Aurelia Butler

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    in Boxing

    Ngannou wants Brit Hollywood star to play him in movie about crazy journey from sand mines to fighting Fury and Joshua

    FRANCIS NGANNOU’S rags to riches story is destined for the big screen – and he has a British movie icon in mind to play him. Ngannou was raised in Batie, Cameroon, by a single mum who split from his feared street fighter dad when he was six.
    Francis Ngannou was born and raised in Batie, CameroonCredit: @francisngannou
    Ngannou was raised in poverty before making his break
    The future world champion fighter was working in the sand mines from the age of tenCredit: @francisngannou
    The future world champion fighter was working in the sand mines from the age of ten, earning just £1.50 a DAY.
    He began training at 22 with the dreams of becoming a professional boxer but found his options exhausted in Africa.
    So at 26, he made the life-changing decision to emigrate to France in a journey that took over ONE YEAR.
    Ngannou opened up on his breakaway in an exclusive interview with SunSport in Saudi Arabia and said: “It was always tough.
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    “That was a 14-month journey and what I do remember is that every step was tough.
    “You get from the first step, you think that you have seen it all and then the next step you have the same feeling, over and over.”
    Ngannou started his trip from Cameroon to Nigeria – where there is an open border between the two – but ran into trouble in Niger, where he needed a visa.
    He managed to cram himself into a pick-up truck with 25 people, as they crossed the Sahara desert to get to Algeria.
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    From there, he managed to obtain an illegal passport to enter Mali and then proceeded through to Morocco, where things got really tough.
    Ngannou lived in the woods and would fend off rats to eat food out of bins to survive before attempting to get into Spain.
    Francis Ngannou’s coach FEARS for Anthony Joshua’s health after fight with ‘ungodly’ ex-UFC champ
    There, he was caught and imprisoned but due to his false passport, Spanish authorities were unable to deport him or keep him behind bars.
    Finally, Ngannou made it to France via train and it was there his journey ended and his fight career started.
    The journey was symbolic of Ngannou’s career – showing hope, courage, strength and character.
    He said: “The one thing that I do know for sure, there was not even a plan of going back or giving up. It was for me, my pride that was on the line.
    “And I don’t know, I watch a movie that I love so much and it says, ‘Better die for something than live for nothing.'”
    Ngannou initially wanted to pursue boxing in France but found it easier to find MMA fights, debuting as a pro in 2013.
    Fast forward eight years and he won the UFC heavyweight title and made one successful defence of the belt.
    But last year, he made yet another life-changing decision.
    Ngannou left Cameroon at the age of 26Credit: @francisngannou
    Here is Ngannou returning to his routes in the sand minesCredit: @francisngannou
    Ngannou’s journey to France took over a yearCredit: @francisngannou
    Ngannou walked out on the UFC as the reigning world champion to gamble on a move to boxing – as his theme of risky business continued.
    He said of his incredible life story: “Scariest moment? There was a lot of them. Stand out? I dunno.
    “Maybe when the inflatable boat was being put out into the ocean without knowing how to swim.
    “Maybe when I was running from border control. Maybe when you stand against a giant institution like the UFC. There’s a lot of moments.”
    Ngannou was offered $10million (£8m) to stay in the UFC for a super-fight with Jon Jones.
    He turned it down after they refused him the freedom to box and fight in MMA at the same time and chose not to extend his UFC deal.
    Ngannou, who signed for rivals the Professional Fighters League, had come too far and seen too much to give up on his boxing dream.
    He said: “Life is a risk. I have risked my life, so my life really is worth more than $10million.
    “So many times I had to make a lot of choices and take a lot of risks to get here.
    Ngannou pictured training back homeCredit: @francisngannou
    The Cameroonian only began training aged 22Credit: @francisngannou
    Ngannou had to live in the woods during his journey to FranceCredit: @francisngannou
    “There is a quote in our country, it says, ‘You can’t make an omelette without sacrificing eggs.'”
    Ngannou’s roll of the dice has paid off big time, having landed a boxing fight with Tyson Fury in October.
    He even floored Fury, 35, only to lose a controversial split-decision.
    But the shock performance earned him another mega-money bout in the ring, this time against Anthony Joshua, 34, on March 8.
    His pair of boxing bouts are set to bank the heavyweight hero over £20MILLION.
    It is the latest act in a remarkable story fit for Hollywood – and Ngannou has already earmarked boxing-mad Idris Elba to play him.
    He said: “I always thought about one person in mind, it was actually Idris Elba.”
    Most people could never have foreseen Ngannou’s move into boxing resulting in back-to-back blockbusters.
    But Ngannou – ever one step ahead – is not most people.
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    He said: “I don’t think anything is guaranteed in life but I think everything is possible, so yes, I did think this could happen.
    “Otherwise, I wouldn’t leave my career in the UFC as a champion to take this route if I wasn’t certain it was going to happen.” 
    Ngannou wants British actor Idris Elba to portray his life in a movieCredit: Handout
    Ngannou made his boxing debut against Tyson FuryCredit: Reuters
    Anthony Joshua fights Ngannou on March 8Credit: Alamy
    The ex-UFC champ in training to fight JoshuaCredit: @francisngannou
    Ngannou is now signed to MMA promotion PFLCredit: @francisngannou More

