Aurelia Butler

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    I’m a former boxing world champion – but I used to live a very different life as a forklift driver

    SAM EGGINGTON fights Abbas Baraou tonight as he looks to win the European light middleweight title.The Birmingham-born fighter has never been afraid to take a fight and his 34-8 record is testament to that.Sam Egginton has been one of the most entertaining fighters in the game since making his professional debutCredit: ReutersIn an interview with The Daily Mail in the lead-up to the Baraou bout, he revealed that he only ever got into boxing to earn some money on the side while working a factory job operating forklift trucks.Eggington said: “I had my son at 17 and I was a forklift driver, and there were rumours that I was going to get made redundant, last in, first out, sort of thing.”And my mate at the time, Craig Cunningham, he was turning professional, and I heard this thing about journeymen. They box every week, they get paid every week, win, lose or draw.”I was like ‘Craig, give your manager a ring, I’ll do that’, and that’s when it started. I won the Midlands Area title and then a few sponsors came in and I thought I could probably make this my job. READ MORE IN BOXING”As the sponsors came in, I put more into training which was giving me more confidence to say I’m going to be a champion instead of a journeyman. “I was sparring good kids as well, and that didn’t resonate to me until my coach was telling me these things. So again, a few sponsors came in, I won the Area title and it snowballed from there.”Despite starting with intentions of being a journeyman, Eggington’s career soon saw him fight the likes of former two-weight world champion Paulie Malignaggi, and Frankie Gavin.He also won the IBO super-welterweight belt two years ago.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHis entertaining style saw him win back-to-back fight of the year titles in 2020 and 2021 for his bouts with Ted Cheeseman and Bilel Jkitou.Eggington lost to Cheeseman on points before being on the right end of a close-call against Jkitou in two classic fights. Fans fear Anthony Joshua will be ‘sleeping for a week’ after Francis Ngannou BREAKS scale on punch machineTalking about his title fight with Baraou, the 30-year-old said: “I don’t look at much of him or what he’s done. I leave that to the team to tell me what I should do off it. “If he comes for a fire-fight then I’m all there for that. If he wants to box and move then I’ll negotiate that.”Eggington was also defiant when asked about the prospect of retirement.Despite only being 30, he has now fought over 40 times, leading to many speculating that he won’t stay in the fight game for much longer but he said: “It irritates me [The prospect of retirement]. “I’m 30, I’m in my prime. Yes, I’ve had a lot of fights, I’ve been here a lot of years, but any other 30-year-old, no one is asking about retiring. No one is asking how much they’ve got left. “I just need people to have that perception of me that “Sam’s still here”. He has had a long career and people have enjoyed it, but he’s still here the same way he was when he was 25.” More

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    Who is Ryan Garcia’s girlfriend and OnlyFans model Mikaela Testa?

