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    Hamzah Sheeraz loses his favourite sparring partner in Justin Bieber after swapping LA for Ireland to switch trainers

    HAMZAH SHEERAZ has swapped Los Angeles for Ireland – leaving behind his favourite sparring partner in Justin Bieber.The East Londoner spent five years in California under coach Ricky Funez at the Tengoose Boxing Club – famed for its star-studded members. Justin Bieber alongside Hamzah SheerazCredit: Instagram Bieber is a regular at Ricky Funez’s LA gymCredit: Instagram Boxing great Floyd Mayweather and Hollywood’s Mario Lopez are among regulars in the sweltering San Fernando Valley gym. And Sheeraz even once trained alongside and did some rounds with hip hop icon Bieber – now leaving behind his most famous sparring partner. He told SunSport: “I’ve lost it! But, you never know. I mean, the level I’m fighting at now in boxing, you don’t know who you’ll be training with tomorrow. “So, I wouldn’t write it off just yet.” READ MORE IN BOXINGBieber – who used to walk Mayweather to the ring – is known to be a boxing fanatic and handy with the gloves on. Sheeraz revealed: “I think he uses boxing a bit as like an escapism. So I didn’t really talk to him too much.“I just put my hands up and let him beat me up, to be fair. For what he’s portrayed to be, he could fight. He can definitely fight.”Sheeraz, 25, returns on July 12 in New York up at super-middleweight against Edgar Berlanga, 28. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBerlanga lost a one-sided decision to Canelo Alvarez, 34, in September after being dropped in the third round with a left hook. Sheeraz meanwhile moves up from middleweight off the back of a disputed draw against WBC champion Carlos Adames, 31. Jake Paul confirms rules for Gervonta Davis fight despite FIVE STONE weight difference with exhibition in works for 2025And more controversy struck after Saudi boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh appeared to warn Sheeraz that he was losing the fight with two rounds to go. But the WBC and British Boxing Board of Control – who sanctioned the fight – denied that Alalshikh had access to the judges scorecards. Adames kept hold of his title while Sheeraz – who suffered a hand injury in the bout – decided it was time to move up from 160lb to 168lb. It was not his best performance, he acknowledged, unlike the brash and outspoken Berlanga in the aftermath of his defeat to Canelo. Sheeraz said: “I think he’s a little bit insecure about that performance.“He’s not a realist, is he? I was real about my last fight, it wasn’t my best fight and you move on and you learn from these things.“You don’t make excuses for this, that, the other, do you know what I mean?“You take it on the chin and you carry on. But he’s a little bit different, out here, I think he genuinely believes he’s a superstar.“It’s interesting but like I said, I’m enjoying it.”Read More on The SunSheeraz has also hired Irish former middleweight world champion Andy Lee after moving up to super-middleweight – starting camp in Ireland. He said: “It’s going well. I genuinely like him, he’s a good man. And I feel like we’re gonna have a very, very successful relationship.” Edgar Berlanga facing off with SheerazCredit: Getty More

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    ‘He’s the king slayer’ – Lennox Lewis names only heavyweight capable of beating Oleksandr Usyk

    LENNOX LEWIS claimed there is only one “king slayer” capable of beating Oleksandr Usyk. Usyk is 23-0 with undisputed titles at cruiserweight and heavyweight – beating both Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury twice. Lennox Lewis with Oleksandr UsykHe also stopped Daniel Dubois in 2023 but only after low-blow controversy in round five. Usyk hit the floor after the referee deemed a blow to be below the belt – but Dubois has always maintained it was a legal shot. He eventually lost in nine rounds but has built himself back up to win the IBF title – knocking out AJ in September. And Lewis – Britain’s last undisputed heavyweight champ – has backed Dubois to beat Usyk in their July 19 rematch at Wembley. READ MORE IN BOXINGHe told Queensberry: “I’m thinking he’s ready. He’s been through the trials and tribulations. “He’s the king slayer. He’s got the power. He’s been there before. He was just there, he knocked [Usyk] down, so he knows what he needs to do. “It would be great for him to do it, another man from Great Britain. It’s not an easy task, but he’s definitely the man that can go through with it. “He’s done the work. He’s gone through the pedigree. He’s a certified world champion and I think he has big hopes on doing it. He’s going to do it.”Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSUsyk, 38, became the heavyweight division’s first four-belt undisputed champ after beating Fury, 36, last May. But he had to vacate the IBF version to proceed with his December rematch against Fury – which he won on points. Dubois, 27, was meanwhile elevated from interim to full champ and defended it with his KO over Joshua, 35, at Wembley. Usyk and Daniel Dubois rematch on July 19Credit: Richard Pelham / The SunTheir first fight was marred in low-blow controversyCredit: TNT Sport More

