Aurelia Butler

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    in Boxing

    Seven possible opponents for Wayne Rooney including KSI and ‘animal’ former team-mate as talks revealed over shock fight

    WAYNE ROONEY is in talks over a sensational boxing match – and there are plenty of potential opponents for the footie icon’s debut.The Manchester United legend has held preliminary talks with influencer boxing promotion Misfits – which is not governed by the British Boxing Board of Control – about a foray into the squared circle.
    Wayne Rooney is assessing his options after being axed by Birmingham CityCredit: GETTY
    The Manchester United legend is weighing up stepping into the boxing ringCredit: MARK ROBINSON
    Roo has held talks over a potential fight in KSI’s Misfits promotionCredit: PA
    An agreement, according to The Mirror, for Roo to take to the ring has yet to be reached – despite talks beginning a few weeks back.
    News of Rooney – who was part of an amateur boxing club when he was a kid – potentially fighting under the Misfits banner has stunned footie and boxing fans alike.
    And attention has quickly turned to who the former England captain could face in his debut.
    So with that in mind, SunSport is on hand with the seven top contenders to throw down with the former Birmingham City boss.
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    Jake Paul
    A dust-up against YouTuber turned boxer Paul was touted last year by Matchroom Boxing chief Eddie Hearn, who revealed Roo often messages him about fighting.
    Problem Child Paul would likely entertain the prospect of fighting Rooney due to his huge name and the pay-per-view buys he would generate.
    But the fact he would have to do so on bitter rival KSI’s promotion makes the fight somewhat unlikely.
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    KSI
    Brit social media sensation KSI is the kingpin on Misfits along with pal Mams Taylor and no doubt will have been at the centre of the recent Rooney talks.
    Most read in Boxing
    KSI celebrates victory in the cruiserweight bout against FaZe Temperrr at the OVO Arena Wembley, London. Picture date: Saturday January 14, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story BOXING London. Photo credit should read: Yui Mok/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.
    But the Youtube phenom claimed in December 2022 that the prospect of throwing down with the Premier League icon doesn’t whet his appetite.
    He said: “I don’t know, if Wayne Rooney is down of course I think it would be good to have him in the [influencer boxing] space.”

    KSI himself could be a possible opponent for Wayne RooneyCredit: GETTY
    Wayne Bridge
    Former Chelsea and England defender Bridge is no stranger to the boxing world having dipped his toes into it in 2018.
    Bridge locked horns with former Made in Chelsea star Spencer Matthews, whom he almost knocked out in their Sports Relief clash.
    He’s even been dubbed an “animal” by former Fulham midfielder and podcaster Steve Sidwell.
    So the former full-back would be a suitable opponent for Rooney should he be keen to lace ’em up again.
    Wayne Bridge took part in a charity boxing match in March 2018Credit: BBC
    Phil Bardsley
    Rooney’s former Manchester United team-mate is perhaps the man footie fans most want to see throw down with the 38-year-old.
    Bardsley knocked Rooney OUT COLD during what initially appeared to be a playful kitchen dust-up back in 2015.
    Footage of the incident exclusively obtained by The Sun – which Rooney mocked with his famous celebration against Tottenham – went viral.
    So it’d only make sense for Roo to want to exact his revenge on his old team-mate inside the ring.
    Wayne Rooney was knocked out cold by former team-mate Phil Bardsley in 2015Credit: THE SUN
    Jamie Vardy
    Leicester City legend Vardy is no stranger to a playful sparring session having had one with team-mate Wilfried Ndidi in 2020.
    The former England hitman dropped Ndidi with a swift left uppercut to the body, much to the amusement of his team-mates.
    It’s unknown, however, if Vardy fancies his chances in the ring.
    Jamie Vardy has tried his hand at sparring beforeCredit: GETTY
    Tyson Fury
    Competing under the Misfits banner isn’t in the WBC heavyweight champion’s five-fight plan, although he did take part in a shock crossover bout with former UFC champ Francis Ngannou last October.
    So, however unlikely the prospect of the pair sharing the ring is, it’s not entirely beyond the realms of possibility – especially considering Fury claimed he’d let Roo prepare him for Oleksandr Usyk.
    He said in December 2022: “I spoke to Wayne and he’s well up for it. We’re going to bring Wayne in for preparation for Oleksandr Usyk.
    “No [it’s not a joke], very serious. He’s going to come into camp for about four weeks to help me.”
    WBC heavyweight champ Tyson Fury claimed Wayne Rooney would him prepare for his clash with Oklesandr UsykCredit: GETTY
    Rio Ferdinand
    Roo’s former Manchester United and England team-mate revealed in late 2017 that he wanted to test himself in the ring professionally.
    The BBBOC, however, nipped his ambitions in the bud in May 2018 when they informed him that they WOULDN’T review his application to compete as a pro.
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    But he could, should he want to, very well lace them up under the Misfits banner as they’re not sanctioned by the BBBOC.
    And there would be no bigger opponent – name-wise – available for him to fight other than his good friend Rooney.
    Rio Ferdinand had intentions of boxing in 2018 but saw his bid to get in the ring blocked by the BBBOCCredit: OnEdition More