    RYAN Garcia announced he is dating an OnlyFans model, just weeks after revealing the divorce from his wife.Here we take a look at the boxing star’s new girlfriend Mikaela Testa.Mikaela Testa has almost 1million followers on InstagramCredit: Social MediaWho is Mikaela Testa?Mikaela Testa is a 23-year-old influencer and OnlyFans model from Australia.On February 29, 2024, boxer Ryan Garcia announced that he and Testa are in a relationship in a series of Instagram posts.He wrote on his story: “On a semi serious note I have a new Girlfriend. Not super serious at this time but she my boo @mikkimouse404.”Ima teach her how to fight! She’s the next one up @misfitsboxing.”READ MORE ON BOXINGGarcia then doubled down on training his new girlfriend to fight under Misfits Boxing, which hosts celebrity-style crossover bouts.He posted: “Look this is my baby, MY QUEEN BELIEVE THAT!!”Stop judging her is she perfect no. But are you? THOUGHT SO. I love her so stop hating.”Btw, I’m training her to fight and I’m willing to put her against whoever on @misfitsboxing and if you feel you can take her tag your self In it and I’ll set up a fight and you’ll walk away with a bag.Most read in Boxing”No less then 500,000$ and percentage of PPV if it makes sense.”Garcia, 25, then took to X to defend his new relationship, posting: “Bro what’s up with Yall? I can’t ft my girl and post it??? This is social media, where you share your life.[My parents] disowned me and haven’t spoken to me since [joining OnlyFans]Mikaela TestaInstagram”I’m not worried about nobody and what they post. It’s all good. If you don’t like her then that’s on you. I’m just being me.”What does Mikaela Testa do for work?Testa works as an online influencer and OnlyFans model, and has turned these non-traditional jobs into seriously lucrative occupations.Testa revealed that she earns an incredible £90,000 a month, but that her choice of career led to her parents not speaking to her.In May 2023, speaking on an Instagram question and answer, a fan asked how her mum and dad reacted to her choice of joining OnlyFans.Mikaela said: “They disowned me and haven’t spoken to me since.”Mikaela found fame on the adult website after joining, and now boasts more than 2.3million followers, along with over 929,000 on Instagram.In 2021, Mikaela revealed she spends more than £2,600 on clothes each week because she “doesn’t like to wear the same thing”.Who else has Ryan Garcia dated?At the start of the new year, Garcia confirmed his split from wife Andrea Celina — just two hours after revealing the news of the birth of his new son.On January 5, 2024, he announced to his Instagram followers that baby Henry Leo had been born.Alongside a snap of the newborn baby, he wrote: “Honored To announce my beautiful first born son.”Praise the lord. I am so thankful, I love him so much already. He is so fast already haha. Took him just 8 min to arrive.”You know where he got that speed from lol. God did! And God will.”Henry Leo Garcia. He will be ten times stronger, ten times wise, ten times better looking but he will need to work ten times harder. Thank you lord I love you.”However, shortly afterwards, he uploaded a statement confirming his and Andrea’s divorce.Garcia told his fans: “As I step into a new chapter in my life, it’s with a heavy heart to share that Drea and I have decided to divorce.”While this decision marks the end of our marriage, it’s important to emphasise that our relationship as co-parents remains our top priority.”The pair tied the knot in 2021 and have two other children together.In 2019, Garcia reportedly dated model Atiana De La Hoya, who is the daughter of boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya and Shanna Moakler.READ MORE SUN STORIESMoakler is a former model, Miss New York winner and Playmate of the Month for Playboy magazine in December 2001.Between the years of 2018 and 2019, Garcia was in a relationship with social media influencer Catherine Gamez, and they had daughter Rylie, 4, together. More

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    Jake Paul signs Neeraj Goyat after Indian boxing and movie star travels 9,000 miles to confront YouTuber amid fight talk

    JAKE PAUL has signed Neeraj Goyat after the Indian boxing star travelled 9,000 miles to confront him. Goyat – who once signed to face Amir Khan – has relentlessly called out YouTuber-turned boxer Paul. Jake Paul has signed Indian boxer Neeraj GoyatCredit: @jakepaul Goyat travelled 9,000 miles from India to Puerto Rico to confront PaulCredit: @GoyatNeerajAnd on the week of Paul’s next fight – against Ryan Bourland this Saturday in Puerto Rico – Goyat travelled almost ONE DAY to find the American. Goyat, 32, finally tracked Paul, 27, down in a car park and the two traded words before security had to intervene. But it is not the last time the pair could go head to head as SunSport can reveal Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions have signed Goyat. He said: “I’m truly honored to be the newest member of the Most Valuable Promotions family. READ MORE IN BOXING”MVP has been making waves in the boxing world, particularly with its commitment to showcasing and uplifting women in the sport since 2021.“In just 2.5 years, MVP has organised some of the world’s most significant boxing events, and I’m excited to work with MVP to elevate the status of professional boxing in India and bring attention to boxers from India globally.”SunSport understands MVP will promote Goyat’s fights going forward. And MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian has already confirmed business partner Paul could be a future opponent for Goyat in India. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe said: “My hope is that we can figure out a way fro MVP and Neeraj to collaborate and build up to the biggest event that India has ever seen and to see Jake Paul and Neeraj Goyat fight respectfully in India.” Goyat has almost 1million Instagram followers and has starred in movies in India and reality shows on Netflix. Inside Jake and Logan Paul’s £3.2m two-story warehouse gym in Puerto Rico with boxing ring, weights and recovery zonesHe has won various WBC titles and in 2019 signed to face British icon Khan until he was forced out with injury following a car crash. But a sticking point in talks with Paul will be weight, as Goyat has never fought over the 147lb welterweight limit and started out at 130lb. Paul meanwhile last scaled 199lb and the lowest he has weighed was 183.6lb the night before he lost to Tommy Fury, 24. Since that defeat, he has bounced back with wins over MMA legend Nate Diaz, 38, and pro boxer Andre August, 35. Paul steps up over the weekend to face 17-2 Bourland, 35, on the undercard of Amanda Serrano’s San Juan homecoming. Meanwhile Goyat has a record of 18-4-2 and has won nine of his last ten. Jake Paul and Goyat clashed in a car park More