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    I’ve watched Lewis, Hamed, Eubank and Benn reach superstardom.. Sheeraz is on the path to emulate the greats

    EVERY few years a British fighter emerges with such exceptional  talent that they have future world champion written all over them.In my 60 years at ringside, I’ve seen John Conteh, Ken Buchanan, Ricky Hatton, Naseem Hamed, Barry McGuigan, Nigel Benn, Chris Eubank, Lennox Lewis, Joe Calzaghe, Amir Khan and Carl Froch progress from the novice stage to superstardom.
    Hamzah Sheeraz boasts an impressive 19-0 recordCredit: Alamy
    Sheeraz, 24, recently beat Liam Williams at the Copper Box ArenaCredit: Alamy
    Besides obvious skill, there was an aura of invincibility that surrounded each and every one — coupled with a supreme self-belief in their ability.
    It looks likely Hamzah Sheeraz, 24, will join that elite group of national heroes before the year is out.
    A few years ago I  said unbeaten middleweight Sheeraz — after just 15 fights — had the potential to fight for a world title.
    Carl Frampton, Ireland’s two-time world champion, went further by saying: “If this boy doesn’t become a world champion I will eat my hat.”
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    From what Sheeraz did at Stratford’s Copper Box two weeks ago, Carl will not need to plan what kind of gravy to pour over his cloth cap anytime soon.
    In two minutes and 36 seconds, Sheeraz floored Liam Williams twice and forced his corner to throw in the towel.
    The Welshman, a two-time world title contender, was expected to give Sheeraz his first real test.
    Even though Williams is not as punch resistant as he used to be,  it was only the second time he hadn’t heard the final bell in a 30-fight career. It was a remarkable statement of intent by Sheeraz.
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    Chris Eubank clutches his WBO beltCredit: Getty
    Prince Naseem Hamed poses with his belts after beating Billy HardyCredit: Reuters
    Lennox Lewis holds his championship belts after taking out Mike TysonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Nigel Benn wears his belt during a training camp in SpainCredit: Getty
    Standing 6ft 3in and built like a hairpin, Hamzah physically is a ringer for Tommy ‘Hitman’ Hearns  — and, like Hearns, he generates freakish power in both hands.
    Perhaps we should start calling him ‘Hitman Hamzah’ because his record is now 19-0 with 15 KOs.
    Inside the £365m new UK’s largest indoor arena backed by Harry Styles that could host boxing and UFC superfights
    Sheeraz never stops improving and that’s down to his decision three years ago to join the famous Ten Goose gym in California’s San  Fernando Valley — run by highly- respected trainer Joe Goossen.
    Hamzah spends three months there before a fight preparing under trainer Ricky Funez, a Goossen disciple. The sparring he gets is second to none  — there’s always a bunch of hungry Latinos trying to knock him out, which does wonders to focus his mind.
    On Sheeraz, Funez said: “I’ve got a lot of faith in this kid, his work ethic is amazing and he’s very disciplined. I believe now he is ready to shine.”
    Sheeraz is not in action again until June, when promoter Frank Warren plans to get him a world title  eliminator against an opponent ranked in the division’s top ten.
    Only then will we know if Sheeraz is the real deal and ready to challenge Kazakhstan’s Janibek Alimkhanuly for his WBO and IBF titles.
    I’m confident that he is. But nagging at me is legendary baseball coach Yogi Berra’s profound remark: “It’s tough to make predictions — especially about the future.”
    Frank Warren is planning to step up Sheeraz’s level of competitionCredit: Alamy More