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    I split Tyson Fury’s eye open after champ fired me up with crude act, reveals sparring partner Agron Smakici

    TYSON FURY suffered the gruesome sparring gash that delayed the undisputed decider after a saucy prank backfired.The fun-loving 35-year-old WBC champ was in the final two weeks of training for a February 17 showdown with Oleksandr Usyk when bloody disaster struck.
    Agron Smakici has opened up on splitting Tyson Fury’s eyeCredit: YouTube @iFL TV
    The Croatian caught Fury with his elbow while the pair were sparringCredit: X formerly Twitter / @MichaelBensonn
    Fury was left with a huge gash above his eye that caused his bout with Oleksandr Usyk to be postponedCredit: X @Queensbury
    The Gypsy King was doing practice rounds with respected 33-year-old southpaw Agron Smakici in Saudi Arabia when he playfully thrust his crotch at the Croatian’s backside.
    The former MMA fighter – who was a crucial trainer parter for Anthony Joshua in his camps for Usyk and Otto Wallin – felt disrespected by the humping and knuckled down extra hard.
    And then a fiery exchange ended with Smakici landing a left hook on the undefeated giant and an accidental elbow following through and landing and requiring 14 stitches.
    Fury shared a gruesome snap of the cut online after the fact.
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    While talented leftie Smakici was gutted about his role in delaying the first undisputed decider since 1999 until May 18.
    But he and Fury parted on good terms, with the 20-2 ace agreeing to go and help his best friend Joseph Parker prepare for his March 8 shootout with Zhilei Zhang.
    Smakici told SunSport: “He did it but it was a joke and I didn’t take it seriously,
    “I was not angry, because he was laughing, he is funny. He is a comedian.
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    “Yes it made me a little more serious, it made me want to show him what I had.
    “But it was a clean punch and the elbow was not on purpose, I was just trying to give him better rounds and to show him that I deserved respect.
    New footage appears to show moment Tyson Fury was cut by an ELBOW causing Oleksandr Usyk fight to be scrapped
    “I got that respect in the sparring and afterwards he said ‘great sparring, accidents happening, everything before was great’.
    “Crazy things like this happen in boxing.”
    Fury has been approached for comment.
    ‘Like dirty boxing’Smakici has lifted the lid on what happened before he accidentally cut Fury, suggesting the timing of the sparring session was perhaps too early…
    “I felt the spar was too early,” he said. “That’s just my opinion.
    “We had been sparring in the evenings, around 8-9pm, to be ready for the fight. But suddenly we were sparring at midday and still having breakfast at 11am.
    “The day before we had done hard sparring and the day before that, Wednesday, we had done strength training, conditioning and circuits. So there was a lot happening with our body and minds.
    “It was early sparring, at late notice, we were in the middle of breakfast when we had to get ready.
    “But Fury was motivated, he said he wanted 12 rounds, he did three with Thomas Carty and then I came in.
    “He made jokes like ‘let’s go little sausage’ but he was very motivated, dancing in the ring and using his reach a lot.
    “I got in and used my style, it was physical, we did some wrestling and good combinations.
    “Then the cut happened because we were tired.
    “I threw the left hook but my head was also going forward because he was pulling it, it was a bit like dirty boxing.”