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    Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou lifestyles compared, with AJ worth £200m while his rival fled Cameroon for better life

    ON March 8, two heavyweights of gigantic proportions will go head-to-head.Anthony Joshua, the Brit with the hulking and Adonis-like physique, will take on the equally uncompromising Francis Ngannou – who is built like a tank and has an epic back story that showed fight and courage.Hulking Anthony Joshua cuts quite the physical presence and has an Adonis-life physique built up through years of training hardCredit: Social Media – Refer to SourceJoshua’s next opponent Ngannou boasts an equally impressive physique, stands at 6ft4in tall and dedicates his life to trainingCredit: Instagram @francisngannouThanks to an impressive career in UFC, Ngannou has built a stellar car collection including this stunning Rolls-Royce believed to be worth £420kCredit: Instagram @francisngannouAJ has had an amazing career in boxing amassing a £200m fortune and drives a stunning Range Rover through a sponsorship dealCredit: InstagramThe impressive promo trailer, inspired by the famous Street Fighter video game, has whet the whistle furthermore for the bout in Riyadh.But these two couldn’t have more differing lifestyles.Thanks to an amazing career in boxing, AJ has amassed a wealth of over £200million.That means he is able to live the high-life, and is seen behind the wheels of an expensive Range Rover and heading on luxury destinations by private jet.Read more boxing newsNgannou was once homeless, before he made his UFC debut in 2015.However, once he got going in the heavyweight division he was able to build an epic car collection of his own.While for his most recent pay day, he received an £8million split of the purse for taking on Tyson Fury.Fancy motorsThanks to his partnership with Jaguar Land Rover – which is rumoured to be worth £790,000 a year – AJ rolls round London in his choice of a fleet of luxury wheels, including a customised white Jaguar XJR, worth £93,000.Most read in BoxingHis favourite motor is his personalised black Range Rover, which he says “looks very professional and sets a standard”.How heavyweights Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou compare on punching machine – and it’s bad news for BritHe has come a long way since buying his first car aged 17 – a second-hand Vauxhall Astra that cost £1,500.That said, he loved it – calling the motor a “stable, sturdy car.”But AJ isn’t that flash in comparison to other boxers.There’s no Ferraris or Lamborghinis in sight with his car collection.In any case, he was happy to buy his old gym in North London a new minibus.MMA legend Ngannou also knows a fine motor when he sees one.The most expensive car Francis has been seen with is the beautiful Rolls-Royce Phantom VII worth around £420,000.He also boasts a quiet Rolls-Royce Ghost, that costs as much as £270,000 and can reach 0-60 mph in just 4.7 seconds.On top of that, The Predator has also been spotted behind the wheel of a £130,000 Mercedes-Benz G-Class.And the petrol head satisfied his need for speed in 2021, when he paid a visit to Exotics Racing in Las Vegas, Nevada and drove a £180,000 Ferrari 488 GB around a track.UFC legend Ngannou shows off a stunning Mercedes-Benz G Class worth £130k on his Instagram that is the pick of his fleetCredit: Instagram @francisngannouIn 2021, Ngannou took a £180k Ferrari 488 GB for a spin at Exotics Racing track in Las Vegas, Nevada showing he is a real petrol headCredit: Instagram @francisngannouAJ loves his motors and bought his old gym Finchley Boxing Club a minibus as a thank you for all their hard workAJ travels in styleWith such a vast wealth at his disposal, AJ is well-travelled.When he isn’t training, AJ enjoys exotic holidays with his family and friends, with his Instagram showing him in Dubai, Jamaica, Miami, Paris and plenty more glam trips.However, he is quite frugal with how he travels.AJ is sponsored by US sportswear giant Under