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    ‘I would’ve beaten him’ – Jake Paul blasts Canelo Alvarez’s win over William Scull and but says shock fight WILL happen

    JAKE PAUL blasted Canelo Alvarez’s win over William Scull – but says their shock fight WILL happen. The YouTuber-turned-boxer and Mexican great were close to announcing a blockbuster May 3 bout in Las Vegas. Jake Paul blasted Canelo Alvarez’s win over William ScullCredit: SplashScull was beaten by Canelo on points in a dull affairCredit: GettyBut Canelo walked away to instead sign a four-fight deal with Saudi Arabia’s Turki Alalshikh. He beat Scull, 32, in Riyadh to win back the undisputed super-middleweight titles ahead of a September clash with Terence Crawford, 37. But Canelo put on a lacklustre performance in doing so, landing just 56 punches after throwing only 152 over 12 rounds. Paul told Ariel Helwani: “I would have beat Canelo, for sure. READ MORE IN BOXING”Even just watching him against Scull, he’s just washed up, inactive, doesn’t throw a lot of punches, not very strong. “What’s crazy is one of my main sparring partners from the last two years was the one who ‘lost’ to William Scull. “He was the one that should have been fighting Canelo. His name is Vladimir Shishkin. “He beat Scull way worse than Canelo did, and this is the guy I’m sparring with every day for two and a half years, going toe-to-toe with.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”When it happens, I’m going to have the last laugh, and I know what I’m capable of, and there’s a lot more names on the list I’m going to beat in the next couple of years. “It’s going to be the greatest boxing career of all time.” Jake Paul confirms rules for Gervonta Davis fight despite FIVE STONE weight difference with exhibition in works for 2025Despite the dramatic collapse of their deal, Paul, 28, is still confident he will fight Canelo, 34, in the future. He said: “Yeah, I think so. I think so, just because from a third party view we’re the two biggest names in the sport. “And because of that it’s just going to be fun and exciting and I like making history with big events.” Paul’s last fight was at heavyweight beating Mike Tyson – who controversially came out of retirement aged 58. Now he returns back down at cruiserweight on June 28 against ex-middleweight world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, 39, in California. It comes after talks to rematch Tommy Fury, 26, who Paul lost to in 2023 and arch enemy KSI, 31, both failed. Paul said: “I think Julio, that conversation has always been there, and fans have always wanted it. “He’s a former world champion, super experienced, and it’s a good chip on my belt to test myself in the ring with a very, very tough opponent. “He has the name behind him, the Mexican fan base, Puerto Rico vs. Mexico, and he was actually somebody that stepped up to the table. Read More on The Sun”The Tommy Fury [talks] have always been there, the KSI discussions have always been there, but those guys don’t actually want to make a fight happen. “Julio stepped up, credit to him, and we made June 28 happen.”Jake Paul returns against Julio Cesar Chavez JrCredit: Splash More

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    ‘It’s a f***ing easy win’ – Carl Froch makes emphatic prediction for Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua fight