    Smakici has previously sparred with Anthony JoshuaCredit: Instagram @agron_smakici
    The 33-year-old is a well respected fighter with a 20-2-0 recordCredit: Getty
    Fury will now face Oleksandr Usyk on May 18Credit: EPA More

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    Apollonia Llewellyn flashes underboob in see-through red lingerie as she celebrates Valentine’s Day

    APOLLONIA LLEWELLYN has treated her followers to a Valentine’s gift with her latest snap.The boxing ring girl shared a picture of herself posing in some lingerie to her adoring following on Instagram.
    Apollonia Llewellyn posed in some red lingerie as a Valentine’s day gift to her followers
    Apollonia is always wowing her fansCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellyn
    Apollonia was sporting a red lingerie set as she smiled for the camera with a bouquet of roses.
    The 24-year-old shared the picture with the caption: “Happy Valentine’s Day!”.
    Fans were in awe of the racy snap and flooded Apollonia’s comment section with compliments.
    One wrote: “You look gorgeous!”
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    While a second added: “Gorgeous! Happy Valentine’s day!”
    Another fan commented: “Very beautiful!”
    And a fourth simply wrote: “Wow.”
    Apollonia rose to fame as a ring girl during a Misfits Boxing event, but has since turned her attention to social media.
    Most read in Boxing
    The Yorkshire lass boasts over 579,000 followers on Instagram and works as a model alongside her social stardom.
    She ensures her fans are kept up to date with her lavish lifestyle as she travels the globe.
    Apollonia Llewellyn sends fans into meltdown by going make-up-free in lacy see-through dress for raunchy clip
    Apollonia is also no stranger to a racy picture and is often leaving her followers stunned by her daring posts.
    Most recently she gave fans a glimpse into her holiday as she posed in a bikini in Greece.
    And showed off her glamorous life as she was snapped next to a bright pink Lamborghini in a matching bodysuit.
    Inside Apollonia’s glamorous life as influencer, ring girl and model …
    Apollonia is regularly leaving her fans stunned onlineCredit: INSTAGRAM
    She is always travelling the globe and recently holidayed in New YorkCredit: INSTAGRAM
    The Yorkshire model also took a trip to SantoriniCredit: INSTAGRAM
    She made sure her followers were kept up to date with her tripsCredit: INSTAGRAM
    Apollonia is also no stranger to a racy picture onlineCredit: INSTAGRAM
    Apollonia shot to recognition as a member of the Misfits Boxing fight night team
    She now boasts over 570,000 Instagram followersCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellyn
    She works as a model as well as being a social starCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellyn More

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    I’ve worked as a cutman for over 1,000 fights but one was so brutal I almost PASSED OUT… they bled from head to toe