Armour – who provide him with a private jet, as well as paying him a seven-figure salary.Often, trips are sponsored by countries and resorts who want the privilege of having the sporting icon spotted hitting their hottest tourist spots.It helps that he reaches 16 million followers on Instagram, so is one of sport’s biggest influencers.Looking through Ngannou’s Instagram, which has 6.8 million followers, you see a more modest operator.His social media is dedicated to a tough training schedule, with the occasional trip to Africa documented.In one snap, though, he does seem starstruck after meeting rapper Eminem in Riyadh, before his exhibition fight with Fury back in October.AJ enjoys the high-life and goes on glam holidays around the world, enjoying fun sea activities like jet-skiingCredit: MegaAJ is sponsored by US sportswear giant Under Armour – who provide him with a private jet, as well as paying him a seven-figure salaryCredit: Instagram, @anthony_JoshuaGlobetrotter Anthony Joshua enjoys five-star holidays with his entourage inbetween tough training sessions – enjoying a game of chess with a palCredit: https://www.instagram.com/jcelite14/?hl=enDiffering backgroundsHumble Joshua grew up as a self-admitted bad boy on a council estate in Watford.However, he steered his life around at the age of 18 when he discovered boxing on the advice of his cousin.Ngannou’s journey is a bit more complex.Francis was raised in Batie, Cameroon, by a single mum who split from his dad when he was six.The father was a street-fighter, renowned in the village for squaring up to gang members, four of five at a time, and giving them a hiding.When he was nine, he joined his 11-year-brother by working in the sand mines.He chose to escape Africa for a better life, by any means possible, which included crossing the Sahara desert and crossing borders illegally.Eventually he would end up in a Spanish prison, although local authorities couldn’t prove he was an illegal immigrant because he used a forged passport.Upon release, he dodged a train fare to France, where he was discovered by Fernand Lopez, a coach at MMA Factory in Paris, sleeping in a car park near a boxing gym.Ngannou was Raised in Batie, Cameroon, by a single mum who split from his street fighting dad when he was sixCredit: Instagram @francisngannouNgannou fled Cameroon for a better life, spending time in a Spanish prison before living homeless in Paris where slept in a car parkBorn and raised in Watford by mum Yeta Odusanya, AJ grew up on a council estate as a self-proclaimed bad boy before turning to boxingCredit: Instagram / Anthony JoshuaWithin a few months, he was already fighting on the French MMA circuit.Watch thisWhen it comes to jewellery, AJ loves a good time piece.He owns a £350,000 Audemars Piguet watch that was custom-designed, is made of gold and is diamond studded.In the past, Joshua has spoken before about how it’s the most lavish thing he owns.He has also been seen wearing their sporty Royal Oak Offshore model that costs around £30,000.Ngannou isn’t one to be draped in jewellery.But generous pal Cristiano Ronaldo made sure his mate wasn’t lacking in jewels before his big fight against Fury.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Portugal football legend visited the fighter in Riyadh and gifted him a stunning £105,000 Jacob & Co. watch before he stepped in the ring with the Gypsy King.When showing it off, Ngannou joked with a wry smile: “It’s a nice piece.”Portugal football legend Cristiano Ronaldo is pals with Ngannou – gifting him a stunning £105,000 watch when they met in RiyadhNgannou’s amazing Jacob & Co. watch features gold and diamonds – the MMA star said jokingly, ‘It’s a nice piece’Credit: Instagram @francisngannouA sponsors dream, AJ has a multitude of deals including a mega contract with Audemars Piguet to wear their timepiecesCredit: Getty – ContributorAJ’s most prized possession is his £350,000 Audemars Piguet watch that was custom-designed and is made of gold and is diamond studdedCredit: Instagram More