    CARL FROCH did not hold back with his emphatic prediction for Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua. Joshua, 35, is coming off a brutal knockout loss to Daniel Dubois, 27, in September and currently finds himself nursing an elbow injury. Tyson Fury is fuelling speculation of a return to fight Anthony JoshuaCredit: GettyJoshua is currently nursing a shoulder injuryCredit: GettyFury, 36, meanwhile was beaten twice by Oleksandr Usyk, 38, last year, retiring in January only one month after his rematch defeat. But the Gypsy King has fuelled speculation of a comeback with recent training videos and Froch reckons a fight with AJ is easy money for Fury. He said on his YouTube channel: “I think AJ’s finished. Honestly, I think he’s finished and done. And the only fight potentially for him is the Fury fight.”Forget rematching Usyk, forget Dubois again, because we know what’s going to happen because we’ve already seen it.READ MORE IN BOXING”But the fight with Fury is safe enough because Fury probably would struggle to knock him out with one punch.”I’m not saying he can’t do that, he probably can, but that’s a fight I’d probably say, you know what if you’re going to come out of retirement – I know Anthony Joshua’s not retired – but if Fury’s going to come out of retirement that makes sense.”Because for me, it’s a f***ing easy win. I’m not being horrible but Tyson Fury, for me, runs rings around Anthony Joshua.”AJ’s got no confidence, he got flattened in his last fight and look at the form Anthony Joshua’s been on compared to the form that Tyson Fury’s been on.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”Tyson Fury is naturally talented, very skilful, he’s a technician, you see him against Usyk, yes he lost but he was in the fight from round one to round 12.”It was quite a close fight, the right man won, Usyk beat him fair and square but if you’re looking at form and looking at the quality and natural ability and the talent and where he is in the mind, Tyson Fury is a massive favourite in my book going into that fight.”AJ to have surgery this week as Hearn reveals ‘encouraging’ Fury fightPromoter Eddie Hearn revealed Joshua plans to fight in 2025 – with or without Fury. Hearn told SunSport: “Next couple of months, if there’s no movement, we fight. “I mean there’s no way AJ’s not fighting this year. So who that will be? I can’t tell you. “I mean, that’s the million dollar question at all times, but I think more importantly is, do we get any news from Fury in the next four, six, eight weeks?”If we do, we’ll fight him this year. If not, we’ll fight and then maybe he comes back next year, who knows? “But I’d be lying if I said we weren’t desperate to see him return. But, at the same time we can’t just wait around and see what happens.”Carl Froch gave a brutal assessment of Joshua’s fighting futureCredit: YouTube/Froch On Fighting More

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    Jake Paul confirms rules for Gervonta Davis fight despite FIVE STONE weight difference with exhibition in works for 2025

    JAKE PAUL has confirmed what the rules will be in a fight against Gervonta Davis – with talks for an exhibition underway. The two were close to announcing a shock bout despite their huge weight difference. Jake Paul has teased an exhibition fight against Gervonta DavisCredit: SportsfileDavis fights five stone lighter than Jake PaulCredit: Getty Images – GettyBut Davis controversially drew with Lamont Roach in March with the pair to rematch in the summer. And Paul told Ariel Helwani: “That was on the one-yard line as well but he has to rematch Lamont Roach. “He wants to get that back. Then we’ll be back in discussions with Mr. Gervonta. “But this is the nature of boxing, you have massive fights on the one-yard line but things just fall through.” READ MORE IN BOXINGPaul’s last fight was up at heavyweight when Mike Tyson controversially made a comeback aged 58.But a huge 100 MILLION tuned in to watch on Netflix as Paul won an eight-round decision in Texas.He was then closing in on a deal to fight Canelo Alvarez, 34, back down at cruiserweight on May 3 in Las Vegas. But Canelo walked away from the deal to instead sign with Saudi Arabia’s Turki Alalshikh, beating William Scull, 32, in Riyadh in May. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSSo after Davis’ draw with Roach in New York, Paul watched another mega-fight fall by the wayside. He said: “I never really thought Tank was that good it would just take the right fighter to pick him apart, to be honest. Tyson Fury’s DMs to Jake Paul leaked ahead of potential Tommy rematch”Someone who had high activity and wasn’t afraid of his power. So, I always saw so many holes in his game. “To me it wasn’t that surprising that someone finally gave him some good work.” Paul, 28, now returns on June 28 against ex-middleweight world champion Julio Cesar Chavez, 39, back down at cruiserweight. But the 14st 4lb limit of 200lb is still FIVE STONE above the 9st 9lb lightweight division of 135lb where Davis reigns as WBA champ. As a result, a bout with Paul would not be able to be professionally sanctioned due to the size difference. So the YouTuber-turned-boxer admitted it would be an exhibition, over ten, three minute rounds where he would weigh no more than 195lb. Paul added: “No restrictions. Just the fact that we couldn’t actually get it professionally sanctioned.” The American is now eyeing the fight for the end of the year after his return against Chavez – son of the legendary Julio Cesar Sr. Paul said: “We’re working on it behind the scenes to make that happen. “Obviously, that’s a fight where the fans are going to win, and it’s going to be the biggest event of the year.Read More on The Sun“I’ll give anybody the smoke. I am just getting warmed up in the sport.”I want big money fights and tough opponents. I want to become a world champion. You’re going to see me be very active.”Jake Paul returns against Julio Cesar Chavez JrCredit: Splash More

