrupt.So Cubans were convinced to box for country, not cash.So much so that heavyweight legend Felix Savon – a three-time Olympic gold medalist – turned down the chance to face Mike Tyson.Legendary but controversial promoter Don King offered Savon numerous multimillion-dollar offers to defect and fight superstar Tyson.READ MORE ON OLYMPICSBut his response? “Why would I box for a $1m when I can fight for 10 million Cuban people?”Despite Savon’s loyalty to the amateur code, not all of his countrymen were willing to do so.Many of Cuba’s 2004 Olympic standouts in Athens took the plunge to leave and chase their world title dreams in America.Odlanier Solis, Yuriorkis Gamboa and Yan Barthelemy all sold their medals won in Greece for as little as £1,000 to buy food for their families.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThen, while travelling to a team training camp in Venezuela in December 2006, they made a run for it and headed to Colombia.From there, they went to Germany and signed professional contracts while awaiting US visas.GB’s super-heavyweights It inspired Guillermo Rigondeaux and Erislandy Lara – both future world champs – to do the same until their efforts in 2007 were initially foiled.The pair disappeared while representing Cuba in the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro and were sent back home.According to The Independent, they were dressed up as women to slip through Brazilian security, but were sensationally captured in a BROTHEL.Both were then banned from ever representing Cuba again which only proved to encourage them to try to escape once more.And by 2009 they had each successfully defected to America, with Rigondeaux and Lara later going on to win world titles as pros.With five of their former Olympians tempted over to the paid ranks, Cuba suffered somewhat of a crisis at Beijing in 2008.Felix Savon famously turned down the chance to fight Mike TysonCredit: AP:Associated PressGuillermo Rigondeaux defected from Cuba and won a world titleCredit: Sportsfile – SubscriptionRigondeaux, left, and Erislandy Lara, right, got caught trying to defectFor the first time since 1988, they left the Games without a single gold medal in boxing.But it did not last long, because in London four years later they twice won gold and another two bronzes.Perhaps what was even more appreciated, no one from the team immediately turned over.However, by the time the next Olympics finished in Rio, Lenier Pero, Robeisy Ramirez and Joahnys Argilagos all defected.Cuban authorities then had a fight on their hands to convince their Tokyo 2020 stable to remain put after the Games were delayed amid the coronavirus pandemic.And they successfully did so and Cuba topped the medal charts with four golds and one bronze.Andy Cruz won gold in Tokyo in 2021Credit: AFPCruz is now an unbeaten proCredit: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom
    Julio Cesar La Cruz, Arlen Lopez, Roniel Iglesias and Andy Cruz took gold while Lazaro Alvarez left with bronze.Despite Cuba’s years of in-fighting to keep their top names from fleeing to turn pro – everything changed in 2022. Because Cuba finally ended their 60-year ban on pro boxing and gave the green light for fighters to turn over. And in turn, some boxers chose to divide their commitments to the amateur and pro codes following a separate controversial ruling. In 2016, boxers with pro records were welcomed back into the Olympic amateur scene. From Cuba’s last pack of medalists, only Cruz decided against it as he stands 3-0 and already touted for world titles. But 2-0 heavyweight La Cruz – who was eliminated in the last 16 in Paris – and 3-0 middleweight Lopez – through to the quarter-finals – returned to the amateurs. READ MORE SUN STORIESIt is a sign Cubans are still committed to the amateur code despite the allure of prizefighting paycheques and world title honours away from home. Arlen Lopez is boxing in the Olympics despite having a pro recordCredit: EPA More

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    Tyson Fury warns Oleksandr Usyk ‘you’re on notice’ but fans love heavyweight champ’s cheeky response ahead of rematch

    TYSON FURY and Oleksandr Usyk are back to trading verbals blows before they throw hands at each other again.The two went years feuding online before they finally shared the ring in a historic undisputed title decider in May. Tyson Fury sent out a warning to Oleksandr UsykFans loved Usyk’s cheeky response to FuryUsyk became the first to defeat Fury and also the first four-belt heavyweight champion in one night following 12 classic rounds.A rematch back in Saudi Arabia is scheduled for December 21 following a period of silence from both men. But that is now over. Fury, who has been unusually quiet on social media since his first loss, sent an ominous warning to Usyk following a training session. READ MORE IN BOXINGHe said: “Just finished a lovely little run in the Bay with the lads. Working away, chipping away nicely. “December 21st, Usyk you’re on notice. Come on!” Usyk – who is in Paris to support Ukraine’s boxers in the 2024 Olympics – was quick to hit back in cheeky fashion. He said: “Hey, my friend Greedy Belly. Continuing training. I know you hard work, it’s good. I appreciate it. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”Thank you so much, Greedy Belly, You my friend, you are my friend.” Usyk is a bonafide fans’ favourite for his genius in the ring and maverick personality outside the ropes. Oleksandr Usyk in shock career switch… as boxing champ reveals private DMs with Tyson Fury ahead of rematchAnd fans loved his hilarious response to Fury as one said: “How can you not love Usyk?”Another added: “Usyk is hilarious man.”One argued: “You can’t hate Usyk can you?”Another laughed: “Greedy belly just sounds so funny.”Usyk and Fury rematch on December 21Credit: Getty More