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    Fans say Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou script has ‘leaked’ after seeing behind-the-scenes clip of epic trailer

    BOXING fans have joked that the “script” for Anthony Joshua’s showdown with Francis Ngannou has been leaked after the release of behind-the-scenes footage from the fight’s epic trailer.AJ will lock horns with the former UFC heavyweight champion in a lucrative Saudi showdown on March 8.Anthony Joshua throws down with former UFC champ Francis Ngannou on March 8Credit: AlamyAn epic Street Fighter-themed trailer for their crossover clash was released this weekCredit: X@TURKI_ALALSHIKHAn extremely rare double knockdown took place in the trailerCredit: X@TURKI_ALALSHIKHBoxing fans joked about the fight’s ‘script’ being leaked after seeing behind the scenes footage of the pair filming a double knockout emergedCredit: DAZNThe build-up to the crossover clash reached fever pitch this week following the release of an epic Street Fighter-themed trailer.The trailer features a hilarious segment in which both men fall to the canvas after landing punches.Footage of the clip being made, which shows the pair hitting each other at the same time then falling on to crash mats, has now emerged.And it prompted one fight fan to write on X: “Francis Ngannou vs Anthony Joshua script just leaked!!!”READ MORE IN BOXINGAnother said: “I know what to bet the house on now! I’m getting rich, guys!”And another said: “Nice movie they’ll act.”One remarked: “Guys, put ALL your money on a double KO! In fact, I’m taking bets.”Another chimed in: “How can these fighters spend this much time together & rehearse scenes together & still keep the integrity of the fight fiercely competitive and not scripted or just a glorified spar?”Most read in BoxingOne fight fan couldn’t believe the pair agreed to take part in the outrageous scene, saying: “WTF?CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSANTHONY JOSHUA VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE CROSSOVER BOUT”Imagine having to do this with the guy ur fighting lol.”Former two-time unified heavyweight champion Joshua, 34, enters the Saudi showdown flying high on three straight wins.Epic Street-Fighter themed promo video for Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou releasedNgannou, meanwhile, goes into his second boxing match on the back of a split decision defeat to WBC king Tyson Fury.The Predator put Fury on his backside in the third round of their Riyadh rumble, a situation Joshua is keen to avoid.He said: “If Tyson underestimated Ngannou, I sure won’t. Francis has lost the element of surprise with me.”We knew Francis had a reputation as the biggest puncher in the world but the surprise was how well he boxed.”He was exceptional on the inside and made life very complicated for Tyson.”So much so that I do belong to the opinion that he beat Fury.” More

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    I’m a former boxing champ but my brother’s much braver, he risks his life in the world’s deepest, darkest places

    SAM EGGINGTON is one of Britain’s bravest boxers – but he’s not even the toughest man around the family dinner table.Aged 30, the Smethwick Savage has a throwback fighting CV to be hugely proud of, having shared the ring with the likes of Bradley Skeete, Frankie Gavin, Paulie Malignaggi and Liam Smith and refusing to be in an easy or unexciting fight.Sam Eggington is one of Britain’s bravest boxersCredit: GettyBut Eggington admits brother Daniel is much braverCredit: Instagram @danieleggingtonDaniel is an extreme explorerCredit: Instagram @danieleggingtonBut the former British welterweight champ would rather boast about brother Daniel, 32, an extreme explorer who has dared to trek around the planet’s least charted territories in remote spots around Indonesia, Costa Rica, the Darien Gap and Guyana.The typically humble Brummie said: “I find it weird that people want to interview me about doing a sport millions of people around the world do every day, when my brother is doing something that only a few people in history have ever done.“I’m in a great gym, I box on TV, people cheer me on and I get paid for it. My brother goes to the deepest darkest places left on earth, living with tribes, risking his life because he loves animals and adventure.“Barring a couple of great sponsors – who help keep his family at home almost calm – he does it at all his own cost.READ MORE IN BOXING”He comes back home and works so hard so he can get back to remote regions and he does it with the minimum of help just from local governments and guides.“He makes what I do look like an absolute doddle, people should be writing articles and watching documentaries about him, not me.“People even rave about the bloke off Eastenders – Grant Mitchell – going to dangerous foreign countries, but he travels with about 15 bodyguards and a TV crew, while my brother is out there with a laptop and a drone.“Right now I am getting ready for 12 rounds on Channel 5, he is spending three months traversing the Rio Negro, through uncharted parts of Colombia, Brazil and Venezuela, that’s proper actual danger.”Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSEggington’s ruthless reluctance to bite his tongue is another trait that marks him out as an old-school fighter.He was brought in to lose against Southampton’s 20-0 Joe Pigford last May at his nearby Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth. Fans fear Anthony Joshua will be ‘sleeping for a week’ after Francis Ngannou BREAKS scale on punch machineBut – once again – he upset the applecart and the bookies by scoring a longshot win for the underdog on the road.It should have sparked his umpteenth resurgence for the 34-8 banger but instead he has spent almost a year on the sidelines waiting for a fight that has finally come around this Friday, against another favourite in Abass Baraou, on Channel 5.“I was born in the wrong era,” he explains perfectly.“I’m not interested in protecting my record, social media or sucking up to people, I just want to fight.“I should have been around in the 1950s when everybody fought everyone and losing in a great fight wasn’t something to be ashamed of.“These days fighters are terrified of losing and more worried about their followers than their fights.“My last win was great, the outsider again fighting in my opponent’s backyard and we sprung the upset again.READ MORE SUN STORIES“It should have sparked another title run but instead I’ve had to wait around while other people make silly demands and price themselves out of fights.“No one can ever say I ever used any excuse to avoid a fight, I’m ready to go at 4pm when it’s still light outside or 1 in the morning when the cleaners have already started sweeping up, stick me on the free YouTube stream before the TV section, I couldn’t care less, I just want to fight.”Eggington returns against Abass BaraouCredit: Reuters More

