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    Eddie Hearn leaps to defence of Jake Paul after Canelo fight is blocked… and compares HIMSELF to YouTube star

    EDDIE HEARN leaped to Jake Paul’s defence amid the collapse of his Canelo Alvarez fight – and even compared HIMSELF to the YouTube star.YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul and Mexican great Canelo were close to announcing a shock May 3 bout in Las Vegas. Eddie Hearn leaped to Jake Paul’s defence after the Canelo Alvarez fight collapsedCredit: RexCanelo walked away from a deal to fight Jake PaulCredit: GettyBut Canelo pulled the plug at the last minute to instead sign a bumper four-fight deal with Saudi supremo Turki Alalshikh. Paul claimed the powers that be did everything they could to prevent the mega-fight – sickened at the thought of him fighting boxing’s best.And Hearn actually agrees with the American’s sentiment – even seeing a bit of himself in the self-proclaimed Problem Child. He told SunSport: “I do believe that Jake Paul was ready to fight Canelo Alvarez.READ MORE IN boxing “I know that there’s criticism that he’s never fought a real fight before while he was trying to.”I think anyone that has power, anyone that has a little bit of a big mouth, people will try and block, disrupt. I mean, I have it myself.”So yeah, there’s gonna be a lot of people that will try and stop Jake Paul in his tracks but he’s a very determined young man, smart man. I’m sure he’ll be just fine.”Paul, 28, and Canelo, 34, were on the verge of confirming a cruiserweight clash to be streamed on Netflix. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBut powerful Saudi advisor Alalshikh stepped in to offer Canelo a May 4 bout in Riyadh before his super-fight against Terence Crawford, 37, in September. Paul now looks set to turn his attention to a new opponent with SunSport understanding an announcement is close. Eddie Hearn reveals latest on Anthony Joshua’s boxing returnMeanwhile, Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions and Hearn struck a deal to confirm Katie Taylor’s trilogy with Amanda Serrano on July 11.Taylor, 38, has won two controversial decisions over Serrano, 36, in New York’s Madison Square Garden in 2022 and Texas last November. Now they renew their epic rivalry once more at the famous MSG live on Netflix in an all-women’s card. Hearn said: “I felt the size of the second fight, obviously the size of the first fight, the platform as well. “Amanda and Katie could fight 100 times and it would be Fight of The Year contenders every time. “So we were pleased to get a deal done with MVP and looking forward to the trilogy.” Katie Taylor, Hearn, Jake Paul and Amanda SerranoCredit: RexTaylor won the rematch against Serrano in TexasCredit: GettySerrano lost a controversial decision to Taylor in 2022 in New YorkCredit: AP More

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    Nick Ball vs TJ Doheny: Date, start time, TV channel and undercard for the featherweight title clash

    FEATHERWEIGHT world champion Nick Ball will be putting his belt on the line as he faces former champion TJ Doheny.Ball, 27, will be defending his featherweight title for the third time in just 12 months in his hometown of Liverpool at the M&S Bank Arena.Nick Ball defends his WBA featherweight title in Liverpool on Saturday nightTJ Doheny returns to the ring after his KO defeat at the hands of Naoya Inoue in SeptemberIn his last fight, Ball defeated American fighter Ronny Rios by TKO in the tenth round to secure his 21st win in his professional career. This next fight comes as another tough test where his title and his undefeated record will be on the line in front of a raucous home crowd.TJ Doheny, 38, is a former IBF super-bantamweight champion who most recently fought one of the best boxers in the world, Naoya Inoue.Doheny fell to a seventh round TKO in that fight and is potentially staring at one last title tilt..More Boxing NewsWhen is Nick Ball vs TJ Doheny?The fight is live from the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool on Saturday, March 15.The event starts at 7pm GMT.The ring walk for Nick Ball and TJ Doheny is scheduled for approximately 10pm GMT.What TV channel is Nick Ball vs TJ Doheny on and can it be streamed?Nick Ball vs TJ Doheny will be available on TNT Sports and Discovery+Viewers will need a TNT Sports subscription in order to watch the fightAlternatively, coverage will be available via SunSport’s live blog.Full cardNick Ball vs TJ Doheny – for WBA featherweight titleAndrew Cain vs Charlie Edwards – for British & Commonwealth bantamweight titles and WBC Silver titlesBrad Strand vs Ionut Baluta – for European super-bantamweight titleJadier Herrera vs Jose EnriquezJack Turner vs Ryan FarragBoma Brown vs Cristian UwakaJack Power vs Jose AguirreStephen Clarke vs Dmitri ProtkunasWilliam Birchall vs Engel GomezLucas Biswana vs Ezequiel GregoresLewis Lawton vs Artjom SpatarLeighton Birchall vs Laszlo BernathWhat’s been said?Former world champ Tony Bellew has described Ball as “the most exciting fighter” in Britain.Most read in BoxingThe Bomber said: “Nick Ball gives such value for money. WThat boy just gets in the ring and he fights and fights non stop. Aggression. “I’d go as far as to say I think Nick Ball is the fittest fighter in the country. He’s relentless. “He’s literally the Tasmanian devil. He is all over you, he is not letting you off the hook. He fights fire with fire. He’s a fan’s favourite. “And as a watch for pure excitement, I’d go as far as saying he’s the most exciting fighter in this country. “I can’t see past him. “Now what you want is you want to match him with really good boxers. “So, we’ve seen him with Raymond Ford where he beat him for the world title,” More