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    Ngannou’s next fight after Joshua confirmed with huge purses revealed as classy star negotiates more money for OPPONENT

    FRANCIS NGANNOU’S return to MMA has been CONFIRMED – and he has personally made sure his next opponent receives a huge payday. Ngannou put his cage career on hold last year to make a switch to boxing, where he has bagged himself back to back blockbusters.
    Francis Ngannou’s MMA return has been confirmedCredit: AFP

    But amid his ugly UFC exit, the heavyweight superstar instead struck a deal with the Professional Fighters League.
    The PFL gave Ngannou the green light to pursue his boxing ambitions while scouting for the right name to welcome him back to MMA.
    And now they have announced the winner between Saturday night’s bout between Renan Ferreira and Ryan Bader will end the search.
    Ngannou made his boxing debut in October against Tyson Fury, 35, scoring a stunning knockdown only to lose a controversial split-decision.

    But still he fights Anthony Joshua, 34, next on March 8 back in Saudi Arabia with his boxing earnings set to reach around £20MILLION.
    Ngannou is in Riyadh training for the bout and will be cageside to watch Ferreira, 34, and Bader, 40, headline the PFL vs Bellator event.
    And thanks to the Cameroonian, not only will the winner earn bragging rights and a belt but also a future $2m (£1.5m) purse.
    That is because when Ngannou entered talks with the PFL, he demanded his opponent be financially rewarded.
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    PFL founder Donn Davis told SunSport: “The actual story is, Francis said, ‘I want my opponent taken care of. Too many people don’t think about their opponent.’
    “And we said great, we’ll guarantee your opponent $1million.’ And Francis said, ‘I appreciate that but how about $2m?’
    EXCLUSIVE: Ngannou wants Brit Hollywood star to play him in movie about crazy journey from sand mines to fighting Fury and Joshua
    “And we said, ‘Okay!’ It was Francis’ idea and Francis negotiated us up to $2m which we quickly and gladly agreed to.”
    Ngannou, 37, was offered $10m (£8m) to stay with the UFC for a super-fight with Jon Jones, 36.
    And Davis confirmed he matched that deal but also provided him with the chance to box at the same time and launch PFL Africa.
    He said: “Without ever breaching confidence of his deal, we’ve been public that his deal with the PFL is the exact economic deal that the UFC offered him.
    “What he wanted – and what the UFC would not give him – is the ability and flexibility to box – and to be a business leader and launch PFL Africa.
    “So he wanted two things what the UFC wouldn’t do and those two things are changing his life; the flexibility to box an the ability to be a true business owner as chairman of PFL Africa.
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    “But the economic terms of when he boxes and the financial terms are the same with the PFL as they were with the UFC.
    “And I think that’s why you’re seeing more and more fighters coming our way.”
    Anthony Joshua and Ngannou ahead of their March 8 fightCredit: PA
    The winner between Renan Ferreira and Ryan Bader will welcome Ngannou back to MMA More

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    Francis Ngannou challenges rivals Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury to prove they have the ‘balls’ to fight him in MMA

