Aurelia Butler

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    I fought Manny Pacquiao and Canelo but my toughest opponent was ‘the drunken master’ whose record didn’t show his skill

    DESPITE conquering Manny Pacquiao and Canelo Alvarez in his legendary career, neither were Floyd Mayweather’s toughest opponent. Mayweather officially retired in 2017 after beating UFC superstar Conor McGregor in what would have been deemed his easiest night’s work.
    Floyd Mayweather retired unbeaten at 50-0Credit: Getty Images – Getty
    But he had iconic wins over the likes of Pacquiao, Canelo, Oscar de la Hoya, Miguel Cotto among several more.
    Although it was the eccentric Emmanuel Augustus who Mayweather named as his most difficult rival.
    He told Fight Hype in 2012: “Emmanuel Augustus was my toughest opponent.
    “His record didn’t show his skill-set, but the guy was unbelievable.”
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    Mayweather beat Augustus on points in 2000 but struggled to deal with the maverick American’s movement.
    Augustus got the nickname ‘The Drunk Master’ for pretending to be intoxicated during bouts while boxing in an unorthodox fashion.
    He boxed up until 2011 and retired with a record of 38 wins, 34 losses and six draws.
    But Mayweather was full of praise for Augustus in his post-fight interview right after beating him.
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    He said: “He’s a true warrior, a true champion.
    “Before the fight, I heard he had got robbed [by bad decisions] a lot of times – and I believe that’s true.”
    Mayweather, 46, retired at 50-0 after beating McGregor, 35, but he has continued to box in exhibitions since.
    Floyd Mayweather beat Emanuel Augustus in 2000Credit: YOUTUBE -Top Rank Boxing More

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    Jake Paul teases details on next fight by revealing he will face former junior Olympian with more KOs than last opponent

    JAKE PAUL released details on his next fight – revealing it will be against an ex-junior Olympian with more knockouts than his last opponent. In December, the YouTuber-turned boxer knocked out Andre August, who came into the bout with a 10-1-1 record and five KOs.
    Jake Paul returns on March 2Credit: Reuters

    Paul returns on March 2 on the undercard of Amanda Serrano’s Puerto Rico homecoming.
    And his Most Valuable Promotions banner teased details on the calibre of opponent he is set to fight.
    They posted: “Almost time. This Tuesday. Jake Paul announces his next opponent.
    “More wins than any previous opponent. More KOs than any previous opponent. Golden Gloves Champion. National Junior Olympics.”
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    Paul, 27, suffered defeat for the first time last February, losing a split-decision to Tommy Fury, 24.
    But he bounced back with a point victory over ex-UFC star Nate Diaz, 38, and first-round KO of August, 35.
    The American held a press conference to announce his return but his opponent was not present.
    But Paul revealed: “He’s a professional boxer with an even better record that Andre August and there will be an announcement coming soon.
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    “But again, it’s another step up in competition, he’s won regional titles etc.
    “Announcement will be coming soon but another step up in competition and continuing to challenge myself March 2nd.”
    Paul’s business partner Nakisa Bidarian also revealed another bout is being eyed for June or July.
    Jake Paul will return in Puerto RicoCredit: Rex More

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    John Ryder beaten by Jaime Munguia after Brit is dropped four times and knocked out in the ninth round in Phoenix

    JAIME MUNGUIA battered John Ryder into submission before calling out Canelo Alvarez to a Mexican standoff. The former light-middleweight world champion had Ryder down FOUR times before it was stopped in round nine.
    Jaime Munguia stopped John Ryder in nine roundsCredit: Getty
    Ryder was floored four timesCredit: Getty
    Munguia remans undefeatedCredit: Getty
    And Munguia had only one man on his mind following the demolition job in Phoenix.
    He said: “It would be a great fight among Mexicans. And if Canelo gives us the chance, it will be an honour to be in the same ring as him.”
    Ryder, beaten by Canelo over 12 rounds last May, was down for the first time in the second round following a right hand.
    In the fourth, he was hammered into the ropes and soon put down again, this time with a short countering left hand.
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    Ryder, 35, fought back but in round nine he was twice floored and stopped on his feet.
    It leaves the brave Brit on the brink of retirement while Munguia, 27, scored one of the most impressive wins of his career.
    He said: “I prepared for this. I worked hard, I know they don’t trust me and here are the results.
    “I’m ready, here at 168. Ryder is a great fighter, I learned a lot and I’m going forward.
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    “He is a very strong fighter, I had to be very careful, he has a very hard head, but now I feel very happy.”
    Promoter Oscar de la Hoya added: “Jaime did what Canelo couldn’t do. He knocked out the Gorilla.
    “I’m very proud because Munguia has evolved.”
    Munguia called out Canelo AlvarezCredit: Getty More

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    Francis Ngannou’s ex-sparring partner reveals prediction for Anthony Joshua fight… and opens door to working with Brit