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    ‘It was hard to watch’ – John Fisher opens up on his son’s brutal fight against Dave Allen after he needed brain scan

    JOHN FISHER opened up on the struggle of watching his boy put his health on the line in the boxing ring. Son Johnny beat Dave Allen in a brutal 12-round slug fest in Riyadh last December – which fans deemed controversial but an all-out thriller. Johnny Fisher after his fight with Dave AllenCredit: The Stomping Ground Johnny Fisher with his dad JohnCredit: @Johnfis08605918And heavyweight Fisher was left baring his battle scars after being rushed to hospital for a precautionary brain scan. Dad John – who helps flog hundreds of tickets for his son thanks to his TikTok fame – watched through his fingers alongside wife Charlotte.John told SunSport: “It’s hard to watch. “My wife was next to me, I’ve seen boxing in it’s most brutal form, I’ve seen Johnny spar in harder fights than that.READ MORE IN BOXING”So I’ve seen it before, but Charlotte was a bit, ‘Oh my God, oh my God.’ “And when you’re in Saudi, it was quite a way back away, you can’t really see what’s going on fully.”Everyone’s standing up so it wasn’t a nice watch no, if I’m being hones. It wasn’t a great watch.”Fisher was taken to hospital after winning a tight points decision having taken damage to his ear.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSJohn said: “Listen, we had to go to the hospital.”We had to have brain scans, his ear was like that thick on his left side, he couldn’t even stand up in the changing rooms, had no balance whatsoever.Eddie Hearn reveals latest on Anthony Joshua’s boxing return”But the doctors, everyone in Saudi Arabia had really looked after him, so it was very comforting when he was at the hospital.”He was all right, he had all his faculties about him, it’s just his balance had totally gone.”But it’s boxing, it’s a dangerous, dangerous game, so the top respect to all boxers, men and women that do it, boys and girls, there’s no other sport like it.”Fisher, 26, was dropped in round five by Allen, 32, but battled on to take a disputed split-decision win. Now he looks to silence any doubters by taking the immediate rematch on May 17 at the Copper Box – just six months on from the epic first battle. And Fisher – who is 13-0 with 11 knockouts – cherished his painful rumble in Riyadh. READ MORE SUN STORIESHe told us: “We’ve always spoken about it in training, back against the wall showing people you can tough it out and grit it out. “They’re the things you dream of as a professional fighter. Can’t do it all the time but to show people I’m not just a knockout artist, I can dig in, that’s another good positive.” Dave Allen lost a controversial decision to FisherCredit: PA More

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    Athlete disqualified for shameful act just centimetres from finish line that sparked fury at U20 Championship

    THE Spanish Under-20 Indoor Championships were hit by a shameful act centimetres from the finish line.Guillermo Sanchez was crowned the victor of the 1500m event in Salamanca with a time of 3:54.55.The Spanish Under-20 Indoor Championships were hit with a shocking incidentAthlete’s Daniel Lopez and Mario Palencia clashed centimetres from the finish linePalencia was disqualified for pushing Lopez over at the finish line after Lopez crossed his pathCredit: LaLiga+Lopez fell heavily to the floor after the pushHowever, as the 18-year-old raised his hands in triumph, the crowd was left stunned as second and third became embroiled in a stunning act.Athletes Daniel Lopez and Mario Palencia, both 18, were close behind Sanchez when he crossed the line. But as they approached the finish line, Lopez – who was running in second at the time – appeared to veer his path to the right. This change of direction saw him get in the way of Palencia.READ MORE IN SPORTFrustrated by the move across his path, Palencia astonishingly pushed Lopez just centimetres before the pair were set to cross the finish line.This caused Lopez to lose his balance and go tumbling over on to the floor.As reported by Marca, the act was deemed to constitute unsportsmanlike conduct under article RT7.1. Palencia received a red card for the incident and was subsequently disqualified from the race.Most read in AthleticsCheltenham Festival betting offers and free betsBut it was not only the finish line push which had been considered, with the pair also clashing during the race.Both race-winner Sanchez, runner-up Lopez and the disqualified Palencia had each won their respective earlier heat to get to the final.Horror moment sprinter is smacked in the head with baton during relay before being treated for potential skull fracture More