    FRANCIS NGANNOU has challenged Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury to have the “balls” to fight him in MMA. The ex-UFC champion put his cage career on hold last year to make a stunning switch to boxing.
    Anthony Joshua facing off with Francis NgannouCredit: Alamy
    Ngannou made his boxing debut against Tyson FuryCredit: Reuters
    And in his first bout, he astonishingly floored Fury only to fall victim to a controversial points loss in Saudi Arabia.
    But the disputed decision did not stop AJ coming to the table to agree another crossover clash for Ngannou, set for March 8 in Riyadh.
    It will be the second time the MMA superstar has stepped out of his favoured discipline – something he doubts Joshua or Fury would ever have the cojones to do.
    He told SunSport in Saudi: “Well, first of all you need to find a person with the balls to leave their backyard and come to somebody else’s backyard. 
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    “It is not that easy. It is not a comfort zone when you step into someone else’s backyard.
    “You have to accommodate yourself into everything and it is very tough. And I am saying that from experience! It is very challenging.”
    Ngannou, 37, had boxing royalty in his corner for his fight with Fury, 35, having been coached by Iron Mike Tyson.
    But the Cameroonian powerhouse admitted contact with his childhood hero has been limited heading into his fight with Joshua.
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    He said: “Honestly, no. We haven’t really spoken, we haven’t really spoken about that.” 
    Ngannou idolised Tyson growing up and wanted to be boxing champ just like his favourite fighter when he started training at 22.
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    So even for Ngannou – who battled poverty and took over a year to emigrate Africa – having Tyson on the team was surreal.
    He said: “It’s amazing.
    “You have to look at him and travel back and think back at where you where at some point in your life and how you were watching him. 
    “I think those are the moments that tells you that you’re making steps, you’re moving forwards. You’re not stuck in the same place.” 
    Mike Tyson pictured with NgannouCredit: AFP More

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    in Athletics

    Glam British athlete Lauryn Davey branded ‘sexiest woman alive’ as she stuns in barely-there bikini

    BRITISH athlete Lauryn Davey stunned fans with her latest Instagram upload.The heptathlete is a British Olympic hopeful and is hopeful of making Paris 2024.
    Lauryn Davey posted this snap from her time away from the trackCredit: instagram @laurynlouisedavey
    She also shared behind the scenes pics of her trainingCredit: instagram @laurynlouisedavey
    She is currently undergoing warm weather trainingCredit: instagram @laurynlouisedavey
    And enjoyed the sea on a pebbly beachCredit: instagram @laurynlouisedavey
    She posted the photos alongside the caption: “Off track and on track bits from camp 🌿⚡️🌷🌞☁️ zero brownie points for guessing my favourite colour 🌱”
    Davey is currently in camp as she ramps up her preparation for the Olympics.
    The upload showcased what she’s been up to in terms of training and away from camp.
    The Welsh heptathlete is a vegan and preaches the benefits of the diet regularly.
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    That was referenced in the comments on her post with one fan calling her a “Green goddess”.
    Another wrote: “LAURYN 😭😭😭😭😭”
    A third commented: “Super cute!! You are glowing ✨”
    A fourth wrote: “You are Stunning 😍”
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    She also posed by the hurdlesCredit: instagram @laurynlouisedavey
    Davey regularly gives fans a look at her life away from the trackCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
    She has 26.5k followers on InstagramCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
    She regularly visits exotic locations
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    While a fifth said: “Sexiest woman alive”
    The heptathlete also studies veganism alongside her training at Swansea University.
    Five celebs that could have been professional athletes including mega movie star and a member of the royal family
    The Team GB hopeful regularly shares pictures of her budding medical profession alongside her studies.
    Lauryn is a fan of open water swimming
    She recently posed in a hot tubCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
    The stunning blonde modelled several bikinisCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
    Lauryn also posed on a boatCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey More