    JACOB “STITCH” DURAN has lost count of the amount of fights he has worked over his career – but there is one he could never forget. Duran has cornered a who’s who in both boxing and MMA, spanning over four decades, so little can faze or shock the 72-year-old legend.
    Jay Hieron vs Jonathan Goule was the ‘bloodiest’ fight in MMA history
    Hieron was left covered from head to toe in blood
    Stitch Duran worked the cut for Hieron
    It was the bloodiest fight Stitch ever worked
    Stitch aiding Hieron’s gruesome gash
    But, in 2005, he worked in what at the time was described by UFC commentator Joe Rogan as the “bloodiest round in mixed martial arts history.”
    Jay Hieron was taking on Jonathan Goule in a welterweight bout when, in round two, he took a brutal knee to the forehead.
    Immediately, Hieron was drenched in blood and Duran knew he had a job on his hands.
    Duran recalls almost PASSING OUT from the sheer smell alone as Hieron was covered from head to toe in claret.
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    He told SunSport: “Jay Hieron got that one cut in the vein where you laugh and it popped out and he bled like a pig, to the point where both fighters had blood from the top of their head to the bottom of their feet. 
    “As I was cleaning Jay up, there was so much blood I literally got nauseated. The smell of that iron, that had to be the bloodiest fight. 
    “And Jay Hieron is so proud of it, the mat is up in Randy Couture’s gym in Las Vegas. So we’re intertwined in his history.”
    Despite Duran’s best efforts, the bleeding was so severe the fight was called off a minute into round three with Goule winning by stoppage.
    Most read in BoxingThe one that got away DESPITE working with the best of the best, the most notable name Stitch never cornered was Floyd Mayweather.

    Instead, Mayweather famously had the late Rafael Garcia – who died in 2017 – work his cuts and more importantly his hands.
    But Stitch did have the chance to join Mayweather’s team, telling us: “I walk into the gym with a friend of mine, barber shop type of thing and he’s going through guys wrapping his hands, as he does have problems. 
    “Well this one guy is wrapping his hands and I’m telling my friend right off the bat, ‘Too tight.’ Floyd is shaking his hands and the other guy is wrapping his other hand. 
    “Finally, they finish and Floyd and James Prince – his manager at the time – they walk into the dressing room and as he’s walking out Floyd is cutting the wraps off his hands. 
    “At that point I could have said, ‘Hey Floyd, I’ll wrap your hands.’ But out of respect for that cutman, I said nothing. 
    “Then of course, later on Rafael got the opportunity and the assignment and I’m glad he got the assignment because Rafael was a super, super, super guy. 
    “He never really got the credit that was due to him until Floyd gave him the opportunity. So everything worked out.” 

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    It marked the only ever time Duran – who estimates he has worked over 1,000 fights – was taken aback by an incident.
    He said: “That was the only time I ever really smelt the blood. There was that much blood to the point, I could smell the iron in it. 
    Legendary cutman Stitch Duran ready to join Tyson Fury’s camp to protect horror cut in rescheduled Tyson Fury fight
    “But it’s not usually an issue when it comes to smelling blood. At this point I ain’t got no time to be freaking out.” 
    Duran had a military background before moving into the sport of kickboxing, where he coached and promoted.
    From there, he made the life-changing decision to work fighters’ cuts and wrap their hands.
    No cornerman has had a bigger impact across the sports, with Duran working with the likes of Wladimir Klistchko and Tyson Fury.
    He has even featured in Hollywood movies, most notably in the Rocky series and Creed spin-offs.
    But away from the lights, camera and action, Duran has one of the crucial jobs in the ring.
    He said: “It’s definitely a pressure point. People ask me, ‘What does it take to be a good cutman?’ And I always say, ‘Composure.’
    “During those points you’ve got to keep your composure and give that fighter every positive airwave. 
    “He looks at you, and you look at him and you’ve just got to know what you’re doing a coach can be in the back but we’re in the front and centre.” 
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    Stitch Duran is the most iconic cutman in boxing historyCredit: Getty More

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    I’ve faced BOTH Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, here’s how they compare and my prediction for bout