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    Mike Balogun is the former NFL star who knocked out the son of a heavyweight legend and now faces Brit star Moses Itauma

    MIKE BALOGUN is the former NFL star-turned-heavyweight boxer daring to take out feared Brit Moses Itauma. Itauma is only 20 years old and 11 bouts into his professional career but has struck fear into the division with nine brutal knockouts. Mike Balogun is the former NFL star-turned-heavyweight boxerCredit: GettyTrey Lippe McKenzie, son of ex-champ Tommy, and BalogunCredit: GettyBalogun faces Moses ItaumaCredit: GettyHe has even been dubbed the next Mike Tyson – who became the youngest heavyweight champion of all time aged 20. Finding willing opponents to put their reputation on the line against the youngster from London has proved to be Itauma’s toughest fight so far. But stepping up this Saturday in Scotland on Josh Taylor’s undercard is southpaw Balogun. The 6ft 1in American first made his name in the NFL, playing for the likes of the San Francisco 49ers, the Buffalo Bills and the Dallas Cowboys.READ MORE IN BOXINGBut his career as a linebacker came to an end in 2012 – by that time he had already trained in boxing as part of his American football regime. It was only after being released by the Virginia Destroyers that Balogun decided to cross over to professional boxing. He made his debut in 2014 and his career transformation was underway. Balogun’s biggest win to date came in 2021 when he knocked out Trey Lippe Morrison – son of the late former world champion Tommy. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe 41-year-old suffered his first and only defeat in 2023 to Murat Gassiev – who lost his cruiserweight titles to Oleksandr Usyk five years earlier. Balogun will come to the UK with nothing to lose meanwhile Itauma is tipped for greatness. Moses Itauma, 20, lined up for sensational world title fight against Oleksandr Usyk this yearHis promoter Frank Warren has already warned not to rule out a world title fight in the future with Usyk, 38. Meanwhile Martin Bakole, 31, and Filip Hrgovic, 32, are two others on Itauma’s radar. Warren told BoxNation: “Billy Nelson (trainer of Bakole) sent me a text about him making the fight at the end of the year or next year.“Moses is not sitting around waiting for him, is he? He’s gonna get on with his business and who knows, I would expect by the end of this year for Moses to have at least another three fights. “I haven’t got to drum up Bakole in my job, I’m in the Moses Itauma business and that’s all I care about.  “I think that’s [Itauma and Hrgovic] also a good fight to make. I wouldn’t have a problem doing that sometime this year.”Itauma is tipped for greatness in the heavyweight divisionCredit: PA More

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    Josh Taylor open to exhibition with returning Manny Pacquiao, 46, having named his late DOG after boxing great