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    Inside the £365m new UK’s largest indoor arena backed by Harry Styles that could host boxing and UFC superfights

    THIS is the £365million state-of-the-art Co-op Live arena in Manchester which is set to officially open on April 23.Based next to the Etihad Stadium it will become the UK’s largest indoor arena with an impressive capacity of 23,500, surpassing the 21,000 AO Arena also in Manchester.
    Co-op Live will open on April 23Credit: Oak View Group
    The UK’s largest indoor arena is set to become the home of boxing and UFCCredit: Coop Live
    The venue is a short stroll from the Etihad ArenaCredit: Getty – Contributor
    And it looks set to challenge London’s O2 for the country’s biggest boxing bouts.
    Co-op Live is funded by Oak View Group (OVG) and City Football Group (CFG), which owns Manchester City.
    This led to the complex being built on the Etihad Campus, just a stroll away from the City’s Etihad Stadium.
    And Manchester United fan pop star Harry Styles is also an investor with the arena to be a music-first venue.
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    Styles said: “I am incredibly proud to be partnering with OVG on their plans for Co-op Live.
    “Manchester is an incredible city, filled with incredible people and I couldn’t be happier being involved in this project. It very much feels like coming home…
    “I was drawn to this project on every level, from the opportunities it brings, to the contribution it will make to the city, and most importantly, that it will allow even more live music to thrive in Manchester.”
    Music will be the centre for Co-op Live, as with most of the UK’s top indoor arenas, and it is planned to host around 120 events per year, 100 of which are expected to be concerts.
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    But it will also host other events including sports and has ambitions to become home to boxing and UFC fight nights.
    Manchester Arena was the birthplace of Jake Paul’s boxing career after older brother Logan fought KSI.
    KSI’s manager Mams Taylor reveals terms for huge Jake Paul grudge fight
    The arena also hosted Mike Tyson’s first fight in the UK.
    And Michael Bisping defeated Dan Henderson for the middleweight title at UFC 204 in 2016.
    Her SunSport take a look inside the new Co-op Live.
    Low ceilings
    The venue will include 32 bars and restaurants plus 12 lounges.
    With a unique bowl design, it has the largest floor space of any indoor arena with a much lower ceiling than many venues – with tiered seating also included.
    Their website says: “Cutting edge visual technology, exceptional acoustics and innovative sound bowl design means the best show possible whether standing or seated.
    “In a space designed to welcome the biggest and most exciting global artists.”
    The venue will include 32 bars and restaurants plus 12 loungesCredit: Coop Live
    Co-op Live will primarily focus on hosting musicCredit: Coop Live
    Environmental friendly
    The arena will only use renewable electricity from the 10,500 solar panels on site.
    With no gas, the venue will be powered, heated and cooled with zero carbon emissions.
    It will produce no landfill waste and is also set to collect Manchester’s rainwater to flush its toilets and water its plants.
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    Co-op Live has been built using local suppliers, with a facade from Salford, steel from Bolton, and seats made in Britain.
    It has been confirmed that the venue is set to open on April 23 with a headline act by comedian Peter Kay.
    Co-op Live will be powered purely by renewable energyCredit: Coop Live More

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    Jake Paul’s MMA promoters confirm stunning two-fight offer to Tommy Fury for trilogy series worth over £15m