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    Jake Paul says he’s ‘INJURED’ going into ring return as boxing fans hound him for fighting a ‘delivery man’

    JAKE PAUL has jokingly claimed he’s “injured” just days ahead of his return to the ring.The YouTuber-turned-boxer returns to action early on Sunday morning on the undercard of Amanda Serrano’s unified featherweight title clash with Nina Meinke.Jake Paul returns to the ring this weekendCredit: REUTERSPaul will be welcomed back to the ring by Ryan BourlandCredit: DAZNThe Problem Child has claimed to have suffered an injury ahead of his returnCredit: YOUTUBE@JAKEPAULPaul, 27, will be welcomed back to the squared circle by long-time cruiserweight Ryan Bourland.But the social media sensation has claimed to be nursing an injury ahead of his under-the-radar ring return.The Problem Child revealed the apparent injury in a new YouTube video documenting his latest training camp.The video’s description reads: “Jake Paul gets injured before Puerto Rico fight with Amanda Serrano and Ryan Bourland on March 2nd.”READ MORE IN BOXINGSharing the clip on X, he wrote: “Doubt me all you want. This is my destiny and I will fulfil it.”The former Disney star’s followers weren’t, however, as sympathetic to his knock as he might have expected.One commented: “No one is doubting you, everyone knows you’re gonna beat him.”Another said: “You are literally fighting an Uber driver. Ain’t nobody doubting you.”Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSJake Paul is set to compete in mixed martial arts this yearCredit: The Mega AgencyAnd another said: “Nobodies doubting you. You’re fighting a delivery man.”One remarked: “Needs to make drama for his fight as no one is interested.”Inside Jake and Logan Paul’s £3.2m two-story warehouse gym in Puerto Rico with boxing ring, weights and recovery zonesAnother chimed in: “I literally have to remortgage my house to bet on you you’re that big of a favourite.”One of his followers, however, was sympathetic and pointed out: “No fighter ever comes out of camp 100 per cent.”Paul hasn’t fought since his brutal first-round KO of Andre August last December.It’s unclear how many times he plans to fight in the ring this year as he announced grand plans to compete in mixed martial arts last November. More

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    I nearly lost my finger in a freak accident but now I’m an influencer hoping to win gold at Paris 2024 Olympics