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    Olympics star, 26, grew up in England but can’t compete for Team GB and risks JAIL if she returns to home country

    CINDY NGAMBA is the Olympian who grew up in England and trains with Team GB – but will not represent them.Ngamba left Cameroon for Britain aged 11 and has forged a successful path into boxing – reigning as a three-time English champion. Cindy Ngamba boxes for the Olympic Refugee teamCredit: PAAnd despite training and travelling with Team GB – she instead represents the Olympic Refugee team. She told iNews: “I feel I’m already part of Great Britain. “I train with them, travel with them, compete with them, I just don’t represent them.”Ngamba has lived in England for over half her life, where she also went to school and university while also having family in the UK. READ MORE IN BOXINGIt was ten years after uprooting with her brother and uncle to Britain – where her father lived – and eight attempts before she was granted papers to stay.She was arrested in 2019 as she signed on at an immigration centre. Ngamba, 26, said: “I was with my brother. We went there, to Manchester, every week but this time, we were arrested.”They were sent to separate detention camps in London and spent two days there before the Home Office were satisfied they had family in the UK.Most read in BoxingPrison would also be a threat if Ngamba was to return to Cameroon, where same-sex sexual activity is criminalised – she revealed she was gay to her family but STILL had to prove it to the Home Office.She said: “You can be killed, beaten up or put in prison. I can’t go back.”GB’s super-heavyweights Ngamba received her asylum papers in 2020 and was already on track for a successful career in boxing. She first started aged 14 in Bolton Lads and Girls Club which is part of the national OnSide network of youth zones but was the only female fighter. Ngamba said: “I was the only girl. Going there meant the world to me. “It gave me something to look forward to after school and kept me off the streets where I could have been dragged into something bad.”Ngamba’s Olympic dream got the green light when she won sponsorship from the Olympic Refugee Federation.She faces Tammara Thibeault of Canada in the first round of the middleweight bracket. Ngamba trained alongside Team GB athletes at the national institute in Sheffield ahead of the Games. READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd there is already hope she will finally win citizenship to join GB for the next Olympics in LA in 2028. But Ngamba said: “I’m not really focused on my future at the moment, I’m focused on the present, on my medal, on winning.”What’s happening today at The Games?WHAT TO WATCH TODAY…TODAY’S BRIT MEDAL HOPESFreestyle BMX world and European champ Kieran Reilly will be aiming to add the Olympic title to his collection (12.40pm).Team GB’s men and women will both be in contention in the rowing quadruple sculls finals (11.25am).BRITS TO WATCHAndrea Spendolini-Sirieix – daughter of First Dates star Fred – and Lois Toulson go in the 10m synchro diving final (10am).In the hockey, Team GB’s women know a win against South Africa is vital after starting with defeats to Spain and Australia (9.30am).Commonwealth bronze medallist Jemima Yeats-Brown begins her -70kg judo campaign, two years on from losing her sister Jenny to brain cancer (9.20am).GLOBAL STARS TODAYThe all-star USA men’s basketball team, featuring LeBron James and Steph Curry, face Olympic debutants South Sudan (8pm).The 100m men’s freestyle final could be a classic with Tokyo champ Caeleb Dressel, new 200m gold medallist David Popovici plus Brits Duncan Scott and Matthew Richards all in contention (9.15pm).And Jessica Fox could win her second gold of Paris 2024 if she defends her C1 canoe slalom from three years ago (4.25pm).FANCY SOMETHING DIFFERENT?The beach volleyball is always spectacular viewing at any Olympics but this year even more so – because it is being played at the foot of the Eiffel Tower.There are matches all throughout the day from 8am to 9pm.Click here for all the events taking place at Paris 2024 today.Follow all the action as it unfolds with our Paris 2024 Olympics LIVE blog.Ngamba could still represent Team GB in 2028Credit: Getty More