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    ‘Only boxer Mike Tyson refused to fight’ revealed with Baddest Man on the Planet ‘scared s***less of f***ing animal’

    MIKE TYSON might have been the Baddest Man on The Planet – but even he knew his limits.According to promoter Don King’s former matchmaker Bobby Goodman, Tyson was afraid to fight George Foreman. Mike Tyson was said to be scared of fighting George ForemanCredit: AFPA 2005 article from Boxing Scene quotes Goodman as saying: “Georgie, you’ll never believe this but, f***ing Tyson is scared s***less of Foreman and wants no part of him. “I was there when Don was trying to make the fight.”He was telling Tyson that Foreman represented huge money, plus he was old and slow and would be no problem.”Tyson got up and screamed at King saying, ‘I’m not fighting that f***ing animal, if you love the motherf***er so much, you fight him!'”READ MORE ON MIKE TYSONForeman initially retired in 1977 but he returned after a ten-year hiatus from the ring at the age of 38. By that time, Tyson had become the youngest heavyweight champion of all time at just 20 years old. In 1990, controversial promoter King tried to pit the pair together by having them fight on the same card. Tyson knocked out Henry Tillman while Foreman beat Adilson Rodrigues – but talks collapsed quickly soon after.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSIron Mike was later sent to prison in 1992 for a rape conviction – serving three years in jail. Meanwhile, Foreman became the oldest heavyweight champ of all time at 45 when he knocked out Michael Moorer in 1994 while Tyson was behind bars. Mike Tyson doesn’t hesitate when asked who was most powerful puncher in boxing Tyson returned by 1995 – becoming champion that year – he retired in 2005 following two dismal defeats. Foreman was also retired by 1997 and ironically admitted he did not want to fight Tyson either.He once told ESPN: “That guy was a nightmare in the ring. I didn’t want anything to do with that guy.”I didn’t want a part of Mike Tyson. He was a monster. If he missed you with his left, then missed you with his right, he’d bite you.”Those are the kind of guys you see in a nightmare. You want to wake up and say, ‘so glad that’s a dream’.”I didn’t want any part of Mike Tyson – no way.”READ MORE SUN STORIESAfter boxing, Foreman launched a successful line of cooking grills. And Tyson returned for a controversial fight last November against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, 28, losing on points. Foreman was boxing’s oldest heavyweight champ at 45Credit: GettyHe also admitted to not wanting to fight Mike TysonCredit: RexJake Paul beat Mike Tyson on pointsCredit: Reuters More

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    Athlete collapses and medics put blue screen around her in terrifying scenes at European Indoor Athletics

    A DUTCH middle-distance runner appeared to be knocked out cold and was stretchered off on the final day of the European Athletics Indoor Championship.Maureen Koster collided with Brit Hannah Nuttall with nine laps left of the women’s 3,000 metres final in Apeldroon.Maureen Koster was knocked unconscious after falling in the Women’s 3000m finalCredit: ReutersShe was later taken away on a stretcherCredit: ReutersNuttall, 27, could hear the European rival scream as she fell to the ground and then hit her head on the blue track.Officials ran over and dragged her into the in-field so that the race could continue.A number of medics were quickly on the scene and held up a blue sheet as they tried to help.Koster – who had the backing of the crowd during the race – was then placed onto a stretcher and taken to a medical facility at the Omnisport Arena.About 20 minutes after the incident, the Netherlands team tweeted that she was “conscious and responsive” after being taken to hospital.They said on X: “Good news. Maureen is conscious and responsive after her fall during the 3,000 metres.”Melissa Courtney-Bryant thought she had won gold for Britain but was pipped down the closing metres by Irishwoman Sarah Healy, who prevailed in a time of 8:52.86.Koster, 32, was competing in the European Indoor Championships for the sixth time.Most read in AthleticsShe won a silver medal on her debut appearance in 2015, which remains her only major medal to date.Innes FitzGerald was one of three British runners in the race and she was behind Koster at the moment when she fell over.Sharlene Mawdsley ‘devastated’ after injury rules her out of European Athletics Indoor ChampionshipsThe 18-year-old from Devon said: “I just saw her on the floor in front of me. I thought I had to get around her and hopefully not be fazed by that.“I didn’t want it to affect my race plan. It was gutting to have her fall, especially in front of a home crowd. I hope she is okay. Very sad that she fell over.”BBC TV cameras missed the fall live as they were showing the women’s high jump, involving Morgan Lake, at the same time.Steve Cram, the lead commentator for the coverage, said: “I really do apologise, we’ve just had a fall in the 3,000m.“It’s Maureen Koster. They might have to stop this. She is unconscious on the track, it looks like.“I’m not sure what’s going to happen here. I am really sorry that we were away from this quite as long as that.“That is a local director’s choice. She has been removed from the track right in front of me.” More