    OTTO WALLIN could very well be the most in-demand man in boxing if Tyson Fury is to fight Anthony Joshua. That is because he is just one of four men to have shared the ring with both the British superstars.
    Tyson Fury beat Otto Wallin on points in 2019Credit: Reuters
    Anthony Joshua stopped Otto Wallin in five roundsCredit: Getty
    And, he is the most recent having given Fury 47 stitches in his 2019 points loss while being stopped in five rounds against AJ in December.
    Joshua’s dominance in Saudi Arabia looks to have revived his hopes of heavyweight world title contention.
    And meanwhile Fury struggled against AJ’s next opponent – MMA star Francis Ngannou – escaping with a controversial split-decision win.
    It has helped level the playing field when it comes to comparing the long-time domestic rivals.
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    And even Wallin – after 17 shared rounds between them – struggles to split the two.
    He told SunSport: “I feel like Joshua is a very good fighter, very good power, very good counter puncher. I feel like he definitely has a shot with Fury. 
    “And you just never know what Tyson Fury shows up. I still have a hard time going against Tyson in that fight. 
    “But, the fights if you compare it my fight against Joshua was a lot tougher than the one I had against Fury. 
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    “That doesn’t mean everything but I give Joshua more of a chance than I did before. But I still would probably pick Fury as the favourite.” 
    Fury had to battle through nine rounds of struggling to see through his right eye after a gruesome gash sustained against Wallin.
    Tyson Fury had 40 stitches then went for a beer and won £5k at the casino after Wallin fight
    His performance and tactics were slammed by outspoken dad John and sparked a huge change in the Gypsy King’s career.
    He left trainer Ben Davison for American Sugarhill Steward, packed on the pounds and ditched his elusive style in favour of power punching.
    It saw him go onto defeat Deontay Wilder twice, KO Dillian Whyte, stop Derek Chisora and edge past Ngannou.
    But Wallin believes the hard-to-hit Fury of old is better served returning for a fight with Joshua.
    He said: “I think that what Fury has is that he’s awkward, he’s big and he’s got a good jab and feints when he uses them. 
    “I think that’s what’s made him good and he needs to continue to do that. I’m not sure how much they’re working on that now with his new trainer. 
    “But it’s important for him to be awkward and feint a lot and use his good boxing skill. 
    How AJ ruined my holiday OTTO WALLIN was due on holiday to South Africa after his Anthony Joshua fight – but due to suffering a busted nose it was cancelled.
    Wallin told us: “Because I had a little fracture in my nose I had to go back to New York to get it looked at.
    “Because of insurance stuff I couldn’t travel so we came back here. I was off and had a little trip to Switzerland for a wedding and was skiing, that was nice.
    “But didn’t get to go to South Africa this time. My nose wasn’t that bad, I had a small surgery in Saudi where they had to drain some blood.
    “They put some stuff which was kind of painful, I couldn’t breathe through my nose for a week.
    “But when they took it out here in New York everything felt fine again. They told me not to train for three weeks but I had an extra break.
    “Now I’m getting back into it.”

    “With Joshua, what he has is a lot of power, he’s pretty fast for how big he is and not only fast with his hands but fast with his feet too. 
    “I think that’s something he will need against Fury.”
    Fury, 35, was due to return on February 17 against Oleksandr Usyk, 37, but a horror cut in sparring forced a postponement till May 18.
    For Joshua, 34, he takes on Ngannou, 37, on March 8 looking to better Fury’s lacklustre performance against the ex-UFC champion.
    And Wallin – who enjoyed a short three-week break before getting back into training – is ready to build himself up after refusing retirement.
    He said: “I was thinking about everything, my career, should I continue in boxing, should I start doing something else. 
    “But that was more the days after the fight, I then started to feel like, ‘You know what? I lost to the better fighter, one of the best in the world and there’s no real shame in that.’ 
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    “I still think I can get better and beat a lot of guys. You just want to take things step by step and not look too far ahead. 
    “I’m starting to feel ready to come back in the summer and hopefully get a big fight sometime later this year.” More

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    in Athletics

    I’m Britain’s second fastest woman and a fashion model with Kate Moss’s ex-agency