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    From reality TV to the ‘heir to the Klitschko throne’ how GB’s heavyweights fared after Delicious Orie’s Olympic exit

    TEAM GB’S medal-laden super-heavyweight success came to a controversial end following Delicious Orie’s Olympic exit. Orie was bidding to become GB’s sixth super-heavy medalist in seven Games but he lost a disputed decision to Davit Chaloyan of Armenia. Delicious Orie was knocked out of the 2024 Paris OlympicsCredit: ReutersIt means for the first time in a decade, Team GB go without a super-heavyweight medal – with Orie now touted to turn professional.But it has yielded differing success from boxing superstardom to reality TV shows and failure to live up to heavy billing. Audley Harrison, Sydney 2000 Harrison became GB’s first super-heavyweight gold medallist in Australia and came home a hero. Promoters queued up for his pro signature and soon he signed a £1million deal with the BBC to show his first ten bouts. READ MORE IN BOXINGAnd he got off to an excellent start with 19 straight wins in five years – until he faced Danny Williams for the Commonwealth title. Williams – who had stunned and out-of-shape Mike Tyson the year prior – won the fight by split-decision. Harrison was then beaten in his very next bout by Dominick Guinn to leave his career in crisis. Audley Harrison won Olympic gold in 2000Credit: News Group Newspapers LtdIn the years following, his world title aspirations went up in smoke with inconsistent form. Most read in BoxingHe then fought David Haye in a 2010 domestic grudge bout but lost in three rounds – landing just TWO punches.A year after the infamous defeat, Harrison featured on Strictly Come Dancing – getting KOd in round seven. Harrison’s boxing career came to a sad end in 2013 losing to future heavyweight champ and star Deontay Wilder. A year later, he starred on Celebrity Big Brother alongside boxing promoter Kellie Maloney – formerly Frank. Harrison in 2016 featured on Celebrity MasterChef and now spends his time as an occasional boxing pundit and pro poker player. David Haye KOd Audley Harrison in 2010Credit: News Group Newspapers LtdHarrison went in Celebrity Big Brother in 2014Credit: GettyDavid Price, 2008 Beijing Liverpool’s 6ft 8in giant pipped a young Tyson Fury after becoming one of the only to beat the Gypsy King in the boxing ring. Price won bronze in China and turned pro with huge expectation – not helped much by future champ Tony Bellew’s prediction. Bellew told iFL TV in 2012: “David Price is the heir to the Klitschko throne.” Price, Fury and Wilder were all touted as the ones to succeed Wladimir and Vitali Klitshcko but only two of them made it. David Price won 2008 in BeijingCredit: PA:Press AssociationBecause while Fury defeated Wladimir in 2015 the same year Wilder also won the WBC belt, Price laboured behind. He was knocked out twice by Tony Thompson in 2013 – despite the American testing positive for a banned substance. Price in 2017 chased a mega-fight with Joshua and revealed he dropped a young AJ in sparring. Joshua admitted the story was true but the bout never materialised with Price further being knocked out by Christian Hammer and Alexander Povetkin. His career came to a crashing end in 2019 following defeat to Derek Chisora – with Price spending his retirement supporting his beloved Reds. Price was KOd by Alexander PovetkinCredit: ReutersAnthony Joshua, 2012 London Joshua came second in the World Championships in 2011 but ran into trouble with the law the same year. He avoided jail for drugs offences and turned his life around to qualify for the London Games – where AJ’s road to stardom began.Joshua took the gold on home soil and was quickly signed up by Eddie Hearn – at the time and up-and-coming promoter. Within four years he was heavyweight champion and one of the biggest stars in Britain. Anthony Joshua won gold at the 2012 London OlympicsCredit: PAJoshua has reigned twice as unified world champion and returns for his third crack on September 21 against Daniel Dubois. His career as a prizefighter has seen him earn over £200MILLION. Away from the ring, Joshua has sponsorship deals with Under Armour, Hugo Boss and Lucozade. And up until 2022, he was still training at Team GB’s Sheffield training HQ. Joe Joyce, 2016 Rio Joyce only began boxing at 22 after growing up as a talented track and field athletics talent. But he took to the sport well and used his huge 6ft 6in frame to win national titles and a place in the 2016 Olympic squad. And Joyce looked on the way to emulating AJ before he lost a controversial decision to France’s Tony Yoka in the final. The loss was among a series of bouts being investigated amid allegations of corrupt scoring.Joe Joyce won Olympic silver in 2016Credit: Getty Images – GettyStill, Joyce turned pro in 2017 aged 31 and raced through the ranks with a succession of big wins including against Dubois and Joseph Parker. But his career was left hanging in the balance following consecutive stoppage losses to China’s 20st giant Zhilei Zhang. Joyce did return with a laboured victory over Kash Ali before again losing to British veteran Derek Chisora. Despite the run of three defeats in four, Joyce hinted he will continue after talking down retirement. Frazer Clarke, 2021 Tokyo Clarke might have thought his Olympic dream would never come true. He first became a GB boxer in 2009 but was overlooked for Joshua in 2012 and then lost out to Joyce four years after that. Clarke – who worked security for Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing fights – eventually got called up for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. But again disaster struck as the coronavirus pandemic KOd the Games and potentially Clarke’s hopes. Frazer Clarke took bronze in 2021 in TokyoCredit: GettyClarke stuck with it and eventually made it to Japan and walked away with silver before turning pro in 2022 aged 30. READ MORE SUN STORIESHe is currently unbeaten in nine bouts and featured in one of the fights of the year in 2024. Clarke shared 12 gruelling and thrilling rounds with Fabio Wardley in March – fuelling demand for an anticipated rematch. Fabio Wardley and Clarke drew in a British classicCredit: Reuters More