    TOMMY FURY has been offered the chance to make a stunning switch to MMA as part of a two-fight deal with Jake Paul worth over £15MILLION.Fury became the first man to defeat YouTuber-turned boxer Paul in the ring after his split-decision win in Saudi Arabia last year.
    Jake Paul has offered Tommy Fury a two-fight deal in boxing and MMA worth £15mCredit: Getty
    Fury beat Paul last yearCredit: Getty
    A month before the grudge match, Paul signed a deal with the Professional Fighters League to debut in MMA.
    And Paul’s business partner teased Fury with an offer to rematch the American in boxing and then complete their trilogy in MMA.
    Now, PFL founder Donn Davis has exclusively confirmed to SunSport that a deal is in fact on the table and worth £15.7m.
    Davis said: “Yes, what Jake and Nakisa said is accurate.
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    “Tommy doing a back-to-back boxing and MMA – hardwired together where Tommy couldn’t back out of one or the other – is on the table.
    “The rumoured offers of $15-20m to Tommy – which is three times what he could earn for many other of his options – is accurate.
    “Is that the best option for Jake? I’ll leave that to Jake and Nakisa. They’re the best at picking opponents and managing that.
    “But that is accurate and that is a possibility.”
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    The offer would be spanned across the two sports, starting with a boxing rematch and culminating in what would be the rivals’ MMA debuts.
    Davis added: “That is a two-fight deal and the two fights are $15-20million together for Tommy Fury.”
    Jake Paul calls out Tommy Fury to complete epic trilogy including MMA fight in £16MILLION deal
    Fury, 24, went on to defeat Paul’s arch rival KSI, 30, last October but has not returned since having had hand surgery.
    Meanwhile Paul, 27, has bounced back with two wins since suffering defeat for the first time.
    He beat ex-UFC star Nate Diaz, 38, on points then knocked out pro boxer Andre August, 35, in round one in December.
    Paul returns on March 2 on the undercard of Amanda Serrano’s Puerto Rico homecoming against 17-2 Ryan Bourland, 35.
    And the social media sensation has lofty ambitions of winning world titles and plans to continue facing seasoned boxers to build his way up.
    But talks for his MMA debut continue behind the scenes, with Fury and Diaz frontrunners for the fight as Paul ramps up his preparations.
    Davis said: “If Nate and Jake want to get together in MMA, that remains on the table.
    “Jake is training now down in the Dominican, he’s four months into it.
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    “What’s the right fight for him? What’s the right timing? We’ll respect that. But either one of those are great options.”
    Jake Paul is training for his MMA debut with the PFLCredit: Professional Fighters League More

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    Tyson Fury brutally told he only has a ‘puncher’s chance’ of beating Oleksandr Usyk by ex-world champion

    TYSON FURY has been brutally told by Tony Bellew that he only has a “puncher’s chance” of beating Oleksandr Usyk. The pair of undefeated champions were set to meet in the heavyweight division’s first four belt undisputed title decider on February 17.
    Tyson Fury facing off with Oleksandr UsykCredit: EPA
    Tony Bellew was knocked out by Usyk in 2018Credit: Getty Images – Getty
    But Fury was forced to withdraw after suffering a horror cut in sparring that required over ten stitches.
    The bout has since been postponed to May 18 and the Gypsy King is due to be back in camp with his coach Sugarhill Steward.
    But Bellew – sent into retirement by Usyk in 2018 – believes Fury’s aggressive style under Steward could lead to his downfall.
    He told Matchroom Boxing: “I don’t think anybody beats Oleksandr Usyk. I don’t think anybody beats him. I said it many, many moons ago.
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    “The craziest part about it is I think when Fury was with his uncle [Peter], I do think he’d beat him, but his style changed, and now he’s an aggressive counter-puncher, and that isn’t going to work against Usyk.”
    Fury joined Sugarhill – nephew to legendary coach Emanuel – in 2020 before his rematch with Deontay Wilder.
    He went on to twice stop Wilder, while doing the same to Dillian Whyte and Derek Chisora.
    In Fury’s last fight though, he was dropped by ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou but escaped with a controversial split-decision win.
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    It leaves Bellew backing Usyk to beat the Gypsy King, despite the Brit demonstrating more power in recent fights.
    He said: “I think now he has a puncher’s chance, but he isn’t a big puncher.
    “To be honest, I think he’s a brilliant fighter. Take nothing away from him, what he’s done for the heavyweight division is amazing, but I think Oleksandr Usyk is the best heavyweight in the world.”
    Tyson Fury’s promoter blasts ‘pathetic’ critics of Gypsy King and says experts ‘should know better’ More