    ANTHONY JOSHUA has been backed to beat Francis Ngannou by the ex-UFC champion’s former sparring partner. The humongous heavyweights collide on March 8 in Saudi Arabia in just Ngannou’s second boxing bout.
    Francis Ngannou with ex-sparring partner Darren SealyCredit: Instagram @darrensealy
    Anthony Joshua with Ngannou ahead of their March 8 fightCredit: Getty
    He put his MMA career on hold last year and in October faced WBC world champion Tyson Fury.
    And to prepare for the bout, he called on 6ft 9in British heavyweight Darren Sealy.
    Sealy is now in camp with Oleksandr Usyk, again mimicking Fury, but he has tipped AJ to defeat former sparring partner Ngannou.
    He told SunSport: “It’s a tricky one, both extremely powerful but I feel the last two, three fights, especially the last fight in December with Otto Wallin, AJ looked brilliant. 
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    “Everything was firing on all cylinders and I do feel that AJ will be victorious on the night. 
    “I don’t know how in terms of round by round or decision but I do feel he will definitely get the better of Ngannou.”  
    Ngannou and Usyk – Fury’s last two opponents – both called on Sealy’s towering frame to prepare for the Gypsy King.
    And if Joshua, 34, beats Ngannou and Fury defeats Usyk, the long-time rivals will be on course to finally stage their Battle of Britain.
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    So again Sealy is willing to offer his hard-to-come-by services to AJ.
    He said: “It’s a business and a sport and all boxers and athletes understand that so you have to go where the wind blows. 
    “If the opportunity is there and Fury’s the opponent or another very tall opponent and they call me in, then I’ll be there.” 
    When Ngannou’s crossover clash with Fury was announced, Sealy messaged the MMA star’s boxing coach Dewey Cooper.
    And following a press conference in London, the two sparred and before long Sealy was invited out to his camp in Saudi Arabia.

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    Two weeks of sparring followed before Ngannou, 37, dropped Fury, 35, and was deemed unfortunate to walk away with a split-decision loss.
    It means Fury now faces Usyk, 36, in an undisputed title decider on February 17 in Riyadh.
    And it allows Sealy to be a part of another historic fight in boxing history.
    He said: “I reflect on it when I’m not sparring, when I’m having my own personal time.
    “I think it’s important to reflect and live in the moment because if I’m thinking too far ahead or thinking what’s next then I’m not soaking up the atmosphere, not relishing the opportunity. 
    “I know there’s not too many people that are my height and have the privilege to be a part of these camps. 
    “So by all means I am living up to the opportunity but I am living up to the expectation. It’s been two amazing experiences, two amazing camps.”
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    Sealy, far right, is now in camp with Oleksandr UsykCredit: instagram More

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    Gervonta Davis set for stunning UK arena fight after blockbuster Ryan Garcia bout sold 1.2million PPV buys

    BOXING sensation Gervonta Davis is set to return to the UK for a blockbuster fight this year.The lightweight champion has not fought since stopping Ryan Garcia in the seventh round of their clash last April.
    Gervonta Davis has not fought since beating Ryan Garcia last AprilCredit: AP
    But his year then hit an obstacle after he pled guilty to four counts of traffic violations last May.
    However he will make his ring comeback later this year as part of Premier Boxing Champions’ new venture with Prime Video.
    And according to RingTV he is set to return to the UK for the first time since knocking out Liam Walsh at the Copper Box in May 2017.
    Davis, 29, is one of the biggest attractions in the sport having won all 29 fights in his career across three division weight divisions.
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    His Las Vegas duel with a previously unbeaten Garcia drew in 1.2 million pay-per-view buys.
    The Tank impressed in front of a sell-out crowd at the T-Mobile Arena, which had a gate revenue of an estimated £19.4m.
    His next opponent is still to be decided but he could be in line for a blockbuster fight with Devin Haney.
    Haney, 25, is also unbeaten and one of the biggest stars in the sport multiple world championships in two weight classes.
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    He has beaten the likes of George Kambosos Jr., Regis Prograis and Vasily Lomachenko – another potential opponent for Davis.
    Davis made headlines last month when he changed his name after converting to Islam.
    It’s not yet known if Davis has legally changed his name or whether he will fight under his new moniker – Abdul Wahid. More

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    I fought Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao but neither were as quick and powerful as rival world champion