    JOSH TAYLOR is open to sharing the ring with Manny Pacquiao – having named his late DOG after the boxing hero. The Filipino great is on the verge of announcing a shock comeback aged 46 to fight WBC welterweight world champion Mario Barrios. Josh Taylor with his his late dog MannyTaylor got his dog tattooed on him following Manny’s passingManny Pacquiao is back in training for a comebackPacquiao was once a dream bout for Taylor – who named his pet Staffordshire Bull Terrier after PacMan. Sadly, Taylor’s Staffie passed away in 2020 but he commemorated his beloved dog with a tattoo on his thigh. And he would also be ready to honour Pacquiao in the form of an exhibition bout. Taylor told The Herald: “Listen, I would absolutely give my left foot to share a ring with my hero. It would be absolutely amazing. READ MORE IN BOXING”But as a competitive fight, I don’t think I would want it. What’s in it really for me is a lose-lose. “If I go in there and I win, I’ve beaten up a 46-year-old Manny Pacquiao. Or if I go in there and I lose, I’ve lost to a 46-year-old Manny Pacquiao. “So, it’s a lose-lose situation. But in terms of just going in there and doing an exhibition, just sharing the same ring with my hero, would be absolutely fantastic.”Pacquiao retired in 2021 after defeat to Yordenis Ugas but following a failed presidential campaign in the Philippines he is returning to boxing. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAnd he was controversially slotted fifth in the WBC rankings – despite not winning a fight for six years. Taylor also now moves up to welterweight after dropping his 140lb WBO title to Teofimo Lopez in 2023 before losing his rematch to Jack Catterall last May. Josh Taylor reveals his toughest ever fight that left him peeing BLOOD for five days and unable to walkThe Scot faces former British champion Ekow Essuman, 36, up at 147lb on Saturday in Glasgow with the WBO European belt at stake. Taylor said: “It’s good because it gives me a title, which then gives me a ranking on the world scene. “But at this point in my career I’m just thinking one fight at a time. I made that mistake in the lead-up to the [first] Jack Catterall fight, looking at what was going to be after it. “And I almost paid the price for it. So I’m not making that mistake again. I know there won’t be a shortage of options moving up and moving forward at welterweight.“I’m only 34. I didn’t turn pro until I was 25, you know? So it’s not like I’ve been pro since I was 16 or 17 and been in loads and loads of wars. I’m still fresh.”Taylor steps up to welterweight to fight Ekow EssumanCredit: Queensberry Promotions More

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    Nino Benvenuti dead at 87: Two-weight undisputed world champion and Olympic gold medallist passes away

    BOXING great Nino Benvenuti has died at the age of 87.Benvenuti, widely considered as Italy’s greatest ever fighter, became world champion in two weight classes and won three world titles.Italian boxing legend Nino Benvenuti has died at the age of 87Benvenuti became world champion in two classes, light middleweight and middleweightBenvenuti held the undisputed super-welterweight championship from June 1965 to June 1966.He also held the undisputed middleweight championship twice, from April to September 1967, and from March 1968 to November 1970. He boasted a stunning record of 82 wins, including 35 knockouts, seven losses and one draw in his 90 professional boxing bouts.His three world title fights against Emile Griffith in 1967 and 1968 were epic battles.READ MORE BOXING NEWSBut Benvenuti’s amateur career was equally ground-breaking, losing just ONE of his 120 matches.The pinnacle of his amateur career came when he won Olympic gold at the Rome 1960 Games in the welterweight category, also receiving the prestigious Val Barker Trophy for boxing style. As an amateur, he won the Italian welterweight title from 1956 to 1960 and the European title in 1957 and 1959. Turning professional in 1961, Benvenuti eventually won the light-middleweight world championship in 1965 in front of a 40,000 crowd in Milan’s San Siro Stadium.Most read in BoxingBenvenuti lost just ONE of his 120 amateur matchesIn 1968, Benvenuti was named “Fighter of the Year” by Ring Magazine, the only Italian to receive this honour. In 1992, the Orthodox fighter became the first Italian to be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.Although never holding U.S. citizenship, he was also admitted to the National Italian-American Sports Hall of Fame for his achievements on American soil. He lost his last three fights, including two knockout defeats to Carlos Monzon.After retiring from the ring, Benvenuti’s movie star looks landed him a job in show business.He appeared in several Italian films such as “Vivi o preferibilmente morti” (1969) and “Mark il poliziotto spara per primo” (1975). He also worked as a sports commentator for RAI Italia and, since 1979, was registered with the Journalists’ Association.Benvenuti’s wife Nadì Bertorello died at the age of 75 after a short illness in January 2023. Benvenuti’s movie star looks landed him a job in show business after he retired from boxingBenvenuti’s stunning pro record in 90 fightsWins: 82Knockouts: 35Losses: SevenDraws: One More