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    Inside Team GB’s boxing failure in Paris with fighters controversially beaten before iconic sport VANISHES from Olympics

    TEAM GB’s boxing team have been knocked off the podium in dramatic fashion.By Monday night, FOUR of our six fighters were already out.Team GB used to be at the top of the world boxing podiumCredit: PABut four of the nation’s six boxing hopefuls at Paris 2024 – including Delicious Orie – are already outCredit: GETTYRob McCracken’s tenure as performance director is under serious threatCredit: GETTYAnd if Lewis Richardson and Chantelle Reid cannot halt the downward trend, the value of the £12million injected into boxing for the Paris Olympic cycle will be seriously questioned.Three of the British defeats were split decisions — with the verdicts against Delicious Orie and Rosie Eccles controversial to say the least.Mike Tyson was world champion in 1996 the last time Britain left without an Olympic boxing medal.Golden duo Galal Yafai and ­Lauren Price led the way last time as GB claimed six medals in Tokyo.READ MORE OLYMPICS NEWSNicola Adams won gold in Rio with Joe Joyce denied a title by scandalous judging that later cost the IBA its job of running boxing for the IOC.There was a golden hat-trick at London 2012 through Adams, Luke Campbell and Anthony Joshua.But the path paved by amateur pioneers like Audley Harrison, Amir Khan and James DeGale has crumbled.It seems unlikely performance director Rob McCracken will remain at the helm.Most read in SportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBut it is not British boxing that is desperate for reform — it is the entire amateur code of the sport.Boxing could be binned for 2028 in Los Angeles if a replacement body cannot be found to run the event.GB’s super-heavyweights The IBA was stripped of recognition by the IOC in 2023.That came after professor Richard McLaren reported “significant” and “rampant” manipulation of results among 77 Rio bouts the IBA oversaw.Umar Kremlev, a Russian pal of Vladimir Putin, was elected president in 2022 and promised a revolution.But a sponsorship deal with Gazprom and throwing cash around the unpaid ranks has raised alarm bells.Any talented boxer who watched the robbery Joyce suffered in 2016 or the suspiciously harsh decisions in Paris could be forgiven for ditching their own Olympic dream.Because even if Orie had got the nod over Davit Chaloyan, he looked nailed on to lose to Uzbekistan’s ­Bakhodir Jalolov — a pro with an unbeaten 14-fight record who is still allowed to clean up at amateur events.It is no surprise that British heavyweight sensation Moses Itauma, 19, and super-lightweight Adam Azim, 22, ditched the vest and headguard to make a living out of the sport.Undefeated heavyweight prospect Moses Itauma opted against pursuing Olympic goldCredit: RexAs did super-lightweight prospect Adam AzimCredit: PAAnd yet the amateur code — and the Olympics specifically — is supposed to be the sport’s pinnacle.Joshua, Oleksandr Usyk and Vasyl Lomachenko will all tell you their gold medals mean more than every belt and pound note banked since.Britain’s lack of success this week seems to say more about the state of the sport than the form of our crop.Far more worrying than a disappointing medal haul is the feeling younger stars may be better off out of amateur boxing.READ MORE SUN STORIESEspecially our women since the IOC allowed two athletes with male DNA to fight in Paris.Boxing’s toughest opponent right now is itself. More