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    Eddie Hearn reveals ‘frontrunner’ to fight Anthony Joshua next and it’s NOT Tyson Fury… with five names in running

    ANTHONY JOSHUA has a list of FIVE potential opponents to fight next – but Tyson Fury is NOT the front runner. Joshua has not fought since his September knockout loss to IBF champion Daniel Dubois. Anthony Joshua with promoter Eddie HearnCredit: GettyAnd he looked on course to return in a blockbuster against Tyson Fury – until the Gypsy King announced his retirement in January. With Fury still yet to make a U-turn over his boxing career, AJ could favour a rematch with Dubois next. Hearn told talkSPORT: “Daniel Dubois still [is the frontrunner]. In an ideal world, he will fight Fury, if not Dubois. “There is also Joseph Parker, who I think would be a great fight, there is Agit Kabayel and Deontay Wilder, obviously [Turki Alalshikh] has stated he would love to see that fight.READ MORE IN boxing “I guess the [Martin] Bakole fight is still there, but he would probably get criticised if he fought Bakole, so less likely.” Joshua, 35, decided against an immediate rematch against Dubois, 27, who instead signed to face Parker next. But he pulled out of fighting Parker in February just days beforehand after picking up an illness in Saudi Arabia. Instead Parker, 33, beat late replacement Bakole, 31, who filled in on just over 24 hours notice, in one round. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSKabayel, 32, meanwhile beat Zhilei Zhang, 41, on the same night to win the WBC interim title. Former champ Wilder, 39, is coming off a points loss to Parker and knockout defeat to Zhang. The American is rumoured to be plotting a comeback but is yet to announce a return to the ring. Wilder has most recently been linked with a fight against ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou, 38, who lost to AJ and Fury in the ring. Daniel Dubois knocked out AJ in SeptemberCredit: GettyMartin Bakole was KOd by Joseph ParkerCredit: GettyAgit Kabayel beat Zhilei Zhang in RiyadhCredit: GettyDeontay Wilder is still linked with the Joshua fightCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More

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    Dana White gives brutal response to working with rivals Bob Arum and Oscar de la Hoya after UFC boss enters boxing

    DANA WHITE gave a brutal response to working with rivals Bob Arum and Oscar de la Hoya after entering the boxing business. The TKO group that owns and controls the UFC and WWE announced the launch of their anticipated boxing league alongside Turki Alsheikh. Dana White is moving into the boxing businessCredit: GettyUFC boss White and WWE president Nick Khan will work with Saudi supremo Alsheikh in the new boxing venture. It remains to be seen whether White will do business with promoters like Arum and De La Hoya – who he has criticised in the past. And he said on the matter: “I mean, let’s hope not! I would never say never but that is not what I plan to do.” White fell out with De La Hoya after the boxing legend slammed Conor McGregor’s 2017 crossover fight with Floyd Mayweather. READ MORE IN BOXINGAnd Arum spent years blasting the sport of MMA during the UFC’s early rise – causing friction with White. But the UFC boss has praised Arum for his longevity while also speaking positively about Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren before. Details on TKO’s new boxing venture remain a mystery but White will look to follow the same model that has made the UFC a global powerhouse. White said after UFC 314: “If you think about the UFC when we bought the company we had three letters, the old octagon and 12 contracts. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”We had to build the thing from the ground up. I think the sport of boxing is so broken that it needs to be built from the ground up again. “And that’s what I’m focussed on doing. (Alsheikh’s) got some commitments from the next 18 months with a lot of guys and a lot of fights and a lot of different promoters. Eddie Hearn jokes he is ‘totally finished’ after UFC boss Dana White enters boxing with Turki Alsheikh”But I talk a lot about USA Tuesday Night Fights – the best up and coming fighters all fought on that show and then became big pay-per-view stars. “And it’s the same thing that happened with the UFC. We started on Spike TV, we built stars and they became pay-per-view stars. “I want to do the same thing with boxing.” Jon Anik, with Turki Alalshikh and Dana WhiteCredit: Getty More