    FASHION-LOVING Daryll Neita shines on both the running track and the red carpet after being spotted by Kate Moss’s first modelling agency.Britain’s second-ever fastest woman can casually switch between spikes and stilettos and loves to wear high-end clothes outside of sweaty athletics kit.
    Daryll Neita lives and trains in Italy and recently attended a fashion show in MilanCredit: Instagram / daryllneita
    The British sprinter studied fashion at college and it is one of her hobbiesCredit: 2022 Franziska Krug
    Those who will follow her journey to the start line of the Paris 2024 Olympics should realise she has a real passion away from the day job of running in a straight line.
    Neita, who trains in Padua in Northern Italy, told SunSport: “I studied fashion at college. At the time people were so confused.
    “They were like: ‘Why aren’t you doing sports science?’ But that’s not my interest.
    “I might be good at sports and do it every day but when it comes to being creative or having an outlet, I’m interested in fashion. That has always been my thing.
    “I was signed to Storm Model Management. They’re pretty big. They actually scouted Kate Moss when she was younger.
    “During the off-season, I went to Milan Fashion week. I sat front row for the Missoni show.
    “I’m always doing bits and bobs in the fashion space – and I love it.
    “People always ask me what I’d do if I wasn’t in track and honestly it’d definitely be something in fashion. It’s the other side to me.”
    Most read in Athletics
    Athletes sometimes do ‘walk-ins’ before competitions to showcase their personalities and life outside of track-and-field.
    American Noah Lyles, the reigning 100 metres and 200 metres world champion, is someone who has brought style and fashion to the sport.
    British longer jumper Jazmin Sawyers is a creative soul and likes to design her own clothes ahead of meets.
    Neita, whose fashion idol is Naomi Campbell, said: “It’s important to feel good out there.
    “I don’t see why being a sporty person means you cannot also be cool or fashionable.
    “Yes, running fast is the main thing. But life is also about who you are as a person.
    “I feel people are tapping into their hobbies more and you’re probably seeing that with their fashion.
    “Noah is always dressed in something cool. Always doing the fashion walk-ins.
    “He does ask me sometimes: ‘Are you going to walk before the race?’ Honestly, I don’t think I’m there yet where I’m thinking about my pre-race outfit.
    “Maybe next season you’ll see me in a couple of looks before a race.”
    Neita – who finished fifth in the women’s 200 metres final at last year’s World Athletics Championships – has a PB of 10.90 seconds and 22.16 seconds for the two sprints.
    The Jamaicans and Americans rule the world over these disciplines but Neita, 27, hopes to be in the mix for the medals at this summer’s Olympics.
    Power and strength was built up over the winter in the gym and on the track.
    She has not long returned to Europe after a warm-weather training camp in Stellenbosch, South Africa, which was funded by National Lottery money.
    Neita, 27, who opened her year over 60 metres in Paris last Sunday, added: “I’m on the World-Class Programme. I get supported with things like that training camp.
    “Without it, we would be training in the snow in the UK!

    “The funding helps us in so many different ways. Whether it’s medical or travel or assistance. Even for our mental health.
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    “I train with people from different nations and they don’t get anything from their federations. And yet they are individual medallists. We are very, very fortunate.”
    National Lottery players have transformed athletics in the UK with more than £300million invested since Lottery funding began. They support elite athletes to win medals on the world stage and have invested in clubs, facilities and programmes across the country to enable more people to take part in the sport. More

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    Undefeated heavyweight who knocked out Deontay Wilder is brutally KO’d for the first time