    OSCAR DE LA HOYA fought the best of his generation – but one rival stands out among them all. The Golden Boy won belts in SIX different divisions but retried in 2008 following a one-sided loss to Manny Pacquiao.
    Floyd Mayweather beat Oscar de la Hoya in 2007Credit: AP:Associated Press
    De la Hoya was sent into retirement by Manny PacquiaoCredit: AP:Associated Press
    A year earlier, he was edged out on a split-decision by Floyd Mayweather – in a bout that broke pay-per-view records at the time.
    But it was his two-fight series with Shane Mosley and the speed of the American that lives long in the memory for De La Hoya.
    He told Ring Magazine in 2018: “It was ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley in the first fight. He had amazing hand speed.
    “With him it was just the speed behind his punches; even though you can see them coming, there were so many – and very accurate and great power.”
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    Mosley beat De La Hoya in 2000 and then again three years later, in a result deemed more controversial.
    In 2007, his blockbuster with Mayweather sold 2.4m PPVs.
    It stood as a boxing record until unbeaten Mayweather’s 2015 win over Pacquiao, which drew in 4.6m PPVs in America.
    De La Hoya was quick to compare the speed of Mayweather and Mosley, who also fought in 2010.
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    He said: “It’s not like Sugar Shane Mosley with four- and five-punch combinations.
    “Mayweather is more like you throw a jab and he’ll counter it. That’s his speed.
    “I think Shane Mosley in his prime was the fastest fighter I’ve met.”
    Following De La Hoya’s retirement, he focused on promoting, working with the likes of Ryan Garcia, Jaime Munguia and Vergil Ortiz.
    Shane Mosley and De La Hoya had two memorable fightsCredit: AP:Associated Press More

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    I fought Canelo Alvarez in Mexico and needed POLICE escorts to guarantee my safety… but I made a lot of friends after

    JOHN RYDER walked into the lion’s den the night he fought Canelo Alvarez – but came out still roaring. Canelo returned to Mexico for the first time in over a decade last May to defend his undisputed super-middleweight crown against Ryder.
    John Ryder was beaten by Canelo Alvarez in MexicoCredit: Getty
    And he dominated over 12 rounds to mark a successful homecoming.
    Ryder needed police protection from the raucous and adoring Canelo faithful – but left having turned the rivalling fans into new friends.
    He told talkSPORT: “I don’t think anything can really live up to it.
    “There’ll have to be some serious bloodthirsty people there to really trump Guadalajara.
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    “Being driven in armoured SUVs with a police escort to guarantee your safety to weigh-ins and whatever we were doing.
    “It was the magnitude of the fight, the magnitude of Canelo, it’s just massive.
    “The Mexican fans – I’ve gained a lot of friends from that fight.
    “I’m in touch with a lot of Mexicans now, they love their boxing and they back their own.
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    “They’re what true fans should be, they just like to see the best fighting the best.”
    Ryder, 35, returns against Canelo’s countryman, unbeaten former light-middleweight world champion Jaime Munguia.
    And with 27-year-old Munguia changing trainers from Erik Morales to Freddie Roach, the switch period could prove profitable for Ryder.
    He said: “Listen he’s not put a foot wrong yet.
    “He’s been in there with a few good names – the standout for me would be Liam Smith.
    “Listen, he didn’t look fantastic against Sergiy Derevyanchenko, but everyone has off nights. It was a Fight of the Year candidate there.
    “He’s obviously made changes now to [new trainer] Freddie Roach. So it’s all yet to be seen what’s worked for him him and what’s not.
    “I feel like I’m getting him at a good time, he’s gonna be in a bit of a transition I think after moving from Erik Morales to Freddie Roach.
    “I’m in the twilight of my career and I’ve learned so much about myself in this past year with the Canelo fight – the fight I wish I’d have had a decade ago. I feel like this is the best time for me.”
    Jaime Munguia facing off with John RyderCredit: Getty More

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    Oleksandr Usyk says he has been preparing to fight Tyson Fury for NINE YEARS… in bid to avenge Wladimir Klitschko

    OLEKSANDR USYK said he has been preparing to fight Tyson Fury for NINE YEARS – ever since Ukrainian icon Wladimir Klitschko was beaten. Fury in 2015 dethroned the boxing legend in a famous upset to become the unified heavyweight world champion.
    Tyson Fury going head to head with Oleksandr UsykCredit: Reuters
    Wladimir Klitschko was beaten by Fury in 2015Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
    He is now in his second reign and almost a decade on from stunning Klitschko, he faces Usyk in a historic undisputed title decider.
    Usyk – who has twice beaten Anthony Joshua – revealed he has secretly had his eyes on the Gypsy King ever since.
    He said in a leaked TNT Sports face to face: “I’ve been preparing for this fight for a few years now, since he beat Wladimir.
    “He didn’t know about me back then because I wasn’t famous in the world of boxing, but I have been preparing for him and Anthony Joshua from the very beginning. Since I started professional boxing.”
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    The unbeaten champions collide on February 17 in Saudi Arabia, marking the first time all four heavyweight belts have been on the line.
    Despite the historic and monumental occasion – which Usyk waited nearly a decade for – Fury claimed he was only dedicating five weeks worth of training to it.
    He said: “I train four or five weeks for these fights.
    “Please, like I trained 12 weeks for Wilder and everybody else! Four or five weeks, how much training does a man need?
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    “Three or four weeks of sparring and one week of resting, done. We’ve been boxing for all of our lives since young boys, how much training do we need?
    “I’m sure we aren’t going to forgot how to box and it’s not a fitness competition is it, so I don’t think you need anymore than five weeks.”
    When asked to respond, Usyk replied: “I can keep on boxing non-stop for five weeks.” More