    MOLLY CAUDERY will be jumping for joy at the Olympics if she can carry her red-hot pole vaulting form into Paris.And her dream of a medal this summer could come true less than three years after virtually losing her finger in a freak accident at home.Molly Caudery is the rising star of British athleticsCredit: GettyShe is on top of the world as the best pole vaulter in 2024Credit: PACaudery has overcome a series of injury battlesCredit: instagram @molly_cauderyShe loves to travel and soaked up the sun in South Africa in early 2024Credit: instagram @molly_cauderyBorn in Cornwall in March 2000, the new darling of British athletics is enjoying a simply astonishing rise – both on the field and online.Caudery, 23, hit the headlines with her silver medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games – four years on from her fifth-placed finish as an 18-year-old on the Gold Coast in Australia.Incredibly, though, just eight months earlier, a shocking injury in her home gym almost ended her pole vault career before it got off the ground. Caudery, who sports a scar on her index finger, said: “I was doing snatching and, as I brought the bar down, my finger caught between where you rack it and the bar.READ MORE ON ATHLETICS“It was 90 per cent off. It was holding on by the skin on the side. “Three surgeries later, it is all good. But since then, I had two Achilles surgeries, which put me out for almost nine months. “That was a pretty big setback that I managed to come back from.”That final sentence is an understatement. Most read in AthleticsSince that Commonwealth silver, Caudery has literally jumped to new heights, setting two PBs on the same day to claim the British Championships title in July 2023.That gained her automatic entry into the Worlds the following month, where she came fifth with her new record of 4.75m. World’s sexiest athlete Alica Schmidt turned down ‘high six figures’ sponsorship deal despite earning £611 a monthThe Loughborough University sports science graduate backed that up as she claimed the UK Indoor title with a 4.85m.And with her PB now at 4.86m, she heads into the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow as the leading pole vaulter this season.So with Paris 2024 just around the corner, it is little wonder she is dreaming of a medal – just like her Team GB team-mate and Loughborough pal Holly Bradshaw, who claimed bronze in Tokyo three years ago.After all, Bradshaw jumped 4.85m for her bronze, with 4.90m the gold-medal height.Caudery added ahead of the Glasgow meet: “It’s every athlete’s dream to get an Olympic medal. “If I can just get to the final in Paris then you never know what is going to happen.“Every athlete has their timeline and mine was always 2028.Caudery dreams of bringing home a gold medal from ParisCredit: instagram @molly_cauderyThe pole vaulter is dating British high jumper Joel Clarke KhanCredit: instagram @molly_cauderyShe has racked up more than 205,000 Instagram followersCredit: instagram @molly_cauderyThe Cornwall star has been to Greece, the Canary Islands, Florida and The BahamasCredit: instagram @molly_caudery“But I know that what I’ve jumped so far could be pushing towards those medal areas, so I do think I need to re-evaluate. It’s crazy to think that that could put me up there.“To go from my PB being 4.60 at the beginning of last year to 4.86 already this year, it’s all happened very quickly for me.“I took so much confidence from last year and I’ve improved physically and mentally and I think that’s just taken me to the next step.“Coming into the season, a world indoors medal was not a clear target. But now I can’t shy away from the fact that I’ve been consistently jumping 4.80. “If I can keep doing what I’m doing, a medal could be on the cards and that’s exciting.”It is little wonder adidas snapped talented Caudery up early in 2024 as she put pen to paper on her first kit contract.The sportswear giants undoubtedly spotted the huge potential of their new client, too, given her sudden explosion of popularity online.Her combination of athletics posts, worldwide holiday snaps, glamorous selfies, bikini pics and doting content with her fellow British athlete boyfriend, high jumper Joel Clarke Khan, proves to be a winning formula. Caudery is relishing her red-hot form in the fieldCredit: PAHer current PB stands at a whopping 4.86mCredit: PAHer jump of 4.85m secured gold at the 2024 British Indoor ChampionshipsCredit: GettyCaudery needed surgery to save her left index fingerCredit: instagram @molly_cauderyThe x-ray shows the horrific damage done in her home gym in December 2021Credit: instagram @molly_cauderyCaudery has ticked off South Africa, Indonesia, Greece, the Canary Islands, Florida and The Bahamas – with the incredible photos going down a storm with supporters. Like her jumps, the followers count is going through the roof and now stands at a new PB of more than 205,000.And it shows no signs of letting up, either.The aspiring baker, keen traveller and part-time surfer – who has had to put her thrill-seeking skydiving on pause during her athletics career – is riding the wave and taking the fame in her stride, though. And while she denied suggestions she is also a model, reflecting on the social media stardom, Caudery said: “I don’t know where it really came from. “More recently, I’ve been posting a lot of pole vault videos and I’m getting like 10,000 more followers just from that. READ MORE SUN STORIES“’I think having that following is super important. People have said that athletics is not quite as big as it used to be. “So if I can inspire one person from the next generation, let alone the 200,000 or so who follow me, to be a part of athletics and keep it going, then that would be great.”Caudery ticked Indonesia off the bucket listCredit: instagram @molly_cauderyShe signed her first kit deal with adidas this yearCredit: instagram @molly_cauderyCaudery works hard in the gym and is reaping the rewardsCredit: instagram @molly_cauderyThe star loves baking and surfing in her free timeCredit: instagram @molly_cauderyShe has had to put her passion for skydiving on pause during her athletics careerCredit: instagram @molly_cauderyThe rising star knows she can inspire others to get into athleticsCredit: instagram @molly_cauderyHer holiday snaps rack up thousands of likesCredit: instagram @molly_caudery More