    BEFORE his stellar triple-header with Tyson Fury, the last man to stop Deontay Wilder was a boxer by the name of Evgeny Romanov.Wilder faced off with Romanov back in 2008 when he travelled to Novosibirsk for a Russia vs USA competition.
    Evgeny Romanov was the last fighter to stop Deontay Wilder before Tyson FuryCredit: Instagram @evgeniiromanov1985
    Romanov took on Wilder in an amateur bout in Russia in 2008Credit: CNOPT
    Romanov decked the Bronze Bomber in round threeCredit: CNOPT
    Having previously gone unbeaten in pro boxing, Romanov has now been on the receiving end of a KOCredit: RCC Boxing
    Romanov won the amateur fight after three decisive rounds in which he had an answer for everything the Bronze Bomber could throw at him.
    Fast forward to 2024, and Romanov has both silver 2008 and gold 2009 Russian Championship medals to his name.
    The 38-year-old even had an unbeaten record of 19 pro fights with 12 knockouts under his belt.
    Reflecting on the Wilder fight 13 years later in an interview with RT, he said: “It was a long time ago. I honestly don’t think much of it.
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    “Wilder was different then than he is now. I was different too.
    “Today’s a different time, Wilder’s at the top and I’m on my way there.
    “Back then it was maybe the other way round, so I don’t want to remember or think of it.”
    However, Romanov has now been on the receiving end of a knockout for the first time.
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    On Saturday night, Romanov took on Chinese fighter Zhaoxin Zhang in a final eliminator to fight for the WBA’s new “super-cruiserweight” belt.
    Things appeared to be going to plan for Romanov after knocking Zhang down in the first round.
    Deontay Wilder gets knocked out in Russia against Evgeny Romanov
    But in the second round, Zhang came flying out of the blocks and landed a series of punches with decked Romanov onto the canvas.
    Romanov desperately tried to get back to his feet but was unable to do so as he was counted out by the referee.
    Meanwhile, Wilder has not fared much better recently, losing his last fight against Joseph Parker in December.
    The American has put the loss down to a 20-hour plane journey and lack of sparring as his reason for the defeat.
    It scuppered plans for a super-fight with Brit Anthony Joshua, who has since announced a showdown with ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou. More

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    Anthony Joshua could hit Francis Ngannou with a BASEBALL BAT and he’d keep coming, warns Tyson Fury’s trainer

    ANTHONY JOSHUA has been warned Francis Ngannou could be whacked with a BASEBALL BAT and still be able to keep coming. AJ returns on March 8 in Saudi Arabia against the ex-UFC champion-turned heavyweight boxer.
    Anthony Joshua faces Francis Ngannou on March 8Credit: PA
    It marks just Ngannou’s second boxing bout following his debut in October when he astonishingly floored but lost on points to Tyson Fury.
    The Gypsy King threw everything at the MMA star during the ten-round crossover clash – including an accidental elbow.
    And assistant coach Andy Lee watched on in amazement as the Gypsy King struggled to put a dent in the Cameroonian powerhouse.
    He told Boxing Social: “Tyson hit him with a flush elbow and he didn’t even flinch.
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    “I think that you could hit that man with a baseball bat and he would still be there. You have got to respect him in that sense, and he can punch.
    “Even though Joshua has the pedigree of being a really outstanding boxer, puncher, athlete, Olympic champion, unified world champion and all of that, you have got to favour him but it is not a foregone conclusion.”
    Joshua, 34, had signed to fight Deontay Wilder, 38, in an anticipated blockbuster in Saudi.
    But Wilder suffered a shock defeat to Lee’s boxer Joseph Parker, 32, so the super-fight was scrapped.
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    ANTHONY JOSHUA VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE CROSSOVER BOUT
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    Instead, AJ turned to Ngannou, 37, who made such an impression in his debut bout against Fury, 35, which ended in a controversial split-decision.
    But Lee – a former middleweight world champion – reckons Joshua has the upper hand having been given ten rounds of Ngannou to study.
    Deontay Wilder breaks silence on Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou after blowing blockbuster with British rival
    He said: “People are going to be interested because Ngannou put on such a great performance against Tyson.
    “It’s a great situation for Joshua because all of those unknowns that Tyson went up against have been dispelled now, the element of surprise in Ngannou is gone.
    “You’ve got to give Ngannou credit, he was a lot more savvy and a lot better at boxing than anyone might’ve given him credit for.
    “He’s quite clever, he is very patient as well and you can see that he is strong.
    “Don’t underestimate being 280lbs of solid muscle, when you strip things back it is just two men and one of these guys is huge and is pure muscle.”
    Fury with coach Andy LeeCredit: @bodypuncher More